Cryptosporidium Infection Among Slaughtered Cattle in Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria

Cryptosporidium is an enteric protozoan of gastrointestinal tracts that cause life threatening diarrhea in the young, as well as, malnourished or immune-compromised adult animals. It is sustained in the environment by continual shedding through asymptomatic carrier via contamination. This study evaluated the presence of 250 cattle prior to slaughtering at Igboora slaughter slabs, Oyo State, Nigeria. Faecal samples were collected per rectum processed and analyzed for Cryptosporidium oocyst which were confirmed by their Pinkish red spherical ovoid shape with halo against a green background. The age, sex, breed and body condition score of each of cattle were also noted. Out of the 250 sampled cattle, 22% (55/250) were positive for Cryptosporidium. Higher prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts was detected in females (22.2%) compared to males (21.2%), and in the younger (23.3%) compared to older cattle (15%). Among the breeds of cattle screened, the highest prevalence was recorded in Sokoto Gudali (41.7%) while Cross breeds had the least prevalence (19.4%). Also, the highest prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts was detected in cattle with lean Body Condition Score (29.4%). No statistically significant difference was observed among all the variables (p>0.05). This study has shown the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle slaughtered in Igboora. It is therefore advised that sanitation measures including proper sewage and dung disposal be put in place to prevent further transmission among cattle and to human beings .