Antiparasitic efficacy of Cryptogal against Cryptosporidium spp. in newborn calves

The article presents the results of testing a new antiprotozoal drug, Cryptogal (oral solution, active ingredient – halofuginone, manufactured by BROVAFARMA LLC), for the treatment of newborn calves infected with Cryptosporidium spp. The study was conducted on calves with clinically and laboratory-confirmed cryptosporidiosis. Diagnosis was based on the epizootic situation in the experimental farms, clinical symptoms (profuse diarrhea, pronounced intestinal peristalsis, increased body temperature (39.2–39.8 °C), exhaustion, and intoxication), and the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal samples through coproovoscopy. Sick calves were administered Cryptogal at a dose of 2 ml per 10 kg of body weight (0.1 mg of halofuginone per kg of body weight) once daily for seven consecutive days. Clinical trials of Cryptogal in calves infected with Cryptosporidium spp. demonstrated sufficient therapeutic efficacy, safety, and anabsence of side effects. The results of both clinical and laboratory trials confirmed a high level of sensitivity of Cryptosporidium spp. to halofuginone, exhibiting both coccidiocidal and coccidiostatic effects. Complete elimination of the pathogen in initially infected animals was recorded on day 19 of the study. In cases of low infection intensity (II), Cryptosporidium excretion in feces ceased by day 11. Clinical signs of cryptosporidiosis in calves disappeared 8–9 days after treatment. The developed drug was shown to be a safe coccidiocidal agent, with no adverse or extraneous effects observed in calves during or after oral administration. No significant negative impact was detected on the overall health of the animals or on individual hematological parameters. Ten days after completing the Cryptogal treatment course, normalization of hemoglobin levels, erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, and a reduction in ESR, as well as in the percentage of banded and neutrophilic cells, were recorded in the blood of the calves, indicating the resolution of inflammation and overall recovery. The biochemical parameters of the calves' serum returned to physiological ranges, with an increase in total protein content and reserve alkalinity, alongside a decrease in glucose and total bilirubin concentrations, confirming the absence of general toxic and hepatotoxic effects of the drug. The conclusions were made regarding the sufficient therapeutic efficacy and safety of Cryptogal at the doses and dosages recommended by the manufacturer for the treatment of calf cryptosporidiosis. Key words: halofuginone, cryptosporidiosis, coccidiostatic, antiprotozoal effect, hematology, safety.