Prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in dairy calves in western Washington.
The prevalence and intensity of Cryptosporidium infection were examined in 445 Holstein calves at 10 dairy farms in western Washington, near Seattle. Fifty-one percent (176) of calves in the 7- to 21-day-old age group (n = 342) were positive for oocysts in the feces by carbolfuchsin staining. Prevalence and intensity of infection were highest in calves 8 to 14 days old; prevalence was 60% in this group, and 48% of the Cryptosporidium-positive calves had oocyst shedding at a 4+ level. A seasonal pattern in prevalence was not evident.
Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
J E
JE
Ongerth
H H
HH
Stibbs
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003044:Coccidia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva; D013997:Time Factors; D014861:Washington