Infection pattern of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in calves.
Faecal samples were collected weekly over a 3 month period from 0- to 20-week-old calves on an Ohio dairy farm, and examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts by a quantitative direct immunofluorescence assay. Oocysts and cysts were detected as early as 4 days of age. Shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts peaked at 1 week and was low by 3 weeks. Some calves, however, continued to pass low numbers of oocysts. Shedding of Giardia cysts peaked at 2 weeks of age with high levels maintained until 7 weeks of age. Most calves continued to pass low numbers of Giardia cysts after weaning. Cumulative infection rates for both Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia sp. were 100%.
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Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus 43210.
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D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count