Patterns of Cryptosporidium oocyst shedding in calves and a comparison of two diagnostic methods.
Cryptosporidium spp. oocyst shedding was observed in calves from approximately 1 to 30 days of age. Oocysts were detected by either the Kinyoun acid-fast staining technique (microscopic examination--ME) or a commercially produced enzyme immunoassay EIA). Test concordance between the two detection methods was determined. The mean (+/- SD) number of days to detection of cryptosporidial oocysts was 9.52 +/- 1.92 for the ME and 9.83 +/- 3.19 for the EIA. No significant difference between the means was found (P = 0.17). The period prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was 100% in calves from 1 to 30 days of age. The overall agreement between the ME and EIA was 72%, with a kappa value of 0.42 (SE +/- 0.05). McNemar's test indicated that the proportion of tests determined positive by the two methods was not equal (P < 0.01). The findings or this study indicate moderate agreement between the two diagnostic methods, with the EIA being the more sensitive of the two. However, in most cases the herd-level determination of cryptosporidiosis requires minimal sample sizes and is more economically and easily accomplished by the ME method of detection.
McCluskey
B J
BJ
US Department of Agriculture, APHIS, Englewood, CO 80155, USA.
Greiner
E C
EC
Donovan
G A
GA
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods
D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic