Comparison of oocyst shedding and the serum immune response to Cryptosporidium parvum in cattle and pigs.
A comparison was made between oocyst shedding and the presence of specific serum IgG antibodies to Cryptosporidium parvum in 108 bovines and 90 pigs. Oocysts were detected by a commercial immunofluorescence assay in feces from 26.8% of bovines and 34.4% of pigs, whereas positive titers as determined by an indirect fluorescent antibody method were found in sera from 12.9% and 48.9% of the respective animals. Infection was significantly most frequent in suckling calves (82.7%) and weaned piglets (87.5%). By contrast, the numbers of seropositives were highest in weaned calves (17.1%) and fattening pigs (76.6%). The results of coprological and serological analysis corresponded in 65.7% of bovines and 56.7% of pigs. When used to diagnose the shedding of cryptosporidial oocysts, the detection of specific IgG antibodies had a sensitivity ranging from 10.3% (cattle) to 58.1% (pigs) and a specificity of 86.1% (cattle) and 55.9% (pigs).
Quílez
J
J
Department of Animal Pathology, Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University Autónoma of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
Ares-Mazás
E
E
Sánchez-Acedo
C
C
del Cacho
E
E
Clavel
A
A
Causapé
A C
AC
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D002417:Cattle; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D013552:Swine
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan