title: Cryptosporidium infections in suckler herd beef calves.
abstract: A study was carried out to investigate how common Cryptosporidium infections are in beef calves in Swedish suckler herds and to explore which species and subtypes that occur. We further aimed at identifying factors associated with shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts in this type of calf management. The study was conducted in two regions in Sweden and included 30 herds. Faecal samples were collected from calves younger than 3 months. A brief clinical examination was done and a questionnaire was used to collect data on management routines. Faeces were cleaned and concentrated and oocysts identified by epifuorescence microscopy. Cryptosporidium positive samples were analyzed at the 18S rRNA and GP60 genes to determine species and Cryptosporidium parvum subtype, respectively. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with infection. Oocysts were detected in 122 (36.7%) calves from 29 (97%) herds, at 400 to 2.4 × 107 OPG. The youngest positive calves were only 1 and 2 days old. There was no association between age and Cryptosporidium infection. Cryptosporidium bovis, Cryptosporidium ryanae, C. parvum and Cryptosporidium ubiquitum were identified, with C. bovis being the major species. Two C. parvum subtypes, IIaA16G1R1 and IIdA27G1 were identified. Routines for cleaning calf pens and number of cows in calving pens were associated with infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences,Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,P.O. Box 7054,SE-750 07 Uppsala,Sweden.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Björkman
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences,Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,P.O. Box 7054,SE-750 07 Uppsala,Sweden.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lindström
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences,Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,P.O. Box 7054,SE-750 07 Uppsala,Sweden.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oweson
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology,Immunobiology and Parasitology,National Veterinary Institute,SE-751 89 Uppsala,Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahola
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology,Immunobiology and Parasitology,National Veterinary Institute,SE-751 89 Uppsala,Sweden.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Troell
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies,National Veterinary Institute,SE-751 89 Uppsala,Sweden.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Axén
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000235:genetics; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D033661:Oocysts; D015995:Prevalence; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D013045:Species Specificity; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D012335:RNA, Ribosomal
keywords: Cryptosporidium; Cryptosporidium bovis; Cryptosporidium parvum; Cryptosporidium ryanae; Cryptosporidium ubiquitum; beef calves; diarrhea; suckler herd