title: Prevalence of Cryptosporidia, Eimeria, Giardia, and Strongyloides in pre-weaned calves on smallholder dairy farms in Mukurwe-ini district, Kenya.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gastrointestinal diseases are among the leading causes of calf morbidity and mortality in Kenya and elsewhere. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidia, Eimeria, Giardia, and Strongyloides in calves on smallholder dairy farms (SDF) in Mukurwe-ini District, Nyeri County, Kenya. These infections have been associated with economic losses by decreased growth rates, decreased productivity, and increased susceptibility to other diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study was conducted on 109 farms in Mukurwe-ini District, Nyeri County, Kenya, where 220 calf fecal samples (each calf at 4 and 6 weeks of age) from 110 calves (1 set of twins) were collected and analyzed for Cryptosporidia, Eimeria, Giardia, and helminth parasites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eimeria oocysts, Cryptosporidia oocysts, and Strongyloides eggs were detected in the fecal samples examined, but no Giardia cysts were found. The overall period prevalence of Eimeria, Cryptosporidia, and Strongyloides was 42.7% (47/110), 13.6% (15/110), and 5.4% (6/110), respectively. The prevalence at 4 weeks of age for Eimeria, Cryptosporidia, and Strongyloides was 30.0% (33/110), 8.2% (9/110), and 3.7% (4/109), respectively, while the prevalence at 6 weeks of age was 20.2% (22/109), 6.5% (7/107), and 2.7% (3/110), respectively. There was, however, no significant difference in the prevalence at 4 and 6 weeks (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from this study show that Eimeria, Cryptosporidia, and Strongyloides, are prevalent in the study area and indicate the need to adopt optimal management practices to control infections in calves.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Getrude Shepelo
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Kenya.
authors.forename: George Karuoya
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Gitau
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Charles Matiku
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mulei
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management, Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown PEI Canada, C1A 4P3, Canada.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vanleeuwen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management, Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown PEI Canada, C1A 4P3, Canada.
authors.forename: Shauna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management, Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown PEI Canada, C1A 4P3, Canada.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wichtel
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon SK Canada, S7N 5B4, Canada.
authors.forename: Fabienne
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Uehlinger
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Pharmacology, and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Omwando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mainga
keywords: Cryptosporidia, Eimeria; Giardia; Strongyloides; pre-weaned calves; smallholder dairy farms