Prevalence and molecular characterization ofCryptosporidiumspecies in cattle and buffalo calves in Mumbai region of India.
Faecal samples of cattle and buffaloes of Mumbai region collected between November 2012 to June 2013 were analysed by conventional and molecular tools to note the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and species involved in the infection. Conventional analysis viz., direct faecal smear examination, faecal smear examination after normal saline sedimentation, Sheather's floatation and Sheather's floatation sedimentation smear methods demonstrated oocysts ofCryptosporidiumin 141 (36.06 %) of 391 samples with higher occurrence in buffaloes (36.99 %) than cattle (34.48 %). Diarrhoeic loose faeces showed higher prevalence (42.07 %) than apparently normal faeces (31.72 %) irrespective of the host species. When data were arranged as per age groups viz., calves of 0-1 month, 1-2 months, 2-3 months and adults, the highest prevalence was noted in the youngest group (47.12 %) declining gradually with the advancing age with lowest (6.25 %) in adults indicating inverse correlation between prevalence rate and age of the host. These differences were statistically significant in case of buffaloes.Cryptosporidium andersoniwas tentatively identified by morphometric analysis. By employing molecular tools like nested PCR, PCR-RFLP and sequence analysis of few samples showed good correlation in the identification of species ofCryptosporidiuminvolved in the infection and demonstrated occurrence ofC. parvum,C. ryanaeandC. bovis.Thus all the four commonly occurring bovine species ofCryptosporidiumwere encountered in the study area which appears to be a first record reporting the occurrence ofCryptosporidiumwith species level identification in large ruminants from Western region of India. Additionally, the public health significance ofC. parvumwas also discussed in light of epidemiological factors pertaining to the region.
Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Bombay Veterinary College, Parel, Mumbai, 400012 India.
A C
AC
Hingole
Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Bombay Veterinary College, Parel, Mumbai, 400012 India.
J G
JG
Gudewar
Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Bombay Veterinary College, Parel, Mumbai, 400012 India.
R P
RP
Pednekar
Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Bombay Veterinary College, Parel, Mumbai, 400012 India.
M L
ML
Gatne
Buffalo; Cattle; Cryptosporidium; Mumbai; Nested PCR