Prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in goats in selected locations in three agroclimatic zones of Sri Lanka

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in the faeces of 1020 goats in th ree age categories was examined during 1999 in selected locations of three agroclimatic zones of Sri Lanka. The oocysts were demonstrated using the Sh eather's sucrose Rotation method followed by staining with the modified Zic hl Neelsen technique. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in animals from ail agroclimatic zones with the highest prevalence of infection in the dry zone (33.6%) compared with 24.7 and 21.7% in the intermediate zones and we t, respectively (P < 0.001). Overall, Cryptosporidium oocyst counts were si gnificantly higher in goats of <6 months and 7-12 months of age groups comp ared with goats of >12 months of age (P < 0.001). Cryptosporidium oocysts w ere detected in 291/1020 (28.5%) animals, while 194/1020 animals (19%), 84/ 1020 animals (8.2%) and 13/1070 animals (1.3%) excreted low (1-1000 oocysts per gram of faeces), moderate (1000.5000 oocysts per gram of faeces) and h igh (>5000 oocysts per gram of faeces) counts, respectively. The mean Crypt osporidium count was 383 oocysts per gram of faeces. The majority of the in fected goats were asymptomatic. These animals are likely to play an importa nt role in the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in goat kids and humans. ( C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.