Cryptosporidium infection in lambs: prevalence and potential risk factors in villages of Mashhad city, eastern Iran

Cryptosporidium is one of the major causes of diarrhea in animals and humans worldwide. The purpose of this research was to estimate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection and investigate the predisposing factors of infection in lambs in the suburbs of Mashhad, eastern Iran.  In this research, a total of 400 fecal specimens of lambs aged 5-90 days were taken by rectal examination and mixed with the same volume of 2.5% potassium dichromate until further examinations. In the lab, thin fecal smears were prepared from the specimens and stained using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. The stained smears were examined under 40X and 100X magnification. In addition, anamnestic, epidemiological, management, and hygiene measures data, including age, sex, breed, rectal temperature, fecal consistency, herd number, keeping with other animals, type of pen, type of bedding, colostrum consumption, source of drinking water were recorded in questionnaires and analyzed. In the current research, the intensity of infection was determined. In microscopy, 11% of the examined smears scored positive. The lowest intensity of infection was recorded in 38.63%, the average intensity of infection was found in 47.7%, and the highest intensity of infection was found in 13.63% of samples. Cryptosporidium infection was significantly influenced by some analyzed factors, including younger age, absence of colostrum intake, mud wall of the pens, and non-tap water consumption. The present study showed that the infection of lambs with Cryptosporidium is significant in the suburbs of Mashhad, although in most cases, the intensity of contamination was moderate.