Prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in cattle from Southern Ghana

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium species oocysts in 241 cattle from two agroecological zones in Southern Ghana was investigated in this study. Cryptosporidium oocysts were demonstrated in fecal samples using sodium chloride centrifugal fl oatation, followed by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining technique. Overall, 29.0% of the cattle were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Prevalence was significantly higher (P0.05). Age group prevalence was 25.8%, 33.3% and 27.6% in calves (24 months old) respectively (p>0.05). Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 23.1% of 39 diarrheic and 30.2% of 202 non-diarrheic stools (P>0.05). The majority of infected cattle were asymptomatic. These fi ndings suggest that cattle may play a role in the zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium oocysts to humans and other animals in Ghana