COMPARISON OF EFFICIENCY OF STAINING WITH ZIEHL-NEELSEN MODIFIED AND SAFRANIN MODIFIED IN DETECTION OF Cryptosporidium spp. (EUCOCCIDIORIDA, CRYPTOSPORIDIIDAE) FROM FECAL SAMPLES OF CALVES FROM 0 AND 3 MONTHS

Bovine cryptosporidiosis is caused by four differents species: Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium bovis, Cryptosporidium andersoni and Cryptosporidium ryanae. The species Cryptosporidium parvum (Order: Eucoccidiorida, Family: Cryptosporidiidae) is considered of high zoonotic potential and it can infect humans through the elimination of oocysts by both cattle and by humans. The objective of this research was to detect oocysts of the genus Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal contents of calves (75 males and 77 females). We collected 152 stool samples from animals aged between 0 day and 3 months. The material was subjected to modified Ziehl-Neelsen and modified Safranin techniques, the slides were observed in its entire length by optical microscopy to verify the presence of oocysts of this parasitic infections. The results showed 17.1% (26/152) positivity in the samples examined, and the statistical analysis showed no difference between sex and the staining techniques used in this study. We concluded the infection by Cryptosporidium spp. is present in the evaluated properties, but more studies are needed, so that the risk of infection is measured properly and prophylactic measures are implemented. Keywords: enteroparasitosis; ruminant; zoonosis