Shedding of Cryptosporidium in calves and dams – evidence of re-infection and shedding of different gp60 subtypes

Thomson, S., Innes, E. A., Jonsson, N. N. and Katzer, F. (2019) Shedding of Cryptosporidium in calves and dams – evidence of re-infection and shedding of different gp60 subtypes. Parasitology, 146(11), pp. 1404-1413. (doi: 10.1017/S0031182019000829) (PMID:31327324)

[img]
Preview
Text
188293.pdf - Accepted Version

589kB

Abstract

One of the most common causes of calf diarrhoea is the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. Two longitudinal studies were carried out on a dairy farm Scotland to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium species and subtypes in a group of calves and to determine whether dams were a possible source of calfhood infection. Fecal samples were collected from 25 calves from birth to 12 months in the first year. In the second year, fecal samples were collected from pregnant cows (n = 29) and their calves (n = 30) from birth to 6 months. The samples were tested for Cryptosporidium and speciated. Cryptosporidium parvum-positive samples were subtyped by GP60 fragment analysis. All calves in both studies shed Cryptosporidium during the study period. Cryptosporidium parvum was the predominant species detected in calves ⩽6 weeks of age and at 6 months of age, C. bovis and C. ryanae were detected in calves older than 4 weeks of age but ⩽6 months of age. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium was higher in younger animals than in older animals. GP60 subtyping revealed two subtypes in calves on this farm (IIaA15G2R1 and IIaA19G2R1) that differed in frequency by age. Adult cattle also shed C. parvum, of four gp60 genotypes.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Jonsson, Professor Nicholas and Innes, Professor Elisabeth
Authors: Thomson, S., Innes, E. A., Jonsson, N. N., and Katzer, F.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Parasitology
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:0031-1820
ISSN (Online):1469-8161
Published Online:22 July 2019

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record