Prevalence of Cryptosporidium Coproantigens in Goats in Ogun, Southwest Nigeria -

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in goats in a southwestern state of Nigeria. Cryptosporidium parvum antigens were screened for in stools of 216 goats by the use of an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit in which 81 (37.5%) of the stools were positive for the antigens. The prevalence of infection decreased with age, with the highest rate, 62.7%, being observed in goat kids while the lowest rate of infection, 22.5%, was recorded in adults. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the infection rates observed in the different age categories sampled. The rate of infection recorded in females (47.5%) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the 29.1% recorded in males. Similarly, the rate recorded in diarrhoeic goats (70.9%) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the 26.1% recorded asymptomatic goats. This study therefore suggests that caprine cryptosporidiosis is prevalent in Ogun State, Nigeria and that symptomatic and apparently healthy goats should be routinely screened and managed for Cryptosporidium infection as they may serve as potential sources of environmental contamination and zoonotic transmission with the parasite.