Status of Cryptosporidium Parasite in dogs and cats in Bishoftu, Oromia, Ethiopia
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Date
2025
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic infection caused by Cryptosporidium spp, a coccidian protozoan parasite which is one of the most prevalent waterborne diseases. Long term co evolution and close interaction of human being with animals serving as reservoir of this parasite made the transmission way simple for the parasite. A cross-sectional study was conducted over an eight month period in and around Bishoftu town from Oct, 2024 to Jun, 2025 with the aim of estimating the prevalence and intensity of Cryptosporidium infections and identifying potential risk factors associated with the occurrence of the parasite in Pet animals. The study employed a purposive sampling strategy and included 256 pets (192 dogs and 64 cats) that were admitted to Veterinary Teaching Hospital and other veterinary clinics in the study area. Aseptically collected fecal sample were examined using modified acid fast techniques to identify Cryptosporidium oocysts. From 256 examined fecal samples, 2.34% (6/256) were found positive, with 6 (3.1%) from dogs and 0 (0%) from Cats. The current study revealed that age had a significant impact on infection rates, with the highest occurrence found in young animal less than one year (10.3%, p=0.036), compared to other age group. Furthermore, the fecal consistency also showed statistically significant difference (p=0.019) while other considered risk factors are not significant. The intensity of cryptosporidium oocysts were counted and categorized as low because the numbers of oocysts per high magnification field were below 5. However,
the burden of infection between the age group was relatively high in dogs under 1year old. The study reveals notable presence of cryptosporidium in dogs ather than cats in study area, with higher risk among young animals. In conclusion this finding underscores the need for improved hygiene and public awareness about zoonotic risk of the parasite.
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Keywords
Bishoftu, Cryptosporidium, Dogs, Cats, Oocysts, Prevalence, Risk factors