Abstract:
Cryptosporidium sp. is an intracellular zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis, a diarrhoeal disease of humans and domestic animals. Transmission of Cryptosporidiosis to humans and other animals is by ingestion of oocysts of the parasite, and as low as ten oocysts can cause clinical infections in otherwise healthy persons. These oocysts are resistant to most common disinfectants and are not readily killed by routine chlorination of water. Cryptosporidium baileyi has been reported as the most common avian Cryptosporidium species because of its ability to infect many birds, domestic and caged chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, quails, and ostriches. This study investigates the presence and compares Cryptosporidiosis infection in birds reared in Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria. Fresh faecal samples were taken from free range and intensively raised birds and examined using the modified Acid Fast Zeihl-Nelseen stain preparation. Data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 and, Chi-Square analysis was used to check significance. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis reported in this study was 11.9%. Free-range birds showed a higher prevalence rate of 13.2% of Cryptosporidium oocysts than 10.9% in intensively raised birds. The highest prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis infection 16.1% was recorded in Aule followed by Ipinsa (12.2%), Onigari (10%), and Federal University of Technology Akure (8.1%) respectively. The highest prevalence of 15.9% was recorded in broilers, while the lowest (0%) was recorded in turkey. Domestic birds from a Semi-intensive system of farming were more susceptible to Cryptosporidiosis infection with 13.3% followed by the 12.6%, 10.3% in Deep litter and battery cages respectively. The female birds recorded higher Cryptosporidium infection (12.2%) than the male (11.6%). For faecal consistency, birds with formed faeces recorded higher cryptosporidiosis
infection (12.7%) than birds with watery faeces. Cryptosporidium infection is more virulent in broiler birds; therefore, the results of the study established the presence of cryptosporidium infection among studied birds in Akure South LG of Ondo State, Nigeria
