Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cryptosporidium parasite found in dogs in Abuja Nigeria
By Chukwu, Victoria E. et al.·Published in Annals of parasitology·2019·Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cryptosporidium oocysts: prevalence in dogs in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that about 23% of dogs in Abuja, Nigeria, tested positive for a parasite called Cryptosporidium, which can cause diarrhea. The research showed that younger puppies were more likely to be infected, and local breed dogs had higher rates than pure or mixed breeds. Dogs that drink contaminated water sources, like wells or boreholes, were at greater risk. While some infected dogs showed symptoms like diarrhea, others appeared healthy but could still spread the parasite. Keeping your dog away from potentially contaminated water sources may help reduce the risk of infection.
People also search for: dog diarrhea causes · puppy parasite treatment · Cryptosporidium in dogs · how to prevent dog infections · contaminated water dog health
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is known to be a zoonotic protozoan parasite, located mainly intracellularly causing the disease called cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheic disease of human and animals. Risk factors for dogs’ illness includes exposure to contaminated drinking water from well, borehole and tap water. Hunting as an activity of some dogs serve as a major exposure. The objectives of this study is to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with fecal shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts in dogs in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This study was carried out from January to May 2018 in 6 Area Councils of FCT. A total of 400 dogs (213 males and 187 females) aged 0–14 years old were enrolled for this study. The fecal samples collected were examined using Modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) technique. Overall, 91 samples out of 400 were positive, giving a prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts infection as 22.75% with 5% degree of freedom. Prevalence among male and female dogs were 27% and 17%, respectively which is statistically significant (p=0.034). Younger puppies had a higher infection rate compared to the older dogs. The infection is relatively higher in local breed of dogs than the cross and pure breeds. This is significantly different (p=0.014). Source of water was also significantly associated with Cryptosporidium infection but food type was found not to be associated. Some of the dogs infected with Cryptosporidium were presented with diarrhoea, though asymptomatic ones can still shed oocysts in the environment. These act as a possible source of infection for other animals.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32191419/