A SEVEN-YEAR STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE AND INTENSITY OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPP. INFECTIONS IN DAIRY CATTLE IN LATVIA: REGIONAL AND AGE-RELATED VARIATIONS

Current issue: Volume 24, No. 2 (2024)

A SEVEN-YEAR STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE AND INTENSITY OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPP. INFECTIONS IN DAIRY CATTLE IN LATVIA: REGIONAL AND AGE-RELATED VARIATIONS

Alina Zolova, Dace Keidane, Maksims Zolovs*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59893/abud.24(2).008

Zolova A., Keidane D., Zolovs M. 2024. A seven-year study on the prevalence and inten­sity of Cryptosporidium spp. infections in dairy cattle in Latvia: regional and age-related variations. Acta Biol. Univ. Daugavp., 2024(2): 239-246.

Abstract

This study investigates the prevalence and intensity of Cryptosporidium spp. infections in dairy cattle across Latvia, focusing on regional and age-related variations. Over the period from 2013 to 2020, fecal samples from 2,655 dairy cattle were analyzed us­ing Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique and flotation methods. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was found to be 27%, with significant regional differences, the highest prevalence observed in the Vidzeme region (31%) and the highest oocyst counts in the Kurzeme region (median = 600 OPG). Age-related susceptibility was evident, with calves aged 0 to 3 months showing the highest infection rates (39.4%) and oocyst counts (median = 800 OPG). Diarrhea was significantly more common in infected calves (56.6%) compared to older cattle. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions in young calves and region-specific control strategies to mitigate the impact of cryptosporidiosis on the dairy industry. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the epidemi­ology of Cryptosporidium spp. in Latvian dairy cattle, emphasizing the importance of age and regional factors in infection dynamics.

Keywords: Cryptosporidium spp., Latvia, epidemiology, regional variation, age-related.

*Corresponding author: Maksims Zolovs. Daugavpils University, Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies, Vienības Str. 13, Daugavpils, LV-5401, Latvia. Riga Stradins University, Statistics Unit, Baložu Str. 14, Riga, Latvia. E-mail: maksims.zolovs@du.lv

Alina Zolova. Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Institute of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Lielā Str. 2, LV-3001, Jelgava, Latvia. Riga Stradins University, Department of Rehabilitation, Riga, Latvia

Dace Keidane. Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Institute of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Lielā Str. 2, LV-3001, Jelgava, Latvia