Cryptosporidium spp. in pigs from familiar and technical farms of north and northwest regions of the Rio de Janeiro State

Abstract

This study aimed to verify the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in pig farms of familiar and technical production systems, located in the North and Northwest Regions of the Rio de Janeiro State. Thus, a total of 103 fecal samples of different pigs were collected, proceeding from 10 farms, of which five were familiar and five technical. For the diagnosis, the technique of centrifugal-flotation in sucrose with modifications was used, with posterior analysis in phase contrast optic microscopy. Sixty and 64.1% of positivity were observed in the familiar and technical farms respectively, and they were not statistically different (P = 0,6642). The parasitism is occurring in both production systems, probably due to an absence of previous diagnosis of the illness. After morfometric analysis and statistical study of correlation of the 248 oocysts found, it was suggested that exists more than one species of the protozoan causing infection, based on the morphologic characteristics of the examined oocysts.