Frequency of gender of “Cryptosporidium” coccidia in sheep in the Rio de Janeiro State

Abstract

The frequency of Cryptosporidium spp. oocists was evaluated in 10 sheep herds in the Rio de Janeiro state in 2007. Faecal samples from 130 sheep were collected for the identification of Cryptosporidium spp. oocists by using the Ziehl–Neelsen modified technique. Statistical analysis showed that 41% of the animals were infected with this protozoa and no significant differences (P = 0,1728, P = 0.7082 and P=0.2850 and P=0.4997) were observed for sex, age between gender sex and animal class, respectively. Different sizes and shapes of Cryptosporidium oocists indicated the probable existence of different species of Cryptosporidium in these animals, and the big number of the animals in the intensive creation is the determinant risk factor for the infection.