Prevalence And Spatial Distiubution Of Cryptosporidium species Among Dogs And Children IN Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Cryptosporidium is an intracellular zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis, a

diarrheal disease of humans and domestic animals. The parasite has been reported in a variety of

domestic animals including dogs. Several species of Cryptosporidium infecting animals have

also been reported in humans highlighting the zoonotic nature of the disease. This prospective

cross-sectional study was carried out from January -: May, 20 1 8 in Six Area Councils of the

FCT. Three wards from each Area Council was chosen through simple random sampling. A

total of 400 dog fecal samples and 206 fecal samples from children were collected and analyzed

at the Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ahuja. The

modified Ziehl Neelsen staining techniques were used to identify positive samples. A sample

was considered positive if at least one oocyst was identified under the microscope. Proportions

were compared using R & C contingency table and chi-square calculated where appropriate.

Overall, 400 dogs ranging from 1 month to 1 4 years were examined. Out of the, 400 dogs

sampled 50% were of exotic breed, 36.5% were of local breeds while 1 3.5% were of cross

breeds. Majority ofthe dogs 53.3% (2 1 3/400) were males compared to 46.8% ( 1 87/400) females.

Some of the dogs were used for security 63.25% (253/400), 1 9.25% (77/400) as pets, 11.75%

(47/400) as hunting while 5.75% (23/400) served both as pets and security. The overall

prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in dogs was 22.8% (91/400). There was no significant

prevalence in the prevalence of Cryptosporidium between the male 27.2% (58/2 1 3 ) and female

1 7.6% (33/ 1 87) dogs. Type of breed of dogs was significant statically at 0.05 a.-level in local

breeds and at 0.0 1 a.-level for cross breed type. Water source was another variable found not to

be significantly associated with Cryptosporidium infection (P=0.093), meaning that all water

types have potential risks. Other factors investigated were not associated with Cryptosporidium

specie infection. There was a significant prevalence in age found among 0-12 months of age but

no significance found among other age range of dogs. The study detected Cryptosporidium

species in dogs with most cases of diarrhea. Some of the factors investigated including

confinement, dog activities and co-infection with other parasites were associated with the

Cryptosporidium specie infection. In children, age between 0 to 20 years was examined for the

presence of Cryptosporidium specie. Overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was

2 1 .4% (44/206), 52.9% ( 1 09/206) were males, while 47. 1 % (97/206) were females. There was

no statistical difference in the prevalence of Cryptosporidium specie in male children 22%

(24/1 09) and females 20.6% (20/97). The isolation rate of Cryptosporidium species in diarrheic

stool was higher (29.8%), than in the non- diarrheic ( 14.3%). There is a significant prevalence at

0.05a.- level at diarrheic. Information on the spatial distribution between Cryptosporidium specie

infection and environmental factors is fundamental to Cryptosporidium disease control. Rainfall,

temperature, humidity and vegetation maintained conducive climatic conditions for

Cryptosporidium survival and eventual infection of its hosts.