[Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. prevalence and risk factors in dairy calves of the north-western zone of the Bogota Savanna].

OBJECTIVE

The present study was aimed to establishing Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. prevalence in 0 to 2 months old dairy calves of the north-western zone of the Bogota Savanna. In addition, associated factors related to a failure in Good Practices of Livestock could incur in human and animal infection.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study; calves' fecal samples were used. Farms' Good Practices of Livestock were observed by means of an observation blank. Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence was determinate by means of laboratory results (Ritchie for Giardia spp. and modified Ziehl-Neelsen for Cryptosporidium spp.). Odds Ratios (OR) were calculated in association between this two genera of protozoa and Good Practices of Livestock.

RESULTS

Thirty three dairy farms were evaluated, where fecal samples of 308 calves were taken. Giardia spp. prevalence was 37.7 %, 115 infected animals; Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence was 4.9 %, 15 infected animals.

CONCLUSION

There is an important Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium foci in the north-western zone of the Bogota Savanna, without a previous knowledge. Giardia spp. prevalence for this zone is in the highest rank reported for South-America and Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence is in en the lowest one. Associated risk factors of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. in dairy farms of the north-western zone of the Bogota Savanna depend of a Good Practices of Livestock performance.