PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM OOCYSTS IN LIVESTOCK IN TRINIDAD-AND-TOBAGO

Faecal samples from 683 diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic piglets, calves, lambs and goat kids were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The prevalence of infection in piglets and lambs was 19.6% and 20%, respectively, and these rates were significantly higher than those detected in calves (8.7%). Amongst the four animal species studied, the detection rates were higher in diarrhoeic than in non-diarrhoeic animals and in animals under extensive and semi-intensive husbandry systems. However, these differences were not statistically significant.