cryptosporidium infection of sheep and goats in kerman: epidemiology and risk factor analysis

cryptosporidium is an important cause of illness in farm animals. the present study conducted in kerman, iran between 2003-2004 to elucidate the epidemiology of cryptosporidium infection in sheep and goats. fecal samples were collected fresh and transferred to the research lab. cryptosporidium oocysts were concentrated using formalin-ether sedimentation method followed by the modified ziehl-neelsen staining. the data analyzed using non-parametric tests and logistic regression. of 774 animals, 434 sheep and 340 goats, 120 animals (15.5%) were infected. the infection rate in sheep and goats was 13.8% and 17.6% respectively. age, season (spring and winter), fecal consistency, presence of other animal species and the herd size significantly correlated with the probability of cryptosporidium infection. the study showed a remarkable rate of cryptosporidium infection in sheep and goats. regarding the risk factors of the infection improving animal husbandry is a prerequisite for effective control of the disease in livestock.