Cryptosporidium parvum--propagation of oocyst in neonatal calves

Abstract

Shedding of Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst was studied in experimentally infected Jersey-Sindhi cross bred calves. Three 7 day old bull calves housed in isolation were orally infected with 10(8) oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum. The prepatent and patent period of the experimental infection were 5 and 4 days respectively. Maximum oocyst output [2 x 10(5) oocyst per gram (OPG) was observed on the 7th day post inoculation (PI). The mean total oocyst output was 2.5 x 10(7). Diarrhoea started on the second day of oocyst shedding.