Cryptosporidiosis is considered to be one of the most devasting gastrointestinal diseases in calves. The aim of this study was to investigate Cryptosporidium parvum infection (C. parvum) in buffalo-calves with both copro-microscopic examination and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using two C. parvum prepared antigens with regards to their cytokines profile; interferon- γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-14 to achieve a proper diagnosis. All collected buffalo- calves' fecal samples were examined by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. ELISA was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the two C. parvum prepared antigens; crude whole oocyst (CWO) and crude sonicated oocyst (CSO) in detection of anti-C. parvum IgG in buffalo-calves' sera. As well, concentrations of INF-γ, IL-12 and IL-14 in the buffalo-calves' serum samples were estimated. The results revealed that the overall parasitological incidence of cryptosporidiosis was 40%. However, the serological diagnosis by ELISA assay showed 53.75% and 27.5% when using CWO and CSO antigen, respectively. Also, the diagnostic efficacy parameters of both antigens; CWO and CSO showed a significant high specificity (83.3%) achieved by CSO antigen and a high sensitivity (71.8%) by CWO antigen. The levels of INF-γ, IL-12 and IL-14 were significantly increased in positive Cryptosporidium infected group by both coprological and serological assays followed by the group which was positive for cryptosporidiosis by copro-microscopic examination only. The present study concluded that a combination of coprological and serological examination with reference to the cytokines profile is needed for proper diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis in buffalo-calves.
Keywords: Buffalo-calves; Coprological examination; Cryptosporidiosis; Cytokines; Diagnosis; ELISA.
© Indian Society for Parasitology 2020.