Global Prevalence of Cryptosporidium Infections in Cattle and C. parvum genotype distribution: A Meta-Analysis

BackgroundThe protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium is the causative agent of a severe diarrhoeal disease, called cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium species are capable of infecting a wide range of hosts including humans and livestock. In cattle, cryptosporidiosis is now one of the most important causes of neonatal scour globally, either as a sole agent or co-infecting with other pathogens. Cryptosporidiosis is considered globally endemic, with a prevalence of Cryptosporidium in stool samples from 13% to 93% in European cattle. This disease has a significant economic burden, with costs associated with veterinary diagnosis, medication, increased labour, animal rearing and supplemental nutrition as well as being associated with reduced long-term growth rate in calves, causing huge economic losses in livestock industry. Moreover, cattle act as a zoonotic reservoir for Cryptosporidium parvum, a species that is capable of infecting humans as well. As such, monitoring the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in cattle is important due to the public health risk and financial burden the clinical disease causes. MethodsPublications reporting on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in cattle were collected from PubMed and Google Scholar. Information regarding the species of Cryptosporidium in positive samples, the genotype of C. parvum found in samples, and the diarrhoeic status of the cattle was collected where available. A total of 279 publications were collected for this meta-analysis from six continents and 65 countries to provide an estimation for global bovine Cryptosporidium prevalence. ResultsA 25.5% global prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was reported, with C. parvum being the most frequently identified species, particularly the IIa subfamily. Diarrhoea was reported in 14,141 cattle samples, of which 36.0% tested positive for Cryptosporidium. Regarding symptoms, we found that in countries reporting over 50% of diarrhoeic positive cattle, C. parvum was the most common species. ConclusionsContinued monitoring and reporting of Cryptosporidium in cattle are crucial for both public health and economic reasons. Consequently, efforts should focus on underreported regions and the development of control measures to reduce prevalence and limit zoonotic transmission.