The prevalence of cryptosporidium oocysts in wild birds

THE PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM OOCYSTS IN WILD BIRDS IN ZARIA, NIGERIA

BAMAIYI, P.H.1*, UMOH, J.U.2, ABDU, P.A.3, LAWAL, I.A.4

1Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Adamawa State University, Mubi, Nigeria

2Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

3Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

4Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

*Corresponding author: phbamaiyi@yahoo.com

Introduction

• Phylum: Apicomplexa • Class: Conoidasida • Sub-class: Coccidiasina • Order: Eucoccidiorida • Sub-order: Eimeriorina • Family: Cryptosporidiidae • Aetiology: Cryptosporidium parvum,C. baileyi, C. meleagridis, C. galli

Introduction

• Protozoan zoonosis gaining prominence• Infects over 170 hosts• Worldwide distribution• Wild birds• C. baileyi, C. meleagridis implicated in

potential human infections (Plutzer & Tomor, 2009; Qi, et al., 2011)

Life-cycle

Transmission

• Feacal-oral route ( mainly food and water)

Objective

Determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in wild birds in Zaria, Nigeria via coproculture

MATERIALS AND METHODS

• Wild birds trapped into cages• 132 faecal samples were collected from wild

birds in Zaria (11°4'0"N/7°42'0"E), Nigeria• 1gm of faecal sample processed according to

the method of Baxby et al( 1984)

Safranin-methylene blue staining technique

• The slide examined- X 40 objective and oil immersion objective

• Oocysts of Cryptosporidium-spherical to round bright orange to reddish mass within a halo

Auramine phenol staining technique

• Specimens -screened at X 50 magnification • Cryptosporidium oocysts -clearly visible as

yellowish discs against a dark background (Casemore, et al., 1984).

Identifications

• safranin-methylene blue staining technique +auramine phenol staining technique =+ve

• Positive slides provided by Dr. Bruce Anderson of the University of Idaho U.S.A. and Dr. Liisa Jokipii of Institutum Serobacteriologicum Universitatis, Helsinki served as control throughout the study.

Statistical analysis

• Data generated • “SIGMASTAT” and “EPI INFO”

Table 1:The prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts among the different species of wild birds sampled

Species of birds Sample size

Number positive

% Positive

Speckled pigeons (Columba guinea)

Laughing doves (Streptopelia senegalensis)

Mourning doves (Streptopelia decipiens)

Village weavers (Ploceus cucullatus)

Brown babblers (Turdoides plebejus)

Black crakes (Limnocorax flavirostra)

Red bishops (Euplectes orix)

Bush fowls (Francolinus bicalcaratus)

41

37

15

28

2

3

4

2

1

2

0

4

0

0

0

0

2.4

5.4

0

14.3

0

0

0

0

Total 132 7 5.3

P>0.05

Plate 1: Scanned photomicrograph of Cryptosporidium oocysts isolated from a wild bird using safranin-methylene blue staining technique (X 40)

Discussion

• Wild birds aerial water pollution• Bird migrations• Birds no difference due to similarities• Low sample collection• Cryptosporidiosis vs HIV AIDS

Conclusion

• Cryptosporidium infection in wild birds in Zaria, Nigeria

• Zoonotic implications