[The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in calves in Erzurum province].

This study was carried out between March and April, 2007 to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in calves. The study was performed in 30 farms of 12 different localities of Erzurum and vicinity. The fecal samples were taken directly from the rectums of calves which were no more than three months old. The samples were centrifuged and examined under microscope by using the modified acid-fast technique. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was found to be 22.8% (43/189). The rate of infection was 30.3% (36/119) in calves with diarrhea and 10% (7/70) in healthy calves. The prevalence of the protozoan was 91.7% (11/12) and 53.3% (16/30) in localities and farms respectively. The prevalence was 17.3% (18/104) in state farms and 29.4% in village farms. During the research period, the presence of Cryptosporidiosis was suspected in 16 calves on two different farms. Fourteen of 16 calves (87.5%) were found to be infected with Cryptosporidium spp.