<div>Background: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of paromomycin sulphate on serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp) in Cryptosporidiosis in goat kids.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In the study, stool samples were taken from the kids and Cryptosporidium was detected via the rapid test kit. Then, by examining the same stool samples microscopically, we included 9 kids in the study and 50 mg/kg of paromomycin sulphate was administered to the kids in which Cryptosporidium spp. was detected for five days as a treatment. For the SAA and Hp estimation, blood samples were drawn from the kids in the pre and post treatment stages.&nbsp; 
 
Result: In the kids with Cryptosporidium, the concentrations of SAA and Hp were measured as (SAA; 17.10&plusmn;4.18 ng/mL Hp; 2.68&plusmn;1.08 &micro;g/mL) in pre-treatment and as (SAA; 9,71&plusmn;4,13 ng/mL, Hp; 1,23&plusmn;0,64 &micro;g/mL) in the post-treatment stage (p&lt;0,05). In accordance with these findings, we suggest that routine measurements of SAA and Hp concentrations of the goat kids with diarrhea due to cryptosporidiosis could be of value in follow up of treatment, determining the severity of the infection, selection of therapy and monitoring the efficacy of the preferred treatment protocol and in detection of subclinical infections.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

Efficacy of Paromomycin Sulphate for the Treatment of Cryptosporidiosis in Goat Kids&nbsp;

Out of 428 faecal 178 (41.59%) animals were found positive for Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in the bovine faeces in modified Ziehl-Neelsen (mZN) staining and/ or commercial plate and dipstick- enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits (Cypress diagnostics, Langdorp, Belgium) with statistically non-significant difference in the occurrence rate in cattle and buffalo calves. Seasonal prevalence difference was statistically significant in cattle calves while non-significant in buffalo calves, respectively. The highest overall prevalence was recorded during rainy season (45.15%) and almost same per cent during winter and summer. Prevalence of 67.26, 37.11, 30 and 17.65% was recorded in calves aged below 1 month, 1-3 months, 4-8 months and 9-12 months, respectively (p&lt;0.05). There was no significant difference in the age group prevalence between cattle and buffalo calves. Both sexes of bovines are equally susceptible to the cryptosporidiosis (p&gt;0.05). The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was 59.54 and 29.41% for diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic samples, respectively (p&lt;0.05). Both diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic groups of calves aged between 1-30 days were equally susceptible to the infection of Cryptosporidium spp. Almost same per cent prevalence of the infection was observed in dairy calves reared in organized (40.76%) and unorganized farms (42.21%) and the difference was non-significant in both cattle and buffalo calves. Highest prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was found in HF cross calves. The tests failed to detect the oocysts in infected soil samples. There was highly significant difference in the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis estimated by plate/ dipstick-ELISA and mZN staining with highest sensitivity and specificity in plate-ELISA.&nbsp;

Comparative evaluation of conventional staining method and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits for the detection of bovine cryptosporidiosis 
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Background: Cryptosporidiosis caused by Cryptosporidium spp. is a zoonotic disease and is the most prevalent pathogens worldwide and leads to severe diarrhoeal diseases and affects the immunological status of the individual. Thus, the study was undertaken to examine the anti-cryptosporidial efficacy of curcumin in comparison with ethanolic extract of curcuma longa in immunocompromised mice infected with oocysts isolated from cattle calves of Jammu region and identified as Cryptosporidium parvum using nested PCR on small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (SSU rRNA) gene. 
 
Methods: Two hundred female Swiss albino mice were equally divided into ten groups. Group I were kept as a healthy control, group II were immunocompromised, group III were immunocompromised and infected, group IV animals were immunocompromised, infected and treated orally with nitazoxanide. Animals in groups V to VII were immunocompromised, infected and treated with ethanolic extract of C. longa @ 4, 6 and 8 mg/kg/day/os respectively whereas groups VIII to X were immunocompromised, infected and treated with pure salt of curcumin @ 4, 6 and 8 mg/kg/day/os respectively for 5 successive days. Thus, mean oocysts per gram faeces, body weight gain and histopathological changes were measured in different groups. 
 
Result: Administration of curcumin as a therapeutic agent @ 8 mg/kg body weight for five days resulted in higher percent mean oocyst reduction of 74.03% and improved body weight gain in experimentally infected mice. Histopathological changes showed that treatment with oral curcumin (group X) in animals had minimal and improved intestinal lesions as compared to animals treated with C. longa (group VII). Altogether, curcumin showed promising anticryptosporidial effects under in vivo conditions and deserves further exploration.

​Therapeutic Efficacy of Ethanolic Extract of Curcuma longa and its Component, Curcumin against Experimental Cryptosporidiosis in Mice

Background: Cryptosporidium, a global intestinal protozoan parasite, induces mild to severe diarrhea in several vertebrate hosts, potentially resulting in life-threatening sickness. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of biosynthesized nano-zinc oxide using cellulose nanocrystals and Zingiber officinale extract (Bio-ZnNPs) in the treatment of experimentally infected mice with cryptosporidiosis. 
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Methods: A total of 20 male mice were allocated into four experimental groups (G1-G4), with triplicates. G1 (Control); non-infected, non-treated, G2 (Inf); infected with Cryptosporidium parvum, G3 (Bio-ZnNPs); infected- treated with Bio-ZnNPs at 200 mg/kg B.W. and G4 (NTZ) infected- treated with nitazoxanide (NTZ) at 100 mg/kg B.W. Mice were inoculated with 3000 oocysts of C. parvum. All treatments commenced on the initial day of oocyst shedding and persisted for five continuous days for all groups, excluding the negative control one. Oocysts count was assessed daily from the 1st&nbsp;to the 5th&nbsp;day post-treatment. Hematological analyses, blood biochemistry, immunoglobulin level assessments and histopathological evaluations were performed on day 5 post-treatment. 
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Result: The Bio-ZnNPs treated group exhibited the highest percentage reduction in C. parvum oocyst excretion. Furthermore, Bio-ZnNPs treatment resulted in notable enhancements in hematological parameters, liver enzymes and immunoglobulin levels, including immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M using Bio-ZnNPs. Additionally, a significant improvement in intestinal lesions with no intraluminal oocysts was noted in the Bio-ZnNPs treated group. Taken all together, this work demonstrated the promising performance of nanocomposites composed of cellulose nanocrystals and zinc oxide nanoparticles as an effective drug delivery strategy to enhance the efficacy of Zingiber officinale extract against experimental infected mice with C. parvum.

Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Regulating Immune Response and Liver Enzymes in Reducing Inflammation from Cryptosporidiosis-induced Infection

Background: Cryptosporidiosis poses several health risks, particularly due to its potential severity and the populations it can affect. Comprehending these hazards is crucial for efficient prevention and treatment. This study was to investigate the efficiency of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), nitazoxanide (NTZ) and nitazoxanide-cellulose nanocrystals (NTZ-CNC) in treating experimental infected mice of cryptosporidiosis. 
 
Methods: A total of 75 male swiss albino mice were allocated into eight groups (5 mice/ group) with triplicates of each group. Infection with cryptosporidiosis was conducted with 3000 Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. All treatments commenced on the initial day of oocyst emergence and persisted for five succeeding days across all groups, except for the negative control group. Oocysts shedding was estimated daily from 1st till 20 days post treatment. Hematological and blood biochemical analysis, immunoglobulins levels as well as histopathological studies were performed. 
 
Result: It was detected that NTZ-CNC group had the lowest Cryptosporidium oocysts shedding. Also, these treatments induced significant improvements in hematological, blood biochemical, immunoglobulins levels including immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M with best improvements recorded in NTZ-CNC treated groups. A remarkable amelioration of the intestinal histopathological lesions was observed, especially in NTZ-CNC treated group. In conclusion, this study reported that CNC could significantly enhance the therapeutic effects of NTZ, making it a promising treatment for cryptosporidiosis due to its potent anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory capabilities.

Cellulose Nanocrystals as a Drug Delivery System to Improve the Efficiency of Nitazoxanide against Cryptosporidium parvum Infected Mice

<div>Background: Cryptosporidiosis is the disease of zoonotic importance and is considered to be third major cause of diarrhoeal disease of calves worldwide causing significant economic losses. The present study aimed to link Cryptosporidium spp. infections in dairy calves with the management practices as a major risk factor.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Total 401 faecal samples from dairy calves were collected from eight large (100-1000 animals) and eight medium size (30-100 animals) dairy farms located in Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh, India). Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified in faeces by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining (mZN) and formal ether concentration techniques.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was 28.7% in dairy calves. A higher prevalence and risk of cryptosporidiosis was associated with large farms (24.9% vs. 3.74%, OR=1.96), intensive farming system (27.7% vs. 0.99%, OR=1.86), drinking ground water (27.7% vs. 0.99%, OR=1.86), dirty farms (16.7% vs. 11.6%, OR=1.90), presence of other animals at farm (15.9% vs. 12.7%, OR=1.36), absence of deworming (14.7% vs.13.9%, OR=5.09) and diarrhoea treatment practice (16.2% vs. 12.5%, OR=1.07). Multi-animal calving area, dirty calving pen and cemented floor were also identified as risk factors. Practices like feeding colostrum within one hour of birth, @ 10% b.wt./day, weaning the calves within 24 hrs and using detergent to wash feeding utensils decreased the risk of infection from 1.4 to 2 times. Calves kept confined with their dam had greater prevalence and risk of infection (17.2% vs. 11.5%, OR=5.20). The findings highlight that proactive managemental practices are beneficial for decreasing the environmental contamination and improving calf health.</div>

Dairy Farm Management Practices as Risk Factors Linked to Cryptosporidium spp. Infection in Dairy Calves

<div>Background: Cryptosporidium parvum is major protozoan parasite of both animals and humans with zoonotic significance. There is a paucity of information on its occurrence and associated risk factors in North Eastern states, India. The present study aimed at the molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium from cattle and cattle handlers in West district of Tripura and risk associates analysis. 
 
Methods: Faecal samples were randomly collected from cattle and cattle handlers (100 each), of West district, Tripura. The samples were subjected to sheather&rsquo;s sucrose flotation, modified Zeihl Neelsen (mZN) staining and PCR assay targeting the 18S SSUr-RNA gene for detection of Cryptosporidium. The polemerised chain reaction- Restriction length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was done to detect Cryptosporidium spp. and C. parvum genotypes. Association of the epidemiological variables in relation to host and environment were studied for comparative analysis. 
 
Result: The incidence of Cryptosporidium was 16 per cent and 7 per cent in cattle and cattle handlers, respectively. The molecular characterisation based on PCR-RFLP analysis revealed 14 C. parvum and two C. andersoni and three C. parvum in cattle handlers. All the 14 C. parvum from cattle and one C. parvum from cattle handlers belonged to bovine genotype (genotype II) and other two C. parvum from cattle handlers belonged to the human genotype (genotype I). Cryptosporidiosis in both cattle and cattle handlers were strongly associated with younger age group and diarrhoeic faecal consistency with significantly (p&lt;0.01) higher occurrence. However, significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher predominance of monsoon season in occurrence of the disease was observed in cattle and sex predominance was not observed in both cattle and cattle handlers.</div>

Molecular Characterisation of Cryptosporidium parvum among Cattle and Cattle Handlers from Tripura (India) and the Associated Risk Factors

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. infection is one of the most common problems that occurs in kids under first month of life.The prevalence of Cryptosporidium may vary from farm to farm and region to region, depending upon herd size and animal husbandry practices.In India, although cryptosporidiosis had been reported in goat kids but Cryptosporidium spp. infection, risk factors and haematobiochemical alterations in goats&nbsp; of Madhya Pradesh are least known. 
 
Methods: A total of 290 goats d&rdquo;12 month of age belonging to unorganized goatry farms, situated in and around Rewa district of the Madhya Pradesh were attended and rectal contents were collected in 5 ml sterile screw capped plastic cryo vials during March 2023 to April 2024. The samples were screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in the faecal smear by modified Ziehl-Neelsen (mZN) method at Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science and A.H., Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. To determine the haemato-biochemical parameters, 5 ml of blood samples were collected in aseptic condition from goats included in the study. 
 
Results: Out of 290 samples, twenty six (8.96%, 26/290) cases were tested positive for the Cryptosporidium oocysts. The highest prevalence was observed in kids below 1 month of age (14.6%). The Prevalence of cryptosporidium spp. was found higher in female goats (10.20 %) than male. The prevalence was found highest in goats belonged to dam of first parity (14.28%). Haematological observations in Cryptosporidium infected goats showed significantly (p&lt;0.05) lowered haemoglobin, total erythrocyte count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and lymphocyte percentage but significantly higher total leukocyte count, neutrophil and eosinophil percentage than the healthy goats. Biochemical studies revealed significant reduction in total serum protein, albumin and globulin values in the infected goats. 
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Prevalence, Risk Factors and Haemato-biochemical Alterations Associated with Naturally Occurring Cryptosporidium Spp. Infection in Goats

<div>Background: Cryptosporidiosis is an emerging zoonotic protozoan disease caused by Cryptosporidium spp. The infection was reported worldwide from domestic animals and humans, including wild animals. From India, no such reports were published on Cryptosporidium infection in captive wildlife. Hence, a pilot study was conducted to report the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection in captive wildlife of India.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Faecal samples (n=788) were collected from 127 captive wildlife species of three zoological parks viz., Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park (SVZP), Tirupati (n=242); Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP), Visakhapatnam (n=218); Nehru Zoological Park (NZP), Hyderabad (n=328) and screened for Cryptosporidium infection. Preliminary screening of faecal samples was done for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts by modified Ziehl-Neelsen (mZN) staining method and the test positives were confirmed by nested PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene. Nested PCR amplicons were sequenced for determining the Cryptosporidium species. The resultant data were statistically analyzed by Fisher/Chi square, Fisher Exact test using SPSS software v 17.0. 
 
Result: In mZN staining method, 7.23 percent of isolates were found to be positive for Cryptosporidium and the highest rate of infection was detected in wildlife at NZP, Hyderabad (8.23%), followed by SVZP, Tirupati (7.44%) and IGZP, Visakhapatnam (5.50%). Cryptosporidium positive faecal samples by mZN staining were further confirmed by nested PCR and positive amplicons were sequenced for determination of Cryptosporidium species. Genetic characterization revealed five species viz., Cryptosporidium parvum; C. ryanae, C. suis, C. muris and Cryptosporidium avian genotype III. The study conclude that, Cryptosporidium infection was prevalent in the captive wildlife from the zoological parks of India and species variation was marked among the wildlife. Based on the available literature, the current study is the first of its kind on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in captive wildlife from India.</div>

<div>Isolation and Genetic Characterization of Cryptosporidium from Captive Wildlife of India</div>

<div>Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment for the diarrhea due to Cryptosporidium, which is prevalent in lambs, via the concentrations of Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and Haptoglobin (Hp). Although there are experimental studies in this field, there are quite a few studies on the lambs which are infected naturally. 
 
Methods: In this study, stool samples were collected from the lambs that were affected with diarrhea and Cryptosporidium was detected via the rapid test kit (Bio-X Diagnostics S.A. Rochefort/Belgium). Following this procedure, 15 lambs were included in the study by examining same stool samples microscopically and 50 mg/kg of paromomycin sulphate (Huvepharma) was administered to the lambs in which Cryptosporidium spp. was detected for five days as a treatment. 10 healthy lambs formed the control group. Blood samples were taken from all lambs to measure SAA and Hp in the pre and post treatment stages. In the serums obtained from blood samples, concentrations of SAA and Hp were measured in ELISA by using commercial kits.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: In the lambs with Cryptosporidium, concentrations of SAA and HP were as (SAA; 20,62&plusmn;4,83 ng/mL HP; 2,63&plusmn;0,77 &micro;g/mL) in pre-treatment and as (SAA;12,93&plusmn;3,27 ng/mL, Hp; 1,59&plusmn;0,73 &micro;g/mL) in post-treatment stage while they were as (SAA;10,07&plusmn;2,49 ng/mL, Hp; 1,03&plusmn;0,59 &micro;g/mL) in the control group. In the pre and post treatment stage measurements, a statistically significant difference (p&lt;0,05) in the values of SAA and Hp was found between the control group and the lambs wit diarrhea due to Cryptosporidium. It was suggested that this might have occurred as a result of&nbsp; inflammatory response against Cryptosporidium. In the light of these findings, it is asserted that routine measurements of SAA and Hp concentrations of the lambs with diarrhea due to cryptosporidiosis could be beneficial in the following up the treatment, determining the severity of the infection, choosing the right method for treatment and monitoring the efficacy of the chosen treatment method and in detecting subclinical diseases in veterinary medicine.&nbsp;</div>