Performance of diagnostic assays used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in faecal samples of cattle in Kuwait and genotyping of Cryptosporidium species

Abstract Backgroud Cryptosporidium species are zoonotic protozoan parasites responsible for gastroenteritis in various animals and humans. The diagnosis of Cryptosporidium presents many challenges. This research attempted to match the diagnostic efficiency of the modified Ziehl–Neelsen technique (mZ...

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Main Authors: Nadra-Elwgoud M. I. Abdou, Maha S. AlAzemi, Mohammed T. Al-Sayegh, Qais A. H. Majeed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2022-09-01
Series:BMC Veterinary Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-022-03435-w
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author Nadra-Elwgoud M. I. Abdou
Maha S. AlAzemi
Mohammed T. Al-Sayegh
Qais A. H. Majeed
author_facet Nadra-Elwgoud M. I. Abdou
Maha S. AlAzemi
Mohammed T. Al-Sayegh
Qais A. H. Majeed
author_sort Nadra-Elwgoud M. I. Abdou
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Backgroud Cryptosporidium species are zoonotic protozoan parasites responsible for gastroenteritis in various animals and humans. The diagnosis of Cryptosporidium presents many challenges. This research attempted to match the diagnostic efficiency of the modified Ziehl–Neelsen technique (mZN), immunochromatographic assays (IC), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of Cryptosporidium in faecal samples of cattle in Kuwait. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was utilised to determine the predominant species infecting cattle in Kuwait and correlating the detected species with the results of different diagnostic tests used, the presence or absence of clinical signs, and the age group of the infected cattle. Results Of 400 analysed faecal samples, Cryptosporidium positive samples were 23%, 15.25%, and 14% using IC, ELISA, and mZN. IC had the highest sensitivity (74.07%), and mZN had the highest specificity (98.29%) using a composite reference standard (CRS) as a gold standard. The rapid IC test results in high false-positive results of cryptosporidiosis, whereas using mZN alone is insufficient to declare a negative faecal sample. Only 74.5% (35/47) of Cryptosporidium-positive samples by the three assays could be amplified by PCR. This study was the first to genotype Cryptosporidium in Kuwait. Cryptosporidium parvum (n = 26) was the dominant species detected from cattle samples, followed by C. andersoni (n = 6), C. bovis (n = 2), and C. raynae (n = 1). The findings showed a statistically relevant relationship between diarrhoea and the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in faecal samples of cattle (p-value = 0.0003). Pre-weaned calves were the most vulnerable age group to Cryptosporidium spp. infection (p-value = 0.0007). Conclusion For screening of Cryptosporidium infection in faecal samples, antigen detection or PCR methods combined with one of the microscopy techniques should be used. Cryptosporidium parvum was the prepoderant Cryptosporidium spp. recovered from cattle samples in Kuwait followed by C. andersoni. Cryptosporidium parvum is a significant risk factor for diarrhoea in pre-weaned calves. However, further study is needed as many other causes of diarrhoea in calves must be ruled out before a diagnosis of Cryptosporidium diarrhoea can be made.
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spelling doaj.art-717bb46a9ff94495aea4a8a9724d99b72022-12-22T01:44:48ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482022-09-0118111110.1186/s12917-022-03435-wPerformance of diagnostic assays used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in faecal samples of cattle in Kuwait and genotyping of Cryptosporidium speciesNadra-Elwgoud M. I. Abdou0Maha S. AlAzemi1Mohammed T. Al-Sayegh2Qais A. H. Majeed3GCC-Early Warning Center, PAAFRDepartment of Science, College of Basic Education, PAAETDepartment of Science, College of Basic Education, PAAETDepartment of Science, College of Basic Education, PAAETAbstract Backgroud Cryptosporidium species are zoonotic protozoan parasites responsible for gastroenteritis in various animals and humans. The diagnosis of Cryptosporidium presents many challenges. This research attempted to match the diagnostic efficiency of the modified Ziehl–Neelsen technique (mZN), immunochromatographic assays (IC), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of Cryptosporidium in faecal samples of cattle in Kuwait. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was utilised to determine the predominant species infecting cattle in Kuwait and correlating the detected species with the results of different diagnostic tests used, the presence or absence of clinical signs, and the age group of the infected cattle. Results Of 400 analysed faecal samples, Cryptosporidium positive samples were 23%, 15.25%, and 14% using IC, ELISA, and mZN. IC had the highest sensitivity (74.07%), and mZN had the highest specificity (98.29%) using a composite reference standard (CRS) as a gold standard. The rapid IC test results in high false-positive results of cryptosporidiosis, whereas using mZN alone is insufficient to declare a negative faecal sample. Only 74.5% (35/47) of Cryptosporidium-positive samples by the three assays could be amplified by PCR. This study was the first to genotype Cryptosporidium in Kuwait. Cryptosporidium parvum (n = 26) was the dominant species detected from cattle samples, followed by C. andersoni (n = 6), C. bovis (n = 2), and C. raynae (n = 1). The findings showed a statistically relevant relationship between diarrhoea and the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in faecal samples of cattle (p-value = 0.0003). Pre-weaned calves were the most vulnerable age group to Cryptosporidium spp. infection (p-value = 0.0007). Conclusion For screening of Cryptosporidium infection in faecal samples, antigen detection or PCR methods combined with one of the microscopy techniques should be used. Cryptosporidium parvum was the prepoderant Cryptosporidium spp. recovered from cattle samples in Kuwait followed by C. andersoni. Cryptosporidium parvum is a significant risk factor for diarrhoea in pre-weaned calves. However, further study is needed as many other causes of diarrhoea in calves must be ruled out before a diagnosis of Cryptosporidium diarrhoea can be made.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-022-03435-wCryptosporidium spp.mZNImmunochromatographyELISAPCRCattle
spellingShingle Nadra-Elwgoud M. I. Abdou
Maha S. AlAzemi
Mohammed T. Al-Sayegh
Qais A. H. Majeed
Performance of diagnostic assays used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in faecal samples of cattle in Kuwait and genotyping of Cryptosporidium species
BMC Veterinary Research
Cryptosporidium spp.
mZN
Immunochromatography
ELISA
PCR
Cattle
title Performance of diagnostic assays used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in faecal samples of cattle in Kuwait and genotyping of Cryptosporidium species
title_full Performance of diagnostic assays used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in faecal samples of cattle in Kuwait and genotyping of Cryptosporidium species
title_fullStr Performance of diagnostic assays used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in faecal samples of cattle in Kuwait and genotyping of Cryptosporidium species
title_full_unstemmed Performance of diagnostic assays used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in faecal samples of cattle in Kuwait and genotyping of Cryptosporidium species
title_short Performance of diagnostic assays used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in faecal samples of cattle in Kuwait and genotyping of Cryptosporidium species
title_sort performance of diagnostic assays used to detect cryptosporidium oocysts in faecal samples of cattle in kuwait and genotyping of cryptosporidium species
topic Cryptosporidium spp.
mZN
Immunochromatography
ELISA
PCR
Cattle
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-022-03435-w
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