| Summary: | <i>Cryptosporidium</i> is a worldwide enteric protozoan parasite that causes gastrointestinal infection in animals, including humans. The most notable species is <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i> because of its zoonotic importance; it is also the leading cause of cryptosporidiosis in preweaned calves. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> infection, investigate the potential risk factors, and use molecular diagnosis to identify the predominant <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in preweaned calves in Kuwait. Of 175 preweaned calves, <i>Cryptosporidium</i> antigens were detected in 58 (33.1%) using rapid lateral immunochromatography assay (IC). Calves less than one month of age (OR = 4.32, <i>p</i> = 0.0001) and poor hygiene (OR = 2.85, <i>p</i> = 0.0075) were identified as significant risk factors associated with <i>Cryptosporidium</i> infection. Molecular identification revealed that <i>C. parvum</i> (62.8%) was the dominant species infecting preweaned calves in Kuwait. In contrast, <i>C. bovis</i> and <i>C. andersoni</i> were recorded at 5.7% and 2.9%, respectively. All <i>C. parvum</i> gp60 nucleotide sequences were subtype IIaA15G2R1. Calves could be a source of <i>C. parvum</i> infection due to the similarity of the subtypes recorded previously in Kuwaiti children and preweaned calves in this study. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the <i>Cryptosporidium</i> transmission cycle in Kuwait.
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