Cryptosporidium andersoni in Western Australian feedlot cattle

Cryptosporidium andersoni has not been previously reported in feedlot beef cattle in Western Australia. Faecal samples were collected from 10 groups of cattle ranging in age from 11 to 36 months in five different feedlots in Western Australia. The incidence of C. andersoni ranged from 0% to 26%. There were no clinical signs associated with C. andersoni infection, but there was a significant reduction in rate of gain of 0.44 kg in infected animals compared with negative pen mates. Cryptosporidium andersoni is characterised by large oocysts (7.4 x 5.5 μm) and was confirmed by 18S sequencing.