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Cryptosporidial infections in captive wild animals
W P Heuschele1, J Oosterhuis, D Janssen
1Zoological Society of San Diego, California 92112.
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
|October 1, 1986
Summary
Cryptosporidium oocysts caused neonatal diarrhea in exotic ruminants at the San Diego Zoo. This parasite was found in 28.4% of animals examined, impacting various species and even some primates and reptiles.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Parasitology
- Zoological Medicine
Background:
- Neonatal diarrhea is a significant cause of illness and death in young exotic ruminants.
- A hand-rearing facility for exotic ruminants experienced high rates of neonatal diarrhea.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the causative agents of neonatal diarrhea in exotic ruminants.
- To investigate the prevalence of specific parasites in affected animals.
Main Methods:
- Fecal samples were collected from 183 exotic ruminants.
- Samples were examined using auramine O stained smears to detect oocysts.
- Infections were correlated with clinical signs of gastroenteric disease.
Main Results:
- Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 52 of 183 (28.4%) animals.
- Cryptosporidial infections were diagnosed in 21 of 40 species of exotic ruminants with diarrhea.
- Gastroenteric disease associated with cryptosporidia was also noted in two primates and two reptiles.
- Eimeria oocysts were found in 5 of 183 (2.7%) animals.
Conclusions:
- Cryptosporidium is a significant pathogen contributing to neonatal diarrhea in exotic ruminants.
- The parasite affects a wide range of exotic ruminant species and can also impact non-ruminant species.
- Diagnostic methods like auramine O staining are effective for identifying Cryptosporidium oocysts in fecal samples.
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