Comparative Study of Cryptosporidium Infestation in Wild Water Buffaloes (Bubalus arnee) and Domestic Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2013 in the subject Veterinary medicine, grade: Final, , course: Veterinary science, language: English, abstract: Cryptosporidium is an important zoonotic pathogen transmitted primarily through water. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in wild water buffalo and domestic buffalo in relation to the river water in the river basins of SaptaKoshi. This cross sectional study was conducted from June 2013 to October 2013. A total of 200 dung samples (100 wild water buffalo and 100 domestic buffalo living near the river basins of Sapta Koshi) were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium by Ziehl-Neelsen Staining technique after Modified Sheather concentration method with centrifugation. A comparative study has been conducted between pre monsoon study and post monsoon study. Overall 6% were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts, wild water buffalo having higher chances of being infected than domestic buffalo (P < 0.05). The prevalence was higher in post monsoon than pre monsoon (P<0.05). Cryptosporidium has been identified in wild water buffalo and domestic buffalo residing in the periphery of SaptaKoshi river basin establishing river as an epidemiological factor for transmission. Cryptosporidiosis is reported for the first time in wild water buffalo in Nepal. Thus, the study suggests further research for the conservation of endangered wild water buffalo.