A Nested-PCR assay for detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in cattle in Sulawesi Island, Indonesia

Cryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan parasite that cause cryptosporidiosis, a gastroenteric disease in wide range of animals and humans. Cryptosporidiosis affects significant economic loss in livestock production due to poor management practices, leading to faecal contamination. The parasite can be transmitted by ingestion of oocysts which have high survival ability in various type of environment and resistant to water chlorination treatment. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in various faecal samples of cattle (n=24, aged 1-2 years old) obtained from several farms in Sulawesi. Following faecal DNA extraction, we performed a nested-PCR assay using validated-Cryptosporidium 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) primers, resulting a size of amplified DNA approximately 770 bps. A total four samples (16.7%) were regarded as positive for Cryptosporidium spp., including samples obtained from farms in South Sulawesi (n=2), Central Sulawesi (n=1) and Gorontalo (n=1). This result confirms the risk of cryptosporidiosis not only among cattle in Sulawesi but also potential transfer of this parasite to humans especially from contaminated water and food. Therefore, early detection of the spread of oocysts is also crucial for monitoring animal health including cattle as production animals, human health, and environment.