LAUSR

Cryptosporidium is known to be a zoonotic protozoan parasite, located mainly intracellularly causing the disease called cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheic disease of human and animals. Risk factors for dogs’ illness includes exposure to contaminated drinking water from well, borehole and tap water. Hunting as an activity of some dogs serve as a major exposure. The objectives of this study is to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with fecal shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts in dogs in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This study was carried out from January to May 2018 in 6 Area Councils of FCT. A total of 400 dogs (213 males and 187 females) aged 0–14 years old were enrolled for this study. The fecal samples collected were examined using Modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) technique. Overall, 91 samples out of 400 were positive, giving a prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts infection as 22.75% with 5% degree of freedom. Prevalence among male and female dogs were 27% and 17%, respectively which is statistically significant (p=0.034). Younger puppies had a higher infection rate compared to the older dogs. The infection is relatively higher in local breed of dogs than the cross and pure breeds. This is significantly different (p=0.014). Source of water was also significantly associated with Cryptosporidium infection but food type was found not to be associated. Some of the dogs infected with Cryptosporidium were presented with diarrhoea, though asymptomatic ones can still shed oocysts in the environment. These act as a possible source of infection for other animals.