A comparison of assays for the detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in the feces of scouring calves. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Atwal, Harveen K.; Zabek, Erin; Bidulka, Julie; DuCharme, Alecia; Pawlik, Michael; Himsworth, Chelsea G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation. Volume 34:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 284
• Page End: 287
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: cattle -- comparison -- Cryptosporidium -- detection test -- feces; Veterinary medicine -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; 636.0896075
• DOI: 10.1177/10406387211062181
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-6387

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic, protozoan parasite that causes potentially life-threatening diarrhea in the host and can be transmitted via the fecal-oral route. C. parvum can infect cattle and may be detected in their feces using a variety of tests. We compared the level of agreement, ease of procedure, and cost among PCR, lateral flow immunoassay, fluorescent antibody, and Kinyoun acid-fast stain direct smear tests. Over the course of 9 mo, 74 calf fecal samples were submitted and tested for C. parvum using all 4 tests. A Fleiss kappa value of 0.813 was obtained, indicating an excellent level of agreement among tests. Overall, the best test based on cost and ease of procedure was the Kinyoun acid-fast stain direct smear.