Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. (Tyzzer, 1907) (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae) in dogs in southern Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62429/rnh20261202024

Keywords:

cryptosporidiosis, diagnosis, protozoan, zoonosis

Abstract

Cryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan of the phylum Apicomplexa that affects the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. Infection occurs mainly through the fecal-oral route, by ingesting infectious oocysts present in contaminated water or food. The clinical signs of cryptosporidiosis are usually nonspecific and include profuse, watery, yellowish diarrhea with a foul odor. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs in the municipality of Pelotas, in the extreme south of Brazil. A total of 150 canine fecal samples were analyzed, with 75 from domiciled dogs and 75 from stray or semi-domiciled dogs. Oocyst detection was performed using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. Of the analyzed samples, 5.3% (8/150) were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. Among stray or semi-domiciled dogs, 8% (6/75) were positive, while in domiciled dogs, the rate was 2.7% (2/75). Due to its zoonotic potential and the close contact between animals and humans, the results suggest that dogs may act as a potential source of human cryptosporidiosis infection

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Author Biographies

Eugênia Tavares Barwaldt, Federal University of Pelotas, Veterinary School, Department of Veterinary Clinics. Brazil.

Médica Veterinária, Mestranda, Departamento de Clinicas Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Renata Fontes Ongaratto, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Bacharel em Quimica, Doutora, Departamento de Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Pelotas.

Victória Porciúncula dos Santos, Federal University of Pelotas, Veterinary School, Department of Preventive Veterinary. Brazil.

Acadêmica do curso de Medicina Veterinária, Departamento de Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Gabriele Batistin Nascente, Federal University of Pelotas, Veterinary School, Department of Preventive Veterinary. Brazil.

Acadêmica do curso de Medicina Veterinária, Departamento de Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Pelotas.

Wesley Porto de Oliveira, Federal University of Pelotas, Veterinary School, Department of Preventive Veterinary. Brazil.

Médico Veterinário, Especializado em Inspeção de Produtos de Origem Animal, Departamento de Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Pelotas.

Janaína Fadrique da Silva, Federal University of Pelotas, Veterinary School, Department of Preventive Veterinary. Brazil.

Médica Veterinária, Doutora, Departamento de Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Pelotas.

Fábio Raphael Pascoti Bruhm, Federal University of Pelotas, Veterinary School, Department of Preventive Veterinary. Brazil.

Médico Veterinário, Doutor, Docente do Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Departamento de Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Pelotas.

Leandro Quintana Nizoli, Federal University of Pelotas, Veterinary School, Department of Preventive Veterinary. Brazil.

Médico Veterinário, Doutor, Docente do Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Departamento de Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Pelotas

Published

2025-11-21

How to Cite

Ferraz, A., Tavares Barwaldt, E., Santos Bierhals, E., Fontes Ongaratto, R., Porciúncula dos Santos, V., Loíde Damasio, E., … Quintana Nizoli, L. (2025). Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. (Tyzzer, 1907) (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae) in dogs in southern Brazil. Neotropical Helminthology, 1(20). https://doi.org/10.62429/rnh20261202024