Prevalence of cryptosporidium oocysts, C.meleagridis and the predisposing factors among layer chicken in Kira municipality Wakiso district

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is an opportunistic parasite that affect a wide range of animal species including poultry and some species of the parasite are potentially zoonotic. Cryptosporidiosis has been reported in several avian spp. including chicken. However, limited studies have been conducted in Uganda to establish the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among poultry. The risk of exposure of infectious oocysts to humans and the environment exists however there is lack of information regarding the burden of the disease among commercial layer chicken in Kira Municipality Therefore, this study established the prevalence of cryptosporidium infection among commercial layer chickens and detected the presence of a zoonotic species of the parasite in chicken fecal samples from selected farms in Kira Municipality. Wakiso district is the leading producer of poultry in Uganda and Kira municipality is its largest municipality in terms of population therefore with more people at risk in case of a zoonotic transmission from poultry. A total of 139 fecal samples were obtained from 21 randomly selected commercial layer chicken farms and analyzed at a laboratory for cryptosporidiosis. Fecal smears were prepared, stained based on Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) technique and examined under light microscope for the presence of cryptosporidium oocysts. Nested PCR was further carried out on the samples that had cryptosporidium oocysts to detect if the sampled birds had zoonotic species of the parasite. This study revealed a high (50/139, 35.97% and 16/21, 76.19%) individual and flock prevalence of cryptosporidium infection among the sampled chickens. The molecular assay (PCR) revealed that 3.6%, (5/139)) of the sampled chicken were positive for C. meleagridis which is a known zoonotic spp. The prevalence of cryptosporidium infection was highest among younger chicken age groups of 21-40weeks (44.9%) and least among older age groups of 81-100 weeks (22.22%). More so, chickens kept on litter more frequently infected than (42.5%) those in cage system (16/59, 27.12%). Poor sanitation and practices were associated with high prevalence of the parasite in deep litter systems. In conclusion, cryptosporidium infection is common among commercial layer chickens in Kira Municipality and humans are at risk of contracting infection from chicken as zoonotic species of the parasite was detected. Therefore, regular screening of chickens for cryptosporidium infection is vital so as to take action to minimize the risk of human infection by zoonotic species of the parasite.