OCCURENCE OF PROTOZOAN FROM THE GENUS Cryptosporidium spp. IN CATTLE RAISED IN PROPERTIES OF THE RURAL ZONE IN THE COUNTY OF BOM JESUS, PIAUI

The objective of this research was to verify the occurrence of coccidia from the Cryptosporidium genus in fecal samples of cattle raised in the rural zone in the county of Bom jesus, state of Piaui. To accomplish this, fecal samples were taken of 50 bovine from mixed gender, age and breed belonging to three properties. For analysis of Cryptosporidium spp. staining techniques from Ritchie and Ziehl-Neelsen were used. Oocysts from the genus Cryptosporidium were identified in the stools of 60% of evaluated animals. From a total of 30 animals, five showed stool with diarrheal consistency, while 25 were asymptomatic. Thus, it was observed a high incidence of infections by protozoa of the genus Cryptosporidium spp. in cattle herds in this study.