Abstract

MOLINA M., Daniel et al. Cryptosporidium parvum as Risk Factor on Neonatal Diarrhea in Alpacas of Puno. Rev. investig. vet. Perú [online]. 2009, vol.20, n.2, pp.263-269. ISSN 1609-9117.

The role of Cryptosporidium parvum as a risk factor for the occurrence of neonatal diarrhea was evaluated using a case-control study design in alpacas from Puno. The study was carried out during the calving season, between February and March 2006. Stool samples (n=487) were collected in alpacas of 1 to 15 days of age in four localities: Antacalla, La Raya, Quimsachata and Macusani. The faecal smears were processed following the Modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain. The 39% (130/336) of alpacas with diarrhea and 23% (35/151) of alpacas without diarrhea were positives to C. parvum infection. The logistic regression showed that this parasite does not represent a risk factor for neonatal diarrhea in the screened animals (OR: 1.5, IC 95%: 0.9-2.4). It was also determined that La Raya was statistically significant (p=0.046) and represented a risk factor for the occurrence of neonatal diarrhea (OR: 2.5, IC 95%: 1.1-6.1).

Keywords : alpaca; Cryptosporidium parvum; neonatal diarrhea; risk factor.

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