Greener Journal of Biological Sciences

Greener Journal of  Biological Sciences Vol. 3 (9), pp. 330-335, November 2013.

 © 2013 Authors

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 082013795

The Occurrence of Cryptosporidium Species in Soil and Manure in Jos and Environs, Plateau State, Nigeria.

V.A. Pam*¹, D.A. Dakul², K.I. Ogbu³, I.E. Echeonwu³,

S.I. Bata³

¹Department of Parasitology, Federal college of Animal Health and Production Technology,

NVRI, Vom.

²University of Jos, Jos Nigeria.

³Department of Animal Health^, Federal college of Animal Health and Production Technology, NVRI, Vom.

*Corresponding Author’s Email: vicpam 2004 @ yahoo. com

Abstract:

This study investigated the mean occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in soil and manure samples, samples were collected from some of the areas visited in Jos North & South LGA of Plateau State, Nigeria. Samples were analysed for the presence of Cryptosporidium species.Cryptosporidium species were determined by parasitological techniques (Formol-ether and floatation concentration techniques Staining was done using Zielh Neelsen technique, Mac-Master counting technique was used for the determination of the frequency of occurrence). Our results revealed higher means in the dry season with means of 19.2, 13.4 and 12.6 recorded for the months of January, February and March respectively than the rainy season that recorded the means of 6.8, 5.8, and 4.2 for the months of June, July and August. These results are discussed in relation to the epidemiology, distribution and significance ofCryptosporidium to the farmers that are constantly in contact with the samples and the impact of the contagious effect of these parasites in the environment on humans and animals. 

Keywords: Occurrence, Cryptosporidium, species, Soil, Manure, Jos and Environs.

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