Comparison of the effects of buparvaquone and paromomycin on oocyst excretion and clinical parameters in diarrheal calves naturally infected with cryptosporidiosis

Abstract

Cryptosporidium spp. is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects a wide variety of hosts. Young calves are particularly susceptible to infection. In the present study, we investigated the effects of buparvaquone and paromomycin on oocyte shedding and clinical parameters in calves naturally infected with cryptosporidiosis. Twenty calves with naturally occurring cryptosporidiosis were divided into two groups (n=10, each). A single dose of 2.5 mg/ kg buparvaquone was administered intramuscularly to one group, while the animals in the other group received 100 mg/kg/day paromomycin orally for seven days. On day 7, oocyst shedding (p<0.001) was reduced, and sucking reflex (p=0.002) and mental status (p=0.034) were improved in calves treated with buparvaquone. Our results suggest that applying a single dose of buparvaquone injection can be an excellent alternative to complex treatment methods applied to calves with cryptosporidiosis in the field regarding the economics and practicability.