Coproantigen detection of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in cattle in and around Bangalore

Cryptosporidiosis is an important cause of calfhood morbidity in bovines. The detection of parasite antigens in faeces denotes infection regardless of symptomatology, physical integrity or excretion pattern of the parasite. Seventy two faecal samples of calves collected from different farms in and around Bangalore were used for coproantigen detection by sandwitch ELISA. Out of these, 15 samples positive for C. parvum infection by microscopy were also positive by ELISA and one sample negative by microscopy was also positive by ELISA. No crossreactions were observed when faecal samples harbouring other parasites were tested. Coproantigen detection by ELISA was found to be a reliable and confirmative immunodiagnostic tool for diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis in cattle.