Neonatal Diarrhea Syndrome is a common issue in sheep and goat herds and Cryptosporidiosis, which also contributes to that syndrome, has been reported to be the one of the reasons of the enteric disease in humans and farm animals
(Kabu et al., 2023; Feng and Xiao, 2017;
Giadinis et al., 2012). Among the
Crytospordium species,
Cryptosporidium parvum, C. ubiquitum and
C. xiaoiare are the dominant species in the sheep and goats.
C. parvum is one of the most pathogenic species while,
C. ubiquitum is less common in regions where
C. parvum is endemic.
C. xiaoi has a narrower host range owing to its non-pathogenic character and nature
(Guo et al., 2021). Besides this, some of
Crytosporidium isolates are zoonotic
(Giadinis et al., 2015; Cacciò et al., 2013). Due to the high mortality and morbidity rate associated with its infection, this protozoan parasite has been reported to cause economic losses
(Giadinis et al., 2015). It has also been reported that
Crytosporidium transmits both directly and indirectly via fecal-oral path; direct transmission occurs when fecal oocysts are swallowed whereas indirect transmission involves the consumption of oocysts contaminated food and water (
Santin, 2020). It has been stated that
Crytosporidium spp. has a significant impact on the health of 4-15 days old kids; although the animals have a normal appetite at the beginning of the infection, they may die after developing diarrhea, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
(Giadinis et al., 2015; Giadinis et al., 2012). Moreover, it has been asserted that when other enteropathogens become more complicated with
Cryptosporidium infection, the course of infection gets shorter, ending in death within 2 to 3 days (
Wright and Coop, 2007).
Acute phase response (APR) is defined as a non-specific and complex reaction which occurs shortly after the tissue damage caused by various conditions such as infection, trauma, neoplasia, inflammation and stress
(Criscitiello et al., 2019). APR has been reported to include countless symptoms like edema, erythema and fever, which develop due to a complex interaction between cytokines, chemokines and acute phase proteins (APPs), leukocytosis, increased secretion of various hormones along with the regulation of plasma protein synthesis
(Criscitiello et al., 2019; Cray, 2012). It has been ascertained that although APPs are mainly synthesized by hepatocytes that are stimulated by cytokines or endogenous glucocorticoids, they can be produced by other tissues as well
(Criscitiello et al., 2019; Ceciliani et al., 2012; Cray, 2012). In response to bacterial and parasitic infections, the host may also cause acute phase response, which causes many systemic effects such as stimulation of fever, cachexies and acute phase proteins
(Ngure et al., 1997). In ruminants, HP and SAA are seen as the main source of acute phase response in a positive direction
(Lecchi et al., 2012). It has been reported that SAA, which is a major APP, has three distinct aspects including the binding of cholesterol, immunomodulator activity and opsonization while Hp is an indicator of chaperone activity owing to binding free hemoglobin, anti-inflammatory characteristic, bacteriostatic impact and its role in angiogenesis (
Cray, 2012). It has been reported that SAA and Hp concentrations in goats increased in helminth infections, pregnancy toxemia, subacute ruminal acidosis and experimental mastitis (
Heller and Johns, 2015;
Cray, 2012).
The purpose of this study was to determine the changes caused by cryptosporidiosis in SAA and Hp concentrations in neonatal goat kids after treatment with paramomysin sulphate and to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment.
