FREQUENCY OF Cryptosporidium spp IN CANINE FROM CITY OF TUNJA-COLOMBIA

Objective. To determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in a domestic dogs samples and find out associated factors with positivity to Cryptosporidium infection . Materials and methods. Cross-sectional study was carried out. There was collected and analyzed 132 faecal dogs samples of 3 veterinary clinics from Tunja, Colombia (ASMEVET, ZOOMEDICA and Clìnica Veterinaria UPTC). Faecal sediment was analized with Ziehl-Neelsen modified test. Data were analyzed in EpiInfo 2002 ®. Results. 47.7% of dogs studied were females and 52.3% males, the age range was 1-156 months, mean 48 months. 16.38% of samples were positive for Cryptosporidium (95% CI 10-24.5), most often in puppies under one year, diarrhea (OR=2.99 p=0.01) and history of non-vaccination are risk factors associated with the probability of infection, (OR=0.30 p=0.04). Conclusions. The prevalence of infection found in dogs suggests frequent transmission in Tunja. It is considered a high risk in relation with the likelihood for contracting a zoonotic infection. It should be studied in humans pet owners and health professionals to prevent the transmission risk, because the virulence of infection in immunocompromised patients and to determine the species involved in infection.