Author : Domingo, Clarissa Yvonne J.

Summary : Among the zoonotic protozoa affecting the small holder livestock farmers in Aurora province, four enteric protozoa that could be transmitted by water or fecal-oral route were detected. Cryptosporidium parvum had the highest prevalence which was the same for both male and female animal handlers (21%) and the highest among the age groups. Highest prevalence of Cryptosporidium was found in pigs (30%), followed by cattle (27%), similar prevalence in buffaloes and chickens (21%), goats (18%) and dogs (10%). The second protozoan prevalent among animal handlers and livestock in this study is Blastocystis hominis. Its prevalence is higher among male (2.4%) than female animal handlers (1.9%). It was detected among animal handlers from ages 26 years old and above. Cattle, buffaloes, goats, pigs, chickens and dogs were infected with Blastocystis hominis with pigs having the highest prevalence (29%). Similarly, all animal handlers whose animals were found infected with Blastocystis hominis were also infected with the same enteric protozoa by microscopy.