ISSN 2756-3391
African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 733–740
DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/140733
Article Type: Full Length Research Paper
Title: Molecular characterization and risk dynamics of Cryptosporidium parvum subtypes among dairy calves and livestock handlers in the peri-urban sectors of Bamako, Mali
Names of Authors: Amadou T. Diarra¹, Ousmane M. Traoré¹, Fatoumata B. Keita²
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Institut National de Recherche en Santé Publique, Bamako, Mali. ²Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako, Bamako, Mali.
Abstract: Cryptosporidiosis is a significant diarrhoeal disease that causes severe gastrointestinal distress in young livestock and has considerable zoonotic potential for farmers. This cross-sectional molecular survey investigated the prevalence, risk components, and subtype distribution of Cryptosporidium species among 520 pre-weaned dairy calves and 180 livestock handlers across peri-urban farming systems in Bamako, Mali. Fecal specimens were analyzed using modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining, followed by nested PCR sequencing of the small subunit rRNA and gp60 genes to identify specific genotypes. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 22.5 percent (n = 117) in calves and 8.3 percent (n = 15) in human handlers. Genotyping confirmed Cryptosporidium parvum as the main species in both populations, accounting for 74.2 percent of calf infections and 86.6 percent of human cases. Subtype analysis of the gp60 gene revealed the dominant presence of the hyper-transmissible, zoonotic IIaA15G2R1 subtype in 12 matching calf-handler pairs. Multivariable logistic regression associated calf infection with high animal crowding in pens (odds ratio = 3.42, 95 percent confidence interval [1.88 to 6.22]) and unboiled water usage (odds ratio = 2.44, 95 percent confidence interval [1.31 to 4.54]). The identification of identical zoonotic subtypes in calves and handlers provides clear molecular evidence of direct cross-species transmission, highlighting the need for better veterinary sanitation and personal protective measures on these farms.
Keywords: Cryptosporidium parvum, Zoonotic transmission, gp60 subtyping, Dairy calves, Public health, Mali
Manuscript Timeline: Received: 15 June 2026; Revised: 12 July 2026; Accepted: 02 August 2026; Published: 16 August 2026
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