Study of Parasites of Human Importance from Cow Dung

Ruchi Chaurasiya; Sayan Bhattacharyya; Prashil Dighe; Atul Raj; Amit Banik; Utpal Kumar Chattopadhyay

Abstract

The present study was conducted to find out the prevalence of parasite from cow dung from different areas of Kolkata, India. The study included collection, isolation and characterization of parasites from cow dung. Wet mount and modified Ziehl Neelson staining techniques were used to isolate parasite. The prevalence was found to be 34% for Entamoeba histolytica and 16% for Cryptosporidium parvum. Approximately 50% of cattle were found infected with one or more number of parasitic infection in the gut as in some samples we found E. histolytica as well as Cryptosporidium spp. Out of 100 samples, the overall intensity was highest for Cryptosporidium oocyst (34) and lowest for Toxocara (1). Cow dung is used commonly in rural and periurban areas of India for many purposes such as cooking and mopping floors. Also it contains many pathogenic parasites and bacteria such as E. histolytica, Cryptosporidium sp. that can be infectious to the handlers and farmers; so very carefully handling of cow dung is required.

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