INTESTINAL CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS IN A KID GOAT

Abstract

A 2 wk old Angora kid goat developed diarrhea and was treated with parenterally administered antibiotics and saline. The kid rapidly became moribund and died within 6 h of the 1st signs of illness. No bacterial or viral agents were detected in the intestinal content. On histological examination, large numbers of small hematoxylin-staining bodies were detected associated with the brush border of small intestinal enterocytes. Associated with these bodies there was variable shortening of intestinal villi, some congestion and focal leukocyte infiltration in the lamina propira of the villi and focal epithelial erosions, sloughing or cell transition to more immature enterocyte forms. The location and features revealed by light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy indicate these bodies are cryptosporidia.