Protection of Calves Against Cryptosporidiosis with Immune Bovine Colostrum

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum is a major cause of infectious diarrhea in newborn calves, with an estimated economic cost of $49 million annually to the cattle industry. Uncontrolled cryptosporidiosis in livestock leads to contamination of the environment with infectious oocysts, possibly leading to outbreaks of human disease. Ineffective treatment modalities and disinfection procedures mandate the need for preventative vaccines. We have identified, cloned and sequenced a geographically conserved C. parvum antigen, C7, which we believe to be an ideal candidate for a preventative vaccine.