Epidemiological and Molecular Study of in Preweaned Calves in Kuwait.

is a worldwide enteric protozoan parasite that causes gastrointestinal infection in animals, including humans. The most notable species is because of its zoonotic importance; it is also the leading cause of cryptosporidiosis in preweaned calves. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of infection, investigate the potential risk factors, and use molecular diagnosis to identify the predominant spp. in preweaned calves in Kuwait. Of 175 preweaned calves, antigens were detected in 58 (33.1%) using rapid lateral immunochromatography assay (IC). Calves less than one month of age (OR = 4.32, = 0.0001) and poor hygiene (OR = 2.85, = 0.0075) were identified as significant risk factors associated with infection. Molecular identification revealed that (62.8%) was the dominant species infecting preweaned calves in Kuwait. In contrast, and were recorded at 5.7% and 2.9%, respectively. All gp60 nucleotide sequences were subtype IIaA15G2R1. Calves could be a source of infection due to the similarity of the subtypes recorded previously in Kuwaiti children and preweaned calves in this study. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the transmission cycle in Kuwait.