الفهرس 
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Abstract
The present study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in chickens in Behera , Khafr El-Sheikh and Matrouh governorates, Egypt. A total of 400 fecal samples collected from broiler and Baladi chickens in Behera, Kahfr El-Sheikh and Matrouh governorates, of different age groups (1 day- 1.5 years) and different breeds were investigated for the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection by regular fecal sampling over one year ( December 2011- November 2012). All samples were screened for Cryptosporidium oocysts using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain. While 100 out of the 400 fecal samples were comparatively examined using different stains (modified Ziehl-Neelsen and Giemsa) in addition to Sheather’s sugar floatation and Modified Sheather’s flotation (MSF) techniques.
The results demonstrated that 68 out of 400 chickens (17%) were infected with Cryptosporidium spp. during the period of investigation. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were found in 12.18% of the commercial broiler chickens and in 36.25% of the Baladi chickens. The highest infection rate was recorded in the 1-1.5 year-old group and the lowest was recorded in the 0-10 day-old group. The regional infection rate was 18.18%, 16.93% and 15.18% in Khafr El-Sheikh, Behera and Matrouh governorates, respectively.
Seasonal fluctuations of infection were followed. The main feature was a peak prevalence during spring (27 %) followed by a gradual fall in winter, autumn and summer 17%, 14% and 10 % , respectively.
The results of examining 100 fecal samples by different techniques revealed 20% and 13% infection rate by using the modified Ziehl-Nelssen and Giemsa stains, respectively. whereas the percentages of infection by Sheather’s flotation and MSF techniques were 14% and 16%, respectively.
The measurements of the detected Cryptosporidium oocysts in the examined fecal smears by using the movable computer ruler revealed three Cryptosporidium species of round or slightly ovoid shaped oocysts. They were varied from small sized oocysts; Cryptosporidium meleagridis (38.24%) , medium sized oocysts; Cryptosporidium baileyi (39.71%) and large sized oocysts; Cryptosporidium galli (22.06%).