The frequency of Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst excretion in healthy dogs was determined. Fecal samples of 269 animals were collected, from urban and rural areas, in two cities, Lavras and Viçosa, from Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The detection of C. parvum oocysts was carried out by a ELISA direct kit (Alexon - Trend, USA). From all samples analyzed, five (1.85%) were positive. Differences between oocyst excretion frequency in dogs from rural and urban areas were not observed.
Cryptosporidium parvum; dogs; oocysts