Domesticated Animal Reservoirs of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Agricultural Farms in Laguna and Quezon Province, Philippines

Domesticated Animal Reservoirs of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Agricultural Farms in Laguna and Quezon Province, Philippines | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Domesticated Animal Reservoirs of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Agricultural Farms in Laguna and Quezon Province, Philippines Vachel Gay Velasco Paller, Jeph Roxy Macaraig, David Lester Mendoza This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3274505/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Cryptosporidium and G iardia are recognized as significant etiological agents of diarrheal outbreaks in humans as these parasites may be transmitted through the ingestion of water and food contaminated with feces of human or animal origin. However, surveillance studies on the role of animal reservoirs in the transmission of Cryptosporidium and Giardia are deemed insufficient and the complete dimension of the problem contributing to contamination in an agricultural setting is unknown. This study aimed to assess the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in domesticated animals from selected farms in the agricultural provinces of Laguna and Quezon in Southern Luzon, Philippines. Using immunofluorescence assay, an overall 85.7% prevalence of protozoan infection was recorded among the animals (N = 161). Of these, 77.0% and 73.9% were positive for Cryptosporidium and Giardia , respectively. Highest prevalence (95.83%) of Cryptosporidium was documented in swine and the highest prevalence (89.47%) of Giardia was observed in ruminants. Analyses revealed significant differences in the prevalence of the protozoan parasites among animals with different containment status, water source, age group, and sex. On the other hand, farm workers’ knowledge on parasite transmission was negatively correlated (p = 0.001) to parasite prevalence. With the scarcity of data about Cryptosporidium and Giardia in farm-raised animals in the Philippines, the information obtained from this study will be vital for protozoan source tracking and further control interventions against Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections. Cryptosporidium Giardia domesticated animals Philippines INTRODUCTION Cryptosporidium and Giardia are ubiquitous enteric protozoan parasites known to infect humans and animals. They have been implicated in diarrheal outbreaks in humans as these parasites may be transmitted through the ingestion of water and food contaminated with the parasites’ environmentally resistant (oo)cysts, resulting to significant morbidity and mortality rates worldwide (Khalil et al. 2018 ). As they may come from a wide host range including numerous animal species, tracking their origin and understanding transmission routes have become more complicated. In addition, older animal hosts sometimes do not show signs of infection and may serve as reservoirs (Bawm et al. 2014 , Robertson et al. 2014 ) that can contaminate the environment with infective (oo)cysts through indiscriminate defecation, thus allowing continuous transmission. This poses a challenge to control and prevent the further contamination and spread of these parasitic infections among human and animal populations. The human-animal-environment nexus is perpetuated in agricultural farms that practice integrated farming systems for both fresh produce and livestock. While this farming system maximizes productivity and addresses issues of food security in the Philippines, this seems to overlook the effects on food safety as it also provides a conducive setting for parasite transmission as domesticated animals are important reservoir hosts of various parasites. Several studies reported Cryptosporidium and Giardia contamination in irrigation water sources and fresh produce from agricultural farms in the Philippines (Ordonez et al. 2018; Paller and Babia-Abion 2019 ; Paller et al. 2022 ). However, source-tracking and surveillance studies probing the origin of parasite contamination in these farms are deemed insufficient and the complete dimension of the problems contributing to contamination in an agricultural setting remains unknown. Hence, this study sought to elucidate the role and contribution of domesticated animals as reservoir of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in agricultural farms and to investigate the potential risk factors that may contribute to transmission. This study provides a comprehensive data of Cryptosporidium and Giardia prevalence among animals in agricultural farms in the Philippines. Furthermore, this study is envisioned to serve as basis for policy recommendations for good farming practices to mitigate risks of transmission in relation to food safety. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study site and sampling design This cross-sectional study was conducted in 11 farms in Laguna and Quezon, two major agricultural provinces of Southern Luzon, Philippines. Six (6) farms from Laguna and five (5) farms from Quezon were selected based on the following criteria: (1) consent of farm owners; (2) practicing integrated farming of crops and livestock; and (3) small-to-medium holder farms with a land area of at least 500 square meters. The study was coordinated with the municipal and provincial agricultural offices of Laguna and Quezon prior to the actual conduct. A study power analysis was performed to compute the sample size using STATA17 (StataCorp., USA). Under the confidence level of 95%, 0.05 margin of error, and 0.8 power, a minimum of 17 individuals per farm is required to observe a 20% prevalence based on a previous study (Labana et al., 2018 ). An additional 10% was included to account for sample loss; hence, a total of 19 individuals were included. On the other hand, a complete sampling was ensured in farms with low total animal population. Sample collection and processing Approximately 25 g of freshly voided animal fecal samples were collected from domesticated animals that were classified into four groups: (1) companion animals, (2) ruminants, (3) swine, and (4) poultry. Companion animals were composed of cat, dog, and rabbit, while ruminants included cow, goat, sheep, and water buffalo. On the other hand, native and commercial-breed pigs were classified as swine. Lastly, chicken, duck, goose, and turkey comprised the poultry group. Sample freshness was ascertained by either observation of defecation or the presence of high-moisture sheen on the sample surface. Samples were then transported immediately to the laboratory via cold chain and were kept under 4°C until processing. Fecal samples were concentrated following the protocol of Ehsan et al. ( 2015 ) with minimal modification. Briefly, approximately 2 g of feces were homogenized in 10-mL sterile distilled water, sieved through a layer of sterile gauze, and centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 10 minutes. The sediment was resuspended in 1 ml sterile distilled water supernatant was decanted by pipetting until 1 ml final concentrate. Simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cyst in the fecal samples was performed via direct fluorescence assay (DFA) using the Crypto/ Giardia Cel Immunofluorescence test kit (Cellabs Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia). Briefly, 40 µL of fecal concentrate was placed onto well slides and processed using the manufacturer’s instructions. The prepared IFA slides containing the samples were scanned using Olympus IX73 inverted epifluorescence microscope (Olympus, USA) under 40x and 100x magnification. Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cyst were identified based on distinct morphological differences. Cryptosporidium oocyst displayed a bright apple green round to oval fluorescing bodies measuring about 4–6 µm. Meanwhile, Giardia cyst appeared rounded to ovoid brilliant apple green structures with 7–15 µm length and 5–15 µm width. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Survey A survey questionnaire was administered to the owner or the manager of each farm to assess the farming practices and sanitary conditions that may serve as risk factors that contribute to parasite infection and transmission. In addition, host-specific characteristics and care practices such as sex, age group, containment status, deworming status, and water source were also documented. The survey questionnaire was pre-tested prior to the conduct of the actual survey at the study sites. Free and informed consent was given to the survey participants prior to the conduct of the actual interview. Data Analysis Data were encoded in a Microsoft Excel sheet and statistical analyses were carried out using STATA version 17.0 statistical software (StataCorp., College Station, Texas, USA). Cryptosporidium and Giardia prevalence among animals was determined. Bivariate analysis using Chi-square test was performed to investigate the differences of animal infection status vis-à-vis the host-specific characteristics and animal care practices. Moreover, point-biserial correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship of farming practices, hygiene and sanitation, and knowledge on parasitic infection and transmission. All statistical analyses were set at a 95% level of confidence, and p values less than and equal to 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS A total of 161 fecal samples were collected from 11 farms in Laguna and Quezon, which were obtained from four animal groups, such as companion animals (cat, dog, rabbit), ruminants (cow, goat, sheep, water buffalo), swine, and poultry (chicken, duck, goose, turkey). The study recorded an overall infection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in 85.71% (n = 138) of the animals tested. Among the infected individuals, 77.02% (n = 124) were positive for Cryptosporidium , while 73.91% (n = 119) were infected with Giardia . Prevalence of protozoan infections among the animal groups in the study were compared. Results showed that Cryptosporidium infection was significantly highest in swine at 95.83% prevalence (p = 0.013). On the other hand, Giardia infection was significantly highest in ruminants at 89.47% (p = 0.001) (Table 1 ). Table 1 Bivariate analyses of animal conditions and care practices and protozoan parasite infections among domestic animals in selected agricultural farms in Laguna and Quezon, Philippines. VARIABLE Frequency Cryptosporidium sp. Giardia sp. n (%) X 2 p value n (%) X 2 p value ALL ANIMALS (N = 161) Animal group Poultry Companion Ruminant Swine 59 40 38 24 40 (67.8) 28 (70.0) 33 (86.8) 23 (95.8) 10.820 0.013* 33 (55.9) 30 (75.0) 34 (89.5) 21 (87.5) 16.701 0.001* Containment Penned/Leashed Free-range 130 31 104 (80.0) 20 (64.5) 3.391 0.066 100 (76.9) 19 (61.3) 3.173 0.075 Deworming Yes No 62 99 46 (74.2) 78 (78.8) 0.455 0.500 45 (72.6) 74 (74.8) 0.093 0.761 Water source Ground (deep/ artesian well) Surface ( spring, river, lake) 84 77 59 (70.2) 65 (84.4) 4.560 0.033* 58 (69.1) 61 (79.2) 2.156 0.142 Contact with other animals Yes No 85 76 65 (76.5) 59 (77.6) 0.031 0.861 59 (69.4) 60 (79.0) 1.892 0.169 COMPANION (N = 40) Sex Male Female 23 17 15 (65.2) 13 (76.5) 0.590 0.443 17 (73.9) 13 (76.5) 0.034 0.853 Age group 2mos-1yr >1 year-4y 11mos 12 28 9 (75.0) 19 (67.9) 0.204 0.651 11 (91.7) 19 (67.9) 2.40 0.111 Containment Penned/Leashed Free-range 35 5 25 (71.4) 3 (60.0) 0.272 0.602 27 (77.1) 3 (60.0) 0.686 0.408 Deworming Yes No 17 23 11 (64.7) 17 (73.9) 0.395 0.530 14 (82.4) 16 (69.6) 0.853 0.356 Water source Ground (deep/ artesian well) Surface ( spring, river, lake) 22 18 13 (59.1) 13 (83.3) 2.771 0.096 17 (77.3) 13 (72.2) 0.135 0.714 RUMINANT (N = 38) Sex Male Female 15 23 14 (93.3) 19 (82.6) 0.914 0.339 14 (93.3) 20 (87.0) 0.392 0.531 Age group 1 year − 1 year 11mos 2 year – 2 year 11mos >3yr 13 12 13 10 (76.9) 10 (83.3) 13 (100.0) 3.218 0.200 11 (84.6) 10 (83.3) 13 (100.0) 2.336 0.311 Containment Penned/Leashed Free-range 28 10 24 (85.7) 9 (90.0) 0.118 0.731 26 (92.9) 8 (80.0) 1.293 0.255 Deworming Yes No 11 27 9 (81.8) 24 (88.9) 0.342 0.559 9 (81.8) 25 (92.6) 0.963 0.326 Water source Ground (deep/ artesian well) Surface ( spring, river, lake) 18 20 16 (88.9) 17 (85.0) 0.125 0.723 16 (88.9) 18 (90.0) 0.012 0.911 SWINE (N = 24) Sex Male Female 11 13 10 (90.9) 13 (100.0) 1.233 0.267 10 (90.9) 11 (84.6) 0.216 0.642 Age group 2.5-6mos >6mos 1 23 1 (100.0) 22 (95.7) 0.045 0.831 1 (100.0) 20 (87.0) 0.149 0.699 Containment Penned/Leashed Free-range 24 0 23 (95.8) 0 -- -- 21 (87.5) 0 -- -- Deworming Yes No 7 17 6 (85.7) 17 (100.0) 2.534 0.111 5 (71.4) 16 (94.1) 2.334 0.127 Water Ground (deep/artesian well) Surface ( spring, river, lake) 11 13 10 (90.9) 13 (100.0) 1.233 0.267 8 (72.7) 13 (100.0) 4.052 0.044* POULTRY (N = 59) Sex Male Female 40 19 30 (75.0) 10 (52.6) 2.952 0.086 27 (67.5) 7 (36.8) 4.958 0.026* Age group 0–11 days 12–21 days ≥22 days 13 10 36 12 (92.3) 10 (100.0) 18 (50.0) 13.550 0.001** 9 (69.2) 8 (80.0) 17 (47.2) 4.363 0.113 Containment Penned/Leashed Free-range 43 16 32 (74.4) 8 (50.0) 3.185 0.074 26 (60.5) 8 (50.0) 0.523 0.470 Deworming Yes No 27 32 20 (74.1) 20 (62.5) 0.898 0.343 17 (63.0) 17 (53.1) 0.580 0.446 Water source Ground (deep/ artesian well) Surface ( spring, river, lake) 33 26 20 (60.6) 20 (76.9) 1.773 0.183 17 (51.5) 17 (65.4) 1.146 0.284 *significant at p ≤ 0.05 **significant at p ≤ 0.01 -- cannot be computed due to constant variable Bivariate analyses of host-specific characteristics and animal care practices and protozoan infections showed that the water source potentially contribute to Cryptosporidium prevalence among all animals as demonstrated by the significantly lower cryptosporidiosis among those that have deep or artesian wells as drinking water source ( p = 0.033). This was consistent with the significantly lower Giardia prevalence (70%) among swine raised in farms with groundwater sources. Moreover, 12-21-aged poultry had the significantly highest Cryptosporidium infection, having a 100% prevalence (p = 0.001). On the other hand, male chickens had significantly higher Giardia prevalence at 67.5% (p = 0.026) compared to females (Table 1 ). The association between potential risk factors and Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections was ascertained using Point-biserial correlation analysis. As summarized in Table 2 , the awareness of farm workers on manure as potential contamination source of parasites in crops was negatively correlated with Giardia prevalence. Other factors such as water source, sanitation and hygiene practices, and knowledge on transmission of parasites from humans to animals and vice versa were also considered in this study but they did not show significance that could contribute to parasite transmission in agricultural settings. Table 2 Association of risk factors to Cryptosporidium and Giardia infection intensity among animals from selected farms in Laguna and Quezon, Philippines Factors Cryptosporidium sp. Giardia sp. Pearson r p value Pearson r p value Manure as fertilizers Farms treat manure before application -0.303 0.366 -0.032 0.925 Water source Surface water (spring, creek, river, pond) -0.062 0.857 -0.108 0.752 Ground water (pump, artesian well) -0.062 0.857 0.108 0.752 Sanitation and hygiene practices Use of protective gears (gloves, boots, etc.) -0.230 0.497 -0.572 0.066 Cleaning of containers, crates, farming tools -0.092 0.789 -0.177 0.602 Washing of farm tools -0.289 0.389 -0.583 0.060 Handwashing before work -0.092 0.789 -0.177 0.602 Handwashing after work -- -- −− −− Availability of toilet facility -- -- −− −− Presence of stray animals −− -- −− −− Knowledge on parasite transmission Transmission of parasites from manure to crops -0.513 0.107 -0.867 0.001** Transmission of parasites from animals to humans -0.059 0.864 -0.586 0.058 Transmission of parasites from humans to animals -0.059 0.864 -0.586 0.058 **significant at p ≤ 0.01 -- cannot be computed due to constant variable DISCUSSION Integrated farming system in the Philippines have been widely practiced as it promises sustainability, productivity, and increased economic yield through efficient resource utilization. It is also viewed as a strategy for poverty reduction as the smallholder farmers can benefit from integrating different farming enterprises on their land, enhancing productivity, and improving overall farm resilience (Parreño-De Guzman et al. 2015 ). However, the consequent emergence and entry of parasitic agents into the basic level of the food supply chain, the agricultural farms, have seemed to be overlooked. Hence, this raises the concerns in food safety and poses occupational hazards especially to farm workers. Cryptosporidium and Giardia are among the most important enteric pathogens of humans and various species of animals. In the Philippines, several studies have examined the occurrence of these protozoans in various animals (Ng-Hublin et al. 2013 ; Murakoshi et al. 2016 ; De la Pena et al. 2017; Velante et al., 2017 ) but only few studies investigated the infections of Cryptosporidium and Giardia among domesticated animals (Adao et al., 2019 ; Afable et al., 2019 ; Labana et al., 2018 ). Thus, this study contributes to the paucity of data by providing new information on the prevalence and risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections among animals in selected agricultural farms in the country. Although animals infected with these protozoan parasites are sometimes asymptomatic, their presence in the animal hosts present health risk to both farmers and consumers as they may contaminate the soils, water sources, and crops through indiscriminate defecation or direct and improper application of animal manure as fertilizers (Paller et al., 2022 ). This contamination, if not properly addressed, may be carried over to the next level of the food supply chain. Several studies have reported the prevalence of various helminth and protozoan parasites in fresh vegetables sold in markets in the Philippines (Sia-Su et al. 2012; Vizon et al. 2019 ). These reports warrant crafting of policies in relation to good agricultural practices that incorporate the risks of parasitic infections that may originate from farms. Moreover, as irrigation water is an important resource in agriculture, the water quality guidelines must also be revisited to consider the inclusion of protozoan parasites in the quality and safety assessment of the water sources. The animals surveyed in this study are important reservoir hosts of the Cryptosporidium and Giardia which also have the potential to be zoonotic as demonstrated in previous studies (Bawm et al., 2014 ). The persistence of these protozoan parasites in these animal hosts can be associated with various factors including the different animal conditions and behavior and the varied animal care practices observed in each farm. As observed in this study, surface water sources in the farms had a significant contribution to protozoan infection among animals. Surface water sources such as small streams, rivers, and ponds are prone to contamination from possible sewage and agricultural waste discharges (Farizawati et al. 2005 ; Daniels et al. 2016 ; Ligda et al. 2020 ) and may easily be accessed by roaming infected animal hosts. In addition, several studies also cited increased rainfall events as contributing factor in the increase in concentration of parasite contaminants in surface water sources such as lakes and ponds due to runoffs (Swaffer et al. 2014 ; Nsoh et al., 2016 ). In addition, given the proximity and potential for interaction among other domesticated and stray animals, cross-contamination and cross-species transmission among animal hosts are also possible. Cruz-Saavedra et al (2021) recently reported the presence of canine Cryptosporidium species C. canis in domestic pigs. Similarly, Oates et al (2012) detected the presence of Giardia assemblage E in feline hosts. This assemblage typically infects hooved livestock such as cattle, goats, camels, and pigs. Age and sex have also been observed to contribute to infection in poultry. This may be attributed to their containment status. As documented in this study, most chickens and ducks were either allowed to roam around the farms or were leashed in open areas where they are still accessible to other animals, thereby exposing them to other possible infection sources. On the other hand, the females were kept in enclosed coops where they are left to lay their eggs. This then decreases their contact with other potentially infected hosts. Correlation analysis revealed significant inverse relationship between protozoan parasite prevalence among animals and the farm workers’ awareness on the possible transmission of parasites to crops through animal manure. This highlights the need for information campaigns on good agricultural practices, personal hygiene, and proper food handling that may help control the further transmission of these parasitic protozoans among human populations. Agricultural practices addressing the health hazards posed by protozoan parasites contributed by domesticated animals must also be emphasized. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides relevant data on the prevalence and potential risk factors for Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections and the important role of domesticated animals as reservoirs of parasites in an agricultural setting. Results showed that the absence of guidelines for agricultural and animal care practices from regulatory agencies have led to the differences and unregulated farming systems that may have contributed in the parasitic protozoan infections among animals. This study also revealed findings relevant to the improvement of farm monitoring and management guidelines which may include the animal health, waste disposal, sanitation and hygiene practices, and control of animal movement. This further emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach in addressing parasite infections among animal reservoirs and requires collaboration among sectors involved. Increasing awareness on parasite transmission among concerned agencies and the local communities may help in controlling the contamination load and mitigating health risks. Declarations Statements and Declarations. Acknowledgment. The authors gratefully acknowledge the municipal and provincial agricultural offices of Laguna and Quezon, Philippines for the assistance that they extended to the research team, as well as the farm owners and managers who willingly devoted their time to participate in this study. Funding. The study was funded by the National Research Council of the Philippines - Department of Science and Technology (FRESH FARMS project) and the University of the Philippines- Enhanced Creative Work and Research Grant. Competing Interests. All authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Author contributions. Vachel Gay V. Paller contributed to the conceptualization, study design, and data analysis of the study. Jeph Roxy M. Macaraig contributed to the sampling design, data collection, processing, and analysis, and made the necessary coordination with the farm owners and relevant offices prior to data collection activities. David Lester A. Mendoza performed the sample collection, laboratory processing, and helped in the data analysis. VG Paller and JR Macaraig drafted and finalized the manuscript. Ethics approval. The protocol for the collection of animal fecal samples used in this study was approved by the University of the Philippines Los Baños Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (UPLB IACUC) with an approval reference number UPLB-2021-039. On the other hand, research ethics approval for the conduct of the survey interviews with farm operators was obtained from the University of the Philippines Manila Research Ethics Board (UPMREB) with study protocol number 2018-201-01. Consent to participate. Free, prior, and informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Consent for publication. All authors read and approved the manuscript and agreed for publication. 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J Parasit Dis 43(4):651–657. 10.1007/s12639-019-01144-0 Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 11 Feb, 2024 Reviewers invited by journal 12 Jan, 2024 Editor invited by journal 22 Oct, 2023 Editor assigned by journal 22 Aug, 2023 First submitted to journal 21 Aug, 2023 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-3274505","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":266895213,"identity":"677dcd7c-f171-44e1-accf-135e91d0436a","order_by":0,"name":"Vachel Gay Velasco Paller","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAzUlEQVRIie3NsQrCMBCA4ROhLpauKYLPcFCwFsVnOSjoYqtTceykS3Hu4HM4p2QV54x9AunoIhq7iIuJm2B+uHDLdwGw2X61eg3gtZujhpkQQgA//5ogNyUok6ohnK4CmXBoMgHhINeRNGaE8+goU+qUZwHRgX8mfnFCRQSO5BK77laoI6QlwZXwjkGpyM2EeL1ipH7hiEyRjhnZz8eEMbLTharivOhHpYY4XVfIZjNDb5dU9TWbDEOmIQD918KfL+rAG2kzIDabzfZnPQDGDkCoJU9UDQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7295-7288","institution":"University of the Philippines Los Banos","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Vachel","middleName":"Gay Velasco","lastName":"Paller","suffix":""},{"id":266895214,"identity":"4562d35a-3370-47c4-bb15-1b81fbe260c1","order_by":1,"name":"Jeph Roxy Macaraig","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of the Philippines Los Banos","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jeph","middleName":"Roxy","lastName":"Macaraig","suffix":""},{"id":266895215,"identity":"aa47fcef-ecb5-4e28-a692-f9829843edaa","order_by":2,"name":"David Lester Mendoza","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of the Philippines Los Banos","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"David","middleName":"Lester","lastName":"Mendoza","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2023-08-18 08:08:02","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3274505/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3274505/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":49711182,"identity":"29b539ee-67b1-4686-98fd-4e77dc2dfa4e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-01-16 19:54:18","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":387130,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3274505/v1/e6ceea34-9dac-4f36-bb70-c4a012d9fc61.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eDomesticated Animal Reservoirs of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Agricultural Farms in Laguna and Quezon Province, Philippines\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e are ubiquitous enteric protozoan parasites known to infect humans and animals. They have been implicated in diarrheal outbreaks in humans as these parasites may be transmitted through the ingestion of water and food contaminated with the parasites\u0026rsquo; environmentally resistant (oo)cysts, resulting to significant morbidity and mortality rates worldwide (Khalil et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). As they may come from a wide host range including numerous animal species, tracking their origin and understanding transmission routes have become more complicated. In addition, older animal hosts sometimes do not show signs of infection and may serve as reservoirs (Bawm et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e, Robertson et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e) that can contaminate the environment with infective (oo)cysts through indiscriminate defecation, thus allowing continuous transmission. This poses a challenge to control and prevent the further contamination and spread of these parasitic infections among human and animal populations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe human-animal-environment nexus is perpetuated in agricultural farms that practice integrated farming systems for both fresh produce and livestock. While this farming system maximizes productivity and addresses issues of food security in the Philippines, this seems to overlook the effects on food safety as it also provides a conducive setting for parasite transmission as domesticated animals are important reservoir hosts of various parasites. Several studies reported \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e contamination in irrigation water sources and fresh produce from agricultural farms in the Philippines (Ordonez et al. 2018; Paller and Babia-Abion \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Paller et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). However, source-tracking and surveillance studies probing the origin of parasite contamination in these farms are deemed insufficient and the complete dimension of the problems contributing to contamination in an agricultural setting remains unknown. Hence, this study sought to elucidate the role and contribution of domesticated animals as reservoir of \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e in agricultural farms and to investigate the potential risk factors that may contribute to transmission. This study provides a comprehensive data of \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e prevalence among animals in agricultural farms in the Philippines. Furthermore, this study is envisioned to serve as basis for policy recommendations for good farming practices to mitigate risks of transmission in relation to food safety.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"MATERIALS AND METHODS","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eStudy site and sampling design\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 11 farms in Laguna and Quezon, two major agricultural provinces of Southern Luzon, Philippines. Six (6) farms from Laguna and five (5) farms from Quezon were selected based on the following criteria: (1) consent of farm owners; (2) practicing integrated farming of crops and livestock; and (3) small-to-medium holder farms with a land area of at least 500 square meters. The study was coordinated with the municipal and provincial agricultural offices of Laguna and Quezon prior to the actual conduct.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA study power analysis was performed to compute the sample size using STATA17 (StataCorp., USA). Under the confidence level of 95%, 0.05 margin of error, and 0.8 power, a minimum of 17 individuals per farm is required to observe a 20% prevalence based on a previous study (Labana et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). An additional 10% was included to account for sample loss; hence, a total of 19 individuals were included. On the other hand, a complete sampling was ensured in farms with low total animal population.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eSample collection and processing\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eApproximately 25 g of freshly voided animal fecal samples were collected from domesticated animals that were classified into four groups: (1) companion animals, (2) ruminants, (3) swine, and (4) poultry. Companion animals were composed of cat, dog, and rabbit, while ruminants included cow, goat, sheep, and water buffalo. On the other hand, native and commercial-breed pigs were classified as swine. Lastly, chicken, duck, goose, and turkey comprised the poultry group. Sample freshness was ascertained by either observation of defecation or the presence of high-moisture sheen on the sample surface. Samples were then transported immediately to the laboratory via cold chain and were kept under 4\u0026deg;C until processing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFecal samples were concentrated following the protocol of Ehsan et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e) with minimal modification. Briefly, approximately 2 g of feces were homogenized in 10-mL sterile distilled water, sieved through a layer of sterile gauze, and centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 10 minutes. The sediment was resuspended in 1 ml sterile distilled water supernatant was decanted by pipetting until 1 ml final concentrate.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSimultaneous detection of \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e oocysts and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e cyst in the fecal samples was performed via direct fluorescence assay (DFA) using the Crypto/\u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e Cel Immunofluorescence test kit (Cellabs Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia). Briefly, 40 \u0026micro;L of fecal concentrate was placed onto well slides and processed using the manufacturer\u0026rsquo;s instructions. The prepared IFA slides containing the samples were scanned using Olympus IX73 inverted epifluorescence microscope (Olympus, USA) under 40x and 100x magnification. \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e oocysts and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e cyst were identified based on distinct morphological differences. \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e oocyst displayed a bright apple green round to oval fluorescing bodies measuring about 4\u0026ndash;6 \u0026micro;m. Meanwhile, \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e cyst appeared rounded to ovoid brilliant apple green structures with 7\u0026ndash;15 \u0026micro;m length and 5\u0026ndash;15 \u0026micro;m width.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eKnowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Survey\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA survey questionnaire was administered to the owner or the manager of each farm to assess the farming practices and sanitary conditions that may serve as risk factors that contribute to parasite infection and transmission. In addition, host-specific characteristics and care practices such as sex, age group, containment status, deworming status, and water source were also documented. The survey questionnaire was pre-tested prior to the conduct of the actual survey at the study sites. Free and informed consent was given to the survey participants prior to the conduct of the actual interview.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eData Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eData were encoded in a Microsoft Excel sheet and statistical analyses were carried out using STATA version 17.0 statistical software (StataCorp., College Station, Texas, USA). \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e prevalence among animals was determined. Bivariate analysis using Chi-square test was performed to investigate the differences of animal infection status vis-\u0026agrave;-vis the host-specific characteristics and animal care practices. Moreover, point-biserial correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship of farming practices, hygiene and sanitation, and knowledge on parasitic infection and transmission. All statistical analyses were set at a 95% level of confidence, and \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e values less than and equal to 0.05 were considered significant.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":"\u003cp\u003eA total of 161 fecal samples were collected from 11 farms in Laguna and Quezon, which were obtained from four animal groups, such as companion animals (cat, dog, rabbit), ruminants (cow, goat, sheep, water buffalo), swine, and poultry (chicken, duck, goose, turkey). The study recorded an overall infection of \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e in 85.71% (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;138) of the animals tested. Among the infected individuals, 77.02% (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;124) were positive for \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e, while 73.91% (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;119) were infected with \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrevalence of protozoan infections among the animal groups in the study were compared. Results showed that \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e infection was significantly highest in swine at 95.83% prevalence (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.013). On the other hand, \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e infection was significantly highest in ruminants at 89.47% (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBivariate analyses of animal conditions and care practices and protozoan parasite infections among domestic animals in selected agricultural farms in Laguna and Quezon, Philippines.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVARIABLE\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e sp.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e sp.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eX\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eX\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eALL ANIMALS (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;161)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eAnimal group\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePoultry\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompanion\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRuminant\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSwine\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40 (67.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e28 (70.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e33 (86.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e23 (95.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.820\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.013*\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33 (55.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e30 (75.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e34 (89.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e21 (87.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.701\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001*\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eContainment\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePenned/Leashed\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-range\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e104 (80.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 (64.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.391\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.066\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100 (76.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e19 (61.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.173\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.075\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eDeworming\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46 (74.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e78 (78.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.455\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.500\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45 (72.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e74 (74.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.093\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.761\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eWater source\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGround \u003cem\u003e(deep/ artesian well)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurface (\u003cem\u003espring, river, lake)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59 (70.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e65 (84.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.560\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.033*\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58 (69.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e61 (79.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.156\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.142\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eContact with other animals\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65 (76.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e59 (77.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.031\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.861\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59 (69.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e60 (79.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.892\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.169\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCOMPANION (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;40)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eSex\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15 (65.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13 (76.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.590\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.443\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17 (73.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13 (76.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.034\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.853\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eAge group\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2mos-1yr\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;1\u0026nbsp;year-4y 11mos\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 (75.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e19 (67.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.204\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.651\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11 (91.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e19 (67.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.111\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eContainment\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePenned/Leashed\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-range\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25 (71.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3 (60.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.272\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.602\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27 (77.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3 (60.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.686\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.408\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eDeworming\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11 (64.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e17 (73.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.395\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.530\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14 (82.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e16 (69.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.853\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.356\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eWater source\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGround \u003cem\u003e(deep/ artesian well)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurface (\u003cem\u003espring, river, lake)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13 (59.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13 (83.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.771\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.096\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17 (77.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13 (72.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.135\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.714\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRUMINANT (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;38)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eSex\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14 (93.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e19 (82.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.914\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.339\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14 (93.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 (87.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.392\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.531\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eAge group\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u0026nbsp;year \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u0026nbsp;year 11mos\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u0026nbsp;year \u0026ndash; 2\u0026nbsp;year 11mos\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;3yr\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 (76.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 (83.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13 (100.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.218\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11 (84.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 (83.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13 (100.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.336\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.311\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eContainment\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePenned/Leashed\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-range\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24 (85.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 (90.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.118\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.731\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26 (92.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 (80.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.293\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.255\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eDeworming\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 (81.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e24 (88.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.342\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.559\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 (81.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e25 (92.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.963\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.326\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eWater source\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGround \u003cem\u003e(deep/ artesian well)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurface (\u003cem\u003espring, river, lake)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16 (88.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e17 (85.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.723\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16 (88.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e18 (90.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.911\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSWINE (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;24)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eSex\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 (90.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13 (100.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.233\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.267\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 (90.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11 (84.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.216\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.642\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eAge group\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.5-6mos\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;6mos\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 (100.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e22 (95.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.045\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.831\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 (100.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 (87.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.149\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.699\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eContainment\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePenned/Leashed\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-range\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23 (95.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e--\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e--\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21 (87.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e--\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e--\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eDeworming\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6 (85.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e17 (100.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.534\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.111\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5 (71.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e16 (94.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.334\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.127\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eWater\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGround \u003cem\u003e(deep/artesian well)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurface (\u003cem\u003espring, river, lake)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 (90.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13 (100.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.233\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.267\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 (72.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13 (100.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.052\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.044*\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePOULTRY (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;59)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eSex\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30 (75.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 (52.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.952\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.086\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27 (67.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7 (36.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.958\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.026*\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eAge group\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;11 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12\u0026ndash;21 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;22 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 (92.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 (100.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e18 (50.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.550\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 (69.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 (80.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e17 (47.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.363\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.113\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eContainment\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePenned/Leashed\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-range\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32 (74.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 (50.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.185\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.074\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26 (60.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 (50.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.523\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.470\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eDeworming\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 (74.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 (62.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.898\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.343\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17 (63.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e17 (53.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.580\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.446\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"BoldUnderline\" class=\"BoldUnderline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eWater source\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGround \u003cem\u003e(deep/ artesian well)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurface (\u003cem\u003espring, river, lake)\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 (60.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 (76.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.773\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.183\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17 (51.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e17 (65.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.146\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.284\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003e*significant at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003e**significant at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003e-- cannot be computed due to constant variable\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBivariate analyses of host-specific characteristics and animal care practices and protozoan infections showed that the water source potentially contribute to \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e prevalence among all animals as demonstrated by the significantly lower cryptosporidiosis among those that have deep or artesian wells as drinking water source (\u003cem\u003ep\u0026thinsp;=\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;0.033). This was consistent with the significantly lower \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e prevalence (70%) among swine raised in farms with groundwater sources. Moreover, 12-21-aged poultry had the significantly highest \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e infection, having a 100% prevalence (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001). On the other hand, male chickens had significantly higher \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e prevalence at 67.5% (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.026) compared to females (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe association between potential risk factors and \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e infections was ascertained using Point-biserial correlation analysis. As summarized in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, the awareness of farm workers on manure as potential contamination source of parasites in crops was negatively correlated with \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e prevalence. Other factors such as water source, sanitation and hygiene practices, and knowledge on transmission of parasites from humans to animals and vice versa were also considered in this study but they did not show significance that could contribute to parasite transmission in agricultural settings.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAssociation of risk factors to \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e infection intensity among animals from selected farms in Laguna and Quezon, Philippines\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFactors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e sp.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e sp.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePearson r\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003evalue\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePearson r\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003evalue\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eManure as fertilizers\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFarms treat manure before application\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.303\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.366\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.032\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.925\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater source\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurface water (spring, creek, river, pond)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.062\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.857\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.108\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.752\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGround water (pump, artesian well)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.062\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.857\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.108\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.752\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSanitation and hygiene practices\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse of protective gears (gloves, boots, etc.)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.230\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.497\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.572\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.066\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCleaning of containers, crates, farming tools\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.092\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.789\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.177\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.602\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWashing of farm tools\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.289\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.389\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.583\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.060\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHandwashing before work\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.092\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.789\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.177\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.602\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHandwashing after work\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026minus;\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026minus;\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvailability of toilet facility\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026minus;\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026minus;\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresence of stray animals\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026minus;\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e--\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026minus;\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026minus;\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowledge on parasite transmission\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransmission of parasites from manure to crops\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.513\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.107\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e-0.867\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransmission of parasites from animals to humans\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.059\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.864\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.586\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.058\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransmission of parasites from humans to animals\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.059\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.864\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.586\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.058\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003e**significant at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003e-- cannot be computed due to constant variable\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIntegrated farming system in the Philippines have been widely practiced as it promises sustainability, productivity, and increased economic yield through efficient resource utilization. It is also viewed as a strategy for poverty reduction as the smallholder farmers can benefit from integrating different farming enterprises on their land, enhancing productivity, and improving overall farm resilience (Parre\u0026ntilde;o-De Guzman et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). However, the consequent emergence and entry of parasitic agents into the basic level of the food supply chain, the agricultural farms, have seemed to be overlooked. Hence, this raises the concerns in food safety and poses occupational hazards especially to farm workers.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e are among the most important enteric pathogens of humans and various species of animals. In the Philippines, several studies have examined the occurrence of these protozoans in various animals (Ng-Hublin et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e; Murakoshi et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; De la Pena et al. 2017; Velante et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e) but only few studies investigated the infections of \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e among domesticated animals (Adao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Afable et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Labana et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). Thus, this study contributes to the paucity of data by providing new information on the prevalence and risk factors associated with \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e infections among animals in selected agricultural farms in the country.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlthough animals infected with these protozoan parasites are sometimes asymptomatic, their presence in the animal hosts present health risk to both farmers and consumers as they may contaminate the soils, water sources, and crops through indiscriminate defecation or direct and improper application of animal manure as fertilizers (Paller et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). This contamination, if not properly addressed, may be carried over to the next level of the food supply chain. Several studies have reported the prevalence of various helminth and protozoan parasites in fresh vegetables sold in markets in the Philippines (Sia-Su et al. 2012; Vizon et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). These reports warrant crafting of policies in relation to good agricultural practices that incorporate the risks of parasitic infections that may originate from farms. Moreover, as irrigation water is an important resource in agriculture, the water quality guidelines must also be revisited to consider the inclusion of protozoan parasites in the quality and safety assessment of the water sources.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe animals surveyed in this study are important reservoir hosts of the \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e which also have the potential to be zoonotic as demonstrated in previous studies (Bawm et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). The persistence of these protozoan parasites in these animal hosts can be associated with various factors including the different animal conditions and behavior and the varied animal care practices observed in each farm. As observed in this study, surface water sources in the farms had a significant contribution to protozoan infection among animals. Surface water sources such as small streams, rivers, and ponds are prone to contamination from possible sewage and agricultural waste discharges (Farizawati et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e; Daniels et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Ligda et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e) and may easily be accessed by roaming infected animal hosts. In addition, several studies also cited increased rainfall events as contributing factor in the increase in concentration of parasite contaminants in surface water sources such as lakes and ponds due to runoffs (Swaffer et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Nsoh et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). In addition, given the proximity and potential for interaction among other domesticated and stray animals, cross-contamination and cross-species transmission among animal hosts are also possible. Cruz-Saavedra et al (2021) recently reported the presence of canine \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e species \u003cem\u003eC. canis\u003c/em\u003e in domestic pigs. Similarly, Oates et al (2012) detected the presence of \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e assemblage E in feline hosts. This assemblage typically infects hooved livestock such as cattle, goats, camels, and pigs. Age and sex have also been observed to contribute to infection in poultry. This may be attributed to their containment status. As documented in this study, most chickens and ducks were either allowed to roam around the farms or were leashed in open areas where they are still accessible to other animals, thereby exposing them to other possible infection sources. On the other hand, the females were kept in enclosed coops where they are left to lay their eggs. This then decreases their contact with other potentially infected hosts.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCorrelation analysis revealed significant inverse relationship between protozoan parasite prevalence among animals and the farm workers\u0026rsquo; awareness on the possible transmission of parasites to crops through animal manure. This highlights the need for information campaigns on good agricultural practices, personal hygiene, and proper food handling that may help control the further transmission of these parasitic protozoans among human populations. Agricultural practices addressing the health hazards posed by protozoan parasites contributed by domesticated animals must also be emphasized.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"CONCLUSIONS","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe present study provides relevant data on the prevalence and potential risk factors for \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e infections and the important role of domesticated animals as reservoirs of parasites in an agricultural setting. Results showed that the absence of guidelines for agricultural and animal care practices from regulatory agencies have led to the differences and unregulated farming systems that may have contributed in the parasitic protozoan infections among animals. This study also revealed findings relevant to the improvement of farm monitoring and management guidelines which may include the animal health, waste disposal, sanitation and hygiene practices, and control of animal movement. This further emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach in addressing parasite infections among animal reservoirs and requires collaboration among sectors involved. Increasing awareness on parasite transmission among concerned agencies and the local communities may help in controlling the contamination load and mitigating health risks.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStatements and Declarations.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgment.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe authors gratefully acknowledge the municipal and provincial agricultural offices of Laguna and Quezon, Philippines for the assistance that they extended to the research team, as well as the farm owners and managers who willingly devoted their time to participate in this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe study was funded by the National Research Council of the Philippines - Department of Science and Technology (FRESH FARMS project) and the University of the Philippines- Enhanced Creative Work and Research Grant.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting Interests.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eAll authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor contributions.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eVachel Gay V. Paller contributed to the conceptualization, study design, and data analysis of the study. Jeph Roxy M. Macaraig contributed to the sampling design, data collection, processing, and analysis, and made the necessary coordination with the farm owners and relevant offices prior to data collection activities. David Lester A. Mendoza performed the sample collection, laboratory processing, and helped in the data analysis. VG Paller and JR Macaraig drafted and finalized the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe protocol for the collection of animal fecal samples used in this study was approved by the University of the Philippines Los Ba\u0026ntilde;os Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (UPLB IACUC) with an approval reference number UPLB-2021-039. On the other hand, research ethics approval for the conduct of the survey interviews with farm operators was obtained from the University of the Philippines Manila Research Ethics Board (UPMREB) with study protocol number 2018-201-01.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to participate.\u003c/strong\u003e Free, prior, and informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eAll authors read and approved the manuscript and agreed for publication.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdao DEV, Ronquillo IDJ, Dela Cruz YKM, Pagoso EJA, Rivera WL (2019) Molecular characterization of \u003cem\u003eGiardia duodenalis\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBlastocystis\u003c/em\u003e sp. in livestock from animal farms in Bulacan, Philippines. 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J Dev Sus Agr 10: 19\u0026ndash;33. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.11178/jdsa.10.19\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRobertson LJ, Bjorkman C, Axen C, Fayer R (2014) Cryptosporidiosis in Farmed Animals. In: Caccio Widmer SM G (ed) (2014) \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e: Parasite and Disease, 1st edn. Springer, Vienna, pp 149\u0026ndash;235\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSia Su GL, Mariano CRM, Matti NSA, Ramos GB (2012) Assessing parasitic infestation of vegetables in selected markets in Metro Manila, Philippines. Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2 (1): 51\u0026ndash;54. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.1016/S2222-1808(12)60012-7\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwaffer BA, Vial HM, King BJ, Daly R, Frizenschaf J, Monis PT (2014) Investigating source water\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e concentration, species and infectivity rates during rainfall-runoff in a multi-use catchment. Water Res 67: 310\u0026ndash;320. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.1016/j.watres.2014.08.055\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVelante NAP, Oronan RB, Reyes MF, Divina BP (2017) \u003cem\u003eGiardia duodenalis\u003c/em\u003e in Captive Tigers (\u003cem\u003ePanthera tigris\u003c/em\u003e), Palawan Bearcats (\u003cem\u003eArctictis binturong whitei\u003c/em\u003e) and Asian Palm Civet (\u003cem\u003eParadoxurus hermaphroditus\u003c/em\u003e) at a Wildlife Facility in Manila, Philippines. Iran J Parasitol 12 (3), 348\u0026ndash;354\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVizon KCC, Battad ZG, Castillo DSC (2019) Contamination of food-borne parasites from green- leafy vegetables sold in public markets of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. J Parasit Dis 43(4):651\u0026ndash;657. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.1007/s12639-019-01144-0\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"journal-of-parasitic-diseases","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jopd","sideBox":"Learn more about [Journal of Parasitic Diseases](https://www.springer.com/journal/12639)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/jopd/default.aspx","title":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Cryptosporidium, Giardia, domesticated animals, Philippines","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3274505/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3274505/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and G\u003cem\u003eiardia\u003c/em\u003e are recognized as significant etiological agents of diarrheal outbreaks in humans as these parasites may be transmitted through the ingestion of water and food contaminated with feces of human or animal origin. However, surveillance studies on the role of animal reservoirs in the transmission of \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e are deemed insufficient and the complete dimension of the problem contributing to contamination in an agricultural setting is unknown. This study aimed to assess the presence of \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e in domesticated animals from selected farms in the agricultural provinces of Laguna and Quezon in Southern Luzon, Philippines. Using immunofluorescence assay, an overall 85.7% prevalence of protozoan infection was recorded among the animals (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;161). Of these, 77.0% and 73.9% were positive for \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e, respectively. Highest prevalence (95.83%) of \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e was documented in swine and the highest prevalence (89.47%) of \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e was observed in ruminants. Analyses revealed significant differences in the prevalence of the protozoan parasites among animals with different containment status, water source, age group, and sex. On the other hand, farm workers\u0026rsquo; knowledge on parasite transmission was negatively correlated (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001) to parasite prevalence. With the scarcity of data about \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e in farm-raised animals in the Philippines, the information obtained from this study will be vital for protozoan source tracking and further control interventions against \u003cem\u003eCryptosporidium\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eGiardia\u003c/em\u003e infections.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Domesticated Animal Reservoirs of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Agricultural Farms in Laguna and Quezon Province, Philippines","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-01-16 19:46:11","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3274505/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"","date":"2024-02-11T18:11:36+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2024-01-12T16:15:23+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","date":"2023-10-22T14:00:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2023-08-22T11:20:15+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","date":"2023-08-22T02:21:49+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"journal-of-parasitic-diseases","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jopd","sideBox":"Learn more about [Journal of Parasitic Diseases](https://www.springer.com/journal/12639)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/jopd/default.aspx","title":"Journal of Parasitic Diseases","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"cbcbef68-1009-4ed3-a231-5aec1afb3db3","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 16th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2024-05-08T16:20:25+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-01-16 19:46:11","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-3274505","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-3274505","identity":"rs-3274505","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}