Cryptosporidium and Giardia are important causes of diarrhoeal illness. Adequate knowledge of the molecular diversity and geographical distribution of these parasites and the environmental and climatic variables that influence their prevalence is important for effective control of infection in at-risk populations, yet relatively little is known about the epidemiology of these parasites in Africa. Cryptosporidium is associated with moderate to severe diarrhoea and increased mortality in African countries and both parasites negatively affect child growth and development. Malnutrition and HIV status are also important contributors to the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in African countries. Molecular typing of both parasites in humans, domestic animals and wildlife to date indicates a complex picture of both anthroponotic, zoonotic and spill-back transmission cycles that requires further investigation. For Cryptosporidium, the only available drug (nitazoxanide) is ineffective in HIV and malnourished individuals and therefore more effective drugs are a high priority. Several classes of drugs with good efficacy exist for Giardia, but dosing regimens are suboptimal and emerging resistance threatens clinical utility. Climate change and population growth are also predicted to increase both malnutrition and the prevalence of these parasites in water sources. Dedicated and co-ordinated commitments from African governments involving “One Health” initiatives with multidisciplinary teams of veterinarians, medical workers, relevant government authorities, and public health specialists working together are essential to control and prevent the burden of disease caused by these parasites.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are major causes of diarrhoea in developing countries including Ghana, however, nothing is known about the species and subtypes of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in farmers and their ruminant livestock in this country. A total of 925 faecal samples from humans (n=95), cattle (n=328), sheep (n=217) and goats (n=285), were screened for Cryptosporidium and Giardia by quantitative PCR (qPCR) at the 18S rRNA and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) loci respectively. Cryptosporidium positives were typed by sequence analysis of 18S and 60kDa glycoprotein (gp60) loci amplicons. Giardia positives were typed at the triose phosphate isomerase (tpi), beta-giardin (bg) and gdh loci. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia by qPCR was 8.4% and 10.5% in humans, 26.5% and 8.5% in cattle, 34.1% and 12.9% in sheep, and 33.3% and 12.3% in goat faecal samples, respectively. G. duodenalis assemblages A and B were detected in humans and assemblage E was detected in livestock. Cryptosporidium parvum was the only species identified in humans; C. andersoni, C. bovis, C. ryanae and C. ubiquitum were identified in cattle; C. xiaoi, C. ubiquitum and C. bovis in sheep; and C. xiaoi, C. baileyi and C. parvum in goats. This is the first molecular study of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in livestock in Ghana. The identification of zoonotic species and the identification of C. parvum subtype IIcA5G3q in livestock, which has previously been identified in children in Ghana, suggests potential zoonotic transmission. Further studies on larger numbers of human and animal samples, and on younger livestock are required to better understand the epidemiology and transmission of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Ghana.

Background: Zoonoses pose a significant health challenge globally, with livestock playing a major role in disease transmission. Understanding livestock farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) is crucial for prevention and control. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 livestock farmers in Ghana's Coastal Savannah agroecological zone. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from logistic regression analysis assessed the association between farmers’ KAP and socio-economic and farm characteristics. Results: While 66.0% of farmers had satisfactory knowledge of specific zoonoses and 74.0% perceived preventive practices as protective, only 49.0% perceived the diseases as zoonotic and 39.3% practiced prevention satisfactorily. Farmers with fewer disease encounters (adjusted OR [aOR] 0.499 [95% CI 0.347 to 0.717]), males (aOR 3.238 [95% CI 1.213 to 8.648]) and intensive farmers (aOR 5.396 [95% CI 1.276 to 22.808]) have higher odds of having satisfactory knowledge. Conversely, males (aOR 0.261 [95% CI 0.077 to 0.885]) and farmers with more disease encounters (aOR 0.664 [95% CI 0.490 to 0.898]) have lower odds of having satisfactory perception. Conclusions: This study highlights a knowledge–practice gap among livestock farmers regarding zoonoses, influenced by factors like gender, production systems and disease encounters. Targeted training is recommended for women, extensive systems and disease-prone farms.