RESUMO
One hundred and seventy two sheep and 144 goats suffering from diarrhoea were investigated for their infection with cryptosporidium spp. These animals were assigned to 3 age groups, one week to one month [group 1], one month to 12 months [Group 2] and more than 12 months [Group 3]. Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium parvum was confirmed by mice inoculation. Cryptosporidium parvum was the only species diagnosed with an overall infection rate of 34.88% and 37.50% in both sheep and goats respectively. The percentage of infected sheep and goats was highest in the first age group [52% and 55.60%] lower in the second [23.07% and 12.50%] and lowest in the third [8.50% and 6.50%]. Large numbers of oocysts were excreted by most infected animals of the age group 1 compared with the age groups 2 and 3