This study describes infection of Cryptosporidium spp in the natural fauna of small wildlife mammals in the Serra da Mantiqueira region. These protozoa were detected by a modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique and a direct immunofluorescent assay. From 240 captured animals, acid-resistant structures were observed in the feces of 39 specimens, and these structures were confirmed to be C. muris (5.1%) or C. parvum (5.1%) by the direct immunofluorescent assay.
Cryptosporidium; small wildlife mammals; Rodentia
