Prevalence of bacteriological and parasitological causes of diarrheic calves in middle Egypt

Abstract

Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD), is one of the prime fundamental health issues facing the cattle industry, and has resulted in significant economic losses. This study aimed at detection of the enteric pathogens in diarrheic calves. Another objective was to correrlate the existence of isolated enteric pathogens to the age and seasonal distribution of diarrheic parasitic and bacterial infections among calves. The bacterial isolates were identified biochemically and serologically. Moreover the samples were examined macro and microscopically to investigate the internal parasitic causes of diarrhea. Also, for Cryptosporidium spp. Oocysts were diagnosed using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stained smears. Out of 364 collected fecal samples, a total bacteria isolated was 356 and identified as 131 Escherichia coli (35.99%), 90 Salmonella enterica (24.72%); 50 S. typhimurium (13.73%) and 40 S. dublin (10.99%), 35 Citrobacter diversus (9.61%), 24 Klebsiella pneumonia (6.59%), 20 P. vulgaris (5.49%), 19 P. penneri (5.22%) and 37 Staphylococcous aureus (10.16%). Regarding the parasitological findings; Toxocara vitulorum was 19.8% (72 out of 364), Oocysts of Eimeria spp. were found in 26.9% (98/364), Cryptosporidium spp. was 29.4% (107 out of 364) and Giardia spp. infection was 14% (51 out of 364). In conclusion, NCD problem is a multifactorial in which bacterial and parasitological causes were the prime causes. Thus, regular monitoring and efficient treatment of bacteriological and parasitological causes of NCD are highly recommended.