Epidemiological and Microbiological Studies of Calf Diarrhoea and Pneumonia in Debre Zeit, Holeta and Muke Turi Dairy Farms, Etmopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2008-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A six-month prospective study was conducted in Holeta, Debre Zeit and Muke Turi dairy fanns
between November, 2007 and April, 200S with the major objective of determining both the
cumulative incidences of neonatal calf diarrhoea (NCD) and pneumonia. In addition,
determination of calf mortality rates, identification of agents of NCD, pneumonia and potential
risk factors as well as determinations of the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of the bacterial
pathogens.
Cluster sampling was used. A total of 429 calves, from seven intensive dairy farms were
followed up. The farms were described using a pre-tested questionnaire and personal
observations. Study calves in each fann were visited weekly and appropriate test samples
collected from diarrhoeic and pneumonic cases.
Antigenic ELISA test was utilized to identify four major enteropathogens (rotavirus, coronavirus,
Cryptosporidium parvum and E. coli K 99). Standard isolation techniques were used to identify
Salmonella and other strains of E. coli from diarrhoiec cases (n=112) and Pasteurella species,
Mannhaemia species and Haemophilus somnus from pneumonic cases (n=2S). In addition, the
antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates was performed.
The cumulative incidences (CI) of NCD in Holeta, Muke Turi and Debre Zeit dairy farms were
0.41, 0.63 and 0.37, respectively. While for pneumonia, they were 0.12, 0.09 and 0.07,
respectively. Higher CI ofNCD was recorded from Farm 1 with 0.65 followed by Farm 3 with
0.63. The least CI was observed in Fann 2 of 0.11. Highest calf pneumonia was observed in
Farm 6 followed by Farm 1. No calf pneumonia was observed in Farm 5.
Associations of the potential risk factors for NCD and pneumonia revealed significant results
with young ages. Significant positive hazard rates of both diseases were recorded in young agegroups.
Other risk factors (.sex of calves, breed, etc) were not significantly associated with these
diseases.
The ELISA results showed that, C. parvum was prevalent in the majority of calves with diarrhoea
followed by rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli K 99. The bacterial isolates were 91.96 % of E.
IX
coli other than the strain K 99 and 24.11 % of Salmonella species. Nasal swab samples taken for
isolation of Pasteurella and Mannhaemia species revealed 42.85 % positive reactors for
Pasteurella and Mannhaemia species. No Haemophilus somnus was isolated.
Antimicrobial sensitivity test was perfonned for all the bacterial isolates. Norfloxacillin and
gentamycin were highly sensitive and clindamycin the least sensitive. The susceptibility to other
antimicrobial agents varied by different bacterial isolates, but resistance to all antimicrobials used
were observed in most of the isolates.
In conclusion, NCD is a serious problem among dairy calves followed by pneumonia. Both of
them were influenced by the age of calves. These diseases have complex etiopathogenesis.
Therefore, further epidemiological and microbiological studies ofNCD and pneumonia with aims
of designing and implementing appropriate prevention and control strategies are strongly
recommended. In addition, the higher rate of antimicrobial resistance necessitates the strategic
use of the drugs.
Key words: Neonatal calf diarrhoea, Calf pneumonia, rotavirus, coronavirus, Cryptosporidium
parvum, Escherchia coli, Salmonella, Pasteurella, Mannhaemia, Haemophilus somnus
Description
Keywords
Neonatal calf diarrhoea, Calf pneumonia, rotavirus, coronavirus, Cryptosporidium parvum, Escherchia coli, Salmonella, Pasteurella, Mannhaemia, Haemophilus somnus