Concurrent Infection of Gastro-intestinal Parasites and Bacteria Associated With Diarrhoea in Calves

Abstract

Bacterio-parasitological examination of faecal samples of randomly selected 100 diarrhoeic calves aged between 10 to 180 days, were carried out to determine the parasites and bacteria associated with diarrhea in calves. These calves (either sexes and both local & cross-bred) were brought for treatment at the Bangladesh Agricultural University Veterinary Clinic, Mymensingh during the two years period from June 1999 to May 2001. Of the 100 faecal samples examined, of which 67% calves affected with different parasites and 98% with different bacteria. Of the 67 and 98 calves affected with parasites and bacteria, of which 65.67% and 61.22% had single, 29.85% and 37.76% had dual and only 3.33% and 1.02% had triple concurrent infection, respectively. Analysis of the results of bacterio-parasitic enteropathogens of 100 calves revealed that highest percentage (66%) calves were infected with concurrent parasitic and bacterial infection, followed by 18% with single bacteria, 14% with concurrent bacteria, and only 1% with concurrent parasitic infection but the faecal sample of one diarrhoeic calf showed negative for both bacteria and parasitic infections. Highest rate of gastro-intestinal nematodes (GIN) infection (48%) was recorded in calves, followed by Eimeria spp. (27%), Toxocara vitulorum (14%) and lowest (1%) with each of the Strongyloides, Paramphistomum and Moniezia sp. The clinical T. vitulorum infection was first recorded at the age of 15 days, GIN at 30 days, Strongyloides at 45 days, Paramphistomum at 150 days and Eimeria infection at 25 days. Similarly, the rate of Bacillus infection (87%) was found highest, followed by E. coli  (37%), Staphylococcus (9 %) and lowest of Salmonella (5%) infection. Although the Bacillus and E. coli recorded first time at the 10 days and Staphylococcus at 30 days age of calves but Salmonella was recorded at the age of 60 days. A characteristic age specific prevalence of both parasite and bacterial enteropathogens was observed. It may be concluded from this study that concurrent infections with parasites or bacteria or both are mainly associated with diarrhea in calves.

Key words: Concurrent infection; GI parasites; bacteria; diarrhea; calves

doi: 10.3329/bjvm.v2i1.1935

Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2004). 2 (1) : 49-54