Age and season dynamic dependence of Eimeria infection of calves in Azerbaijan

Gastrointestinal parasitic infections are considered as one of the major impediments in profitable livestock farming in subtropical and tropical countries. The present study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites and to determine the effects of different factors in the occurrences of GI parasitic infections in calves. A cross-sectional study, including 413 fecal samples from calves, was conducted in Pabna, Sirajgonj and Gazipur districts of Bangladesh. The samples were examined using standard coprological techniques like sedimentation and floatation techniques, and lugol’s iodine and modified Ziehl-Neelson staining. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism was 45.3% and commonly identified parasites were Toxocara spp. (20.3%), Strongyloides spp. (3.9%), Fasciola sp. (1.0%), Moniezia spp. (1.5%), Giardia sp. (10.4%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (7.0%). Among the factors, the age, sex and health status had significant effects on the GI parasitic infections in calves. Therefore, special care such as routine fecal examination for parasitism and proper deworming program should be taken to maintain good health and husbandry of calves for profitable livestock production.
 Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2019) 23(2) : 1-13

In this article, the results of molecular-genetic analyses of nasal swabs are presented. The experimental studies were carried out in the dairy farms of Vologda region suspected to the respiratory infections. The samples were obtained from the asymptomatic calves and from calves with cough and nasal discharges. The laboratory studies were conducted in the laboratory of virology of the FSC VIEV. The genome of the virus was detected by a polymerase chain reaction. The comparative analyses of identified nucleotide sequences of the virus with the reference strains of the International Nucleotide sequence database has shown the similarity with Bovine herpesvirus-5. Accordingly, as a result of our studies, the Bovine herpesvirus type 5 was identified in the nasal swabs of calves in farms of Vologda regions.

Dairy production is an important component of livestock farming in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, the productivity of the sector has been impacted negatively by the morbidity and mortality of replacement animals. A Cross-sectional study was, therefore, aimed at estimating the prevalence of Nematode and Eimeria infection in calves in Hawassa, Shashemene and Arsi Negelle, southern Ethiopia. To this end, a flotation technique was used to recover Nematode egg and Eimeria oocyst from rectally collected faeces. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infection, Nematode and Eimeria species collectively, was 43.9% (95% CI=38.6-49.4). The estimated proportion of Nematode, Eimeria and mixed infection was 35.8%, 21.5% and 13.3%, respectively. Among the potential factors considered faecal consistency, age and study area were found to increase recovery of Nematode egg and Eimeria oocyst in faeces (p< 0.05). Area wise, the prevalence has been noted to be higher at Arsi Negelle followed by Hawassa and Shashemene (p< 0.05). Besides, younger and diarrheic calves were found more infected by Nematode and Eimeria species than their adult and non-diarrheic counterpart. Based on their morphological appearance, Strongyle type (20.3%), Trichuris (4.2%) and Ascaris (16.3%) eggs, Eimeria oocysts (21.5%) were observed. In the light of this finding, the authors would like to advise the need for strategic intervention.

Effects of supplementation with a Pichia guilliermondii yeast cell product or essential oils on performance and health of dairy calves during an experimental coccidial infection

In Kenya, helminthosis and coccidia infections in cattle, are the second highest cause of death in zebu calves up to 12 months old, estimated at 12% mortality rate. The aim of our study was to investigate the factors associated with helminth and coccidia infection among zebu beef calves in Isiolo County Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted between November and December on 2020 in Isiolo North and South Constituencies. Garbatulla and Burat wards in Isiolo North and Kinna in Isiolo South were purposively selected due to high number of large cattle herds compared to other areas. A total of 411 calves from 34 herds aged between 3 weeks and 12 months were randomly selected for the study. Calf level and management and environmental data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires, observations and physically. Faecal samples were obtained from the rectum or immediately after defaecation for laboratory analysis located in Kinna Ward in Isiolo South Constituency. In the laboratory, faecal egg counts were estimated using the McMaster faecal floatation technique. Descriptive, univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out with outcome as parasites eggs or oocysts per gram of faecal sample. The factors associated with coccidia infections in the final multivariable logistic regression analysis for coccidia were: Location (Constituencies), availability of drinking water, lush pasture, floor condition, availability of extension services and herd size. In the multivariable logistic regression final model for strongyle infection, age of the calf, herd size, co-infestation with other parasites, and availability of extension services were significant. The results of this study indicated that prevalence of helminth and coccidia infections in calves is high and the calf, environmental and management factors were associated with such infections.

In Kenya, helminthosis and coccidiosis in cattle, is reported to be the second highest cause of death in zebu calves up to 12 months old, estimated at 12% mortality rate. The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth and coccidia infections among zebu calves in Isiolo County in Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted in between November and December, 2020 in Isiolo North and South Constituencies. Garbatulla and Burat Wards in Isiolo North and Kinna Ward in Isiolo South were purposively selected due to high number of large cattle herds compared to other areas. A total of 411 calves from 34 cattle herds aged between 3 weeks and 12 months were randomly selected for the study. Faecal samples were obtained from the rectum or immediately after defaecation for laboratory analysis, in a veterinary laboratory located in Kinna Ward in Isiolo south Constituency that is virtually meant for research. Faecal egg counts and coccidian oocyst were identified and estimated using the McMaster faecal floatation technique. The prevalence was determined by dividing positive number by the total number tested and the converted to percentage form. The overall prevalence of helminth and coccidia infections was estimated at 66.9% (275/411). Concurrent helminth and coccidia prevalence were slightly low, estimated at 16.5% (68/411). Coccidia infection was the most prevalent type of infection estimated at 45.7% (188/411) while the prevalence of helminths was 38.4% (158/411). Strongyle infection was predominant among other helminths detected with a prevalence of 29.4% (121/411) followed by Strongyloides 6.5% (27/411), Monezia 2.7% (4/411), Toxocara 1% (4/411) and Trichuris 0.2% (1/411). The results of this study indicated that prevalence of helminth and coccidia infections in calves is high dominated by strongyles and coccidia.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in calves in France

The likelihood of airborne spread and infection by Salmonella typhimurium was studied in calves and mice. S typhimurium survived in air sufficiently long to present a significant hazard of airborne spread. In a dry climate (32 per cent relative humidity) its predicted viability five minutes after aerosolization was 4 per cent relative to its initial value. This increased to 24.8 per cent in a humid atmosphere (72 per cent relative humidity). Inhalation of S typhimurium by mice caused disease and death at times dependent upon the dose. Even the lowest dose of about 150 colony forming units (cfu) produced disease. Inoculation of approximately 10(4) to 10(6) cfu S typhimurium by either 'mouth and nose only' or 'whole body' aerosol exposure caused infection in calves. The consequences for the control of salmonellosis in intensive calf husbandry are discussed in the light of this demonstration that airborne transmission can be a primary mode of infection of S typhimurium.

There is a dearth of information on the seroprevalence of bovine norovirus (BoNoV) and nebovirus in cattle of the US. In this retrospective study, serum IgG antibodies to two bovine enteric caliciviruses, GIII.2 BoNoV (Bo/CV186-OH/00/US) and genetically and antigenically distinct nebovirus (Bo/NB/80/US), were evaluated in feedlot and veal calves from different regions of the US during 1999-2001. Three groups of 6- to 7-month-old feedlot calves from New Mexico (NM) (n=103), Arkansas (AR) (n=100) and Ohio (OH) (n=140) and a group of 7- to 10-day-old Ohio veal calves (n=47) were studied. Serum samples were collected pre-arrival or at arrival to the farms for the NM, AR and OH calves and 35 days after arrival for all groups for monitoring seroconversion rates during the period. Virus-like particles of Bo/CV186-OH/00/US and Bo/NB/80/US were expressed using the baculovirus expression system and were used in ELISA to measure antibodies. A high seroprevalence of 94-100 % and 78-100 % was observed for antibodies to GIII.2 BoNoV and nebovirus, respectively, in the feedlot calves tested. In the Ohio veal farm, an antibody seroprevalence of 94-100 % and 40-66 % was found for GIII.2 BoNoV and nebovirus, respectively. Increased seropositive rates of 38-85 % for GIII.2 BoNoV and 26-83 % for nebovirus were observed at 35 days after arrival and commingling on farms for all groups. Infection of calves with either GIII.2 BoNoV or nebovirus, or both viruses, appeared to be common in the regions studied in the US during 1999-2001. These two viruses likely remain endemic because no commercial vaccines are available.

Systemic acute phase proteins response in calves experimentally infected with Eimeria zuernii

Analysis of intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing the dynamics of bovine Eimeria spp. from central–eastern Poland

Bovine coccidiosis is one of the most common livestock diseases worldwide, and usually affects cattle under one-year-old. High infection rates occur from environments that were already contaminated with infected animals. A study on the prevalence, species and risk of occurrence of Eimeria species in calves was conducted at Asella, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Management systems, breed, age, sex, and site were considered as variables for the surveillance. For this, fecal samples were collected from 384 randomly selected calves of age less than or equal to 12 months. Sporulation was applied at room temperature for 10-14 days. The flotation technique was applied on fecal samples and these were examined using direct microscopic examination to detect presence of Eimeria species. Eimeria oocysts weredetected in 72.4% of the total samples with ranges of 68-100% prevalence in all factors considered. Ten different Eimeria species were identified: E. bovis (44.5%), E. zuernii (26.3%), E. auburnensis (10.9), E. canadensis (9.4%), E. ellipsoidalis (5.7%), E. subspherica (6.5%), E. cylindrical (3.1%), E. alabamensis (2.6%), E. wyomingensis (2.6%) and E. bukidnonensis (2.1%) in decreasing order of prevalence. Of the 278 positive calves, 52.2% were infected with single species, while 47.8% were infected with 2-4 of identified species. Significantly lower prevalence in calves fed colostrums (71.2%) than those not fed colostrum (100%) (χ2 = 6.3; p 0.05). Infection with one or more species was found to be insignificant in sex, feeding system, and cleaning frequency (p >0.05). The present finding showed the role of early colostrum feeding in a remarkable reduction of coccidiosis. However, the majority of assessed factors had a great contribution for the contamination and maintenance of Eimeria on the farm and its primes at 68.4%-100%, with high risk of infection to subsequent calves. Moreover, the occurrence of infection, with single (52.2%) to multiple of four (1.4%) pathogenic Eimeria spp. in positive cases, indicated the downside of substandard management systems, making calves prone to subclinical cases thus hampering growth and health, with considerable economic losses. Therefore, early feeding with sufficient amount of colostrum, practicing good management in calves and implementation of proper hygienic measures in their environments should be recommended to reduce direct and indirect economic losses from the infection. Key words: Eimeria , epidemiology, prevalence, calves, infection, sporulated oocyst, Asella

A large-scale cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted to evaluate prevalence, species diversity, and associated risk factors of Eimeria infections in 55 cattle farms across seven states of Colombia, including subtropical and tropical regions. In total, 1333 fecal samples from young animals (< 1 year of age) were examined at a single sampling date from August 2016 to December 2016. Flotation and McMaster techniques were conducted for parasitological investigation. Excreted Eimeria oocysts were allowed to sporulate in vitro and thereafter identified to species level based on morphological and morphometric characteristics. The overall Eimeria prevalence was 75.5% (1006/1333), with no difference observed between age categories. In total, 13 different Eimeria species were identified. The most prevalent species was E. bovis (33.5%), followed by E. auburnensis (12.5%) and E. zuernii (11.9%). Analysis of extrinsic associated risk factors revealed the floor type, feeding system, watering system, and herd size as significant (p < 0.05) risk factors for Eimeria spp. infections. Based on these data, it can be assumed that bovine coccidiosis infections occur ubiquitously in the country and might play an important role especially in its subclinical form by affecting production parameters in conventional cattle management systems.

A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015 in and around Bahir Dar town to determine the prevalence of Coccidia infection in calves and to identify associated risk factors. Fecal samples were collected from a total of 384 randomly selected calves with the age of under 2 years. Collected fecal samples were examined for the presence of Eimeria oocyst by flotation technique. Out of 384 calves, 73 (19.01%) were found to be positive for Eimeria oocyst. Analysis of potential risk factors has revealed that; there was statistically significant difference (P 0.05) between coccidia infection with sex and breed of calves. In conclusion, the present finding has demonstrated that calf coccidia are one of the most important pathogens in calves in the study area. Therefore, further epidemiological investigations are required to determine the Eimeria species composition and different agro ecological risk factor on the occurrence of the disease.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of Haemonchus spp. and other gastrointestinal nematodes resistant to benzimidazole in infected calves from the tropical regions of Campeche State, Mexico