Abstract
Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli are a number of pathogenic E. coli strains that cause diarrheal infection both in animal and human hosts due to their virulence factors. A cross sectional study was conducted between November, 2016 and April, 2017 to isolate and molecularly detect pathogenic E. coli from diarrheic calves to determine the pathogenic strains, antibiogram and associated risk factors in Jimma town. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect 112 fecal samples from diarrheic calves. Conventional culture and biochemical methods were conducted to isolate E. coli isolates. Molecular method was followed to identify virulence factors of pathogenic E. coli strains. Antimicrobial sensitivity patterns of the isolates were tested using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. A structured questionnaire was also used to collect information from dairy farms and socio-demographic data. The overall isolation rate of E. coli in calves was 51.8% (58/112) (95% CI 42.0–61.0). The occurrence of the bacterium differed significantly by age, colostrum feeding time, amount of milk given per time and navel treatment (P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis revealed that the odds of being infected was significantly highest in calves which fed 1–1.5 L amount of milk per a time (OR 5.38, 95% CI 1.66–17.45, P = 0.005). The overall virulence genes detection rate was 53.5% (95% CI 40.0–67.0). Eleven (19.6%) of eaeA, 6 (10.7%) of Stx1 and 13 (23.2%) of Stx2 genes were detected from calves isolates. Except ciprofloxacillin, all isolates were resistant to at least one drug. Multi drug resistance was recorded in 68.0% (38/56) of calves isolates. Neomycin, 83.3% (25/30), followed by amoxicillin, 53.3% (16/30) were the highest resisted virulence genes. The study demonstrated considerable isolation rate, multiple antimicrobial resistant isolates and high resistant virulent genes in diarrheic calves. It also indicated that the potential importance of calves as source of pathogenic E. coli strains and resistant genes for human diarrhea infection. Improving the hygienic practice of farms and wise use of antimicrobials could help to reduce the occurrence of pathogenic E. coli in farms. Hence, further studies are needed to describe all virulent factors and serotypes associated with the emergence of drug resistant pathogenic E. coli strains in calves.
Highlights
It indicated that the potential importance of calves as source of pathogenic E. coli strains and resistant genes for human diarrhea infection
The occurrence of the bacteria in calf diarrhea was more likely in calves significantly associated with thethat fed 1–1.5 litter amount of milk given per time (AOR = 5.38, 95% CI 1.66–17.45, P = 0.005)
The current study suggests that calves could serve as important reservoir for pathogenic E. coli strains or human infection in Ethiopia
Summary
Cattle production plays an important role in the economy and livelihood of farmers and pastoralists worldwide. Diarrhea is one of the very common disease syndrome in neonatal calves in different countries and this can have severe impacts both economically and in terms of animal w elfare[2]. Diarrhea in calves due to E. coli remains common devastating disease all over the world, in calves less than 3 months of age[11,12]. In south western part of the country, in Jimma town and its surroundings, the information on cause of diarrhea in calves and its associated factors is minimal. E Understanding the population structure of pathogenic E. coli is important since it impacts the effectiveness of molecular epidemiological studies. This study was carried out to isolate and molecularly detect virulence genes of pathogenic E. coli strains, identifies their antibiogram and associated risk factors from diarrheic calves in dairy farms in Jimma town
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