DIAGNOSIS OF SALMONELLA ASSOCIATED WITH DIARRHEA IN BOVINE CALVES AND ROLE OF LACTOFERRIN IN TREATMENT

Baker N. M., Noha A. Beder, Mahmoud A. A., Hamouda A. H. and *Ismail I. M.

ABSTRACT

Clinically, bacteriologically, serologically and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR); two hundred and fifty calves, with an age of 1 day to 2 months old were examined to diagnosed and identify salmonella and its virulence factors. Our study showed that the clinical signs ranged from yellowish watery to greenish watery diarrhea with blood clots and/or mucus. The mucous membranes ranged from normal, congested or pale. The eyes of affected animals were sunken in most cases due to dehydration while the bacteriological isolation revealed that 35(14%) calves were positive to salmonella including 57.14% cow calves and 42.85% buffalo calves. Serotyping of salmonella isolates revealed that S. enteritidis was 17.14%, S. typhimurium was 45.7%, S. infantis was 14.28%, S. tsevie was 14.28 and S. magherafelt was 8.57%. PCR carried out on 15 isolates; invA gene was positive in 13 cases, stn gene was positive in 6 cases and pef gene was only in 2 cases. The antimicrobial sensitivity indicated that the most effective antibiotics were observed for Cefquinome (85.7%), Cefepime (77.1%), Ceftriaxone (60%) and Ciprofloxacin (57.1%). After using of Lactoferrin the total anti- oxidant capacity increased while H2O2 decreased and the cure rate of salmonella infected animals increased as the number of dead animals decreased from 6 (17.14%) to one (2.8%), so we concluded that the diarrhea of salmonella affected animals was ranged from yellowish watery to greenish watery diarrhea with blood clots and mucus, the most prevalent serotypes of salmonella were S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis and the treatment with antibiotics in addition to lactoferrin increased the cure rate and decrease the recurrency of the disease.

Keywords: Salmonellosis in bovine calves, serological identification of Salmonella, PCR, lactoferrin.