PREVALENCE OF ESCHERICHIA COLI AND SALMONELLA SPECIES IN DIARRHOEIC CALVES OF SEDENTARY FULANI HERDS AND AN INSTITUTIONAL FARM IN GIWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The multifactorial nature of calf diarrhoea constitutes the basis for its debilitating effects on the progress of cattle production. In this study, Escherichia coli and Salmonella species were identified in diarrhoeic calves of Sedentary Fulani Herds (SFH) and an Institutional Farm (IF) in Giwa Local Government Area, Kaduna State. A total of 50 diarrhoeic calves comprising of 34 from SFH and 16 from the IF were sampled. Rectal faecal samples were obtained from each calf, and subjected to bacteriological examination using standard techniques. Results revealed an overall prevalence of 72.0% (95% CI = 59.5–84.4) with prevalence of 12.0% (95% CI = 3.0–21.0) recorded for E. coli O157:H7, 44.0% (95% CI = 30.2–57.8) recorded for other E. coli and 16.0% (95% CI = 42.2–69.8) recorded for Salmonella sp. In Sedentary Fulani herds, prevalence of 14.7% (95% CI = 95% CI = 2.8–26.6), 41.2% (95% CI = 95% CI = 24.7–57.7), and 11.8% (95% CI = 1.0–22.6), were recorded for E. coli O157:H7, other E. coli, and Salmonella sp., respectively. In the Institutional Farm, the prevalence recorded for E. coli O157:H7, other E. coli, and Salmonella sp., were 6.3% (95% CI = -5.6–18.2), 50.0% (95% CI = 25.5–74.5) and 25.0% (95% CI = 3.8–46.2), respectively. This study demonstrated E. coli and Salmonella as pathogens in calf diarrhoea. Therefore, preventive measures should be implemented to minimize interaction of calves with these pathogens so as to reduce the occurrence of calf diarrhoea