Neonatal diarrhea in veal in Morocco: prevalence of major infectious causes (Escherichia coli F5, Coronavirus, Rotavirus and Cryptosporidium parvum)

Neonatal diarrhoea in calves is a worldwide problem with considerable economic impact. The objective of this study is to provide updated prevalence estimates and epidemiological information for the major aetiological agents of enteritis in calves, namely Escherichia coli F5, Coronavirus, Rotavirus and Cryptosporidium parvum in Morocco. The field immuno-chromatography test «Tetra-Kit BioX K156» was used to screen faecal samples for the above mentioned pathogens from 1932 calves from 78 farms distributed across four cattle breedingregions of Morocco. Overall, 196 calves (10 %), between 1 and 60 days old, were found to experience diarrhoea. Individual prevalence of diarrhoeic calves in farms that undertake vaccination was found to be equivalent to those that do not vaccinate against Escherichia coli, Coronavirus et Rotavirus. Significant differences in prevalence of the aetiological agents of interest are however noted between farms that vaccinate and those that do not. Thus, Cryptosporidiosis prevalence is found to be higher in vaccinated herds. Neonatal diarrhoea in calves remains a major problem at the national level and control programs should be implemented in order to decrease its economic losses.

Keywords: Bovine neonatal diarrhoea, Escherichia coli, Coronavirus, Rotavirus, Cryptosporidium parvum, Morocco