Some parasitic causes of diarrhea in calves at Behera Governorate

Abstract EN

Three hundered faecal samples from diarrheic calves were examined using concentration flotation technique using saturated salt solution to detect Eimeria Spp.Oocysts and using Sheathers solution to detect Giardia species, Modified Ziehl- Neelsen staining technique to detect Cryptosporidium parvum.

The results indicated that 158 (52.

66 %) were postive for protozoal parasites as Eimeria species (27 %), Cryptosporidium parvum (14.

66 %) and Giardia species (11 %).

Parasitological examination revealed that isolated five species of Eimeria in calves were E.bovis, E.zuernii, E.subspherica, E..cylindrica and E.ellipsiodalls.

E.

bovis and E.zuernii (27.

1%) and (23.

4 %) were the most prevalent species infecting calves followed by E.subspherica (14.

8 %), then E.ellipsoidalis (13.

5 %) finally E.

cylindrical (9.

8 %).

Eimeria Oocysts were demonstrated in all age groups of animals.

However, it was evident that the prevalence of the disease was significantly higher in 16-20 weeks old (46.

6 %).

While Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts was found to be decreased with increasing age of calves.

It was found the most affected age group was between 1-4 weeks old (32 %) and Cysts of Giardia spp.

were found to be higher at age group 4–8 weeks old (30 %).

Seasonality over all prevalence of Eimeria spp., Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia spp.

was higher in samples taken during winter than samples taken during summer.