Risk Factors Associated with Common Infectious Diseases in Beef Cattle in Menofia Governorate

Abstract

This study was conducted in Menofia governorate to determine the most common infectious diseases in beef cattle and associated risk factors. A total of 450 samples were collected from 150 diseased beef cattle of different ages, sex and seasons. Results of blood smears revealed that 14.7% were positive for blood parasites, including 9.3% and 5.4% for Babesia and Theileria infection, respectively. Meanwhile, fecal examination revealed that 67.3% were positive for at least one gastrointestinal parasite, including 18.6%, 10%, 22%, and 16.7% for Trichostrongylus, Moniezia, Eimeria species, and mixed infection respectively. Regarding the bacteriological examination revealed that 92% were positive for bacterial culture; Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Citrobacter, Proteus species and mixed infection represented 56%, 15.3%, 6%, 4.7%, and 10% respectively. Risk factor analysis revealed that sex and season were significant with Babesia infection, as the cold season and females gender were 6 times and 3.45 times more susceptible than the warm season and males, while in Theileria infection older age animals were 3.27 times more susceptible than young age as well animal age was the main significant risk factor in gastrointestinal parasitic infection as older age, were 1.991 times the young age of attainment Trichostrongylus infection while older age was 1.946 times the young age in Moniezia infection. Additionally, the season was significant determinant in respiratory tract infections as cold season, was 15.27, 14.46, 8.89, 4.48, 25.08 times more susceptible than warm season for Klebsiella, mixed infection, Citrobacter, Proteus, and Pseudomonas respectively. In conclusion, this study spot highlights on the most important infectious diseases among beef cattle in Menofia Governorate.