Risk factors associated with Cryptosporidia, Eimeria, and diarrhea in smallholder dairy farms in Mukurwe-ini Sub-County, Nyeri County, Kenya

Abstract

Aim:This study was undertaken to determine the household, calf management, and calf factors associated with the occurrence of Eimeria, Cryptosporidia, and diarrhea in pre-weaned calves reared in smallholder dairy farms in Mukurwe-ini Sub-County of Nyeri County, Kenya. In addition, the study also evaluated factors associated with average daily weight gain in the same pre-weaned calves.Materials and Methods:A total of 112 newborn calves (63 males and 49 females) on 111 farms (1 set of twins) were followed for 2 months between June 2013 and August 2013. Two calves were lost to follow-up. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on household characteristics and calf management practices in the 111 selected farms. On the first visit to the farm (within 7 days of the birth of the calf), blood samples were collected from the jugular vein to assess the level of maternal immunity acquired by the calf, by determining the serum total protein and selenium concentration. At 4 and 6 weeks of age, fecal samples from the calves were collected to assess the presence of Cryptosporidia and Eimeria oocysts. Every 2 weeks for 2 months, the calves and their environments were examined, their 2-week consumption and health history were recorded, and weights were estimated with a weight tape. Each of the factors was evaluated in a univariable regression model and only those found to be significant (p≤0.20) were included in a multivariable model. Elimination of non-significant factors was done in the multivariable model through a backward elimination procedure so that only those variables which were confounders, and/or significant at (p≤0.05) remained in the final model.Results:About 37% (41/110) of the calves experienced diarrhea at least once during the 2-month study period. The overall period prevalence of Eimeria and Cryptosporidia was 42.7% (47/110) and 13.6% (15/110), respectively. Low serum protein was associated with 1.8 and 2.4 times the odds of Eimeria and Cryptosporidia infections, respectively. Lack of supervision of calf birth and low serum total protein were both associated with 1.3 times the odds of diarrhea incidence. Dirty calf pens, feeding <5 L of milk/day, and infection with Eimeria were associated with 0.105, 0.087, and 0.059 kg, respectively, reduced average daily weight gain of the calves.Conclusion:In the Kenyan context, calf diarrhea risk could be reduced through better supervision of parturition and colostrum provision. Specifically, the risk of Eimeria and Cryptosporidia infections could be reduced by optimizing the passive transfer of immunity to the newborn calves. Average weight gains of calves could be improved by good colostrum provision, pen hygiene, and preventing Eimeria infections.

Epidemiological Survey on Eimeria spp. Associated with Diarrhea in Pre-weaned Native Korean Calves

“…The prevalence of Eimeria spp. in this study was lower than previously reported [1,2,4,6,17]. These differences may be attributed to calf age, breed, the sampling time, and geographical location.…”

Causative agents and epidemiology of diarrhea in Korean native calves

“…and Giardia spp. ranged from 11% to 15.6% [6131831] and 9.34% to 29%, respectively [183133]. In the present study, protozoans were the most common causative agents.…”

“…The prevalence of Eimeria spp. was reported to range from 21.2% to 83.67% [313182039], while that of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp.…”

“…Rotavirus is the main viral causative agent of diarrhea in calves worldwide [6]. However, several other viruses, including coronavirus, bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), adenovirus, kobuvirus, norovirus, parvovirus, and torovirus, have been recognized as the causative agents of diarrhea [378910111213]. The major causative agents of bacterial diarrhea are Escherichia coli , Clostridium species (spp.…”

A cross-sectional study of the welfare of calves raised in smallholder dairy farms in Meru, Kenya, 2017

“…Improved animal welfare reduces the stress level in calves, enhances immune function and subsequently increases weight gain [ 5 ]. There have been several reports of calf growth, morbidity, and mortality on smallholder dairy farms in Kenya [ 28 , 29 ]. However, to the best of our knowledge, there has never been an assessment of calf comfort or its indicators on smallholder dairy farms in Kenya or other developing countries.…”