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. 2020 Dec:73:101567.
doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101567. Epub 2020 Oct 22.

First report on Cryptosporidium parvum, Escherichia coli K99, rotavirus and coronavirus in neonatal lambs from north-center region, Algeria

Hichem Dahmani  1 , Nassim Ouchene  2 , Ali Dahmani  1 , Nadjet Amina Ouchene-Khelifi  1 , Mustapha Oumouna  3
Affiliations

First report on Cryptosporidium parvum, Escherichia coli K99, rotavirus and coronavirus in neonatal lambs from north-center region, Algeria

Hichem Dahmani et al. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

The etiology of neonatal diarrhea is multifactorial and remains one of the greatest health problems in sheep livestock farming. Faecal samples from 559 neonatal lambs aged less than 30 days from 30 sheepfolds located in the north-center region of Algeria were screened with pathogen-specific antigen ELISA for Cryptosporidium parvum, Escherichia coli K99, rotavirus, and coronavirus. Of the 559 lambs, 312 (58.81 %), 155 (27.72 %), 72 (12.88 %) and 20 (3.57 %) were positives for C. parvum, E. coli K99, rotavirus and coronavirus antigens, respectively. The prevalence of C. parvum was the highest (p < 0.0001). C. parvum, E. coli K99, rotavirus and coronavirus were observed in 23 (76.66 %), 17 (56.66 %), 9 (30 %) and 3 (10 %) sheepfolds, respectively. Compared to age, the prevalence of C. parvum was highest during the second and third week of age (p < 0.001). In contrast, other pathogens were found to be more frequent in lambs aged ≤7 days (p < 0.001). The number of lambs with diarrhea was 280 (50.09 %) of which 280 (100 %), 127 (45.35 %), 52 (18.57 %) and 10 (3.57 %) were found to be infected with C. parvum, E. coli K99, rotavirus and coronavirus, respectively (p < 0.0001). In various combinations, mixed infections were detected only with C. parvum. This is the first report of C. parvum, E. coli K99, rotavirus, and coronavirus in ≤30-days old neonatal lambs in Algeria. Special attention should be given to the first colostrum feeding, hygiene of the farm, prevention and control measures for a better prevention of neonatal diarrhea in lambs.

Keywords: Algeria; Coronavirus; Cryptosporidium parvum; Diarrhea; E. coli K99; Lamb; Rotavirus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Presentation of the study area.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Number of positive samples of C. parvum, E. coli (K99+), rotavirus and coronavirus alone or in association.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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