Epidemiological and Diagnostic Study1 of Escherichia coli (E. coli) Associated with Neonatal Calf Diarrhea in Karbala and Babylon Provinces

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Diarrhea in newborn calves creates serious health and financial challenges for the livestock industry worldwide. This study assessed the prevalence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) among calves with diarrhea in the governorates of Karbala and Babylon, examined related demographic, geographic, and clinical factors, and compared the diagnostic performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with that of traditional bacterial culture methods. Three hundred fecal samples came from calves with diarrhea. Each was identified through conventional culture, treated as the gold standard, and then tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Differences in age, sex, and region were assessed with the chi-square test. (E. coli) was detected in 49.3% of the calves examined, or 148 out of 300. The infection rate varied significantly with age and was highest among calves aged 1 to 10 days. Males also had significantly higher infection rates than females. Al-Husayniyah (Karbala) and Al-Mahawil (Babylon) recorded the highest prevalence. Every infected calf (100%) had diarrhea; 81.1% were dehydrated, and 74.3% were depressed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing performed well, with 86.67% sensitivity and 88.00% specificity, and showed high diagnostic concordance (kappa-Cohen coefficient = 0.7467). In the areas examined, Escherichia coli was responsible for most bacterial diarrhea cases in calves. The severest symptoms occurred in male calves under ten days of age. Because it is highly sensitive and accurate, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing provides a rapid, reliable method for routine veterinary surveillance.