Occurrence of the main bacterial and parasite agents on diarrhetic feces of buffalo calves in the states of São Paulo and Paraná

Abstract

There are about 3 million buffalos in Brazil, spread through all of the Brazilian states; with mean annual growth of 12%. In spite of that, to the best of our knowledge few studies looking for advances in the industry have been done. Due to the etiological complexity of buffalo diarrhea and the lack of information in this area, this aimed at developing a clinical evaluation on the causes of buffalo calves bacterial and parasitical diarrhea in dairy farms of the states of São Paulo and Paraná. The survey was done in farms located in the cities of São João da Boa Vista, Dourado, Pirassununga, Registro, Pariquera Açu, Pilar do Sul (SP), and Santana do Itararé (PR). From March, 2010, to June, 2011, 53 diarrhea samples were collected and screened for endoparasite and bacteria; 45.28% (24) were positive for Eimeria spp.; 26.42% (14) had Strongyloidea; and 1.88% (1) had Toxocara vitulorum. In the bacteriological test, 97.83% (45) had E. coli, but only two were considered pathogenic (E. coli STEC); 2.17% had Klebsiella pneumonia and none presented Salmonella spp. In this study, the mainly causative agent of buffalo diarrhea was Eimeria spp., and the poor hygiene in installations and breeding failure are important factors on this diarrhea occurrence.