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Webinar on Neonatal Calf Diarrhea – 19th April 2023
➢ Causative agents and clinical signs – Erik Mijten
➢ Calf scour diagnosis – Francis Kalule
➢ Economic importance - Erik Mijten
➢ Colostrum management and neonatal immunity – Erik Mijten
➢ Scour treatment –Bitsu Kiflu Mekete
➢ Prevention and control by vaccination - Bitsu Kiflu Mekete
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Introduction
Neonatal Calf Diarrhea
• “undifferentiated diarrhea of newborn calves” describes profuse, watery diarrhea in any
calf up to 30 days of age
• often multifactorial
• involving mixed infections with bacteria, viruses, and/or protozoa
• not economic for diagnostic testing to be done to identify the etiology of each calf with
diarrhea – Dx often used to detect a farm or herd issue
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Clinical signs
• depends on
• the age of the calf
• virulence of pathogen
• infective dose
• immune status of the calf
• watery diarrhea that is yellow to white in colour
• also see
• dehydration
• weakness
• depression
• metabolic acidosis
• and death
• only see fever with Salmonella or secondary septicemia
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Causative agents
In calves <21 days of age, assume diarrhea is caused by one or more of the
following
Enterotoxigenic Rota virus Corona virus Cryptosporidium Giardia
E. coli
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Enterotoxigenic – Also called colibacillosis
E. coli – E. coli are a normal part of the intestinal flora of all mammals
– Over 200 serotypes exist and are classified based on their
somatic (O), capsular (K), and flagellar (H) antigens
– Only a small number of strains are virulent
Disease in calves is caused by strains that are able to adhere to
intestinal enterocytes and produce enterotoxins
The primary virulence factor for enterotoxigenic E. coli are
adhesins in the pili which allow them to adhere
If the bacteria cannot adhere then normal peristaltic intestinal
motility will remove them from the GI tract
– In calves, >95% of ETEC strains have the F5 (K99) adhesin
(pilus antigen)
– Vaccines therefore are aimed at producing antibodies against
6 this adhesin to block bacterial adhesion
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ETEC bacteria produce heat-stable enterotoxin that causes a
Enterotoxigenic secretory diarrhea
E. coli The toxin activates cGMP production in epithelial cells which causes:
• Hypersecretion (chloride) in cryptal cells
Pathophysiology • Inhibition of Na-Cl cotransporter in SI lumen
• Excessive loss of Na and Cl into SI lumen
Enterotoxin Fluids and electrolytes normally move constantly in 2 directions:
• From the intestinal lumen to the blood (absorption)
Hypersecretion • Blood to intestinal lumen (secretion)
ST toxin inhibits absorption to some degree but primarily stimulates
Loss of fluid
Low to no intake of water secretion
as pH decreases (to 2-3) in the 1st few days of life – colibacillosis is no longer
a problem
Decrease plasmavolume • Bacteria cannot survive at pH of less than 3 but multiply well at pH of >5
Cardiac output – less O2 • By day 2 -3 – abomasal & intestinal pH has decreased to normal values
Hypovolemic shock
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Enterotoxigenic • Fecal-oral transmission
E. coli • Infected animals are the main reservoir for the bacteria
• Calves are infected thru contact with an infected dam or the
Transmission environment
• The bacteria can survive for long periods of time in the
environment and then re-infect animals
Risk factors
• Age of the animal- 12 hours to 3 days of age – older calves don’t
get ETEC
• Colostral immunity- colostrum delivers a great deal of mucosal
protection against ETEC
• Environmental factors including stocking density, weather,
housing, etc –influences pathogen load and the immune system
of the calf
• Calves born later in the season have increased exposure
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How to diagnose?
Laboratory? Clinical Signs
• Usually not done – must identify specific • Calf – 12 hours to 3 days of age
strain of E. coli – this cannot be done based • Yellow watery diarrhea – no tenesmus or
on colony characteristics or biochemical blood
tests • Secretory diarrhea – increased fecal pH in
• Fluorescent antibody- there is a specific test experimental infections
that detects the F5 pillus antigen – can be
done on intestinal impression smears or
histopathologic sections
• There is also a latex agglutination assay
that detects F5 antigen and real-time PCR
assays
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available
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Treatment Prevention
Treatment &
Prevention • Hypovolemic shock - correct • antibody present in the
hydration – oral/IV fluids intestine to bind F5 fimbriae
• consider antibiotic use • early immunity is provided by
• several “immunostimulants” colostral antibodies
are on the market but • vaccinate dam in late
efficacy data is lacking – not gestation & make sure calf
recommended ingests good quantities of
colostrum in first 6-12 hours
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Causative agents
In calves <21 days of age, assume diarrhea is caused by one or more of the
following
Enterotoxigenic E. Rota virus Corona virus Cryptosporidium Giardia
coli
1 – 3 days (1w)
Fecal oral
Colostrum intake
Watery diarrhea
Dx clinical signs
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Vaccination
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Rotavirus
Introduction & pathophysiology
• double-stranded RNA virus
• non-enveloped particles with a diameter of 75 nm
• the virus is very stable in a variety of pH’s and
temperatures
• common cause of diarrhea in calves 5 to 15 days of age
• fecal-oral route either from their dam’s feces, other
calves, or the environment
• the virus then infects the epithelial cells
• infected cells are sloughed resulting in villus atrophy –
epithelial cells are replaced with immature cells that have
decreased lactase activity
• Immature replacement cells can’t absorb nutrients
resulting in a malabsorptive diarrhea
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Rotavirus
Clinical signs Diagnosis
• watery diarrhea • fecal electronic microscopy– see viral
• dehydration particles
• high morbidity – generally a low mortality • elisa– identifies group A rotaviral antigens in
• typically between 5-15 days of age feces
• the viral infection is generally over after 24 • fluorescent antibody testing
hours, however diarrhea continues until • latex agglutination and PCRs assays
replacement epithelial cells mature and villi recently developed
are restored • histologically you will see villus atrophy and
shortening
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Control & Prevention
• controlled primarily through management
• isolate new animals upon arrival
• handle calves before adults
• isolate sick calves
• disinfect hutches after each calf
• vaccinate cows prior to calving to boost colostral
antibodies
• vaccinate calves – effective? Availability?
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Causative agents
In calves <21 days of age, assume diarrhea is caused by one or more of the
following
Enterotoxigenic E. Rota virus Corona virus Cryptosporidium Giardia
coli
1 – 3 days (1w) 5 -15 days
Fecal oral Fecal oral
Colostrum intake Villus atrophy -
Watery diarrhea Malabsorption
Dx clinical signs Desinfection
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Vaccination Vaccination
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Coronavirus
Introduction & pathophysiology
• Single-stranded RNA virus
• Infection is by the fecal-oral route
• Respiratory transmission can also occur in some cases
• Incubation is 24-72 hours
• The virus infects the mature villus epithelial cells of the
large & small intestine
• Coronaviruses also infect the crypt epithelial cells (unlike
rotavirus)
• See atrophy of the villi and fusion of adjacent villi
• Functionally immature cells emerge leading to impaired
electrolyte transport
• Diarrhea is maldigestive/malabsorptive
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Coronavirus
Clinical signs Diagnosis
• watery diarrhea in calves from 4 days to 1 1) fecal EM best – see coronavirus particles
month of age – no blood or tenesmus 2) fluorescent antibody staining of frozen
• calves may be dehydrated, depressed, colon can be done
anorectic, hypoglycemic, etc 3) ELISAs and RIAs have been developed
• can also see respiratory signs (rhinitis, but aren’t readily available
sneezing, coughing, etc) in some cases 4) histopathology
Prevention & Control
• ensure good colostral immunity
• vaccinate dams in late gestation to boost colostral IgG
• decrease fecal exposure to calves – use stalls, disinfect, etc
• calves eventually “grow out” of coronavirus infections – it’s thought that
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the virus can no longer invade intestinal epithelial cells
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Causative agents
In calves <21 days of age, assume diarrhea is caused by one or more of the
following
Enterotoxigenic E. Rota virus Corona virus Cryptosporidium Giardia
coli
1 – 3 days (1w) 4 days – 1 month
5 -15 days
Fecal oral Fecal oral
Fecal oral
Colostrum intake Villus atrophy
Villus atrophy -
Watery diarrhea Malabsorption Maldigestive –
Dx clinical signs malabsorption
Desinfection
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Vaccination
Vaccinantion
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Cryptosporidiosis Who to fear the most?
Cryptosporidium • a protozoal organism – somewhat similar to Eimeria, Sarcocystis,
parvum Neospora, and Toxoplasma species
• common cause of diarrhea in calves from 5 days to 1 month of
Complex lifecycle age
• infection occurs by ingestion (fecal-oral), by fomites, water and
feed contamination, and maybe by aerosol
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Cryptosporidiosis
Clinical signs Diagnosis
• diarrhea in calves from 5 days to 1 month of age Diagnosis most commonly made by detection of Crypto
oocysts in the feces
• see white to yellow diarrhea +/- blood
• Iodine-stained wet mount of feces
• dehydration • Acid fast stain
• metabolic acidosis • Saffranin-methylene blue stain
• depression, anorexia • Fecal flotation with Sheather’s – concentrates the oocysts
• diarrhea typically will persist for several days – better than a fecal smear
Prevention & Control
• no specific treatment – difficult to treat – no vaccination
• maintain hydration and calf will get better … or die
• oocysts are destroyed by freezing or temps >65°C – also killed by drying – not so
easy - vomites
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• no specific control programs have been suggested – overall similar to others
• ZOONOTIC!! – should have good personal hygiene when working with diarrheic
20 calves
Causative agents
In calves <21 days of age, assume diarrhea is caused by one or more of the
following
Enterotoxigenic E. Rota virus Corona virus Cryptosporidium
coli Giardia
1 – 3 days (1w) 4 days – 1 month 5 days – 1 month
5 -15 days
Fecal oral Fecal oral Fecal oral
Fecal oral
Colostrum intake Villus atrophy Complex
Villus atrophy -
Watery diarrhea Malabsorption Maldigestive – Zoonotic
Dx clinical signs malabsorption Desinfection
Desinfection
21 Vaccination Desinfection
Vaccination No vaccination
Vaccinantion
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Giardiosis
Clinical signs Diagnosis
• diarrhea in calves from 4 days on diagnosis most commonly made by detection of
• highest excretion between 1- 3 months cysts in the feces
• transmission between calves, but also from • microscopy
chronically infected adults • colouring
• diarrhea not responding to treatment/vaccination • Elisa
– Diarrhea episodes • Fecal immunoassays
• Mostly only causing trouble in combo with other • PCR
pathogens • Multiple sampling – intermittent shedding
Prevention & Control
• fenbendazole/albendazole for 3 consecutive days
• maintain hydration and calf will get better …
• no specific control programs have been suggested – overall similar to others
• ZOONOTIC!! – should have good personal hygiene when working with diarrheic
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calves
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Causative agents
In calves <21 days of age, assume diarrhea is caused by one or more of the
following
Enterotoxigenic E. Rota virus Corona virus Cryptosporidium Giardia
coli
1 – 3 days (1w) 4 days – 1 month 5 days – 1 month
5 -15 days From 4 days
Fecal oral Fecal oral Fecal oral
Fecal oral Fecal oral
Colostrum intake Villus atrophy Complex
Villus atrophy -
Watery diarrhea Maldigestive –
Zoonotic
Malabsorption Zoonotic
Dx clinical signs
Desinfection malabsorption Desinfection Desinfection
23 Vaccination Desinfection No vaccination
Vaccination No vaccination
Vaccination
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CALF
SCOURS
diagnosis
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FRANCIS KALULE
SSA DIAGNOSTICS TECHNICAL MANAGER
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Traditional methods of Diagnosis for calf scours
Diagnostic method Target pathogens Turn around time
PCR BRV, BCoV, BVDV 4 – 6 hours
Fecal flotation and G. lamblia. 20 – 30 mins
direct microscopy C. parvum
Fecal bacteria Salmonella spp, E. coli, 2 - 3 days
culture K99+, C. perfringens
Gram stain colouring Salmonella spp, E. coli, 30 mins
K99+, C. perfringens
ELISA BVD, BRV, BCoV, BVDV 24 hrs
Modified (cold) Zn C. parvum 30 - 45 mins
25 staining
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Solution simplified- Witness BOVID-5
TESTING
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Solution simplified- Witness BOVID-5
TESTING
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Solution simplified- Witness BOVID-5
TESTING
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Solution simplified- Witness BOVID-5
5 in 1 rapid diagnostic test for all the commonest major enteric pathogens
i.e. E.coli, Rotavirus, Coronavirus, Giardia, Cryptosporidium
Results released in 15 mins using a flesh sample while in the field.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RszPCSLnk5Q
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Points to consider
• Take only samples from new cases of diarrhea
• Do not sample calves which are already diseased for more days
– The causative agent might have disappeared already – false negative result
• Do not sample antibiotic treated calves, mostly diseased for a few days already
• In case of sending samples to the lab:
– Avoid leakages – transport cooled but not frozen
– Complete anamnesis
• Age of the calf
• Farm history
• Treatment (also from other calves)
• ...
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Economic importance
Labour Increased
genetics age for AI
Performance
Calf mortality Calf morbidity
in short term
Less
AMR
milk
Impact future Increased use of
production Animal wellfare
antibiotics
...
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Epidemiology & Economic importance
Calf mortality
Loss of genetic
potential
• mortality rates in pre-weaned calves should be less than 4%
• morbidity or treatment rates in preweaned calves should be less than
25%
• 32 use calf records to identify problems when possible
• need to convince staff that these are important
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Epidemiology & Economic importance
Performance • Malabsorption – lower daily weight gain
• Less growth performance
in short term
• Increased age for breeding
• More feed – less calves
Heifers with the history of diarrhea during the first month of their lives showed lower
Impact future daily hazard of conception [Hazard ratio: 0.85 (95%CI: 0.73-0.99)] and calving [Hazard
ratio: 0.84 (95%CI: 0.72-0.98)] than those of healthy heifers. Further, heifer calves born
production with birth weight of below 35 kg produced an average of 518 and 506 l less milk in their
first lactation compared to calves with a birth weight 40-45 (p = 0.013) and greater than
Effects of neonatal diarrhea and other 45 kg (P = 0.033), respectively. These findings showed that occurrence of neonatal
conditions on subsequent productive and diarrhea and other neonatal parameters are associated with harmful effects on
reproductive
33 performance of heifer calves subsequent production and reproductive performance.
Vet Res Commun
. 2017 Jun;41(2):107-112. doi:
10.1007/s11259-017-9678-9. Epub 2017 Feb
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Colostrum management and neonatal immunity
Key Principles of Disease Control
• Removing the source of infection from the calf’s environment – calving area
• Remove the calf from a contaminated environment – cleaning- disinfection
• Increase immunity of the calf
• Reduce stress
•…
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Colostrum management and neonatal immunity
Key Principles
Feed high quality first milking colostrum only
2 litres within 6 hours of birth
4 litres or 10% of the calf’s body weight within 12 hours of birth
Colostrum is the term given to the form of first milk secreted by
cows during the first few days post-calving. It not only contains
immunoglobulins (specifically IgG), but also multiple hormones
and growth promoters such as growth hormone, insulin-like
growth factor (IGF-1), leptin, prolactin and relaxin. Colostrum also
contains more fat and protein, and less carbohydrates than milk
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Colostrum management and neonatal immunity
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Quality Quantity Quickly
Colostrum • contains many • 4 litres of colostrum to • as early as possible (1- 2
management antibodies new-born calves, hours) in the new-born
plan (colostrometer) and has
a low bacteria count
followed by 2 litres every
12 hours for the next
calf but must happen
within 6 hours of birth
• hygiene and correct • 3 days if possible. • progressive decline in
taking and storage • the method of colostrum the exceptional process
The 3 Q’s • freeze if you can do but
do not overheat when
feeding also plays an
important role in the
of non-selective
absorption of large
warming up (no cooking, quantity of colostrum molecules such as
slow process) received by the calf. : immunoglobulins by
• you can keep fresh hand feeding calves enterocytes. By 24 hours
colostrum 2 days in the early with a nipple bottle the process is
fridge or oesophogeal feeder completely “closed”
• … overcomes this issue.
Cattle Colostrum Management
Dr Barry van Houten, Zoetis
South Africa (Pty) Ltd.,
Technical Manager:
Ruminants
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But good colostrum management alone will not
save you
There is more to be done ...
• Housing – density of calves – cleaning and desinfection
• Nutrition – body condition - feeding protocol
• Treatment – fluid therapy – antibiotics Prevention is key-
• Cleaning and desinfection Vaccination is a nice tool to
• Isolating sick animals prevent neonatal diarrhea but
• Stress
can’t overcome poor
• ...
management
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Thank you for listening
A big thank you to
• Dr. Smith, Geoffrey Wilson: Dairy Technical Services Veterinarian –Southeast U.S.
• Dr. Erwée Chantelle, Ruminants technical manager – South Africa
• Dr. Barry Van Houten, Marketing manager Ruminants – South Africa
• And everyone else involved in setting up the webinar and the slide deck …
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Thank you for attending the webinar
zoetis.com
