prevalence of coronavirus in fecal samples of neonatal calf diarrhea using electron microscopic examination

Neonatal calf diarrhea [NCD], also known as calf scours, is caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Coronavirus is one of the important causes of NCD syndrome. Electron microcopy has been used for demonstration of viruses in fecal samples of diarrheic calves since 1969. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of coronavirus in fecal samples of neonatal calf diarrhea using electron microcopy examination of fecal samples. For the purpose of this study, a total of 100 cases [under 2 months of age] of diarrheic calves from 25 commercial farms in four districts of East Azerbaijan province of Iran were used. Fresh Fecal samples using sterile swab were collected from every calf with clinical diarrhea. All samples were transferred into a sterile container and then were sent to the laboratory to be kept in -20oC freezer until examination. Electron microscopic examination was applied to all fecal samples. Chi-square test was used to analyze the data. According to the results of this study, coronavirus was present in 15% of cases and a significant difference was found between the prevalence rate and the seasons [p<0.05]. The highest prevalence was recorded in winter [28%] and the least prevalence was seen in summer [4%]. There was not any significant difference in both age groups and different districts according to the prevalence rate of infection. Neonatal calf diarrhea is a multi-etiological syndrome. Among the viral diarrhea, bovine coronavirus is one of the major causes of this syndrome. For detection of coronavirus in feces, electron microscope examination is a gold standard diagnostic technique. It seems that coronavirus can be considered as one of the important etiologies of neonatal calf diarrhea in east Azerbaijan of Iran

Abattoir study of the prevalence of renal lesions in slaughtered cattle

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and type of renal lesions in cattle that were slaughtered at the Ghaem [Shahriar] and Ziaran [Ghazvin] abattoirs. A total number of 405 clinically normal cattle were randomly selected and renal samples were taken for histopathological study. The cattle were divided into two groups according to sex, and female groups were divided into two age groups [heifer and cow]. Thirty-five [8.6%] out of the studied animals had renal lesions including interstitial nephritis, cysts, glomerolonephritis, acute tubular necrosis [ATN], pyelonephritis, amyloidosis, leukosis hydronephrosis and unilateral renal aplasia. Interstitial nephritis was the most common observed lesion [85.7%]. The prevalence of renal lesions in female and male cattle were 8.5% and 9.4%, respectively, which was not a statistically significant difference. The prevalence of renal lesions in cows and heifers were 10% and 2.8%, respectively [p<0.05]. It is concluded that age is more important influence factor on renal lesion than sex

[Epidemiological study on cryptosporidiosis in newborn calves in eastern Azarbaijan province]

Neonatal calf diarrhea due to cryptosporidium is a major health problem. It causes extensive economic losses. This study was carried out on newborn calves in different parts of east Azarbayjan province over November 2001-2002. Five hundred feacal samples were taken from diarrheic calves under the age of 2 months from 25 commercial dairies and referral cases to the private clinics in four districts of Azarbayjan province. Samples were fixed in the formalin and then stained by modified Ziehl-Neelsen procedure in Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Data were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test. The positive samples for cryptosporidium were confirmed as 41.4% [207 samples out of 500] cases and a significant difference was found between the prevalence rate in relation to the seasons of study [p<0.05]. While the highest prevalency was in summer [49.6%], the least rate was in the winter [30.4%]. Statistical significance was also found between the age groups regarding the prevalence rate in infected calves [p<0.05], mostly at 6 to 8 weeks of age [61.4%] and less on one week of age [25.21%]. There was not any significant difference between different districts according the prevalence rate of infection. The severity of infection was found 30.43% districts according the prevalence rate of infection. The severity of infection was found 30.43% [+], 34.3% [++] and 35.26% [+++] respectively. Meanwhile, positive association between the severity of infection and diarrhea was also shown