Effect of apitherapy on diminishing the incidence, of pneumoenteric infections in buffalo calves

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of bee venom apipuncture on diminishing the prevalence of pneumonenteric infections in newly born buffalo calves. During the period of the study which lasted 6 weeks, a marked significant decrease of diarrhea and respiratory infections was observed in the bee venom treated calf group [n = 40] compared to the control group [n = 44]. In the bee venom treated group 17.5% of the calves showed undifferentiated diarrhea, 15% suffered pneumonia while 67.5% of the calves remained healthy in contrast to the control calf group in which prevalence of diarrhea and pneumonia were 29.5% and 18.5% respectively, whereas 45.5% remained healthy. No deaths occurred in the bee venom treated group, on the other hand, three calves died in the control group. The immunological investigation showed an improvement in the immune system as a result of bee venom apipuncture giving maximum antibodies production represented by a significant increase of IgG level. Accordingly we can conclude that bee venom could be used as a novel medication to improve the health condition and immunological status of buffalo calves without producing any side effects or allergic reactions