ROLE OF ENTERIC PATHOGENS IN ENTERITIS IN LAMBS, KIDS AND CHILDREN AND THEIR ZOONOTIC IMPORTANCE

This study was carried out to investigate the role of some enteric pathogens in enteritis in lambs, goat kids and childrens. For this purpose, 470 (310 diarrhoeic and 160 non diarrhoeic) lambs and goat kids (aged from 1 to 45 days) of four herds in Sharkia and Dakahlyia provinces were investigated. In addition, 130 (80 diarrhoeic and 50 non-diarrhoeic) children (45 shephreds of four herds and 85 household children living with shep-herds) were examined. The investigation included virological examination for Rota and Corona viruses, bacteriological examination for Escherichia coli and Salmonella and parasitological ex- amination for Cryptosporidium. The clinical signs of diseased animals and post- mortem findings of dead ones were recorded. The morbidly and mortality rates were 65.9% and 13.5%, respectively. Rota virus was detected in 10.6% of diarrhoeic animals (11.6% of lambs and 9.2% of goat kids), whereas it was detected only in 1.9% of non-diarrhoeic animals (2.1% of lambs and 1.5% of goat kids). The rate of infection with Corona virus was 1.3% of diarrhoeic animals (1.6% of lambs and 0.8% of goat kids). On the other hands, Corona virus was not detected in any non-diarrhoeic lambs and goat kids. While in children, Rota virus was detected in 11.3% of diarrhoeic children (16% of shepherds and 9.1% of their households), whereas, it was detected only in 4% of non-diarrhoeic children. Corona virus was not detected in any examined children by using antiserum of bovine Corona viruses. Enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC) was isolated from 29.5% and 21.7% of diarrhoeic lambs and goat kids, respectively. Moreover, Salmonella was isolated from 15.3% and 10.8% of diarrhoeic lambs and goat kids, respectively. Regarding children, E. coli was isolated from 26.3% and 12% of diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic children respectively while., Salmonella was isolated from 5% of diarrhoeic children only. The isolated pathogenic E. coli and Salmonnellae serotypes were identified. In vitro sensitivity test showed that most Salmonellae (94.4%) and E. coli (87.5%) strains were highly sensitive to Enrofloxacin and Gentamicin. Treatment trials of the diseased animals with antibiotics according to the result of sensitivity test in addition to fluid therapy were done. Parasitological examination revealed that Cryptosporidium parvium was detected in 15.2% of diarrhoeic animals (16.8% of lambs and 12.5% of goat kids), whereas, it detected only in 3.1% of non-diarrhoeic lambs and goat kids. On the other hand, C. parvium was detected in 5% of diarrhoe- ic children (8% of shepherds and 3.6% of their households). Moreover, C.parvium was detected in one faecal sample of an apparently healthy shepherd. Concurrent infections of Rota viruses with E. coli and/or cryptosporidia were found in diarrhoeic animals and children. Finally, the obtained results indicate that higher occurrence and mixed infections of enteropathogens in diarrhoeic lambs, goat kids and children than non-diarrhoeic, suggesting their significance roles in the morbidity and mortality of these animals. The zoonotic importance of the recovered enteropathogens was discussed.