Diarrhoea in cattle caused by Buxtonella sulcata in Sarajevo area

Abstract

Recent studies showed that Buxtonella sulcata (B. sulcata) may be a potential causative agent of periodical recurrent diarrhoea of unknown etiology in cattle. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and intensity of infection of B. sulcata and its role in diarrhoea in cattle in Sarajevo area. A total of 412 faecal samples were collected from cattle of different ages (189 young and 223 adults). The overall rate of infection was 27.2%, with a significant difference between young and adults (33.3% vs 21.9%). In animals infected with B. sulcata diarrhoea was present in 57.1% young and 51.0% adults, with no significant difference between them. The frequency of diarrhoea incidence increased proportionally to the intensity of infection with B. sulcata, either young or adults, in a typical logarithmic trend in both age groups (R2=0.97). In samples with more than 2000 cysts per 1g of faeces diarrhoea was found in almost 80% of adults, and in 100% of young animals. The results obtained here indicate that young animals are more prone to the infection with B. sulcata, but regardless of age the cattle similarly responds to the infection.