Simultaneous Infection in a Buffalo calf with Toxocara vitulorum and Eimeria bareillyi: A Case Report

Indian economy is mainly agricultural based, out of which livestock sector is an integral component. The buffaloes in India constitute about 57% of world’s population and contribute towards milk, meat and hide production. Toxocarosis is a common cause of calf-hood mortality in India (Radiostits et al., 2000). It is caused by Toxocara vitulorum which occurs in the small intestine of Indian buffaloes below three months of age, especially in tropical and subtropical countries (Raza et al., 2013). Prenatal/placental and transmammary/ transcolostral route constitutes the major source of infection for calves (Wickramasinghe et al., 2009). T. vitulorum is amongst the most destructive parasites of young calves, the larvae of which undergo migration causing great damage to several organs, especially to the liver and the intestine and is frequently manifested by diarrhea, poor performance and poor growth rate (Ahmed et al., 2016). Coccidiosis is an important cause of neonatal mortality in livestock, including buffalo. More than 12 species of Eimeria are reported in buffalo, but Eimeria bareillyi is the most pathogenic (Dubey, 2018). Coccidiosis mostly affects young animals and sometimes, morbidity can reach up to 100% (Faber et al., 2002). The infection is characterized by acute invasion and destruction of intestinal mucosa, anorexia, weight loss, diarrhoea, emaciation and sometimes even death (Coetzer and Justin, 2004). Calves with low immunity and poor nutrition are more vulnerable for such infections (Starke-Buzetti, 2006).

A two month old female buffalo calf was presented to OPD section, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut with a history of diarrhea, poor-growth and loss of appetite since 3–5 days. On physical examination of faeces it was found to foul smell like butyric acid, mud-coloured, blood tinged with presence of mucus flakes.

The faecal sample was screened for any parasitic eggs, cyst or oocyst. The species of Eimeria was further confirmed by culturing faecal sample in 2.5% potassium dichromate at 37°C for 3days. Aeration with the help of a pasteur pipette and rubber bulb was done regularly to supply oxygen to the oocyst. A drop of the suspension was examined microscopically to check complete sporulation.

On direct faecal examination by following standard protocols (Soulsby, 1982) we found the eggs of Toxocara vitulorum and oocyst of Eimeria bareillyi in the same microscopic field (Figure 1). The eggs of Toxocara vitulorum are subglobular, provided with a finely pitted albuminous layer and measures 75-95 by 60-75 µm (Figure 2). Ooocyst of Eimeria bareillyi is pyriform in shape with the narrow anterior end having slightly flattened surface, measuring 28 x 19 µm in size (Figure 3). On sporulation typical oocysts/sporocyst of Eimeria bareillyi were found under microscope having four sporocysts, each containing two sporozoites (Figure 4).

Figure 1: Egg of Toxocara vitulorum and Oocysts of Eimeria bareillyi (10x)

Figure 2: Toxocara vitulorum egg

Figure 3: Oocysts ofEimeria

Figure 4: Sporulated Oocysts of Eimeria bareillyi (40x)

Therefore, to ameliorate the symptoms the calf was treated with Piperazine hexahydrate @ 300mg/kg body weight along with Amprolium@10mg/kg body weight orally daily for five days for its complete recovery. As a measure of supportive therapy we administrated 1ml of Tribivet (Intas Pharmaceuticals) intra muscularly. Dextrose normal saline (DNS) @5 ml/kg body weight and Ringer’s lactate (RL) @5 ml/kg body weight were given intravenously along with multivitamin preparation (Conciplex@ 3ml) to prevent dehydration and to maintain electrolyte imbalance. The fecal sample was again examined 10 days post treatment under 10X for three times to assure complete recovery of the calf, which was found to be negative.

Eimeria bareillyi, a cause of coccidiosis in Indian water buffalo calves is slight to moderately pathogenic (Sanyal et al., 1985). Young calves are more susceptible to Toxocara vitulorum infection and coccidiosis than adults, owing to placental or colostral infection from dam and in latter case due to their low immunity. It causes severe enteritis resulting in diarrhea, dysentery and dehydration. Inadequate feeding of colostrum, exposure to contaminated environment, underfeeding and poor sanitation are some of the predisposing factors (Yadav and Sharma, 1986). Thus, deworming of young calves should be done at 3-6 weeks of age in order to reduce dissemination of eggs, hence decreasing soil contamination. Enhancing immunity of calves by proper colostrum feeding and prevention of infection from contaminated feed or fodder are the important steps for controlling the disease (Avcioğlu and Balkaya, 2011). Piperazine showed 100% efficacy against toxocarosis which was in agreement with our present report (Rao et al., 2000). The amprolium has both therapeutic and prophylactic effects against coccidiosis in livestock (Radiostits et al., 2010).

Our present study have reported the simultaneous infection of calf with Toxocara vitulorum and Eimeria bareillyi, which will be helpful in devising suitable control strategies like deworming of the dam in the third trimester with fenbendazole, feeding the calves with milk replacer, as transcolostral transmission, being the main cause. Proper managemental practices like good nutrition, sanitation and hygiene are the key to success over these problems.

The authors are thankful to the Dean, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut for providing the facilities needed for carrying out this work.

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

All authors were equally involved in processing, identification, photography of parasites and help in writing of manuscript.