Diarrhea in newborn camel calves in Saharan provinces of South Morocco : Bacteriological study

Abstract

During the years 1996, 1997 and 1999, a bacteriological study on diarrhea causes in newborn camel calves (Camelus dromedarius) was carried out in 16 herds from different areas in Saharan provinces of South Morocco. A total of 44 feces samples were collected from diarrheic camel calves aged one to ten weeks old. They were analyzed for presence of Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli K99+. Six isolates from five separate herds were characterized as Salmonella sp. Serotyping and sensitivity of isolated Salmonella to antibacterial agents were performed. E. coli K99+ was also isolated in five camel calves from four separate herds. The copresence of Salmonella and E. Coli K99+ was not established.