Parasitic investigations in enteric syndrome in kids

Abstract

The enteric syndrome is the common response of the intestine to aggressions exerted by different etiological agents. The investigations were carried out in the Vaslui area on 155 privately owned kids with the aim of specifying the aetiology of persistent digestive disorders. The kids, aged between 3 and 90 days, were examined clinically and paraclinically. Clinically, changes in the general condition, deviation, apathy, lethargy, inappetence, refusal of food, polydipsia, isolation from the group, abdominal bloating, diarrheal emissions with watery faeces, whitish sometimes with streaks of blood, were observed. Paraclinically, faecal samples were taken from each sick subject and deposited in sterile containers. The samples (50) were examined coproscopically, by qualitative (Wisconsin, Willis) and quantitative (Mc.Master) flotation methods, to highlight specific parasitic elements (cysts, oocysts, eggs); coproantigenic, using the Giardia Ag VetExpert Rapid Test Kit and, in stained faecal smears by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen method, for the identification of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Examination and photomicrographs were done on a Leica 750 photon microscope using 100x, 200x, and Immersion magnification. Coproscopic results revealed oocysts belonging to species of the Eimeria genus, with a medium intensity (OPG: 500-1000), and a prevalence of 24%. Coproantigenic, the species Giardia duodenalis was identified in kids, with a prevalence of 14%. In smears, Cryptosporidium spp. was identified in kids, with a prevalence of 26 %. The associated evolution of the three parasite genera was found in 10% of the examined samples. These results confirm the multiple parasitic aetiology of enteric syndrome in kids and the negative results obtained in antibiotic therapy. Attention is also drawn to the omission of the parasitic aetiology of the digestive syndrome, which affects young animals in their first months of life, with important economic losses.