International Journal of Cow Science

Calf mortality has been a major concern in profitable livestock production. The calves are at high risk of mortality during the first few weeks of life. E. coli is a major bacterial pathogen incriminated with calf mortality either alone or in combination with other infectious agents. During present investigation, 13 isolates of E.coli recovered from rectal swabs accrued from 47 apparently healthy calves, belonged to 8 different serotypes. The serotype O8 was the most frequently encountered (48%). The 113 isolates of E.coli recovered from rectal swabs of 138 diarrhoeic calves could be classified into 35 serotypes. The serotypes among these were: O8(21.23%), O171 (8.84%), untypable (7.96%), O101 and O20(6.19% each),)45, O48 and O50(3.53% each). More than one serotypes of E.coli were recorded from 21 rectal swabs. A shift in occurrence of E.coli serotypes was noticeable and serotypes O2,O44,O133, O149 and O152 evidenced around Palampur area in an earlier study were not recorded during present investigation. In the present study, the serotypes O14. O3O, O54, O74, O113, O142, O156, O159 and O171 recorded do not appear to have been documented in India so far.