Hemato-biochemical and therapeutic studies on Escherichia coli associated with concurrent enteric infection in lambs

Aim: The trials were designed on 30 lambs of age below 2 weeks exhibiting the symptoms of colibacillosis. Materials and Methods: Isolation of organism and identification of pathogenic Escherichia coli was confirmed by standard cultural, microbiological, serological, and biochemical tests. Venous blood was collected aseptically for hematological studies. Result: Bacteriological examinations of fecal sample were positive for E.coli and isolates identified on the basis of morphological, cultural, and biochemical characteristics provided further confirmation. Hematological indices recorded significant (p > 0.05) increase in the packed cell volume, total leucocyte count, lymphocyte, and neutrophil percentage, whereas biochemical indices recorded significant decrease in the serum glucose, protein and serum albumin/ globulin levels. Treatment regimen in four different groups, suggested, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin effective drugs followed by neomycin and co-trimoxazole. Conclusion: Study suggested significant (P > 0.05) alteration in hemato-biochemical parameters whereas results indicated gentamicin and ciprofloxacin as most effective drugs.