Importance of Escherichia coli in young beef calves from northwestern Quebec

The objectives of this study were: (i) to investigate the prevalence of Escherichia coli producing F5 (K99), F41, or F165 fimbriae and STa enterotoxin; (ii) to determine serum antibody levels against these fimbriae; (iii) and to examine the association between bacteriological and serological results and the presence of diarrhea, in beef calves from northwestern Quebec. A total of 373 live three to four week old calves and 27 dead calves were sampled between January and March 1991. No isolates positive for F5 were detected in live calves, and only one E. coli producing STa and F41 was isolated. Escherichia coli producing F41-like surface antigens or F165 fimbriae were isolated from 17.43% and 5.63% of live calves, respectively. Antibodies against F5, F41 and F165 were low. Escherichia coli isolates positive for F41-like surface antigen were most often observed in calves born between January and March. No association was found between bacteriological and serological findings, nor between these findings and diarrhea. Calves born from dams vaccinated against E. coli had higher median antibody levels than those born from unvaccinated dams. No E. coli positive for F5 or F41 fimbriae were isolated from dead calves. Escherichia coli with F41-like surface antigen or F165 were found in 55.56% and 11.11% of ileal samples; 4% and 16% of cecal samples, and 0% and 7.4% of colon samples, respectively. Escherichia coli positive for F41-like surface antigen were detected significantly more frequently in the ileum (chi (2)2df = 31.01, p < 0.001).