Buffalo is called black gold. The buffalo is raised for meat and milk purpose in Pakistan.The buffalo calves are at risk of many infectious diseases. One of the most important diseases is Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS). Hemorrhagic septicemia is caused by Pasturellamultocida important strains in Asia are B:2 and B:2.5. Buffalo calves are more suspected to the Hemorrhagic septicemia than adults one. In Pakistan the high prevalence of 49% is in the rainy season (Farooqet al. 2007)
Clinically the signs of Hemorrhagic septicemia includes profuse salivation,pyrexia, respiratory distress, swelling in throat, discharge through nostrils, protrusion of tongue, edema in the brisket area as well as in forelegs. Hemorrhagic septicemia can be diagnosed on the bases of clinical signs and laboratory conformation by Gram staining and. Serum agglutination test, Counter immune-electrophoresis and ELISA techniques are also used.Enrofloxacine was found to be effective treatment in case Hemorrhagic septicemia. Best protection measure vaccination by alum precipitated vaccine (Boudewijn et al. 2008).
During the present study blood samples were collected from the calves at different intervals of times. Serum was separated from that blood and was analyzed by using Indirect Haemagglutination(IHA) Test to observe the antibodies titer in the blood.The data was analyzed to calculate geometric mean titer (GMT) of the antibodies. Immunity status is much important in the defense of disease especially in the newly born claves which are more at risk of infections.The result of present study showed geometric mean titer 16 in colostrum of vaccinated dams and their newly born claves showed 0, 3. 4, 7 and 3 at 0 hour, 72 hour, 7, 15 and 30 days of their age. Colostrum of non-vaccinated dams showed GMT 8 and their newly born claves showed 0, 1. 3, 3 and 1 at 0 hour, 72 hour, 7, 15 and 30 days of their age.The maternal antibodies which are produce in the body of mother are transferred to their calves.The calves given birth by the vaccinated dams receive much higher level of antibodies from their mother than the calves born from non-vaccinated dams. This antibodies production in non-vaccinated dams is because of the carrier status of hemorrhagic septicemia.The non-vaccinated dams which are not expose to the any type of HS infection or not expose to the vaccines, they do not produce antibodies against Pasturellamultocidaand also not transfer to their young babies after birth.
The present study showed that claves of vaccinated dams are much protected in their early period of life against hemorrhagic septicemia. Buffalo calves need quick and intense care at early age and they need quick vaccinations.
The high maternal antibodies level against Pasturellamultocidain vaccinated dams then in non-vaccinated dams antibodies levels in newly born buffalo calves remain effective for longer period.
This study suggested for the vaccination of dams not only for the protection of themselves but also for the protection of their newly born claves at the crucial period of their young age.