Isolation of enterobacteria from diarrhoeic West African dwarf goats.

An investigation was undertaken to determine Enterobacteriaceae from faecal swabs of West African dwarf goats suffering from diarrhoea in the Nsukka area of Anambra State, Nigeria. In one academic year a total of 37 enteric bacteria were successfully recovered aseptically from 35 faecal swabs from caprine species. The predominant enterobacteria pathogens isolated from diarrhoeic goats and their relative percentage frequency of isolation were: 27 Escherichia (73%), 7 Proteus (19%) and 3 Shigella (8%). Of the total isolates 73% were Escherichia coli, 13% were Proteus morgani, 3% Proteus mirabilis, 3% Proteus vulgaris and 8% Shigella sonnei. Further work is required to elucidate the precise aetiologic role of these organisms in the pathogenesis of caprine diarrhoea in West African dwarf goats.