Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of age, sex, location and management on cattle mortality rate in Rajshahi division of Bangladesh. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in 8 districts of Rajshahi division during July 2011 to June 2012. A total of 17,982 cattle heads were investigated based on age, sex, area. Data were collected from the cattle owners using a closed structured questionnaire. Tentative cause of cattle mortality was identified based on clinical signs, laboratory tests, history, ante-mortem and postmortem reports. Management practices of the cattle were also investigated. Results: Out of 17,982 cattle heads, 549 were found to be dead by various diseases, and an average mortality rate was 3.05%. Age-wise mortality rate of cattle revealed that the maximum mortality rate was found in the age group of <2 years (3.90%) and minimum was found in age group 2 to <8 years (2.36%). Sex-wise splitting data showed that the higher mortality rate was observed in the female (3.15%) than the male (2.90%). Area-wise cattle mortality rate revealed that Rajshahi (3.29%), Natore (2.84%), Chapai Noawabganj (3.77%), Naogaon (3.48%), Bogra (2.57%), Joypurhat (2.84%), Pabna (1.84%) and Sirajganj (3.06%). The significantly highest (P<0.05) cattle mortality rate was found in Chapai Noawabgonj district (3.77%) and lowest was in Pabna district (1.84%). There is no significant difference (P>0.05) between the cattle mortality rate in Natore district (2.84%) and Joypurhat districts (2.84%). Conclusion: The overall mortality rate of cattle in Rajshahi division was found comparatively low. This might be due to improved management practices, better veterinary services, and awareness among farmers. However, cattle mortality rate in the age group <2-year is alarming due to bad management practices and disease. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(1.000): 13-17]

Humoral immune responses and protective efficacy by various doses of Salmonella ghost cells carrying enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) fimbrial antigens for protection against piglet colibacillosis were studied. All groups were orally primed and boosted at 11 and 14 wk of pregnancy, respectively. Group A sows were inoculated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and groups B, C, and D sows were immunized with 2 × 10(9) 2 × 10(10), and 2 × 10(11) ghost cells, respectively. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G, and colostrum (Ig)G and (Ig)A levels of groups C and D sows were significantly higher than those of group A sows. In addition, serum (Ig)G and (Ig)A levels in group C and D piglets were significantly increased compared to those of group A piglets. After challenge with wild-type ETEC, diarrhea and mortality were not observed in group C and D piglets, while diarrhea was observed in 88.9% and 58.8% of groups A and B piglets, respectively, and 16.7% mortality was observed in group A piglets. These findings indicate that oral immunization of sows with 2 × 1010 or 1011 ghost cells can effectively protect their offspring from colibacillosis.