In-vitro Acaricidal efficacy evaluation trial of Ixodid ticks at Borana, Ethiopia.

The study was conducted from September 2011 to May 2012 in Borana pastoral community with the objectives of determining the efficacy of Amitraz 12.5% and Diazinon 60% Emulsion Concentrate (EC) against Rhipicephalus pulchellus and Amblyoma gemma using modified Adult Immersion Test (AIT) and to assess the pastoralist communities’ perceptions on acaricide (usage, delivery and methods of tick control practice). Acaricide treatment is the only method for tick control in the community, where Amitraz was the most widely used followed by Diazinon. Manual spraying and hand dressing of each acaricide relaying on frequent applications of often inadequate acaricide concentrations without alternation of acaricidal products was the common practice. The result of AIT on engorged female ticks revealed that, Amitraz 12.5% produced significantly higher (P<0.05) level of oviposition inhibition (Percent control = 95.5%) in A. gemma and Rh. pulchellus than Diazinon 60% EC (Percent control = 80.9 %). Both acaricides however are relatively less efficient against R. pulchellus and A. gemma. Furthermore, Amitraz and Diazinon are the two mostly used acaricides by the community. Under laboratory condition, Amitraz seems to provide more oviposition inhibition effect against Rh. pulchellus and A. gemma than Diazinon 60% EC. Therefore, in vivo trial to assess the residual effect of these acaricides is suggested.Key words: Acaricide, Cattle, Efficacy, Ethiopia, In-vitro evaluation, Ixodidae tick

Fasciolosis: Prevalence, financial losses due to liver condemnation and evaluation of a simple sedimentation diagnostic technique in cattle slaughtered at Hawassa Municipal abattoir, southern Ethiopia

This study was carried out from November 2007 to April 2008 to determine the prevalence of fasciolosis and costs incurred due to liver condemnation and evaluate the sensitivity of direct sedimentation method for diagnosis of fasciolosis in cattle slaughtered at Hawassa Municipal abattoir. A total of 3251 adult indigenous cattle were slaughtered at the abattoir during the study period, of which 931 animals (28.63%) were found to be positive for fasciolosis. There was a statistically significant (χ2 = 33.10; p = 0.004) variation in prevalence between the study months where the highest (35.6%) and lowest (21.03%) prevalence were recorded in February and April, respectively. Fasciola hepatica (58.9%) was the predominant fluke identified compared to F. gigantica (10.6%). Mixed infections by both species and unidentified immature flukes were detected in 14.7% and 15.8% of the affected livers, respectively. The mean fluke burden in the affected livers was 55 flukes per liver. As to the severity of infection, 36.63%, 52.31% and 11.06% were lightly, moderately and severely affected, respectively. Moderately affected livers showed the highest mean fluke count (69 ± 1.91) followed by severely (48 ± 1.71) and lightly affected ones (25 ± 1.75) signifying the presence of acquired resistance and local tissue reaction as chronicity of infection supervenes. Taking liver examination as gold standard for diagnosis of fasciolosis, the sensitivity of the direct sedimentation technique was found to be 67.13% and the specificity 100% with substantial agreement (k = 0.74) between the two methods. The financial loss due to liver condemnation was estimated to be 106,400 Ethiopian birr (8312.5 USD) per annum. In conclusion, the observation of such a level of infection in the dry season, high fluke pathogenicity and substantial financial loss associated with condemnation of infected livers warrants the institution of appropriate control measures. Keywords: Cattle, fasciolosis, financial loss, Hawassa abattoir, prevalence, southern Ethiopi

Cryptosporidium in Calves, Lambs and Kids at Haramaya, eastern Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was carried out from November 2010 to April 2011 to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in calves, lambs and kids and to assess potential risk factors in Haramaya, eastern Ethiopia. Hence, fecal samples from a total of 237 study animals (133 calves, 63 lambs and 41 kids) were tested with Sheather’s flotation technique and Modified Ziehl-Neelsen Staining. Accordingly, the overall prevalence was found to be 23.6% (56/237) with the prevalence of 27.8% (37/133) in calves, 22.2% (14/63) in lambs and 12.2% (5/41) in kids. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium significantly (p = 0.047) varied with species of study animals being three times higher likelihood of occurrence in calves compared to its chance of occurrence in kids (OR = 2.8, 95%CI = 1.0, 7.6). No significant difference in prevalence was observed between kids and lambs. The occurrence of the disease was also assessed among the species of animals by taking into consideration different demographic characteristic of the animals including breed, age and sex. For caprine, the prevalence was higher in the cross breed animals (28.6%) followed by the breed of Hararge highland (25%) with no report of the disease in Boer and Ogaden breeds. In ovine, no association was observed between the infection occurrence and the potential risk factors. Analysis of the risk factors in bovine revealed a significant (p = 0.044) difference in disease occurrence among age groups with almost three times more likelihood of the disease occurrence in calves under 3 months than older age category(OR = 2.9, 95%CI = 1.0, 8.2). In conclusion, this study demonstrated the importance of Cryptosporidium in young ruminants with a higher prevalence among calves than lambs and kids.Key words: Cryptosporidium; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Calves, Lambs, Kids, Haramaya, Ethiopi

Neglected Tropical Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa: Review of Their Prevalence, Distribution, and Disease Burden

The neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are the most common conditions affecting the poorest 500 million people living in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and together produce a burden of disease that may be equivalent to up to one-half of SSA's malaria disease burden and more than double that caused by tuberculosis. Approximately 85% of the NTD disease burden results from helminth infections. Hookworm infection occurs in almost half of SSA's poorest people, including 40–50 million school-aged children and 7 million pregnant women in whom it is a leading cause of anemia. Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent NTD after hookworm (192 million cases), accounting for 93% of the world's number of cases and possibly associated with increased horizontal transmission of HIV/AIDS. Lymphatic filariasis (46–51 million cases) and onchocerciasis (37 million cases) are also widespread in SSA, each disease representing a significant cause of disability and reduction in the region's agricultural productivity. There is a dearth of information on Africa's non-helminth NTDs. The protozoan infections, human African trypanosomiasis and visceral leishmaniasis, affect almost 100,000 people, primarily in areas of conflict in SSA where they cause high mortality, and where trachoma is the most prevalent bacterial NTD (30 million cases). However, there are little or no data on some very important protozoan infections, e.g., amebiasis and toxoplasmosis; bacterial infections, e.g., typhoid fever and non-typhoidal salmonellosis, the tick-borne bacterial zoonoses, and non-tuberculosis mycobaterial infections; and arboviral infections. Thus, the overall burden of Africa's NTDs may be severely underestimated. A full assessment is an important step for disease control priorities, particularly in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the greatest number of NTDs may occur

Prevalence, organ distribution, viability and socioeconomic implication of bovine cysticercosis/teniasis, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2009 to March 2011 to determine the prevalence of cysticercosis/teniasis and to estimate the treatment cost of the disease in Yirgalem, Ethiopia. Abattoir findings, a questionnaire survey and inventories of pharmaceutical shops were used in the study. Of the 400 inspected animals, 48 (12%) had varying numbers of Cysticercus bovis. The anatomical distribution of the cysts showed that the highest proportions of C. bovis cysts were in the tongue, followed by the masseter muscle, liver, shoulder and heart. Of a total of 190 C. bovis collected during meat inspection, 89 (46.84%) were alive. Viability tests revealed that the tongue harbored the highest number of viable cysts (63.16%), followed by the masseter (44.23%), the liver (41.38%), and the heart (40%). Of the 170 interviewed respondents, 119 (70%) had contracted a Taenia saginata infection, and among them 85% reported using modern drugs, whereas the rest (15%) used traditional drugs. The majority of the respondents consumed raw meat as part of traditional or religious practices. Human teniasis prevalence showed significant differences (p 0.05). An inventory of pharmaceutical shops revealed the purchase of 472,013 adult teniacidal drug doses for a cost of 1,416,039 Ethiopian Birrs (about 88,500 USD) during a five-year period (2005 to 2009). Mebendazole and niclosamide were the most frequently drugs sold for teniasis treatment, whereas praziquantel was the least sold one. In conclusion, the study revealed a high prevalence of T. saginata metacestodes in the organs at the abattoir, and highlighted the deeply rooted tradition of raw meat consumption. Authorities should focus on this disease to preserve public health and consequently promote the beef industry in the country

Assessment of food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices among meat handlers in Bishoftu City, Ethiopia

Meat handlers play a critical role in food safety by preventing contamination of food for human consumption. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken with 391 meat handlers working in abattoirs and retail meat stores in Bishoftu, Ethiopia, to investigate their food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). Data were collected in interviews using a semistructured questionnaire adapted from previous research. An overall score for each topic area was calculated based on the responses to individual questions. Logistic regression was used to assess the independent associations between sociodemographic characteristics and good knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Almost all meat handlers were males (97.2%), and more than half (51.9%) had primary-level education. Most (72.4%) meat handlers had a good knowledge level with a median score of 16 out of 21 (interquartile range [IQR] = 6). Similarly, most (94.6%) meat handlers had a positive attitude toward food safety with a median score 18 out of 20 (IQR = 1). However, most (83.7%) meat handlers had poor food safety practices with median score of 11 out of 20 (IQR = 3). In multivariable models, good knowledge was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with male gender and older age; positive attitudes were associated with lower educational attainment and good knowledge; and good practices were associated with working in an abattoir and having received training on food safety. Regular hands-on training and enforcement of general and personal hygiene is recommended

TAENIASIS AND ITS SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATION IN AWASSA TOWN AND ITS SURROUNDINGS, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Objective: The study was conducted between October 2005 and April 2006 in Awassa town and its surroundings to investigate the status of T. saginata taeniasis, its socio-economic importance and potential risk factors. Methods: Questionnaire survey was conducted on 120 volunteer individuals selected at random. Additionally, retrospective study on taenicidal drugs inventories at 12 pharmaceutical shops was conducted. Results: T. saginata taeniasis was a wide spread problem in the town and its surroundings with overall prevalence of 64.2% (77 out of 120) and maximum infection frequencies of five times per year. The prevalence of taeniasis was significantly varied between religion, occupation, raw meat consumption and use of spices with raw meat. Accordingly, Christian communities (OR = 5.2, 95% CI=1.20- 22.50), high-risk groups (OR = 4.05, 95% CI=1.27-12.93), raw meat consumers (OR = 7.9, 95% CI=2.46 - 5.66), and spices users (OR = 11.6, 95% CI=2.85- 47.28) had higher likelihood of acquiring taeniasis than Muslim communities, low risk groups, cooked meat eaters and non-spices users, respectively. Conversely, prevalence was not varied between sex, age, marital status and educational backgrounds of the respondents. Respondents’ preferences to available taenicidal drugs had strong linear relationship with drug dose sold (R2 = 0.92), and showed that Niclosamide (46.8%) was the drug of first choice while Praziquantel (13%) was the least preferred drug. The taenicidal drug doses and treatment cost from 2002 to 2005 were estimated to be 4,913,346 adult doses and 820,343 USD (7,219,021 Eth. Birr as per rate of 2006). Conclusion: Taeniasis was a wide spread problem with higher prevalence and frequent infections in the town and its surroundings. Socio-cultural conditions and occupation were the major risk factors for the occurrence of the disease. Hence, owing to its public health and economic importance, taeniasis deserves serious attention in order to safeguard the public health

Management assessment of cattle exposed to trypanosomosis challenge in the new settlement and native areas of the Ghibe Valley, Southwestern Ethiopia

A study was conducted from October 2007 to April 2008 using a semi-structured questionnaire and blood samples in the Ghibe Valley, southwest of Ethiopia, to assess the management of cattle exposed to trypanosomosis in two communities, the natives and the new settlers. Blood samples collected from the ear of 429 cattle (210 from the natives and 219 from the new settlers) revealed an overall prevalence of 5.4%, with 6.2 and 4.6% in the natives and the new settlers, respectively. This difference between communities was not significant (p > 0.45). Qualitative and quantitative information was obtained from 50 natives and 51 new settlers randomly selected using the questionnaire. Most management practices of cattle in the natives’ and new settlers’ communities were found to be significantly different. Although the prevalence of trypanosomosis infection was not significantly different between the two communities, more animals were found anemic in the natives’ herds than in the new-settlers’. Further research should be carried out to determine the major reason that contributed to the difference observed between the PCVs of both communities. Moreover, attention toward effective management of trypanosomosis in both communities of the Ghibe Valley is needed to improve prevention and control strategies

Factors affecting haematological profiles in three indigenous Ethiopian sheep breeds

Haematological parameters were studied in 377 apparently healthy sheep comprising three indigenous breeds of Ethiopia. The effect of breed, age, gender and season on the haematological values was assessed. There was significant (P0.05) effect on erythrocytic and leukocytic parameters. There was a decrease in lymphocytes with increasing age, whereas the reverse was true for neutrophils. RBCs and PCV were significantly higher (P<0.05) during the dry season than any other seasons. Total white blood cell (WBC) count was significantly higher (P<0.0001) during the long rainy season than during other seasons. The Hb, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of the indigenous breeds were higher than those of exotic sheep breeds. Our study is believed to aid clinical assessment and disease diagnosis in these breeds

A cross-sectional study on bovine tuberculosis in Hawassa town and its surroundings, Southern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hawassa town and its surroundings from October 2007 to May 2008 to estimate the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) based on comparative interadermal tuberculin test (CIDT) and abattoir survey. Accordingly, 39 herds comprising 413 cattle were subjected to CIDT, and the herd and individual animal prevalence were 48.7% (19/39) and 11.6% (48/413), respectively. One of the 16 milk samples collected from tuberculin-positive cows was culture positive. The prevalence significantly differed among the age group (P = 0.001) and management system (P = 0.001). Thus, age group over four (OR = 7.9) and animal with poor management system (OR = 4.1) had a higher odds for tuberculin reactivity compared to those with age group under four and cattle with good management system, respectively. Of the total 1,023 cattle subjected to postmortem examination, 11 (1.1%) were found to be positive for gross tuberculous lesions. Larger proportion (50%) of TB lesion was recorded in the respiratory pathway followed by digestive system (28.6%) and prescapular lymph nodes (21.4%). Of 14 tissue specimens collected from the gross lesions, four (28.6%) were positive for histopathological TB lesions. In conclusion, this study revealed the importance of BTB in the study area in particular and the region in general