Laboratory diagnostic methods and reported outbreaks of anthrax in Ethiopia

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive, non-motile, spore-forming bacterium. It is a globally distributed disease, having been reported from all continents that are populated heavily with animals and humans. The objectives were to review general laboratory diagnostic testing methods and reported outbreaks of anthrax in Ethiopia. Anthrax was second top zoonotic priority next to rabies and endemic in Ethiopia that may occur in May and June every year (Anthrax season) in several farming localities. Animal hosts acquire the disease through grazing, usually by ingestion or inhalation while there are three major routs of transmission: ingestion, inhalation and cutaneous. This review indicated that anthrax remains to be major public and animal health problem in Ethiopia. Although suspected cases of anthrax are reported from several districts, they are not well confirmed by laboratories. Prevention and control of anthrax in animals effectively reduces its impact on public health and the national economy. The control of anthrax outbreaks among domestic animals is primarily dependent on rapid identification and treatment of affected animals; enhanced surveillance for additional cases; implementation of control measures including quarantine, prophylaxis, vaccination and the proper disposal of dead animals with decontamination is critical. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.377389

Функціональні зв'язки між ефектами води Нафтуся на канальцеву секреторно-транспортну та імунну системи щурів. Повідомлення 2: Канальцева секреція і параметри спленоцитограми та гемолімфоаденоцитограми

В рамках концепции об общности механизмов функционирования канальцевой секреторно-транспортной и фагоцитарно-лимфоидной систем выявлены существенные связи между скоростью почечной канальцевой секреции и параметрами фагоцитоза, лейкоцитограммы крови, стеноцитогаммы и гемолимфоаденоцитограммы крыс в условиях курсового напаивания их водой Нафтуся per se и в сочетании с цитостатиком или анаболиком.It is shown that increase of canalicular secretion in rats becaused by drinking of water Naftussya accompanied increase massa of haemolymphatic node and contents in its of endothelio-, reticulo-, lymphocytes, eosinophyles and macrophages, blood level lymphocytes, monocytes and segmental nucleare neutrophyles but decrease activity and completion of phagocytose of neutrophyles and level of lymphoblastes in splenocytogramme. The using of cytostatic drug abolishes but anabolic drug potentiates both activating and inhibiting influence of water Naftussya

Geographic distribution of MERS coronavirus among dromedary camels, Africa

We found serologic evidence for the circulation of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus among dromedary camels in Nigeria, Tunisia, and Ethiopia. Circulation of the virus among dromedaries across broad areas of Africa may indicate that this disease is currently underdiagnosed in humans outside the Arabian Peninsula

FACTORS AFFECTING PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF FRIESIAN X BORANA CROSSBRED COWS UNDER SMALLHOLDER MANAGEMENT CONDITIONS IN ETHIOPIA

Factors contributing to milk yield, changes in body weight (BW) and body condition score (BC), and reproductive performances of 50 Friesian X Borana (F1) crossbred cows under smallholder farmers' management conditions were investigated. The F1 crossbred cows were distributed by International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in the study area with the objective of introducing multipurpose (dairy and draft) cow technology. Milk yield was found to be a function of wheat bran and hay intakes. Comparisons of mean change in initial and final BW and BC indicated that the animals lost their BW and BC during the study period and showed deficiency of 24% of metabolizable energy (ME). Change in BW was found to be a function of wheat bran and noug cake intakes. Mean (±SD) pasture time of dairy cows was 7:49±3:05. Based on their progesterone (P4) concentration, 60% of the dairy cows were acyclic (P4 < 1.63 ng/ml) throughout the study period, of which 50% (15/30) had P4 < 1 ng/ml. The acyclicity of dairy cows could be associated with 24% deficiency of ME, loss of BW and BC and long pasture time. Improvement of dry season feed supply would help reduce losses in BW, BC, production and reproductive performances. Key Words: Dairy cows, F1, Friesian x Borana, reproductive performance African Journal of Livestock Extension Vol.3 2004: 45-4

Laboratory diagnostic methods and reported outbreaks of anthrax in Ethiopia

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive, non-motile, spore-forming bacterium. It is a globally distributed disease, having been reported from all continents that are populated heavily with animals and humans. The objectives were to review general laboratory diagnostic testing methods and reported outbreaks of anthrax in Ethiopia. Anthrax was second top zoonotic priority next to rabies and endemic in Ethiopia that may occur in May and June every year (Anthrax season) in several farming localities. Animal hosts acquire the disease through grazing, usually by ingestion or inhalation while there are three major routs of transmission: ingestion, inhalation and cutaneous. This review indicated that anthrax remains to be major public and animal health problem in Ethiopia. Although suspected cases of anthrax are reported from several districts, they are not well confirmed by laboratories. Prevention and control of anthrax in animals effectively reduces its impact on public health and the national economy. The control of anthrax outbreaks among domestic animals is primarily dependent on rapid identification and treatment of affected animals; enhanced surveillance for additional cases; implementation of control measures including quarantine, prophylaxis, vaccination and the proper disposal of dead animals with decontamination is critical. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.377389

Isolation and Characterization of Coronavirus and Rotavirus Associated with Calves in Central Part of Oromia, Ethiopia

Background. Coronavirus and rotavirus are most commonly associated etiologies for calves’ diarrhoea, resulting in loss of productivity and economy of farmers. However, various facets of diarrheal disease caused by coronavirus and rotavirus in calves in Ethiopia are inadequately understood. A cross-sectional study was conducted with the aim of isolation and molecular characterization of coronavirus and rotavirus from calves in the central part of Oromia (Bishoftu, Sebata, Holeta, and Addis Ababa), Ethiopia, from November 2018 to May 2019. The four study areas were purposively selected and faecal samples were collected by simple random sampling for diagnosis of coronavirus and rotavirus infection by using the antigen detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA) kit. In addition, this study was carried out to have insight in prevalence and associated risk factors of coronavirus and rotavirus infection in calves. Result. During the study, 83 diarrheic and 162 nondiarrheic faecal samples collected from calves less than 4 weeks of age were screened for coronavirus and rotavirus. Of the 83 diarrheic samples, 1 sample (1.2%) was positive for coronavirus antigen and 6 samples (7.2%) were found to be positive for rotavirus antigen by Ag-ELISA. All the nondiarrheic samples were negative for both coronavirus and rotavirus Ag. The overall prevalence of coronavirus and rotavirus infection in calves was estimated at 0.4% (1/245) and 2.45% (6/245), respectively. All samples (7) of ELISA test positive of both coronavirus and rotavirus were propagated in Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells. After 3 subsequent passages, progressive cytopathic effect (CPE), i.e., rounding, detachment, and the destruction of monolayer cell of five samples (1 sample of coronavirus and 4 samples of rotavirus) (71.4%) were observed. At the molecular stage, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was used to determine the presence of coronavirus and rotavirus nucleic acid by using specific primers. The 5 samples that were coronavirus and rotavirus antigen positive by ELISA and develop CPE on cell culture were also positive on RT-PCR technique. The prevalence of infection peaked at 1st and 2nd weeks of age in male calves. Conclusion. Diarrheal disease caused by coronavirus and rotavirus has a great health problem in calves that interrupts production benefits with reduced weight gain and increased mortality and its potential for zoonotic spread. So, the present findings show coronavirus and rotavirus infection in calves in Ethiopia that needs to be addressed by practising early colostrum feeding in newborn calves, using vaccine, or improving livestock management

Rotavirus in Calves and Its Zoonotic Importance

Rotavirus is a major pathogen responsible for diarrheal disease in calves, resulting in loss of productivity and economy of farmers. However, various facets of diarrheal disease caused by rotavirus in calves in the world are inadequately understood, considering that diarrheal disease caused by rotavirus is a vital health problem in calves that interrupts production benefits with reduced weight gain and increased mortality, and its potential for zoonotic spread. The pathological changes made by rotavirus are almost exclusively limited to the small intestine that leads to diarrhea. It is environmentally distributed worldwide and was extensively studied. Reassortment is one of the important mechanisms for generating genetic diversity of rotaviruses and eventually for viral evolution. So, the primary strategy is to reduce the burden of rotavirus infections by practicing early colostrum’s feeding in newborn calves, using vaccine, and improving livestock management. Rotaviruses have a wide host range, infecting many animal species as well as humans. As it was found that certain animal rotavirus strains had antigenic similarities to some human strains, this may be an indication for an animal to play a role as a source of rotavirus infection in humans. Groups A to C have been shown to infect both humans and animals. The most commonly detected strains in both human and animals are G2, G3, G4, and G9, P [6]. Therefore, this review was made to get overview epidemiology status and zoonotic importance of bovine rotavirus

Molecular Characterization of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Isolates from Outbreak Cases in Cattle from Sawena District of Bale Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease caused by LSD virus and is one of the most economically significant transboundary and emerging diseases of cattle. LSD causes considerable economic losses due to emaciation, damage to hides, infertility, and loss of milk production. In Ethiopia, the disease is distributed almost in all regions and is regarded as one of the most economically important livestock diseases in the country. An outbreak investigation of the disease was monitored from October 2016 to April 2017 in southern pastoral areas of Bale Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. In December 2016, LSD outbreak occurred in Sawena district of Bale Zone, from which necessary biopsy samples were collected from actively infected animals for the purpose of virus isolation, and characterization using different molecular techniques at National Animal Health and Diagnostic Investigation Center (NAHDIC) of Sebeta, Ethiopia. In addition, clinical examination of infected and in-contact animals was carried out together with a questionnaire survey. Based on the clinical manifestations, LSD was recorded in 18% (94/522) of examined cattle, whereas biopsy samples from 20 clinically positive animals were collected for further laboratory process. The morbidity rate was higher in animals less than two years 28.97% (31/107) than other ages and showed a statistically significant difference with P<0.05. Female animals showed higher morbidity rate of 20.59% (76/369) than male animals (11.76%) (18/153) with a significant difference at P≤0.003. Mortality rate and case fatality were also significantly higher in young animals than other age groups. Viruses were isolated from both skin biopsies and nasal swabs on Vero cell line. From both skin biopsies and nasal swabs, the virus DNA was identified by amplifying the 172 bp DNA fragment using real-time and conventional PCR. Providing adequate diagnostic facilities, establishing strategic policies for effective control and eradication and awareness creations for communities for early identification or reporting were recommendations made to minimize economic losses of the disease

Isolation, molecular characterization and sero-prevalence study of foot-and-mouth disease virus circulating in central Ethiopia

Abstract Background Ethiopian livestock production and productivity is still very low due to widespread of diseases. Among the diseases, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an extremely contagious and acute viral disease that causes significant economic problems in the country. A cross sectional study design was conducted from September 2015 to May 2016 to isolate and characterize FMD virus from outbreak cases; determine the sero-prevalence of antibodies against FMD virus (FMDV), and assess potential risk factors associated with sero-prevalence of the disease in selected areas of central Ethiopia. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select the study animals. Isolated viruses were characterized by antigen ELISA (IZLER, Brescia, Italy) and by genetic analysis of the sequence of the viral protein 1 (VP1). Sero-prevalence was determined using an ELISA for antibodies against non-structural proteins of FMDV based on the 3ABC proteins (ID Screen® FMD NSP Competition, ID-VET, Grabels, France). Risk factors for sero-prevalence of antibodies against FMD virus was investigated using logistic regression analysis. Result From outbreak investigation, 28.8% (n = 378) cattle showed signs and lesions suggestive of FMD and 34 samples were subjected to virus isolation. Twenty eight of these cultures exhibited cytopathic effect (CPE) and were serotyped as O, A and SAT 2 FMD viruses. One A and two SAT 2 isolates named A-ETH-19-2015, SAT 2-ETH-18-2015 and SAT 2-ETH-20-2015 were further characterized by phylogenetic analysis. The overall sero-prevalence of antibodies against non-structural proteins of FMDV was 24.2% (n = 574). Cattle herds with crossbreed cattle, with older cattle (> 2 years), and kept together with small ruminants had higher sero-prevalences of antibodies against FMDV (p < 0.05). Conclusion This study showed that FMD was present in the study areas. Among the associated risk factors, breed, age and herd composition were significantly associated with presence of antibodies against FMD virus. Three different serotypes (A, O and SAT 2) were responsible for the outbreaks of the disease. Genetic analysis indicated that the isolated viruses clustered differently from previous outbreaks. Thus, further molecular analyses coupled with protection potential of the existing vaccines against the isolates should be performed

Cross-disciplinary and participatory livestock and human health research for successful control of zoonoses in the developing world

AbstractConventional disciplinary research approach is losing momentum in the face of dynamic health challenges of the 21st century. There is a need for a new, suitable approach, to tackle these emerging and re-emerging human and animal diseases through integrating livestock and human health research in a cross-disciplinary approach for greater impact. This is particularly important for the developing world owing to the closer contact of humans with animals as well as the consumption of raw animal products, worsened by low levels of literacy. Animals are the major source of today’s emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases that threaten both human and animal populations of the world. Among recent examples are SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), the Hendra and Nipah virus infections, BSE or mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) and now highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu. In addition, bovine tuberculosis and rift valley fever (RVF) are some examples of important re-emerging zoonoses. In recent years, bovine tuberculosis has become increasingly important with the HIV and AIDS pandemic in the developing world. This paper highlights the past and current research portfolio of ILRI and its partners, focusing on diseases that are transmissible between human and animals in the context of developing countries. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2008;22(Special Issue): 109-116