Abattoir-based estimates of mycobacterial infections in Cameroon

Mycobacteria cause major diseases including human tuberculosis, bovine tuberculosis and Johne’s disease. In livestock, the dominant species is M. bovis causing bovine tuberculosis (bTB), a disease of global zoonotic importance. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of Mycobacteria in slaughter cattle in Cameroon. A total of 2,346 cattle were examined in a cross-sectional study at four abattoirs in Cameroon. Up to three lesions per animal were collected for further study and a retropharyngeal lymph node was collected from a random sample of non-lesioned animals. Samples were cultured on Lowenstein Jensen media and the BACTEC MGIT 960 system, and identified using the Hain® Genotype kits. A total of 207/2,346 cattle were identified with bTB-like lesions, representing 4.0% (45/1,129), 11.3% (106/935), 23.8% (38/160) and 14.8% (18/122) of the cattle in the Bamenda, Ngaoundere, Garoua and Maroua abattoirs respectively. The minimum estimated prevalence of M. bovis was 2.8% (1.9–3.9), 7.7% (6.1–9.6), 21.3% (15.2–28.4) and 13.1% (7.7–20.4) in the four abattoirs respectively. One M. tuberculosis and three M. bovis strains were recovered from non-lesioned animals. The high prevalence of M. bovis is of public health concern and limits the potential control options in this setting without a viable vaccine as an alternative

Seasonal prevalence of bovine fasciolosis and its direct economic losses (del) due to liver condemnation at Makurdi abattoirs north central Nigeria

This study was conducted to report the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis and to estimate the direct  economic losses (DEL) from condemnation of liver as a result of detection of lesions of fasciolosis in cattle slaughtered in Makurdi abattoirs. Retrospective data were collected from the abattoir records obtained  from Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MANR) Makurdi, from 2008 to 2012. Direct economic losses were calculated based on a pilot study to determine the average price of liver per kilogram  (AvP/kg) and using the formula: DEL = w × AvP/kg, where is the number of livers condemned and is the average liver weight in kg. Between 2008 and 2012, 64,978 cattle were slaughtered at Makurdi abattoirs, out of which 9,478 cattle were infected with Fasciola species. This represents an overall prevalence of 14.56% (95%, C.I.: 12.99 – 16.85%). Annual prevalence of bovine fasciolosis was  significantly (P <0.05) high in 2010 and decreased from 2011 to 2012. During the late dry season, the  prevalence of bovine fasciolosis was significantly high (P <0.05). A total of 4220 liver were condemned  during the study period. This amounted to 12660 kg and valued at ₦12,660,000.00 ($79251.60 USD). The  highest prevalence was recorded during the late dry season. However, cattle acquire the infection during  the wet season and early dry season. Pathological lesions were much obvious during the late dry season  possibly when the animals were most stressed, hence we suggest that control measures should be  targeted towards wet and early dry seasons. Bovine fasciolosis is prevalent in cattle slaughtered in  Makurdi abattoirs and accounts for huge financial losses.Keywords: Bovine fasciolosis, Economic losses, Makurdi, Prevalence, Seaso

Methods of isolation and identification of mycoplasma species of ruminants in Africa - A review

Mycoplasmas are responsible for causing many important diseases of ruminants in Africa. Of particular importance are Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides  and Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae, the causative agents of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and contagious caprine  pleuropneumonia (CCPP) respectively. These are the two most important diseases of ruminants causing significant losses in livestock production and have been reported to be widely  distributed in Africa. Diagnosis of CBPP and CCPP can be performed by taking a good quality samples either in live animals or at necropsy. Culturing of these agents is difficult and time consuming; therefore, the method of choice is molecular identification by polymerase chain reaction, which has been recommended by various studies for disease surveillance, control and eradication.Key words: Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia , Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia , Mycoplasma, Afric

Gastrointestinal helminths and external parasites of domestic rats trapped from residential areas within Maiduguri Municipality, Nigeria

A survey of domestic rats was conducted to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths and external parasites in Maiduguri municipal between February and June 2015. Rats were randomly collected from residential sites within Maiduguri metropolis by trapping using mechanical and glue board traps.  Trapped rats were examined for external parasites, humanely sacrificed and subjected to detailed  postmortem examination for recovery of gastrointestinal helminths using standard methods. Parasites were identified using key morphological characteristics. Out of 85 rats sampled in the study, a total of 7(8.2%) were positive for gastrointestinal helminths. The only species of helminth identified was Hymenolepis  diminuta. There was no significant difference in prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths among different  age groups and sexes (P>0.05). The overall prevalence of ectoparasites was 9.4% and there was no  significant difference in prevalence rates among different age groups and sexes (P>0.05). The prevalence  of flea (5.9%) was higher than lice (3.5%). The two species of ectoparasites identified in the study were  Ctenocephalides canis (5.9%) and Polyplax spinulosa (3.5%). It was concluded from this study that  domestic rats trapped from Maiduguri harbor some species of endoparasites and ectoparasites which are  potentially zoonotic or may serve as vectors of important zoonotic pathogens.Keywords: Domestic rats, Ecto-parasites, Gastrointestinal helminths, Maiduguri, Prevalenc