An Investigation of the Incidences of East Coast Fever (ECF), Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis in the Bovine Cases Managed by Ambulatory Services of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kabete

The purpose of this investigation was to establish the incidences of tick borne diseases (TBD) in cattle. The diseases investigated were East Coast Fever (ECF), Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis. The data used was obtained from the large animal clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary medicine covering a period of 8 years (1996-2003). From the total number of bovine cases recorded (8706), the incidences of the clinical tick borne diseases was 7.8%, with ECF, Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis accounting for 62.9%, 32.8% and 4.3% of the cases respectively. The confirmed cases of the tick borne diseases represented 2% of all total bovine cases (8706) attended by ambulatory services over this period although only 42.7% were presented for laboratory confirmation. East Cost Fever, Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis were confirmed in 65 %, 41.7% and 61.5% of their respective clinical cases. It was concluded that tick-borne diseases were a major problem and ECF was still the most prevalent tick-borne disease in this area. Issues on the number of cases in this area, sample collection, field and laboratory diagnosis are discussed. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 29 2005: pp. 21-2

Preliminary Investigation of the Status of Bovine Mastitis in a Medium Scale Dairy Farm in Kabete Area, Kenya

The purpose of this investigation was to establish the mastitis status in the dairy herd of 110 cows (genetically heterogeneous Bos taurus breeds). All the cows were examined by physical inspection of the udder and California mastitis test (CMT) carried out on milk from the quarters of the 89 cows in milk. A total of 37 milk samples were collected from affected quarters of 36 cows, which had visibly abnormal secretion or tested positive on CMT, and taken for bacteriological culture and sensitivity tests. The outcome was a prevalence of 40.4 % based on the cows in milk and 18.4% based on their quarters. From the 37 samples that were cultured, 36 had abundant bacterial growth. Of the bacteria isolated, 45% were Corynebacteria, 30.0% Staphylococci, 22.5% Streptococci and 2.65% Pseudomonas. Of the twelve antibacterial compounds used in the sensitivity tests, the bacteria were most sensitive to ampi-clox and cefaclor at 98% and least sensitive to sulphamethoxazole and cotrimoxazole both at 2%. Pseudomonas was only sensitive to gentamycin, norfloxacin and tetracycline. From this investigation the prevalence of mastitis in the herd is fairly high and there is need for a comprehensive monitoring and control program for udder health in this herd. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 29 2005: pp. 57-5

Evaluation of the Bioactivity of Some Traditional Medicinal Plants Using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the bioactivity of extracts of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium Vis Albizia antihelmintica A. Brogn, Maerua edulis (Gilg) De Wolf, Maerua subcordata (Gilg & Bened) De Wolf and Myrsine Africana L. which are used traditionally as antihelmintic by using brine shrimp lethality test. Serial dilutions of 1000&#61549;g/ml, 100&#61549;g/ml and 10 mg/ml of the extracts were put in five test tubes. Ten (10) brine shrimp larvae were immersed into each of the test tubes and the number surviving after 24 hours counted and the percentage mortality and LC&#61493;&#61488; for each extract was determined. C. cinerariaefolium (pyrethrins) was active (LC&#61493;&#61488; < 1000 &#61549;g/ml) at LC50 of 1.3mg/ml while the methanol extract of A. antihelmintica bark was active with LC50 of 18&#61549;g/ml. The methanol extracts of Maerua edulis, Maerua subcordata and Myrsine Africana were not active (LC50 < 1000&#61549;g/ml). The result indicated that C. cinerariaefolium and A. antihelmintica extracts have bioactivity and is the basis for their use as antihelmintic by pastoral communities. Brine shrimp lethality test was found to be a simple and rapid test and is thus recommended for similar studies. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 26 2004: pp. 8-1

Traditional antimalarial phytotherapy remedies used by the South Coast community, Kenya

a b s t r a c t Aim of the study: This study was conducted to document herbal medicines used in the treatment of malaria as well as the existing knowledge, attitudes and practices related to malaria recognition, control and treatment in South Coast, Kenya. Methods: Data was collected using semistructured questionnaires and interviews. A focused group discussion held with the community members, one in each of the study villages supplemented the interview and questionnaire survey. Results: The respondents were found to have a good understanding of malaria and could distinguish it from other fever types. They were also aware that malaria was spread by mosquitoes. Malaria prevalence was high, and affected individuals an average of four times a year. Community members avoided mosquito bites by using mosquito nets, clearing bushes around their homesteads and burning plant parts to generate smoke. They prevented and treated malaria by taking decoctions or concoctions of traditional herbal remedies. Forty plant species in thirty-five genera distributed in twenty-four families were used as antimalarials in the study area. Five plant species, namely; Heeria insignis Del. (Anacardiaceae), Rottboelia exaltata L.F (Gramineae), Pentanisia ouranogyne S. Moore (Rubiaceae), Agathisanthenum globosum (A. Rich) Hiern (Rubiaceae), and Grewia trichocarpa Hochst ex A. Rich (Tiliaceae) are documented for the first time in South Coast, Kenya, for the treatment of malaria. Conclusions: The plants documented in the current study are a potential source for new bioactive compounds of therapeutic value in malaria treatment. The results provide data for further pharmacological and toxicological studies and development of commercial antimalarial phytotherapy products

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Aqueous Extracts of Albizia antihelmintica and Maerua edulis against the nematode Heligmosomoides polgyrus Infection in Mice

Antihelmintic activity of the water extract of Albizia antihelmintica bark and Maerua edulis root was evaluated in mice that had been experimentally infected with the intestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus. The mice were randomly allocated into six treatment groups and one control group. Group 1, 2 and 3 were given an oral dose of water extracts of A. antihelmintica at 5 gm/kg, 10gm/kg and 20 gm/kg bodyweight respectively in a divided dose on day 17 post-infection. Groups 4, 5 and 6 were given water extracts of M. edulis at a dosage of 5 gm/kg, 10 gm/kg and 20 gm/kg bodyweight respectively in a divided dose. Group 7 was the control and was concurrently given a double oral dose of 0.2 ml of physiological saline each. Mortality of some mice was observed in four groups after treatment. Five days after treatment, feacal worm egg count reduction was determined. The results showed a percentage feacal H. polygyrus egg count reduction of 72 %, 69%, and 42% in groups 2, 6, 3, and 1 respectively. Seven days after treatment, there was a reduction in worm counts at postmortem of 68%, 36%, 20%, 19%, 16%, and 14% in groups 1, 5,2,3,6, and 4. respectively compared to untreated controls. These results indicate that the plant extracts had antihelmintic activity and support the use of these plants as antihelmintics. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 28 2005: pp. 24-2