Acute and Sub-Acute Toxicity of Dichloromethane-Methanol Root Bark Extract of Teclea trichocarpa Engl. (Rutaceae) in Rats

The in vivo toxicity profile of dichloromethane-methanol (50:50 % v/v) extract of Teclea trichocarpa Engl. (Rutaceae) root bark using Wister rats is reported. No death occurred in the oral acute and sub-acute toxicity studies. In the acute intraperitoneal test, all the animals at 2000 mg/kg developed convulsions followed by death within 3 min; at 300 mg/kg, death occurred within 4-48 h, but there was no death at 50 mg/kg. In the acute oral, subacute oral and 50 mg/kg acute intraperitoneal tests, all haematological and biochemistry parameters fluctuated but remained within normal limits, suggesting that T. trichocarpa root bark extract is practically non-toxic and supports the safety of this plant as a traditional herbal remedy. However, toxicity of the extract on intraperitoneal administration requires further study.Key words: Teclea trichocarpa, root bark extract, acute toxicity, sub-acute toxicit

Pathological and Ultrastructural features of Equine Klossiellosis

The report described a microscopic detection of Klossiellosis equi in the kidney of a donkey. Sporogonic (asexual) stages were frequently seen than sexual stages. These occurred as masses of multiple dividing nuclei within a parasitopholous vacuole in the cytoplasm of renal epithelial cells. The dividing nuclei migrated towards the periphery of the developing sporoblast and budded off from the parasitopholous vacuole, as sporocysts containing varying numbers of small dark sporozoites. Budding of these nuclei has been demonstrated in this study. Sexual stages, represented by fusion of microgametes and macrogametes within the parasitophorous vacuoles were also demonstrated in the epithelial cells. A compensatory hypertrophy of the renal epithelial cells. Was observed in association with the parasites. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 21 2001: pp. 45-4

CLINICO-PATHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN SHEEP & GOATS EXPOSED TO LINEAGE III PESTE DES PETITS RUMINANTS VIRUS INFECTION IN KENYA

ABSTRACT It has been demonstrated that positive tissue samples from an active case in Turkana had viral RNA from a lineage III PPRV and the first available genome sequence was determined. Seven goats and sheep aged between 3-6 months that were tested to be negative for PPR antibodies by competitive-ELISA were used for study. These animals were divided into two treatment groups and one control group. Each animal in the treatment groups was inoculated through intranasal route with 2ml of 30% infected mixed tissue suspension while the control group was inoculated with phosphate buffered saline. Animals were then examined daily for development of PPR clinical signs. Clinical signs were observed in treatment groups while the control remained apparently healthy. Fever started to develop from 6.6 ±1.14 and 8.6 ±1.34 days post infection (dpi) in goats and sheep respectively. There was a progressive rise in respiratory rates from 9 to 16 dpi in goats and from 9 to 14 dpi in sheep. Nasal discharges were recorded from days 8.2 ±2.28 and 9 ±1.83 post infection in goats and sheep respectively. Ocular discharges were observed from days 10±2.24 and 9.8±2.17 post infection in goats and sheep respectively. Oral lesions were observed only in one goat and two sheep. Diarrhea was observed from day 13.5±0.58 post infection in sheep and from day 14±1 post infection in goats.Gross pathology revealed lesions mainly in the lungs, body lymph nodes and the intestines. The results from this study indicate that whereas PPR is thought to mainly affect goats, the disease in Kenya appear to evenly affect both, goat and sheep

Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding rabies and its control among dog owners in Kigali city, Rwanda.

BackgroundRabies is a zoonotic viral disease that can occur in all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Vaccinating dogs can protect people from contracting rabies. Rabies is a public health threat in Rwanda, but the country does not have information on the epidemiology of rabies. The present study aimed to understand the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of rabies and its control among dog owners in Kigali city of Rwanda.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire among 137 dog owners selected from nine administrative study sites. A two-stage random sampling procedure was used to select the participants. Frequency distributions analysis and a series of chi-square tests of associations as well as binary logistic regressions were performed to determine the important factors associated with the response variables.ResultsThe results showed that 99.5% of respondents knew at least a host susceptible to rabies. Only 22.4% and 21.3% knew that dogs and people can develop rabies, respectively. Nearly 73.6% knew that human rabies can be transmitted through dog-bites and 99% could identify at least a clinical sign of canine rabies. Overall, 81.8% knew that regular vaccination of dogs helps to prevent dog-transmitted human rabies and 43.1% and 26.3% were aware that rabies in humans and in dogs are fatal once clinical symptoms have shown, respectively. Only 69% would observe a dog for 10 days after it bites a man or an animal. Approximately 20.4% were familiar with appropriate cleaning of dog-bites wounds, and 20.6% knew that puppies could receive rabies vaccination before they are three months old. Of those who owned vaccinated dogs, 78% were happy about the cost (US $ ≤ 34) of rabies vaccination. Of all the respondents, 58% had their dogs vaccinated at home by veterinarians while 86% indicated their veterinarians kept rabies vaccines on ice in a cool box. Overall, 53% of the dog owners had sufficient knowledge of rabies, whilst 66% and 17% adopted adequate practices and positive attitudes towards rabies, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses indicated that none of the respondents' sex, educational level, and the length of dog ownership were statistically associated with their knowledge, attitudes and practices of rabies.ConclusionsThis study showed that majority of the dog owners had sufficient knowledge and adopted appropriate practices of rabies. However there exist some knowledge gaps among the dog owners particularly on treatment, transmission and control methods. Therefore, rabies awareness campaign is required to upgrade rabies knowledge of the dog owners on rabies prevention and control in Rwanda

The Pathophysiology and Clinical Management of Degenerative Joint Disease

Degenerative joint disease is a common and important disease that affects humans as well as domestic animals, especially dogs and cats. The etiological factors for the disease in humans and animals are similar. The disease is characterized by progressive deterioration of the joint, thinning of hyaline cartilage, joint effusion and periarticular osteophyte formation. Trauma, sepsis, prolonged immobilization, immune-mediated disease, congenital malarticulation (e.g. hip dysplasia or developmental diseases (e.g. osteochondrosis), may incite the development of degenerative joint disease. The insults stimulate the release of degenerative enzymes from chondrocytes and these destroy the articular cartilage matrix. Two distinct functional processes in injured chondrocytes are responsible for the positive feed-back cascade that ultimately results in joint destruction. The catabolic process is induced by proinflammatory stimuli and causes secretion of protease inhibitors and cell replication. In the recent past, a lot of basic and clinical research on degenerative joint disease has been conducted. Deeper understanding of the pathophysiology has resulted in the development of new treatment modalities for the disease. Practicing clinicians need to keep abreast with new knowledge and biomedical technology in order to manage their patients in the best way possible. This paper collates the current knowledge of the pathophysiology and clinical management of degenerative joint disease with special reference to the canine patient. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 28 2005: pp. 33-3

Some Clinical Features of Osteoarthritis of the Hip Joint in Adult Dogs in Kenya

Clinical examination of forty German shepherd dogs with hindlimb lameness was conducted. The severity of lameness was classified as normal conformation, mild lameness or severe lameness attributable to the hindlimb and assigned numerical scores 1, 2 or 3 respectively. Thirty three percent (33 %) were clinically normal, 19 % had mild lameness while 48 % had severe and debilitating lameness. These observations were verified by radiographic examination of affected hip joints. Five dogs were severely affected with hindlimb lameness also had decubital wounds on the dorsal aspect of the paws of the hindlimb. Although some animals were clinically normal, ventrodorsal pelvic radiographs revealed severe osteoarthritis. Clinical and radiographic examination of adult dogs is useful in diagnosis of orthopaedic disease. This improves diagnostic accuracy and assists in determining the prognosis for appropriate medical or surgical therapy and advice on control breeding of affected dogs. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 29 2005: pp. 126-12

Oedema (exudative diathesis) in Ostriches in Kenya

Ostriches of various ages, unhatched embryos and chicks found to have oedema during postmortem examination are described here. Unhatched eggs and chicks originated from a commercial farm, where there was a complaint of poor hatchability of eggs and high chick mortality. Of 35 embryos examined, 29 (82.9%) had severe subcutaneous oedema either generalized (23) or localized (6). Of 311 chicks, 232 (74.6%) had oedema of varying degrees of severity. In 10 chicks, the oedema was subcutaneous and severe, in 5 it was only serous effusions in body cavities and in 217 it was manifested as wetness of subcutaneous tissues. Adult and juvenile ostriches originated from three farms, where they were kept as pets. Of 22 birds, 16 (72.7%) developed a general sickness and 10 (62>3%) of them died. Postmortem examination revealed emaciation and either subcutaneous oedema or serous effusion in body cavities. Additional lesions included combinations of steatites, haemorrhages and pneumonia. The sick birds responded to improved diets that were also supplemented with multivitamins and minerals. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 28 2005: pp. 11-1

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

Occurrence and Levels of Aflatoxins in Fish Feeds and Their Potential Effects on Fish in Nyeri, Kenya

Aflatoxins are fungal metabolites that contaminate foods and feeds, causing adverse health effects in humans and animals. This study determined the occurrence of aflatoxins in fish feeds and their potential effects on fish. Eighty-one fish feeds were sampled from 70 farms and 8 feed manufacturing plants in Nyeri, Kenya for aflatoxin analysis using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fish were sampled from 12 farms for gross and microscopic pathological examination. Eighty-four percent of feeds sampled tested positive for aflatoxins, ranging from 1.8 to 39.7 µg/kg with a mean of 7.0 ± 8.3 µg/kg and the median of 3.6 µg/kg. Fifteen feeds (18.5%) had aflatoxins above the maximum allowable level in Kenya of 10 µg/kg. Homemade and tilapia feeds had significantly higher aflatoxin levels than commercial and trout feeds. Feeds containing maize bran and fish meal had significantly higher aflatoxin levels than those without these ingredients. Five trout farms (41.7%) had fish with swollen abdomens, and enlarged livers with white or yellow nodules, which microscopically had large dark basophilic hepatic cells with hyperchromatic nuclei in irregular cords. In conclusion, aflatoxin contamination of fish feeds is prevalent in Nyeri, and may be the cause of adverse health effects in fish in this region