A community approach for pathogens and their arthropod vectors (ticks and fleas) in cats of sub-Saharan Africa

Background Arthropod-borne pathogens and their vectors are present throughout Africa. They have been well studied in livestock of sub-Saharan Africa, but poorly studied in companion animals. Given their socioeconomic importance, the African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN), as part of the WSAVA Foundation, initiated a standardized multi-country surveillance study. Methods In six countries (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Namibia) in both rural and urban settings, 160 infested cats were sampled to assess their ectoparasite community (ticks and fleas), as well as the micro-parasite prevalence within those ectoparasites (60 and 118 pools of ticks and fleas, respectively) and blood (276 cats, including 116 non-infested). Results Almost two thirds of all infested cats originated from Tanzania and Kenya. Despite the large macro-geographical variation, no consistent difference was found in ectoparasite diversity and numbers between East and West Africa. Far more flea-infested than tick-infested cats were found. The most dominant ectoparasite was Ctenocephalides felis. Among the ticks, the exophilic Haemaphysalis spp. were the commonest, including species that are not typically linked with companion animals (Haemaphysalis spinulosa and Haemaphysalis elliptica). The most prevalent pathogens found in the blood and fleas were Bartonella henselae and Mycoplasma haemofelis. In the ticks, the dog-associated Hepatozoon canis was most commonly found. A high degree of co-parasitism was found in all countries and habitats. Conclusions Our continent-wide standardized field study highlights the cat’s potential to serve as a reservoir of pathogens that can be transmitted to humans or livestock, especially when cats are expected to become more commonly kept in African villages and towns

Taenia solium cysticercosis in Eastern and Southern Africa: an emerging problem in agriculture and public health

Pig production has increased tremendously in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), particularly in smallholder rural communities. The increase in pig production has mainly been due to land scarcity, increase in pork consumption in many areas including urban centers, and the recognition by many communities of the fast and greater return of the pig industry, compared with other domesticated livestock industries. Concurrent with the increase in smallholder pig keeping and pork consumption, there have been increasing reports of Taenia solium cysticercosis in pigs and humans in the ESA region, although the problems are under-recognized by all levels in many ESA countries. Having recognizing this, scientists researching T. solium in ESA formed a regional cysticercosis working group (CWGESA) to increase awareness of the problem and enable effective and sustainable control of T. solium. This article summarizes the status of T. solium infections in humans and pigs in the ESA countries and highlights the formation and progress of the CWGESA

Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis and risk factors for Taenia solium taeniosis in Funyula Division of Busia District, Kenya

The prevalence of Cysticercus cellulosae in pigs was studied by antemortem lingual examination while the risk factors for Taenia solium taeniosis were evaluated by administration of a standard questionnaire. Antemortem lingual examination and palpation of 107 pigs of various ages showed that 15 (14%) had cysticercosis. Interviews of pig farmers in 72 households revealed that 98% allow their pigs to roam (free range) while only 2% tether their pigs. The tether ropes are weak and pigs easily break loose. There was no pig housing. Those households feeding pigs entirely on pasture were 89.6%, while 10% supplemented the pigs with fish waste (Omena) and brewers\' waste. Almost all the households (98%) had between 2 – 3 mature pigs. Fried pork was preferred by 85% of these households and 33% were practicing home slaughtering of pigs with no official meat inspection. Pit latrines were present in 83.3% of these households, which were used by adults. Pit latrines were lacking in 15% of the households while one household had a latrine, which was not used. Knowledge of Taenia solium taeniosis transmission was recorded in 37.5% of the households while 89.6% had previous tapeworm experiences. Those with active tapeworm infections composed 8.3% of the households. It was concluded that porcine cysticercosis is prevalent in free-range pigs in Funyula division. There is the possibility of Taenia soliumtaeniosis in human beings. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 29 2005: pp. 37-3

In vitro anthelmintic effects of crude aqueous extracts of Tephrosia vogelii, Tephrosia villosa and Carica papaya leaves and seeds

The prevalence of anthelmintic resistance and the consumer demand for alternative farming systems that limit the use of chemical anthelmintics has made the search for alternative gastrointestinal nematode parasites control methods crucial. Traditional medicinal/herbal plants can offer an alternative to the reliance on chemical anthelmintic drugs. This study evaluates the efficacy of crude aqueous extracts of Tephrosia vogelii Hook., Tephrosia villosa Pers., and Carica papaya Linn. leaves and Carica papaya Linn. seeds against gastrointestinal nematodes using in vitro egg hatch and larval development inhibition assays. Rectal faecal samples from sheep were subjected to parasitological examination for faecal egg counts (FEC) using the McMaster counting technique. 100 g of dried and poultice aqueous leaf extract of T. vogelii, T. villosa, C. papaya leaves and seeds was blended into liquefaction in 200 ml of distilled water then boiled at 90-100°C for 1 h and cooled. Levamisol and distilled water were used as positive and negative control in the bioassay. Egg hatch assay revealed more than 95.8% reduction in egg hatch at concentration of 500 mg/ml for dried and poultice paste of T. vogelii leaves and C. papaya seeds. Larval development inhibition assay results showed that both dried and poultice paste of T. vogelii leaves and C. papaya seeds extract yielded more than 98% inhibition at a concentration of 500 mg/ml. Based on the LD50 dried extract of C. papaya seeds was most potent extracts for the inhibition of both egg hatching (49.94 mg/ml) and larval development (49.32 mg/ml). Both poultice and dried extract for all the plants showed significant and dose dependent egg and larval development inhibition. These findings indicate that the evaluated plants have potential anthelmintic effect and could provide viable alternatives for the control of gastrointestinal helminthes in ruminants.Keywords: Aqueous extracts, Anthelmintic activity, Medicinal plants, Tephrosia vogelii, Tephrosia villosa, Carica papaya.African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(52) 4667-467