Effects of vitamin A supplementation in local free range chickens vaccinated with Newcastle disease vaccine in Wami Dakawa, Morogoro, Tanzania

Vitamin A is required for normal growth, reproduction and maintenance of epithelial cells chicken’s tissues. In this study, the effect of vitamin A supplementation in chickens immunized with Newcastle disease virus vaccine (strain I-2) was investigated in free range local chickens in Wami-Dakawa, Morogoro region. A total of 40 chickens were divided into four groups with ten birds each namely, Group I, II, III and IV. Group I was treated vaccination and vitamin A, group II were neither vaccinated nor supplemented with vitamin A, group III were vaccinated only and group IV were supplemented with vitamin A only. There were significant increase (p<0.05) in immune response in vaccinated chickens supplemented with vitamin A supplement compared to chickens in other three groups. Therefore, this study suggests that vitamin A should be supplemented to scavenging local chickens during vaccination programme to increase immunization efficiency in the local chickens. Key words: Newcastle virus disease, I-2 vaccine, scavenging local chickens

Concurrent Infection With Dengue and Chikungunya Viruses in Humans and Mosquitoes: A Field Survey in Lower Moshi, Tanzania

Introduction: Dengue and Chikungunya have re-emerged as important diseases of global concern. Co-infections with Dengue virus (DENV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) could have serious outcomes if not diagnosed and managed optimally. However, the key focal points for the maintenance of CHIKV and DENV infections and the extent of their co-infection remain poorly understood in many geo-ecologically distinct parts of Tanzania.Objective: We aimed to comparatively examine the prevalence and factors for seropositivity to DENV and CHIKV and their infection rates in humans and mosquitoesMethods: A cross-sectional study was performed in the Lower Moshi area of the Kilimanjaro region from April to July 2020. DENV and CHIKV exposure was determined by detecting IgM to the viruses using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay whereas infection was determined by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay.Results: Insecticide Treated Bed Net (ITN) use (χ2=3.504; p< 0.05), being ≥7 individuals living in the same household (χ2=4.655; p<0.05) and a recent travel to an urban destination (χ2=3.39; p< 0.05) were the only factors associated with CHIKV seropositivity. ITN use was the only factor associated with CHIKV infection (χ2=5.204; p<0.05). A recent travel to an urban destination (χ2=4.401; p< 0.05) was the only factor associated with DENV seropositivity. Five (1.5%) Ae. aegypti pools were positive for CHIKV whereas 1 (0.3%) was positive for DENV. Two Cx. pipiens, pools (1.9%) were positive for CHIKV. None of the Cx. pipiens mosquitoes was positive for DENV. No associations between DENV and CHIKV seropositivity was observed in humans but DENV infection was strongly associated with CHIKV infection (χ2 = 238.45; p<0.01). CHIKV infection was observed to be consistently higher in both, humans and mosquitoes.Conclusion: Detection of DENV and CHIKV in both humans and vector mosquitoes confirms that both viruses are actively circulating in the Lower Moshi area of Kilimanjaro region in Tanzania. Our findings point out the Lower Moshi area as a potential focal point for the maintenance of the two viruses and possibly other vector borne viruses. We call upon sustained active surveillance of arboviruses and other re-emerging infections to be better prepared for possible outbreaks by the viruses

Isolation and Potential for Transmission of Mycobacterium bovis at Human–livestock–wildlife Interface of the Serengeti Ecosystem, Northern Tanzania

Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), is a multihost pathogen of public health and veterinary importance. We characterized the M. bovis isolated at the human-livestock-wildlife interface of the Serengeti ecosystem to determine the epidemiology and risk of cross-species transmission between interacting hosts species. DNA was extracted from mycobacterial cultures obtained from sputum samples of 472 tuberculosis (TB) suspected patients and tissue samples from 606 livestock and wild animal species. M. bovis isolates were characterized using spoligotyping and Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Units-Variable Tandem Repeats (MIRU-VNTR) on 24 loci. Only 5 M. bovis were isolated from the cultured samples. Spoligotyping results revealed that three M. bovis isolates from two buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) and 1 African civet (Civettictis civetta) belonged to SB0133 spoligotype. The two novel strains (AR1 and AR2) assigned as spoligotype SB2290 and SB2289, respectively, were identified from indigenous cattle (Bos indicus). No M. bovis was detected from patients with clinical signs consistent with TB. Of the 606 animal tissue specimens and sputa of 472 TB-suspected patients 43 (7.09%) and 12 (2.9%), respectively, yielded non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), of which 20 isolates were M. intracellulare. No M. avium was identified. M. bovis isolates from wildlife had 45.2% and 96.8% spoligotype pattern agreement with AR1 and AR2 strains, respectively. This finding indicates that bTB infections in wild animals and cattle were epidemiologically related. Of the 24 MIRU-VNTR loci, QUB 11b showed the highest discrimination among the M. bovis strains. The novel strains obtained in this study have not been previously reported in the area, but no clear evidence for recent cross-species transmission of M. bovis was found between human, livestock and wild animals

Mechanisms for salmonella infection and potential management options in chicken

This research article published by The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 2020Salmonella enterica is the largest species in genus Salmonella with its serovars responsible for infection in chickens and other warm-blooded hosts. After oral ingestion, Salmonella penetrates the mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). It then provokes gastroenteritis and systemic infection to chickens of all ages depending on the serovar involved. The paper explains about Salmonella infection via Type Three Secretion System (TTSS) encoded Pathogenicity Islands (PIs) and how the bacterium survives the acidic environment of GIT. It also explains the roles of TTSS-1 and TTSS-2 in translocation of effectors that interfere with host proteins and later internalisation of Salmonella in Salmonella- containing vacuole (SCV). Other virulence factors such as plasmid, biofilm and lipopolysaccharides are highlighted, and their importance in inducing pathogenicity to host was also included in the paper. Therefore, several factors are geared toward survival, infection, and replication of Salmonella in the host cells. Hence, this article explains the mechanisms of Salmonella infection in chicken, its persistence in different environments and the approaches in controlling chicken salmonellosis

Detection of Rift Valley Fever Virus Interepidemic Activity in Lower Moshi area of Kilimanjaro Region, North Eastern Tanzania: A Community Survey

This research article published by Research square, 2021Background: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic arbovirus of public health impact infecting livestock, wildlife, and humans mainly in Africa and other parts of the world. Despite its public health importance, mechanisms of RVFV maintenance during inter-epidemic (IEPS) periods and potentially spread to new areas remain unclear.We aimed to comparatively examine exposure to RVFV and RVFV infection among humans, goats and mosquitoes in an agro-pastoral community in Lower Moshi area of Moshi rural district. Results:Results show that the male gender was related to RVFV seropositivity (χ2 = 5.351; p=0.030). Being 50 years and above was related to seropositivity (χ2=14.430; p=0.006) whereas bed net use, larger numbers of persons living in the same house (>7 persons) and RVFV seropositivity in goats were related to higher seropositivity to RVFV among humans (χ2=6.003; p=0.021, χ2=23.213; p=0.000 and 27.053; p=0.000), respectively.RVFV antibody concentrations were only marginally higher in humans without statistically significant difference [t (112) =0.526; p=0.60)]. By the use of RT-qPCR, goats exhibited the highest RVFV infection rate of 4.1%, followed by humans (2.6%), Aedes spp(2.3%), and Culex spp(1.5%). Conclusions: In the absence of RVFV infection data in areas nearby the study site, our findings suggest Lower Moshi area as a potential hotspot for RVF, posing the danger of being a source of RVFV spread to other areas. Goats had the highest infection rate, suggesting goats as important hosts in the virus maintenance during IEPs. We recommend the design and implementation of strategies that will warrant effective active surveillance of RVF through the identification of RVF hotspots for targeted control of RVF

Bovine tuberculosis in east Africa

The zoonotic Mycobacterium bovis is a pathogen of significance in the dairy industry in many parts of the world. Although the pathogen primarily affects cattle, it has a wide host range including humans. A cross-sectional study was carried out in three agro-ecological zones of Tanzania, namely the southern highlands zone (SHZ), eastern zone (EZ) and northern zone (NZ), to examine the status of the disease in cattle, in order to inform control measures. A total of 391, 169 and 401 cattle were tested for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in the SHZ, EZ and NZ respectively using the Single Intradermal Comparative Cervical Tuberculin Test (SICTT). Results showed that the prevalence of bTB was higher (P<0.05) in EZ 2.37% (n = 169) compared to SHZ 1.3% (n=391) and NZ, where no positive result was recorded (n = 401). Thirty three cattle from SHZ and seven from EZ showed inconclusive results. In Kenya, 625 cattle from four sites within agro-pastoral and pastoral production systems were tested. In one area of Mwingi County, eastern Kenya, all the 161 cattle tested negative; while in the other three sites of Migori, in Nyanza, West Pokot and Laikipia in the Rift Valley, prevalence of 4-6% was obtained with SICTT. Bovine TB occurs in the region and may pose a public health threat through occupational activities and/or consumption of animal products, especially since no obvious clinical signs were observed in positive animals. Policy issues on how to deal with positive cases, creation of awareness on this important zoonotic disease, and a simple test to quickly identify sick animals in the field require urgent attention.La bact\ue9rie zoonotique Mycobacterium bovis est un agent pathog\ue8ne d\u2019importance dans l\u2019industrie laiti\ue8re partout dans le monde entier. Bien que l\u2019agent pathog\ue8ne affecte essentiellement les bovins, il peut infecter une large range d\u2019h\uf4tes l\u2019homme y compris. Une \ue9tude transversale a \ue9t\ue9 r\ue9alis\ue9e dans trois zones agro-\ue9cologiques de la Tanzanie, notamment la zone Sud (SHZ), la zone Est (EZ) et la zone Nord (NZ), afin d\u2019examiner la pr\ue9valence de cette maladie chez les bovins, en vue de d\ue9finir des mesures pour son contr\uf4le. Au total, 391, 169 et 401 bovins ont \ue9t\ue9 testes pour la tuberculose bovine (bTB) respectivement dans le SHZ, EZ et NZ. Le test Intradermique Comparatif a la Tuberculine Cervicale (SICTT). Les r\ue9sultats ont montr\ue9 que la pr\ue9valence de bTB \ue9tait \ue9lev\ue9e (p<0.05) en EZ 2.37% (n = 169) comparativement \ue0 SHZ 1.3% (n=391) et NZ, ou aucun cas positif n\u2019a \ue9t\ue9 enregistre (n = 401). Trente-trois bovins de SHZ et 7 de EZ ont montre des r\ue9sultats non conclusifs. Au Kenya, 625 bovins provenant de quatre sites au sein des syst\ue8mes de production agro-pastorale et pastorale ont \ue9t\ue9 testes. Dans une zone de Mwingi a l\u2019Est du Kenya, tous les 161 bovins ont \ue9t\ue9 testes n\ue9gative; tandis que dans les trois autres sites de Migori, en Nyanza, West Pokot et Laikipia dans la vall\ue9e du Rift, la pr\ue9valence \ue9tait de 4-6% avec le test SICTT. La tuberculose bovine est pr\ue9sent\ue9 dans la r\ue9gion et peut engendrer des menaces de sante publique au travers des activit\ue9s d\u2019\ue9levage et la consommation de viandes infect\ue9es, surtout qu\u2019aucun signe Clinique \ue9vident n\u2019a \ue9t\ue9 observe chez les animaux d\ue9pist\ue9s positifs. Il est important et urgent de d\ue9finir des mesures de gestion des cas positifs, de sensibiliser les populations sur les risques probables et de rendre disponibles des kits de tests rapides permettant d\u2019identifier \ue0 temps les animaux atteints

Usage of indices for extraction of built-up areas and vegetation features from landsat TM image: a case of Dar es Salaam and Kisarawe peri-urban areas, Tanzania

This paper address the use of Indices Combination with supervision classification methods to extract urban built up areas, vegetation and water features from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM7) imagery covering Dar es Salaam and Kisarawe peri-urban areas. The study uses three indices; Normalized Difference Built up Index (NDBI), Modified Landsat TM7 image into three thematic-oriented bands. Data correlation, spectral confusion and redundancy between original multispectral bands were significantly reduced upon application of the techniques. As a result, the spectral signatures of the three urban land use classes are well separated. Through a supervised classification on the newly formed image, the urban built-up areas, vegetation and water features were finally extracted effectively; with the accuracy of 82.05 percent attained. The results show that the technique is effective and reliable and can be considered for use in other areas with similar characteristics.This article is also available at: http://journal.saup.org/ija

Impact of Biofuel Production on Land-Use Change: Case of Jatropha Farming, Kisarawe District, Tanzania

Modern Environmental Science and Engineering, 2017; 3 (4): 263-271Globally, agricultural sector is the major driver for land use change (LUC), in East Africa where savannas, grassland and shrubland are dominant, land previously occupied by forests is the major source of new agricultural land. The use of agricultural-based biofuels has been expanding worldwide, biofuel farming associated with LUC should be measured as the direct land use change (dLUC); when a biofuel feedstock (e.g., jatropha) directly displaces another land use. The indirect land use change (iLUC); when a productive land use displaced by a biofuel feedstock propels the conversion of native vegetation elsewhere. Few studies have been carried out in Tanzania to investigate the effect of agriculture-based biofuel on LUC, the objective of this study was to investigate the LUC resulting from jatropha production introduced in year 2009 by Sunbiofuel Company in villages within Kisarawe District, Coast Region. Remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) techniques on Landsat multidate satellite imagery and secondary data were used to establish patterns of direct and indirect LUC. Multidate satellite images were classified and analyzed to study the LUC at three epochs; before cultivation (year 1985), immediately after starting production (year 2010) and year 2011. The study revealed a significant increase in cultivated land, a decrease in forested land and encroachment into forest reserve. It was concluded that the conversion of land used for crop production into jatropha farming caused direct and indirect LUC in the area. The outputs from the study can be used as inputs to the models and methodologies for quantifying LUC effects due to introduction/expansion of biofuels production within a district.Norwgegian Development Agenc

Molecular diversity of Theileria parva: a case study of Kilosa district, Morogoro, Tanzania

Theileria parva is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite which causes East Coast fever (ECF) in Eastern and Central Africa. A study was conducted between February and May 2012 in Morogoro region to determine the diversity of the T. Parva parasite circulating in cattle in Kilosa district. Also ECF cases reported between 2008 and 2009 at Veterinary Investigation Centres (VIC’s) were analysed retrospectively to gain insight into the current status of ECF in Tanzania. A total of 100 cattle and 95 ticks were investigated. Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to determine the diversiyof T. parva by amplification of surface protein (p67). The study revealed the existence of two strains of T. parva with 800 and 900 bp respectively. This study revealed T. parva allele which has never been reported to be present in the imported ECF trivalent vaccine (“Muguga cocktail”) currently in use. Retrospective analysis on ECF cases of the disease indicated lower prevalence of ECF compared to the prevalence reported by other workers. These findings call for more study on the molecular epidemiology of T. parva circulating in cattle in the different grazing lands in Tanzania. The VICs are required to improve their diagnostic facilities and database.Keywords: Indigenous cattle, pastoralists, molecular epidemiology, genotypin