Studies on Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour of dogs in Mvomero and Morogoro municipality, Tanzania

Canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a contagious tumour that is naturally transmitted between dogs by the allogeneic transfer of living tumour cells during coitus. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mvomero and Morogoro Municipality between September and November 2017 in order to determine the prevalence of CTVT and level of people’s awareness on the disease. The knowledge and interventions in reference to CTVT were evaluated using a structured questionnaire, whereas the status of the disease in animals was investigated through clinical examination. A total of 200 respondents were interviewed and 300 dogs were examined. Results on questionnaire showed that, most of the respondents had their dogs managed freely as stray dogs. Majority of the dog owners had one to five dogs and with no controlled breeding. It was further established that majority of the respondents knew CTVT as a disease of bleeding in dogs and had seen dogs affected by the disease suggesting that the disease iscommon in the study areas. Nevertheless, the real cause and treatment was not clear to most of the dog keepers. Based on clinical examination of dogs, the prevalence of CTVT in dogs was 12%, with Mvomero district having more cases of CTVT, 23 (15.4%) than Morogoro Municipality which had 13 (8.6%). In Mvomero district, Dakawa ward had the highest number of CTVT cases 12 (8.1%). Furthermore, it was found that male dogs were more affected by CTVT (15.3%) as compared to female dogs (8.7%). This study shows that magnitude of CTVT is high in the study area and insufficient knowledge and misconception on clinical presentation, spread, and treatments of the disease prevail. Therefore deliberate measures aimed at minimizing the problem need to be taken. Key words: TVT, dogs, management, tumour

Rabbit management and occurrences of mange mite infestations in rabbit farms in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Morogoro Municipality between September and December 2015 to explore the rabbit farming and assess the common health problems with a focus on epidemiology of mange infestation. A total of 18 rabbit farms with 622 animals from 9 wards were investigated. A questionnaire was administered to the rabbit farmers to gather information on rabbit management and the associated challenges. All rabbits found in the farms were examined for mange lesions and skin scrapping was collected and analysed for mange mites in the laboratory using standard procedures. It was found that Morogoro Municipality had 18 rabbit farms with average of 34.6±23.1 rabbits per farm. Farmers reported to keep rabbits as sources of meat and income. Most of rabbits (83.1%) were raised in cages and were fed on green herbes, grasses and concentrates. Constraints to rabbit production were availability of good feeds, predators, lack of extension services and diseases particularly diarrhoea, infertility and skin conditions. Mange mite infestation was reported by 33.3% of respondents and poor hygiene, not resting of rabbit house and keeping of rabbits on the floor were significant (P < 0.05) factors for mange infestation. Prevalence of mange infestation was 23.2% and 33% in rabbits and farms respectively. All the mange mites observed were identified as Sarcoptes scabiei cuniculi. The observed clinical lesions were predictors of mange mite infestations (p=0.0000072283). Rabbit production in Morogoro is at infancy stage and is constrained with many drawbacks. Mange mites are prevalent in rabbit farms in Morogoro Municipality and therefore proper animal husbandry practices and application of acaricides are recommended.Keywords: Mange mites, rabbit management, diseases, prevalenc

Evaluation of chemotherapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of Kelamedium® in Bovine trypanosomosis

Chemotherapeutic and chemo-prophylactic efficacy of Kelamedium® an isometamidium was evaluated in five medium dairy farms and two traditional herds with a number of animals above 6 months age being 275 and 100 respectively. The trial also involved 42 smallholder dairy herds with 316 animals. The animals were clinically examined for trypanosomosis signs then screened for haemoparasites using blood smears and micro-centrifugation methods. Positive animals on smears were classified as “cases” and were treated with a curative dose (1 mg/kg bodyweight) of Kelamidium® and monitored for parasitological recovery on days three, six and nine. A total of six “cases” were encountered and five which were treated with Kelamidium® showed parasitogical and clinical recovery by days 3 and 9 respectively, whereas one animal died. Smear negative animals were randomly assigned to two treatment groups; with one group receiving a prophylactic dose (0.5 mg/kg) of Kelamidium® and the controls being treated with the same dose of Samorin®. These animals were then monitored clinically and re-screened on days 60 and 90-post intervention for re-infections. Kelamidium® showed a prophylactic efficacy of 99.4% and this was comparable (p>0.05) to that of Samorin® (99.7%). These results thus show that Kelamidium® offers an alternative choice to Samorin®.Kela (Hoogstraten Laboratories Belgium

Assessment of coliform bacterial contaminations in raw cow milk from selected dairy farms in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania

Milk quality depends on many parameters including microbial status which mainly originate from the lactating animal itself. Secondary sources of microbial contaminations occur along the milk production chain. Unhygienic harvesting, handling and processing of raw cow milk affect its microbial quality. Microbial contaminations in milk cause spoilage and milk-borne diseases in humans. The current cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the levels of coliform bacterial contaminations in raw cow milk collected from different dairy farms in Morogoro Municipality. A total of 20 farms with lactating dairy cattle were visited and 20 raw cow milk samples were collected for coliform bacteria analysis using standard procedures. East African Standards for coliform count were used to ascertain for raw milk coliform contaminations. Before sampling, some basic information on milking, milk handling, storage and processing were gathered through a questionnaire. It was found that the mean cattle herd size from which the sample was taken was 48 ±8 with mean lactating cows in the herd being 15 ± 28. The general status of coliform bacteria in milk indicated that the contamination rate was 95%. The average total coliform count was 8.1 ± 8.2 (log TCC cfu/ml). The assessed farm activities including type of milking, containers used in milking and storage, occurrences of mastitis and milk storage conditions significantly contributed to coliform bacterial contamination in raw cow milk (p<0.05). It was concluded that almost all the raw cow milk assessed were heavily contaminated with coliform bacteria which implies that either the cows had bacterial infections or there was unhygienic practices in the process of milking, milk handling and storage. This calls for the need of education to the farmers on hygienic way of handling milk along the value chain so as to minimize unnecessary contaminations which can be of public health significance.Keywords: Raw cow milk, coliforms, Morogor

Evaluation of chemotherapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of Kelamedium® in Bovine trypanosomosis

Chemotherapeutic and chemo-prophylactic efficacy of Kelamedium® an isometamidium was evaluated in five medium dairy farms and two traditional herds with a number of animals above 6 months age being 275 and 100 respectively. The trial also involved 42 smallholder dairy herds with 316 animals. The animals were clinically examined for trypanosomosis signs then screened for haemoparasites using blood smears and micro-centrifugation methods. Positive animals on smears were classified as “cases” and were treated with a curative dose (1 mg/kg bodyweight) of Kelamidium® and monitored for parasitological recovery on days three, six and nine. A total of six “cases” were encountered and five which were treated with Kelamidium® showed parasitogical and clinical recovery by days 3 and 9 respectively, whereas one animal died. Smear negative animals were randomly assigned to two treatment groups; with one group receiving a prophylactic dose (0.5 mg/kg) of Kelamidium® and the controls being treated with the same dose of Samorin®. These animals were then monitored clinically and re-screened on days 60 and 90-post intervention for re-infections. Kelamidium® showed a prophylactic efficacy of 99.4% and this was comparable (p>0.05) to that of Samorin® (99.7%). These results thus show that Kelamidium® offers an alternative choice to Samorin®.Kela (Hoogstraten Laboratories Belgium

Possible involvement of Dioscorea species in human poisoning at Bwakila Juu in Morogoro Rural District, Tanzania

For many years‘ wild plants are known to be used as a source of food, medicines, poisons and for ornamental purposes. Dioscorea are reported to be poisonous but if well processed the local people in places where they are found eat them as food especially during hunger. The purpose of this study was to assess the toxicity of Dioscorea spp. after it was reported that the plant was involved in deaths of two humans in Bwakila Juu in Morogoro Rural District. Two types of Dioscorea bulbils were collected, one being aerial (D1) and the second was tuber (D2), they were sliced, dried under the sun and grounded to make coarse powder. Toxicity test of Dioscorea spp. was done using 4 weeks 60 cockerels which were allocated into 6 groups each consisting of 10 birds. Cockerels in groups I – III were fed with chick starter mash which was mixed with D1 Dioscorea bulbils coarse powder at a concentration of 0%, 10% and 20%; group IV - VI were fed D2 bulbils‘ coarse powder mixed with chick starter mash at a concentration of 0%, 10% and 20%. The feeding experiment was done for four days and any changes in clinical signs and deaths were observed for 7 days. In addition, blood samples were collected from all the birds on day 7 of the experiment to measure for aspartate aminotransferase enzyme (AST), albumin and total protein. All the cockerels in group III fed on 20% of D1 started developing clinical signs of inappetence, ruffled feathers, severe diarrhea, convulsion and torticollis. On day 1 of feeding, one bird died and the other two deaths were recorded on day 2. Postmortem results indicated generalized hemorrhages in the lungs and atria, hyperemia of the atria, congestion of kidneys, mucohaemorrhagic intestinal contents and generalized enteritis. The birds in the other groups appeared normal throughout the 7 days of observation but were all sacrificed for postmortem examination which again did not show significant lesions. The mean AST concentration in the plasma (16.9 ± 0.2 μg/l) of the treated birds was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to the birds in the control groups which is an indication of the liver damage. The total protein and albumin in plasma of all the birds was within normal ranges. Almost six incidences of Dioscorea spp. poisoning in humans in which lead to death were reported by the local people in Bwakila Juu during different periods normally occurred during shortage of food. These preliminary results suggest that Dioscorea spp. may be involved in human poisoning. More studies are recommended before concluding with certainty the involvement of Dioscorea spp. in human poisoning.Keywords: wild plants, Dioscorea, poisoning, cockerel

Studies on seroprevalence and risk factors for occurrence of Bovine brucellosis in cattle in Lindi district, Tanzania

Brucellosis is a contagious bacterial zoonotic disease of public health importance worldwide. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2017 in Lindi District to estimate the seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle, assess farmers‘ knowledge and to identify risk factors for Brucella infection in animals. Questionnaires were administered to 60 livestock keepers and blood samples collected from 300 cattle for brucellosis analysis using Rose Bengal Plate Test and competitive-enzyme linked immune-sorbent (cELISA) assay tests. Results indicated that almost half (48.3%) of the households owned small herds which were mostly (58.7%) indigenous cattle. Proportions of positive reactors to brucellosis were 6.0% and 5.2% based on RBPT and c-ELISA respectively. Adult cattle were found to be frequently affected by brucellosis than young ones, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Comparable frequencies of infection were found in different sex groups and among cattle from different wards and different herd sizes. Most of the farmers lacked knowledge of brucellosis. History of abortion (p=0.00) and improper disposal of aborted materials (p=0.04) were found to be significantly associated with occurrence of bovine brucellosis in cattle. This study reports for the first time on occurrence of brucellosis in Lindi District and highlights on the possible risk factors for its transmission in cattle. Control efforts need to be put in place for this and other diseases with serious public and economic impacts the public.Key words: Cattle, brucellosis, seroprevalenc

Risk factors for human cutaneous anthrax outbreaks in the hot-spot districts of Northern Tanzania: an unmatched case control study

Royal Society of Open Science, 2018; 5: 180479Bacillus anthracis is an aerobic, Gram-positive and sporeforming bacterium, which causes anthrax in herbivores. Humans get infected after coming into contact with infected animals’ products. An unmatched case–control study was conducted to identify the importance of demographic, biological and/or behavioural factors associated with human cutaneous anthrax outbreaks in the hotspot areas of Northern Tanzania. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to both cases and controls. The age range of participants was 1–80 years with a median age of 32 years. In the younger group (1–20 years), the odds of being infected were 25 times higher in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group (OR¼ 25, 95% CI ¼ 1.5–410). By contrast, the odds of exposure in the old group ( 20 years) were three times lower in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group (OR ¼ 3.2, 95% CI ¼ 1.28–8.00). Demographic characteristics, sleeping on animal’s skins, contacting with infected carcasses through skinning and butchering, and not having formal education were linked to exposure for anthrax infection. Hence, a One Health approach is inevitable for the prevention and control of anthrax outbreaks in the hotspot areas of Northern Tanzania.The World Ban

Risk factors for human cutaneous anthrax outbreaks in the hot-spot districts of Northern Tanzania: an unmatched case control study

Royal Society of Open Science, 2018; 5: 180479Bacillus anthracis is an aerobic, Gram-positive and sporeforming bacterium, which causes anthrax in herbivores. Humans get infected after coming into contact with infected animals’ products. An unmatched case–control study was conducted to identify the importance of demographic, biological and/or behavioural factors associated with human cutaneous anthrax outbreaks in the hotspot areas of Northern Tanzania. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to both cases and controls. The age range of participants was 1–80 years with a median age of 32 years. In the younger group (1–20 years), the odds of being infected were 25 times higher in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group (OR¼ 25, 95% CI ¼ 1.5–410). By contrast, the odds of exposure in the old group ( 20 years) were three times lower in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group (OR ¼ 3.2, 95% CI ¼ 1.28–8.00). Demographic characteristics, sleeping on animal’s skins, contacting with infected carcasses through skinning and butchering, and not having formal education were linked to exposure for anthrax infection. Hence, a One Health approach is inevitable for the prevention and control of anthrax outbreaks in the hotspot areas of Northern Tanzania.The World Ban

Burden of human brucellosis and risk factors in animal-human interface: A case study in Mikumi-Selous ecosystem, Morogoro Tanzania

Fever causing zoonoses such as brucellosis are common in sub-Saharan countries and rarely routinely diagnosed in patients with febrile conditions. The aim of this cross sectional study was to establish the burden and risk factors of human brucellosis in animal-human interface areas in Mikumi-Selous ecosystem, Tanzania. The study was undertaken from January 2011 to February 2012. Brucellosis screening was carried out by Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT) in serum from fever (n=1509) and none fever (n=298) patients attending at selected health facilities. The overall sero-prevalence of brucellosis in human was 20.5% (95% CI: 18.7-22.5, n=1807). A highly significant (P = 0.0001) infection rate was found in fever group 23.9% (n = 1509) than individuals in non-fever group (3.7%). Mvomero district had higher prevalence (P = 0.0001, OR = 1.42) (36.1%) than other districts. Questionnaires were administered to 369 brucellosis screened respondents in their households. It was found that contact with cattle manure, milking work, and contact with placenta during assisted parturition and home slaughter were the significant risk factors for transmission of brucellosis by direct contact. However, consumption of raw unpasteurized milk, undercooked or raw meat and raw blood constituted a major threat of brucellosis to the community in the study area. Brucellosis is prevalent in human distributed in all districts posing a health threat to pastoral and agro-pastoral communities. Participatory intervention through One-Health approach coupled with effective mass vaccination program in animals is vital for control and eradication of the disease.Keywords: Brucellosis, humans, animals, Mikumi-Selous Ecosystem, risk factor