Skimmed milk as a determinant of vitamin A deficiency

Objective: To compare the levels of vitamin A in ultra-high temperature treated (UHT) whole milk (3.5% fat) and UHT skimmed milk (0.5% fat) using UV-visible light spectrophotometry and to compare the contribution of whole milk and skimmed milk to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin A.Design: Paired samples of liquid whole milk and liquid skimmed milk were used. Sampling and analysis were performed by different individuals to achieve a randomised blind design.Outcome measures: Thirty paired samples (n = 30) of whole milk and skimmed milk were evaluated for vitamin A content using UV-visible light spectrophotometry at 328 nm.Results: Absolute concentration of vitamin A was reduced from 208.830 ± 0.083 μg/L in whole milk to 35.855 ± 0.046 μg/L in skimmed milk. The 85.7% reduction in butterfat content from 3.5% in whole milk to 0.5% in skimmed milk was accompanied by an 82.824 ± 3.51% (mean ± SD) reduction in retinol content.Conclusion: The contribution of milk to the RDA for vitamin A was reduced from the standard 7.6% for whole milk to 1.30% for skimmed milk with 0.5% fat. The results emphasise the need for fortification of skimmed milk with vitamin A in order to augment the prevention of vitamin A deficiency diseases in developing countries.Keywords: recommended dietary allowance, skimmed milk, vitamin A, whole mil

Spatial and temporal distribution of cattle trypanosomosis in Zimbabwe between the period 1995 and 2011

African Animal Trypanosomosis is one of the most significant diseases to threaten livestock production in Zimbabwe. The objective of this study was to determine spatial and temporal distribution of trypanosomosis from 1995 to 2011. A retrospective assessment was done and the results indicated a general increase in the number of trypanosomosis outbreaks and cases over the study period. The sub-period 2003-2011 recorded a significantly (P < 0.01) higher mean annual number of outbreaks (39.4; CI, 28.9-49.9) than the sub-period 1995-2002 (6.8; CI, 5.5-8.1). The number of cases showed an increase with the last sub-period (2003-2011) recording a significantly (P < 0.01) higher mean annual number of cases (245.5; CI, 179.4-311.6) than the sub-period 1995-2002 (22.8; CI, 13.6-32.0). Increase in outbreaks and cases could be attributed to the inadequate resources for vector control from about the year 2002. Professional intervention and revision of current control methods and policies are therefore imperative.Keywords: African Animal Trypanosomosis, vector-borne disease, spatial - temporal distribution, Zimbabw

Prevalence of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis in donkeys in Nyaminyami District, Zimbabwe

A survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence of trypanosome species in donkeys in a tsetse-endemic district in north western Zimbabwe. A total of 153 donkeys were conveniently selected from three wards in the district. Blood samples were collected for microscopic and molecular detection. All samples were negative for trypanosomes by Giemsa staining. Three samples (1.96%) were positive on the buffy coat smears. Using the PCR assay, only T. congolense was detected with a point prevalence of 18.3% (28/153), with 0% (0/153) detection of both T. brucei and T.vivax. The mean PCV (24.53±3.4) of infected donkeys was insignificantly lower than that of non-infected donkeys (25.44±4.2), (p>0.05). The results show the presence of trypanosome infection in donkeys in Zimbabwe, a higher sensitivity of the ITS1 PCR assay for the detection of trypanosomes compared to the other detection methods, and the potential role of donkeys as reservoirs of trypanosomes.Keywords: Prevalence, Trypanosomosis, Donkeys, PCR, Zimbabw

Spatiotemporal patterns of clinical bovine dermatophilosis in Zimbabwe 1995–2014

A retrospective study of clinical bovine dermatophilosis outbreaks and cases for the period 1995–2014 was conducted, using data obtained from the Division of Veterinary Services (DVS). A total of 3856 outbreaks and 26 659 cases of dermatophilosis were reported countrywide during this period. The post rainy season accounted for 37.9% of the outbreaks followed by the rainy season (26.7%), cold dry season (22.1%) and the hot dry season (13.2%). A retrospective space–time scan statistic in SaTScanTM was used to detect clusters. From this study, it was evident that dermatophilosis was spreading from the north-west of Zimbabwe through the central to the north-east during the period 2010–2014. Five clusters were identified mainly in the central and north-western regions of Zimbabwe. The primary cluster was centred at Ungwe, Gokwe district in Midlands; the second, third, fourth and fifth likely clusters were centred at Bonga (Mashonaland Central), ARDA (Mashonaland West), Nsenga (Matabeleland North) and Zanda in Gokwe, respectively. The findings of this study suggest the continued spread of dermatophilosis across the country; as such the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services are advised to develop measures aimed at managing this spread such as dipping, quarantine, movement control and raising farmer awareness