Microclimatic effect on vertical migration of Haemonchus contortus and Haemonchus placei third-stage larvae on irrigated Kikuyu pasture

The influence of microclimate on numbers of third-stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus and Haemonchus placei in four strata of irrigated Kikuyu pasture was assessed. On 36 different, interspersed days three replicates of pasture samples were collected on three occasions per day from 1990-1992 for larval recovery and the log₁₀ mean counts of the larvae recovered were analysed by use of ANOVA models. Because the ground-surface area from which herbage was collected was standardized, estimated larval counts for the different strata could be compared; this was not possible in our previous studies. For H. contortus, the estimated larval counts in the four strata were predicted by microclimatic air temperature, relative humidity and soil moisture, with the coefficient-of-determination (R²) values ranging from 0,15-0,35. Of these, air temperature had the greatest effect. The same three predictors, together with illumination and wind speed, featured for H. placei, with R² values of 0,19-0,52. With the exception of wind speed and illumination, which (for H. placei) had the opposite effect, all the microclimatic parameters listed, predicted an increase in numbers of larvae from a lower to an upper strata.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.University of Pretoria. Foundation for Research Development. Meat Board of South Africa. Department of Agriculture.mn201

Taenia solium porcine cysticercosis in Madagascar: Comparison of immuno-diagnostic techniques and estimation of the prevalence in pork carcasses traded in Antananarivo city

Taenia solium cysticercosis was reported in official veterinary and medical statistics to be highly prevalent in pigs and humans in Madagascar, but few estimates are available for pigs. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of porcine cysticercosis among pigs slaughtered in Antananarivo abattoirs. Firstly, the diagnostic performance of two antigen-ELISA techniques (B158B60 Ag-ELISA and HP10 Ag-ELISA) and an immunoblotting method were compared with meat inspection procedures on a sample of pigs suspected to be infected with (group 1; n = 250) or free of (group 2; n = 250) T. solium based on direct veterinary inspection in Madagascar. Sensitivity and specificity of the antigen ELISAs were then estimated using a Bayesian approach for detection of porcine cysticercosis in the absence of a gold standard. Then, a third set of pig sera (group 3, n = 250) was randomly collected in Antananarivo slaughterhouses and tested to estimate the overall prevalence of T. solium contamination in pork meat traded in Antananarivo. The antigen ELISAs showed a high sensitivity (>84%), but the B158B60 Ag-ELISA appeared to be more specific than the HP10 Ag-ELISA (model 1: 95% vs 74%; model 2: 87% vs 71%). The overall prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in Antananarivo slaughterhouses was estimated at 2.3% (95% credibility interval [95%CrI]: 0.09–9.1%) to 2.6% (95%CrI: 0.1–10.3%) depending on the model and priors used. Since the sample used in this study is not representative of the national pig population, village-based surveys and longitudinal monitoring at slaughter are needed to better estimate the overall prevalence, geographical patterns and main risk factors for T. solium contamination, in order to improve control policies. (Résumé d'auteur

Brucellosis remains a neglected disease inthe developing world: a call forinterdisciplinary action

Brucellosis places significant burdens on the human healthcare system and limits the economic growth of individuals, communities, and nations where such development is especially important to diminish the prevalence of poverty. The implementation of public policy focused on mitigating the socioeconomic effects of brucellosis in human and animal populations is desperately needed. When developing a plan to mitigate the associated consequences, it is vital to consider both the abstract and quantifiable effects. This requires an interdisciplinary and collaborative, or One Health, approach that consists of public education, the development of an infrastructure for disease surveillance and reporting in both veterinary and medical fields, and campaigns for control in livestock and wildlife species

Model of success : World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology African Foundation (1997-2019)

No abstract available.http://www.jsava.co.za/index.php/jsavapm2020Veterinary Tropical Disease

Isoprenoid emission in hygrophyte and xerophyte European woody flora: ecological and evolutionary implications

Aim The relationship between isoprenoid emission and hygrophily was investigated in woody plants of the Italian flora, which is representative of European diversity. Methods Volatile isoprenoids (isoprene and monoterpenes) were measured, or data collected from the literature, for 154 species native or endemic to the Mediterranean. The Ellenberg indicator value for moisture (EIVM) was used to describe plant hygrophily. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out at a broader taxonomic scale on 128 species, and then refined on strong isoprene emitters (Salix and Populus species) based on isoprene synthase gene sequences (IspS). Results Isoprene emitters were significantly more common and isoprene emission was higher in hygrophilous EIVM classes, whereas monoterpene emitters were more widespread and monoterpene emission was higher in xeric classes. However, when controlling for phylogeny, isoprene emission was not associated with EIVM, possibly due to the large presence of Salicaceae among hygrophilous isoprene emitters. Moreover, the distribution of isoprene emitters among EIVM classes was not related to IspS-based phylogenesis in Populus and Salix, suggesting that the gene has not undergone evolution linked to ecological pressure. In contrast, the monoterpene emission pattern is independent of phylogeny, suggesting that the evolution of monoterpenes is associated with transitions to more xeric habitats. Main conclusions Our results reveal an interesting ecological pattern linking isoprenoids and water availability. We suggest that isoprene is a trait that: (1) evolved in plants adapted to high water availability; (2) is replaced by more effective protection mechanisms, e.g. more stable isoprenoids, in plants adapting to more xeric environments; and (3) being strongly constrained by phylogeny, persists in Salicaceae adapted to more xeric environments

Animal influence on water, sanitation and hygiene measures for zoonosis control at the household level: A systematic literature review

Neglected zoonotic diseases (NZDs) have a significant impact on the livelihoods of the world’s poorest populations, which often lack access to basic services. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programmes are included among the key strategies for achieving the World Health Organization’s 2020 Roadmap for Implementation for control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). There exists a lack of knowledge regarding the effect of animals on the effectiveness of WASH measures. This review looked to identify how animal presence in the household influences the effectiveness of water, hygiene and sanitation measures for zoonotic disease control in low and middle income countries; to identify gaps of knowledge regarding this topic based on the amount and type of studies looking at this particular interaction

Recommended Terminology and Advances in the Systematics of the Cyathostominea (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) of Horses

Terminology for common names for the Tribe Cyathostominea (cyathostomins), and disease caused by the nematodes (cyathostominosis), were recommended to replace the previously used names cyathostomes and cyathostomosis, which are ambiguous, inaccurate or synonymous, by the Third Internal Workshop on the Systematics of Cyathostominea of Horses, held in Stresa, Italy, 28 August 2001. The progress by this international working group at three workshops is reviewed briefly and a list of publications is provided. Included are an annotated checklist by genus and species of 93 species level names and the recognition of 52 species, redescriptions of seven species, and the description of one new species. Upon petition by workshop participants, the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature placed Cyathostomum tetracanthum Mehlis, 1831 on the “Official List of Specific Names in Zoology”, ending more than a century of controversy over the names of cyathostomins. Some progress is described in molecular and morphological systematics and in the development of diagnostic molecular probes.Arevised identification key is being prepared to the 52 species of the Tribe Cyathostominea