Bovine cysticercosis and its food safety implications in Harari People’s National Regional State, eastern Ethiopia

Taenia saginata cysticercosis is one of the zoonotic diseases that threaten food safety and food security, particularly in developing countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and cyst distribution in infected cattle, and food safety implications of Taenia saginata cysticercosis in Harari People’s National Regional State, eastern Ethiopia. Post-mortem inspection of carcasses and organs of slaughtered cattle in Harar Municipal Abattoir, cyst viability tests and interviews with randomly selected meat consumers were undertaken. The post-mortem inspection showed that of the 898 local zebu cattle slaughtered for human consumption and examined for the presence of cysticerci of T. saginata, 19.7% (177/898; 95% CI = 17.2–22.5) harboured at least one cyst in the muscles or organs inspected. Of the edible anatomical sites with cysticerci, shoulder muscle, liver and heart together represented 65.4%, 66.0% and 65.4% respectively of relative prevalence, total cyst count and cyst viability. These edible sites are preferred above others by local people for preparation and consumption of raw or inadequately cooked meat dishes that are locally served as kurt, kitffo and dullet. The interviews revealed that among the 300 study participants, 182 (60.7%) had been infected by taeniosis at least once during the previous year and of these 99.0% had eaten raw or undercooked beef, the majority (88.3%) obtained from butchers assumed to provide officially inspected meat that was fit for consumption. This indicated that existing meat inspection processes were inadequate to prevent carcasses infected with T. saginata cysticerci from reaching consumers. The high prevalence of viable cysts in the edible parts of beef together with the widespread consumption of raw or undercooked beef indicated the importance of T. saginata cysticercosis as a food safety problem in eastern Ethiopia. The promotion of policies to upgrade existing meat inspection procedures and public education to ensure effective prevention of T. saginata taeniosis in humans were recommended

Isolation, identifications and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of coagulase positive Staphylococcus from subclinical mastitic dairy cattle in and around Haramaya University

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to April 2014 to isolate coagulase positive Staphylococcus (CPS) from subclinical mastitic (SCM) lactating cows, to establishing prevalence, to identify risk factors and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of CPS isolates in and around Haramaya University, Eastern Ethiopia. A semi-structured questionnaire survey, California mastitis test (CMT), bacterial isolation and identification and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility tests were conducted during the study. A total of 210 dairy cattle from seven farms were screened for SCM by CMT. The prevalence of SCM in the study areas was 71.4% (150/210). Milk samples were collected from 562 quarters of 150 cows free of clinical mastitis but positive in CMT. Among these cows 38 of them had blind quarters (6. 76%). The prevalence of CPS was found to be 66.0% (99/150) and 28.46% (160/562) on animal and quarter basis, respectively. Among the risk factors studied, SCM due to CPS was significantly higher (P > 0.05) in older cows (100%) than younger (70.0%), in cows during late lactation (96.3%), in cows which gave more than 5 births (100%), in cross-breed cows (71.2%) than local breed cows (54.3%), in cows with udder I teat injuries (96.3%) and in cows managed under poor house hygiene (82.5%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 9 antibiotics carried out using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and revealed high multidrug resistance of 71 (87.6 %). High level of resistance to common drugs like ampicillin (90.1 %), penicillin (67.9%), and tetracycline (54.3%) was registered. In contrast, the CPS isolates were susceptibility for chloramphenicol, gentamycin and kanamycin at 63%, 46.9%, and 41.97%, respectively. In conclusion, the study confirms the importance of CPS as a mastitis causing multidrug resistant bacterium. Therefore, improved management and early treatment of SCM cases with drug of choice is imperative to tackle CPS mastitis.Keywords: Antimicrobial susceptibility, Coagulase positive Staphylococcus, and risk factor

Co-occurrence of Campylobacter species in children from eastern Ethiopia, and their association with environmental enteric dysfunction, diarrhea, and host microbiome

Hig

Strongyloidiasis in Ethiopia: systematic review on risk factors, diagnosis, prevalence and clinical outcomes

© The Author(s). 2019 This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.Background Strongyloidiasis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by the parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis. It is estimated to infect up to 370 million people globally and is predominately found in tropical and subtropical areas of socioeconomic disadvantage. Main body This systematic literature review identified studies published in the last ten years on the risk factors, diagnosis, prevalence and/or clinical outcomes of strongyloidiasis in Ethiopia. The prevalence of S. stercoralis ranged from 0.2 to 11.1% in adults, 0.3% to 20.7% in children, 1.5% to 17.3% in HIV positive adults and 5% in HIV positive children. The identified studies primarily used microscopy based techniques that potentially underestimated the prevalence four fold compared with serology and PCR. Strongyloidiasis in children presents a particularly significant issue in Ethiopia as children often presented with anemia, which is associated with impaired mental and cognitive development. The most significant risk factor for strongyloidiasis was HIV status and although other risk factors were identified for helminth infections, none were statistically significant for S. stercoralis specifically. Several studies detected S. stercoralis in dogs and non-biting cyclorrhaphan flies. However, future research is needed to explore the role of these reservoirs in disease transmission. Conclusions This review demonstrated that strongyloidiasis is an overlooked and neglected disease in Ethiopia. There is a need for a systematic approach using a combination of molecular and serology based diagnostic methods to ascertain the true incidence and burden of strongyloidiasis in Ethiopia. Further research is also needed to break the cycle of transmission by identifying environmental reservoirs, risk factors and exploring the potential for zoonotic transfer

Survey on indigestible foreign bodies in the rumen and reticulum of cattle slaughtered at Nekemte municipal abattoir, Nekemte, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted on cattle slaughtered at Nekemte Municipal Abattoir, Nekemte, East Wollega, Ethiopia from November 2015 to April 2016. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and to identify the type of indigestible foreign bodies in the rumen and reticulum of slaughtered cattle in association with the hypothetical risk factors. Each compartments of stomach was opened carefully and thorough visual inspection was made for the presence of indigestible foreign bodies. Of the 384 randomly selected cattle, overall foreign body detection was recorded in rumen and reticulum of 67(17.5%) the cattle examined. There was a higher prevalence of rumen and reticulum foreign bodies in female (25.4%) than in male cattle (15.4%) (χ2=3.99, p < 0.05). From the three age groups examined, the prevalence was higher (23.4%) in animals in the old age group than the younger (20.4%) and adult groups (12%) (χ2= 7.9096; p<0.05). Foreign bodies collected were of different types including plastic (31.34%), clothes (21.4%), calcified bodies (4.5%) and wires (4.5%). Foreign bodies weighing ≥300 grams were recorded in greater percentage 21(21.8%) in animals with poor body condition than those with medium 17(8.3%) and good 6(7%) body condition. This study revealed ingestion of different types of indigestible foreign bodies by cattle in the study area posing serious health problem for free grazing cattle. Hence, designing and implementation of appropriate solid waste disposal and management practice is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of ingestion of indigestible foreign bodies by cattle.Keywords: Abattoir; Cattle; Foreign body; Nekemte; Reticulum; Rume

Gastrointestinal nematodes of donkeys in and around Alage, South Western Ethiopia

Gastrointestinal parasites are one of the most common factors that constrain the health and working performance of donkeys. The present study was aimed to estimate the prevalence and identify major risk factors associated with donkey’s gastrointestinal nematode infection in and around Alage, South Western Ethiopia. A total of 384 randomly selected donkeys were sampled from 4 peasant associations for coprological examination of gastrointestinal nematode infection. The direct fecal smear, flotation and fecal culture methods were utilized to identify the eggs and larvae of parasites in feces, respectively. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes recorded in donkeys examined was 99.5%. The study showed that the prevalence of Parascaris equorum, Oxyuris equi and Strongyle were 53.6%, 4.9% and 99.5%, respectively. Significantly (P<0.05) higher prevalence was observed for Oxyuris equi and Parascaris equorum in young donkeys than in both adults and old donkeys. The study showed that the prevalence of Strongyle was significantly higher than both Parascaris equorum and Oxyuris equi in all age groups of donkeys. There was also statistically significant difference in prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes between sex, age, body condition and among peasant associations in different species of the parasites. Identification of third stage larvae of Strongyle species from 40 samples revealed high prevalence of Strongylus vulgaris (100%) followed by Cythostomes (97.5%) and Strongylus edentates (70%). The current study demonstrated that gastrointestinal nematodes are the major health challenges of donkeys in the study area. Therefore strategic dewrming and other nematode control options were recommended to be considered in order to improve the health, productivity and welfare of donkeys in the study area.Keywords: Donkeys; Ethiopia; Gastrointestinal; Nematodes; Prevalenc

Reduction of the microbial load in meat maturation rooms with and without alkaline electrolyzed water fumigation

Dry-aging is a process during which meat is stored within maturation chambers at low temperatures and low relative humidity, resulting in improved tenderness and flavor development. The cuts are exposed to the atmosphere by hanging them or setting them on racks in the maturation chamber without any protective packaging. Animals and humans are usually the major sources of bacterial food contamination in the meat industry, but other routes might be involved. Therefore, procedures to reduce or eliminate pathogens from surfaces are crucial for an effective hazard analysis critical control point program in the food industry and other environments. This study aimed to assess the survival of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus on the inner surface of dry aging chambers. Moreover, we tested the efficacy of alkaline electrolyzed water (REW) for its eventual application within a procedure aimed at reducing foodborne pathogens during meat storage. Environmental conditions inside the dry aging cabinet determine a reduction of circa 3 log CFU/cm2 of the considered microorganisms on the inner surface in 24 hours. Additionally, the nebulization of alkaline electrolyzed water with the smoking system increased the count reduction in 24 hours due to environmental conditions for L. monocytogenes (~1 log CFU/cm2) and for S. aureus (~2 log CFU/cm2). In this context, the use of REW can be justified for routine cleaning procedures of the surfaces, with the added value of being safe to handle, not containing environmental pollutants, and making it unnecessary to rinse surfaces due to its instability

Routes of dispersion of antibiotic resistance genes from the poultry farm system

Poultry farms are hotspots for the development and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), due to high stocking densities and extensive use of antibiotics, posing a threat of spread and contagion to workers and the external environment. Here, we applied shotgun metagenome sequencing to characterize the gut microbiome and resistome of poultry, workers and their households - also including microbiomes from the internal and external farm environment – in three different farms in Italy during a complete rearing cycle. Our results highlighted a relevant overlap among the microbiomes of poultry, workers, and their families (gut and skin), with clinically relevant ARGs and associated mobile elements shared in both poultry and human samples. On a finer scale, the reconstruction of species-level genome bins (SGBs) allowed us to delineate the dynamics of microorganism and ARGs dispersion from farm systems. We found the associations with worker microbiomes representing the main route of ARGs dispersion from poultry to human populations. Collectively, our findings clearly demonstrate the urgent need to implement more effective procedures to counteract ARGs dispersion from poultry food systems and the relevance of metagenomics-based metacommunity approaches to monitor the ARGs dispersion process for the safety of the working environment on farms

Reappraisal of Hydatigera taeniaeformis (Batsch, 1786) (Cestoda: Taeniidae) sensu lato with description of Hydatigera kamiyai n. sp.

The common cat tapeworm Hydatigera taeniaeformis is a complex of three morphologically cryptic entities, which can be differentiated genetically. To clarify the biogeography and the host spectrum of the cryptic lineages, 150 specimens of H. taeniaeformis in various definitive and intermediate hosts from Eurasia, Africa and Australia were identified with DNA barcoding using partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene sequences and compared with previously published data. Additional phylogenetic analyses of selected isolates were performed using nuclear DNA and mitochondrial genome sequences. Based on molecular data and morphological analysis, Hydatigera kamiyai n. sp. Iwaki is proposed for a cryptic lineage, which is predominantly northern Eurasian and uses mainly arvicoline rodents (voles) and mice of the genus Apodemus as intermediate hosts. Hydatigera taeniaeformis sensu stricto (s.s.) is restricted to murine rodents (rats and mice) as intermediate hosts. It probably originates from Asia but has spread worldwide. Despite remarkable genetic divergence between H. taeniaeformis s.s. and H. kamiyai, interspecific morphological differences are evident only in dimensions of rostellar hooks. The third cryptic lineage is closely related to H. kamiyai, but its taxonomic status remains unresolved due to limited morphological, molecular, biogeographical and ecological data. This Hydatigera sp. is confined to the Mediterranean and its intermediate hosts are unknown. Further studies are needed to classify Hydatigera sp. either as a distinct species or a variant of H. kamiyai. According to previously published limited data, all three entities occur in the Americas, probably due to human-mediated introductions

The prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacterial isolates from meat and meat products in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Foodborne diseases associated with the consumption of meat and its products are of public health significance worldwide. The study is, therefore, aimed to estimate the prevalence and the antimicrobial resistance profile of some bacterial pathogens isolated from meats and its products in Ethiopia. Methods Literature search was conducted from major electronic databases and indexing services including PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Science Direct and WorldCat. Both published and unpublished studies addressing the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of some bacterial pathogens in meat and its products in Ethiopia were included for the study. Data were extracted with structured format prepared in Microsoft Excel and exported to STATA 15.0 software for the analyses. Pooled estimation of outcome measures was performed with DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model at 95% confidence level. Degree of heterogeneity of studies was presented with I2 statistics. Publication bias was conducted with comprehensive meta-analysis version 3.0 software and presented with funnel plots supplemented by Begg’s and Egger’s tests. The study protocol is registered on PROSPERO with reference number ID: CRD42018106361. Results A total of 27 original studies with 7828 meat samples were included for systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of Salmonella spp., E. coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus spp. and L. monocytogenes was 9, 5, 21 and 4%, respectively. Based on animal species, the prevalence of Salmonella in goat, mutton, beef, pork, chicken, and fish meat was 18, 6, 10, 11, 14 and 2%, respectively. The prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in beef, mutton, goat and other animal meats was 6, 6, 3 and 21%, respectively. The prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. in beef and other animal meats was 21 and 22%, respectively. Based on the sample source, Salmonella prevalence in abattoir, butcher and market was 6, 36, and 11%, respectively. The E. coli O157:H7 prevalence in abattoir, butcher and market was 5, 6 and 8%, respectively. The bacterial isolates showed different antimicrobial resistance profiles against selected drugs. About 25% of the Salmonella spp. was resistant to ampicillin. Besides, 9% of Salmonella spp. and 2% of E. coli O157:H7 were found to be resistant to ceftriaxone. The pooled estimates showed that 10% of E. coli O157:H7 isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin. Moreover, Salmonella spp. (6%), L. monocytogenes (5%) and E. coli O157:H7 (2%) were resistant to gentamicin. Conclusion This study revealed that pooled prevalence of bacterial pathogens is relatively high as compared to other countries and hence, there is a need to design intervention to ensure meat safety in the sector