Ectoparasite infestation of free scavenging chickens reared under traditional backyard production system in Wolayita Zone, southern Ethiopia

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and types of ectoparasite faunas and the associated host-related risk factors in free scavenging chickens in Wolayita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Physical examination that involves hand picking and skin scrapping and laboratory investigation was employed in a total 450 chickens (198 male and 252 female).The present study revealed an overall prevalence of 40% (180/450). Three genera and seven species of ectoparasites were identified. Of the three genera, mites were the dominant ones (24.9%) followed by lice (13.8%) and ticks (1.3%).Among the seven species of ectoparasites, Cnemidocoptes mutans (61.1 %) was the most prevalent species followed by Cuclotogaster heterographus (8.9%) and Menopon gallinae(8.9%); Goniocotes gallinae(8.3%) and Menacanthus stramineus(8.3%), while Argaspersicus 3.3%(6/180) was the least identified. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in prevalence of ectoparasites with regard to sex, age and breeds of chickens except for Cnemidocoptes mutans which was more significantly (p<0.05) prevalent in adults than growers and chicks, in local than exotic breeds, and in female than male chickens. This study revealed diverse fauna of ectoparasite in backyard chickens in the study area; hence integrated control strategies should be put in place to boost chicken productivity.Keywords: Lice; Mites; Prevalence; ticks; Wolayta-zon

Endoparasites of donkeys in Dessie and its surroundings, Northeastern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November, 2014 to April, 2015 inDessie, northeastern Ethiopia to estimate the prevalence of endoparasites andassociated risk factors. For this purpose 504 fecal samples were collected fromthe selected donkeys. Coproscopic examination showed an overall prevalence of80.1% (405/504) gastrointestinal helminthes. Among the helminthes, the strongyletype nematodes (80.1%) were the dominant ones followed by Parascaris equorum(41.8%) while Anaplocephala spp. was the least identified helminthes. Strongylespp. was highly prevalent in adult (84.2%) than old (78.8%) and young (72%) agegroups (p=0.025). On the contrary P. equorum was highly prevalent in young animals (62.6%) (p=0.000) while there was no significant difference in prevalence of Fasciola spp and G. egypticus among age groups (p=0.000). Most 43.1% of donkeys were severely infected. Of these donkeys 49.5% (47/174) were with poor body conditions. Coprocultural examination revealed that (100%) of Cyathostomes spp. and Strongylus vulgaris and (94%) of Trichostrongylus axei, (44.0%)  Strongloides westeri and Dictyocaulus arnfieldi. The higher prevalence of parasitosis in working donkeys in Dessie and its surroundings requires appropriate strategic parasitic control methods.Keywords: Coproculture, Coproscopy, Dessie, Helminthes, Prevalence, Risk factor

Cystic echinococcosis: prevalence and economic significance in small ruminants slaughtered at Elfora Export Abattoir, Bishoftu, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to April 2016 at ELFORA export abattoir to determine the prevalence, cyst viability, organ distribution and economic significance of small ruminant cystic echinococcosis. A total of 850 small ruminants (400 sheep and 450 goats), were examined for the presence of cysts by post mortem inspection. In addition, cyst viability test, organ distribution of the cyst and economic loss estimations were conducted. Out of 850 small ruminants, 73 (8.6%) were harboring single or multiple cysts. Significantly higher infection rate (p < 0.05), was observed in sheep (14.2%) than goats (3.6%). Significant variation (p < 0.05) was also observed in different age groups and origin of the animals, but there was no significant variation of cyst distribution among different organs (p> 0.05). Among 104 cysts examined, 44.2% were viable, 19.2% non-viable, 23.1% sterile and 13.5% calcified. In the present study, the total annual economic loss due to carcass rejection caused by cystic echinococcosis at ELFORA export abattoir was estimated to be 941,635.82 ETB (43,333.45USD). In conclusion, this study showed that cystic echinococcosis of small ruminants causes significant economic loss. Further study to determine prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in small ruminants in different agro ecology of the country is recommended.Keywords: Cystic echinococcosis; Cyst viability test; Economic loss; Goat; Origin; Shee

Prevalence of bovine hydatidosis and its economic importance in Adama Municipal Abattoir, Eastern Ethiopia

Hydatidosis is a major parasitic disease condition responsible for low productivity of livestock industry in Ethiopia due to imposing poor weight gains and condemnation of organs. This study was conducted from November 2016 to April 2017 in Adama municipal abattoir to estimate the prevalence, organ distribution of the cyst, and economic importance of bovine hydatidosis. Routine meat inspection, hydatid cyst count and characterization were conducted. Out of 400 cattle slaughtered at Adama municipal abattoir, 210 (52.5%) animals were found harboring hydatid cysts. The infection prevalence was higher in lung 105(26.2%) than the rest of the organs examined. In the present study, explanatory variables (sex, age, breed, body condition and origin) were found to have statistically significant (p<0.05) association with the prevalence of hydatidosis. Of the total of 970 hydatid cysts counted, 529/731(72.4%) small, 89/100(89%) medium, 42/45(93.3%) large and 20/94(21.3%) calcified cysts were detected in lung. Liver harbored 194/731(26.5%) small, 11/100(11%) medium, 3/45(6.7%) large and 74/94(78.7%) calcified cysts. Out of 208 cysts subjected for fertility and viability testing 120(57.7%), 74(35.6%), 40(54%) 34(46%) and 14(6.7%) were sterile, fertile, viable, non-viable and calcified cysts, respectively. The financial loss due to organ condemnation annually and during the study period was estimated to be 894,505.612 ETB and 17,844.90 ETB, respectively. The prevalence of hydatidosis in such a high proportion implies that the disease is economically important in the study area. Therefore, there should be strict control of hydatidosis by focusing on backyard slaughter practice, unsafe offal feeding of dogs, and proper west disposal. Moreover, awareness creation on its zoonotic importance, route of transmission and the growing stray dog population need to be given special attention.Keywords: Abattoir; Adama; Cattle; E. granulosus; hydatidosi

Hemorrhagic and clotting abnormalities in infectious bursal disease in specific-pathogen-free chicks

Investigation to know the hemorrhagic and clotting mechanisms in very virulent (vv) infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) infection of Malaysian isolate was carried out in chicks. One-hundred-ten, 32-dayold Specific-pathogen-free chicks were divided into IBD and control groups, each consisting 55 chicks. The IBD group was inoculated orally with 0.1 mL/chick of inoculums containing vvIBDV isolate with a titre of 10 EID /mL, while the other group served as controls. Four chicks each in IBD and control groups were 6.8 50 sacrificed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 hours and days 1, 2, 3 and 4 post-infection (pi). Blood sample were collected for thrombocyte count and coagulation tests prior to necropsy. On necropsy gross lesions were recorded. The IBDV infected chicks showed clinical signs of acute disease starting day 2 pi. At days 3 and 4 pi significant (p<0.05) thrombocytopenia and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and whole blood recalcification time (WBRT) were recorded corresponding to the occurrence of higher frequency of hemorrhage in the bursa of Fabricus, thigh muscle and mucosal junction between proventriculus and gizzard, which indicate the presence of clotting deficiency. Hence, it was concluded that the vvIBDV of Malaysia isolates caused clotting abnormality that are consistent with the pathogenesis of the disease and it appears that this abnormality in vvIBDV infection could be due to thrombocytopenia and/or coagulation factors deficiencies, or both

Ectoparasites of small ruminants in and around Kombolcha, northeastern Ethiopia

Infestation of small ruminants by ectoparasites such as ticks, mites, lice and fleas could lead to considerable economic loss due to morbidity, mortality and skin rejection. A cross-sectional study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of ectoparasites of small ruminants and to identify different ectoparasite fauna in and around Kombolcha, northeastern Ethiopia. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to generate preliminary data. The study also employed clinical examination and laboratory identification of different ectoparasites into genera and species level. A total of 350 small ruminants (147 sheep and 203 goats) were sampled and examined for prevalence of ectoparasites. The result of the questionnaire survey indicated that sheep and goats were the main species of animals raised by the farmers. The overall prevalence of ectoparasites were 25.7% (90/350), in which 25.9% (38/147) and 25.6% (52/203) prevalence were recorded in sheep and goats, respectively. The proportion of ectoparasites include: lice (11.7%), ticks (7.4%), mites (4.0%) and fleas (2.6%) in descending order. A. variegatum, R. evertsi, S. caprae, D. caprae, L. africanus, D. caprae, S. ovis and C. canis were identified at species level. There was no statistically significant association (p&gt;0.05) between the prevalence of ectoparasites and the species, sex, age and body condition except Rhipicephalus decoloratus which was significantly higher in sheep with poor body condition. The study revealed ectoparasites to be one of the main constraints to small ruminant production in the area and hence warrants further strategic intervention.Keywords: Ectoparasite; Goat; Infestation; Kombolcha; Prevalence; Shee

Effects of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) Seeds and their Combination as Feed Additive on Intake, Muscle chemical composition, Sensory Quality and Hematology of Broilers

A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of feeding neem (Azadirachta indica) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed as natural feed additive for broiler chicks on dry matter intake, mortality, meat quality and blood parameters of broilers. One hundred ninety two day-old Cobb 500 chicks distributed to four treatments with three replications in a completely randomized design. Feed offered and refusals were recorded and Dry matter intake was calculated as the difference between the two on dry matter basis. At the end of the trial, four broilers were randomly picked up from each replication and slaughtered for carcass evaluation and the treatment used were ration that contain only commercial broiler diet (0 kg Neem and pumpkin seed (0NS-PS)), 1kg neem seed on 100kg commercial broiler diet (1NS), 1kg pumpkin seed on 100kg commercial broiler diet (1PS) and 1kg of neem and pumpkin seed combination on 100kg of commercial broiler diet (1NS-PS) stands for Treatment1, Treatment 2, Treatment 3 and Treatment 4 respectively. The average daily dry matter intake during the entire experimental period was 106, 111, 114 and 117 g/ bird for 0NS-PS, 1NS, 1PS and 1NS-PS respectively, and it was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) for 1NS-PS as compared to 0NS-PS, 1NS and 1PS. The serum cholesterol and white blood cell of broilers in the experimental period were significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased but total blood protein was significantly (p&lt; 0.05) increased among treatment. Crude protein content of breast and thigh meat was significantly high for 1NS-PS. It is concluded that neem and pumpkin seed can be a good feed additive for broiler production aside its nutritional importance. Key words: Broiler; Feed additive; Hematology; Neem and Pumpkin seed