Epidemiology and immuno-pathology of bovine tuberculosis in Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle in Ethiopia

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An ethnobotanical survey of plants of veterinary importance in two woredas of Southern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

The purpose of the survey was to document and analyze information on the traditional use of medicinal plants by farmers in Ofla and Raya-Azebo woredas of South Tigray Zone for the treatment and prevention of livestock ailments. Data were collected mainly through interviews carried out with randomly selected farmers of the two woredas. During the survey, 83 medicinal plant species were reported as being used for the treatment of 37 types of livestock ailments. A high proportion of the species (17%) were claimed to have been used as remedies for wound infections. The highest informant consensus was recorded for the plant Achyranthes aspera L. where 18 out of the total informants (9%) reported the use of the species as remedy against inflammation of the eye in cattle. Leaves are the most commonly sought plant parts in remedy preparations. Most of the remedies (96%) are prepared from freshly collected plant parts and a higher proportion being administered orally. The majority of the plants were found to be harvested from the wild. A significant difference (

Microscopic examination and smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis in Ethiopia

Introduction: tuberculosis causes illness among millions of people each year and ranks as the second leading cause of death from infectious disease worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the detection rate of microscopic examination and estimate risk of transmission of TB by smear negative pulmonary TB patients. Methods: a cross-sectional study and retrospective data analysis on TB were undertaken in Northwest Shewa, Ethiopia. Microscopic examination, bacterial culture and PCR were performed. The statistical analysis was made by using STATA software version 10. Results: a total of 92 suspected TB cases was included in the study. Of these, 27.17% (25/92) were positive for microscopic examination and 51% (47/92) for culture. The sensitivity and specificity of  microscopic examination with 95% CI were 48.94% (34.08% to 63.93%) and 95.56% (84.82 to  99.33%), respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 92% (73.93% to 98.78%) and 64.18% (51.53% to 75.53%), respectively. Of 8150 pulmonary TB cases in the retrospective study, 58.9% was smear negative. The proportion of TB-HIV co-infection was 28.66% (96/335).Conclusion: the sensitivity of microscopic examination was 48.94% which was very low. The poor  sensitivity of this test together with the advent of HIV/AIDS elevated the prevalence of smear negative  pulmonary TB. This in turn increased the risk of TB transmission.Key words: Microscopic examination, smear negative pulmonary TB, sensitivity, specificit

Diagnostic and treatment delay among Tuberculosis patients in Afar Region, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: TB is a major public health problem globally and Ethiopia is 8(th) among the 22 high burden countries. Early detection and effective treatment are pre-requisites for a successful TB control programme. In this regard, early health seeking action from patients’ side and prompt diagnosis as well as initiation of treatment from the health system’s side are essential steps. The aim of this study was to assess delay in the diagnosis and treatment of TB in a predominantly pastoralist area in Ethiopia. METHODS: On a cross-sectional study, two hundred sixteen TB patients who visited DOTS clinics of two health facilities in Afar Region were included consecutively. Time from onset of symptoms till first consultation of formal health providers (patients’ delay) and time from first consultation till initiation of treatment (health system’s delay) were analyzed. RESULTS: The median patients’ and health system’s delay were 20 and 33.5 days, respectively. The median total delay was 70.5 days with a median treatment delay of 1 day. On multivariate logistic regression, self-treatment (aOR. 3.99, CI 1.50-10.59) and first visit to non-formal health providers (aOR. 6.18, CI 1.84-20.76) were observed to be independent predictors of patients’ delay. On the other hand, having extra-pulmonary TB (aOR. 2.08, CI 1.08- 4.04), and a first visit to health posts/clinics (aOR. 19.70, CI 6.18-62.79), health centres (aOR. 4.83, CI 2.23-10.43) and private health facilities (aOR. 2.49, CI 1.07-5.84) were found to be independent predictors of health system’s delay. CONCLUSIONS: There is a long delay in the diagnosis and initiation of treatment and this was mainly attributable to the health system. Health system strengthening towards improved diagnosis of TB could reduce the long health system’s delay in the management of TB in the study area

Study on the prevalence and risk factors of bovine tuberculosis in dairy cattle in Adama city, central Ethiopia

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a serious infectious disease of cattle with significant economic impact and public health risk. It is particularly important in Ethiopia where effective control measures are lacking. This cross-sectional study was carried out between April and July 2016 on 1038 cattle selected from 206 dairy farms in Adama city located in central Ethiopia to estimate the prevalence of bTB and identify the potential risk factors using comparative intradermal tuberculin skin test. Accordingly, the individual animal level prevalence was found to be 2.1% (95% CI: 1.35 – 3.22). Of the 206 dairy farms included in the study, 7.3% (95% CI: 4.29 – 11.98) had one or more 15 cattle positive for the tuberculin test. Furthermore, 5.5% of the examined cattle were found reactive for atypical Mycobacterium. Among the risk factors considered, age and lactation status of the animals were significantly associated (p< 0.05) with the prevalence of bTB. It was noted that the apparent prevalence of bTB positive reactivity was greater in young and non-lactating cattle than their counterparts. In conclusion, the present study revealed 2.1% prevalence of bTB in the dairy farms investigated and culling of positive reactors is recommended as a feasible control intervention. Keywords: Adama; Bovine tuberculosis; CIDT; dairy cattle; Ethiopi

Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in beef feedlot of Borena cattle by using comparative intradermal skin test, Adama, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was carried out from August to November, 2015 among feedlot cattle in and around Adama export feedlot farms by using comparative intradermal tuberculin skin test to estimate the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and to assess the associated risk factors. The individual animal prevalence with 4 mm cut-off point and with 2 mm cut-off point was 4.39% (95% CI: 2.59- 6.19) and 9.58% (95% CI: 6.99-12.16), respectively. In univariate logistic regression analysis, older animals (OR=7.11, 95% CI: 1.7-29.8), cattle from Yabello market (OR=5.66, 95% CI: 2.4-13.2) and cattle in feedlot 5 (OR=2.65, 95% CI: 1.03-6.8) were more likely to be tuberculin reactors than younger animals, cattle originated from Dubliqu market and those from feedlot I, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression, however, only feedlot farm difference showed a statistical significance difference among the groups with the OR=3.4 (95% CI: 1.2-9.5), while other factors were not statistically significant. In conclusion, the study revealed the occurrence of bovine tuberculosis in Adama export feedlot farms composed mainly of Borena cattle breeds which were established for export of fattened live beef cattle and hence, the findings of this study warrants the need to design a farm based control strategies at feedlot level and testing of animals during the purchase of the cattle at the market place of the animals.Keywords: Bovine tuberculosis, Comparative tuberculin testing, Feedlot farm, Prevalence, Risk facto

T-Cell and Antibody Responses to Mycobacterial Antigens in Tuberculin Skin-Test-Positive Bos indicus and Bos taurus Cattle in Ethiopia

Higher IFN-γ responses to mycobacterial antigens were observed in Bos taurus (Holsteins) than in Bos indicus (Zebu) cattle which could due to differences in antigen recognition profiles between the two breeds. The present study was conducted to evaluate mycobacterial antigen recognition profiles of the two breeds. Twenty-three mycobacterial antigens were tested on 46 skin test positive (24 Zebu and 22 Holstein) using enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) and multiple antigen print immunoassay (MAPIA). Herds from which the study cattle obtained were tested for Fasciola antibody. The T cells from both breeds recognized most of the mycobacterial antigens at lower and comparable frequencies. However, antigens such as CFP-10, ESAT-6, Rv0287, Rv0288, MPB87, Acr-2, Rv3616c, and Rv3879c were recognized at higher frequencies in zebu while higher frequencies of T cell responses were observed to Hsp65 in both breeds. Furthermore, comparable antibody responses were observed in both breeds; MPB83 being the sero-dominant antigen in both breeds. The prevalence of Fasciola antibody was 81% and similar in both breeds. This piece of work could not lead to a definitive conclusion if there are differences in mycobacterial recognition profiles between the two breeds warranting for further similar studies using sound sample size from the two breeds

Preliminary Study on Avian Tuberculosis and Associated Risks in Domestic Chickens at Shashemene District, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of avian tuberculosis (TB) and assess associated risk factors in Shashemene District. In addition, the zoonotic implication of avian tuberculosis in the District was investigated. In this study, 260 adult domestic chickens of both sexes were tested by tuberculin test on their wattle. Test positive chickens were sacrificed and examined for the presence of tuberculous lesion. Suspicious lesions were cultured for mycobacterial isolation and characterization using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). On top of these, questionnaire was used to assess public perception and the potential public health risks of the disease. The prevalence of avian TB at Shashemene District was 4.23% (11/260). Gross TB lesions were detected in six of the 11 tuberculin positive chickens. Culture positivity was confirmed in three of the chicken with gross lesions. These isolates were confirmed to be members of the Genus Mycobacterium. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that male owners had a better knowledge of avian TB compared to females (adjusted OR=2.01; 95% CI: 0. 35-11.26). Furthermore, human TB exposed owners had better knowledge of avian TB compared to TB unexposed owners (adjusted OR=3.92; 95% CI: 0.98-15.76). The survey indicated that chicken kept in extensive production system and as there exist a close physical contact between the chicken and their owners, there could a possibility of transmission of mycobacteria between chicken and their owners. On top of this, the low perception of the owners about zoonotic TB including avian TB could add up to the transmission. Keywords: Avian tuberculosis, domestic chicken, M. avium complex, prevalence, Shashemene

Mortality and associated risk factors in a cohort of tuberculosis patients treated under DOTS programme in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of mortality among infectious diseases worldwide. Ninty five percent of TB cases and 98% of deaths due to TB occur in developing countries. Globally, the mortality rate has declined with the introduction of effective anti TB chemotherapy. Nevertheless, some patients with active TB still die while on treatment for their disease. In Ethiopia, little is known on survival and risk factors for mortality among a cohort of TB patients. The objective of the study is to determine the magnitude and identify risk factors associated with time to death among TB patients treated under DOTS programme in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This is a retrospective cohort study. Data was obtained by assessing medical records of TB patients registered from June 2004 to July 2009 G.C and treated under the DOTS strategy in three randomly selected health centers. A step-wise multivariable Cox's regression model and Kaplan- Meier curves were used to model the outcome of interest. Mortality was used as an outcome measure. Person-years of observation (PYO) were calculated from the date of starting anti-TB treatment to date of outcome and was calculated as the number of deaths/100 PYO. Statistical analysis SPSS version 16 was used for data analysis and results were reported significant whenever P-value was less than 5%.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>From a total of 6,450 registered TB patients 236(3.7%) were died. More than 75% death occurred within eight month of treatment initiation. The mean and median times of survival starting from the date of treatment initiation were 7.2 and 7.9 months, respectively. Comparison of survival curves using Kaplan Meier curves method with log-rank test showed that the survival status was significantly different between patient categories as well as across treatment centers (P < 0.05). The death rate of pulmonary positive, pulmonary negative and extra pulmonary TB patients were 2.7%, 3.6%, and 4.3%, respectively. Body weight at initiation of anti-TB treatment (<35 kg), patient category, year of enrollment and treatment center were independent predictors for time to death.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Most of the patients were died at the end of treatment period. This underlines the need for devising a mechanism of standardizing the existing DOTS programme and nutritional support for underweight patients for better clinical and treatment outcome.</p

Prevalence of camel tuberculosis and associated risk factors in camels slaughtered at Akaki Abattoir, Ethiopia

A cross sectional abattoir based study was conducted from February 2014 to October, 2015 on camels slaughtered at Akaki municipality abattoir to determine the prevalence of Tuberculosis in camels and assess the association of risk factors with the prevalence of Tuberculosis in camels using single intra-dermal comparativecervical tuberculin (SICCT). Of the total of 387 camels investigated, overall cameltuberculosis prevalence of 9.82% (95% CI: 6.84%-12.8%) at a cut off value ≥ 4mm and prevalence of 17.05% (95% CI: 13.3%-20.82%) at a cut off value ≥ 2mm, were recorded. Pearson chi-square test reveals, there was statistically significant association of prevalence with the origin of camels at a cut off value ≥ 2mm (χ2 = 13.461, P=0.000). However, there was no statistically significant association (P&gt;0.05) of risk factors of age, sex, body condition and origin of camels with the prevalence at a cut off value ≥ 4mm.The multivariate logistic regression analysis shows at a cut off value ≥ 4mm, being old aged (adjusted OR= 0.999, 95% CI: 0.450-2.22), female (adjusted OR= 2.226, 95% CI: 0.5099-9.719) were identified as risk factors for positive tuberculin reactivity. Similarly, the multivariate analysis at a cut off value ≥ 2mm, showed being moderate body conditioned (adjusted OR= 1.583, 95% CI: 0.7399-3.385) was identified as risk factor for higher tuberculin reactivity. The present study aimed to determine tuberculin reactivity of camels and assess associated risk factors with the prevalence. It was concluded that Tuberculosis is an existing phenomenon in camels. It is therefore, recommended that detailed epidemiological investigations should be conducted for the better understanding of the epidemiology of the disease in camels of pastoral communities with particular emphasis to zoonotic significance in camel rearing areas of Ethiopia.Keywords: Akaki abattoir, Camel Tuberculosis, Ethiopia, Prevalence, Risk factors, Comparative Tuberculin testing