Trace element nutrition in the tropical zebu cattle type : lessons from the Gilgel Gibe catchment, Ethiopia

In the tropics, cattle are majorly dependent on natural pastures growing on poor soils and as a result prone to trace element deficiencies. This work investigated several aspects of trace element nutrition in zebu (Bos indicus) cattle, the most widely used cattle type in the tropics. Through several trials conducted at the Gilgel Gibe catchment, Ethiopia, we aimed to study factors influencing the flow of trace elements from soil to plant and grazing zebu cattle, and to investigate the impact of trace element status on health, production and trace elements in animal products. Overall, trace element, e.g., Cu, deficiencies were widely prevalent. Environment and certain grazing strategies were intimately related and affected trace element supply whereas cattle type affected trace element status. The effect of trace element status on trace elements in animal products was obvious, whereas the impact on health and production was less clear-cut. Key words: trace elements, minerals, cattle, zebu, Bos indicus, Ethiopia, tropic

Cysticercosis and taeniasis cases diagnosed at two referral medical institutions, Belgium, 1990 to 2015

Background: Few case reports on human infections with the beef tapeworm Taenia saginata and the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium, diagnosed in Belgium have been published, yet the grey literature suggests a higher number of cases. Aim: To identify and describe cases of taeniasis and cysticercosis diagnosed at two Belgian referral medical institutions from 1990 to 2015. Methods: In this observational study we retrospectively gathered data on taeniasis and cysticercosis cases by screening laboratory, medical record databases as well a uniform hospital discharge dataset. Results: A total of 221 confirmed taeniasis cases were identified. All cases for whom the causative species could be determined (170/221, 76.9%) were found to be T. saginata infections. Of those with available information, 40.0% were asymptomatic (26/65), 15.4% reported diarrhoea (10/65), 9.2% reported anal discomfort (6/65) and 15.7% acquired the infection in Belgium (11/70). Five definitive and six probable cases of neurocysticercosis (NCC), and two cases of non-central nervous system cysticercosis (non-CNS CC) were identified. Common symptoms and signs in five of the definitive and probable NCC cases were epilepsy, headaches and/or other neurological disorders. Travel information was available for of the 13 NCC and non-CNS CC cases; two were Belgians travelling to and eight were immigrants or visitors travelling from endemic areas. Conclusions: The current study indicates that a non-negligible number of taeniasis cases visit Belgian medical facilities, and that cysticercosis is occasionally diagnosed in international travellers

Knowledge, practices and seroprevalence of Taenia species in smallholder farms in Gauteng, South Africa

Porcine cysticercosis and associated human infections are endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Poor agricultural practices, sanitary practices, and lack of knowledge increase the burden of the diseases in susceptible populations. This study investigates the seroprevalence of Taenia spp. in township pigs in Gauteng, South Africa and describes knowledge and farming practices of pig farmers regarding T. solium infections. Blood samples were collected from 126 pigs in three Gauteng township areas, and analyzed for active Taenia spp. infection using the B158/B60 Ag-ELISA. Farmer questionnaire surveys were conducted in four township areas to investigate the level of knowledge and practices associated with porcine cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis. Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between predictor variables and the outcome variable, knowledge of porcine cysticercosis or knowledge of neurocysticercosis. Overall, 7% of the pigs were seropositive for active Taenia spp. infection. 46% of farmers practiced a free-ranging system, while 25% practiced a semi-intensive system. Latrines were absent on all farms; however, 95% of farmers indicated that they have access to latrines at home. Most farmers had no knowledge of porcine cysticercosis (55%) or neurocysticercosis (79%), and this was not associated with any of the factors investigated. The prevalence of active Taenia spp. infection was reasonably low in this study, yet the knowledge level was also low, thus calling for further educational and training programmes to prevent Taenia spp. transmission in these communities

The survival and dispersal of Taenia eggs in the environment : what are the implications for transmission? A systematic review

Taenia spp. are responsible for a substantial health and economic burden in affected populations. Knowledge of the fate of the eggs of Taenia spp. in the environment and of other factors facilitating the transmission of eggs to intermediate hosts is important for the control/elimination of infections caused by Taenia spp. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize current knowledge of the factors influencing the survival and dispersal of Taenia spp. eggs in the environment. Publications retrieved from international databases were systematically reviewed. Of the 1465 papers initially identified, data were ultimately extracted from 93 papers. The results of this systematic review indicate that survival is favoured at moderate temperatures (0–20 °C). Humidity seems to affect the survival of Taenia spp. eggs more than temperature. Under field circumstances, Taenia spp. eggs have been found to survive for up to 1 year. Taenia spp. eggs are commonly found on vegetables (0.9–30%) and in soil and water samples (0–43%), with their presence posing a risk to the consumer. Invertebrates may act as transport hosts, transferring the infection to an intermediate host, but the importance of this route of transmission is still open to question. Wastewater treatment systems are not capable of entirely eliminating Taenia spp. eggs. Access to surface water and the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer on pastures are important risk factors for bovine cysticercosis. Although information on the survival and spread of Taenia spp. eggs is available, in general the data retrieved and reviewed in this article were old, focused on very specific geographical regions and may not be relevant for other areas or not specific for different Taenia spp. Furthermore, it is unknown whether egg survival differs according to Taenia sp. Future studies are necessary to identify sustainable methods to identify and inactivate parasite eggs in the environment and reduce their spread

Trace Element Imbalance in Vegetation as a Threat to Free Ranging Cattle in the Gilgel Gibe Valley, Ethiopia

As in many tropical countries, natural pastures are the main source of nutrients for cattle in Ethiopia. However, there is limited information available with regard to trace element concentrations in Ethiopian forages. In this study, 58 plants were sampled in the Gilgel Gibe valley based on the observed ingestion by zebu cattle (Bos indicus) herds, grazing at different elevation and soil types, and analysed for copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), manganese (Mn), sulfur (S), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn). The effect of elevation, soil type and plant type on the above trace element concentrations was investigated. Deficient Cu concentrations were present in 71% of samples. Plant samples contained at least marginally antagonistic concentrations of Mo, S and Fe towards Cu in 36, 48 and 88% of cases respectively, and deficient Se and Zn concentrations in 57 and 45% of cases respectively. For Mn and Zn, plant concentrations differed according to elevation region. Plants on Nitisol-Acrisol-Ferralsol associations contained higher amounts of Fe than on Planosol-Vertisol associations. Concentrations of Cu and S were higher in herbaceous and woody plants than in grasses and crop resides, whereas concentrations of Co were higher in herbaceous than in other plant types. Differences between plant types were also present for Fe. Overall, micro mineral deficiency is very likely to develop in cattle ranging at the studied area. Plant mineral concentrations were affected by a variety of factors, such as elevation, soil type and plant group, calling for a nuanced assessment of plant survey results

Toxoplasma gondii in African wildlife : a systematic review

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a protozoan parasite, which infects a wide variety of mammals and bird species globally. In large parts of the world, this parasite is relatively well documented in wildlife species, however, this topic is poorly documented in Africa. The current review systematically explores the presence and distribution of T. gondii in African wildlife species through a key word search in PubMed, Web of Science and CAB Direct. A total of 66 records were identified and included in the qualitative analysis, of which 19 records were retained for the quantitative synthesis. The presence of T. gondii was reported in a wide range of wildlife species, found in twelve countries, spread over the African continent. The retained records report a prevalence range of 6–100% in herbivores, 8–100% in omnivores and 14–100% in carnivores. In wild felines (cheetahs, leopards, and lions) a prevalence range of 33–100% was found. Reports from South Africa, and on the presence of T. gondii in lion were most common. Overall, the results indicate the scarcity of information on T. gondii in Africa and its circulation in wildlife. The lack of knowledge on the parasite in Africa, especially in areas at the human-livestock-wildlife interface, prevents us from understanding how prevalent it is on the continent, what strains are circulating in wildlife and what the most common routes of transmission are in the different habitats in Africa.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/pathogensdm2022Veterinary Tropical Disease

Copper Status of Free Ranging Cattle: What’s Hidden Behind? A Pilot Study at the Gilgel Gibe Catchment, Ethiopia

Copper (Cu) deficiency is known to be a major risk for cattle health and production. The widespread problem is due to low absorption rates in the rumen, low Cu concentrations in the natural diet and the presence of dietary Cu antagonists, such as S, Mo and Fe (Suttle 2010). Cattle in the tropics are even more prone to shortage of this mineral, given that the animals are often extensively kept and largely dependent on natural pasture for mineral supply (McDowell and Arthington, 2005). More specifically, in Ethiopia, Cu deficiency was previously described in zebu (Bos indicus) cattle by several authors (e.g. Dermauw et al.). Similar to other minerals, Cu is part of the soil-plant-animal chain, with many factors influencing Cu concentrations at every level. In our study, the overall goal was to investigate the possible influence of certain environment and management factors on dietary concentrations of Cu and antagonists and Cu status in free ranging cattle