Knowledge and Preventive Practices of Abattoir Workers toward Bovine Tuberculosis in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic bacterial disease of animals that causes substantial economic losses in underdeveloped countries such as Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2021 to August 2021 in the Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia using a designed questionnaire to assess risk, perception, and protective behavior against bTB. For this purpose, a total of 250 randomly chosen meat handlers working at six main, purposively selected abattoirs were interviewed, and the data were analyzed using STATA v. 13 software. Of the total participants interviewed, 37.0% (57/152) of the respondents strongly agreed that contracting bTB would prevent them from coming to work, whereas 32.4% (44/136) of them stayed in bed for an extended period. Knowledge-based analysis revealed that butcher house men were more aware than abattoir workers about factors related to the spread of bTB from animals to humans (73.3%), that healthy-looking meat contains bTB-causing pathogens (67.5%), and that consumption of contaminated meat can be a source of infection in humans (65.6%). These findings revealed that abattoir and butcher house employees are at higher risk of bTB exposure and a lack of understanding about the nature and transmission of the infection. Thus, abattoir and butcher house workers should be encouraged to pursue regular medical follow-ups and should be provided with better personal protective equipment.

Study on gastrointestinal nematode parasite infections of donkey in and around shone town, Hadiya zone, Southern Ethiopia.

One of the most common factors limiting donkey health and productivity is infection with gastrointestinal nematode parasites. From December 2021 to May 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted in and around Shone town, Hadiya zone, southern Ethiopia, to estimate the prevalence of donkey GIT nematode parasite infection and to assess its associated risk factors. For the coprological examination, 384 simple randomly selected donkeys were sampled from four peasant associations. To identify parasitic eggs in feces, the standard flotation technique was used. In the donkeys examined, the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes was 75.26% Strongyles (48.17%), Parascaris equorum (11.45%), Strongyloides (5.99%), and mixed infection (Strongyles + Parascaris (9.11%) and Strongyles + Strongyloides (0.52%)) were the most commonly encountered nematodes. There was also a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of donkey gastrointestinal parasites by sex, body condition, and management system (p < 0.05). Donkeys with semi-intensified (OR = 8.99) and poor body condition (OR = 6.48) were at an increased risk of infection compared to intensive management and good body condition. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that gastrointestinal nematodes are the major health challenges for donkeys in the study area. As a result, strategic regular deworming, improved housing, and feeding management were recommended to improve the health and productivity of donkeys in the study area.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Cysticercosis bovis in Bishoftu Municipal Abattoir, Central Ethiopia.

Background: Cysticercus bovis has zoonotic implications with economic losses from organ contamination and treatment costs. In developing countries such as Ethiopia, where hygienic standards are low and residents customarily eat raw or undercooked meat, the disease is prevalent. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2021 to June 2022 to determine the prevalence of Cysticercus bovis in cattle slaughtered at the Bishoftu municipal abattoir, in central Ethiopia. Study populations for the active abattoir survey were cattle presented to the abattoir for slaughtering and routine meat inspection conditions. The organ namely the tongue, masseter muscle, liver, and triceps muscle were inspected for the presence of C. bovis. Results: From a total of 330 cattle, 14 were found to be positive for C. bovis, with an overall prevalence of 4.24%. Based on the origin of the animals, the highest prevalence was recorded at Adama (7.27%), followed by Bishoftu (5.45%), Mojo (5.45%), Borana (3.63%), Dukem (3.63%), and Kaliti (0.00%). Similarly, out of 111 adults and 219 old-aged cattle slaughtered and examined at the abattoir, 4.5%, and 4.11% were positive for C. bovis, respectively. Among tested independent variables, sex, body condition score, age, and origin of animals had no relationships with the prevalence of C. bovis. From the detected organ, the tongue ranks first for the highest number of cysts, followed by the masseter muscle, liver, and triceps muscle, with total cysts of 6, 4, 3, and 1, respectively. Conclusion: C. bovis is a prevalent zoonotic parasite disease that causes carcass condemnation; an enhanced understanding of the health consequences of teniasis is required to protect the community.

Study on Salmonella Isolates from Fresh Milk of Dairy Cows in Selected Districts of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Salmonella infections are most commonly found in animal-derived foods. From December 2021 to May 2022, the researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of Salmonella isolated from raw milk collected in and around Areka town, Boloso Sore Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 151 direct udder milk samples were collected at random and examined using bacteriological methods. The overall prevalence of Salmonella was 9.3% (14/151). Breed, age, body condition, lactation stage, and parity were statistically significant risk factors (p < 0.05). Salmonellosis was more common and statistically significant in dairy cows with poor body condition and late lactation stage, as well as the Holstein Friesian crossbreed, accounting for 17.6%, 19.1%, and 17.3%, respectively. The farm's husbandry hygiene and management system, on the other hand, had no significant association with salmonellosis (p > 0.05). Salmonellosis was generally considered to be moderately prevalent and was one of the diseases of dairy cows in the study area that could have an impact on dairy production and have serious health and financial repercussions. As a result, improvements in milk quality maintenance and assurance are encouraged, and the need for additional research in the study area was suggested along with other ideas.

Prevalence of Bovine Schistosomiasis and Associated Risk Factors in Tis Abay District, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease of cattle that is caused by trematode worms and results in morbidity, mortality, reduced fertility, and productivity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for bovine schistosomiasis in Tis Abay district, Amhara, Ethiopia. Fecal samples were collected from 384 randomly selected cattle and examined using the sedimentation technique. Results: Of the total examined fecal samples, 13.02% (50/384) of the samples were positive for Schistosoma bovis eggs. The prevalence of schistosomiasis was highly reported in Dasra (22.4%), which was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001). The prevalence of bovine schistosomiasis was higher in females (16.9%), crossbred cattle (17.1%), poorly conditioned cattle (37.1%), extensively managed cattle (17.9%), and cattle greater than 5 years old (23.1%). The multivariate analysis of factors revealed that study area, age, breed, body condition, and management system have a significant role (p < 0.05) in the prevalence of bovine schistosomiasis. Conclusion: Schistosoma infection is a problem for cattle in the study region. Therefore, farmers should be aware of the transmission of the disease, prevention, and control of snails.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with donkey gastrointestinal parasites in Shashemane and Suburbs, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

Background: Gastrointestinal parasites are the cause of morbidity and mortality in working donkeys and reduce their working performance. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to July 2021 to assess gastrointestinal parasite infection in working donkeys in Shashemane and the surrounding district. A total of 395 donkeys were randomly sampled for the study, and an examination was conducted using faecal egg count and the Baermann technique. Results: Out of the 395 sampled donkeys, different types of gastrointestinal parasites were identified. The parasites identified during the study were Strongyle spp. (100%), Oxyuris equi (10.1%), Parascaris equorum (23.8%), Fasciola spp. (0.3%), Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus (4.6%), Strongyloides westeri (47.8%) and Anoplocephala perfoliata (0.5%). Identification of L3 larvae of GI parasites revealed that Cyathostomes spp. (96.2%), Strongylus vulgaris (92.9%), Trichostrongylus axei (90.4%), Strongylus edentatus (89.4%), and Dictyocaulus arnifieldi (49.6%) were the most prevalent. Infection with one species of helminth was more common (60.8%). Conclusions: Thus, working donkeys in the present study area were infected with Strongyle spp. (100%), Strongyloides westeri (47.8%), Parascaris equorum (23.8%), Oxyuris equi (10.1%), Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus (4.6%), Anoplocephala perfoliata (0.5%) and Fasciola spp. (0.3%) parasites. Hence, comprehensive donkey health, management, and implementation of appropriate parasite control strategies should be implemented to alleviate these problems.

Survey on Mite Infestations in Small Ruminants in Kindo Didaye District, Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Background: Mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by microscopic mites that feed on the skin of small ruminants and affect animal productivity. Methods: A study was carried out to determine the prevalence and possible risk factors for mite infestation in small ruminants in Kindo Didaye district, Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia. Skin scraping samples were collected from 384 small ruminants (196 goats and 188 sheep) for the identification of mite species following the standard parasitological protocol. Results: Of the 384 examined animals, 6.25% of sheep and goats were infested with different mite species, namely, Sarcoptes (3.67%), Demodex (1.54%), and mixed infestation of Sarcoptes and Demodex (1.04%). A relatively higher prevalence of mite infestation occurred in goats (7.14%) than in sheep (5.3%), and the highest prevalence of lesions of mange mites was recorded in the neck region (3.13%). The multivariate analysis of factors revealed that only BCS and herd size have a significant role in mite infestation of small ruminants. In addition, the correlation analysis of mite infestation with factors revealed that herd size (r = .106), sex (.0434), and body condition score (r = .104) had a positive correlation with mite infestation. Conclusion: Mites are among the most important health constraints of sheep and goats in the study area, requiring immediate attention and control interventions. Moreover, further epidemiological investigations that consider agroecology and other nonhost-related risk factors should be carried out for the appropriate control of mange mites.

Study on Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Newcastle Disease in Smallholder Poultry Farms in Sodo Zuria District, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Newcastle disease (NCD) is a highly contagious viral disease of poultry and remains a constant threat in poultry farms that causes huge economic losses. The objective of this study was to estimate and assess the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Newcastle disease in the Sodo Zuria district, southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional survey followed by a simple random sampling technique was conducted from May to July 2021 on 384 apparently healthy nonvaccinated chickens on 30 smallholder poultry farms using commercial indirect ELISA kits and a questionnaire survey. The data were analyzed by using STATA for windows version 20 and a logistic regression reporting odds ratiowas applied to describe the seroprevalence of Newcastle disease with associated risk factors. The result of the study demonstrates that there was a high seroprevalence 48.7% (n= 187/384) of Newcastle disease in the study district. Information on associated risk factors were assessed using a semistructured questionnaire. The sex of the chicken showed a statistically significant difference (x 2 = 4.842; p = 0.028) with the seroprevalence of the disease. The difference in seroprevalence among intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive management system was statistically significant (x 2 = 3.84; p = 0.0001). There was also a statistical significant difference (x 2 = 2.3854; p = 0.496) in the absence and presence of safe disposal of a dead chicken with the occurence of Newcastle disease. However, no statistically significant difference was observed among age groups (x 2 = 4.335; p = 0.114), disinfection of poultry house (x 2 = 0.0; p = 0.998), presence and absence of footbath (x 2 = 2.969; p = 0.085), the breeds (x 2 = 4.490; p = 0.106), type of chicken (x 2 = 0.302; p = 0.583), and housing system (x 2 = 1.926; p = 0.588). A high seroprevalence without vaccination history showed that the virus was circulating within the poultry. Therefore, further molecular study has to be conducted to identify circulating strains and develop an evidence-based control program.

Study on the prevalence and associated risk factors of bovine trypanosomiasis in Zaba Gazo Woreda, Southern Ethiopia.

In tsetse-infested areas of Ethiopia, African Animal Trypanosomiasis is the most serious threat to livestock productivity. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2021 to September 2021 in the Zaba Gazo district to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of bovine trypanosomiasis through parasitological and hematological techniques. In the current study, the overall prevalence of trypanosomiasis was found to be 21%. Among anticipated risk factors, the origin of animals has shown a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) with the occurrence of bovine trypanosomiasis. Other potential risk factors, such as sex, age, BCS, coat color, and agroecology, were not shown to have a statistically significant relationship (p > 0.05) with trypanosomiasis. The overall mean PCV values for parasitaemic and aparasitaemic cattle were 23.24 ± 3.04SD and 27.37 ± 4.18SD, respectively, thus it was lower in parasitaemic animals than the aparasitaemic animals. A high prevalence of bovine trypanosomiasis in the study area necessitates an integrated parasite and vector control approach to curve the prevalence and effect of the disease.

Cystic echinococcosis in cattle slaughtered at a slaughterhouse in Gessa, southern Ethiopia.

Cystic echinococcosis is caused by the metacestode of the zoonotic flatworm Echinococcus granulosus. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2020 to August 2021 at the Gessa municipality abattoir in southern Ethiopia, through regular meat examinations and cyst characterization to determine the prevalence, organ distribution, and fertility of Cystic echinococcosis. The overall prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato was 17.9% (69/384) and has shown a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) with the body condition of cattle but not with other putative risk factors (p > 0.05). The odds of poor body condition cattle infected with CE was 1.29 times higher than medium body condition (OR = 0.506; CI = 0.566-2.96). Based on organ distribution of cysts, the lungs and liver were the most affected organs having a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) with the prevalence of CE. Based on the size of cysts, small (47.9%) size cysts revealed the highest prevalence as compared with large (33.3%) and medium (18.8%) sized cysts. On cyst characterization, the majority of Cystic echinococcosis were sterile cysts (55.4%) followed by fertile (38.8%) and calcified (8.7%) cysts and revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Cyst number, organ localization, fertility of cyst, and cyst size have shown a strong positive correlation (r = 0.8686, r = 0.8393, r = 0.9506, and r = 0.9189) with the prevalence of CE, respectively. The presence of an overall high prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in the present study required urgent action to interrupt the life cycle of Cystic echinococcosis and further studies using molecular techniques to characterize the circulating genotypes to prevent the risk of zoonosis in humans in the study area.

Study on Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Equines in and around Bekoji, South Eastern Ethiopia.

Parasitic infections can cause a variety of respiratory, intestinal, and other problems in horses, as well as contribute to some performance issues. A cross-sectional study was undertaken in and around Bekoji, South Eastern Ethiopia, from November 2020 to June 2021 to identify species and evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in donkeys and horses, using direct fecal smear, floatation methods, and larval cultures. In this study, the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode parasites was 94.5% (363 out of 384), with donkeys accounting for 95.8% and horses accounting for 90.5%. The coprological study indicated that an overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode parasites was 87%, 8.3%, 2.5%, 1.4%, and 0.8% for mixed parasite infection, nonmigratory strongylids, migratory strongylids, Parascaris equorum, and Oxyuris equi, respectively. Among mixed infections, nonmigratory strongylids+migratory strongylids (51.5%) occurred most frequently. The odds of male horses being infected by GIT nematodes were 1.59 times higher than male donkeys. Horses which have poor body condition were 2.94 times more infected than donkeys. The odds of old-aged donkeys were 3.11 times more infected than horses. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes with species and body conditions of the animals. However, no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) was seen in the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode parasites between the sex and age of the Equidae. The mean fecal egg count of nematodes revealed that horses (1364.4 ± 483.5) had a more severe infection than donkeys with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). The current study determined there was a high prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode parasites in Equidae. Regular deworming, improved housing and nutrition management systems, increased animal owner awareness, and prevention techniques should all be undertaken to minimize the disease's economic burden in the area.

Animal care professionals' practice towards zoonotic disease management and infection control practice in selected districts of Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Veterinary practices or activities expose professionals to occupational hazards, including infection with zoonotic diseases, during contact with animals. To assess animal care professionals' practice towards zoonotic disease management and infection control practices (ICPs) in selected areas of the Wolaita zone, a cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire survey. A total of 287 animal care professionals were registered by the Wolaita zone livestock and fishery office and working in nine different districts of the Wolaita zone. Of these, 135 animal care professionals working across nine different districts of the Wolaita zone were interviewed in the current study. The survey showed that about 55% (74/135) of respondents were animal health assistants, and about 84% (114/135) of the professionals were males. In terms of utilization of ICP, about 72% of professionals routinely wash their hands before eating and drinking in their workplace. However, approximately 7% of professionals sometimes eat or drink at the workplace. Additionally, almost 32% of the professionals always wash their hands between patient contacts. In the survey, approximately 49% of veterinarians said they sterilized and reused disposable needles. When dealing with an animal suspected of carrying a zoonotic infection, nearly 25% of experts isolate or quarantine diseased animals, and only about 25% of the experts remove their personal protective equipment (PPE) before interacting with other animals. Approximately 62% of responders said they used outwear (PPE) when carrying out surgery and 28% when performing a necropsy. Nearly 39% of veterinarians reported using gloves and gowns when assisting with parturition or handling conception products, and around 36% of practitioners utilized proper PPE when handling blood samples. Our findings show that the veterinary community in the Wolaita Zone's selected sites needs to be educated about ICPs regularly. A better understanding of the risk of zoonotic disease exposure, as well as alternatives for reducing this risk and liability problems, may encourage the use of infection control measures. Successful partnerships across multiple professional sectors should use a One Health approach that includes stakeholders from the human, animal, and environmental categories.

Study on Factors Affecting Estrus Synchronization in Smallholder Dairy Farming Systems of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Background: Reproductive biotechnology, such as estrus synchronization, can quickly boost the genetics of local cattle breeds, shorten generational cycles, and spread genetic material within populations of breeding animals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 154 purposively selected smallholder dairy owners using a semistructured questionnaire to assess factors that influence the success of estrus synchronization in smallholder dairy farms located in Agula, Wukro, and Enderta districts, Northern Ethiopia. Results: The estrus synchronization programme was positively accepted by 39.6% of illiterate participants. However, the education level and marital status of the participants had no significant association (p > 0.05) between the different study sites. On the other hand, approximately 10% of interviewees did not have awareness of dairy cattle estrus synchronization technology at the time of implementation, whereas 36 (23.4%) farmers who were aware of estrus synchronization gave negative feedback on the technology. Factors such as breed, management system, feed type, feeding, and watering frequency significantly varied (p < 0.05) among the three study sites, whereas the breeding practice had no significant association (p > 0.05) within these districts. The cause of failure during AI, awareness about synchronization, satisfaction with the AI, and estrus synchronization service have a significant variation (p < 0.05) within the three districts. On the other hand, the cause of AI failure, awareness about AI programs, source of synchronization information, and AI programs had no significant association (p > 0.05) with study sites. Anestrous (30.5%) and repeat breeders (38.9%) were among the causes of the low conception rate during the synchronization program. There were no significant variations in terms of AI program constraints in the three districts. Conclusion: AI technicians and farm owners need continuous training to improve their heat detection skills, increase their knowledge, and obtain a successful program.

Study on Bovine Trypanosomiasis and Associated Risk Factors in Benatsemay District, Southern Ethiopia.

Trypanosomosis is an endemic livestock disease in Ethiopia that hinders livestock production and productivity, especially in fertile agricultural western and southwestern areas. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based and parasitological studies were conducted from October 2020 to July 2021 in the Benatsemay district, southern Ethiopia to assess the knowledge of livestock owners about trypanosomosis, its prevalence, and host-related risk factors associated with bovine trypanosomosis in the area. According to the questionnaire survey, trypanosomosis was the main bottleneck to cattle in two of the selected study Sites in the Benatsemay district. The parasitological survey revealed that 11.46% (44/384) of the cattle were infected with trypanosomosis. Moreover, Trypanosoma congolense (9.11%) is the leading trypanosome species in the area, followed by T. vivax (31.8%). The adult age group (16.15%), poor-conditioned cattle (22.22%), and black-skinned cattle (34.24%) were significantly associated (P < .05) with trypanosomosis infection in the study area. Furthermore, the mean packed cell volume (PCV) of parasitaemic cattle (22.75%) was significantly (P < .05) lower than that of aparasitaemic cattle (29.23%). Therefore, the present study revealed that the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis in the study area and participatory vector control and the rational use of trypanocidal drugs should be implemented to control trypanosomosis in the area.

Babesiosis in cattle and ixodid tick distribution in Dasenech and Salamago Districts, southern Ethiopia.

Babesiosis, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia, and ixodid ticks are considered to be one of the most important causes that result in significant economic losses in cattle production worldwide, including in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was undertaken in the Dasenech and Salamago Districts of South Omo zone Ethiopia to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of babesia infection and ixodid ticks of cattle using Giemsa-stained thin and thick film techniques and morphological identification keys for babesia species and tick identification, respectively. Out of 470 examined cattle, 102 (21.7%) were infected by Babesiosis (15.53% Babesia bigemina and 6.17% Babesia bovis). A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was observed between babesia infection and season and tick infestation. However, cattle that were infected with the Babesia parasite revealed a lower mean PCV value (21.49%) than noninfected cattle (28.29%) and showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference with the occurrence of Babesia infection. The overall prevalence of ixodid ticks was 53.8% (253/470) and revealed a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between the season and origin of the animal. However, no statistically significant association (p > 0.05) was observed between sex, age, and body condition score of the animal with the occurrence of ixodid tick. A total of 8040 adult ticks belonging to four tick genera, Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus), Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus, were collected from various body parts and identified. The high prevalence of Babesia infection and ixodid ticks in cattle at the study sites requires seroprevalence and molecular studies to identify the predominant Babesia species and to detect Babesia in tick hemolymph for the identification of tick genera responsible for the occurrence of Babesia infection. Additionally, tailoring suitable and coordinated tick management methods using chemotherapy as well as strategic treatment to overt clinical cases of bovine babesiosis is critical.

Cytopathological and bacteriological studies on caseous lymphadenitis in cattle slaughtered at Bishoftu municipal abattoir, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) is a chronic bacterial infectious disease that affects cattle, shoats, and other domestic and wild ruminants. METHODS: A purposive cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 cattle with enlarged lymph nodes to investigate CLA using cytopathological and bacteriological techniques from cattle slaughtered at Bishoftu municipal abattoir. RESULTS: From a total of 30 cattle subjected to clinical and post-mortem examinations, only one bull was found to be infected with a rare case of CLA in Bishoftu municipal abattoir, Ethiopia. Enlargement of the pre-scapular lymph node was the only clinical finding during ante-mortem inspection of the bull. The gross pathological lesion showed a pre-scapular lymph node with a caseo-necrotic dystrophic calcification that was accompanied by a rough texture and white to grayish hue. Histopathologically, the lymph node was characterized by central liquefactive necrosis that was surrounded by coagulative necrosis containing multiple foci of mineralization, infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and mononuclear immature fibrosis containing inflammatory cells and also with some sort of a thick layer of mature fibrosis that defines the magnitude of the lesion. Cytologically, multi-lobulated (intact and degenerated) neutrophils, a few reactive lymphocytes, macrophages and some crenated histocytes have been recognized. The bacterial culture of the sample revealed small, white cream, dry, waxy colonies with a narrow area of ß-haemolysis. The isolate of the sample was a Gram-positive cocci-bacilli that was arranged in a Chinese pattern on Gram staining, and catalase and urease were positive in the biochemical analysis of this organism, which was able to ferment glucose and maltose but not trehalose and xylose. CONCLUSIONS: The present investigation indicated that CLA was prevalent as sporadic cases among cattle slaughtered in Bishoftu municipal abattoir. Thus, effective preventive and control measures, such as good sanitation and hygiene, should be followed during meat inspection.

Isolation and antibiogram of Escherichia coli O157: H7 from diarrhoeic calves in urban and peri-urban dairy farms of Hawassa town.

BACKGROUND: Calf diarrhoea is the most serious issue in the livestock industry, resulting in significant financial losses. METHODS: A study was undertaken in 32 urban and peri-urban dairy farms of Hawassa town to isolate E. coli from diarrhoeic calves, assess associated putative factors related to the occurrence, and the evaluate antibacterial susceptibility patterns of isolates. A convenience sampling technique was performed for the selection of these dairy farms and calf samples. A total of 68 faecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of diarrhoeic calves. The faecal samples were confirmed as E. coli O157: H7 positive using the latex agglutination test. RESULTS: In this study, 47(69.1%) samples were positive for E. coli, of which 22 (46.8%) were identified as E. coli O157:H7 strains based on their latex agglutination character. Factors such as frequency of calf house cleaning, type of supplement provided, and method of colostrum feeding were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with calf diarrhoea, while the other risk factors had no significant association. Antibiogram of E. coli O157:H7 isolates showed that the isolates were highly sensitive to gentamycin, ceftriaxone, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, and ciprofloxacin and were found to be resistant to tetracycline, kanamycin and amoxicillin. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that calf diarrhoea is still a major health problem of calves in the study area. Hence, improved calf and farm management practice, an ad libitum quantity of colostrum, and good farm hygienic practices should be ensured. This study also revealed that some antibiotic-resistant E. coli O157:H7 isolates need to be further investigated for their public health implications.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Bovine and Ovine Lungworm Infection at Durame District, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Lungworms are parasitic nematodes of the order Strongylidae that infect the lungs of cattle and sheep and cause bronchitis or pneumonia. METHODS: An abattoir-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to April 2019 to determine the comparative prevalence and the possible risk factors of lungworm infection in sheep and cattle of Durame district of Kembata Tembaro zone. For this purpose, a total of 410 animals (209 sheep and 201 cattle) were randomly selected and examined for the presence of different lungworm species using the modified Baermann technique and postmortem examination. The sensitivity and specificity of fecal sample test considering necropsy as reference/gold standard was conducted. RESULTS: Accordingly, the overall prevalence of lungworm infection in sheep and cattle was 24.39%. Dictyocaulus filaria and D. viviparous were the only species of lungworm identified in sheep and cattle with a respective prevalence of 44.02% and 3.98%. Putative risk factors such as species and poor body condition have a significant association (p < 0.05) with the occurrence of lungworms in sheep and cattle. The lungworm infection was higher in the young age group (25.30%) and poor body conditioned (32.14%) animals. Season-wise prevalence revealed that a higher lungworm infection was recorded during autumn (32.14%) as compared to winter (22.81%) and spring (16.2%). Most of the sheep and cattle in the current study were heavily (45.0%) and moderately (39.0%) infected with lungworms whereas the rest 16.0% were infected with a low degree of lungworm infection. The specificity, sensitivity, PPV, and NPV of the modified Baermann technique against the gold standard test were 89.4%, 42%, 56.0%, and 82.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that lungworm infection is prevalent in sheep and cattle of the study area and that was commonly occurs during autumn and affects poorly conditioned sheep and cattle. Thus, routine and strategic deworming for the control and prevention of lungworms in domestic animals should be recommended to overwhelm the prevalence of lungworm infection.

Study on Prevalence of Trypanosomosis in Cattle of Sodo Zuriya District, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Trypanosomosis is a significant impediment to Ethiopia's livestock and farm production, adding adversely to the overall growth of agriculture in general and the nation's food self-reliance efforts in particular. METHODS: Cross-sectional research was performed on the prevalence of trypanosomosis in cattle and the distinction of Trypanosoma species and potential factors in six selected provinces of the Sodo zuriya district in southern Ethiopia. Blood samples from the ear vein of 400 local and exotic cattle species were taken randomly. A hematocrit reader was used after centrifugation at 12,000 rpm for a five-minute assessment of anemic conditions of animals, and the anemia of the thin blood spraying and buffy coat procedure was tested to assess the incidence, detection, and packaging of Trypanosoma and the cell volume of each sampled animal. RESULTS: Accordingly, twenty cattle were positive for trypanosomosis, with an overall proportion of 5.0%. From this overall prevalence, Trypanosoma congolense (3.3%) and Trypanosoma vivax (1.8%) were the two common Trypanosoma species in this study. The highest and the lowest prevalence of trypanosomes occurred in Guttuto Larena (35%) and Dalbo Wogane (0.00%), respectively. Age-wise prevalence revealed that young adults (45%) were the most affected, followed by old adults (35%) and adults (20%). Cattle with poor body condition scores (65%) were the most affected, followed by cattle with medium (30%) and good (5%) body condition scores, and this was found to be statistically significant (p ≤ 0.002). In addition, the variation in packed cell volume (PCV) between infected and noninfected cattle was significantly different (p ≤ 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Thus, the present study revealed the predominance of bovine trypanosomosis in the region and had a significant effect on body condition and anemia growth. The government and public should then collaborate in parasite-observed areas on the disease's management and prevention efforts in an environmentally sustainable way.

Study on Prevalence of Hard Ticks and Their Associated Risk Factors in Small Ruminants of Boloso Sore Districts of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Ticks and tick-borne infections are the most serious health threats to small ruminants in Ethiopia, resulting in huge economic losses. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a simple random sampling technique was conducted to determine the prevalence and potential risk factors of hard ticks in small ruminants of the Boloso Sore district of Wolaita Zone. Ticks were identified to species level under a stereomicroscope using morphological identification keys. RESULTS: From a total of 400 examined animals, 68.75% (275/400) of them were infested with hard ticks with the respective prevalence of 69.09% (152/220) in goats and 68.33% (123/180) in sheep. A total of 1192 (552 males and 640 females) adult ixodid ticks that belong to a total of four species, which were grouped under three genera: Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus, and one subgenus; Boophilus were collected from the head, ear, under tail and legs of goats and sheep. In this study, Amblyomma variegatum 44.97% (536/1192) was found to be the most abundant tick species followed by Boophilus decoloratus 30.79% (367/1192), Rhipicephalus pulchellus 20.47% (244/1192), and Hyalomma truncatum 3.77% (45/1192). The sex, age, and body condition score of animals with a high prevalence of hard ticks showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Male ticks dominated females in all cases except for Boophilus decoloratus. There was no statistically significant relationship (p > 0.05) between tick infestation and animal origin or species. CONCLUSION: Ticks were the most significant production and health constraints for small ruminants in the study region. Therefore, the increasing threat of ticks of small ruminants warrants urgent strategic application of acaricides and the creation of awareness among livestock owners to prevent and control tick infestation.