Genetic diversity of indigenous chickens from selected areas in Kenya using microsatellite markers.

In this study, indigenous chickens were collected from eight different regions in Kenya and kept at InCIP-Egerton University. These were studied using eighteen microsatellite markers to determine genetic variation. Statistics related to genetic variation were estimated using GenALEx6. Mean percentage polymorphic loci (PPL) was 96.71% and 4% genetic variance (p ≥ 0.003) was seen between the eight populations. MCW0123 marker had the highest genetic variance of 13% among populations (p ≥ 0.003) at 95% CI. Mean He ranged from 0.351 ± 0.031 (SIB) to 0.434 ± 0.022 (BM) with a grand mean He of 0.399 ± 0.011 across the populations using the microsatellite markers. Nei's genetic distance ranged from 0.016 (SIB and WP) to 0.126 (NR and SIB). DARwin6.501 analysis software was used to draw the population dendrogram and two major population clusters were observed, also seen with PCoA. This study found a lot of genetic variation and relatedness within and among populations. Based on the phylogenetic tree result, it is concluded that the clustering of the chicken populations in the present study is not based on geographical proximity. The microsatellite markers used in this study were suitable for the measurement of the genetic biodiversity and relationship of Kenyan chicken populations. These results can therefore serve as an initial step to plan the conservation of indigenous chickens in Kenya.

Risk factors associated with contagious caprine pleuro-pneumonia in goats in pastoral areas in the Rift Valley region of Kenya.

A cross-sectional study to determine risk factors associated with sero-prevalence of contagious caprine pleuro-pneumonia (CCPP) in goats was carried out between the months of March, 2014 and March, 2015 in Pokot East, Turkana West and Kajiado Central Sub-counties. A semi-structured questionnaire focusing on risk factors for CCPP was completed for each flock whose serum samples were collected. A logistic regression model was developed to assess the association between the risk factors and CCPP sero-positivity. Of the 54 flocks, 49 (90.7%) presented at least one sero-positive animal. Two hundred and four of the 432 goats tested sero-positive at monoclonal antibody based competitive Enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (c-ELISA), hence a sero-prevalence of 47.2% (95% CI=42.5- 51.9). Previous exposure of flocks to CCPP (p<0.001, OR=52.8; CI=6.45, 432), distant sources of veterinary drugs (p<0.001, OR=6.17; CI=3.41, 11.1), movement of goats to dry season feeding areas (p<0.001, OR=4.31; CI=2.39, 7.75) and markets as a source of new introductions to the flock (p=0.033, OR=1.86; CI=1.05, 3.27) were identified as risk factors significantly associated with CCPP sero-prevalence. The findings provide further evidence supporting the high prevalence and endemic state of the disease in pastoral flocks and hence there is need for adequate measures to be put in place to control the disease effectively.

Alternative cell lines for the propagation of lumpy skin disease virus.

In our Institute lumpy skin disease virus is grown on primary lamb testis cells for isolation, identification and vaccine production. However, the availability of lambs in Kenya has been seriously reduced over the past few years. This has led to an increase in the cost of using primary lamb testis cells. This study was undertaken to investigate other primary cell lines, which are easily available and provide an equivalent or better yield of lumpy skin disease virus. Foetal bovine muscle (FBM) cells were found to be an adequate alternative for lamb testis cells.

Improved detection of capripoxvirus in biopsy samples by PCR.

A simple test based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect capripoxvirus DNA in tissue culture supernatants and biopsy samples. The identity of the PCR products was confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis. The test has greater sensitivity and good specificity compared to an antigen trapping enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay which uses a detector antibody raised against a recombinant capripoxvirus-specific antigen. The reagents for the PCR-based test are all available commercially and the test provides a valuable addition to the current methods of virus detection.

Isolation of Rift Valley fever virus from mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) collected during an outbreak in domestic animals in Kenya.

During an outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in livestock near Lake Naivasha, Rift Valley Province, Kenya, 61,347 mosquitoes (1,287 pools) collected in CO2-baited light traps yielded seven viral isolates. Five isolates of RVF virus were recovered from 18,831 Culex zombaensis Theobald and one from 14,439 Mansonia africana (Theobald). One isolate of a Bunyamwera group virus was recovered from 1,175 Aedes quasiunivittatus (Theobald).