Serological Evidence and Coexposure of Selected Infections among Livestock Slaughtered at Eastern Cape Abattoirs in South Africa.

Zoonotic infections were investigated in a cross-sectional study on asymptomatic livestock slaughtered in abattoirs in the Eastern Cape. Antibodies against Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetii, Toxoplasma gondii, and the coexposure were investigated in sera using serological tests. A total of 565 animals comprising of 280 cattle, 200 sheep, and 85 pigs were screened using RBT, iELISA, CFT, and AMOS-PCR. The Mast® Toxoreagent test and iELISA were used for the detection of T. gondii and C. burnetii, respectively. The Brucella positivity based on at least two tests was 4.3% (12/280), 1.0% (2/200), and 0.0% (0/85) in cattle, sheep, and pigs, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity of 37.90% (106/280), 1.50% (3/200), and 7.10% (6/85) was observed in cattle, sheep, and pigs, respectively. Coxiella burnetii seropositivity of 26.40% (74/280), 15.00% (30/200), and 2.40% (2/85) was observed in cattle, sheep, and pigs, respectively. Coexposure was detected in cattle for positivity against C. burnetii and T. gondii 40.54%, Brucella spp. and T. gondii 1.35%, and Brucella spp. and C. burnetii 4.05%. Coexposure for Brucella spp., C. burnetii, and T. gondii 4.05% was detected in cattle. Coexposure of Brucella spp. and C. burnetii 6.67% was detected in sheep. The AMOS-PCR identified B. abortus in cattle and a mixed infection of B. abortus and B. melitensis in sheep in 64.71% seropositive samples. To our knowledge, the coexposure of Brucella spp., T. gondii, and C. burnetii in cattle has not been reported. Coexposure of Brucella spp. and C. burnetii in cattle and sheep is significant as it results in reproductive losses and constitutes an infectious risk to humans. The detection of antibodies against multiple zoonotic infections in livestock from abattoirs has implications for public health.

The reporting of a Bacillus anthracis B-clade strain in South Africa after more than 20 years.

OBJECTIVES: Anthrax is a disease with an age old history in Africa caused by the Gram-positive endospore forming soil bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Epizootics of wild ungulates occur annually in the enzootic region of Pafuri, Kruger National Park (KNP) in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Rigorous routine surveillance and diagnostics in KNP, has not revealed these rare isolates since the 1990s, despite unabated annual outbreaks. In 2011 a cheetah was diagnosed as anthrax positive from a private game reserve in Limpopo Province and reported to State Veterinary Services for further investigation. Isolation, molecular diagnostics, whole genome sequencing and comparative genomics were carried out for B. anthracis KC2011. RESULTS: Bacteriological and molecular diagnostics confirmed the isolate as B. anthracis. Subsequent typing and whole genome single nucleotide polymorphisms analysis indicated it clustered alongside B. anthracis SA A0091 in the B.Br.010 SNP branch. Unlike B. anthracis KrugerB strain, KC2011 strain has unique SNPs and represents a new branch in the B-clade. The isolation and genotypic characterisation of KC2011 demonstrates a gap in the reporting of anthrax outbreaks in the greater Limpopo province area. The identification of vulnerable and susceptible cheetah mortalities due to this strain has implications for conservation measures and disease control.

Place of culdocentesis in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

In developing countries the high incidence of anaemia and pelvic infection often makes the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy difficult. Culdocentesis has been used in 100 doubtful cases out of 144 consecutive cases of ectopic pregnancy. The preoperative diagnosis was correct in 93 out of the 100 cases. There were three false-negative and four false-positive results; only two unnecessary laparotomies were performed. It is suggested that culdocentesis has an essential place in the early diagnosis of doubtful or atypical ectopic pregnancy. It was simple, safe, and reliable. Owing to earlier diagnosis maternal mortality and morbidity and the duration of stay in hospital have all been reduced.