Prevalence and Serotype of Poultry Salmonellosis in Africa: a Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Salmonellosis represents a significant economic and public health concern for the poultry industry in Africa, leading to substantial economic losses due to mortality, reduced productivity, and food safety problems. However, comprehensive information on the burden of poultry salmonellosis at the continental level are scarce. To address this gap, a systemic review and meta-analysis were conducted to consolidate information on the prevalence and circulating serotypes of poultry salmonellosis in African countries. This involved the selection and review of 130 articles published between 1984 and 2021. A detailed systematic review protocol was structured according to Cochrane STROBE and PRISMA statement guidelines. From the 130 selected articles from 23 different African countries, the overall pooled prevalence estimate (PPE) of poultry salmonellosis in Africa was found to be 14.4% (95% CI= 0.145-0.151). Cameroon reported the highest PPE at 71.9%, with the country also noting the highest specific prevalence of 93.3%. The PPE was notably high in meat and meat products at 23%, indicating significant contamination of Salmonella in African poultry meat and meat products. The number of research papers reporting poultry salmonellosis in Africa has been a threefold increase from 1984 to 2021. Salmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium were the two most prevalent serotypes reported in 18 African countries. Besides, Salmonella Kentucky, Virchow, Gallinarum, and Pullorum were also widely reported. Western Africa had the highest diversity of reported Salmonella serotypes (141), in contrast to southern Africa, which reported only 27 different serotypes. In conclusion, poultry salmonellosis is highly prevalent across Africa, with a variety of known serotypes circulating throughout the continent. Consequently, it is crucial to implement strategic plans for the prevention and control of Salmonella in Africa.

Exploration of Cytochrome P450-Related Interactions between Aflatoxin B1 and Tiamulin in Broiler Chickens.

Poultry may face simultaneous exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and tiamulin (TIA), given mycotoxin contamination and antibiotic use. As both mycotoxins and antibiotics can affect cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450), our study aimed to explore their interaction. We developed UHPLC-MS/MS methods for the first-time determination of the interaction between TIA and AFB1 in vitro and in vivo in broiler chickens. The inhibition assay showed the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of AFB1 and TIA in chicken liver microsomes are more than 7.6 µM, indicating an extremely weak inhibitory effect on hepatic enzymes. Nevertheless, the oral TIA pharmacokinetic results indicated that AFB1 significantly increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUClast) of TIA by 167% (p < 0.01). Additionally, the oral AFB1 pharmacokinetics revealed that TIA increased the AUClast and mean residence time (MRT) of AFB1 by 194% (p < 0.01) and 136%, respectively. These results suggested that the observed inhibition may be influenced by other factors, such as transport. Therefore, it is meaningful to further explore transport and other enzymes, involved in the interaction between AFB1 and TIA. Furthermore, additional clinical studies are necessary to thoroughly assess the safety of co-exposure with mycotoxins and antibiotics.

Quantitative Assessment of Major Biosecurity Challenges of Poultry Production in Central Ethiopia.

The present study aims to assess the level of implementation of biosecurity practices of small-, medium- and large-scale poultry farms in central Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was implemented involving 226 poultry farms (153 small-, 53 medium- and 20 large-scale farms) in three selected areas of central Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa, Bishoftu and West of Shaggar. The results revealed a very low overall biosecurity score of 43.1% for central Ethiopia compared to the global average score of 64.3%. No significant difference (p > 0.05) in the overall biosecurity practices among the three study sites (36.1% for Addis Ababa, 49% for Bishoftu and 34.9% for West of Shaggar) was observed. Six of the eight external biosecurity components with an overall score of 40.7% as compared to the global average of 64.6% were highly disrupted and scored lower values. With regard to internal biosecurity disease management, cleaning and disinfection practices were found to be 52.6% as opposed to the global average of 64%. The poor biosecurity level among poultry farms of central Ethiopia clearly demonstrates the urgent need for the implementation of appropriate biosecurity practices through the active involvement of all stakeholders to combat the impact of various diseases and boost the productivity of the sector.

Antimicrobial Profiles and Conventional PCR Assay of Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC) Isolated from Cattle Slaughtered at Bedele Municipal Abattoir, South West Ethiopia.

Background: Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC) is considered the most prevalent food borne pathogen that has gained increasing attention worldwide in recent years. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Bedele Municipal abattoir on cattle that were reported healthy from detailed ante-mortem inspections and having various body conditions scores. A total of 516 samples were collected and examined after enriched in modified peptone water. Following an enrichment, the samples were plated onto MacConkey agar and then onto Eosin methylene blue agar. Finally after a few similar procedures, 14 E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) isolates were confirmed through latex agglutination test. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software. Results: This study finding revealed that the overall prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 out of 516 samples was found to be 2.7%. However, on sample type basis, the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 from feacal samples, carcass swabs, butcher hand swabs and knife swabs were 4.7%, 3.3%, 1.1% and 1.1%, respectively. It was also found that that the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was significantly affected by age groups of slaughtered cattle (p<0.05). Moreover, in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility test result on average showed that almost all of E. coli O157:H7 isolates were highly susceptible to kanamycin and no resistance was shown to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Finally, the conventional PCR detection of stx1, st2 and hylA genes revealed that only 21.4% and 14.3% were found to contain stx1 and hylA genes respectively. Conclusion: To wrap up, this study showed that Shiga toxin producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) isolates were found with almost low overall prevalence rate from all sample sources in this study site. Therefore, improving abattoir facilities and slaughter house workers' personal hygiene are recommended to curtail E. coli O157:H7 meat contamination in this abattoir.

Cross-Sectional Study of Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Bovine Brucellosis in Selected Districts of Jimma Zone, South Western Oromia, Ethiopia.

Bovine brucellosis is one of the most widespread but neglected zoonotic diseases in developing countries where it is an endemic and growing problem causing public health impacts. Developing a cost-effective control strategy of the disease can only be guaranteed by knowledge of the disease epidemiology that defines its risk profiles. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate epidemiological aspects of bovine brucellosis in selected districts of Jimma zone. A cross-sectional study with multistage sampling techniques was conducted on 424 cattle to evaluate its seroprevalence. Likewise, 114 households were included for the investigation of risk factors. SPSS version 20 for data analysis and C-ELISA test for antibody detection were used. Moreover, the chi-square test for univariable analysis and logistic regression model for multivariable analysis were employed to assess association between seropositivity and risk factors. From this study, 3.3% (95% CI: 1.82-5.48) and 12.3% (95% CI: 6.88-19.75) seroprevalence of the disease was detected with the highest proportion found at Kersa district (6.5 (95% CI: 1.37-17.90) and (21.4 (95% CI: 4.66-50.80)) followed by Seka Chokorsa (1.76 (95% CI: 0.37-5.07) and (6.7 (95% CI: 1.40-18.27)) and Mana (1.75 (95% CI: 0.21-6.20) and (7.1 (95% CI: 0.88-23.50)) at individual animals and herd levels, respectively. Cattle of poor body condition, pregnant, and cows with history of abortion and repeat breeding were found 4.8 (95% CI: 2.00-22.74), 4.3 (95% CI: 1.43-13.04), 3.3 (95% CI: 1.07-10.21), and 2.7 (95% CI: 1.86-8.15) times more likely seropositive than their counterparts, respectively. Besides these, mixed feeding style was highly associated with seropositive reactors than separate feeding (AOR = 8.3; 95% CI: 1.76-38.99). These findings depicted substantial areas to be addressed in implementation of appropriate and immediate control actions and establishment of intervention mechanisms of bovine brucellosis.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Animal Bite Victims Attending an Anti-rabies Health Center in Jimma Town, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Rabies is an important but preventable cause of death in Ethiopia. We assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of animal bite victims attending an anti-rabies health center in Jimma Town, Ethiopia. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Between July 2012 and March 2013 a cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 384 bite victims or their guardians in the case of minors (aged <15 years). Factors associated with knowledge, attitudes and practices were evaluated using generalized linear models. Almost all participants (99%) were aware that rabies was transmitted by the bite or lick of a rabid dog, however only 20.1% identified "germs" as the cause of disease. A majority of participants stated rabies could be prevented by avoiding dog bites (64.6%) and confining dogs (53.9%); fewer (41.7%) recognized vaccination of dogs/cats as an important preventive strategy. Regarding attitudes, most (91.1%) agreed that medical evaluation should be sought as soon as possible. However, most (75.0%) also believed that traditional healers could cure rabies. Rural residence (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.1, p = 0.015) and Protestant religion (OR = 2.4, p = 0.041) were independently associated with this belief. Among 186 participants who owned dogs, only 9 (4.8%) had ever vaccinated their dog and more than 90% of respondents indicated that their dog was free-roaming or cohabitated with the family. Only 7.0% of participants applied correct first aid following exposure, and the majority (47.7%) reported that the animal was killed by the community following the incident. Female sex and Muslim religion were independently associated with higher and lower practices scores, respectively, due largely to differences in animal management practices following the incident. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Although respondents demonstrated reasonably sound knowledge of rabies and its transmission, attitudes and practices were inconsistent with rabies prevention. Culturally- and gender-sensitive activities that promote proper first aid and healthcare seeking behavior as well as appropriate animal management, particularly in rural areas, are needed to prevent deaths associated with rabies in this setting.