Prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in livestock in Trinidad and Tobago.

Faecal samples from 683 diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic piglets, calves, lambs and goat kids were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The prevalence of infection in piglets and lambs was 19.6% and 20%, respectively, and these rates were significantly higher than those detected in calves (8.7%). Amongst the four animal species studied, the detection rates were higher in diarrhoeic than in non-diarrhoeic animals and in animals under extensive and semi-intensive husbandry systems. However, these differences were not statistically significant.

Epidemiology of Salmonella infections in Trinidadian livestock farms.

Faeces of 689 diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic livestock were examined for salmonellae and the antibiograms of isolates were determined. Twenty-nine (4.2%) animals were positive for Salmonella. The highest prevalence was detected amongst calves with 14 (4.8%) of 293 found positive and the lowest prevalence in kids with none of 18 sampled shedding salmonellae. Twelve (4.1%) of 294 piglets and 3 (3.6%) of 84 lambs tested were positive for Salmonella. There were no statistical differences (P > or = 0.05; chi 2) between animal semi-intensively managed (4.4%) and those intensively kept (4.3%), between diarrhoeic (5.0%) and non-diarrhoeic (3.3%), between females (5.2%) and males (3.4%). Nine serotypes were isolated with a predominance of S. hadar, S. gaminara and S. typhimurium in calves, piglets and lambs, respectively. Two serotypes, S. kinshasa and S. virchow are reported for the first time in animals in the West Indies. All Salmonella strains were sensitive to ampicillin and gentamycin whereas resistance was high to tetracycline (40.0%), triple sulphur (30.0%) and streptomycin (26.7%).

Prevalance of cryptosoporidium oocysts in livestock in Trinidad and Tobago

Faecal samples from 683 diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic piglets, calves, lambs and goat kids were examined for Crytosporidium occysts. The prevalence of infection in piglets and lambs was 19.6 percent and 20 percent, respectively, and these rates were significantly higher that those detected in calves (8.7 percent). Amongst the four animal species studied, the detection rates were higher in diarrhoeic than in non-diarrhoeic animals and in animals under extensive and semi-intensive husbandry systems. However, these differences were not statistically significant(AU)

Campylobacter infections in calves, piglets, lambs and kids in Trinidad

Faeces or rectal swabs from 689 diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic animals were cultured for thermophilic campylobacters and their antibiograms were determined. Three hundred and fifteen (45.7 percent) samples were positive for Campylobacter. Piglets had the highest prevalence, 79.3 percent (233/294) and lambs, the lowest with 17.9 percent (15/84) being positive. The difference was statistically significant (P < or = 0.01; chi 2). In calves, 20.5 (60/293) and in kids 38.9 percent (7/18) were positive for campylobacters. The prevalence of infection was not significantly (P > or = 0.05; chi 2) different between diarrhoeic (46.1 percent) and non-diarrhoeic (45.1 percent) animals nor between male (47.5 percent) and female (43.8 percent). The frequency of isolation of campylobacters harvested from semi-intensively managed animals (75.4 percent) was, however, significantly higher (P < or = 0.001; chi 2) than from intensively or extensively managed animals. Overall, C. coli strains (32.8 percent) were more frequently isolated than C. jejuni strains (12.9 percent) and the difference was significant (P < or = 0.001; chi 2). Biotype I accounted for 67.3 percent (152/226) of C. coli and 64.0 percent (57/89) of C. jejuni strains isolated. A total of 245 (77.8 percent) strains of Campylobacter exhibited resistance to one or more antibiotics and was highest to streptomycin (76.5 percent), kanamycin (28.6 percent) and neomycin (26.7 percent). It was concluded that Campylobacter infections were widespread in livestock in Trinidad, particularly C. coli in piglets. (AU)

Campylobacter infections in calves, piglets, lambs and kids in Trinidad.

Faeces or rectal swabs from 689 diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic animals were cultured for thermophilic campylobacters and their antibiograms were determined. Three hundred and fifteen (45.7%) samples were positive for Campylobacter. Piglets had the highest prevalence, 79.3% (233/294) and lambs, the lowest with 17.9% (15/84) being positive. The difference was statistically significant (P < or = 0.01; chi 2). In calves, 20.5% (60/293) and in kids 38.9% (7/18) were positive for campylobacters. The prevalence of infection was not significantly (P > or = 0.05; chi 2) different between diarrhoeic (46.1%) and non-diarrhoeic (45.1%) animals nor between male (47.5%) and female (43.8%). The frequency of isolation of campylobacters harvested from semi-intensively managed animals (75.4%) was, however, significantly higher (P < or = 0.001; chi 2) than from intensively or extensively managed animals. Overall, C. coli strains (32.8%) were more frequently isolated than C. jejuni strains (12.9%) and the difference was significant (P < or = 0.001; chi 2). Biotype I accounted for 67.3% (152/226) of C. coli and 64.0% (57/89) of C. jejuni strains isolated. A total of 245 (77.8%) strains of Campylobacter exhibited resistance to one or more antibiotics and was highest to streptomycin (76.5%), kanamycin (28.6%) and neomycin (26.7%). It was concluded that Campylobacter infections were widespread in livestock in Trinidad, particularly C. coli in piglets.

Frequency of isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica from livestock in Trinidad

As part of a study to determine the enteric pathogens associated with diarrhoea in livestock in Trinidad, rectal swabs were taken from diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic calves, piglets, lambs and kids. Swabs were transported to the laboratory ice-cooled in Amies transport medium within two hours of collection and then enriched in 0.067 M phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.6 for three weeks at 4§C. Subcultures were made on to Yersinia selective medium (Oxoid) after one and three weeks and incubated at room temperature (22 to 25§C) for 24 to 48 hours. Pinkish 'bull-eyed' colonies were picked and subjected to biochemical tests as reported by Shiemann and Flemming (1981). The confirmation of isolates, serotyping and biotyping were kindly done at the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control in Ontario, Canada (AU)

Mongoose rabies in Grenada

From June, 1965, to March, 1968, the Trinidad Regional Virus Laboratory carried out examinations for rabies on 655 mongoose and domestic animal specimens from Grenada by fluorescent antibody techniques and mouse inoculation. Rabies virus was isolated from 29 of 600 routinely trapped mongooses, from 25 to 35 domestic animals. There was incomplete agreement in diagnosis between flourescent antibody assay and mouse inoculation technique, the latter detecting more positives. (AU)

Mongoose rabies in grenada - abstract

The programme aimed at eradicating mongoose rabies from Grenada is discussed. So far this programme has not been successful. Results of the examination of over 500 specimens from Grenada collected in 1966 and 1967 indicate that the virus is more active on the Caribbean side of the island than on the Atlantic side. They also suggest that transmission of rabies virus is more intense during the dry seasons. The implications of these findings for a more successful operation in the future are discussed(AU)