Incidence of uterine infections, major bacteria and antimicrobial resistance in postpartum dairy cows in southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Uterine infections, primarily caused by bacterial pathogens, pose a significant problem for dairy farmers worldwide, leading to poor reproductive performance and economic losses. However, the bacteria responsible for uterine infections have not been adequately studied, nor has the antibiotic susceptibility of the causative bacteria been frequently tested in Ethiopia. This study aims to estimate the cumulative incidence of uterine infections in postpartum dairy cows, identify bacterial causes and determine antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolated bacteria. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in which 236 cows from 74 dairy farms were monitored biweekly from calving to 90 days postpartum for metritis, endometritis and other disorders. Aseptic uterine swab samples were collected from 40 cows with uterine infections. The samples were cultured, and the isolated bacteria were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using the disk diffusion method. RESULTS: Out of 236 cows monitored during the postpartum phase, 45 (19.1%) were found to have contracted uterine infection. The cumulative incidence of metritis was 11.4% (n = 27), while the cumulative incidence of endometritis was 7.6% (n = 18). Of the 40 cultured swab samples, 29 (72.5%) had one or more bacteria isolated. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli (45%), coagulase-positive staphylococci (30%), and Klebsiella spp. (22.5%). Other bacterial spp, including Arcanobacterium pyogenes (12.5%), Fusobacterium spp. (12.5%), Enterobacter aerogenes (12.5%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (12.5%), Streptococcus spp. (7.5%), Salmonella spp, (5%) Proteus spp (5%) and Pasteurella spp (2.5%) were also isolated. All of the isolated bacteria demonstrated resistance to at least one of the antimicrobials tested. Multidrug resistance was observed in E. coli, Klebsiella spp., A. pyogenes, and Fusobacterium spp. Gentamicin was found to be the most effective antimicrobial against all bacteria tested, while tetracycline was the least effective of all. CONCLUSION: The study found that a significant proportion of cows in the population were affected by uterine infections and the isolated bacteria developed resistance to several antimicrobials. The study emphasizes the need for responsible use of antimicrobials to prevent the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. It also highlights the importance of raising awareness among dairy farmers to avoid the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and its consequences.

Growth inhibitory effect of selected medicinal plants from Southern Ethiopia on the mycelial phase of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum.

BACKGROUND: Epizootic lymphangitis is an infectious and chronically debilitating disease of the equines. Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum, a thermally dimorphic fungi, is the causative agent for the disease. In Ethiopia, the disease significantly affects carthorses, posing threats to animal welfare, and resulting in substantial economic losses. Limited availability of widely accessible antifungals in addition to the chronic nature of the disease is the major challenge against management of epizootic lymphangitis. This study aimed to assess the in vitro efficacy of specific local medicinal plant extracts against the mycelial phase development of H. capsulatum var. farciminosum in southern Ethiopia. The leaves of Xanthium strumarium, Kanda (Family Rubiaceae), Croton macrostachyus (Bisana in Amharic), and Centella Asiatica (Echere waye as a local name in Zeyissegna) that are traditionally used for the treatment of different skin ailments were collected and extracted for the in vitro trial. RESULTS: The study revealed that methanol extracts of Xanthium strumarium, Kanda, Croton macrostachyus, and Centella Asiatica, at minimum inhibitory concentrations of 1.25 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, 2.5 mg/ml, and 5 mg/ml, respectively, inhibited the growth of H. capsulatum var. farciminosum. CONCLUSION: This in vitro finding could serve as significant preliminary data in the exploration of effective alternative treatment options for epizootic lymphangitis. This study provides a crucial foundation for further research aimed at determining the chemical components and in vivo effectiveness of these plant extracts against both the mycelial and yeast forms of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum.

Assessment of Calf Management and Hygiene Practices Adopted in Large and Small-Scale Dairy Farms in Wondo Genet Area, Southern Ethiopia.

Background: Although calf management is the cornerstone of dairy cattle productivity and profitability, little attention is given by researchers particularly in developing nations including Ethiopia. Therefore, this research was conducted to characterize calf management and hygiene practices adopted by dairy farmers at Wondo Genet, a potential milk shed for southern Ethiopia. Methods: Calf management and hygiene practice-related data were collected from 57 dairy farms through a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire and personal observation. All sampled farms were visited once by technical staff and administered the questionnaire by face-to-face interview during the period February 2017 to December 2019. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The majority (96.5%) of the farms had a slatted calf pen floor that was made of concrete. Although more than half of the farms (57.9%) had a good calf pen drainage system, only some (n = 8, 14%) are cleaned on a daily basis. All the calves (100%) had a history of calf scour, 96% survived from cowdriosis (heartwater). The majority of the calves born in the dairy farms (68.5%) received colostrum within 30 minutes of birth, but most of them (82.5%) were fed with waste milk till weaning age. Although the majority of the farms separately house recently born calves, 24.6% of the farms raise their calves together with other domestic animals. Conclusion and Recommendation: Dairy farm owners in the study area adopted some established risky calf management and hygiene practices that might lead to high calf morbidity/mortality in the farm. Awareness creation and further study to identify the specific causes of mortality and morbidity should be in place to improve the management and hygiene of calves and implement specific control and preventive measures.

Muscular Sarcocystis infection in ruminants slaughtered at Municipality abattoir and selected Hotels in Hawassa city, southern Ethiopia: Prevalence and associated risk factors.

Sarcocystosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by Sarcocystis spp. which are Apicomplexan parasites requiring intermediate and definitive hosts to complete their life cycle. Although the parasite has worldwide distribution in man and many species of animals, the prevalence in most parts of Ethiopia is not clearly known. This cross sectional study was conducted between Nov. 2016 and May 2017 to estimate the prevalence of Sarcocystis infection in ruminants slaughtered in the municipality abattoir and at selected hotels of Hawassa city and to assess the potential risk factors. Data were collected through gross and histopathological examination of myocardial and esophageal muscles sampled from a total of 561 ruminants (176 sheep, 181 goats and 204 cattle). The overall prevalence of Sarcocystis infection in ruminants was 68.98%. All of the cysts were microscopic, and found more frequently (p < .05) in heart (62.08%) than esophageal muscle (45.45%) although concurrent infection of both organs was observed in 33.87% of the ruminants examined. No significant association was noted between Sarcocystis infection and the origin, sex and species of ruminants examined (p > .05). The higher prevalence recorded in the study area can be explained by the abundance of stray dogs, cats and wild carnivores that are roaming in the villages, lack of proper latrine, uncontrolled disposal of condemned offals and carcass, and provision of uncooked meat for dogs and cats. Thus, farmers' awareness creation and strategies targeted at breaking the life cycle of the parasite are required to reduce the prevalence of the parasite and thereby the foreseen zoonotic and economic impact.

Prevalence of Pneumonia in Sheep and Goats Slaughtered at Elfora Bishoftu Export Abattoir, Ethiopia: A Pathological Investigation.

Accurate clinical diagnosis of pneumonia, the leading cause of mortality in small ruminants, is difficult and usually requires postmortem examination of the lungs. An active abattoir survey was conducted between November 2017 and April 2018 to estimate the prevalence and characterize the gross and histopathological lesions of pneumonic lungs in 864 clinically healthy young small ruminants (490 sheep and 374 goats aged 1.5 to 3 years) raised for meat in different parts of the country and slaughtered at Elfora Bishoftu export abattoir, Ethiopia. Out of the total lungs examined grossly, pneumonic lesions were found in 158 (18.29%) lungs. On histopathological examination of the lungs with gross pneumonic lesion, however, typical pneumonic lesions were diagnosed in 148 (17.13%) lungs only. No significant (p>0.05) difference was noted in the prevalence of pneumonia between sheep (17.14%) and goats (17.11%) in histopathological examination. Based on the predominant histopathological findings, the pneumonic lesions were characterized as interstitial pneumonia (41.9%), acute suppurative bronchopneumonia (25.7%), acute fibrinous bronchopneumonia (24.3%), chronic bronchopneumonia (6.1%), aspiration pneumonia (4.7%), bronchointerstitial pneumonia (3.4%), and ovine pulmonary adenomatosis (3.4%). The study further showed the spread of ovine pulmonary adenomatosis and ovine progressive pneumonia (Maedi) from the central highlands to areas that were previously free from these diseases. Due to its better diagnostic capacity, histopathology should be employed routinely as an ancillary test in the major abattoirs and regional veterinary laboratories to generate additional epidemiological data for a better disease control and prevention measures. Further studies are also recommended to identify the etiological agents of pneumonia in sheep and goats and thereby to formulate feasible and cost-effective interventions.

Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of Chicken under Different Management System in Mekelle Town, Tigray Region, Ethiopia.

The poultry industry is an infant but fast growing sector in Ethiopia. However, it is largely dependent on local chicken managed under backyard production system. The sector is facing different challenges, mainly emanated from prevalence of infectious diseases such as helminth parasite species. Hence, this study came up with an aim to determine the infection rate and identify helminth parasite species in chickens managed under different production systems, in Mekelle, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was employed, from November 2015 to March 2016. Postmortem (N=138) and fecal (N=410) samples of chicken were considered for necropsy and coproscopic examination to see both adult and eggs of helminth parasites, respectively. Similar gastrointestinal helminth parasites infection rate of chicken was obtained from both examination approaches (necropsy, 90.60%; and coproscopy, 90.97%). The study attested high prevalence (87.7%) of mixed infection with helminth parasites of chicken. Heterakis gallinarum (72.5%) and Ascaridia galli (68.8%) were found as the most dominant species (necropsy). During coproscopic examination cestode (89%) infections showed a relatively higher prevalence than nematodes (84.4%), although no difference was observed during that of necropsy examination results. Chickens of local breed from backyard production system had shown more likelihood of getting helminth infection when compared with their corresponding relatives (coproscopy). However, the variation was not statistically significant during that of necropsy finding. Therefore, the higher prevalence of parasitism and mixed infection observed in the study area would warrant for an urgent intervention with regular deworming scheme, and strict attention should be given towards hygienic measures and other health related management activities.

Aerosol Transmission of Filoviruses.

Filoviruses have become a worldwide public health concern because of their potential for introductions into non-endemic countries through international travel and the international transport of infected animals or animal products. Since it was first identified in 1976, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) and Sudan, the 2013-2015 western African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak is the largest, both by number of cases and geographical extension, and deadliest, recorded so far in medical history. The source of ebolaviruses for human index case(s) in most outbreaks is presumptively associated with handling of bush meat or contact with fruit bats. Transmission among humans occurs easily when a person comes in contact with contaminated body fluids of patients, but our understanding of other transmission routes is still fragmentary. This review deals with the controversial issue of aerosol transmission of filoviruses.

Bovine trypanosomosis and Glossina distribution in selected areas of southern part of Rift Valley, Ethiopia.

Cross-sectional study was conducted in 9 selected districts of the southern part the Rift Valley, Ethiopia to estimate the dry period prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis as well as assessment of Glossina species. From a total of 1838 cattle examined for trypanosomosis by buffy coat technique 133 (7.2%) were found infected by trypanosome species. From the total positive animals 66.9 and 33.1% of them accounted to Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma vivax, respectively. Significantly higher prevalence (19.4%., P<0.05) was recorded at Arba-Mnch district. Black colored cattle were the most highly affected (χ(2)=79.35, P<0.05) animals. The overall average PCV value for parasitaemic and aparasitaemic animals was 22.2 (95% CI=21.6-22.7) and 27% (95% CI=26.8-27.2), respectively. The fly caught per trap per day was 1.4 for Glossina species and 2.8 for other biting flies. Two species of Glossina identified namely Glossina pallidipes and Glossina fuscipes.

Occurrence of mastitis and associated risk factors in lactating goats under pastoral management in Borana, Southern Ethiopia.

Mastitis prevalence and related risk factors were studied in 1,072 udder halves of 536 lactating goats from October, 2008 to February, 2009. Clinical and subclinical mastitis were prevalent in 4.3% (95% CI = 2.8, 6.5) and 11.2% (95% CI = 8.7, 14.3) of the studied animals, respectively, resulting in an overall prevalence of 15.5% (95% CI = 12.6, 18.9). Univariate analysis of the potential risk factors has depicted that mastitis was more prevalent in does with previous mastitis history, increased parity, poor body conditions, increased milk production, late lactation stage, long teat, and housed goats. Furthermore, prevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the wet period of October to November than the dry periods of January to February. No significant variations (p > 0.05) were observed in mastitis prevalence with udder tick infestation, mixing goat with sheep and flock size. With multivariable analysis, lactation stage, teat length, body condition, and season (wet months) have showed significant association with mastitis prevalence, and these factors maintained significant in the stepwise elimination of multivariable logistic regression model. As a result, does in late stage of lactation (OR = 4.3, 1.8, 10.4), poor body condition (OR = 5.0, 1.7, 10.0), long teats (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.1, 4.2) and does examined in wet period were at higher risk of udder infections than early lactation, good body condition, short teat, and examined in dry period, respectively. The study showed occurrence of mastitis and associated risk factors in studied goats, which suggests the need for control intervention. Further investigations into pathogens involved in goat mastitis will optimize our knowledge of causative agents and control interventions.

Lungworm infection in small ruminants: prevalence and associated risk factors in Dessie and Kombolcha districts, northeastern Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2008 to March 2009 to estimate the prevalence of lungworm infection and to investigate some of the risk factors associated with small ruminant lungworm infections in Dessie and Kombolcha districts, northeastern Ethiopia. Faecal samples were collected from randomly selected 404 animals (240 sheep and 164 goats) to examine first stage larvae (L(1)) using modified Baerman technique. One hundred and thirty eight animals (113 sheep and 25 goats) were also subjected to postmortem examination to detect the presence of adult lungworm parasites. The overall prevalence recorded by faecal and postmortem examinations were 36.9% and 62.3%, respectively. Prevalence of lungworm infection was significantly higher (OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.2, 3.5) in sheep (40.4%) than in goats (31.7%). The proportions of infection by Dictyocaulus filaria (D. filaria), Mullerius capillaris (M. capillaris) and mixed infection were 1.3% (3/240), 28.3% (68/240) and 10.8% (26/240) in sheep; and 20.1% (33/164) by M. capillaris and 11.6% (19/164) with mixed infection in goats. Animals above one year (OR=8.7, 95% CI=4.8, 15.6), non-dewormed animals (OR=10.4, 95% CI=5.6, 19.3) and those sampled during November (OR=3.6, 95% CI=1.5, 8.6) had higher odds of infection prevalence than animals in corresponding groups. The mean count of L(1) larvae of D. filaria and M. capillaris were 5.4 (95% CI=3.6, 7.3) and 39.3 (95% CI=33.7, 44.9) in ovine and 4.5 (95% CI=3.1, 5.8) and 34.1 (95% CI=27.2, 41.1) in caprine, respectively. The recorded average larval count of the two parasitic species varied significantly in both sheep and goats. This study showed high prevalence of lungworm infections which impairs the productivity of small ruminants, implying the need for control intervention.

A cross-sectional study on bovine tuberculosis in Hawassa town and its surroundings, Southern Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hawassa town and its surroundings from October 2007 to May 2008 to estimate the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) based on comparative interadermal tuberculin test (CIDT) and abattoir survey. Accordingly, 39 herds comprising 413 cattle were subjected to CIDT, and the herd and individual animal prevalence were 48.7% (19/39) and 11.6% (48/413), respectively. One of the 16 milk samples collected from tuberculin-positive cows was culture positive. The prevalence significantly differed among the age group (P = 0.001) and management system (P = 0.001). Thus, age group over four (OR = 7.9) and animal with poor management system (OR = 4.1) had a higher odds for tuberculin reactivity compared to those with age group under four and cattle with good management system, respectively. Of the total 1,023 cattle subjected to postmortem examination, 11 (1.1%) were found to be positive for gross tuberculous lesions. Larger proportion (50%) of TB lesion was recorded in the respiratory pathway followed by digestive system (28.6%) and prescapular lymph nodes (21.4%). Of 14 tissue specimens collected from the gross lesions, four (28.6%) were positive for histopathological TB lesions. In conclusion, this study revealed the importance of BTB in the study area in particular and the region in general.