Epidemiology and spatio-temporal distribution of gastrointestinal parasites infection and accuracy of FAMACHA test in sheep in traditional farming systems in Burkina Faso.

Blood and faecal samples from 2086 Sahelian and Djallonke sheep have been collected to assess the epidemiology and spatio-temporal distribution of gastrointestinal parasites. A survey with a questionnaire allowed collecting data on individual animal and farms. Faecal samples were analysed using the McMaster technique, while anaemia was assessed using FAMACHA score test and packed cell volume. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 91%, and strongyles (70.7%), Eimeria sp. (60.4%), Moniezia sp. (5.7%), Stronyloides sp. (0.9%) were identified. There was no significant association between the region and strongyles infection (P ˃ 0.05). Animals sampled during the rainy season (n = 565; P = 82.2%, mean EPG = 154.8 ± 12.02) were mostly and heavily infected than those from the hot dry (n = 518; P = 74.2%; mean EPG = 97.7 ± 17.4) and the cold dry season (n = 392; P = 55.5%; mean EPG = 24.5 ± 19.5) (P ˂ 0.05). Females (n = 1027; P = 72.1%; mean EPG = 77.6 ± 17) were most infected than males (n = 448; P = 67.7%; mean EPG = 61.6 ± 19.5) (P ˂ 0.05). Animals that were treated, at most 3 months before sampling (n = 166; P = 61.5%; mean EPG = 41.7 ± 21.4), were less infected than those, which received this treatment after three months before sampling (n = 199; P = 74.8%; mean EPG = 89.1 ± 15.8) (P ˂ 0.05). Data from blood samples indicate that 6.5% of sheep was anaemic (PCV ≤ 19%), while 59.7% was noted anaemic regarding FAMACHA scores. PCV values varied significantly for FAMACHA scores, and the highest mean value was noted for score 1 (27.6) (P ˂ 0.05). The Cohen's kappa score between FAMACHA and PCV was 0.02. These findings suggest that strongyles infections are significantly associated with season, and heavier infections were noted during rainy season.

Resistance to gastrointestinal parasite infection in Djallonké sheep.

Gastrointestinal parasitism places serious constraints on small ruminant production. The situation has been exacerbated by development of drug resistance in many parasite populations, leading to interest in identification of animals with genetically mediated resistance or tolerance to nematode infections. This study assessed the response to natural infection with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in Djallonké sheep during the rainy season in the Sudan-Guinea Savannah region of Burkina Faso. Haemonchus contortus is the most prevalent GIN at this site and time. Djallonké lambs (n=434) were sampled from 40 households and evaluated at a common location in southern Burkina Faso. Lambs were dewormed with levamisole at 2 to 6 months of age and returned to infected pastures. Fecal egg counts (FEC), packed cell volumes (PCV), and FAffa Malan CHArt (FAMACHA©) scores were determined 28 and 35 days after deworming. Lamb mortality was monitored throughout the experiment. Least-squares means for BW increased from 13.8±0.2 kg at 28 days to 14.0±0.2 kg at 35 days (P<0.01). Simple means and medians for FEC were 615 and 100, respectively, at 28 days and 850 and 175, respectively, at 35 days. The FEC exhibited strong right skewness. Following logarithmic transformation and back-transformation of resulting least-squares means to the original scale, FEC were higher (P<0.01) for males (208±27) than females (122±10). Least-squares means for PCV decreased (P<0.001) from 28 (36.3±0.5%) to 35 days (33.7±0.5%), and were higher (P<0.01) for females (36.0±0.4%) than males (33.9±0.7%). Correlations (r) between repeated measurements of BW, FEC, PCV and FAMACHA scores at 28 and 35 days were all positive (P<0.001). The correlation between FAMACHA scores and PCV was negative at 28 (r=-0.14) and 35 days (r=-0.18) (P<0.001). This study revealed that BW was an easily measured predictor of the ability of the lamb to resist infection with GIN and maintain PCV, and confirmed that FAMACHA scores are useful indicators of differences in FEC. Approximately 40% of female and 30% of male lambs did not show detectable levels of infection (i.e. FEC=0) under field conditions. The great variability that was observed in FEC and PCV suggests potential to use Djallonké sheep in breeding programs to enhance resistance to GIN.

Assessing introgression of Sahelian zebu genes into native Bos taurus breeds in Burkina Faso.

A total of 350 samples were analyzed to estimate zebu gene proportions into two different taurine cattle breeds of Burkina Faso (Lobi and N'Dama) using 38 microsatellites and various statistical methodologies. West African and East African zebu samples were sequentially used as reference parental populations. Furthermore, N'Dama cattle from Congo, the composite South African Bonsmara cattle breed and a pool of European cattle were used successively as second parental populations. Independently of the methodology applied: (a) the use of West African zebu samples gave higher admixture coefficients than the East African zebu; (b) the higher zebu proportions were estimated when the European cattle was used as parental population 2; and (c) the use of the N'Dama population from Congo as parental population 2 gave the more consistent zebu proportion estimates for both the Lobi and the N'Dama breeds. In any case, the zebu admixture proportions estimated were not negligible and were always higher in the N'Dama cattle than in the Lobi cattle of Burkina Faso. This suggested that the introgression of Sahelian zebu genes into the taurine cattle of Southern West Africa can follow a complex pattern that can depend on local agro-ecological features. The current research pointed out that the estimation of admixture coefficients is highly dependent on both the assumptions underlying the methodologies applied and the selection of parental populations. Our analyses suggest that either too high or nil genetic identity between the parental and the expectedly derived populations must be avoided.

[Prevalence of tuberculosis and brucellosis in intra-urban and peri-urban dairy cattle farms in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso]. / Prévalence de la tuberculose et de la brucellose dans les élevages bovins laitiers intra-urbains et périurbains de la ville d'Ouagadougou au Burkina Faso.

A study of the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis was conducted in dairy cattle farms in and around the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. It reveals the potential economic and health impact of these two major zoonoses in the study area. Three farming systems were included in the study. A total of 1,420 cattle were tested for tuberculosis and 1,689 cattle were tested for brucellosis. The intradermal tuberculin test was used for tuberculosis, and the buffered antigen test and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used for brucellosis. The overall prevalence rate is estimated to be 6.05% for tuberculosis and 3.61% for brucellosis. The prevalence rates of tuberculosis and brucellosis in urban and peri-urban dairy cattle farms in Ouagadougou were found to be high. As these two production-linked diseases are zoonotic, they could pose a major risk to human health and contribute significantly to reducing animal production and productivity in the areas covered by the study. Animals should be checked systematically prior to introducing them into dairy herds, with the ultimate goal of eradicating these two zoonoses.

Microsatellite analysis characterizes Burkina Faso as a genetic contact zone between Sahelian and Djallonke sheep.

A total of 123 sheep belonging to the Djallonke, Mossi, and Burkina-Sahel breeds, along with 41 Spanish Xalda sheep were genotyped for 27 microsatellites. The pair Djallonke-Mossi had the highest between breeds molecular coancestry. Admixture analysis informed on the parental role of the Burkina-Sahel and Djallonke breeds. The Mossi breed was a hybrid population nearer to the Djallonke breed. Only half of the Mossi individuals were correctly assigned to their breed. The Burkina-Sahel and Djallonke breeds can be considered ancestrally different genetic entities. Differentiation between the Djallonke and Mossi breeds may be due to introgression of Sahelian sheep.

Analysis of mitochondrial DNA diversity in Burkina Faso populations confirms the maternal genetic homogeneity of the West African goat.

To date, no comprehensive study has been performed on mitochondrial genetic diversity of the West African goat. Here, we analysed a 481-bp fragment of the HVI region of 111 goats representing four native West African populations, namely the three main Burkina Faso breeds, zoo-farm kept Dwarf goats and endangered Spanish goat breeds used as the outgroup. Analyses gave 83 different haplotypes with 102 variable sites. Most haplotypes (65) were unique. Only three haplotypes were shared between populations. Haplotypes were assigned to cluster A except for H45 (belonging to the Spanish Bermeya goat) which was assigned to cluster C. amova analysis showed that divergence between groups (Phi(CT)) was not statistically significant regardless of whether the partition in two hierarchical levels that was fitted included Spanish samples or not. The West African goat scenario shown here is consistent with that previously reported for the species: haplogroup A is predominant and has a very high haplotype diversity regardless of the geographic area or sampled breed. The large phenotypic differences observable between the West African Dwarf and Sahelian long-legged goat populations are not detectable with mitochondrial markers. Moreover, a previously suggested introgression of Sahelian goat southwards because of desertification could not be assessed using mtDNA information.

Prevalence of common gastrointestinal nematode parasites in scavenging pigs of different ages and sexes in eastern centre province, Burkina Faso.

The range and infestation intensities of gastrointestinal parasitic nematode species depend on the type of swine production system. The present study focused mainly on nematodes of veterinary importance in scavenging pigs in Burkina Faso, and aimed at determining the prevalence of gastro-intestinal nematode parasites by means of faecal egg per gram (EPG) counts. Between November 2001 and October 2002, faecal samples from 383 pigs of different sexes and ages (< 5 months, 5-12 months and > 12 months) were collected from the rectum and examined for gastrointestinal nematodes parasites using the Mc Master method. Of the 383 pigs examined, 91% were infected by one or more parasites. Ascaris suum (40%; 100-1 400 EPG) was the most prevalent parasite followed by Strongyloides ransomi (21%; 100-4200 EPG), Oesophagostomum spp. (18%; 100-1000 EPG), Hyostrongylus rubidus (11%; 100-1 800 EPG), Globocephalus spp. (10%; 100-400 EPG) and Trichuris suis (1 %; 100-200 EPG). The prevalence was significantly higher in female pigs (n = 239) than in males. In addition, females excreted significantly (P < 0.05) more eggs in their faeces than males, except in the case of Globocephalus spp. The age of the animal had no effect on the prevalence of A. suum whereas there were significant differences in age categories concerning S. ransomi, H. rubidus, Oesophagostumum spp. and Globocephalus spp. Unexpectedly, the high prevalence of these common parasites was not accompanied by elevated EPG values, which suggests the existence of moderate infestations. The present work indicates that the common nematode infestations in pigs do not necessarily need a systematic herd anthelmintic treatment, as only a small number of worms is required to induce immunity. A further study is needed to formulate appropriate and cost-effective strategies for the control of gastro-intestinal nematode parasites in pigs in Burkina Faso.

Correlation between a proteolytic method and a radioimmunoassay for porcine serum pepsinogen concentrations.

The measurement of serum pepsinogen concentrations by enzymatic method and immunoassay provides diagnostic values and should be helpful in the detection of gastric diseases related to a rise of blood pepsinogen. In the present study, the correlation between a conventional enzymatic method and a recently developed radioimmunoassay (RIA) for serum pepsinogen A was investigated. A total of 123 sera samples of porcine foetuses (n = 28), adult healthy pigs (n = 56), pigs with parakeratosis (n = 25) and pigs with ulceration of the pars oesophagea (n = 14) were tested. Overall, there was a slight correlation between the two methods (r = 0.60). In relation to individual animal groups, the correlations (r) were 0.39 (P>0.05), 0.74 (P<0.001), 0.19 (P>0.05) and 0.34 (P>0.05) in foetuses, healthy pigs, pigs with parakeratosis and pigs with ulcers, respectively. In both methods, pepsinogen concentrations (means+/-SE) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in pigs with parakeratosis (1778 +/- 86.00 mUTyr/L; 690 +/- 53.00 ng/mL) and in pigs with ulcers (2026 +/- 153.00 mUTyr/L; 1747 +/- 94.00 ng/mL) when compared to healthy pigs (935 +/- 58.00 mUTyr/L; 275 +/- 35.00 ng/mL). The proteolytic method gave a significant increased activity (P<0.05) in foetuses (1150 +/- 82.00 mUTyr/L) vs. (935 +/- 58.00 mUTyr/L) in healthy adult pigs, indicating an additional proteolytic activity in the sera of foetuses or neonates.

Ethnoveterinary medicine and indigenous pharmacopoeia of Passoré Province in Burkina Faso.

A study of traditional animal health care practices in Passoré province of Burkina Faso led to the characterization of 24 diseases, together with their local names, causes of their appearance, and their treatment. Most (95%) of the medicinal recipes used to treat affected animals were based on plants.

Red meat production and meat losses in Burkina Faso (1987-1997).

Based on monthly recorded data collected from 1987 to1997 in all official slaughter houses across the country, this study analyzes the trends of ruminant meat production and importance of meat condemnations by veterinary inspection in Burkina Faso. The average beef production per year is estimated at 6.717.5 + or - 2.969.1 tons, nd for small ruminant meat it is 8,715.5 + or - 4,161.3 tons. During the ten-year period (1987-1997) it appears that a large drop in production (up to 18%) occurred in 1994-1995 consistent with monetary devaluation. The average amount of red meat theoretiacally available for each inhabitant is estimated at 2.14 + or - 0.27 kg per year. Approximately 10 to 16 tons of diseased red meat is condemned every year by veterinary inspection. This is very important for a country where malnutrition and undernutrition is quasi endemic.

Seasonal variation of ticks on cattle in Burkina Faso.

Cattle of the Sahel Zebu peuhl breed from traditionally managed livestock herds in a representative area of north soudanese savana (with 400-900 mm of rainfall/year from May to September) located in the central land of Burkina Faso, were monitored over 12 months for tick and blood parasite. Two species of ticks were found: Amblyomma variegatum and Hyalomma marginatum rufipes. H. m. rufipes was found on cattle all year round with a highest infestation rate in June characterized by means of 10 +/- 4.72 male and 3 +/- 2.43 female ticks per animal. A variegatum appeared on cattle at the beginning of the rainy season in May and quickly reached its highest infestation rate in June with means of 36 +/- 3.67 male and 16 +/- 1.54 female ticks per animal. Thereafter, the infestation rate progressively decreased to reach almost zero in October at the end of the rainy season. There were three preferred body sites for attachment: the axilla area, the area of the scrotum or the udder and the teats depending on the sex of the animal, and the anal area. No blood parasites were found in blood smears. However, a higher prevalence rate of dermatophilosis was noticed on highly infested animals during the rainy season as well as wounds on teats leading to decreased milk production and feeding of calves. Effort should be done to fight against ticks of Amblyomma genus at the period of the year where they are most numerous. Manual removal of ticks could be practiced, making certain to completely detach all mouthparts of the ticks. Complete removal of ticks will avoid wounds and secondary bacterial infections as well as myiasis. During the period of highest prevalence, the rainy season, acaricides could be applied on animal either by dipping the animals or spraying on the predilection sites of the ticks which are the axilla, the scrotum or the udder and the teats, depending on the gender of the animal, and around the anus.

Etiology and prophylaxis of helminthiasis in sheep in Burkina Faso.

Helminths of "Mossi" sheep from traditional livestock were investigated at three different seasons (humid, cold dry, and hot dry seasons) in the village of Donsin from the central land of Burkina Faso. Three prophylaxis plans using Fenbendazole were tested. Primary parasites identified were: Oesophagostomum sp., Trichostrongylus sp., and Haemonchus contortus. These parasites were noticed mainly during the rainy season with mean egg per gram (epg) numbers of 500 +/- 141.42 in August-September, at the end of the rainy season. At this same period, hematocrit (22%) and body weights (17 kg of live weight) (LW) were low. These values progressively increased to reach their highest levels (32% and 27 kg of LW respectively) in February. The prophylactic plan consisting of two treatments with oral drench of 5 mg/kg LW of Fenbendazole turned out to be the most efficacious and the most economical.