Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of peste des petits ruminants among ovine and caprine in selected districts of Afar region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: A Peste des petits ruminant is an acute, highly contagious and economically important transboundary viral disease of small ruminants. Despite the fact that food and agriculture organization and world organization for animal health plan to eradicate the disease by 2030, some studies indicated an increasing seropositivity of PPR infection in sheep and goats in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was employed to estimate the seroprevalence of PPR and to assess risk factors during the study period, February to April, 2020. Following purposive selection of the study districts, simple random sampling technique was employed to select individual animal during sample collection. A total of 384 serum samples were collected from apparently healthy sheep and goats. Competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay was used to detect the presence of antibodies against PPR at national veterinary institute. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square (X2) and logistic regression analysis were used is this study. RESULTS: The overall animal level seroprevalence of PPR virus was found to be 60.15% (n = 231/384) and species level prevalence rate was found to be 38.18% (n = 42) in sheep and 68.98% (n = 189) in goats in the study areas. Among the associated risk factors considered; species, sex, age and herd sizes were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with the disease occurrence. Among the associated risk factors considered in this study, species, sex, age and herd size were found to be statistically associated with the seropositivity of PPR infection. CONCLUSION: The present study finding revealed that a higher seroprevalence of PPR virus infection and this confirms peste des petits ruminant virus is circulating in Afar region. Further studies should be carried out on the entire region to determine PPR seroprevalence and to develop appropriate control and eradication strategies of PPR disease.

Molecular detection and antibiogram of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from raw milk in and around Bahir Dar town dairy farms, Ethiopia.

Illnesses associated with consuming infected milk and milk products are a widespread problem in low and middle-income countries. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a bacterium commonly found in raw milk and causes foodborne diseases ranging from mild diarrhea to severe hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the virulence gene and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains isolated from raw milk in dairy farms in and around Bahir Dar town. Raw milk samples (n = 128) collected from December 2021 to July 2022 were cultured, and E. coli strains were isolated using standard methods. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains were identified genotypically by the presence of the virulence markers using a single-plex polymerase chain reaction. The antibiotic susceptibility testing of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli isolates was done by the agar disk diffusion method. In total, 32 E. coli isolates were recovered from milk samples from lactating animals. PCR screening of these isolates resulted in 19 (59.3%) positives for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The stx2 gene was detected in 53% of cases, followed by stx1 (31%) and eae (16%. The STEC isolates were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin (94.7%) and kanamycin (89.5%), while exhibiting significant resistance to amoxicillin (89.5%) and streptomycin (73.7%). The present study points out the occurrence of virulent and antibiotic-resistant Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains in raw milk that could pose a potential risk to public health. Further analysis by whole genome sequencing is necessary for an in-depth assessment and understanding of their virulence and resistance factors. Moreover, large-scale studies are needed to identify the prevalence and potential risk factors and to prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant STEC strains in the milk production chain.

Study on Identification and Prevalence of Ixodid Ticks Genera Infestation in Cattle in the Case of Areka District, Wolaita Zone, and Southern Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2021 to July 2022 to determine the prevalence and identify major ixodid ticks of cattle and associated risk factors in the case of Areka District, Woliata Zone, and Southern Ethiopia. Standard physical and direct stereomicroscopy techniques were employed for identification of tick genera. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared test analyses were used for data analysis and P < 0.05 was considered as significant. During the study period, a sample of 384 local breed cattle's were taken by random selection and a total of 683 adult ixodid ticks were collected from different body parts of infested animals. Among 384 examined animals, 275 (71.6%; 95% CI: 62.8-80.4) animals were infested with one or more ixodid tick genera. In current study, the major ixodid tick genera infesting cattle were Ambylomma (32.2%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) (30%), Haylomma (16.8%), and Rhipicephalus (21%), and most of the genera preferred dewlap and sternum body part of animal for attachment. Out of 184 male and 200 female cattle examined, 144 males (78.3%) and 131 females (65.5%) were positive for one or more adult ixodid tick genera. The difference also found statically significant (P < 0.05). The overall prevalence of hard tick's infestation was statistically significant (P < 0.05) across the age, origin, and body condition of cattle. In conclusion, the high level of prevalence of hard ticks infestation in the present study represent the most important problems of cattle and detrimental to production. According to this finding, it is recommended that owners who keep cattle should practice good management and regular deworming using acaricides and it is also important to create awareness among livestock owners about the veterinary importance of ticks for the integrated tick control.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminths of Dogs and Associated Factors in Hawassa City of Sidama Region, Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Sidama region's Hawassa town from March 2021 to July 2021 with the aim of estimating the prevalence and associated factors of dog gastrointestinal helminths. A total of 384 dogs were randomly selected, and their feces were examined using a flotation technique. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were employed, and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Accordingly, 56% (n = 215; 95% CI, 49.26-62.66) of dogs had gastrointestinal helminth parasite infection, of which 42.2% (n = 162) had a single infection and 13.8% (n = 53) had a mixed infection. In this study, Strongyloides sp. was the most detected helminth (24.2%), followed by Ancylostoma sp. (15.37%), Trichuris vulpis (14.6%), Toxocara canis (5.73%), Echinococcus sp. (5.47%), and Dipylidium caninum (4.43%). Out of the total sampled dogs tested positive for one or more gastrointestinal helminths, 37.5% (n = 144) were males and 18.5% (n = 71) were females. The total prevalence of helminth infections did not change significantly (P > 0.05) by the gender, age, and breed of dogs. The present study's high prevalence of dog helminthiasis reflects a high occurrence of infection and a concern to the public's health. In light of this conclusion, it is advised that dog owners improve their standards of hygiene. In addition, they should regularly take their animals to veterinary care and frequently administer the appropriate anthelmintics available to their dogs.

Isolation, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Salmonella isolated from poultry farms in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella has been found to be the major cause of foodborne diseases and a serious public health problem in the world, with an increasing concern for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant strains. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted on poultry and poultry farms in Addis Ababa from February 2016 to April 2016 to determine the occurrence and evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Salmonella isolates. A total of 200 samples consisting of the cloacal swab (n = 168), pooled litter (n = 12), hand swab (n = 8), pooled feed and water (n = 12) were collected separately from six poultry farms. The samples were examined for the presence of Salmonella through culturing on bacteriological media. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's Chi-square (X2 ) and bivariate logistic regression were used in the analysis of the data. Accordingly, out of 200 samples, 23 (11.50%) were Salmonella positive, of which 21(12.50%) were in cloacal swab and 2(16.67%) in the pooled litter. There was no statistical association between the bacteriological status of sample type and Salmonella positivity (X2  = 3.07, P = 0.545). However, there was a statistical association between farms and the rate of Salmonella isolation (X2  = 22.21, P ≤ 0.00). The antimicrobial susceptibility testing for Salmonella isolates was conducted following the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method (1961). RESULTS: Out of 23 samples tested, 95.65% of them were resistant to at least one or more antimicrobials. Multiple drug resistances were observed for 69.56% of Salmonella isolates. The highest resistance (73.9%) was observed in kanamycin followed by tetracycline (65.2%) and streptomycin (56.3%). gentamycin was the most effective antibiotic (95.7%; sensitivity) followed by ciprofloxacin (78.3% sensitivity) and ampicillin (69.6% sensitivity. CONCLUSION: This current study finding indicated that further detailed epidemiological and molecular studies are essential on the frequency and sources of acquisition of resistant genes.

Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Lumpy Skin Disease of Cattle in Selected Districts of Afar Region, Ethiopia.

Background: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is one of Ethiopia's most economically significant transboundary livestock illnesses. The disease has a significant economic impact on pastoral household livestock owners, who rely significantly on their cattle as a source of income. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in selected districts of Afar region from November 2018 to May 2019 primarily intended to estimate the prevalence of lumpy skin disease serologically in local Afar cattle as well as identify potential associated factors. A multistage sampling method was employed to select study districts, peasant association, herd size and study units. A total of 384 sera were processed using serum neutralization test (SNT) method to detect antibodies against lumpy skin disease virus. Relevant data were refined and further analyzed using stata version 14. Results: In the study districts, the overall animal level seroprevalence was found to be 7.6% (N = 29/384; 95% confidence interval: 4.90-10.20) and the overall herd level prevalence was found to be 20.8% (n = 15/72; 95% confidence interval: 11.42-30.18). Only district was shown to be statistically significant (P = 0.004) in terms of LSD occurrence among the relevant factors studied. Cattle in Chifra district were 20.18 times more likely to contract LSD infection than cattle in Dubti district, when Asayita district was used as the reference group. Conclusion: The present study finding confirmed the presence of the disease in the study districts of afar region and coordinated intervention set to be in place.

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of pox infection among sheep and goats in selected districts of Afar region, Ethiopia.

Background: Sheep and goat pox virus infection is highly devastating viral disease of small ruminants that cause severe production losses in sheep and goats in Ethiopia and also limits international trade. A cross-sectional study was employed with the objective to estimate the seroprevalence of pox infection and to assess associated risk factors during the study period, February to April, 2020. A total of 384 serum samples were collected from apparently healthy sheep and goats. Serum neutralization test was used to detect the presence of antibodies against pox virus at national veterinary institute. Descriptive statistics, univariable and Multivariable logistic analyses were used in this study. Results: The overall animal level seroprevalence of sheep and goat pox virus was found to be 15.36% (n = 59/384) and species level prevalence rate was found to be 14.5% (n = 16/110) in sheep and 15.69% (n = 43/274) in goats in the study areas. Among the associated factors considered in this study, sex (P = 0.010), age (P = 0.012) and herd size (P = 0.029) were found to be statistically associated with seropositivity of pox infection in multivariable logistic regression. The odds of seropositivity in female animals were 3.9 times more likely to develop pox infection than male animals (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.203-4.015%) and the odds of young animals were 2.14 times more likely to be seropositive to pox infection than old aged animals (AOR = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.169-3.633%). Moreover, the odds of large-sized flocks of animals were 3.10 times more likely to be seropositive to pox disease than small-sized flocks (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI = 1.30-4.42%). Conclusion: This study finding revealed that sheep and goat pox virus is prevalent and widespread diseases of small ruminant in afar region. Therefore, further study should be carried out to estimate region wise magnitude of the disease and control measures should be put in place to minimize the economic losses associated with this disease.

Study on Seroprevalence and Associated Factors of Bovine Brucellosis in Selected Districts of Afar National Regional State, Afar, Ethiopia.

Bovine brucellosis is among the top five diseases primarily threatening both public health and livestock economy. Available data are limited to central and highland areas of the country leaving documented literature on the disease in cattle to be found hardly in pastoral and agropastoral regions of the country. As a result, the magnitude and extent of the disease remained to be investigated. A cross-sectional study design was conducted on local Afar cattle aged six months and above from February 2017 to January 2019 in selected districts of Afar region. Technically, study districts and kebeles were selected purposively whereas simple random sampling technique was applied to select cattle owners and individual animals for sample collection. An average of 8 ml whole blood was drawn of jugular vein into plain vacutainer tube using sterile needle. Using Thrusfield formula, a total of 420 blood samples were collected. The sera were tested by RBPT and CFT tests for detection of Brucella antibodies. Data were analyzed using Stata v14.0. Of the 420 sera tested by RBPT, 50 were positive for Brucella antibodies providing an overall animal level prevalence of 11.9% and those RBPT positive sera were further retested by specific and sensitive confirmatory CFT test and 24 of the retested samples had come positive for the disease providing an overall individual animal seroprevalence of 5.7% over the three districts. Of the 3 associated factors (sex, age, and district) considered, only sex had significantly associated (P < 0.05 : 0.036) with the disease. To estimate the strength of sex impact, odds ratio was generated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses with 95% CI and P < 0.05 providing OR of 2.484 (1.061-5.815) and 2.514 (1.041-6.07), respectively. Hence, the computations revealed that male cattle were 2.484 and 2.514 times more likely at higher risk for the disease as compared to their female counterparts.

Seroprevalence of bovine foot and mouth disease (FMD) and its associated risk factors in selected districts of Afar region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to May 2019 to estimate seroprevalence of foot and mouth disease virus for cattle and assess associated risk factors in selected districts of afar region. Simple random sampling technique was employed to select the study areas. A total of 384 bovine sera were collected from 72 herds and seroprevalence of the disease was determined using 3ABC-ELISA technique. Data were recorded and coded using Microsoft Excel spread sheet and analysed using STATA. Potential risk factors of the disease were also assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Out of 384 sera tested at National Veterinary Institute, the overall seroprevalence of foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus was 19.8% (n = 76; 95% CI = 15.8-23.79) at animal level and 56.94% at herd level. The herd level seroprevalence was higher in animals tested from Dubti (85%, n = 17) than Asayita (48.13%, n = 13) and Chifra (44%, n = 11). Among the associated risk factors, age, herd size, district and contact with wild life were statistically associated with foot and mouth disease serostatus (p < 0.05). Medium and large herd size animals were 2.49 (95% CI: 1.33-6.63) and 6.05 (95% CI: 2.54-14.43) times more likely to develop the disease as compared to animals from small herd size, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The current study finding revealed that FMD was more prevalent and economically significant disease in the study districts. Hence, further studies ought to be conducted to estimate the region wise serostatus magnitude of the disease, to assess its economic impact and to identify the circulating serotypes and strains in the areas.

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia: Seroprevalence and its associated risk factors in selected districts of Afar region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: In pastoral and lowland areas of the country particularly in Afar region, studies suggested higher prevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) than mid and highland agro-ecologies. Though CBPP is a prime constraint to cattle productivity in the region, research outputs pertaining to CBPP are unavailable compared to highland areas. Thus, the objectives of the current study were to determine seroprevalence of CBPP and assess risk factors in selected districts of Afar region. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on cattle aged 6 months and above from February 2018 to January 2019 in selected districts of the region. A total of 420 blood samples were collected and sera were separated for further serologic analysis. Using competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA), antibodies against Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony (MmmSc) were detected at National Veterinary Institute, Ethiopia. Data were analysed using Stata version 14.0. RESULT: Of 420 samples tested by c-ELISA, 158 samples were found to be positive for CBPP providing an overall seroprevalence of 37.6%. Among the three risk factors considered (age, sex and district) assessed, only two (age and district) were found to be associated significantly with the disease (p < 0.05) at 95% CI and p-value less than 5% applying logistic regression. CONCLUSION: The study has revealed a higher prevalence of CBPP over the study areas urging a coordinated act to be set in place.

Prevalence of Strongyle Infection and Associated Risk Factors in Horses and Donkeys in and around Mekelle City, Northern Part of Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: In Ethiopia, equines serve in traction power, carting, recreation, festival packing, riding, transportation, and other activities since time immemorial. Strongyles are common equine health problems in Ethiopia though research based data on equine strongyles are limited particularly in the study areas, in and around Mekelle city. Therefore, the present study was intended to estimate the prevalence of common equine strongyles in and around Mekelle city from November 2018 to April 2019 and to assess risk factors associated with infection of strongyle parasites as well. Cross sectional design was used in this study, and the study population consisted of both donkeys and horses of all age and both sex groups. From randomly selected horses and donkeys, approximately 25 grams of faecal samples was drawn with gloved hands from rectum of study equines, labeled, and transported to laboratory for coprological examination. Flotation technique was employed to separate parasitic eggs from faeces, followed by microscopic examination for identification of strongyle eggs based on morphology. Pearson's chi-square (χ2) was carried out to determine association between risk factors and parasitic infection. Moreover, both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were computed to assess the strength of association of those risk factors at 95% CI and P < 0.05. RESULT: Out of 384 samples collected, 204 were found to be positive for strongyles with an overall prevalence of 53.13%. Prevalence of strongyle species in equines was also estimated to be 53% and 53.3% for donkeys and horses, respectively. Accordingly, of the six risk factors considered, only three factors (age, management type, and body condition scores) were found to influence the occurrence of strongyle infection and to be statistically significant as well. CONCLUSION: The higher prevalence of equine strongyles in the present study might be suggestive of urgent and coordinated actions to be in place.

Review on the Role of Host Immune Response in Protection and Immunopathogenesis during Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Infection.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a major public health problem worldwide and spreads to human via the bite of sand flies during blood meal. Following its inoculation, the promastigotes are immediately taken up by phagocytic cells and these leishmania-infected host cells produce proinflammatory cytokines that activate other immune cells and these infected host cells produce more cytokines and reactive nitrogen and oxygen species for efficient control of leishmania infection. Many experimental studies showed that resistance to infection with leishmania paraites is associated with the production of proinflammatory cytokines and activation of CD4+ Th1 response. On the other hand, vulnerability to this parasitic infection is correlated to production of T helper 2 cytokines that facilitate persistence of parasites and disease progression. In addition, some studies have also indicated that CD8+ T cells play a vital role in immune defense through cytokine production and their cytotoxic activity and excessive production of proinflammatory mediators promote amplified recruitment of cells. This could be correlated with excessive inflammatory reaction and ultimately resulted in tissue destruction and development of immunopathogenesis. Thus, there are contradictions regarding the role of immune responses in protection and immunopathogenesis of CL disease. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to review the role of host immune response in protection and its contribution to disease severity for CL infection. In order to obtain more meaningful data regarding the nature of immune response to leishmania, further in-depth studies focused on immune modulation should be conducted to develop better therapeutic strategies.

Isolation, Serotyping, and Molecular Detection of Bovine FMD Virus from Outbreak Cases in Aba'ala District of Afar Region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: On the basis of FMDV outbreak cases, a cross-sectional study was undertaken to collect samples from January 2019 to March 2020 intended for isolation, serotyping, and molecular detection of FMDV in the study district. The purposive sampling method was applied to select the study area for the reason of the presence of FMD outbreak case report during the study period. Totally, 27 FMD clinical samples were collected from affected study population during field outbreak. Out of 27 samples, 18 of them were inoculated on cultured Baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) monolayer cells, and all 27 samples were tested using conventional RT-PCR and sets of specific universal primers. Finally, the PCR products were visualized with UV illumination and imaged with gel documentation system. RESULTS: The current study results revealed that out of 18 clinical samples subjected to virus isolation, 72.2% (n = 13) of these cultures exhibited FMDV-induced cytopathic effect (CPE) and the identified serotype was SAT-2 FMD virus. Out of 27 clinical samples tested by conventional RT-PCR, only 12 FMDV samples were found to be FMDV positive by universal primers. Out of 27 samples detected by conventional RT-PCR, only 12 FMDV samples were found to be FMDV positive by universal primers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study finding indicated that FMDV is prevalent in the study area and FMDV serotype SAT-2 was the causality for the outbreaks of the disease in the study area. Hence, region-wise FMD outbreak investigation, further phylogenetic analysis, and vaccine matching field isolates should be carried out for effective vaccine development to control the disease.