Refine search
Results 1-10 of 15
Seroprevalence of brucellosis in communal and smallholder cattle farming in North West Province, South Africa
2023
Marumo, Bontsi(Agricultural Research Council Onderstepoort Veterinary Research ,University of South Africa College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Department of Agriculture and Animal Health) | Hlokwe, Tiny M.(Agricultural Research Council Onderstepoort Veterinary Research) | Kayoka- Kabongo, Prudence N.(University of South Africa College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Department of Agriculture and Animal Health)
Brucellosis is an important bacterial zoonosis responsible for considerable economic losses in livestock and health-related burden worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in communal and smallholder cattle farming in four districts of the North West province of South Africa (Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Bojanala platinum and Dr Kenneth Kaunda districts). Seven hundred and seventy blood samples from farmed animals (n = 378) and abattoir-slaughtered animals (n = 392) were collected. In addition, milk samples (n = 22) were collected from lactating farmed cows. Rose Bengal test (RBT), complement fixation test (CFT) and milk ring test (MRT) were used to detect antibodies against Brucella species. The RBT showed a seroprevalence of 2% at 95% confidence interval (CI: 1.35-3.35), CFT confirmed an overall seroprevalence of 1.95% (95% CI: 1.14-3.12) for all four districts sampled. Although the seroprevalence of brucellosis was found to be low, the possibility of undetected cases of the disease could not be ruled out. Overall, the findings of this study confirmed that brucellosis is endemic in the surveyed areas of the North West province of South Africa. CONTRIBUTION: The outcome of this study will contribute to the National Brucellosis Project organised by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (2016-2026) to assist in the effective implementation of the disease control measures with a view to prevent further outbreaks in the country's cattle population
Show more [+] Less [-]Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Rift Valley fever in cattle and selected wildlife species at the livestock/wildlife interface areas of Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe
2020
Ndengu, Masimba(University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Clinical Veterinary Studies) | Matope, Gift(University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Paraclinical Veterinary Studies) | Tivapasi, Musavengana(University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Clinical Veterinary Studies) | Pfukenyi, Davies M.(University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Clinical Veterinary Studies) | Cetre-Sossah, Catherine(ASTRE Animal Santé Territoires Risques Ecosystemes 2) | de Garine-Wichatitsky, Michel(UR AGIRs)
A study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Rift Valley fever (RVF) infection in cattle and some selected wildlife species at selected interface areas at the periphery of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area in Zimbabwe. Three study sites were selected based on the type of livestock-wildlife interface: porous livestock-wildlife interface (unrestricted); non-porous livestock-wildlife interface (restricted by fencing) and livestock-wildlife non-interface (totally absent contact or control). Sera were collected from cattle aged ≥ 2 years representing both female and intact male. Sera were also collected from selected wild ungulates from Mabalauta (porous interface) and Chipinda Pools (non-interface) areas of the Gonarezhou National Park. Sera were tested for antibodies to Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. AX2 test was used to assess differences between categories, and p < 0.05 was considered as significant. In cattle, the overall seroprevalence was 1.7% (17/1011) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-2.7). The porous interface recorded a seroprevalence of 2.3% (95% CI: 1.2-4.3), the non-porous interface recorded a prevalence of 1.8% (95% CI: 0.7-4.3) and the non-interface area recorded a seroprevalence of 0.4% (955 CI: 0.02-2.5), but the difference in seroprevalence according to site was not significant (p > 0.05). All impala and kudu samples tested negative. The overall seroprevalence in buffaloes was 11.7% (95% CI: 6.6-19.5), and there was no significant (p = 0.38) difference between the sites (Mabalauta, 4.4% [95% CI: 0.2-24] vs. Chipinda, 13.6% [95% CI: 7.6-23]). The overall seroprevalence in buffaloes (11.7%, 13/111) was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher than in cattle (1.7%, 17/1011). The results established the presence of RVFV in cattle and selected wildlife and that sylvatic infections may be present in buffalo populations. Further studies are required to investigate if the virus is circulating between cattle and wildlife.
Show more [+] Less [-]Challenges for controlling bovine tuberculosis in South Africa
2020
Arnot, Luke F.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Production Animal Studies,University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases) | Michel, Anita(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases)
All effects taken together, bovine tuberculosis (bTB) has a long-term detrimental effect on bovine herds and many wildlife species in South Africa. The disease is not only found in domestic cattle but also in African buffaloes and has to date been diagnosed in 21 wildlife species, including several rare and endangered species, thus having a potentially serious effect on conservation and biodiversity. In cattle, bTB is mostly characterised by sporadic outbreaks, but bovine herds chronically infected with the clinical disease are not uncommon. Presently, the recognised bTB control strategy in South Africa is based on 'test and slaughter', using the intradermal tuberculin test, followed by the slaughter of animals that have tested positive. Affected herds are placed under veterinary quarantine with movement restrictions until the outbreak is eradicated; this can take several years or last indefinitely if the outbreak cannot be eradicated. The same measures apply to infected buffalo populations, often with no prospect of ever being eradicated. This strategy is neither practical nor viable in the context of a communal farming system and becomes unethical when dealing with valuable wildlife reservoir hosts. Transmission of bTB between wildlife and cattle has been demonstrated and emphasises the need for an effective, affordable and culturally acceptable control strategy to curb the spread of bTB in South Africa. In countries with similar challenges, vaccination has been used and found to be promising for treating wild and domestic reservoir species and may hence be of value as a complementary tool for bTB control in South Africa.
Show more [+] Less [-]Cryptosporidium infection in non-human hosts in Malawi
2009
Banda, Z.(University of Malawi Department of Environmental Health) | Nichols, Rosely A.B.(Stobhill Hospital Scottish Parasite Diagnostic Laboratory) | Grimason, A.M.(Stobhill Hospital Scottish Parasite Diagnostic Laboratory ,Department of Civil Engineering) | Smith, H.V.(Stobhill Hospital Scottish Parasite Diagnostic Laboratory)
Traditional remedies used for the treatment of cattle wounds and myiasis in Amatola Basin, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
2009
Soyelu, O.T.(University of Fort Hare Faculty of Science and Agriculture Department of Animal Science) | Masika, P.J.(University of Fort Hare Agricultural and Rural Development Research Institute)
A questionnaire survey was carried out to document traditional remedies used in the treatment of cattle wounds and myiasis in Amatola Basin. Eighty-three cattle farmers from nine villages were interviewed. The majority of respondents (67.9 %) use traditional remedies for treatment of these conditions. However, 25.9 % of them use a combination of traditional remedies with conventional medicines. The survey revealed that 13 medicinal plants belonging to 11 families were used. Aloe ferox, Prunus persica and Phytolacca heptandra were, however, the most commonly used. Leaves are the most frequently used plant part, often prepared as an infusion. Other non-plant remedies used include disinfectants, antiseptics as well as diesel and petrol. Manual removal of maggots from wounds was also practise and treatment is usually continued until the wound heals.
Show more [+] Less [-]Studies on effects of lactose on experimental Trypanosoma vivax infection in Zebu cattle. 2. Packed cell volume
2008
Fatihu, M.Y.(Ahmadu Bello University Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology) | Adamu, S.(Ahmadu Bello University Department of Biochemistry) | Umar, I.A.(Ahmadu Bello University Department of Biochemistry) | Ibrahim, N.D.G.(Ahmadu Bello University Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology) | Eduvie, L.O.(Ahmadu Bello University National Animal Production Research Institute) | Esievo, K.A.N.(Ahmadu Bello University Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology)
The ability of intravenously administered lactose in normal saline to prevent a decline in packed cell volume (PCV) during experimental trypanosomosis was studied in Zebu cattle. During the lactose infusion period, the PCV was stable up to Day 5 post-infection (p.i.) in a lactose-infused group, compared to that in an uninfused group in which the PCV dropped significantly (P < 0.05) as shown by the values of cumulative percentage change. Furthermore the mean rate of change in PCV was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the uninfused group relative to the lactose-infused group during the same period. While the PCV fell markedly in the lactose-infused group a day after lactose infusion was stopped (Day 13 p.i.), subsequent PCV values were significantly (P < 0.05) higher compared to those in the uninfused group, up to the end of experiment on Day 17 p.i. However the mean rates of change in PCV did not vary significantly (P > 0.05) between the groups during the period in which lactose infusion was stopped. The mean levels of parasitaemic waves and parasitaemia were higher, more prolonged and more frequent in the lactose-infused group. It was inferred that the lactose was able to prevent an early onset of anaemia in the Trypanosoma vivax-infected Zebu cattle.
Show more [+] Less [-]Monitoring the genetic variation of some Escherichia coli strains in wild birds and cattle
2023
Ibrahim, Ghada A.(Animal Health Research Institute Agriculture Research Center Bacteriology Department) | Salah-Eldein, Ahmed M.(Suez Canal University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Wildlife and Zoo Department) | Al-zaban, Mayasar l.(Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University College of Science Department of Biology) | El-Oksh, Amal S.A.(Animal Health Research Institute Agriculture Research Center Biotechnology Department, Reference Lab of Quality Control of Poultry Production) | Ahmed, Elsayyad M.(Agricultural Research Center Animal Health, Research Institute Department of Virology) | Farid, Doaa S.(Arish University Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences Department of Environmental Protection) | Saad, Enas M.(Suez Canal University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Wildlife and Zoo Department)
To date, there is limited data about the genetic relationship of Escherichia coli between wild birds and cattle because these birds act as silent vectors for many zoonotic bacteria. This study aimed to elucidate the role of rooming wild birds in the vicinity of cattle farm in transmission of the same pathogenic E. coli variants, identifying their virulence, resistance traits and genetic similarities of fimH virulence gene. About 240 faecal/cloacal swabs were collected from both species and examined bacteriologically. Escherichia coli was yielded in 45.8% and 32.5%, respectively, of examined cattle and wild birds. The most prevalent detected E. coli serovar was O26. High tetracycline and chloramphenicol resistance were recorded; however, gentamycin and ciprofloxacin exhibited the highest sensitivity rates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conserved genotypic resistance (tetA and blaCTX-M) and virulence attributes (fimH, stx1, eaeA and ompA) of E. coli isolates were discussed in detail. The fimH gene revealed 100% sequence similarity when comparing with different E. coli isolates globally and locally. Finally, a close genetic association of E. coli with both wild birds and cattle was detected, thus strengthening its role in the dissemination of the infection via environment. Prevention and conservative policy should be carried as E. coli constitute enormous significant zoonotic risks to livestock and animal workers. Also, further studies to the whole genome sequencing of fimH, other virulence and resistance genes of E. coli are recommended trying to limit the possibilities of co-infection and transfer among different species. CONTRIBUTION: The current study recorded updated data about the critical infectious role of wild birds to livestock, including cattle farms in Egypt. It also delivered some recommendations for good hygienic practices in cattle farms which must be implemented for handling animal manure.
Show more [+] Less [-]The comparative prevalence of five ixodid tick species infesting cattle and goats in Maputo Province, Mozambique
2009
De Matos, C.(Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Mozambique ,University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases) | Sitoe, C.(Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Mozambique) | Neves, L.(Universidade Eduardo Mondlane Faculdade de Veterinária) | Nöthling, J.O.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Production Animal Studies) | Horak, I.G.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases,University of the Free State Department of Zoology and Entomology)
Evaluation of different adjuvants for foot-and-mouth disease vaccine containing all the SAT serotypes
2008
Cloete, M.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Dungu, B.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute ,Onderstepoort Biological Products) | Van Staden, L.I.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Ismail-Cassim, N.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Vosloo, W.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute)
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an economically important disease of cloven-hoofed animals that is primarily controlled by vaccination of susceptible animals and movement restrictions for animals and animal-derived products in South Africa. Vaccination using aluminium hydroxide gel-saponin (AS) adjuvanted vaccines containing the South African Territories (SAT) serotypes has been shown to be effective both in ensuring that disease does not spread from the endemic to the free zone and in controlling outbreaks in the free zone. Various vaccine formulations containing antigens derived from the SAT serotypes were tested in cattle that were challenged 1 year later. Both the AS and ISA 206B vaccines adjuvanted with saponin protected cattle against virulent virus challenge. The oil-based ISA 206B-adjuvanted vaccine with and without stimulators was evaluated in a field trial and both elicited antibody responses that lasted for 1 year. Furthermore, the ISA 206 adjuvanted FMD vaccine protected groups of cattle against homologous virus challenge at very low payloads, while pigs vaccinated with an emergency ISA 206B-based FMD vaccine containing the SAT 1 vaccine strains were protected against the heterologous SAT 1 outbreak strain.
Show more [+] Less [-]Preliminary survey of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle in Central Equatoria State, Southern Sudan
2008
Salih, D.A.(Central Veterinary Research Laboratories) | Julla, I.I.(University of Bahr El Ghazal College of Veterinary Science) | Hassan, S.M.(University of Khartoum Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Department of Parasitology) | El Hussein, A.M.(Central Veterinary Research Laboratories) | Jongejan, F.(Utrecht University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology,University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases,)
In a preliminary survey conducted in 2005, the species composition and seasonality of ticks infesting cattle in Central Equatoria State, Southern Sudan was determined. Three locations were selected (Gumbo, Khor Rumla and Nyaing) and surveyed every 3 months. Two cattle herds in each of the three locations were visited four times during the study period. Total body collections of ticks were made from each of five cattle (Nilotic Zebu breed) kept in six different herds. Four tick genera and ten species were identified. The tick species identified were Amblyomma lepidum, Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus annulatus, Boophilus decoloratus, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus praetextatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus group. The highest number of ticks was collected in October during the rainy season. A finding of great significance was that R. appendiculatus, vector of East Coast fever, has now firmly established itself throughout the year with possible implications for cattle production in Central Equatoria State.
Show more [+] Less [-]