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Ectoparasites of sheep in three agro-ecological zones in central Oromia, Ethiopia Full text
2012
Bersissa Kumsa | Kebede Beyecha | Mesula Geloye
A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors for ectoparasites infestation in sheep in three agro-ecological zones in central Oromia, Ethiopia, from October 2009 to April 2010. The study revealed that 637 (48.1%) of the 1325 sheep examined were infested with one or more ectoparasites. The ectoparasites identified were <em>Bovicola ovis</em> (27.2%), <em>Melophagus ovinus</em> (16.4%), <em>Ctenocephalides</em> sp. (2.3%), <em>Linognathus africanus</em> (1.2%), <em>Linognathus ovillus </em> (0.3%),<em> Sarcoptes</em> sp. (1.2%), <em>Amblyomma variegatum</em> (4.4%), <em>Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi</em> (1.9%), <em>Rhipicephalus pravus</em> (1.9%), <em>Rhipicephalus</em> (<em>Boophilus</em>) <em>decoloratus</em> (1.1%), <em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</em> (0.9%), <em>Rhipicephalus praetextatus</em> (1.1%) and <em>Hyalomma truncatum</em> (1.6%). Statistically significant difference was observed in prevalence of <em>B. ovis</em> amongst study agroecological zones: highland 36.6%, midland 20.9% and lowland 14.0%. Significantly higher prevalence was recorded in highland agroecological zone. A significantly (OR = 0.041, <em>p</em> < 0.001) higher prevalence of <em>M. ovinus</em> in the highland (31.7%) than in both the lowland (0%) and midland (1.9%) was observed. The risk of tick infestation in the lowland and midland was 9.883 times and 13.988 times higher than the risk in the highland, respectively. A significantly higher prevalence of <em>Ctenocephalides</em> species was encountered in both the lowland (OR = 4.738, <em>p</em> = 0.011) and midland (OR = 8.078, <em>p</em> = 0.000) than in the highland agro-ecological zone. However, a significant difference (<em>p</em> = 0.191) amongst agro-ecological zones was not found for the prevalence of <em>Linognathus</em> and <em>Sarcoptes </em>species. Statistically significant variation (<em>p</em> > 0.05) was never recorded in the prevalence of all the identified species of ectoparasites between male and female sheep hosts. However, a significantly (<em>p</em> = 0.006) higher prevalence of<em> B. ovis</em> was recorded between young and adult sheep. The risk of <em>B. ovis</em> infestation was 1.45 times higher in young than the adult sheep. Furthermore, a significantly (<em>p</em> < 0.001) higher prevalence of <em>M. ovinus</em>, <em>B. ovis</em> and <em>Sarcoptes</em> sp. was found between sheep with poor and a good body condition. The ever increasing threat of ectoparasites on overall sheep productivity and tanning industry in Ethiopia warrants urgent control intervention. Further studies on the role of ectoparasites in transmission of diseases to sheep, zoonotic importance, comparative prevalence and load, and the importance of sheep as alternative hosts in different agroecological zones, breeds and management systems in Ethiopia are recommended so as to design applicable control programme in the country.
Show more [+] Less [-]MSc One Health Analytical Epidemiology Full text
2012
Martin C. Simuunza
Leptospirosis in South Africa Full text
2012
Adrienne Saif | John Frean | Jenny Rossouw | Anastasia N. Trataris
Leptospirosis is a common zoonosis worldwide. It has a ubiquitous distribution and causes a wide spectrum of disease. Leptospirosis therefore has a broad reservoir host range, and many infected species of animals excrete leptospires in their urine, which leads to contamination of soil and water. Typical descriptions of the disease include a biphasic (anicteric form) and fulminant disease in the icterohaemorrhagic form. Only a few local case reports of human leptospirosis have been published, the most recent one being in 1974. A rodent-related zoonosis study (RatZooMan) was conducted from 2003 until 2006 in three provinces (Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape). Of the people sampled in Cato Crest (Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province), 43/217 (19.8%) were seropositive for leptospirosis. Of the clinical samples sent to the Special Bacterial Pathogens Reference Unit from all over the country for testing in 2009, 16/176 (9%) were IgM positive; in 2010 and January 2011 to May 2011, 14/215 (6.5%) and 12/96 (12.5%), respectively, were IgM positive. The apparent incidence of leptospirosis in the South African population is moderately high based on the detected positives in suspected cases; it is thought that the circulating infection rate may be even higher when looking at the RatZooMan results. This may be due to underreporting and undiagnosed cases. Communities in informal settlements in urban areas are especially at risk as infected rodent populations are a continuous source of transmission.
Show more [+] Less [-]Identification of the plague reservoir in an endemic area of Zambia Full text
2012
Bernard M. Hang’ombe | I. Nakamura | D. Kaile | A.S. Mweene | K.L. Samui | B.S. Kilonzo | H. Sawa | C. Sugimoto | B. Wren
Yersinia pestis, the bacterial agent of plague, is primarily a parasite of wild rodents that persists in permanent, discrete enzootic foci throughout the world. The disease is transmitted in humans by bites from fleas of wildlife rodent species. Therefore surveillance is the ultimate public health solution through plague detection in domestic dogs, other carnivores and wild rodents. The investigations of die-offs amongst plague-susceptible colonial rodents are also significant to determine the presence of Y. pestis in a susceptible population. This study details the identification of the plague reservoir in a suspected endemic area of Zambia. The study was undertaken through rodent investigation for the presence of Y. pestis. A total of 105 rodents were sampled routinely and during a suspected plague period. On dissection 4 (3.81%, 95% CI: 1.23−10.0) rodents sampled during an outbreak showed signs of spleen enlargement. The blood, liver, lymph nodes and spleen of each rodent were subjected to culture on 6% sheep blood agar and MaCconkey agar. Colonies obtained were identified as Y. pestis by colony morphologic features, biochemical profiles, mouse inoculation assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR primers used targeted the Y. pestis plasminogen activator gene, chromosomal ferric iron uptake regulation gene and the outer membrane protein B gene. The isolates were also subjected to antibiotic sensitivity tests using the disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar with sensitivity being observed with ampicillin, amoxicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, streptomycin, tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The findings, identifies a natural reservoir of Y. pestis in Zambia providing the public health officials with a definite host for the control strategy.
Show more [+] Less [-]‘One Health’ infectious diseases surveillance in Tanzania: Are we all on board the same flight? Full text
2012
Erasto V. Mbugi | Kim A. Kayunze | Bugwesa Z. Katale | Sharon Kendall | Liam Good | Gibson S. Kibik | Julius D. Keyyu | Peter Godfrey-Faussett | Paul van Helden | Mecky I. Matee
Infectious diseases account for nearly 40% of the burden of human mortality and morbidity in low-income countries, of which 7% is attributable to zoonoses and 13% to recently emerging diseases from animals. One of the strategic approaches for effective surveillance, monitoring and control of infectious diseases compromising health in both humans and animals could be through a combination of multiple disciplines. The approach can be achieved through a joint effort from stakeholders comprising health professionals (medical and veterinary), social, economic, agricultural, environmental and other interested parties. With resource scarcity in terms of number of staff, skills and facility in low-income countries, participatory multi- sectoral and multidisciplinary approaches in limiting the burden of zoonotic diseases could be worthwhile. We review challenging issues that may limit the ‘One Health’ approach for infectious diseases surveillance in Tanzania with a focus on Health Policy and how best the human and animal health systems could be complemented or linked to suit the community in need for disease control under the theme’s context.
Show more [+] Less [-]MORPHOLOGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL STUDY FOR THE KIDNEYS OF COOT BIRD ( Fulica atra ) Full text
2012
Abbas Lafi Batah
Present study were carried out on ten adult males of coot bird, for determinate the histological structure of kidneys. The results were showed that each kidney consisted of three parts, a large cranial (mean of its length 28±0.15mm and its width13±0.08mm),a small caudal (mean of its length 13±0.07mm and its width 4±0.08mm) and a middle part (mean of its length30±0.08mm and its width7.5±0.10mm ) . Histological results were showed that the kidneys consisted of cortex and medulla, the cortex made up the majority of the kidney and composed of large and small renal corpucles,each renal corpuscle consisted of Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus .The proximal convoluted tubules were lined by simple cuboidal epithelium .The distal convoluted tubules and collecting tubules were lined by simple cuboidal epithelium. The macula densa was situated at vascular pole of glomerulus in close to distal convoluted tubules. Medulla of kidney was composed of thin and thick segment of henles loop and collecting ducts and these structures were lined by simple cuboidal epithelium. The collecting ducts continued to form the papillary ducts which lined by simple columnar epithelium. Key words: kidneys, coot bird, nephrons ,glomerulus ,histological.
Show more [+] Less [-]PREVALENCE OF Q- FEVER IN SMALL RUMINANTS IN AL-QASSIM CITY Full text
2012
Qassim Haleem Kshash
The present study was carried out on 500 of small ruminants ( sheep and goats ) to determine the prevalence of Coxielosis in small ruminants in AL-Qassim city by using ELISA test . The results showed 16% of small ruminants in AL-Qassim city were seropositive to coxiellosis . Infection in sheep ( 19.4% ) was higher than in goat (8% ) .The persent studywas concluded that coxiellosis did not affected by sex and age of examined animals.
Show more [+] Less [-]A STUDY ON THE PATHOLOGICAL AND DIAGNOSIS OF EIMERIA SPECIES INFECTION IN JAPANESE QUAIL Full text
2012
N.H. Mohammad
This study was conducted to detect the intestinal coccidial types in87Japanese quails (coturnix coturnix japonica)the birds were purchased from different parts of Nenevah governorate. The current study reveals that the total percentage of infection with Eimeria spp.oocysts 49.4%. Three species were diagnosed,according to their percentage they are:E.tsunodai 44.8%,E. uzura 34.5%,E. bateri 24.1%. The higher rates were in young birds. There was no significant difference with respect to sex. The results showed the higher infection rate and intensity was recorded in caecum infection with three species of Eimeria was most frequent in Japanese quails with percentage 46.5%. Macroscopical lesions of infected birds revealed thatsoftening of feces,thickening of mucosa and hemorrhagein caecum. Microscopically lesions characterized by sever hyperplasia of epithelial cell with construction of intestinal gland cavities in small intestine, caecum and presence of odema between muscle fibers with different development epithelial cells and infiltration with inflammatory cells. This study is regarded the first study in detection of species and pathological effect of Eimeriain Japanese quails in Nenevah governorate.
Show more [+] Less [-]COMPARATIVE MORPHOMETERIC STUDY OF SALT GLAND IN SOME DOMESTICATED AND WILD MARINE BIRDS Full text
2012
Maysoon A. Ahmad
The histological structure and statistical of the salt glands were investigated in some domesticated and wild marine birds. Both species have a well-developed bilateral salt glands lie under the skin in the supraorbital depression of the frontal bone. The salt glands consist of many concentric polygonal lobes arranged in rows and separated by richly vascularized interlobular connective tissue. Each lobe is made up of branched secretory tubules lining with single layer of radialy arranged cuboidal cells from a central canal and meshed with connective tissue enriched of blood capillaries. The duct system of each lobe opens into the central canal that drain in a main duct leads to the anterior of the nasal cavity. The measurements of the epithelium heights in the domestic pekin duck were significantly lower than the other birds subjected in the present study
Show more [+] Less [-]RADIOLOGICAL STUDY USING STATIC MAGNETIC FIELD AND CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT TO TREAT ARTHRITIS IN RABBIT: COMPARATIVE STUDY. Full text
2012
Rafid Majeed Naeem Hussein
Fifteen rabbits were used in present study, all rabbits were infected with septic arthritis experimentally by injection Staphylococcus aurous (108 diluted) in knee joint. Animals were divided into three groups, 1st group which was treated with static magnatic field 350 gaus/daily; 2nd group was treated with penicillin- streptomycin (antibiotics) and dexamethazone (anti inflammatory drug) daily and 3rd group was control group which leaved without treatment. After seven days, 1st and 2nd groups were not different in radiographic image and there were no degenerative change in the articular surface of the joints, but in control group we found degenerative change in the aticular surface. In total white blood cell count of the synovial fluid, there were no significant change in 1st and 2nd group because of normal synovial fluid were founded in 1st and 2nd groups but in control the synovial fluid is turbid and containing high number of white blood cells. In conclusion both treatments (the magnetic field therapy and antibiotics and anti inflammatory treatment) were efficient and statically significant, so we can use the magnetic therapy as replacement to treat septic arthritis
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