Natural treatment options for Microsporum canis dermatophytosis are being explored because of resistance to several antifungal medications. In this study, the potential antifungal effect of bee venom (BV), a natural antimicrobial agent, on M. canis was investigated. The antifungal effects of BV, fluconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B and terbinafine were evaluated by the macrodilution method at various concentrations by modifying the microdilution method recommended by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. All isolates were observed to be susceptible to terbinafine and fully resistant to fluconazole and amphotericin B. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values of M. canis isolate 2 (Mc2) were determined as 8 µg/mL for itraconazole. The MIC and MFC values of BV were found to be 320 µg/mL for the Mc2 isolate and 640 µg/mL for the Mc6 isolate. The results showed that the isolates obtained from clinical samples in this study were highly resistant to all antifungal agents, except terbinafine. The increase in resistance indicates that antifungal drugs will become insufficient and ineffective over time and natural products such as BV should be evaluated as alternatives. Contribution: Although there are many drugs for the treatment of M. canis, the increase in resistance to antifungal agents reveals the need for the identification and development of new natural agents. Bee venom, which has been shown to have a safe and weak allergenic effect in various studies, can be tested for usability as a local antifungal drug when supported by in vivo studies.

Plant foliages used as feed additives pose a health risk due to high oxidant concentrations. Oxidants cause oxidative stress and high rate of morbidities and mortalities. Hence, the aim of the study was to validate the methods to quantify gallic acid (GA) and quercetin (Q) as putative antioxidants, and to evaluate antioxidant activities in feed (F), Hyperacanthus amoenus (HA) and Carissa bispinosa (CB) extracts. Extraction was carried out with 62.5% methanol. Method validations for linearity, accuracy and precision were performed on high performance liquid chromatography. Quantitative analysis of GA and Q and testing of 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities in the extracts were performed. The lowest limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.011 µg/mL and 0.032 µg/mL were determined in HA, respectively. The methods were accurate and precise as the relative standard deviations (%RSD) were less than 15%. The GA concentrations in CB and HA extracts were statistically significant (p  0.05) and their values were 0.65 ± 0.03 x 106 µg/kg dry weight (DW) (0.13%) and 0.28 ± 0.06 x 106 µg/kg DW (0.002%), respectively. All extracts showed very strong radical scavenging activities with their IC50 values ranging between 5.87 µg/mL and 6.86 µg/mL. Contribution: These accurate, repeatable, precise and reliable methods can be used to provide a valuable basis for GA and Q analysis in various shrub foliages. Though high GA concentrations have potential to act as antioxidants, they may have adverse health and growth performance effects when used as feed additives, while lower Q concentrations may have no effects on livestock.

The South African government recognises the value of traditional healing and supports an integrated healthcare system. In the veterinary field, successful integration depends on the perceptions of different animal healthcare practitioners (AHCPs). This study aimed to determine the perceptions of ethnoveterinary medicine among state-employed veterinarians and animal health technicians in the North West province. A mixed model questionnaire and non-probability sampling gathered quantitative and qualitative data from 53 participants. Statistical and thematic analysis processes were applied to quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Overall, 77.4% of participants were aware of ethnoveterinary medicine practices. Approval of the use of ethnoveterinary medicine by farmers was above-average at a mean of 3.57, standard deviation (s.d.) = 1.016 on a 5-point Likert scale. However, 65.9% doubted the effectiveness of ethnoveterinary medicine, which suggests tolerance but no appreciation of its value. The Chi-square test revealed a significant relationship between district municipality of employment and awareness at χ2 = 17.490, df = 3, p = 0.001. Thematic analysis of comments showed that some participants perceived ethnoveterinary medicine as unscientific and interfering with Western veterinary medicine, while some considered it a good complement to Western veterinary medicine. The study also found that 20.8% of AHCPs use ethnoveterinary medicine to treat certain diseases. In conclusion, the lack of appreciation for ethnoveterinary medicine among AHCPs may hinder government-proposed integration, emphasising the need for programmes to improve perceptions among these stakeholders. Contribution: This is first such study to report on perceptions of ethnoveterinary medicine among AHCPs, and assess their readiness for an integrated animal health system.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the death of 7.1 million people worldwide as of 7 July 2024. In Nigeria, the first confirmed case was reported on 27 February 2020, subsequently followed by a nationwide spread of SARS-CoV-2 with morbidity and mortality reaching 267 173 and 3155, respectively, as of 7 July 2024. At the beginning of the pandemic, only a few public health laboratories in Nigeria had the capacity for SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnosis. The National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), already experienced in influenza diagnosis, responded to the public health challenge for the diagnosis of COVID-19 samples from humans. The feat was possible through the collective utilisation of NVRI human and material resources, including biosafety facilities, equipment, reagents and consumables donated by international partners and collaborators. Within 6 months of the reported COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria, over 33 000 samples were processed in NVRI facilities covering five states. Thereafter, many field and laboratory projects were jointly implemented between NVRI and collaborating sectors including the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), which brought together professionals in the health, veterinary, education and socio-sciences. In addition, One Health grants were secured to enhance surveillance for coronavirus and other zoonoses and build capacity in genomics. Bio-surveillance for coronaviruses and other emerging zoonotic pathogens at the human–animal interface was activated and continued with sample collection and analysis in the laboratory for coronaviruses, Lassa fever virus and Mpox. One Health approach has shown that inter-sectoral and multinational collaboration for diagnosis, research and development in animals, and the environment to better understand pathogen spillover events at the human–animal interface is an important global health priority and pandemic preparedness.

Interface areas shared by humans, domestic and wild animals may serve as high transmission contexts for Toxoplasma gondii. However, knowledge about the epidemiology of T. gondii in such areas is currently limited. The present study assessed the seroprevalence of T. gondii in different hosts from Mpumalanga, South Africa. Furthermore, we investigated the local knowledge and related practices about T. gondii by conducting a questionnaire study in the community. Blood samples were obtained and analysed for T. gondii antibodies using a commercial multispecies latex agglutination kit. The seroprevalence detected in humans (n = 160; patients showing signs of acute febrile illness), cats (n = 9), chickens (n = 336) and goats (n = 358) was 8.8%, 0.0%, 4.2% and 11.2%, respectively. Seroprevalence in impalas (n = 97), kudus (n = 55), wild dogs (n = 54), wildebeests (n = 43), warthogs (n = 97) and zebras (n = 68) was calculated at 5.2%, 7.3%, 100.0%, 20.9%, 13.4% and 9.1%, respectively. The questionnaire revealed that 63.0% of household owners were subsistence farmers, and 35.9% were pet owners. A high level of female participation was found (75.3%) when compared to male participation (24.7%). The results show a low circulation of T. gondii in the domestic cycle and suggest the presence of possible bridges between the wildlife cycle and the surrounding domestic cycle. Contribution: The study contributes to identifying transmission patterns and risk factors of T. gondii within human and animal populations. This topic fits within the scope of the journal presenting original research in veterinary science, with the focus on wild and domestic populations on the African continent on a topic of universal importance.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess antibiotic usage, residues, resistance and drivers of their emergence in fish aquaculture in Northern Nigeria between 2019 and 2020. A structured questionnaire was administered to 151 randomly selected farmers. Fish, column and wastewater samples were analysed with enzyme link immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for residue detection and quantification. We performed descriptive and analytic statistical analyses. All selected farmers participated, 78.1% used antibiotics in ponds. Majority (77.1%) of the farmers did not know what antibiotic misuse entailed and 73.3% mentioned that antibiotic misuse and overuse cannot predispose to residues and resistance. The most frequently used antibiotics were tetracyclines (TCs) (99.2%). Significant risk routes for residue and resistance spread were: contaminated fish and its products ingestion, direct contact with fish and fomites contaminated as well as water and aerosols contaminated in the pond environment. Significant social and cultural that influenced residue and resistance development include antibiotics misuse/overuse (Odds Ratio [OR] = 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62–8.74) as well as poor education and expertise of the farmers (OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.24–6.94). The mean TCs residues level in column and wastewater was 123.6 ± 18.2 μg/kg−1. Poor knowledge and attitudes regarding antibiotic usage were identified. Adequate antibiotic stewardship should be promoted through farmers’ education. Identified social and cultural factors can be mitigated through the ‘One Health’ approach.

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Meat inspection is the routine method used to identify cattle infected with Taenia saginata; however, the sensitivity of this method is low. We investigated the prevalence of T. saginata infection in cattle slaughtered in low throughput abattoirs (LTs) in Gauteng province, South Africa, based on meat inspection and serology. A total of 188 cattle carcasses from three abattoirs underwent meat inspection for the presence of T. saginata cysticerci, while serum was tested for the occurrence of antigens using antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequencing was performed to confirm T. saginata cysts identified during enhanced inspection and incision of 10 randomly selected hearts. Apparent and true prevalence were calculated, and a logistic regression model was fit to evaluate associations between abattoir, sex, animal origin, age and T. saginata serological status. Out of the 188 carcasses, no positive cases (0%) were identified during routine meat inspection, yet three cysticerci-like lesions were identified from three hearts following additional incisions, of which one was confirmed as T. saginata. Fifty-four of the sampled cattle carcasses tested positive using Ag-ELISA (apparent and true prevalence: 29.0%, 71.8%). Feedlot cattle were less likely (odds ratios [OR]: 0.33, p = 0.043) to have a positive serological test result for T. saginata compared to non-feedlot cattle, and the odds of a positive result differed between abattoirs (p  0.05). Contribution: Our results confirmed the low sensitivity of routine meat inspection in LTs, which may pose a public health risk, and therefore other diagnostic methods need to be included in the surveillance system for T. saginata.