Eperythrozoonosis is a small ruminant disease caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma ovis (formerly known as Eperythrozoon ovis). Whilst acute infection in sheep may result in an anaemia and ill thrift syndrome, most animals do not develop clinical signs. Molecular methods were used to compare and evaluate the prevalence of infection with M. ovis in sheep and goats in Tunisia. A total of 739 whole blood samples from 573 sheep and 166 goats were tested for the M. ovis 16S rRNA gene using PCR. The overall prevalence was 6.28% ± 0.019 (36/573). Only sheep were infected with M. ovis (p < 0.001), and the prevalence was significantly higher in central Tunisia (29.2%) compared with other regions (p < 0.05). The prevalence revealed significant differences according to breed and bioclimatic zones (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the prevalence in young sheep (35/330; 10.6%) was higher than in adults (1/243; 0.41%) (p < 0.001). Only sheep of the Barbarine breed were infected, with a prevalence of 11.8% (p < 0.001). This is the first molecular study and genetic characterisation of M. ovis in North African sheep breeds.

In Burkina Faso, rural livestock farmers in arid and semi-arid areas rely heavily on woody plant resources such as Acacia nilotica and Acacia raddiana to satisfy the needs of small ruminant rearing. The assessment of the availability and the use of these two species are therefore essential to better manage them sustainably for their preservation. The survey carried out in the area showed that the questioned farmers exploited the leaves and pods of the two Acacia for the needs of the ruminants. 100% of the farmers exploit A. raddiana only for the feeding of small ruminants. However, A. nilotica was exploited for animal feed and health. The most commonly reported treatments are Foot and Mouth Disease (98.7%) followed by diarrhea (73.7%) and foot wounds (51.2%). In order to compare the results of the survey, a botanical inventory was carried out in the area and the results showed that A. raddiana is more available compared to A. nilotica. Also, other local species such as Faidherbia albida, Acacia senegal, Balanites aegyptiaca and Acacia siberiana are also exploited for the needs of small ruminant rearing in the study area. The most important constraints were excessive cutting, drought and overexploitation that negatively impact their survival. Data on these constraints provide the basis for a campaign to raise awareness among herders' communities to preserve these plants to sustainably improve the productivity of small ruminants and consequently farmer’s income.

Contagious agalactia (CA) is a disease affecting small ruminants with worldwide distribution and caused by several mycoplasmas, especially M. agalactiae. The main option for systematic diagnosis under monitoring control programmes is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic, infectious, chronic and contagious disease, caused by Mycobacterium bovis that mainly affects cattle. This pathology has a negative impact on animals and animal products trade. Unfortunately, in Burkina Faso where agriculture and livestock sectors represent around 80% of the socio-economic activities, the real situation of the disease is not well known especially in small ruminants and swine. Thus, our study focused on both the epidemiology and the microbiological diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in small ruminants and pigs slaughtered at Bobo-Dioulasso abattoir. A prospective study was conducted between August 2017 and December 2017. Epidemiological data collection was performed during routine meat inspection; moreover, samples were taken and transported to the Bacteriology laboratory of Centre Muraz for microbiological analyses. This diagnosis consisted in search of Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) using the hot Ziehl–Neelsen staining. Out of a total of 14 648 small ruminants and 2430 pigs slaughtered during the study period, 156 and 17 had lesions suggestive of bTB with prevalence of 1.07% and 0.7%, respectively. Females and those between 2 and 4 years old were mainly infected. The most affected organs were: lungs, liver, spleen and lymph nodes. Finally, microscopy revealed 43.35% (75/173) of positive cases for AFB. These results confirm the presence of bTB in small ruminants and pigs in Burkina Faso. Efforts must still be made in the fight against this zoonosis in order to limit its economic and public health impacts.

The present paper is a case report of a one-year old nulliparous Alpine Goat belonging to a dairy goat farm in semi-arid region of Brazil. Both glands were naturally infected by α-hemolytic Staphylococcus simulans and evolved similar clinical signs. The mammary glands presented an acute catarrhal mastitis with systemic clinical signs that responded positively to treatment with gentamicin associated with amoxicillin. The present report suggests the importance of the pathogenic potential of non-aureus Staphylococci strains (NAS) as a cause of clinical mastitis also in nulliparous animals. The isolate showed resistance to tetracycline and contained staphylococcal toxin production genes (sec, sec and TSST-1). Moreover, it has been reported that Staphylococcus simulans is an emerging pathogen in humans causing cutaneous and osteoarticular infections, mainly in those in close contact with farm animals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a clinical mastitis in a nulliparous goat caused by Staphylococcus simulans.

Contagious agalactia (CA) is a disease affecting small ruminants with worldwide distribution and caused by several mycoplasmas, especially M. agalactiae. The main option for systematic diagnosis under monitoring control programmes is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. This study was designed to appraise the performance of two commercial indirect ELISA tests using M. agalactiae p48 protein and one using total protein, for antibody detection in small ruminants after natural infection with different M. agalactiae strains. We carried out the test evaluation using sera of confirmed M. agalactiae-positive goats with clinical signs. In addition, test agreement was assessed by kappa between the three commercial ELISA tests. All three ELISA tests showed high validity scores (Youden’s J: 72.9–84%). The sensitivity values for the P48 protein-based tests were 76.9% and 84.6%, and was 79% for the total protein-based test. The specificity of all tests was 100%. In addition, between the total protein-based ELISA test and the other two ELISA tests based on the P48 protein, the agreement was substantial (kappa: 0.762–0.763) and the agreement between the latter two tests was almost perfect (kappa: 0.93). The validity parameters for all tests allowed their application for diagnostic purposes in lactating goats excreting M. agalactiae in milk and presenting clinical signs. The agreements show that any of these ELISA tests could be equally well used for diagnosis in programmes against CA.

Traceability methods in livestock sector through the tracking of animal species, breed or even individuals, has become of utmost importance as a vehicle for ensuring consumers food safety. The advent of new technology at DNA level has facilitated the convenience and the accuracy of the implementation of traceability methods. The scope of this review is to highlight the most up to date progress on DNA based approaches concerning the traceability procedures for small ruminant species and/or their products, giving emphasis on short tandem repeats (microsatellites) and single nucleotide polymorphisms. The conclusions of this review may be used either from the farmer or the State and other Organisations in order not only to certify traceability throughout the whole food process chain but to ensure also consumers food safety. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(3.000): 255-264]

Objective: The current study was conducted to explore the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in small ruminants (sheep and goats) in relation to species, age, sex, season, and body condition in Mymensingh, Bangladesh.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional coprological survey was carried out at Mymensingh Sadar in Mymensingh from July 2015 to June 2016. In total, 433 fecal samples were screened for eggs/oocysts/cysts of parasite and counted by using standard qualitative and quantitative techniques. Eggs/oocysts/cysts were identified according to their characteristic features.Results:The study found 74.8% (n=324/433) prevalence of GI parasites in small ruminants. Species-wise prevalence indicated that 77.0% (n=268/348) goats and 65.9% (n=56/85) sheep harbored parasitic infection. Nine species of GI parasites were identified in the study area namely Strongyloides sp., Haemonchus sp., Oesophagostomum sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Trichuris sp., Paraphistomum spp., Fasciola spp., Eimeria spp. and Balantidium spp. The level of egg/oocyst/cyst per gram of feces (EPG/OPG/CPG) was ranged between 100 and 1200. Young small ruminants (78.4%) showed significantly (P=0.026) higher prevalence as compared to adult (68.8%). Between sexes, significantly (P=0.000) higher prevalence was found in female (83.6%) than male (64.7%). Infection was significantly (P=0.000) highest in poor body conditioned small ruminants (82.1%) as compared to moderate (72.2%) and good body conditioned (53.8%) small ruminants. In case of season, highest prevalence was found in rainy season (83.6%) followed by summer (78.6%) and winter (59.4%) with significant seasonal variations (P=0.000).Conclusion: Finally, GI parasites are endemic among small ruminants in the study area. Knowledge on these parasites and related epidemiological parameters is important for outlining fruitful control strategies against GI parasites. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(4.000): 356-362]

Objective: Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis with global distribution. The disease remains endemic in many countries including Iran, while its seroprevalence in endemic area is not well documented. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in sheep and goats in Hamedan province, west of Iran. Material and methods: A total of 3,250 blood samples from 2,550 sheep and 700 goats were collected randomly. All samples were analyzed for the presence of Brucella antibodies using Rose Bengal, Wright standard tube agglutination and 2-mercaptoethanol agglutination tests. Results: The seroprevalence rate of brucellosis in animals and flock level were found in 4.6% and 13.6% of goats and 3% and 27.9% of sheep, respectively. No evidence of correlation between gender and Brucella infection rate were found in animals (P>0.05). Statistical significant differences was seen between age groups and infection rate in goats (P=0.033, OR=2.1); unlike to sheep (P=0.373). Also, the infection rate in nomads population of sheep was higher than fix location animals (P=0.003; OR=1.9); unlike to goats (P=0.195). In animals with history of abortion and vaccination against brucellosis, seroprevalence rate was significantly lower than other (P<0.05). Conclusion: This is the first report of brucellosis in sheep and goats in Hamedan province. The design of a comprehensive control program including vaccination, screening, and culling of brucellosis-positive animals is recommended. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(4.000): 399-405]

In Malaysia, helminthiasis due to strongyles such as Haemonchuscontortus and coccidiosis caused by Eimeria sp. have been reported to cause severe economic losses in small ruminants livestock industry. This paper reports the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasite infections on small ruminants situated in Seberang Perai Selatan district, Penang. Faecal samples were obtained from a total of 193 animals,randomly selected from 14 ruminant farms. The results of this survey indicates that helminthiasis and coccidiosis is rampant insheep and goat farms. The most common infections diagnosed were helminthiasis (77.72%) and coccidiosis (60.10%) followedby Moniezia sp. (5.18%). From this study, it shows that parasitic diseases can be managed by good animal husbandryin farms since high parasitic infections were observed in farms that were poorly managed based on nutrition, hygiene andbasic animal husbandry practices. The smallholders depended on health and extension services from the State Veterinary Department. A continuous monitoring of small ruminant farms by the Department of Veterinary Services will provide important information for assisting farmers with managing the spread of parasitic infections and maintaining the productivity of animals.