Molecular and Serological Epidemiology of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in North Region of Cameroon

The serological prevalence of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) among the cattle population in the North region of Cameroon was determined using ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays) serological tests for structural as well as non-structural proteins. In these cattle, FMDV RNA was identified, amplified, sequenced and the sequences were used to construct a phylogenetic tree. A sedentary cattle population randomly selected from six veterinary centres in the North region was sampled twice, six months apart. High prevalence of FMDV antibody was recorded in the first (402/466 (85.84%)) and second (358/411 (86.90%)) sampling periods. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in prevalence of FMDV antibody between the two sampling periods. Goudali and Peulh breeds of cattle and animals of three to five years old were the most infected with FMDV and mostly in the months of May and August. A seroprevalence of 100% (n = 14) of FMDV against serotypes A and O was observed in sera from convalescent animals in the study area. FMDV antigen detection ELISA showed a prevalence of 18/37 (48.65%) for serotypes SAT1 (8.1%), SAT2 (35.1%), A (10.8%) and O (2.7%) among the clinically infected animals. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in prevalence of FMDV RNA between the sampling periods. A prevalence of FMDV RNA (17.5% (n = 120) and 16.7% (n = 240)) was observed among the sedentary animals that were sampled four to five months apart. FMDV RNA prevalence of 28/37 (75.6%) among clinically infected animals was also observed, thus confirming all the 12 outbreaks investigated. Sequence analysis of VP1 coding gene of the SAT2 serotype showed that it was homologous to the Libyan isolates (that caused epidemics in northern Africa in 2012) and also clustered with the serotypes isolated from both Nigeria and Sudan in 2007.

Prevalence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli in Broiler Chickens in YaoundéCapital City of Cameroon

Background: Escherichia coli are ubiquitous bacteria colonising both humans and animals. Extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli has been selected as a suitable indicator for the monitoring and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance. Death due to resistant bacteria is continuously rising in Cameroon, but the contribution of the aviary sector is not well studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the resistance profile of extended spectrum beta-lactamases-producing Escherichia coli strains, isolated from faeces of broiler chickens in Yaoundé, capital city of Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from February to June 2020. Escherichia coli were isolated from samples of broilers in poultry farms in Yaoundé and submitted to the extended spectrum β-lactamase screening. The logistic regression was used to assess the statistical association of a significance threshold p-value of 0.05. Results: Out of 385 faecal samples collected in broiler farms, 114 Escherichia coli isolates were obtained out of which 30 (26.32%) were Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases-producing Escherichia coli. These isolates revealed high resistance to all antibiotic families. Poor storage conditions for feeds and the proximity to latrines, the troughs on the ground, the lack of foot bath and uniforms, the inadequate treatment of faeces, the poor usage of preventive antibiotics and the lack of water treatment have been identified as risk factors to faecal carriage of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli. Conclusion: This work reveals the emergence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases-producing Escherichia coli in poultry farms in Yaoundé and the failure in the biosecurity system. As such, the awareness of poultry breeders on the respect of biosecurity measures may be an effective tool to tackle antimicrobial resistance, specifically in livestock industries using a One Health approach.

Sero-Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diffusion of Peste des Petits Ruminants in Cameroon

The present study was carried out between April 2015 and January 2016 to estimate the sero-prevalence and identify the risk factors of the peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in Cameroon. A total of 269 herds randomly sampled across the country have been studied and 1622 samples of serum have been levied on the sheep and goat. The c-ELISA has been studied in order to detect the presence of antibodies in small ruminants like an indicator of exposition to PPRV. The results revealed the circulation of PPRV in the country with a total sero-prevalence of 39% [95%CI;37 - 41] and a sero-prevalence of 63.2% [95%CI;57.2 - 69.2] at the herd level. Sero-prevalence was variable in the ten regions ranging from 7% [95% CI;6.2 - 8.4] to 73% [95% CI;62 - 84] with the northern zone (Adamawa, North and Far-North) having 52.3% [95% CI;37 - 60] and southern zone (including the remaining seven regions) recording 29% [95% CI;11 - 57]. Similarly, it was higher in animals found in urban/peri-urban areas than in rural areas with prevalence ratio of 2.9 [95% CI 2.54 - 3.4;p < 0.001] i.e. 3 times more, 1.6 [95% CI 1.36 - 1.90;p < 0.001] i.e. 1.6 times more, and 5.02 [95% CI 3.91 - 6.85;p < 0.001] i.e. 5 times more at national level, in the northern zone and in the southern area, respectively. Five risk factors have been identified: the breeding environment, introduction of new animals into the herds, gathering of animals for pasture and watering, wandering and transhumance. The breeding area appeared to be the most important risk factor associated with disease exposure. The control measures for the eradication of this disease must take into account the epidemiological situation, the breeding environment, animal transhumance and breeding system.