Investigating Prevalence of Bovine Tuberculosis in Cattle in an Agro-Pastoral Community in Awdal Region, Somaliland

Awdal region is the most northwesterly province of Somaliland. The region is one of the agro-pastoral livelihood zones in Somaliland, where farming and agricultural production are the predominant livelihood sources. IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) Sheikh Technical University of Science (ISTUS) worked to study the prevalence of Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) among cattle in Awdal region of Somaliland. The aim was to inform public health and Veterinary experts on having one-health approach to infectious diseases among humans and animals. The serum that was stored at -20?C was transported to IGAD Sheikh Technical University of Science (ISTUS) for further analysis using BOVIGAM serological test (Sandwich ELISA). The results indicate that Bovine Tuberculosis is highly prevalent in the study area (10.1%). The high prevalence recorded in the current study could be due to the consumption of raw milk and lack of proper control strategies in place to control the transmission of the disease between animals, between animals and wildlife and between animals and humans. Hence, an awareness creation campaign should be created on bTB transmission and its public health significance to cattle owners, milk and meat consumers and people who are in close proximity to cattle. In addition, testing and eradication programme should be implemented where applicable.

Decomposition of <i>Eucalyptus sp.</i>and <i>Pinus taeda</i>Harvest Residues under Controlled Temperature and Moisture Conditions

Background: Following the harvest of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden, Eucalyptus globulus Labill, Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden and Pinus taeda L. forests, an important proportion of the aerial biomass is left to decompose on the site. The decomposition process is known to alter the dynamics of nutrients in the soil, particularly N, which is essential for the growth of the next turn of the plantation. The decomposition of E. grandis, E. globulus, E. dunnii and P. taeda harvest residues (leaves/needles, twigs and bark) was studied, following individual incubation of each residue type for 6 months under controlled temperature and humidity. Net N mineralization was also determined. Chemical characteristics of the residues were tested to identify those that affect the rate of decomposition and N release. Results: The highest decomposition rates were found for Eucalyptus leaves and P. taeda needles, but the proportion of C respired by P. taeda needles was lower than that of Eucalyptus leaves. No differences among species were found in the amount of CO2 produced during incubation of twigs. The lowest decomposition rates corresponded to Eucalyptus bark. Although C loss was related to many residue characteristics, the closest relationship was observed with their C:N ratio. Higher amounts of mineral N were produced by decomposition of E. grandis and E. dunnii leaves than P. taeda needles and E. globulus leaves. Bark decomposition produced N immobilization, irrespective of the species, and for twigs, this was also true, except for P. taeda. The net N mineralization by decomposition of Eucalyptus residues was highly correlated with their total N content and the C:N and lignin:N ratios. Conclusion: The total N content and the C:N ratio of residues can be used to satisfactorily assess the decomposition and net N mineralization potential of different residues types, avoiding the need to conduct more complex determinations.

Effect of Calcium Source in Supplemental Diets on the Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of the Giant African Land Snails (Archachatina marginata) in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

To contribute to the diversification of protein sources, the conservation and preservation of the Giant African Land Snails (Archachatina marginata), a study was carried out between March and July 2019 at the Helvy Farms-WVED Cameroon located at Station Bamenda to investigate the effect of three calcium sources on their growth performance and carcass characteristics. 180 juvenile snails aged 4 months initially weighing between 24.2 and 28.5 g, shell length ranging between 40.25 - 48.35 mm, and shell diameter of between 14.08 - 18.44 mm were randomly allotted to 3 treatments containing each a different calcium source (crushed snail shell, eggshell and agricultural limestone) and a control treatment constituted of natural plant feeding materials of the snail. There were 45 snails per treatment, constituted of three replicates with 15 snails per replicate. Each replicate was housed in well-constructed surface trench pens equipped with drinking and feeding troughs. The basal diet made up of feedstuffs like pawpaw leaves and watermelons was provided ad libitum. The initial weights of the snails were recorded at the start of the experiment followed by weekly weight measurements, while the snail length and width were measured with a digital caliper of 0.05 mm accuracy. The snails were monitored for a period of 21 weeks and data was collected for 20 weeks after a 1 week adaptation period. The results showed that the weight gain (g) of snails for diets containing calcium sources in the supplemental diets were all significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the corresponding values recorded for the control diet with natural plant material. It was observed that the shell length (0.34 ± 0.02), shell width (0.16 ± 0.02), weight gain (13.13 ± 0.03) and feed conversion efficiency (1.977 ± 0.11) were highest in snails fed snail shell diet as calcium source compared with snails from other treatments. These values were however not significantly higher than corresponding values for the other two supplemental diets containing eggshell or agricultural limestone. It can be deduced that the snail shell is an important calcium source for growing snails and can be adopted and used in the diets of snails. This will amount to some good methods of recycling in snail production.

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.

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.

Abattoir as a Tool for Veterinary Extension and Communication Services: A Practical Demonstration of Its Implementation

Considering the widespread disease transmission among butchers/meat inspectors and a possible risk of exposure to diseases due to the attitude of some butchers and nature of meat inspector’s jobs. Ignorance and lack of awareness of such dangers has also been identified to be responsible for some of the problems encountered in most instances as well as the presence of some predisposing factors for diseases. In view of the above, this model is developed as a means of demonstrating the use of the abattoir and other registered related slaughter premises in the provision of the physical facility, where the primary role of extension personnel to develop the capacity and capability of target groups in the abattoir and livestock producing community, in order to enhance animal/zoonotic disease surveillance and control. The model if adopted and fully utilized will create awareness among target groups of dangers of disease transmission and ways of curtailing such problems, government through their agencies, professionals and private organizations should be involved in the implementation of this model in order to achieve the desired response.

Characterization by PCR of Escherichia coli from Beef and Chicken Used in Restaurants in YaoundéCameroon

Meat constitutes the main source of protein and occupies an important place in our diet. Indeed, the production of poultry and beef has increased. However, the hygienic quality of meat is not always guaranteed. Microorganisms such as Escherichia coli can be found in meat and can cause various infections including diarrhea, dysentery, food poisoning, gastroenteritis or typhoid fever. Thus, the present study was designed to characterize Escherichia coli (E. coli) from beef and chicken consumed in restaurants in Yaoundé Cameroon. A total of 105 meat samples (60 beef and 45 chickens) were subjected to microbial culture for E. coli isolation and further confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using primers EC-F and EC-R that are specific to E. coli 16S rRNA gene. The supplier source, storage, and transport conditions were taken into consideration during sample analysis and data processing. This study revealed that 77/105 samples (73.33%) were positive for E. coli following microbial culture and 35 (33.33%) were positive for E. coli following molecular examination. A statistically significant difference was observed when PCR and microbial culture were used to assess for E. coli in beef and a non-statistically significant difference was observed in the case of chicken meat. Also, a statistically significant difference was noticed with the different transport conditions, but this wasn’t the case with the supplier source as well as the storage conditions where a non-statistically significant difference was seen. This study revealed that PCR-based methods are fast and reliable in the identification and characterization of Escherichia coli in meats (beef and chicken) as well as in assessing the prevalence of pathogenic E. coli, in Cameroon.

Factors Associated with Body Weight Attainment in Calves on Smallholder Dairy Farms in Tanzania

In order to investigate associations between individual calf parameters and/or herd management practices and dairy calf body weight (BW) attainment in smallholder farms in Tanzania, a prospective study was carried out at 121 farms in Mvomero and Njombe districts and included 156 crossbred dairy calves. Information on management factors and sources of calf drinking water were collected by personal observation and interview during four visits. At each visit, BW assessments were conducted by the same veterinarian and blood samples collected. The blood samples were analyzed for hematological parameters, total blood protein, glucose, and serum phosphorus and urea. Low BW was associated with smaller amount of milk fed to calves, early weaning, birth during the wet season, and well/tap water as the main water source (P < 0.05). Low blood total protein, high urea, low phosphorus and low hemoglobin concentrations were also associated with retarded growth. These findings identified and quantified some critical factors that can guide farmers in improving calf performance on smallholder dairy farms in Tanzania. To improve calf BW, the protein and mineral fraction of the roughage should be increased and water supply should be improved. In conclusion, appropriate changes in milk feeding routines and breeding management would also be expected to improve productivity.