Prevalence of antibodies to Dermatophilus congolensis in sheep and goats in Nigeria

Summary

A serological survey on dermatophilosis was carried out amongst sheep and goats in Kaduna State of Nigeria. Sera were‐obtained from slaughter animals and from sheep kept on an isolated ranch. The percentage of seropositive animals was 28.0 in slaughter sheep, 0.0 in sheep kept on the ranch, and 23.2 in slaughter goats. The high prevalence of D. congolensis antibodies among small ruminants compares well with the level of prevalence reported of cattle and calls for a concerted government effort for the control of the disease.     

A study of cystic echinococcosis in slaughter animals in three selected areas of northern Turkana, Kenya.

In an attempt to establish the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis, a study was conducted in slaughter animals in three divisions of northern Turkana, Kenya. A total of 5752 goats, 588 sheep, 381 cattle and 70 camels were examined at slaughter. Echinococcus granulosus metacestodes were found in 19.4% of the cattle, 3.6% of sheep, 4.5% of goats and 61.4% of camels. The prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in cattle, sheep and goats was higher in Lokichogio than in either Kakuma or Central divisions. On the other hand, the prevalence of the disease in camels was higher in Central (84.6%) than either Lokichogio (70.6%) or Kakuma (50%). The differences in prevalence rates in different study areas are attributed to differences in environmental conditions, livestock stocking intensity and cross-border migration of livestock.     

Hydatidosis of slaughtered animals in Ngorongoro district of Arusha region,Tanzania

A study on the prevalence of hydatidosis in cattle, goats and sheep was carried out in Ngorongoro district of Arusha region, Tanzania. A 4-years data records from four slaughter slabs were retrieved and analysed. In addition, meat inspection was done in the same slaughter slabs for nine months and 64 households were interviewed to assess the community awareness on hydatidosis. Results showed the overall prevalence of hydatidosis to be 47.9%. Species prevalence of 48.7%, 34.7% and 63.8% in cattle, goats and sheep respectively was recorded. Of 174 cysts examined in cattle, 37 (21.3%) were fertile, 126 (72.4%) were sterile and 11 (6.3%) were calcified. Out of 215 goats and 67 sheep cysts examined, 52 (24.7%) and 26 (38.8%) were fertile, 138 (64.2%) and 38 (56.7%) were sterile, 24 (11.2%) and 3 (4.5%) were calcified respectively. The higher percentage of fertile hydatid cysts in sheep and goats coupled with the practice of backyard slaughter of sheep and goats suggests that, these animals could be important intermediate hosts for the maintenance of the domestic life cycle of E. granulosus in the locality. Questionnaire survey revealed that 17.2% of the respondents were aware of hydatidosis but non of them were knowledgeable on its transmission. Up to 84.4% of the respondents had domestic ruminants and donkeys, while 89.1% had dogs. Of the households with dogs, only 19.3% had their dogs dewormed at least once in life time. Most of the households (87.7%) had their dogs managed freely and 77.2% of the respondents reported school children to be the closest friends of dogs in the family. The prevalence of E. granulosus infection in wildlife and the possible relationship of the domestic cycle to the sylvatic cycle operating in the same area are unknown and need to be studied.     

A survey on hydatidosis in livestock in Northern Iran based on data collected from slaughterhouses from 2004 to 2008

Data have been collected from slaughterhouses in three provinces across the Northern Iran (Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan) from March 2004 to March 2008. These data were collected to evaluate the prevalence of hydatidosis in slaughtered cattle, sheep and goats. During the study, 3,347,797 animals were slaughtered. These included 621,686 cattle, 1,719,725 sheep and 1,006,386 goats. The prevalence of infection in cattle, sheep and goats was 12%, 14.6% and 10.1%, respectively. The association of condemnation rates with seasons was not proven statistically.     

Prevalence and economic importance of cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered ruminants in Burdur,Turkey

This study was conducted between April 2000 and March 2001, in 12-month period. During the study, local slaughterhouses were visited periodically for 1 year to examine the internal organs (livers, lungs, spleens and hearts) for the presence of cysts and total 1355 cattle, 218 sheep and 104 goats were examined for the cystic echinococcosis (CE). It was found that 13.5% of cattle, 26.6% of sheep and 22.1% of goats were infected with this disease. While cysts in cattle (P < 0.001) and goats (P > 0.05) were found mostly in lungs (88.5 and 82.6%, respectively), but they were mostly found in livers (P > 0.05) in sheep. In addition to this, three spleens and one heart in cattle were infected with CE. In this study, the prevalence of CE and the number of cysts in ruminants were found different when the cattle, sheep and goats examined were stratified based on age. The prevalence and the number of cysts increased with age approaching an asymptotic prevalence of one in the oldest animals (P < 0.05). The number of cysts in cattle, sheep and goats were increasing at a rate of 0.31, 0.63 and 0.42/year, respectively. The economic decrease in the value of the carcasses because of the discarded liver and lung as a result of CE was estimated as 1.1% (7.5 US dollars per cattle) for cattle, 4.37% (3.2 US dollars per sheep) for sheep and 4.26% (2.9 US dollars per goat) for goats. The minimum total loss for all infected animals was determined to be 583 US dollars in infected animals, based on the market prices in the year 2002.     

Incidence and prevalence of tick-borne haemoparasites in domestic ruminants in Ghana

Giemsa-stained thin blood smears prepared monthly from cattle, sheep and goats in the Greater Accra region of Ghana between May 1994 and December 1996 were examined for presence of tick-borne haemoparasites. The majority of animals were less than 2 months old at the start of the survey. Monthly and cumulative incidences are presented of Anaplasma sp., Babesia bigemina, Borrelia sp., Eperythrozoon sp., Theileria mutans and Theileria velifera in cattle, Anaplasma sp., Borrelia sp., and Theileria sp. in sheep, and Anaplasma sp. in goats. T. mutans was the commonest parasite in cattle, with 100% incidence in calves by 10 months of age, and Anaplasma was commonest in small ruminants. The relative prevalence of these haemoparasites in blood smears from cattle, sheep and goats sampled on a single occasion at sites in all 10 regions of Ghana was found to be similar, though actual infection rates were lower. Packed cell volume (PCV) measurements from the sampled animals are also presented; no seasonal trends were evident in the PCV of the cattle, sheep and goats sampled monthly. In animals sampled on a single occasion, mean PCV was significantly higher in cattle and sheep without detectable haemoparasite infection, and in cattle was lowest in animals positive for both Babesia and Anaplasma, while there was no difference in mean PCV levels between parasitised and non-parasitised goats.     

A 6-year survey of pathological conditions of slaughtered animals at Zango abattoir in Zaria,Kaduna State,Nigeria

A 6-year retrospective study (2000–2005) of animals slaughtered at the Zango abattoir in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria was carried out to determine disease conditions encountered in slaughtered animals. Records kept at the abattoir were analysed. A total of 69,307 cattle, 3,820 goats and 1,763 sheep were slaughtered for the period under study. Of the 69,307 cattle slaughtered for the period, 22,459 (32.41%) were males and 46,848 (67.59%) were females, while 1,763 sheep were slaughtered comprising of 506 (28.70%) males and 1,257 (71.30%) females, and 3,820 goats made up of 1,212 (31.73%) males and 2,608 (68.27%) were females. The major disease and/or pathological conditions were helminthosis (fascioliasis, haemonchosis and paramphistomosis) 16.20%, Streptothricosis 4.15%, Pericarditis 2.20%, liver cirrhosis 2.08%, abscesses 1.04%, pneumonia 0.14%, nephritis 0.05% and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, Tuberculosis and Nocardiosis 0.01% each. Out of the 15,075 infected organs, 13,314 (88.38%) were partially salvaged while 1,751 (11.6%) whole organs were condemned. A total of 1,239 pregnant cows, 221 pregnant ewes and 637 pregnant does were slaughtered, representing a foetal wastage of 2.65% for cattle, 17.58% for sheep and 24.43% for goats. The result of this study apart from serving as an indicator of field disease condition also demonstrates cases of serious losses in production due to slaughter of pregnant animals especially for sheep and goats.     

Survey of the seroprevalence of brucellosis in ruminants in Kosovo

A cross-sectional survey of the seroprevalence of brucellosis in sheep, goats and cattle in Kosovo was made in January 2001. A total of 12,000 serum samples, from 7941 cattle, 3548 sheep and 511 goats, were screened using the Rose Bengal test. Doubtful and positive results were further tested with competitive and indirect ELISAS. The overall serological prevalences derived from the samples positive to all three tests, were 6.26 per cent (95 per cent confidence intervals [CI] 5.5 to 7.1 per cent) for sheep, 7.24 per cent (5.3 to 9.8 per cent) for goats and 0.58 per cent (0.43 to 0.77 per cent) for cattle. The survey covered 26 of the 29 municipalities and showed that brucellosis was widely but unevenly distributed throughout the province. Seropositive animals were found in 25 per cent (19 to 32 per cent) of 162 villages surveyed. The risk of cattle being infected on holdings where both cattle and sheep were kept was greater, with a risk ratio of 4.6 (2.2 to 9.6), than on holdings where only cattle were kept. Brucella melitensis probably predominates as the cause of brucellosis in ruminants in the province of Kosovo.     

Prevalence and Economic Importance of Cystic Echinococcosis in Slaughtered Ruminants in Burdur,Turkey1

This study was conducted between April 2000 and March 2001, in 12‐month period. During the study, local slaughterhouses were visited periodically for 1 year to examine the internal organs (livers, lungs, spleens and hearts) for the presence of cysts and total 1355 cattle, 218 sheep and 104 goats were examined for the cystic echinococcosis (CE). It was found that 13.5% of cattle, 26.6% of sheep and 22.1% of goats were infected with this disease. While cysts in cattle (P < 0.001) and goats (P > 0.05) were found mostly in lungs (88.5 and 82.6%, respectively), but they were mostly found in livers (P > 0.05) in sheep. In addition to this, three spleens and one heart in cattle were infected with CE. In this study, the prevalence of CE and the number of cysts in ruminants were found different when the cattle, sheep and goats examined were stratified based on age. The prevalence and the number of cysts increased with age approaching an asymptotic prevalence of one in the oldest animals (P < 0.05). The number of cysts in cattle, sheep and goats were increasing at a rate of 0.31, 0.63 and 0.42/year, respectively. The economic decrease in the value of the carcasses because of the discarded liver and lung as a result of CE was estimated as 1.1% ($7.5 per cattle) for cattle, 4.37% ($3.2 per sheep) for sheep and 4.26% ($2.9 per goat) for goats. The minimum total loss for all infected animals was determined to be $583 in infected animals, based on the market prices in the year 2002.     

Echinococcus granulosus in animals in northern India

The prevalence of larval Echinococcus granulosus in buffaloes, sheep and goats and in adult stray and shepherd dogs was studied in northern India. A total of 48.1% of 754 buffaloes, 30.5% of 1215 sheep and 21.0% of 447 goats were found to be infected with this parasite. The prevalence of infection in buffaloes was higher in older animals than in younger animals. The lungs and livers appeared to be the sites of predilection. A high percentage of cysts from buffaloes (71.1%) were sterile, whereas a high percentage (90.0%) of cysts from sheep and goats were fertile. Shepherd dogs showed a higher prevalence of infection than stray dogs and the latter examined near the vicinity of slaughter houses had a higher prevalence of infection than those examined in other parts of the city.     

Use of the caprinised strain of rinderpest virus for potency testing an attenuated cell culture rinderpest vaccine

The caprinised strain of rinderpest virus was inoculated into goats to produce a challenge stock. These goats were kept with control animals (goats, sheep, calves). In this trial the caprinised strain was shown to have a mild pathogenicity for goats and it spread to one of two contact goats but not from goats to other species. The caprinised strain was then tested on cattle where a febrile reaction was observed. The caprinised strain also did not spread between cattle. The cattle vaccinated with a freeze-dried vaccine produced from the attenuated Kabete RBKO strain on bovine kidney cells were then challenged with the caprinised strain with good results.     

Seroprevalence of malignant catarrhal fever-related gammaherpesviruses in domestic ruminants in Turkey

The prevalence of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) virus infection in cattle, sheep and goat populations and also the prevalence of recovered and chronic MCF cases in north-western Turkey are reported. A total of 600 animals, 200 individuals of each species, located in four provinces were sampled between December 2003 and July 2005. A monoclonal antibody-based competitive inhibition (ci) ELISA were used to detect infection status of the animals. Detected antibody prevalence was 97.5%, 96.0% and 15.0% in sheep, goats and cattle, respectively. These results showed that MCF related gammaherpesvirus infections are common in north-western Turkey. There was no significant difference between prevalences detected in sheep and goats, as well as various breeds of these species. There was also no significant difference among locations. Results of this study show that sheep and goats may equally be important in the epidemiology of MCF in Turkey. Seropositivity against MCF agents among cattle was 15.0%. The results indicate that MCF infections may be maintained in intensively managed cattle herds having no close contact with small ruminants.     

Report of a serological study of Coxiella burnetii in domestic animals in Albania

The prevalence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies in domestic ruminants in Albania has been investigated. A total of 1656 serum samples taken from sheep, goats, and cattle housed on farms located in 20 different districts were tested by ELISA for the presence of specific antibodies to C. burnetii phase I and II antigens. Specific IgG antibodies were detected in 9.1% of the animals from both lowland and mountainous areas. In total, a slightly higher percentage of antibodies was detected in sheep and goats (9.8%) than in cattle (7.9%).     

Epidemiological analysis of the Cyprus anti-echinococcosis campaign: II. The prevalence of hydatid cysts in slaughtered livestock,June–December, 1972

The distribution of livestock in Cyprus was described and analyzed by contingency table methods. Smaller numbers of sheep, goats and cattle were associated with Greek Cypriot villages. Sheep and goat densities were highest in Turkish Cypriot villages. Among the villages in which the slaughter of livestock was reported, the median percent prevalence of hydatid cysts was: 16.5% (range: 0–100%) in slaughtered sheep; 2.1% (0–100%) in slaughtered goats; 0.0% (0–100%) in slaughtered cattle; 0.0% (0–33%) in slaughtered pigs. The median numbers of livestock slaughtered in villages for the 6-month period were 45 sheep, 98 goats, 4 cattle and 32 pigs. The association between the prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus in the slaughtered sheep population (SHPPREV) of 254 villages of Cyprus and human, canine, and environmental factors, for the period June–December, 1972, was analyzed by step-wise multiple regression. Results showed that 25% of the total variation in SHPPREV was explained by 3 independent variables, total rainfall from the previous 6-month period (negatively correlated with SHPPREV), E. granulosus prevalence in dogs (positively correlated) and the percent village population composed of Turkish Cypriots (negatively correlated). Total rainfall from the previous 6-months period, alone, explained 19% of the total variation.     

Prevalence of Brucellosis in Horse North-East of Iran

Brucella preferentially infects cattle, swine, sheep, and goats. However, some epidemiological surveys have been carried out to investigate nonruminants, such as horses. Horse brucellosis has been found in clinical cases, but there are few epidemiologic patterns. Between May 2008 and April 2009, a total of 120 horses were screened for brucella infections in Mashhad, Iran, by the rose bengal test and the tube agglutination test. Sera from three horses were found positive by rose bengal test and tube agglutination test, and therefore the prevalence rate was 2.5%. In horses, the highest individual seroprevalence was in an animal kept close under the intensive system, with other animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. The zoonotic aspects of brucellosis from the horse must, therefore, be considered because the disease is important from a public health standpoint. The present study documents the first serological evidence of Brucella spp. infection in horses in Iran.     

A retrospective survey of hydatidosis in livestock in Shiraz, Iran, based on abattoir data during 1999-2004

Meat inspection records in an abattoir located in Shiraz, a city in southwest Iran and the capital of Fars province, during a 5-year period from 20 March 1999 to 19 March 2004 were used to determine the prevalence of hydatidosis in sheep, cattle, and goats in the region. A total of 844,039 animals (cattle 131,716; sheep 577,090; goats 135,233) slaughtered in the 5-year period and overall 34,856 (4.1%) livers and 123,402 (14.62%) lungs were condemned. Hydatidosis was responsible for 28.7 and 15.4% of total livers and lungs condemnations, respectively. The overall trend for all livestock and in both organs was a significant downward one. The annual prevalence of liver condemnations due to hydatidosis was decreased from 2.1, 1.8, and 1.0% in 1999-2000 to 0.62, 0.33, and 0.20% in 2003-2004 for cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. The corresponding features for lung condemnation due to hydatidosis were relatively higher than liver, declining from 3.0, 4.6, and 4.4% in 1999-2000 to 1.3, 1.5, and 0.56% in 2003-2004, for cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. Greater awareness among farmers, destruction of organs containing hydatid cysts, prevention of access of dogs to raw offals and implementation of national rabies control program could be responsible factors. Data showed significant seasonal pattern for hydatidosis in all species. Liver condemnations due to hydatidosis were higher in the spring and summer for sheep, whereas lung condemnations were higher in summer for both sheep and goats. Liver and lung condemnations in cattle were higher in winter. This could be attributed to various factors such as sources of slaughtered animals, changes in management practice and ecological factors. The overall trend was relatively the same when annual condemnations were adjusted for the effect of seasonal variation. The present survey provides baseline data for the future monitoring of this potentially important parasitic disease in the region.     

A retrospective survey of liver fluke disease in livestock based on abattoir data in Shiraz, south of Iran

Meat-inspection records in an abattoir located in the Fars province (southern part of Iran) from 20 March 1999 to 19 March 2004 were used to determine the prevalence and long-term trend of liver fluke disease in sheep, cattle and goats in the region. A total of 844,039 animals (cattle 131,716; sheep 577,090; goats 135,233) slaughtered in the 5-year period and overall 34,856 (4.1%) livers were condemned. Fasciolosis and dicrocoeliosis were responsible for 54 and 21% of total liver condemnations, respectively. The prevalence of liver condemnations due to fasciolosis was decreased from 3.89, 3.20 and 2.63% in 1999-2000 to 1.07, 0.59 and 0.24% in 2003-2004 for cattle, sheep and goats, respectively. The corresponding features for dicrocoeliosis were similar, declining from 1.47, 1.76 and 2.10% in 1999-2000 to 0.69, 0.34 and 0.25% in 2003-2004, respectively. Drought climatic conditions in conjunction with a greater awareness among farmers could be responsible factors.     

Peste des petits ruminants infection in domestic ruminants in Sudan

The existence of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in domestic ruminants and camels in Sudan during 2008–2012 was investigated. Lung tissues and serum samples were randomly collected from sheep, goats, cattle, and camels at different areas of Sudan. A total of 12,384 serum samples were collected from clinically healthy 7413 sheep, 1988 camels, 1501 cattle, 1459 goats, and 23 gazelles at different areas in the Sudan. They were examined for PPR antibodies using competitive ELISA (cELISA). The overall detected seroprevalence of PPR in tested sera was 49.4%; seroprevalence values within species were 67.1, 48.2, 25.8, 2.1, and 21.7% in sheep, goat, cattle, camels, and gazelles, respectively. The highest seroprevalence (68.1%) was observed in sera collected from Darfur states, then the central states (54.3%). A total of 1276 lung tissue samples (623 sheep, 324 cattle, 220 camels, and 109 goats) were collected. The majority of lung samples were collected from clinically healthy animals that showed lesions on PM in slaughterhouses (95%) and during PPR outbreaks; samples were tested for PPR antigen using immunocapture ELISA (IcELISA). PPR antigen was detected in 233 out of the 1276 tested samples (18.3%). Positive results were observed in samples collected from clinically healthy and diseased animals. The observed prevalence values in each species were 33.6, 21.1, 15.4, and 12.3% in camel, goat, sheep, and cattle, respectively. PPR antigen was detected in samples from different areas; however, the highest prevalence (63.9%) was found in samples collected from the eastern states, then Khartoum state (28%). Trials for virus isolation were done in different cell cultures. Out of 30 IcELISA-positive samples inoculated in primary bovine and ovine kidney cells, Vero cells, the PPR virus was successfully isolated from 15 (eight sheep, five camels, and two goats) samples in the three cell culture types. Using RT-PCR, PPRV nucleic acid was detected in all 25 IcELISA-positive tested samples.     

2012年全国家畜血吸虫病疫情状况

本文通报了2012年全国家畜血吸虫病疫情状况。在2012年,湖南省、湖北省、江西省、四川省、安徽省、云南省、江苏省等7省共有存栏牛1 033 056头,存栏羊2 024 512只,其他家畜存栏数891 301头（匹、只）。2012年共检查了684 899头牛,其中牛血吸虫病阳性3961头,阳性率0.58%,比2011年的阳性数下降了42.57%;检查了71 473只羊,其中羊血吸虫病阳性406只,阳性率0.57%,比2011年的阳性数下降了4.19%,并对142 976头其他家畜进行了检查,其中血吸虫病阳性为21头,阳性率0.01%。湖南省和江西省的病牛数占到了全国病牛数的80.06%。2012年,全国家畜血吸虫病疫情较之2011年继续下降,但是洞庭湖和鄱阳湖地区依然是今后家畜血吸虫病疫情控制的难点和重点。     

Epidemiological study of the cystic echinococcosis in Morocco

The objectives of this epidemiological study on cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Morocco (2001-2004) were to update the prevalence of CE in different animal species living in the most important areas of the country and to collect protoscoleces and germinal layers for genetic research purposes. The post mortem inspection concerned 2948 sheep, 2337 goats, 618 cattle, 482 camels and 455 equines (325 horses, 60 mules and 70 donkeys) in five different regions: the Rif (Mediterranean coast and high mountains of the Rif), the Loukkos (Atlantic northwest plain), the center (Rabat and Casablanca regions), the Middle Atlas mountains and the south (arid and semi desert areas). The global CE infection prevalence rates obtained were 22.98% in cattle, 10.58% in sheep, 12.03% in camels, 17.80% in equines and 1.88% in goats. The infection rates were especially high in the Middle Atlas in cattle (48.72%) and in the Loukkos in cattle and sheep (37.61 and 31.65%, respectively). The majority of infected cattle (49.6%) and sheep (52.1%) had hydatid cysts in both liver and lungs. Except for cattle, the liver was more infected than lungs in all the other animal species. Animals more than 5 years old were the most infected in all species. The mean CE infection rates of these animals were about 56% in cattle, 40% in sheep, 20% in camels, 17.80% in equines and 7% in goats. These rates were much higher in the Loukkos (85% of cattle and 59% of sheep) and in the Middle Atlas (68% of cattle and 45% of sheep) than in the other regions. Results showed that Echinococcus granulosus is in an endemic steady state with no evidence of protective immunity in the intermediate hosts. The mean numbers of infections per year are 0.099 for cattle, 0.063 for sheep, 0.03 for camels and 0.010 for goats.