Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in pastoral cattle herds in the Oromia region,southern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) was conducted in pastoral cattle herds in southern Ethiopia, from February to August 2008 using the comparative intradermal tuberculin test. The prevalence of BTB and the risk factors for having positive reactor herds were assessed in four pastoral associations in two districts of southern Ethiopia, namely Goro-Dola with 242 cattle in 16 herds and Liben with 231 cattle in 15 herds. A herd was considered positive if there was at least one reactor animal in a herd. The test results were interpreted based on the Office Internationale des Epizooties recommended 4-mm and a recently suggested 2-mm cut-off. The apparent individual animal prevalence of tuberculin reactors was 5.5% (95% confidence interval (CI), 4.0–8.0%) and 7.0% (95% CI, 5.0–10.0%), whereas the true prevalence estimate was 4.4% (95% CI, 0.8–8.0%) and 6.1% (95% CI, 2.6–9.5%), when using the 4-mm and the 2-mm cut-offs, respectively. The overall herd apparent prevalence of tuberculin reactor animals was 41.9% (95% CI, 24.9–60.9%) and 48.4% (95% CI, 30.2–66.9%) with the 4-mm and 2-mm cut-offs, respectively. A positive tuberculin test was associated with the age of animals and the main drinking water sources during dry seasons. In order to investigate the public health risks and the epidemiological importance of BTB in the area, we recommend to include other livestock species (camels and goats) as well as humans in future studies.     

Prevalence of sarcocysts in one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) from southern Ethiopia

A survey of sarcocystis was made in camels from southern Ethiopia during a part of 1998-99. A total of 605 haematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue samples from cardiac, diaphragm, shoulder, masseter and oesophagus muscles of 121 adult camels and 20 tissue samples from four foetuses were examined for sarcocysts. Sarcocysts were detected in 55 of 121 (45.45%) camels examined. The infestation rate of oesophagus, diaphragm, shoulder, masseter and cardiac musculatures were 19.83, 11.57, 12.4, 8.26 and 9.17%, respectively. There was no significant (P > 0.05) variation between males (48.6%) and females (40.82%), nor between the two sites studied (Dollo Addo, 40.00% versus Neghelle Borana 47.25%). None of the 20 tissue samples from the four foetuses examined harboured sarcocysts. The possible impact of sarcocysts on camel production is indicated. This is the first report of the presence of sarcocysts in camels from Ethiopia.     

Cross-sectional survey of brucellosis and associated risk factors in the livestock–wildlife interface area of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nechisar</Emphasis> National Park,Ethiopia

A cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the seroprevalence of ovine and bovine brucellosis in the livestock–wildlife interface area of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia. Furthermore, producer’s knowledge about brucellosis and its zoonotic potential was assessed using a structured questionnaire. A total of 268 cattle and 246 goat sera were collected from 50 herds and 46 flocks and subjected to Rose Bengal test (RBT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in parallel to detect anti-Brucella species antibodies. Positive reactions were further confirmed with compliment fixation test (CFT). Flock and herd level seroprevalence rate was 12.8% (95% CI 4.8–25.7) and 32.0% (95% CI 19.5–46.7) in goats and cattle, respectively. An overall animal-level seroprevalence of 4.5% (95% CI 2.25–7.86) and 9.7% (95% CI 6.44–13.89) was recorded for goats and cattle, respectively. Seroprevalence showed an increasing trend with age, where adult cattle >?2 years. Goats (>?1 year) recorded relatively higher seroprevalence, but the differences were not statistically significant. Similarly, female cattle and goats recorded a relatively higher seroprevalence, 11 and 5.6%, respectively, compared to males but the difference was not significant. However, a significant (P <?0.01) variation of seroprevalence was noted for parity (bovine), higher in animals in second parity, and abortion history, in both species, higher in animals that experienced abortion. Interviews revealed lack of awareness about brucellosis and food safety related to the zoonotic potential from consuming raw animal products (milk and meat). Ninety-eight percent of respondents did not consider handling abortion material is risky, and only a very low proportion (8%, n?=?50) was able to mention limited zoonotic diseases (anthrax and Taenia cysticercosis) could be transmissible to people. The study indicated that brucellosis is endemic in domestic animals in the interface area and calls for further broad epidemiological investigation of the disease in livestock, human and wildlife following ‘one health’ unified research approaches beside enhancing public awareness.     

Low prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Somali pastoral livestock, southeast Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) detected by the comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CIDT) was conducted in livestock of the Somali region in southeast Ethiopia??in four pastoral associations from January to August 2009. In 94 herds, each of 15 cattle, camels, and goats was tested per herd leading to a total of 1,418 CIDT tested animals, with 421 cattle, 479 camels, and 518 goats. A herd was considered positive if it had at least one reactor. Prevalence per animal species was calculated using a xtgee model for each species. The individual animal prevalence was 2.0% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.5?C8.4], 0.4% (95% CI, 0.1?C3%), and 0.2% (95% CI, 0.03?C1.3) in cattle, camels, and goats, respectively. Prevalence of avian mycobacterium purified protein derivative (PPD) reactors in cattle, camels, and goats was 0.7% (95% CI, 0.2?C2.0%), 10.0% (95% CI, 7.0?C14.0%), and 1.9 (95% CI, 0.9?C4.0%), respectively, whereby camels had an odds ratio of 16.5 (95% CI, 5.0?C55.0) when compared to cattle. There was no significant difference between livestock species in BTB positivity. In the present study, the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis was low in Somali pastoral livestock in general and in camels and goats in particular. The high proportion of camel reactors to avian PPD needs further investigation of its impact on camel production.     

Prevalence of Sarcocysts in One‐humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius) from Southern Ethiopia

A survey of sarcocystis was made in camels from southern Ethiopia during a part of 1998–99. A total of 605 haematoxylin and eosin‐stained tissue samples from cardiac, diaphragm, shoulder, masseter and oesophagus muscles of 121 adult camels and 20 tissue samples from four foetuses were examined for sarcocysts. Sarcocysts were detected in 55 of 121 (45.45%) camels examined. The infestation rate of oesophagus, diaphragm, shoulder, masseter and cardiac musculatures were 19.83, 11.57, 12.4, 8.26 and 9.17%, respectively. There was no significant (P > 0.05) variation between males (48.6%) and females (40.82%), nor between the two sites studied (Dollo Addo, 40.00% versus Neghelle Borana 47.25%). None of the 20 tissue samples from the four foetuses examined harboured sarcocysts. The possible impact of sarcocysts on camel production is indicated. This is the first report of the presence of sarcocysts in camels from Ethiopia.