Occurrence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in the pig-production chain in Ibadan,Nigeria

Staphylococcus species colonises humans and animals and is a major food contaminant with public health significance. Here, we assessed the occurrence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) in the pig-production chain in Ibadan, Nigeria. Nares of 120 pigs and 10 farmers were sampled with sterile swabs whilst 54 pork samples were collected from a retail slaughterhouse. Staphylococcus species were isolated using enrichment, cefoxitin–aztreonam selective broth and Mannitol salt agar. Isolates were tested for susceptibility to cefoxitin (30 μg), oxacillin (1 μg) and vancomycin (30 μg). Methicillin-resistant staphylococci isolates were characterised using conventional biochemical tests. From 184 samples, 364 staphylococcal isolates were obtained. Amongst the 54 pork samples, 44.0% were contaminated with Staphylococcus species. Overall, 9 (2.5%) MRS were obtained and presumptively identified as Staphylococcus xylosus (n = 3), Staphylococcus sciuri (n = 3), Staphylococcus warneri (n = 2) and Staphylococcus cohnii (n = 1). There was no relationship between the prevalence of MRS between pigs and pig handlers in the farms, but Farm 2 had the highest frequency of 66.7% (p < 0.05). Piglets had the highest prevalence of 66.7% (p < 0.05) whilst MRS was absent in workers and pork samples. This study raises concerns about the cross-contamination of staphylococci in the food chain. Constant surveillance is imperative to ensure food safety.     

REDD+ as a Vehicle for Community-Based Forest Management? Critical Insights from Vietnam

Small-scale Forestry - Both the reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation program (REDD+) and community-based forest management (CBFM) aim to combat forest degradation and...     

The effect of soil fertility and harvesting stage on maize seed quality under rain-fed conditions

Abstract

Management practices during seed development are crucial for boosting seed quality and establishment. This study determined the interactive effect of soil fertility and maturity stage on maize seed quality. The cultivar SC701 were harvested at milk, dent, and physiological maturity stages and dried to <12% moisture content. Field trials were split plots replicated four times. Seed quality was evaluated using standard germination test, vigor indices and electrical conductivity test. Highly significant interactions (p?相似文献   

Effect of soil fertility and maturity stages at harvest on maize yield under rain-fed conditions

Understanding critical management practices during seed development would help to improved crop production as climate patterns change. This study focused on the interactive effect of soil fertility with harvesting stages, on hybrid maize yield under two different agro-ecological locations during the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 summer seasons in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The 2015/2016 season was drier than that of 2014/2015. The field trials were split plots design, where varying fertility levels (main plot) and harvesting stages (sub plots) were replicated four times. The interaction was determined by variables of plant growth, physiology and yield parameters. The plant growth and physiological parameters measured were significantly influenced (P < 0.001) by the interaction of fertility levels across days after planting and silking. The interactions of soil fertility levels with harvesting stages had significant effects (P < 0.05) on all yield components during the wetter 2014/2015 season, as well as on seed yield, harvest index, thousand seed weight and total biomass in the drier 2015/2016 season. Optimal fertilization improved maize yield at each stage of harvesting. This study showed that harvesting stress-free optimally-fertilized maize at dent stage maximized yield potential than allowing it to reach physiological maturity under stressful conditions.     

Knowledge Assessment,Improved Storage Techniques,and Training of Local Processors and Vendors of Soy Products on Food Safety Practices in South West Nigeria

This study assessed the food safety knowledge, practices, and training needs of local processors and vendors of soy products in South West Nigeria. Ninety women, processors, and vendors were interviewed using a structured interview schedule about their training in food processing; knowledge of food hygiene, spoilage, and poisoning; primary source of water for processing; method of refuse disposal; types of toilet facilities; and hand washing, storage, and packaging practices. Laboratory studies were conducted to improve the storage of soymilk and soy cheese displayed for daily sale and to develop training in good food safety practices for local processors and vendors as an intervention strategy.     

Babesia equi and Trypanosoma vivax infections in donkeys

Six donkeys (Equus asinus) were purchased locally. To screen them before and during Trypanosoma vivax infection, thin and thick blood smears, temperature, haematocrit centrifuge technique (HCT), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell counts, and indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) were done for Babesia equi. For the IFAT, an anti-horse conjugate was used. In spite of patent B. equi or T. vivax parasitaemia, the donkeys' temperatures remained below 38.5 degrees C; PCV was depressed more in B. equi infection than in T. vivax infection. Four out of the 6 donkeys had B. equi antibodies while 2 of them had detectable parasitaemia. Treatment with either Berenil or Imizol cleared the detectable B. equi parasitaemia, and IFAT was negative at 35-45 days post treatment. However, relapses occurred within 60-70 days after the treatment. In 2 circumstances serological titres were below 1:40 (negative) while there was detectable parasitaemia.     

An investigation of shedding and super‐shedding of Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli O157 and E. coli O26 in cattle presented for slaughter in the Republic of Ireland

Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) are an important group of pathogens and can be transmitted to humans from direct or indirect contact with cattle faeces. This study investigated the shedding of E. coli O157 and O26 in cattle at the time of slaughter and factors associated with super‐shedding (SS) animals. Rectoanal mucosal swab (RAMS) samples were collected from cattle (n = 1,317) at three large Irish commercial beef abattoirs over an 18 month period, and metadata were collected at the time of sampling regarding farm of origin, animal age, breed and gender. RAMS swabs were examined for the presence and numbers of E. coli O157 and O26 using a previously developed quantitative real‐time PCR protocol. Samples positive by PCR were culturally examined and isolates analysed for the presence of stx subtypes, eae and phylogroup. Any samples with counts >10⁴ CFU/swab of STEC O157 or O26 were deemed to be super‐shedders. Overall, 4.18% (55/1,317) of RAMS samples were positive for STEC O157, and 2.13% (28/1,317) were classified as STEC O157 SS. For STEC O26, 0.76% (10/1,317) of cattle were positive for STEC O26, and 0.23% (3/1,317) were classified as super‐shedders. Fewer STEC shedders and SS were noted among older animals (>37 months). There was a seasonal trend observed for STEC O157, with the highest prevalence of shedding and SS events in the autumn (August to October). The majority of E. coli O157 (50/55) isolates had stx2 and were eae positive, with no significant difference between SS and low shedders (LS). Interestingly, all STEC O26 (n = 10) were eae negative and had varied stx profiles. This study demonstrates that, while the overall shedding rates are relatively low in cattle at slaughter, among positive animals there is a high level of SS, which may pose a higher risk of cross‐contamination during slaughter.     

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in native breeds of cattle in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Despite numerous molecular epidemiologic studies of cryptosporidiosis in dairy cattle in industrialized countries, there are very few studies on the diversity and public health significance of Cryptosporidium species in native cattle in developing countries. In this study, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene was used to detect and identify Cryptosporidium spp. in 194 fecal specimens from 2 to 365 days old calves in 20 White Fulani and Sokoto Gudali herds in Nigeria. Thirty one (16.0%) of the specimens were positive for Cryptosporidium. Restriction digestion of the PCR products showed the presence of Cryptosporidium bovis (7.2%), Cryptosporidium ryanae (4.1%), Cryptosporidium andersoni (2.5%), and concurrent occurrence of C. bovis and C. ryanae (1.5%), and C. bovis and C. andersoni (0.5%). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in Cryptosporidium infection rates by sex, herd location, management system, breed of calves, or fecal consistency. However, calves 180 days or younger had a higher infection rate of Cryptosporidium than older calves (p=0.034). Likewise, younger calves also had higher occurrence of C. bovis and C. ryanae (p=0.022). The absence of zoonotic Cryptosporidium parvum in the calves studied suggests that native breeds of cattle may not be important in the transmission of human cryptosporidiosis in Kaduna State, Nigeria.     

Evaluation of two methods of soil quality assessment as influenced by slash and burn in tropical rainforest ecology of Nigeria

The sustainability of slash-and-burn agriculture for sustainable crop production has been a subject of controversy. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of slash and burn on soil quality. Two sites, Ibadan (7° 23′ N; 3° 51′ E) and Akure (7° 17′ N; 5° 14′ E), within the tropical rainforest of Nigeria were selected for the study. Burnt and unburnt soils were cropped with maize, melon, and cowpea (in sole and intercrops). Soil and earthworm cast samples were collected and analyzed for physical, chemical, and biological indicators. Integration into soil processes and quality indices involved the transformation of analyzed indicators using Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) and Multiple Variable Indicator Transform (MVIT) techniques. Organic matter, water-stable aggregates, pH, cation exchange capacity, macroporosity, and water infiltration were reduced after burning in both sites. Active carbon and potentially mineralizable nitrogen increased after burning at Ibadan but decreased after burning at Akure. Soil quality decreased after burning by a range of 11.3–24.8% using SMAF and MVIT, respectively, although only MVIT showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). Test crops increased in yields on burnt soils due to prompt release of nutrients to the crops; the benefit was dwarfed by the adverse effects of burning on soil quality indices.     

Are Vietnamese farmers able to combat global climate change? A case study on perceptions and attitudes towards sustainable forest management and REDD+ in Central Vietnam

ABSTRACT

Global efforts to combat climate change has led to the establishment of the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation program (REDD+). This study concerns the implementation of REDD+ among local landscapes and communities in Vietnam. How do affected forest-dependent households perceive their roles in sustainable forest management and REDD+ and how do these perceptions and attitudes influence the (potential) socio-ecological performance of REDD+? Two communes consisting of forest-dependent and indigenous communities in Central Vietnam were selected for this study–the former involved in the UN-REDD program and the latter involved in a REDD+ program of Fauna and Flora International (FFI). Here, we differentiated between a ‘do no harm’ and pro-carbon (UN-REDD), and pro-poor (FFI-REDD+) approach to REDD+. Employing an applied socio-ecological systems framework, we conducted household surveys (n = 102) and we adopted qualitative research methods. This study identified the importance of traditional ecological knowledge systems in sustainable forest management. While pro-poor REDD+ was more inclusive, both REDD+ programs in our study were implemented in a top down manner. Lastly, households’ attitudes and perceptions towards rulemaking, sanctioning, monitoring, cultural capital (beliefs and worldviews) and forest protection technology were identified as (potential) local drivers for successful REDD+ implementation in both communes.