The prevalence and economic importance of bovine fasciolosis in Kenya--an analysis of abattoir data

A retrospective study covering a period of 10 years (1990-1999) was carried out using post mortem meat inspection records at the Veterinary Department Headquarters at Kabete to determine the prevalence and economic importance of bovine fasciolosis in Kenya. Meat inspection records from abattoirs in 38 districts distributed over seven out of the eight provinces of Kenya were examined. Prevalence of fasciolosis was calculated as the number of cattle found to be infected with Fasciola, expressed as a percentage of the total number of cattle slaughtered. Using the average weight and market price of a bovine liver, the monetary loss occasioned by condemnation of Fasciola infected livers was calculated. A survey was also carried out at Dagoretti slaughterhouse complex in Nairobi to determine the relative occurrence of F. gigantica and F. hepatica in slaughtered cattle. Cattle slaughtered at Dagoretti slaughterhouse originate from all parts of the country. A total of 5,421,188 cattle were slaughtered in the seven provinces of Kenya during the 10-year period and 427,931 (8%) of these cattle were infected with Fasciola. The region with the highest prevalence of fasciolosis was Western Province (16%) followed, in descending order, by Eastem Province (11%), Nyanza Province (9%), Rift Valley Province (8%), Central Province (6%), Nairobi Province (4%) and Coast Province (3.5%). The total economic loss incurred by the country during the 10-year period as a result of condemnation of the infected livers was approximately US$2.6 million. The total annual economic losses during this period ranged from approximately US$0.2-0.3 million. The highest total economic losses for the 10-year period were recorded in Western Province (US$0.8 million) and Central Province (US$0.7 million). A total of 1584 cattle originating from five provinces of Kenya were slaughtered at Dagoretti slaughterhouse over a period of two months of which 147 (9.3%) were infected with liver flukes. All the liver flukes obtained from the infected livers were identified as F. gigantica. It is concluded that fasciolosis is prevalent in cattle in all provinces of Kenya, that it causes great economic losses as a result of condemnation of infected livers, and that F. gigantica is the main species of liver flukes affecting cattle in Kenya. Local climatic factors, cattle trade, rustling and population numbers, and the presence of the snail intermediate hosts are probably the main factors influencing the incidence of the disease in the various regions of the country.     

Studies on the prevalence and laboratory transmission of fascioliasis in animals in the Kashmir Valley

In Kashmir, 85.1% of cattle, 51.3% of sheep and 14.8% of goats were found infected with Fasciola spp. The prevalence rate varied from 66.6 to 100.0%, 25.0 to 100% and nil to 66.0% in cattle, sheep and goats respectively in different months of the year. Fasciola gigantica was the predominant species in all animal species but sheep harboured both F. gigantica and F. hepatica. The prevalence of F. hepatica infection in sheep happens to be the first report from India. Lymnaea auricularia sensu stricto supported the development of F. gigantica under laboratory conditions. The incubation temperature affected the shedding of the cercariae. Snails maintained at 25-27 degrees C started cercarial shedding as early as day 20 post-infection (PI), whereas those maintained at 10-12 degrees C commenced it from day 64 PI. One out of three experimentally infected guinea pigs aged 1 month revealed adult flukes in the liver at necropsy on day 52 PI.     

A retrospective study of the prevalence and seasonal variation of Fasciola gigantica in cattle slaughtered in the major abattoirs of Zimbabwe between 1990 and 1999

A retrospective study covering a period of 10 years (1990--1999) was conducted using post mortem meat inspection records of the Veterinary Department Information Management Unit at Harare to determine the prevalence and seasonal variation of bovine fasciolosis in Zimbabwe. Records of monthly and annual returns from five major abattoirs were examined in regard to total cattle slaughtered and the corresponding number of livers condemned due to Fasciola gigantica infection. Prevalence of fasciolosis was calculated as the number of cattle found to be infected with F gigantica, expressed as a percentage of the number of cattle slaughtered. Seasonal variations in the prevalence were examined by pooling respective monthly condemnation data over a 10-year (1990--1999) period. A total of 2,474,232 cattle were slaughtered during this period and 917,565 (37.1%) of these cattle were infected with F. gigantica. The pattern of distribution of F. gigantica was significantly higher in cattle originating from catchment areas of high rainfall than in those of relatively low rainfall, and in those slaughtered during the wet season than those slaughtered during the dry season (P< 0.05). Based on the study findings a control programme for the disease in Zimbabwe is suggested.     

Comparative fluke burden and pathology in condemned and non-condemned cattle livers from selected abattoirs in Zambia

After dissecting 70 condemned and 32 non-condemned cattle livers collected from Lusaka, Chisamba, Mongu and Senanga abattoirs and Turnpike slaughter slab, significantly higher numbers of liver flukes (Fasciola gigantica) (P < 0.001) were found in the condemned livers (mean +/- SD = 100.6 +/- 16.7) than in the non-condemned livers (mean +/- SD = 0.7 +/- 0.5). Liver flukes found in 9.4% of the non-condemned livers suggest that abattoir records of liver inspection may underestimate F. gigantica infections. Average faecal fluke egg counts from animals with condemned livers (5 eggs per gram [EPG]) were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than in animals with non-condemned livers (0.8 EPG). No correlation was found between egg counts and number of flukes. Fibrosis and calcification were common in condemned livers, being severest in the vicinity of the bile ducts. Only two (6.3%) of the non-condemned livers showed pathological changes on the liver edges. The severe liver damage and high worm burden may explain low production levels experienced in cattle in Zambia maintained under traditional systems of management where worm control and good management programmes are rarely practiced.     

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.     

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.     

成都麻羊乳上皮黏蛋白MUC1的遗传多态性研究

采用SDS-PAGE研究成都麻羊乳上皮黏蛋白MUC1的遗传多态性,并以金堂黑山羊、乐至黑山羊、自贡黑山羊、藏山羊作对照进行比较分析。结果表明:成都麻羊与对照山羊乳MUC1的多态性丰富,成都麻羊有7种基因型、5个等位基因优势基因为C、D、E,金堂黑山羊7种基因型、6个等位基因优势基因为B、C、D,乐至黑山羊6种基因型、6个等位基因优势基因为B、C、D,自贡黑山羊5种基因型、5个等位基因优势基因为A、C、D,藏山羊3种基因型、3个等位基因优势基因为C、D。乳MUC1的基因型、等位基因的分布品种间有差异;根据乳MUC1等位基因频率对供试山羊品种进行聚类分析,成都麻羊与金堂黑山羊的遗传距离最小(D=0.2507)先聚为一类,再依次与乐至黑山羊(D=0.2831)、自贡黑山羊(D=0.3721)、藏山羊(D=0.4752)聚为一大类,结果较好的反映了成都麻羊与对照山羊品种间的亲缘关系。     

黑山羊在四川省昭觉地区的适应性观察

为了解决四川省昭觉地区本地山羊近亲繁殖和品种退化严重的问题,特从四川省凉山彝族自治州会理县、美姑县分别引进建昌黑山羊母本和美姑黑山羊父本进行杂交并观察其适应性,对引进的黑山羊及F_1代羊生产指标进行测定。结果显示：F_1代母羊平均日增重122.87 g,F_1代公羊平均日增重143.62 g,与原产地羔羊日增重相当;引进的12~24月龄黑山羊与原产地黑山羊体尺差异不大,体重均比原产地黑山羊高;引进的24月龄以上黑山羊母羊体重比原产地黑山羊高出了23.14%。说明引进品种能够很好地适应昭觉地区的环境,且引进黑山羊杂交生产的F_1代黑山羊能在该地正常生长。     

乌蒙山区黑山羊越冬情况分析

发展草地畜牧业一直是贵州发展经济和改善生态环境的重要措施,本研究通过实地调查和试验的方法对贵州省赫章县黑山羊的越冬问题进行调查。结果表明,赫章县黑山羊的越冬死亡率高,总体死亡率为14.9%,其中羊羔死亡率最高达31.0%,体况较好的育肥羊最低(3.8%)。越冬期间,黑山羊体质量平均减轻11.4%,1月减少最多,流产率达到28.6%。试验结果显示,布鲁氏杆菌、弓形虫、衣原体抗体阳性率均为0,说明赫章县黑山羊的流产并不是由布鲁氏杆菌、衣原体、弓形虫等疫病引起的。因此,可通过加强圈舍建设、提高家畜营养水平、强化饲养管理等措施来减少越冬死亡率,降低流产率,避免冬季的无效饲养,从而解决贵州省赫章县黑山羊养殖的越冬问题,不断提高草地畜牧业生产效益。     

Countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis in the diagnosis of Taenia hydatigena cysticercosis in goats

The procedure of countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis in the diagnosis of Taenia hydatigena cysticercosis in goats was carried out for antemortem diagnosis of T. hydatigena cysticercosis in experimentally and naturally infected goats. The antigens of cyst fluid, scolex and membrane of T. hydatigena metacestodes were purified and compared. The sensitivity of the test in experimentally and naturally infected goats was 57.1 and 52.5%, respectively, whereas its specificity using antisera raised against T. solium cysticercosis, hydatid cyst and Fasciola gigantica was 66.7 and 83.4% with partially purified and fractionated antigens, respectively. Of all three antigens, the cyst fluid antigen was found to be most reactive. The test could be employed for antemortem diagnosis of T. hydatigena cysticercosis using purified antigen.     

Clinical and pathological studies in adult sheep and goats experimentally infected with Wesselsbron disease virus

The clinical symptoms and pathology in 33 adult sheep and 31 adult goats experimentally infected with Wesselsbron disease virus are described. There was moderate to severe hyperthermia in most animals, but no other clinical signs of disease or deaths were recorded. Eleven sheep and 6 goats were sacrificed for pathological studies at various stages during the febrile response. The macroscopic and microscopic lesions in these cases are described. Microscopic studies revealed that the liver was consistently affected and showed small foci of necrosis. These were sparsely distributed and associated with a marked localized Kupffer cell response ("retothelial nodules"). In addition, acidophilic bodies and small groups of necrotic hepatocytes were evident in some lobules. Apart from the hepatic lesions, mild to moderate pyknosis and karyorrhexis of lymphocytes were seen in the spleen and lymph nodes. This report also compares the microscopic lesions in the livers of adult sheep and goats with those of new-born lambs for Wesselsbron disease as well as with those reported for Rift Valley fever in adult sheep.     

微卫星标记BM1329在湘东黑山羊中的遗传多态性研究

利用经筛选的绵羊微卫星引物BM1329,采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶垂直板电泳,对湘东黑山羊的BM1329微卫星基因座进行了多态性检测。结果表明:该基因座有8个等位基因,其片段大小在175bp-215bp之间,计算了该基因座各等位基因频率、基因型频率及其平均基因杂合度(0.8305)、多态信息含量(0.8090)和有效等位基因数(5.9001)。说明在湘东黑山羊中微卫星标记BM1329基因座具有丰富的遗传多态性,可用于山羊遗传多态性的评估,也为山羊的选育、保存和利用提供了一定的科学理论依据。     

湘东黑山羊BM1329微卫星标记的遗传多态性研究

利用经筛选的绵羊微卫星引物BM1329,采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶垂直板电泳,对湘东黑山羊的BM1329微卫星基因座进行了多态性检测。结果表明:该基因座有8个等位基因,其片段大小在175bp~215bp之间,计算了该基因座各等位基因频率、基因型频率及其平均基因杂合度(0.8305)、多态信息含量(0.8090)和有效等位基因数(5.9001)。说明在湘东黑山羊中微卫星标记BM1329基因座具有丰富的遗传多态性。     

Evaluation of dipstick-ELISA using 28 kDa Fasciola gigantica cathepsin l cysteine proteinase (FgCL3) for serodiagnosis of fasciolosis in naturally infected goats

In the present investigation 100 goats presented for slaughter were used to evaluate the 28kDa cathepsin l cysteine proteinase (FgCL3) dipstick-ELISA for the diagnosis of fasciolosis. Presence of Fasciola gigantica worms in liver at the time of slaughter was taken as a gold standard for the evaluation of the assay. Faeces, blood and liver were taken from all slaughtered goats. Biochemical parameters and coprological examinations using sedimentation technique were also taken into consideration. Total serum proteins, albumin, mean values of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase of positive group were not significantly different from those of the negative group. The diagnostic sensitivity of dipstick-ELISA was higher than coprological detection of fluke eggs. However, specificity was equal for both the tests. The accuracy of dipstick-ELISA in detecting circulatory antibodies during the course of disease was higher than coproscopic examination. In conclusion, the FgCL3 antigen dependent dipstick-ELISA was more reliable and has better scope for field application in the endemic areas.     

Some biochemical indices in naturally occurring fascioliasis in goats

Some biochemical indices were assayed in goats naturally harbouring Fasciola gigantica infection and compared with uninfected control goats. Infected goats had significantly lower levels of serum glucose (47.6 +/- 1.8 mg dl-1) and albumin (3.1 +/- 0.1 g dl-1) and reduced albumin:globulin ratio (1.1 +/- 0.1). Total lipid (526.8 +/- 2.4 mg dl-1), serum glutamate dehydrogenase (15.3 +/- 0.9 iu litre-1) and serum alkaline phosphatase (31.6 +/- 1.9 Kind's and King's unit dl-1) were high in infected goats. No significant changes could be recorded in serum total protein, cholesterol and phospholipids.     

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XLVI. Oestrid fly larvae of sheep, goats, springbok and black wildebeest in the Eastern Cape Province

Merino sheep in Thornveld, Dorper sheep and Angora goats in inland Valley Bushveld, Angora goats and Boer goats in Valley Bushveld on the coastal plateau, and springbok, Antidorcas marsupialis, and black wildebeest, Connochaetes gnou, in Karroid Mountainveld, all in the Eastern Cape Province, were examined for the larvae of nasal bot flies. The sheep and goats were infested with the larvae of Oestrus ovis, and Dorper sheep and Boer goats harboured more larvae than Angora goats on the same farms. Most infestation was present from November to May in Merino sheep in Thornveld, from February to June in Dorper sheep in inland Valley Bushveld, and from May to September in Angora and Boer goats in Valley Bushveld on the coastal plateau. These patterns of seasonality appeared to be regulated by the severity of the summer temperatures at the various localities. The springbok were infested with the larvae of Rhinoestrus antidorcitis, most of which seemed to mature from June to August. All larval sages of Oestrus variolosus and Gedoelstia h?ssleri were present in the black wildebeest, and large numbers of 1st instar larvae of G. h?ssleri appeared to accumulate on the dura of the wildebeest from June to August.     

湖北乌羊和酉州乌羊血液生化指标比较分析

为从生化特性方面研究该品种的种质特征,文章比较了湖北乌羊与酉州乌羊等其他山羊12项血液生化指标。结果表明,湖北乌羊的血清谷草转氨酶(AST)、胆固醇(TC)、球蛋白(GLOB)和低密度胆固醇(LDL-C)极显著高于其他山羊(P<0.01);过氧化氢脱氢酶(LDH)、白球比(A/G)以及高密度胆固醇(HDL-C)极显著低于其他山羊(P<0.01)。这些差异在一定程度上可能与湖北乌羊比其他山羊具有较强的抗应激能力和抗病性有关,部分差异可能还与其独特的乌质性状有关。     

用绵羊进行性肺炎病毒实验感染山羊的研究

用绵羊进行肺炎病毒接种４只山羊３－４个月后，可观察到接毒山羊都出现了发育迟缓和消瘦现象，并有１只山羊山现了明显的临床病症。而未接毒的对照山羊则发育正常。接毒２８ｄ后，可以从接毒山羊的外周血单核细胞中分离到病毒。病理剖检发现４只接毒山羊中有１只山羊的多种器官出现了较为严重的病变，组织学检查则可看到典型的间质性肺炎、中度的脑炎和较为严重的脾炎的症变。以上的结果表明ＯＰＰＶ可以感染山羊，并对山羊有较强的     

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.     

Severe persistent orf in young goats.

Orf (contagious ecthyma) is a viral disease of small and wild ruminants, humans, and less frequently other species. In sheep and goats, the disease is characterized by the formation of vesiculo-proliferative lesions in the skin of lips and nostril. Here, a form of generalized orf in 16 goat kids from 2 different locations in west Texas is described. The disease was characterized by multifocal, severe, proliferative dermatitis that persisted from about 2 months of age until the goat kids were euthanized 3 months later. All affected goats were Boer or Boer crosses under 1 year of age. The mean immunoglobulin concentration in sera of affected goats was elevated compared with healthy control goats. Severe to moderate lymphadenomegaly of the nodes draining the areas of the skin affected with orf lesions was present in all 16 goat kids. Suppurative arthritis, chronic fibrinous pneumonia, and premature thymic involution were found in 3, 5, and 7 of the goat kids, respectively. The skin lesions of 3 goat kids were infested with larvae of the opportunistic black garbage fly (Ophira sp.). The orf virus was identified in skin lesions by isolation in Marbin-Darby ovine kidney cells, electron microscopy, and amplification of viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction. The orf virus was not detected in peripheral blood or lymph node mononuclear cells of any of the goats. Cross-neutralization experiments showed that an ovine orf virus antiserum raised in sheep was more effective in neutralizing a sheep orf virus isolate than a caprine orf virus isolate. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of these orf cases may be the result of susceptibility factors within some individuals of the Boer breed of goats.