Study on ectoparasitic defects of processed skins at Sheba Tannery,Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Study on ectoparasitic skin defects and their impact on the tanning industry was carried out from November 2008 to March 2009. The objectives of the study were to identify the type of skin defects due to ectoparasitic skin diseases that caused downgrading and rejection of pickled sheep and wet blue goat skins at Sheba tannery. A cross-sectional study of pickled and wet blue goat skins processed in Sheba tannery was used as subjects of the study. Accordingly, 700 pickled sheep and 700 wet blue goat skins from each stage were randomly examined to identify the type of skin damage in the tannery. Each selected skin was sorted by size and examined for defects in natural light by skin selectors, and defects on each skin were recorded, and skins were graded into seven grades. The study revealed that scratch was the dominant defect with prevalences of 43.86% and 44.84%, respectively. The prevalence of defect observed in wet blue goat skins due to demodectic mange was 7.74%, while in pickled sheep skins, this was 0%. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in the prevalence of cockle (“ekek”) lesions between pickled sheep skin and wet blue goat skin. Although significant association (P < 0.05) was observed between cockle and scratch on both skin types, no association (P > 0.05) was seen between scratch and scar.     

The comparative ability of some lousicides to reduce cockle in sheep pelts

Sheep naturally infested with the biting louse, Bovicola ovis were treated with a range of organophosphorus and synthetic pyrethroid dip formulations. The sheep were killed 42 days after treatment and the pelts examined for evidence of cockle, a nodular condition that appears in some sheep as a response to the presence of lice. Sheep treated to saturation with dip formulations produced more high quality pelts than did sheep treated with low volume, pour-on or spray-on dips. These differences are suspected to arise because louse populations decline more slowly after treatment with pour-ons or spray-ons than with saturation dips. The removal of lice and regression of cockle resulted in a high percentage of first grade pickled pelts. However, processing through to the dyed crust leather stage highlighted lesions in the same pelts that were not apparent at the pickle stage and lead to a substantial increase in the number of downgraded pelts.     

Occurrence of mastitis and associated risk factors in lactating goats under pastoral management in Borana,Southern Ethiopia

Mastitis prevalence and related risk factors were studied in 1,072 udder halves of 536 lactating goats from October, 2008 to February, 2009. Clinical and subclinical mastitis were prevalent in 4.3% (95% CI = 2.8, 6.5) and 11.2% (95% CI = 8.7, 14.3) of the studied animals, respectively, resulting in an overall prevalence of 15.5% (95% CI = 12.6, 18.9). Univariate analysis of the potential risk factors has depicted that mastitis was more prevalent in does with previous mastitis history, increased parity, poor body conditions, increased milk production, late lactation stage, long teat, and housed goats. Furthermore, prevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the wet period of October to November than the dry periods of January to February. No significant variations (p > 0.05) were observed in mastitis prevalence with udder tick infestation, mixing goat with sheep and flock size. With multivariable analysis, lactation stage, teat length, body condition, and season (wet months) have showed significant association with mastitis prevalence, and these factors maintained significant in the stepwise elimination of multivariable logistic regression model. As a result, does in late stage of lactation (OR = 4.3, 1.8, 10.4), poor body condition (OR = 5.0, 1.7, 10.0), long teats (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.1, 4.2) and does examined in wet period were at higher risk of udder infections than early lactation, good body condition, short teat, and examined in dry period, respectively. The study showed occurrence of mastitis and associated risk factors in studied goats, which suggests the need for control intervention. Further investigations into pathogens involved in goat mastitis will optimize our knowledge of causative agents and control interventions.     

羊痘的研究进展

羊痘病毒能引起山羊痘、绵羊痘和牛的结节性疹块病。羊痘是以发热、全身性的皮肤损伤、痘疹和淋巴结病变为特征。羊痘病毒是所有动物痘病毒中最为重要的一种，严重影响养羊业和国际贸易的发展。本文从病原学、流行病学、诊断和预防控制等方面对羊痘做一综述。虽然此病从临床症状和宿主特异性上很容易做出诊断，但进一步的实验室确诊还是必要的，现已有多种检测方法和诊断试剂。控制该病最有效的方法还是使用疫苗对易感动物进行免疫接种。     

Study on caprine and ovine dermatophilosis in Wollo,Northeast Ethiopia

A study on dermatophilosis in sheep (n = 1432) and goats (n = 1128) was conducted in Northeast Ethiopia. Out of 2560 examined animals, 55 (2.14%) had clinical dermatophilosis. The respective prevalence in sheep and goats were 1.5% and 2.9%. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in prevalence between sheep and goats and different sexes in both species. In goats, the prevalence in young (8.7%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in adults (2.3%). Clinical disease was associated with orf (45% in sheep and 12% in goats), pox (22% in sheep and 18% in goats) and ticks in goats (36%, 12/33). Other risk factors associated with transmission and spread of the disease were discussed. Vaccination against concurrent infections, improved management schemes to alleviate the impact of risk factors and early antibiotic treatment against clinical disease are recommended.     

羊痘病毒G蛋白偶联趋化因子受体基因序列分析及其在鉴别病毒种属上的作用

为明确G蛋白偶联趋化因子受体(GpCR)基因在羊痘病毒种属鉴别中的作用,本实验对3株绵羊痘病毒(SPV)和2株山羊痘病毒(GPV)弱毒疫苗株的GpCR进行了克隆测序,并与GenBank中登录的21个羊痘病毒属成员相关序列进行了比对。核酸同源性分析表明SPV不同毒株之间同源性达到99.5%～99.8%;GPV之间同源性达到98.8%～99.8%;GenBank上公布的疙瘩皮肤病病毒(LSDV)之间同源性达到100%。而GPV、SPV和皮肤疙瘩病毒两两比对的同源性仅达到94.2%～95.9%。对GpCR的系统进化树分析可以看出GPV、SPV和LSDV分别位于不同的进化分枝上,而GPV与LSDV具有更近的亲缘关系。GpCR基因在鉴别GPV属和流行病学分析中具有重要价值。     

Seroprevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxoplasma gondii</Emphasis> in sheep and goats in Rahim Yar Khan (Punjab), Pakistan

Toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by Toxoplasma (T.) gondii Apicomplexa protozoan, is widespread in humans and other animal species, having already been reported in many countries and different climates. In Pakistan, no data is available on this aspect among food animals. This study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and goats. A total of 200 serum samples from sheep and goats, were collected from urban area of Rahim Yar Khan (Punjab), Pakistan and tested for Toxoplasmosis with a commercial latex agglutination kit (Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. Japan). The overall seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis was 19%. Goats had a significantly higher (p < 0.01) prevalence (25.4%) as compared to the sheep (11.2%); and higher (p < 0.01) in the female (24%) than in the males (19%) for both species. In the present study the male (both in sheep and goat) are found less seropositive T. gondii (OR = 0.23; 99% C.I. = 0.01, 1.81) as compared to female sheep and goat. The prevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in adult sheep than younger animals. Among both the sheep and goats the group from 1–1.5 years are highly seropositive (OR = 1.75; 99% C.I. = 0.47, 6.51) as compared to the group less than one year of age followed by the 2–2.5 years age group (OR = 1.63; 99% C.I. = 0.50, 5.74) whereas group with more than 3 years of age least seropositive.     

Current situation of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in the Sudan

The current situation of PPR in Sudan was investigated. A total of 61 tissue samples were collected from various PPR suspected outbreaks in sheep in Sudan during 2008. Collected tissue samples were tested for PPR antigen using IcELISA, PPR antigen was detected in 26 out of 61 samples (42.6%). Highest antigen detection rate was in specimens collected from western Sudan. A total of 1198 serum samples were collected from sheep (n = 500), camels (n = 392), and goats (n = 306) from different areas in Sudan (Khartoum, Gezira, Tambool, River Nile, Kordofan, White Nile, Blue Nile, Gedarif, Kassala, Halfa ElGadida, Port Sudan). Collected sera were examined for PPR antibodies using cELISA, a total of 336 (67.2%) sheep, 170 (55.6%) goat and 1 (0.3%) camel samples were found to be positive.     

Ectoparasites of small ruminants in three selected agro-ecological sites of Tigray Region,Ethiopia

A study on ectoparasites of small ruminants in three selected agro-ecological sites of Tigray Region, Ethiopia disclosed an overall prevalence of 55.5% and 58% in each examined 750 sheep and goats, respectively. In the sheep population, Melophagus ovinus (19.1%), tick infestations (16%), Damalinia ovis (15.3%), Linognathus africanus (11.5%), and Ctenocephalides felis (9%) were the major ectoparasites. The major ectoparasites identified in goats were tick infestations (29.7%), L. africanus (27.9%), Sarcoptes scabiei var. caprae (12.5%), C. felis (11.1%), and Demodex caprae (6.8%). In sheep, there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001) in the prevalence of Damalinia ovis, M. ovinus, L. africanus, and ticks between midland and highland. In goats, the risk of Sarcoptes scabiei var. caprae infestation in midland (odds ratio (OR) = 17.2, P < 0.001) and lowland (OR = 5.2, P < 0.001) was 17.2 times and 5.2 times, respectively, higher than the highland. Favorable climatic conditions, backward level of management, poor level of consciousness and awareness of farmers, and weak animal health extension services are believed to have contributed for widespread distribution and occurrences of ectoparasites. The growing threat of ectoparasites to small ruminant production and the tanning industry needs well-coordinated and urgent control intervention.     

山羊痘病毒抗凋亡蛋白基因的表达与细胞凋亡的相关性

以贵州本地分离纯化的山羊痘病毒为试验材料,感染Vero细胞,通过台盼蓝、吖啶橙/溴乙锭荧光染色分析细胞的死亡及凋亡比例;经特异性PCR从山羊痘病毒基因组中分离出山羊痘病毒抗凋亡蛋白样基因,基因长531bp,含有完整的编码框,与绵羊痘病毒抗凋亡蛋白基因的相似性为97%,因此确定为山羊痘病毒抗凋亡蛋白基因。进一步研究山羊痘病毒抗凋亡蛋白基因在Vero细胞中的表达,结果显示,病毒感染Vero细胞24h时没有检测到凋亡现象,山羊痘病毒抗凋亡蛋白基因的mRNA水平最高;感染48h时,Vero细胞的凋亡率上升到13%,山羊痘病毒抗凋亡蛋白基因的表达量随之下降。结果表明,山羊痘病毒抗凋亡蛋白基因的表达量与Vero细胞的凋亡呈负相关,有助于病毒在细胞内的生存和侵染等过程。     

Comparison of the external dimensions of capripoxvirus isolates

No significant difference was found between the external dimensions of the M forms of isolates of sheep pox virus from Nigeria, sheep and goat pox virus from Kenya and lumpy skin disease virus from South Africa. Earlier reports that isolates of capripoxvirus can be distinguished by their relative sizes could not be substantiated.     

Seroprevalence of and risk factors for Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri infection in small ruminants in Northern Jordan

During the period from January 2002 to December 2003, serum samples were collected from 104 small ruminant flocks consisting of 18 sheep flocks, 27 goat flocks, and 59 mixed flocks containing both sheep and goats in northern Jordan. Only female sheep and goats were sampled. At least five females aged over 2 years per flock per species were sampled and examined for Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri using the latex agglutination test. To increase the chances of detecting positive flocks, sick or older ewes were sampled. Specific information was obtained using a questionnaire to identify potential risk factors for M. mycoides subsp. capri seropositivity in small ruminants. The true flock-level seroprevalences of M. mycoides subsp. capri were 34%, 32%, and 38% in small ruminants (sheep and goats), sheep, and goats, respectively. Differences between flock-level seroprevalences in sheep and goats were not significant (p = 0.7). Multivariable logistic regression analysis of 21 production and health management practices showed four to be associated with M. mycoides subsp. capri seropositivity including flocks which were grazed and fed concentrate supplement (OR = 4.6), improper cleaning of milking utensils (OR = 4.7), buying new animals to replace culled ones (OR = 0.3), and treating against helminths when clinical signs of helminth infections appear (OR = 0.4).     

Prevalence of ovine and caprine oestrosis in Ambo,Ethiopia

A study was carried out to estimate the prevalence, larval burden and risk factors of ovine and caprine oestrosis from December 2007 to May 2008 on 554 heads of randomly selected sheep and goat slaughtered at Ambo town, Western Shoa, Ethiopia. The results show an overall prevalence of 59.9% with infection rate of 69.8% and 47.3% in sheep and goats respectively. No statistically significant difference in the prevalence was noted with regard to the assumed risk factors like sex, nose color, face color, horned versus polled, origin, and months (p > 0.05). Sheep were nearly twice more likely to be infected as compared to goats (p = 0.0001, odds ratio (OR) = 1.975). Age of the animals was found to be protective (OR = 0.579; 95% confidence interval = 0.393, 0.853; p = 0.006). As compared to very fat animals, poor (p = 0.040, OR = 4.834), medium (p = 0.049, OR = 4.198), and fat (p = 0.022, OR = 5.795) body condition animals are more likely to be infected by Oestrus ovis larvae. Nasal and sinus cavity pathology is positively correlated with the total larval count (r = 0.56, p < 0.0001). Out of a total of 3,770 larvae collected, 57.5% were L1, 30.8% L2, and 11.7% L3 larvae. All the three larval instars were seen throughout the study months. It is concluded that oestrosis is a common problem in the study area and more prevalent in sheep than goats, in adult than young, and in animals with poor body condition.     

Survey of tick infestation in small ruminants of Miesso district,West Harergie,Oromia Region,Ethiopia

A survey was conducted to identify tick species and determine the prevalence of tick infestation in small ruminants of Miesso District, West Harergie Zone. Collection and identification of the ticks were undertaken from November 2007 to April 2008. All visible individual adult ticks were collected from the body of 328 goats and 40 sheep. The prevalence of tick infestation in goats and sheep was found to be 89.9% and 87.5%, respectively. In this study, ten species of ticks which grouped under four genera were identified. The most abundant species found in this study were Boophilus decoloratus (60%), Rhipicephalus pulchellus (25.1%), and Amblyomma gemma (11%). Hyalomma dromedarii was the minor species observed on goats. The difference in the prevalence of tick infestation between sheep and goats was not statistically significant (Χ ²   = 0.22, p = 0.63) but found to be statistically significant between male and females (Χ ²  = 9.8, p = 0.003). Attention should be given to the control and prevention of ticks, since they cause sever damage to the skins of small ruminants and thereby reduce the foreign exchange of the country; they also transmit some diseases which can cause sever loss to the productivity of these animals.     

Prevalence and distribution of Peste des petits ruminants virus antibodies in various districts of Tanzania

Despite the widespread prevalence of infection with Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) in goats and sheep industry in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, there have been few, if any, structured population-based studies examining the epidemiology of this infection in Tanzania. In this study, we investigated the seroprevalence, and risk factors, of Peste des petitis ruminants(PPR) in sheep and goat flocks from seven different geographical administration authorities (Ngorongoro, Monduli, Longido, Karatu, Mbulu, Siha and Simanjiro) located in Northern Tanzania. Serum samples from 657 and 892 sheep and goats, respectively, corresponding to 91 sheep/goat flocks and 43 villages were collected. Competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) was used to detect the presence of antibodies in the serum against PPRV. Chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression model were used to identify risk factors for PPRV seropositivity. Findings suggested that the sero-positive cases were significantly higher in goats than in sheep (49.5% versus 39.8%; P = 0.002). The overall seroprevalence of PPRV infection in small ruminants was 45.8%. Highest seroprevalence (42.6–88.02%) was observed in Mbulu, Siha, Longido, Ngorongoro districts, while antibodies less than 40% to none were found in serum from Monduli, Karatu and Simanjiro, respectively. These findings confirm natural transmission of PPRV under field condition for the first time in Tanzania. Results may be correlated with variations in the sheep and goat husbandry practices within different geographic localities, the uncontrolled movement of animals, the levels of natural immunity and the sharing of grazing field amongst agro and pastoralists.     

The control of external parasites of cattle

Extract

The important external parasites of cattle in New Zealand include the cattle tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, which occurs mainly in northern districts, the biting louse, Damalinia bovis, and the long-nosed sucking louse, Linognathus vituli. There are two other lice, Haematopinus eurysternus, and Solenopotes capillatus but they are much less common. The mange mite, Chorioptes bovis, occurs mainly in the winter months and causes lesions on the legs, tail and escutcheon, and in bulls it may cause severe scrotal mange similar to that seen in rams. Demodex folliculorum causes lesions deep in the skin and these constitute a serious problem in the leather industry. Stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans, are blood suckers and their attacks worry cattle on pasture and in the milking sheds. At milking time they may inhibit milk let-down and the teat cups may be kicked off by restless cows. Warble flies, Hypoderma spp., are seen only in imported cattle and have never become established in New Zealand.     

The effects of storage temperature on goat milk somatic cell count using the DeLaval counter

This study investigated the influence of storage temperature and storage time on goat milk somatic cell counts (SCCs) determined using the DeLaval cell counter (DCC). SCCs were measured in 40 Majorera goat milk samples using the DCC device. Samples were grouped from high score (>2,750 × 10³ cells/mL) to low score (<630 × 10³ cell/mL) according to the SCC. Each milk sample was divided into four aliquots and stored at four different temperatures (4°C, 21°C, 36°C or 45°C). The SCC was recorded every hour for 12 hours. Storage of goat milk with a high SCC for 5, 5, 2 or 1 hour at 4°C, 21°C, 36°C or 45°C, respectively, decreased the SCC value compared to fresh milk. The goat milk SCC was lower after 1 hour of storage than that determined for fresh milk at any tested temperature in low-SCC samples. The data presented herein suggest that regardless of storage temperature, goat milk samples should not be stored for more than 1 hour before measurement of SCC with a DCC device.     

Ovine and caprine toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii) in aborted animals in Jordanian goat and sheep flocks

Two hundred and fifty-five biological samples (106 aborted foetal tissue samples and 149 blood samples from aborted sheep and goats) were collected from 188 animals during the lambing season from September 2009 to April 2010 from the Mafraq region of Jordan. The sampled animals belonged to 93 goat and sheep flocks that had cases of abortion. A total of 169 (66.3%) biological samples were collected from sheep and 86 (33.7%) from goats. Seventy-six (29.8%) biological samples (45 blood and 31 tissue samples) were positive for Toxoplasma gondii by PCR assay. The positive samples were obtained from 43 sheep and 23 goats. The overall toxoplasma-specific prevalence rate was 35.1% (66/188). Forty flocks (43%) had at least one T. gondii PCR-positive animal. The risk factors related to flock health status and farm management that are hypothesized to be associated with T. gondii PCR positivity were also assessed using multiple logistic regressions. The presence of cats (OR = 4.74), a large flock size (OR = 2.76) and the method of disposing the aborted foetuses (OR = 3.77) were all statistically significant (P < 0.05) risk factors that were positively associated with toxoplasma positivity in goat and sheep flocks.     

Variation in the functions of village goats in Zimbabwe and South Africa

The objective of the study was to compare the functions and management systems of goats in Chirumanzu district in Zimbabwe and, Alfred Nzo and Amatole districts in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Data were collected using participatory rural appraisal techniques and direct observations. In addition, structured questionnaires from 344 households as follows; 69 from Alfred Nzo district, 144 from Amatole district and 132 from Chirumanzu district were also used to retrieve information from farmers. There were more female goat owners in male-headed households in Chirumanzu (75%) than in Amatole (27%) and Alfred Nzo (30%). Mean goat flock sizes per household were markedly high in Amatole (14.0 ± 0.31) and Alfred Nzo (14.1 ± 1.42) as compared to Chirumanzu (4.7 ± 0.30). There were positive correlations (r = 0.30 for Amatole, r = 0.34 for Alfred Nzo and r = 0.25 for Chirumanzu; P < 0.05) between goat flock sizes and cattle herd sizes kept per household. Seventy-nine and 78% of households in Amatole and Alfred Nzo kept goats mainly for initiation ceremonies, respectively. Nearly all (95%) of the households in Chirumanzu reared goats for household consumption. Goat houses in all the districts were poorly constructed. Farmers’ perceptions showed that most goat mortalities were mainly caused by gastrointestinal parasites and tick-borne diseases, especially heartwater. About 29, 15 and 27% of households in Alfred Nzo, Amatole and Chirumanzu, respectively, owned bucks. There were no formal markets for goats in the three districts. Chirumanzu had more females owning goats than the other two districts. No adolescents owned goats in all the three districts. Adolescent boys participated in the management of goats more than adolescent girls across the three districts. Differences in the importance of goats among countries and regions should be borne in mind when designing goat improvement and rural development programmes.     

Use of scanning electron microscopy to confirm the identity of lice infesting communally grazed goat herds

Lice have been described on goats in commercial farming systems in South Africa but not from flocks on communal grazing. During a longitudinal survey on the causes of goat kid mortality, conducted in Jericho district, North West Province, lice were collected from communally grazed indigenous goats. These lice were prepared for and viewed by scanning electron microscopy, and micro-morphological taxonomic details are described. Three species of lice were found in the study area and identified as Bovicola caprae, Bovicola limbatus and Linognathus africanus. Sucking and biting lice were found in ten of the 12 herds of goats examined. Lice were found on both mature goats and kids. Bovicola caprae and L. africanus were the most common biting and sucking lice respectively in all herds examined. Scanning electron microscopy revealed additional features which aided in the identification of the louse species. Photomicrographs were more accurate aids to identification than the line drawings in the literature and facilitated identification using dissecting microscope.