Risk factors associated with Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae and morbillivirus infection in small ruminants in Tanzania

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Mortality of domestic small ruminants caused by contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) and Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is frequently reported in...     

Amazonian agroforestry: a market-oriented system in Peru

Most reports on indigenous agroforestry systems of the Amazon region have described patterns employed by tribal groups almost exclusively for their own subsistence. This article discusses a market-oriented cyclic agroforestry system practiced by non-tribal Mestizo farmers in Tamshiyacu, Peru. The system produces charcoal, as well as annual, semi-perennial, and perennial crops for local consumption, and for a regional market. The sale of these products provides a substantial cash income for many farmers. The data presented demonstrate that Amazonian cyclic agroforestry systems are capable of being commercially successful enterprises and of serving as possible models for further agricultural development.

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Resumen La mayoria de informes sobre sistemas agroforestales indígenas de la regíon amazónica han descrito formas utilizadas por grupos nativos casi exclusivamente para su subsistencia. Este artículo trata de un sistema agroforestal cíclico comercial empleado por agricultores mestizos en Tamshiyacu, Perú. Este sistema produce carbón, huertos anuales, semi-perennes y perennes para el consumo local y para el mercado regional. La venta de estos productos da un ingreso considerable a muchos agricultores. Los datos presentados demuestran que sistemas agroforestales amazónicos pueden tener valor comercial y servir de modelos eventuales para el desarrollo agrícola.

     

PCR-based detection of blood parasites in cattle and adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks

To ascertain the infection rate for tick-borne pathogens in Zambia, an epidemiological survey of Theileria parva, Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale in traditionally managed Sanga cattle was conducted using PCR. Of the 71 native Zambian cattle, 28 (39.4%) were positive for T. parva, 16 (22.5%) for B. bigemina and 34 (47.9%) for A. marginale. The mixed infection rate in cattle was 8.5% (6/71), 16.9% (12/71), 7.0% (5/71) and 2.8% (2/71) for T. parva/B. bigemina, T. parva/A. marginale, B. bigemina/A. marginale and T. parva/B. bigemina/A. marginale, respectively.To predict the risk for transmission of tick-borne pathogens from ticks to cattle, a total of 74 Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks were collected from a location where cattle had been found positive for T. parva. Of the ticks collected, 10 (13.5%) were found to be PCR-positive for T. parva. The results suggest that the infection rate for tick-borne pathogens was relatively high in Sanga cattle and that adult R. appendiculatus ticks were highly infected with T. parva.     

Seasonal pattern of bovine amphistomosis in traditionally reared cattle in the Kafue and Zambezi catchment areas of Zambia

Seasonality of bovine amphistomosis in the Southern province of Zambia was established after examining 268 faecal samples from cattle presented for slaughter at Turnpike slaughter slab, Mazabuka. Amphistomosis was found present throughout the year but the highest abundance rate was found during the post-rainy season (47.8%) and the lowest during the cold dry season (24.8%). In the rainy and post-rainy seasons, higher mean egg counts and cattle found positive were recorded than in any other season. The distribution of amphistome eggs was significantly different (p < 0.001) among the four seasons, with the rainy season having higher median egg counts than others. There were no significant differences in abundance rates between sexes or between ages of cattle. A similar seasonality to that of fasciolosis exists and may help in strategic management of Fasciola and amphistomes.     

Prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal helminths and their effects on weight gain in free-range chickens in Central Zambia

Examination of helminths from gastrointestinal tracts of 125 free-range chickens in Zambia revealed a 95.2% prevalence rate. The species and their prevalences were: Allodapa suctoria (85.6%), Tetrameres americana (80.8%), Ascaridia galli (28.8%), Gonglonema ingluvicola (50.4%), Raillietina spp. (81.6%) and Heterakis gallinarum (32.8%). No trematodes or Syngamus trachea were found. Mixed infections accounted for 88.2% as compared to 7.2% of single infections. Effects of helminthoses on weight gain were investigated in 100 growing chickens randomly assigned to treatment (levamisole) and untreated control groups. There was a significant mean (±SEM) weight gain (grams) of 812.8 ± 51.4 in the treatment group and 623 ± 57.4 in the control group (p < 0.01). The mean (±SEM) worm burdens from the control group and the treatment group were 96.3 ± 5.61 and 22.05 ± 2.61, respectively. These results confirm the higher risk of helminth infections in free-range systems and may explain the deleterious effects in chickens.