Berhanu Mekibib

A cross-sectional study on bovine tuberculosis in Hawassa town and its surroundings, Southern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hawassa town and its surroundings from October 2007 to May 2008 to estimate the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) based on comparative interadermal tuberculin test (CIDT) and abattoir survey. Accordingly, 39 herds comprising 413 cattle were subjected to CIDT, and the herd and individual animal prevalence were 48.7% (19/39) and 11.6% (48/413), respectively. One of the 16 milk samples collected from tuberculin-positive cows was culture positive. The prevalence significantly differed among the age group (P = 0.001) and management system (P = 0.001). Thus, age group over four (OR = 7.9) and animal with poor management system (OR = 4.1) had a higher odds for tuberculin reactivity compared to those with age group under four and cattle with good management system, respectively. Of the total 1,023 cattle subjected to postmortem examination, 11 (1.1%) were found to be positive for gross tuberculous lesions. Larger proportion (50%) of TB lesion was recorded in the respiratory pathway followed by digestive system (28.6%) and prescapular lymph nodes (21.4%). Of 14 tissue specimens collected from the gross lesions, four (28.6%) were positive for histopathological TB lesions. In conclusion, this study revealed the importance of BTB in the study area in particular and the region in general.

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.

Lungworm infection in small ruminants: Prevalence and associated risk factors in Dessie and Kombolcha districts, northeastern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2008 to March 2009 to estimate the prevalence of lungworm infection and to investigate some of the risk factors associated with small ruminant lungworm infections in Dessie and Kombolcha districts, northeastern Ethiopia. Faecal samples were collected from randomly selected 404 animals (240 sheep and 164 goats) to examine first stage larvae (L(1)) using modified Baerman technique. One hundred and thirty eight animals (113 sheep and 25 goats) were also subjected to postmortem examination to detect the presence of adult lungworm parasites. The overall prevalence recorded by faecal and postmortem examinations were 36.9% and 62.3%, respectively. Prevalence of lungworm infection was significantly higher (OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.2, 3.5) in sheep (40.4%) than in goats (31.7%). The proportions of infection by Dictyocaulus filaria (D. filaria), Mullerius capillaris (M. capillaris) and mixed infection were 1.3% (3/240), 28.3% (68/240) and 10.8% (26/240) in sheep; and 20.1% (33/164) by M. capillaris and 11.6% (19/164) with mixed infection in goats. Animals above one year (OR=8.7, 95% CI=4.8, 15.6), non-dewormed animals (OR=10.4, 95% CI=5.6, 19.3) and those sampled during November (OR=3.6, 95% CI=1.5, 8.6) had higher odds of infection prevalence than animals in corresponding groups. The mean count of L(1) larvae of D. filaria and M. capillaris were 5.4 (95% CI=3.6, 7.3) and 39.3 (95% CI=33.7, 44.9) in ovine and 4.5 (95% CI=3.1, 5.8) and 34.1 (95% CI=27.2, 41.1) in caprine, respectively. The recorded average larval count of the two parasitic species varied significantly in both sheep and goats. This study showed high prevalence of lungworm infections which impairs the productivity of small ruminants, implying the need for control intervention.

Prevalence of haemoparasites and associated risk factors in working donkeys in Adigudem and Kwiha districts of Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2008 to March 2009 in Adigudem and Kwiha districts of Tigray regional state with the objective of identifying the prevalence of haemoparasites and the associated risk factors in working donkeys. Blood samples were collected from a total of 400 randomly selected donkeys and examined by dark ground/phase contrast buffy coat technique and Giemsa stained blood smears. The overall prevalence of haemoparasites was 2.5% (n =10) without significant variation between the two districts (p>0.05). Babesia and trypansomes were the haemoparasites observed in the donkeys with a prevalence of 1.75% (n=7) and 0.75 % (n=3), respectively. Species identification has indicated the presence of two species of Babesia: Babesia equi (71.43%) and Babesia caballi (28.6%) whereas all the trypanosomes encountered belong to the single species of Trypanosoma vivax. No significant association was observed between the prevalence of either of the two haemoparasites and the hypothesized risk factors (district, sex, age and body condition score) (p>0.05 for all factors). The mean packed cell volume (PCV) of trypanosome infected donkeys (20.67±4.04) was significantly (p 0.05). Moreover, this study has shown that 22% donkeys tested serologically were seropositive for Trypanosoma evansi and Trypanosoma equiperdum. Overall, the prevalence of haemoparasites reported in the current study is low compared with previous studies and might be associated with the study design, the season of study, low sensitivity of the parasitological technique or a better veterinary service provided in the area by a charity organization.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes among dogs and owners perception about zoonotic dog parasites in Hawassa Town, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was carried out between November, 2009 and March, 2010 in Hawassa town, Ethiopia with the aims of determining the prevalence of intestinal helminthes of dogs and evaluating owner’s awareness about zoonotic dog parasites. A total of 455 dogs were sampled randomly and 58% (n=264) were positive for Strongyloides stercorslis, 49.2% (n=224), 40% (n=182), 25% (n=114), 6% (n=28) and 3.3% (n=15) were positive for Ancylostoma caninum, Dipylidium caninum, Toxocara canis, Echinococcus granulosus and Trichuris vulpis, respectively. Results from fecal examination showed that only 60 dogs were free of the above parasites (13.2%). From coprological examinations concurrent infections with one, two, three, four and five types of parasite were 19% (n=75), 33.9% (n=134), 32.2% (n=127), 13.6% (n=54) and 1.5% (n=6), respectively. There was statistically significant difference (P 0.05) in D. caninum, E. granulosus and T. vulpis in the two age groups. Questionnaire survey concerning owner’s knowledge about zoonotic dog parasites showed that only 4.4% of the respondents know that dogs have zoonotic parasites, specifically, 95.6% have awareness about the zoonotic importance of rabies and only 7.3% have awareness about the availability of anthelmitics to treat dogs parasites. The high level of helminthiasis in dogs in the present study represent high rate of infection and immense public health risks. In line with this finding, it is recommended that owners who keep dogs should improve their hygienic standards. Besides, they should be able to regularly treat their dogs with the appropriate anthelementics and awareness should be created on the prevention and control methods of helminthiasis.

Bovine trypanosomosis and Glossina distribution in selected areas of southern part of Rift Valley, Ethiopia.

Cross-sectional study was conducted in 9 selected districts of the southern part the Rift Valley, Ethiopia to estimate the dry period prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis as well as assessment of Glossina species. From a total of 1838 cattle examined for trypanosomosis by buffy coat technique 133 (7.2%) were found infected by trypanosome species. From the total positive animals 66.9 and 33.1% of them accounted to Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma vivax, respectively. Significantly higher prevalence (19.4%., P<0.05) was recorded at Arba-Mnch district. Black colored cattle were the most highly affected (χ(2)=79.35, P<0.05) animals. The overall average PCV value for parasitaemic and aparasitaemic animals was 22.2 (95% CI=21.6-22.7) and 27% (95% CI=26.8-27.2), respectively. The fly caught per trap per day was 1.4 for Glossina species and 2.8 for other biting flies. Two species of Glossina identified namely Glossina pallidipes and Glossina fuscipes.

Prevalence of Epizootic Lymphangitis and Bodily Distribution of Lesions in Cart-Mules in Bahir Dar Town, Northwest Ethiopia

Epizootic lymphangitis (EL) is a debilitating equine disease that in its classical form is characterized by chronic discharging cutaneous nodules. The disease has been reported to be endemic in Ethiopia, a country where equids provide a vital utility and source of income to many people in resource-poor settings. This study was conducted in Bahir Dar town, Northwest Ethiopia to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and bodily distribution of lesions of EL in cart-mules. To this effect, both clinical and microscopic examinations were made on a total of 402 mules and an overall prevalence of 32.84% (132/402) was recorded. The mules had nodular, ulcerative pyogranulomatous lesions following the lymphatic lines of the legs (79.6%), on their neck (9.85%), around the inguinal area (6.82%), on their back (2.27%) and on their perineum (1.52%). None of the risk factors considered (sex, body condition score, use of harness, and presence of wound prior to the disease) were noted to be significantly associated with the presence of EL on mules (p>0.05). Moreover, 34% of the cart-mule owners were reported not to allow mules affected with EL offwork even for a single day. In conclusion, the present study has revealed a high prevalence of EL in mules and it is the second work in Ethiopia disproving the assumption that mules are resistant to the disease. Thus, early detection of the disease and treatment with effective drugs and restriction of movement of affected animals is recommended to prevent the spread of the disease to unaffected equids. Also, future studies are required to find out the factors predisposing mules to EL.

Major postpartum problems of dairy cows managed in small and medium scale production systems in Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia

A longitudinal study was conducted on post-partum reproductive problems in small and medium scale dairy production systems in Wolaita Sodo from October 2011 to May 2012. The objectives of the study were to identify the major clinically manifested postpartum problems, estimating the prevalence and investigating the potential risk factors related to the occurrence of postpartum problems of dairy cows in the area. From a total 634 dairy cow examined, 57(8.99%) cows had different types of partum and postpartum problems: abortion (0.63%), dystocia (0.79%), retained fetal membrane (3.36%), uterine prolapse (0.47%), milk-fever (1.42%) and metritis (2.84%). A significant difference was observed in the occurrence of postpartum problems among age groups of cows (P <0.05) and parity (P <0.05). Higher prevalence of postpartum problems was recorded in older (15.20%, CI=7.82-22.61) than the younger cows. The prevalence of postpartum problems was higher in cows with seven and more than seven parity (15.70%, CI=7.11-24.31) than those cows having less than seven parity. Dairy cows postpartum problems were found to be one of the major problems in Wolaita Sodo. To reduce the postpartum problems due attention should be given for proper herd or individual cow management, early identification and diagnosis of the reproductive problems and awareness creation for owners.