Lebogang E Motsei

Prevalence of Bovine Cysticercosis in the North West Province of South Africa from 2000 to 2010

Abstract A retrospective study covering the period 2000-2010 was conducted using post mortem meat inspection records of the Provincial Veterinary Department to determine the prevalence, seasonal and sex related variations in the occurrence of Cysticercus bovis infections . Records of monthly and annual returns from three randomly selected abattoirs in the Northwest province were examined with regards to total cattle slaughtered and post mortem inspection results. Between 2000 and 2010, a total of 393 858 cattle were slaughtered at the 3 abattoirs. The overall prevalence of C. bovis was 0.2 percent. 52 percent of the positive animals were female although the difference was not significant (p<0.05). The prevalence was significantly (p<0.05) higher (0.3 percent) at low through put abattoirs than at high through put abattoirs (0.2 percent). The prevalence reduced slightly from 0.2 to 0.1 percent after 2005 although the decrease was not significant. The dry season also had a non-significantly higher prevalence of 0.2 percent than the 0.1 percent over the wet seasons. Only abattoir type had influence on prevalence, with the low through put abattoirs recording a significantly higher rate.

A Serosurvey of the Prevalence of Enzootic Bovine Leukosis in the Mafikeng Area of the North West Province of South Africa

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) and some possible factors influencing its occurrence in the Mafikeng area of the North West Province using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Three hundred and forty blood samples were collected from cattle aged 6-72 months. Structured interviews as well as clinical examinations were used to gather supplementary data. The overall seroprevalence was 12.6 percent while area prevalence ranged between 6 and 51 percent. Eighty percent of the studied areas tested positive to EBL, revealing the extent to which farmers could be losing out to the disease. Oral interviews revealed a paltry 20 percent awareness level among the farmers. Awareness campaigns and more seroprevalence surveys are obligatory if the actual extent of the disease and its effects are to be revealed.

Investigation of possible human exposure to metals concentration in vegetables

This study assesses the health risk of metals concentration in spinach and onions obtained from different suppliers (suppliers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) in Mafikeng, South Africa. The following elemental concentrations of As, Ba, Bi, Cu, Cr, Co, I, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Th, Rb, V and U were tested in spinach and onions using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The result shows that Bi, I, Th, Pb and U were not detected in all the samples of spinach and onions. In spinach, the degree of decreasing abundance is as follows: Mn > Cr > Sr > V > Rb > As > Ba > Cu > Ni > Co, while in onions it is Sr > Mn > V > As > Cr > Cu > Ba > Rb > Ni > Co. The estimated daily intake of metal (DIM) for As and Cr in spinach from suppliers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were higher above the limit values of 0.020 and 0.033 mg/kg recommended by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO), while, Ba, Cu, Co, Mn, Sr and V were below the limit values. The estimated DIM for As in onions was higher than 0.020 mg/kg recommended by FAO/WHO, while the intake for Ba, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Sr and V were below 0.033, 2-3, 2-5, 01 and 10 mg/kg recommendations by FAO/WHO, respectively. The target hazard quotient (THQ) value in spinach obtained from suppliers 1, 2, 3 and 4 were less than 1, while, the THQ value for Cr is 2.19 greater than 1 in spinach obtained from supplier 5. The THQ value was less than 1 in onions obtained from all the suppliers. Spinach were not suitable for human consumption due to estimated DIM for As and Cr that were higher than the recommendation of FAO/ WHO and THQ value of Cr that was greater than 1. Key words: Spinach, onion, metal, estimated daily intake of metal, target hazard quotient.