Odeh F. Al-Rawashdeh

Risk factors associated with camel brucellosis in Jordan

During the period between February, 2004 and December, 2006, a cross-sectional study was performed to investigate some epidemiological aspects related to camel brucellosis in Jordan. Four hundred twelve camel sera from 37 herds were randomly collected and analyzed using Rose Bengal plate test and complement fixation test. A structured pre-tested questionnaire was administered to collect information on camel herd health and management. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to investigate risk factors associated with seropositivity to Brucella antigens. Moreover, the incidence of Brucella-specific abortion was investigated in 7 camel herds located in different locations in Southern Jordan. The true prevalence of Brucella-seropositive in camels was 12.1%. Thirteen (35.1%) herds had at least one positive camel. The seroprevalence of brucellosis in camels was significantly higher in the southern part of Jordan than that in central or northern Jordan. The multivariable logistic regression model on both individual and herd levels revealed large herds and contact with small ruminants as risk factors for Brucella seropositivity. On the other hand, using disinfectants was identified as a protective factor (OR = 0.8; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.9) only on the camel herd level. The incidence of Brucella-caused abortion was 1.9%. Brucella melitensis biotype 3 was isolated from 4 aborted camel fetuses.

Occurrence of congenital anomalies in Shami breed goats: 211 cases investigated in 19 herds

Abstract A 9-year survey of the occurrence of congenital anomalies in goats was undertaken. Twenty-two herds of goats comprising 1130 goats were examined for the occurrence of congenital anomalies in their offspring. A total of 211 offspring from these herds suffered from various types of anomalies including 89 (42.18%) that suffered from congenital goiter. All affected kids exhibited palpable enlarged thyroid glands and were born very weak or premature. Also, 29 cases of thyroglossal duct cysts, 14 cases of hypospadias, 57 cases of hermaphroditism, 19 cases of atresia ani, one case of ectopic horns and 2 cases of polydactyly were recorded. Although developmental abnormalities of the goats are relatively uncommon, a substantial proportion of these can be accounted in Shami breed goats. Only one case of ectopic horns was seen in crossbreed goats, while local breed goats, as well as sheep raised in the same vicinity did not exhibit any developmental defects. Thus, a hereditary tendency for congenital anomalies in Shami breed goats has been suggested.

A SURVEY OF CAMEL (CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS) DISEASES IN JORDAN

Abstract Information on incidences of camel (Camelus dromedarius) diseases in Jordan is scarce. In this survey, 369 live and 156 slaughtered camels were examined in four Jordanian geographic regions and the proportion of diseased camels was calculated. Intestinal parasite ova were detected in 98% of camels; one or more species of external parasites were found on the skin of all camels; 33% had nasal myiasis; and hydatid cysts were identified in 44% of the slaughtered animals. Sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei var. cameli) and trypanasomiasis, two diseases of economic importance, were also diagnosed in 83% and 33% of the 32 and 257 examined camels, respectively. Rabies virus was detected in eight camels by use of fluorescent antibody examination of brain tissues. Foreign-body accumulation within the first and second stomach compartments was the predominant gastrointestinal disease of slaughtered adult camels (22%). Ten percent of slaughtered camels had bacterial pneumonia, with Pasteurella hemolytica most often isolated (56% of pneumonic lungs). Further investigation into the relationship between parasite burden and health in camels is required to assess the significance of the high prevalence of parasites.

Incidence of clinical mastitis and prevalence of subclinical udder infections in Jordanian dairy cattle

Abstract Nineteen Jordanian dairy farms selected by stratified random sample were monitored between July 1991 and August 1992 in order to: (a) determine the incidence of clinical mastitis; (b) assess the influence of season and herd size on the incidence of clinical mastitis; (c)_estimate and identify major udder pathogens and their prevalence. Sixty-five percent of clinical mastitis cases occured between December and April. The incidence of clinical mastitis was 6.8, 5.0 and 3.3 cases per 100 cow-months at risk for herds with 10–29 cows, 30–59 cows, and more than 59 cows, respectively. The most common organisms isolated from clinical cases were coagulase-negative staphylococci (16%) and Staphylococcus aureus (14%). The most prevalent bacterial pathogens in subclinical udder infections were coagulase-negative staphylococci (9.4–11.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (9.2–12.1%) and Corynebacterium bovis (5.8–7.5%). The prevalence rates of Escherichia coli and Enterobacter spp. increased during the winter season for the three herd-size strata.

Prevalence of ketonemia and associations with herd size, lactation stage, parity, and postparturient diseases in Jordanian dairy cattle.

The prevalence of bovine ketonemia among 1155 dairy cows in various stages of lactation and parity on 25 Jordanian dairy herds was studied. The cross-sectional study was conducted during the spring of 1992. Serum concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) <0.9 mmol/l, between 0.9 and 1.7 mmol/l, and >1.7 mmol/l were considered to indicate normal, mild and severe ketonemia, respectively. The point prevalences of mild and severe ketonemia were 22% and 3.8%, respectively. The prevalence of ketonemia decreased with increasing herd size. Associations between the prevalence of ketonemia and parity, stage of lactation, metritis, somatic-cell count (SCC) and serum cholesterol levels were not significant (p > 0.05).

Efficacy of closantel plus albendazole liquid suspension against natural infection of gastrointestinal parasites in camels

Oral administration of closantel in a dose of 10 mg/kg plus albendazole in a dose of 5 mg/kg liquid suspension was studied in 75 camels naturally infected with various types of gastrointestinal parasites. The camels involved were 15 pregnant she-camels, 20 non-pregnant she-camels and 40 male camels of various ages. Each camel received a single oral dose of closantel (10 mg/kg) plus albendazole (5 mg/kg) orally. Two weeks later, 20 camels of this group were re-dosed again with the same dose of the anthelmintic. Fecal samples were collected per rectum from all camels at the time of treatment and again 14 and 42 days post treatment. Fecal egg counts and generic determination of third stage larvae was performed. Results indicated that six different species of gastrointestinal tract parasites were identified in camels. Single treatment of closantel plus albendazole mixture reduced egg counts in camels by 100%, 100%, 98% and 77% for Haemonchus longistipes, Ascaris spp., Monezia expansa and Fasciola hepatica, respectively. However, administration of the drug twice on the base of 2 weeks apart significantly raised the efficacy of the drug for clearance of the parasites from 92.5% to 100% in camels infected with various parasites. Camels were not adversely affected by treatment.

Traumatic pericarditis in an Awassi lamb

A case of traumatic pericarditis in a 4-month-old Awassi lamb is reported. A 6 cm long metallic wire was found penetrating the pericardium and the left ventricle through to the other side of the ventricle wall. Fibrinous pericarditis, thickening of the pericardium, fusion of the pericardium and epicardium, and epicarditis were evident. The heart was enlarged with oedematous myocarditis and focal necrotic endocarditis involving the two ventricles. The liver and spleen were also enlarged with scattered 3 mm diameter granulomas.

Reproductive and production performance of Friesian dairy cattle in Jordan

Nineteen Jordanian dairy farms selected by stratified random sample were monitored between February 1991 and September 1993 in order (1) to compare milk yield and reproductive performance of imported Friesian dairy cows with the Jordanian Friesian dairy cows and (2) to assess the effect of herd size on the reproductive and productive performance of the type of Friesian on milk yield, days open, lactation length, number of services per conception, rate of repeat breeders, culling rate and days dry. Imported first-calf heifers had significantly more days open, longer lactation length, higher number of services per conception, higher repeat breeder and culling rates and produced more milk in their first lactation compared with the Jordanian Friesian first-calf heifers. In their second lactation, cows imported as pregnant heifers produced about 802 kg more milk than the Jordanian Friesian cows. Cows in herds with more than 59 cows were older on average and had the highest annual culling rate. Cows in these herds produced more milk per cow per lactation than cows in herds with 30–59 cows. Results of this study suggests that farmers should inseminate their cows using semen from proven sires instead of natural services to improve production and reproductive genetic potential of Jordanian Friesian cows. Also, they should put more emphasis on thorough and accurate detection of estrus, especially during the cold weather seasons when cows usually housed, fed and milked in tie stalls 24 h day−1 with very limited movement. A study pertaining to the economic analysis should be conducted to enable the decision makers to decide whether to continue with the policy of importing Friesian breed or to rely upon the locally raised Friesian cows.