Sefinew Alemu

Incidence of Rabies in Humans and Domestic Animals and People's Awareness in North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

Background Rabies is a zoonotic disease that has been prevalent in humans and animals for centuries in Ethiopia and it is often dealt with using traditional practices. There is lack of accurate quantitative information on rabies both in humans and animals in Ethiopia and little is known about the awareness of the people about the disease. In this study, we estimated the incidence of rabies in humans and domestic animals, and assessed the peoples awareness about the disease in North Gondar zone, Ethiopia. Methodology/Principal Findings The incidence of rabies in humans and domestic animals was prospectively followed up for one year period based on clinical observation. A questionnaire was also administered to 120 randomly selected dog owners and 5 traditional healers to assess the knowledge and practices about the disease. We found an annual estimated rabies incidence of 2.33 cases per 100,000 in humans, 412.83 cases per 100,000 in dogs, 19.89 cases per 100,000 in cattle, 67.68 cases per 100,000 in equines, and 14.45 cases per 100,000 in goats. Dog bite was the source of infection for all fatal rabies cases. Ninety eight percent of the questionnaire respondents were familiar with rabies and mentioned dog bite as a means of transmission. But discordant with current scientific knowledge, 84% and 32% of the respondents respectively mentioned any type of contact (irrespective of skin condition) with saliva, and inhalation as a means of transmission of rabies. Eighty four percent of the respondents relied on traditional healers for management of rabies. Conclusions The study shows high canine rabies burden, and lack of sufficient awareness about the disease and high reliance on traditional treatment that interfere with timely post exposure management. Vaccination of dogs, proper post exposure management, and increasing the awareness of the community are suggested to reduce the disease burden.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella enterica serovars isolated from slaughtered cattle in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

A study was undertaken from October 2006 to March 2007 to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella serovars. Liver, mesenteric lymph nodes, intestinal content, and carcass swab samples (each n = 186) were collected from 186 apparently healthy slaughtered cattle at Bahir Dar abattoir. Bacteriological analysis was done according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 6579 2002). Isolates were serotyped at Agence Française de Securite Sanitaire des Aliments, Cedex, France. Twenty-eight isolates consisting of Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Newport, Salmonella Haifa, Salmonella Heidelberg, Salmonella Infantis, and Salmonella Mishmarhaemek were identified. Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Newport were most frequently isolated while Salmonella Heidelberg and Salmonella Mishmarhaemek were isolated least. Eleven of the 28 (39.3%) were resistant to one or more of the antimicrobials tested. Resistance was shown to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, norfloxacin, polymyxin-B, streptomycin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim. Four of 11 (36.4%) were multiple antimicrobial resistant. All the isolates tested were susceptible to the antimicrobial effects of gentamycin, norfloxacin, and trimethoprim. Eleven, four, and two isolates of the 28 were resistant to streptomycin, tetracycline, and ampicillin, respectively. All isolates of Salmonella Infantis, Salmonella Typhimurium (except one), and Salmonella Mishmarhaemek were susceptible to the tested antimicrobials. One Typhimurium isolate was resistant to chloramphenicol, streptomycin, and tetracycline. Salmonella Haifa was multiply antimicrobial resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, and streptomycin. All isolates of Salmonella Heidelberg were resistant to streptomycin. Results of this study indicated high level of carcass contamination with antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella serovars which could pose public health risk; suggests need for hygienic slaughtering operations and proper cooking of meat before consumption. Further detailed studies involving different abattoirs, animal products, food items, and animals on different settings were recommended in the study area.

Assessment on major factors that cause skin rejection at Modjo export tannery, Ethiopia

A study was conducted from November 2009 to March 2010 with the objective of identifying the major causes of skin rejection on fresh, pickled, and wet blue skins at Modjo Mesaco Global tannery. A total of 401 fresh and 1,873 pickled and wet blue skins from the routine production system of the tannery were used. Overall, high prevalence of sheep ked (100%) followed by biting louse (64.4%), tick (50%), and sucking louse (45.8%) were observed on fresh sheep pelts, while, on fresh goat pelts, a high prevalence of sucking louse (54.5%), followed by tick (50%), and biting louse (35.5%) were observed. From the total of 90 rejected pickled and wet blue skins of sheep and goats, 98.8% were “ekek” and scratch, 85.6% sheep and goat pox, 74% poor substance, 73.3% heat, 72.2% scar, and 52.2% knife cut-in skins. Large number of skins rejections was recorded in large-sized skins (29.8%), and the lowest observed was in medium-sized skins (11.1%). There were highly statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between size and grades of shoat skins. Ekek and scratches together with sheep and goat pox were the common skin defects that hamper skin quality. However, there was no significant association (p > 0.05) between sheep and goat skins. Ekek and scratch caused high rejection of skin and entailed serious economic loss in terms of foreign exchange earning to Ethiopia. Therefore, the main causes of skin rejection and factors that cause downgrading of skin should be controlled.

An experimental live vaccine trial against contagious caprine pleuropneumonia

Live attenuated Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp) vaccine prepared from local isolate at the National Veterinary Institute (NVI), Ethiopia, was injected to 56 contagious caprine pleuropneumonia unexposed goats with the aim of determining level of seroconversion and safety compared to a killed commercial vaccine, produced by the NVI. The 56 goats were randomly allocated into three groups vaccinated with: candidate live vaccine (n=19) and Mccp killed vaccine (positive control) (n=19), and negative control (n=18). Antibody was detected by compliment fixation test (CFT). The candidate live vaccine induced seropositivity in higher proportion of inoculated goats than that of the killed vaccine in use. Moreover, the seroconversion occurred slightly earlier and for slightly prolonged period compared to the killed vaccine. Increase in body temperature was recorded in 4 of 19 (21.1%) goats inoculated by the killed vaccine. Back to seronegativity was rapid in both types of vaccines. In conclusion, absence of any post vaccination reaction, early appearance and longer persistence of antibodies made the live candidate Mccp vaccine better than the killed vaccine. However, further experimental and field trial of the vaccine is suggested and reversion to the attenuated virus to virulent form and carrier state should be considered.

Molecular identification and investigations of contagious ecthyma (Orf virus) in small ruminants, North west Ethiopia

BackgroundOrf virus, the prototype of parapoxvirus, is the main causative agent of contagious ecthyma. Little is known about the status of the disease in Ethiopia and this study was aimed at determining its status using PCR as a confirmatory tool.Methodsa total of 400 randomly selected sheep and goat was screened for the identification of the virus using amplification of B2L gene and transfection of mammalian cells (VERO cells).ResultsOut of 400 animals screened for infection of the virus, 48 animals were found positive to PCR and revealed an overall incidence of 12%. Different epidemiological parameters were considered to look at the association with incidence of the disease and of which, only species of the animal(sheep), non-vaccinated and non-treated animals, nursing animals, poor body condition animals, extensively managed animals, animals having mouth lesion, and study areas having outbreak history showed higher prevalence. A univariate logistic regression analysis showed statistically significant difference in all variables (P < 0.05). Whereas, age and sex of animals showed no significant difference (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe result of the present finding showed high incidence of Orf virus in the region as confirmed through PCR.

Poultry coccidial infection in local chicken from three selected districts of North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of poultry coccidial infection and to identify Eimeria species on local chicken in three selected districts of North Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia from October 2010 to March 2011. Two hundred sixty local chickens were purchased from three selected districts (Wogera, Dembya and Gondar town) which represent two agro-ecological zones. Identification of Eimeria species was based on the Oocyst morphology, predilection site, gross and histopathological changes in the intestine. The study indicated that 16.92% (44/260) of the chickens were infected with coccidia oocysts. Four Eimeria species were identified, namely, Ei meria maxima, Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria necatrix and Eimeria tenella with the prevalence estimate of 36.3%, 29.5%, 18.2%, and 15.9%, respectively. Age unlike sex was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) associated with coccidial infection. This study showed that coccidial infection (16.92%) could be important in the backyard system which was supposed to be low. Keywords: Coccidial infection, Eimeria species, Ethiopia, Local chicken, Prevalence