Solomon Mekuria

Survey on bovine trypanosomosis and its vector in Metekel and Awi zones of Northwest Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2009 and December 2009 in the riverbank of Abay river tributaries, located in three districts of Awi and Metekel zones, Northwest Ethiopia. The prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis, associated risk factors and distribution as well as vector identification in the study area were considered. Blood samples were collected from 540 randomly selected local (zebu) breed of cattle in nine peasant associations of three districts and the assumed risk factors were recorded. The collected samples were examined using hematological and parasitological techniques. In this study, sixty-seven animals (12.42%) were infected with different species of trypanosomes. Most of the infections were due to T. congolense (77.6%) followed by T. vivax (14.9%), T. brucei (6.0%) and mixed infection of T. congolense and T. vivax (1.5%). There was no statistical significance (p>0.05) between sex, age and coat color of skin, but significant differences were observed in body condition, altitude and districts (p<0.05). Mean PCV value of infected (19.42%) and non-infected (24.13%) group of animals had significant variation; and mean PCV value of poor body condition was significantly different (p<0.001) from good body condition. A total of 3072 tsetse flies of riverine species or palpalis group (Glossina tachinoides) and biting flies were caught, of these 2792 (90.9%) were tsetse flies and the remaining were Stomoxys and Tabanus. The overall apparent densities of tsetse and biting flies were 6.49 and 0.65flies/trap/day, respectively and the difference was significant (p<0.05). The study revealed that bovine trypanosomosis is more prevalent in low land and in poor body condition animals in the study area. Tsetse distribution also coincides with altitude, where there was high tsetse catch in low land, but none in mid land. Therefore, prompt control strategy has to be designed and implemented in the area to minimize the distribution of tsetse as well as trypanosomosis prevalence.

Fasciolosis: Prevalence, financial losses due to liver condemnation and evaluation of a simple sedimentation diagnostic technique in cattle slaughtered at Hawassa Municipal abattoir, southern Ethiopia

An abattoir survey was carried out in Mekelle municipal abattoir, Ethiopia to determine the prevalence of concurrent infections of hydatidosis and fasciolosis in cattle. A total of 4,481 slaughtered cattle were studied by ante- and post-mortem examinations. From the total 4,481 slaughtered cattle examined at Mekelle municipality abattoir, 357 (8%) were found to harbor mixed infection of hydatidosis and fasciolosis. While the individual prevalence of hydatidosis and fasciolosis was 32.11% and 24.32%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that among the factors considered in the current study, origin of animals had statistically significant ffect on the prevalence of concurrent infection (OR = 1.418, 95% CI = 1.108 - 1.814, p = 0.005), whereas breed and body condition of animals didn’t have significant effect on prevalence of the co-infection. Moreover, month had no statistically significant effect on prevalence of hydatidosis and fasciolosis co-infection (OR= 1.0029, 95% CI = 0.9758 - 1.0306, p = 0.867). Generally this study showed that hydatidosis and fasciolosis are important disease problems in cattle in the study area. The relatively higher prevalence in the occurrence of the concurrent infection of hydatidosis and fasciolosis in this study may suggest that ecological factors that determine the occurrence of the two diseases might be similar. On the other hand, the higher prevalence of the individual or concurrent infection may imply that these diseases have the potential to cause considerable economic and public health problems. Keywords: Coinfection, Fasciolosis, Hydatidosis, Mekelle, Prevalence.

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.

Cross-sectional study on Contagious Caprine Pleuro Pneumonia in selected districts of sedentary and pastoral production systems in Southern Ethiopia.

A study to estimate the seroprevalence of Contagious Caprine Pluropneumonia (CCPP) in southern Ethiopia was conducted from November 2005 to June 2006. Two districts from sedentary (Arbaminch and Boreda) and pastoral (Hammar and Bena-Tsemay) production systems were included in the study. Sera samples were collected from 913 goats (234 from sedentary and 679 from pastoral) to check for CCPP serostatus. The animals were sampled from 155 flocks (44 pastoral and 111 sedentary). Five clinically suspected CCPP cases were also sacrificed and attempt was made to isolate Mycoplasma capricolum capripneumoniae (MccP) from lung tissue, nasal swab and plural exudates. Sera samples were tested for the presence of CCPP antibodies using CFT. The overall seroprevalence recorded in the study was 18.61%. The corresponding seroprevalences for sedentary and pastoral production systems were 27.78% and 15.46% respectively. Regarding districts, the prevalence in Hammar was 15.63% while that of Bena-Tsemay 15.29%. In Arbaminch and Boreda the percent of seroreactors were 23.01 and 32.23% respectively. Out of 44 pastoral and 111 sedentary flocks, 50.45% of pastoral and 65.91% of sedentary flocks had at least one seroreactor goat per flock respectively. Both in the univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis, seropositivity was found to have strong association with sedentary production system (P < 0.05, OR = 2.24) and adult age (P < 0.05, OR = 1.77). In microbiological study, two broth cultures from thoracic fluid and two broth cultures from lung tissue samples were found to be positive for Mycoplasma capricolum capripneumoniae (MccP). In conclusion, both the serological study and bacteriological isolation confirmed the disease CCPP being an important disease that demands serious attention in both production systems.

Participatory investigation of Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in goats in the Hammer and Benna-Tsemay districts of southern Ethiopia

The study was conducted in two selected districts of Southern Omo zones of Ethiopia, namely Hammer and Benna-Tsemay, during November 2004 and May 2005 to determine the status of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP). Participatory disease investigation was conducted in the goat flocks owned by pastoralists of the districts. Participatory methods such as proportionate piling and matrix scoring of diseases were used to characterise major diseases of goats. Clinical and post-mortem examinations and isolation of the causative agent of CCPP were done. Serological tests were conducted using CFT. CCPP (locally termed Sompo) ranked as the first important disease of goats in the study area. Local perception of causes and signs of CCPP were described. Matrix scoring between groups revealed that disease signs and causes showed weak, moderate and good agreement by Kendall’s coefficient concordance (W = 0.21–0.99). The overall sero-prevalence of CCPP was 15.5%. The causative agent was isolated from sick animals in the lab. The characteristic clinical signs, gross lesions, bacteriological isolation of the causative agent supported by participatory epidemiological disease investigation revealed that CCPP is a major disease of goats in the study districts. Participatory epidemiology using indigenous knowledge could efficiently be used to generate sufficient information with minimum cost, local materials and within reasonably short period of time, assisting the designing of feasible disease control programme in developing countries.

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.

Lungworm infection in small ruminants in and around Wolaita Soddo town, Southern Ethiopia.

This study was conducted between November 2010 to April 2011 to estimate the prevalence of lungworm infection in small ruminants, determine the parasite species and identify the potential risk factors in and around Wolaita Soddo town, Southern Ethiopia. Faecal samples were collected from 360 randomly selected small ruminants (204 sheep and 156 goats) and processed with the modified Baerman technique for the extraction of first stage larvae. Overall, 45 (22.1%) sheep and 30 (19.2%) goats were found infected with lungworms. No significant difference was observed in the prevalence of lungworm infection between sheep and goats (p>0.05). Dictyocaulus filaria was the single lungworm species identified in both sheep and goats. The risk factors analyzed were sex, age, management system (zero-grazing or free-ranging), deworming history and body condition score (BCS). Management system, deworming history and BCS were significantly associated with the prevalence of D. filaria infection in sheep and goats (p 0.05). In conclusion, the association of lungworm infections with the management system and deworming status of the animals in the present study are as expected. The association of infection with BCS requires further research to investigate if improving the nutritional status, thereby improving BCS, will result in lower prevalence of lungworm infection. Also, as the present sample size is thought to be small, further study with a larger sample size is required to determine the effect of age and host species difference in susceptibility to lungworm infection. One of the limitations of this study is that it is a one season survey and thus, a further year-round investigation is warranted to establish the association between seasonal variation and infection.

A meta-analysis of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in Ethiopia

This systematic literature review was initiated due to lack of comprehensive information on the status and distribution of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in Ethiopia. The objectives of the review were thus to provide a pooled prevalence estimate of CCPP in the country and asses the level of in between study variance among the available reports. Manual and electronic search was conducted between 8th of January and 25th of June 2015. A total of twelve published articles and one MSc thesis was retrieved from 19 initially identified studies. Twenty five animal level datasets were extracted at regional level considering some hypothesized predictors. The retrieved data were summarized in a meta-analytical approach. Accordingly, the pooled prevalence estimate of CCPP was 25.7% (95% CI:20.9,31.0). The inverse variance square (I(2)) that explains the variation in effect size attributed to reports true heterogeneity was 95.7%.The sub-group analysis was also computed for assumed predictors including, age, sex, type of study population, production systems and regional states. Among these predictors, study population type revealed statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Accordingly, the prevalence estimate for samples collected at abattoir was 39.2%, while that of samples collected at field level was 22.4%. In the final model, type of study population fitted the multivariable meta-regression model accounting for 22.87% of the explainable proportion of heterogeneity among the presumed predictors. Evidence on isolation and confirmation of Mycoplasma capricolum subspp. capripneumonie in the country was obtained from five regional states. In conclusion, it is recommended to further investigate facilities related with transportation and collection premises along with potential role of sheep in the epidemiology of CCPP. Finally, the review emphasizes the need for monitoring the ongoing CCPP control intervention and introduces amendments based on the findings. Besides more surveys are needed in some of the regions where no or few valid data was available.

Community Perception on Breed Selection and Feeding Practice among Small Holder Dairy Farmers in Tiyo District, Arsi Zone, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey carried out at Tiyo district of Arsi zone from October 2015 up to April 2016. The objective of study includes assessing smallholder dairy farm reproductive performance and associated production problems. Data collected from selected four kebeles; in two agro-ecological zones namely, Dega and Woina Dega. Questionnaires subjected for two groups of household who own local and cross breeds. 384 informants who have at least one local or cross breed cow included in selection. Among the informants 65% of them have attended elementary school and followed by 15% illiterate and the remaining were diploma and degree holders. Local breeds kept by less educated farmers than educated ones. Feeding practice depends on season and learning status, where feeding practice significantly different (p<0.05) between wet and dry season, and in higher educated groups, they use more concentrate feed regardless of the season. The overall average daily milk yield per cow, lactation length and calving interval of local breeds were 1.06 ± 0.65 liter, 10.29 ± 2.28 months and 3.1 ± 0 years, respectively. Whereas, cross breeds had 6.49 ± 1.65 liters, 16.79 ± 2.83 months and 2.63 ± 0.43 years, respectively. The difference in parameters were significant (p<0.05) between local and cross breeds. Butter and cheese mostly supplied to local markets by local breed owners, whereas whole milk marketing well experienced by cross breeders. This may be associated with better milk production in cross breeders. On the other hand, informants have mentioned the problem of abortion, delay in first calving, long calving interval, mastitis and retained fetal membrane with the prevalence of 11.49%, 7.8%, 20.3%, 9.9%, 2.08% and 0.26%, respectively. In general, this study shown dairy cow management gap in the area. To reduce the problems noted, AI and veterinary services and forage and fodder development has to be improved. Awareness creation among farmers and stakeholders is also paramount important.

Smallholder Dairy Farm Management in Ethiopia: Status in Hawassa and Debrebrihan Cities

Reproductive performance and milk bacteria study carried out using questionnaire survey and milk bacteriology from December, 2011 to March, 2013 in Hawassa and Debrebrihan cities. Four hundred forty nine household interviewed and 87 pooled milk samples research work result were used to draw inference about smallholder dairy farm management in the study area. It was observed that there was no plot for forage development in sampled household and there was poor feeding, housing and health management. Cross breed and local zebu were breed by artificial insemination (72%) and natural mating (28%) in Hawassa, whereas almost all cross breed animals were breed by natural mating (85%) in Debrebrehan the remaining was artificial insemination. Health problems of calf mortality (34%), infectious (13%), retained placenta (10%), dystocia (5%), mastitis (8%) and others were reported. Average milk yield in cross breeds were 6-10 liters and local zebu produce an average range of 2-4 liters. There was significant difference (p<0.05) in calving interval, where local breed had 14.2 ± 0.44 months than others; age at first calving was 33.9 ± 0.9 than other breeds the difference was significant (p<0.05). Number of service per conception using artificial insemination was within the range of 1.18 up to 1.72 in majority of the selected animals which was in the accepted ranges. Bacterial milk assessment indicated that different gram positive and negative bacteria observed, showing the level of bacterial contamination The study indicates that there was clear managerial problems in smallholder dairy farms, where feeding, housing, health and milk quality management were poor. Therefore, strong policy should be implemented in order to leverage the existing smallholder dairy farm status in the country in general.