Fish Husbandry Practices and Water Quality in Central Kenya: Potential Risk Factors for Fish Mortality and Infectious Diseases

Fish mortality has an enormous impact on the aquaculture industry by reducing fish production and slowing industrial growth. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Kirinyaga County, Central Kenya, to evaluate potential risks of fish mortality and disease transmission and suitability of pond water for rearing fish. A semistructured questionnaire that focused on general information, management practices, and disease history was administered to 92 small-scale fish farmers. Parasitological examination of fish sampled from selected farms (farms that were reporting mortality at the time of sampling) was done by following the standard procedure. Water quality parameters for 33 ponds were evaluated in situ (recorded on pond site) and ex situ (analysed at the laboratory) following the standard methods. The risks were assessed by adjusted odds ratio based on univariate regression analysis. Prevalent fish husbandry practices that were found to be associated with fish mortality and acquisition of pathogens in the study area were the use of raw livestock manure (0R = 1.500), high fish stocking density (0R = 1.168), and feeding fish on homemade rations (0R = 1.128). Parasitological investigation found infestation with Diplostomum spp., Dactylogyrus spp., Clinostomum spp., and Piscicola leeches. Water temperature and pH were found fit for rearing fish. Of the 33 fishpond water samples tested, 1 (3%) and 6 (18%) exceeded the recommended limits of <100 mg/L and <0.2 mg/L of nitrate and nitrite, respectively. Of the 29 fishpond water tested, 15 (59%) exceeded the recommended limits of <100 mg/L of total ammonia. The findings show that the use of raw livestock manure, high fish stocking density, high nitrates and nitrites, and high ammonia levels in fishponds are potential risk factors for fish mortality and acquisition of infectious pathogens in a pond environment in a rural setup, in Central Kenya. There is a need to address the above factors in small-scale farming practices to minimize fish loss and also to prevent the occurrence and spread of infectious pathogens.

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Biofilm and dental unit waterline management

Dental Nursing ◽

10.12968/denn.2021.17.11.562 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 562-563

Author(s):

Laura Yates

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Water Quality ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Regulatory Standards ◽

Potential Risk Factors

Laura Yates discusses the problem of biofilm formation and management strategies to inhibit the growth of biofilms in DUWLs, to ensure water quality meets all required UK regulatory standards and to reduce potential risk factors for both patients and staff

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Serotype diversity and slaughterhouse-level risk factors related to Salmonella contamination on poultry carcasses in Algiers

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.10450 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (05) ◽

pp. 384-393 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lynda Mezali ◽

Faiza Mebkhout ◽

Siham Nouichi ◽

Sofiane Boudjellaba ◽

Taha-Mossadak Hamdi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Poultry Meat ◽

Small Scale ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Potential Risk Factors

Introduction: In Algeria, the latest studies on Salmonella demonstrated warning contamination rates in farms and slaughterhouses. This pathogen can contaminate poultry meat and put humans at risk especially that such product is nowadays widely consumed. Methodology: a cross-sectional study was conducted in Algiers to evaluate prevalence, determine serotypes and quantify risk for Salmonella contamination in broiler chickens and turkeys at the post-chill stage of slaughter process. Results: batch prevalence was 63.1% for chickens and 34.9% for turkeys. Eleven serotypes were isolated from chickens and five from turkeys. The most predominant at both sample and batch levels was S. Kentucky either in chicken (65.1%) or in turkey carcasses (63.2%). Univariate analysis screened 3 variables for chickens and 5 variables for turkeys. Final multivariate regression models provided one potential risk factor for Salmonella contamination in each poultry species. Presence of less than 6 broilers simultaneously in the traditional scalding tank of small scale slaughterhouses had a significantly reduced contamination risk (OR = 0.31; p < 0.05). Slaughtering turkeys in sites processing only this specie than in mixed poultry slaughterhouses increased significantly the contamination probability (OR = 4.44; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study indicates a high prevalence of Salmonella-contaminated poultry carcass with wide diversity of serotypes. Moreover, two potential risk factors identified for the first time in Algeria are found to be associated with the lack in hygienic management on production sites. A real threat for consumers exists highlighting the imperative need for improved safety throughout the local poultry meat supply chain.

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Premature Arterial Disease Associated with Familial Antithrombin III Deficiency

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1645677 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 63 (01) ◽

pp. 013-015 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

E J Johnson ◽

C R M Prentice ◽

L A Parapia

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Venous Thromboembolism ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Antithrombin Iii ◽

Arterial Disease ◽

Coagulation System ◽

Early Age ◽

Arterial Thromboembolism ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Antithrombin Iii Deficiency

SummaryAntithrombin III (ATIII) deficiency is one of the few known abnormalities of the coagulation system known to predispose to venous thromboembolism but its relation to arterial disease is not established. We describe two related patients with this disorder, both of whom suffered arterial thrombotic events, at an early age. Both patients had other potential risk factors, though these would normally be considered unlikely to lead to such catastrophic events at such an age. Thrombosis due to ATIII deficiency is potentially preventable, and this diagnosis should be sought more frequently in patients with arterial thromboembolism, particularly if occurring at a young age. In addition, in patients with known ATIII deficiency, other risk factors for arterial disease should be eliminated, if possible. In particular, these patients should be counselled against smoking.

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