scholarly journals Outbreak investigation and control case report of brucellosis: Experience from livestock research centre, Mpwapwa, Tanzania

Author(s):  
Gabriel M. Shirima ◽  
Seleman N. Masola ◽  
Obeid N. Malangu ◽  
Brant A. Schumaker

Brucellosis screening was conducted between 2005 and 2010 at the National Livestock Research Institute headquarters, Mpwapwa, Tanzania, following an abortion storm in cattle. The initial screening targeted breeding herds; 483 cattle were screened using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) followed by the Competitive Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA) as a confirmatory test. The seropositivity on c-ELISA was 28.95% in 2005; it subsequently declined to 6.72%, 1.17%, 0.16% and 0.00% in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010, respectively. Brucella seropositivity was not detected in goats. Seropositivity declined following institution of stringent control measures that included: gradual culling of seropositive animals through slaughter; isolation and confinement of pregnant cows close to calving; proper disposal of placentas and aborted foetuses; the use of the S19 vaccine; and restricted introduction of new animals. It was thought that the source of this outbreak was likely to have been from the introduction of infected animals from another farm. Furthermore, humans were found with brucellosis antibodies. Out of 120 people screened, 12 (10%) were confirmed seropositive to brucella antigen exposure by c-ELISA analysis. The majority of the seropositive individuals (80%) were milkers and animal handlers from the farm. Nine individuals had clinical signs suggestive of brucellosis. All cases received medical attention from the district hospital. This achievement in livestock and human health showed that it is possible to control brucellosis in dairy farms, compared to pastoral and agro-pastoral farms, thus providing evidence to adopt these strategies in dairy farms thought to be at risk.

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Sawrab Roy ◽  
Juned Ahmed ◽  
Md. Shamsul Islam Basit ◽  
Sagir Uddin Ahmed ◽  
Shahrul Alam ◽  
...  

Background: Canine parvoviral enteritis is a highly contagious viral disease of dog that can lead to life-threating illness.Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of canine parvoviral enteritis in dogs of Dhaka City Corporation, Bangladesh.Methods: A total of 545 dogs were examined at Dr. Sagir’s Pet Clinics and Research Centre, Dhaka during September 2016 to August 2017. The disease was diagnosed on the basis of clinical history, clinical signs and by CPV rapid Ag kit test.Results: Overall prevalence of canine parvoviral enteritis was recorded as 13.94%. The prevalence of canine parvoviral enteritis varied significantly (p<0.05) among different aged groups (23.63%, 10.63%, 8.27% in 0-6 months, 7-12 months and above 12 months respectively). Considering seasonal influences, highest prevalence was found in summer season (17.5%) followed by winter (12.12%) and rainy season (11.66%) which was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Male dogs (18.74%) were found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher susceptible in comparison with female (11.00%).Non-vaccinated dogs (80.0%) were at greater risk than vaccinated (2.58%), (p<0.05). There was significant (p<0.05) difference among various breeds where German Shepherd (40.78%) had highest prevalence of canine parvoviral enteritis followed by Labrador (22.36%), Rottweiler (21.05%), Doberman (13.15%) and cross breeds (4.4%). Dogs with poor health condition (20.75%) were more vulnerable than apparently healthy dogs (7.5%), (p<0.05).Conclusion: This result provides an empirical scenario of canine parvoviral enteritis in Dhaka city. Effective routine vaccination and control measures may reduce the disease burden in dog population.


Author(s):  
Rhoda Leask ◽  
Kenneth P. Pettey ◽  
Gareth F. Bath

Heartwater is a serious limiting factor for sheep and goat production in the major endemic area of sub-Saharan Africa and therefore most knowledge, research and control methods originate from this region. Whilst the usual or common clinical presentations can be used to make a presumptive diagnosis of heartwater with a good measure of confidence, this is not always the case, and animals suffering from heartwater may be misdiagnosed because their cases do not conform to the expected syndrome, signs and lesions. One aberrant form found occasionally in the Channel Island breeds of cattle and some goats is an afebrile heartwaterlike syndrome. The most constant and characteristic features of this heartwater-like syndrome comprise normal temperature, clinical signs associated with generalised oedema, and nervous signs, especially hypersensitivity. The presumption that the disease under investigation is the afebrile heartwater-like syndrome entails a tentative diagnosis based on history and clinical signs and the response to presumed appropriate treatment (metadiagnosis). The afebrile heartwater-like syndrome presents similarly to peracute heartwater but without the febrile reaction. Peracute cases of heartwater have a high mortality rate, enabling confirmation of the disease on post-mortem examination. Recognition of the afebrile heartwater-like syndrome is important to prevent deaths and identify the need for appropriate control measures.


Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 734
Author(s):  
Nadirah Abu Nor ◽  
Mohd Zamri-Saad ◽  
Ina-Salwany Md Yasin ◽  
Annas Salleh ◽  
Farina Mustaffa-Kamal ◽  
...  

Vibrio harveyi causes vibriosis in various commercial marine fish species. The infection leads to significant economic losses for aquaculture farms, and vaccination is an alternative approach for the prevention and control of fish diseases for aquaculture sustainability. This study describes the use of formalin-killed Vibrio harveyi (FKVh) strain Vh1 as a vaccine candidate to stimulate innate and adaptive immunities against vibriosis in a marine red hybrid tilapia model. Tilapia are fast growing; cheap; resistant to diseases; and tolerant to adverse environmental conditions of fresh water, brackish water, and marine water and because of these advantages, marine red hybrid tilapia is a suitable candidate as a model to study fish diseases and vaccinations against vibriosis. A total of 180 healthy red hybrid tilapias were gradually adapted to the marine environment before being divided into two groups, with 90 fish in each group and were kept in triplicate with 30 fish per tank. Group 1 was vaccinated intraperitoneally with 100 µL of FKVh on week 0, and a booster dose was similarly administered on week 2. Group 2 was similarly injected with PBS. Skin mucus, serum, and gut lavage were collected weekly for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a lysozyme activity assay from a total of 30 fish of each group. On week 4, the remaining 60 fish of Groups 1 and 2 were challenged with 108 cfu/fish of live Vibrio harveyi. The clinical signs were monitored while the survival rate was recorded for 48 h post-challenge. Vaccination with FKVh resulted in a significantly (p < 0.05) higher rate of survival (87%) compared to the control (20%). The IgM antibody titer and lysozyme activities of Group 1 were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the unvaccinated Groups 2 in most weeks throughout the experiment. Therefore, the intraperitoneal exposure of marine red hybrid tilapia to killed V. harveyi enhanced the resistance and antibody response of the fish against vibriosis.


Ruminants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-71
Author(s):  
Hélder Quintas ◽  
Isabel Pires ◽  
Andreia Garcês ◽  
Justina Prada ◽  
Filipe Silva ◽  
...  

Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA), also known as sheep pulmonary adenomatosis and jaagsiekte, is a contagious pulmonary tumor of sheep, characterized by neoplastic proliferation of type II pneumocyte and club cells. OPA is induced by the oncogenic activity of the envelope glycoprotein (Env) of exogenous jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV). This disease is associated with significant economic losses in numerous sheep raising countries. The onset of suggestive clinical signs is often late, making difficult the early diagnosis of the disease and timely implementation of control measures on the affected farms. Further, the lack of diagnostic tests that can be performed routinely by veterinary clinicians to accurately assess infected animals (e.g., serological or others) means that the true prevalence at flock level is not known. Imaging diagnostic methods (e.g., ultrasound, X-ray and computed tomography) can be used to support the clinical diagnosis, even in pre-clinical stages in affected flocks. The diagnosis must be confirmed by PCR of nasal excretions or immunohistochemistry and PCR of tumor lesions. No vaccine for OPA has yet been developed. Thus, in this work, we review the main methods of diagnosis of OPA in order to support the clinician in the identification of the disease, avoid underdiagnosis and allow the implementation of suitable measures to prevent and control its spread.


2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 2511
Author(s):  
M. LEFKADITIS ◽  
K. SPANOUDIS ◽  
M. TSAKIROGLOU ◽  
A. PANORIAS ◽  
A. SOSSIDOU

Despite the importance of N. caninum in veterinary medicine, knowledge on the prevalence of this parasitosis in dogs is limited in some countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of N. caninum infection in stray dogs in Chalkidiki, Northern Greece. This prospective study was conducted between January 2018 and December 2019 in stray dogs aged ≥6 months old. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture before the female and male dogs underwent the spay and castration procedures, respectively. The indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to screen dogs for the presence of IgG antibodies against N. caninum. Of 511 dogs included in this study, 39 (7.63%) were positive for IgG antibodies against N. caninum. Of all the dogs, 221 were males and 290 females, with positive results for IgG antibodies found in 16 (7.24%) males and 23 (7.93%) females. Preventive measures should be developed and implemented to break the domestic cycle between dogs and bovine. We want to highlight the importance of regional reporting of N. caninum infection prevalence in dogs and control measures by veterinarians and veterinary authorities to farmers and public, in order to avoid this disease’s spread.


Author(s):  
Gabriel M. Shirima ◽  
John S. Kunda

Between 2005 and 2006, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in domestic ruminants in agropastoral communities of Serengeti district, Tanzania to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in domestic–wildlife interface villages. Both the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Competitive Enzyme Linked-immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA) were used to analyse 82 human and 413 livestock sera from four randomly selected villages located along game reserve areas of Serengeti National Park. Although both cattle (288) and small ruminants (125) were screened, seropositivity was detected only in cattle. The overall seroprevalence based on c-ELISA as a confirmatory test was 5.6%. In cattle both age and sex were not statistically associated with brucellosis seropositivity (P = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.03, 0.8 and 0.33; 95% CI = 0.6, 3.7, respectively). Overall herd level seropositivity was 46.7% (n = 7), ranging from 25% to 66.7% (n = 4–10). Each village had at least one brucellosis seropositive herd. None of the 82 humans tested with both RBPT and c-ELISA were seropositive. Detecting Brucella infection in cattle in such areas warrants further investigation to establish the circulating strains for eventual appropriate control interventions in domestic animals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelcey D. Dinkel ◽  
David R. Herndon ◽  
Susan M. Noh ◽  
Kevin K. Lahmers ◽  
S. Michelle Todd ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Theileria orientalis is a tick-borne hemoparasite that causes anemia, ill thrift, and death in cattle globally. The Ikeda strain of T.orientalis is more virulent than other strains, leading to severe clinical signs and death of up to 5% of affected animals. Within the Asia–Pacific region, where it affects 25% of Australian cattle, T.orientalis Ikeda has a significant economic impact on the cattle industry. In 2017, T.orientalis Ikeda was detected in a cattle herd in Albermarle County, Virginia, United States. Months earlier, the U.S. was alerted to the invasion of the Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, throughout the eastern U.S. Abundant H.longicornis ticks were identified on cattle in the T.orientalis-affected herd in VA, and a subset of ticks from the environment were PCR-positive for T.orientalis Ikeda. A strain of T.orientalis from a previous U.S. outbreak was not transmissible by H.longicornis; however, H.longicornis is the primary tick vector of T.orientalis Ikeda in other regions of the world. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine whether invasive H.longicornis ticks in the U.S. are competent vectors of T.orientalis Ikeda. Methods Nymphal H.longicornis ticks were fed on a splenectomized calf infected with the VA-U.S.-T.orientalis Ikeda strain. After molting, a subset of adult ticks from this cohort were dissected, and salivary glands assayed for T.orientalis Ikeda via qPCR. The remaining adult ticks from the group were allowed to feed on three calves. Calves were subsequently monitored for T.orientalis Ikeda infection via blood smear cytology and PCR. Results After acquisition feeding on a VA-U.S.-T.orientalis Ikeda-infected calf as nymphs, a subset of molted adult tick salivary glands tested positive by qPCR for T.orientalis Ikeda. Adult ticks from the same cohort successfully transmitted T.orientalis Ikeda to 3/3 naïve calves, each of which developed parasitemia reaching 0.4–0.9%. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that U.S. H.longicornis ticks are competent vectors of the VA-U.S.-T.orientalis Ikeda strain. This data provides important information for the U.S. cattle industry regarding the potential spread of this parasite and the necessity of enhanced surveillance and control measures.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Montoya ◽  
Rosa Gálvez ◽  
Rocio Checa ◽  
Juliana Sarquis ◽  
Alexandra Plaza ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a parasitic zoonotic disease, endemic in the Mediterranean basin including Spain. While knowledge about CanL, its management, treatment, prevention and control mounts, it remains unclear whether all clinical veterinarians follow the same international recommendations, such as those of the LeishVet group. This study was thus designed to assess recent trends in the clinical management of CanL in veterinary clinics across Spain through a questionnaire-based survey. Results were compared with those of our prior national multicenter questionnaire administered by our research team in 2005. Methods A questionnaire consisting of 28 questions about CanL was developed using Google Forms and distributed by email to 1428 veterinary clinics in Spain. Questions were designed to obtain data on common clinical signs, techniques and complementary exams used to diagnose the disease, and on its monitoring, treatment and control measures. Data were collected in a database for statistical analysis. Results Completed questionnaires were returned by 295 clinics. Compared to the situation in 2005, replies indicate that clinical signs of CanL have not changed significantly, cutaneous lesions being still the most prevalent sign observed by practitioners. Quantitative serological techniques are considered an adequate approach to diagnosis, provided their results are supported by the findings of a thorough physical exam, as well as complementary tests (complete blood count (CBC), biochemical profile, plasma protein electrophoretogram and complete urinalysis). Treatment protocols and check-ups follow international recommendations. Finally, a multimodal approach is being endorsed to adequately control CanL including preventive measures such as: annual serological check-ups and the combination of repellents and vaccines. Besides, owners are being better informed about CanL by veterinarians, which translates to the improved control of this zoonosis. Conclusions The clinical management of CanL has recently undergone significant changes owing to improvements in clinical knowledge of the disease, more unified international criteria, improved diagnostic techniques and their adequate interpretation, as well as a greater awareness of the disease transmitted to owners.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelcey D Dinkel ◽  
David Herndon ◽  
Susan M Noh ◽  
Kevin K Lahmers ◽  
S. Michelle Todd ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUNDTheileria orientalis is a tick-borne hemoparasite that causes anemia, ill thrift, and death in cattle globally. The Ikeda strain of T. orientalis is more virulent than other strains, leading to severe clinical signs and death in less than 5% of affected animals. Within the Asia-Pacific region, where it affects 25% of Australian cattle, T. orientalis Ikeda has a significant economic impact on the cattle industry. In 2017, T. orientalis Ikeda was detected in a cattle herd in Albermarle County, Virginia, United States. Months earlier, the U.S. was alerted to the invasion of the Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, throughout the eastern U.S. Abundant H. longicornis ticks were identified on cattle in the T. orientalis-affected herd in VA, and a subset of ticks from the environment were PCR-positive for T. orientalis Ikeda. A strain of T. orientalis from a previous U.S. outbreak was not transmissible by H. longicornis; however, H. longicornis is the primary tick vector of T. orientalis Ikeda in other regions of the world. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine whether invasive H. longicornis ticks in the U.S. are competent vectors of T. orientalis Ikeda. METHODSNymphal H. longicornis ticks were fed on a splenectomized calf infected with the VA-U.S.-T. orientalis Ikeda strain. After molting, a subset of adult ticks from this cohort were dissected, and salivary glands assayed for T. orientalis Ikeda via qPCR. The remaining adult ticks from the group were allowed to feed on three calves. Calves were subsequently monitored for T. orientalis Ikeda infection via blood smear cytology and PCR.RESULTSAfter acquisition feeding on a VA-U.S.-T. orientalis Ikeda-infected calf as nymphs, a subset of molted adult tick salivary glands tested positive by qPCR for T. orientalis Ikeda. Adult ticks from the same cohort successfully transmitted T. orientalis Ikeda to 3/3 naïve calves, each of which developed parasitemia reaching 0.4-0.9%.CONCLUSIONSOur findings demonstrate that U.S. H. longicornis ticks are competent vectors of the VA-U.S.-T. orientalis Ikeda strain. This data provides important information for the U.S. cattle industry regarding the potential spread of this parasite and the necessity of enhanced surveillance and control measures.


Author(s):  
Anna Maria da Cruz Ferreira Evaristo ◽  
Anaiá da Paixão Sevá ◽  
Glauber Meneses Barboza de Oliveira ◽  
Ivo Wesley Gomes da Silva ◽  
Matheus Silva Ferreira ◽  
...  

Abstract This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, factors associated with seropositivity to Leishmania infection in dogs and spatial analysis in six municipalities in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 462 dogs, 77 in each municipality, and used for serological analysis [dual path platform (DPP®) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)]. Clinical signs of dogs were evaluated and associated factors for Leishmania infection were analyzed using robust Poisson regression model. A seroprevalence of 42.8% (198/462, IC: 95% = 38.6%-47.6%) was detected in dogs that tested positive in both tests, ranging from 29.8% to 55.8%, with higher prevalence in the municipality of Cabrobó (55.8%; P = 0.006). About 67% (132/198) of the seropositive dogs showed one or more clinical signs suggestive of canine leishmaniasis (CanL), such as lymphadenomegaly, skin lesions and conjunctivitis, which were associated with seropositivity. High seroprevalence levels were identified in urban and rural areas in all the municipalities, and the buffer for sand flies around cases covered almost these entire areas. Spatial analysis revealed a significant cluster, showing a relative risk of 1.88 in the urban area of Cabrobó. The higher density of seropositive dogs in urban areas indicates the need effective control measures against CanL to prevent the emergence of canine and human diseases.


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