In-vitro Wound Healing Properties of Commiphora swynnertonii Resinous Extracts

Wound healing is a complex multicellular process involving many cell types which include; inflammatory cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts and keratinocytes. The process involves an orderly sequence of events with four overlapping phases namely; haemostasis, inflammatory, proliferation and remodeling phases. The process can be facilitated by the use of wound healing agents including herbal remedies from plants. In this study the main objective was to evaluate the in vitro wound healing activity of the resin obtained from Commiphora swynnertonii (C.swynnertonii). First the NIH -3T3 cells viability were evaluated using (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl Tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay. Then the wound scratch assay model was used to evaluate cellular proliferation, closure of the wound and release of matrix metalloproteinase enzymes. Results indicate differences in mean cell viability between different concentrations within 24 hours of incubation. The highest viability was recorded at the concentration of 1% (v/v). The in-vitro wound scratch assay showed positive NIH - 3T3 cells proliferation on the wound area and cells migration when compared with control group (without treatment) at 0 and 24 hours. In addition, C. swynnertonii was able to stimulate secretion of MMP-2 release from NIH - 3T3 cells. MMP-2 is an important enzyme for extracellular matrix remodeling during wound healing suggesting that C. swynnertonii promotes wound healing by stimulating cell proliferation and production of MMP-2 in a mechanism that is currently not known.

Canine Synovial Sarcoma of the Stifle Joint with Pulmonary and Liver Metastases

A seven-year-old female mongrel dog was presented at the Sokoine University of Agriculture Teaching Animal Hospital for second opinion regarding a progressive swelling of the right hind limb of two months duration. Clinical examination revealed a loss of body condition, tachypnea and tachycardia, a painful immobile solid mass of 20 cm x 14 cm x 10 cm located on the right stifle joint, leucocytosis, and anaemia. Radiographic examination of the joint revealed marked soft tissue swelling with amorphous areas of mineralization and complete destruction of the proximal tibia. Smooth and solid periosteal reaction was seen around the tibia and fibula with a Codman’s triangle. Multiple nodules and a mass with soft tissue opacity were seen in the lung fields. Post-mortem examination revealed separation of tibia and fibula, softening of the proximal parts of the tibia, and complete integration of the proximal region of the two bones and articular tissues into the surrounding muscular tissues. Multifocal nodular lesions of variable sizes were mostly found in the lungs and partly in the liver. Histologically, predominantly oval and round cells with variable nuclear sizes and moderate mitoses were observed in tissue samples from the joint, lungs and the liver although some parts of the lung metastases showed both round and spindle shaped tumor cells. Clinical profile is suggestive of aggressive biphasic (spindle and epithelial) type of synovial cell sarcoma with lung and liver metastasis. Early radiographic and biopsy examination of persistent musculoskeletal nodules is recommended for early diagnosis and interventions.

Knowledge Levels Match Control Practices of Cerebral Coenurosis by Pastoral Community in Iringa District Council, Tanzania

Cerebral coenurosis is a disease of small ruminants which causes economic loss worldwide. Different studies in Tanzania have reported the cause, transmission, signs, prevalence, risk factors and control measures of cerebral coenurosis. Transfer of this research-based information to livestock keepers may influence practicability and efficacy of intervention. The present study aimed at assessing the knowledge levels and control practices of coenurosis by pastoralists in Iringa district. A total of 267 respondents were interviewed on livestock management practices, knowledge, losses and coping strategies of coenurosis. The average knowledge score on coenurosis detection (definition, hosts, signs, and diagnosis, including postmortem) was 90.3%. In contrast, knowledge on infection cycle and control was zero, implying that respondents were completely not informed about etiology, transmission and control of coenurosis. Involvement of dogs in coenurosis cycle was not known to respondents such that they all gave head of sheep and goats to dogs while 82.8% had never dewormed their dogs. About 83% of respondents experienced at least, one cases of coenurosis in the last 12 months. There was no formal coenurosis control program, but heating the head of sick animal with hot iron, selling, slaughter, treatment with antibiotics, or local herbs and doing nothing were the reported management strategies. Lack of knowledge on the cause, transmission and control of cerebral coenurosis may be associated with inappropriate animal management and control of coenurosis in pastoral community in Iringa rural District, including transmission facilitating practices. A coenurosis training package is recommended to farmers before intervention program is instituted.

Antimicrobial Activity of Bidens pilosa Leaves Extracts Against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Resistance against synthetic antimicrobial agents is one of the major global public health challenges that compel scientists to search for alternatives including those of plants origin. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are bacteria responsible for a variety of infections and diseases that causes significant morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. E. coli is widely distributed in nature and commonly found in lower gastro intestinal tracts of most warm-blooded animals associated with urinary tract infections and enterocolitis in humans and colibacillosis in poultry. This study was carried out to investigate antimicrobial activity of methanolic leaf extracts of Bidens pilosa against S. aureus and E. coli. Agar well diffusion method was used to assess antimicrobial activity of the leaf extracts at 20%, 50% and 70% concentrations respectively based on measured zone of inhibition. The leaf extracts of Bidens pilosa produced significant zone of inhibition indicating its antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. The antimicrobial activity was demonstrated in all concentrations however, the highest zone of inhibition (18.5mm and 32mm) for E. coli and S. aureus respectively was at 70% concentration. The results shows that Bidens pilosa leaf extracts have antimicrobial activity against the tested bacteria and have the potential for further development including identification of active components that can be tested for treatment of E. coli and S. aureus associated conditions.

Metaphyseal Osteopathy in a Caucasian Shepherd Crossbred Dog

A six-month old, 24 kg, intact male Caucasian Shepherd crossbred dog was presented at the Sokoine University of Agriculture Teaching Animal Hospital with a history of difficulty standing and walking, and bilateral swelling of the distal antebrachial and crural metaphyeal region. The owner also reported prior calcium supplementation in form of dietary tablets. Upon physical examination; the animal was lethargic with fever, bilateral ocular discharge, tachypnea and reduced appetite. Hard painful bilateral swelling of the distal antebrachial and crural metaphyseal region was observed. Differential cell count showed neutrophilia and monocytosis. Sclerosis and paracortical cuffing of the distal antebrachial and crural metaphyseal region were seen on radiographic examination. Similar changes were also visualised in the proximal crural metaphyseal region. Further, cranial bowing of the radius with lateral deviation of the foot (carpal valgus) were also observed. Metaphyseal osteopathy was diagnosed based on the history, clinical and radiographic findings. The exact cause of metaphyseal osteopathy is unknown, however there have been reports linking it to breed predisposition and mineral over supplementation. Administration of corticosteroids and supportive care are recommended in dogs with metaphyseal osteopathy. However, a bony change that is paracortical cuffing requires several months for resorption.

Cytological and Histopathological Characteristics of Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour in Male and Female Dogs Before and After Vincristine Treatment

Canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a neoplasia naturally transmitted in susceptible dogs through coitus. CTVT has a worldwide distribution, with a high prevalence in tropical and sub-tropical urban environments. The study aimed at evaluating CTVT lesions in local breeds of dogs and to assess morphological changes based on sex before and after administration of vincristine sulphate. Clinical and gross morphology, fine needle aspirates cytology (FNAC) and routine histopathology methods were used. Two FNAC and histopathological microscopic slide sections from each of the seven sampled dogs were stained with Giemsa stain and Hematoxylin and Eosin. All dogs were treated with vincristine once weekly over a six weeks period after which clinical morphological and histopathological changes were assessed. Grossly, before treatment the tumour masses appeared irregular, cauliflower like with tendency to bleed, sizes ranged from ≥5cm to ≤2cm with or without metastasis to regional lymph nodes. Cytologically, the tumours had homogenous, sheet-like cellular mass. Cytoplasm with punctate vacuoles, anisokaryosis with anisonucleoliosis and coarse to reticulate nuclear chromatin were seen. Lymphocytoid cell pattern was dominant cell type. Histopathology showed sheets of round cells with nuclear and cytoplasmic variations. Histopathology of the treated dog revealed hyper-cellularity, absence of nucleoli, prominent mitotic figures, reduced cell size and presence of inflammatory cells. There was no difference on the cellular changes after vincristine treatment between female and male dogs. Cytology and histopathology showed that vincristine sulphate suppresses the development of tumour through alteration of cellular morphology with no difference between male and female dogs.

Prevalence and Antibiograms of Salmonella in Commercially Produced Crocodile meat in Zimbabwe

The presence of Salmonella in food products and emergence of antibiotic resistance are the major challenges facing public health policies. A total of 2749 crocodile meat samples obtained from the Central Veterinary Laboratories in Zimbabwe were screened for Salmonella specieswere collected from three Zimbabwean commercial farms between the year 2012 and 2019 for a retrospective observational study to determine the prevalence and magnitude of antibiotics resistant Salmonella species in crocodile meat. The isolation of Salmonella was in accordance with the ISO 6579:2002 and the antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out based on Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute’s recommendations by means of the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. SILAB Database was used to determine the prevalence of Salmonella species. Prevalence was stratified by year and farms. Twenty Salmonella isolates were identified using biochemical tests, and 15 were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the confirmed Salmonella isolates were examined using 14 antibiotics. The overall prevalence of Salmonella species in crocodile meat samples was 0.5%. The prevalence of Salmonella species ranged from 0.04% to 0.44% in the crocodile meat samples and annual prevalence ranged from 0.01% to 1%. The highest prevalence of Salmonella (4.4%) was recorded in the year 2012. Salmonella isolates from one of the three tested farms were resistant to Erythromycin (73.33%), Ampicillin (80%), and Penicillin G (100%). Generally, Salmonella isolates displayed lower resistance to Cefepime, Ceftriaxone, Amikacin, Tetracycline, Ertapenem, Florfenicol, and Erythromycin (0-53.33%) whereas all Salmonella isolates showed susceptibility to Cefepime, Ceftriaxone, Ertapenem, and Florfenicol. Although the study indicates low prevalence of Salmonella species in crocodile meat, there is a need for strict implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) to reduce contamination rates in meat and its products

Antimicrobial resistance patterns and risk factors for cloacal Escherichia coli in chickens in central Tanzania

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious and escalating threat to global health. This study established a baseline antimicrobial resistance profile and prevalence for cloacal Escherichia coli in chickens in central Tanzania. Animal husbandry practices, flock size, and chicken breed were recorded for risk factor evaluation to elucidate potential drivers of resistance across populations. Cloacal samples were collected from poultry in Iringa, Tanzania, and E. coli isolates cultured were then tested for susceptibility to seven medically important antimicrobial drugs: ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefoxitin, enrofloxacin, gentamicin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and tetracycline using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Over 94% of the 59 E. coli isolates tested were resistant to at least one antimicrobial drug, and over 61% of isolates were resistant to three or more classes of antimicrobial drugs. The highest prevalence of resistance found was to tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (88% and 86%, respectively), which were used regularly on many sampled chickens. Previous antimicrobial usage emerged as the only significant risk factor associated with increased detection of multi-drug resistant E. coli. Further surveillance and educational outreach about antimicrobial resistance and stewardship is recommended to reduce antimicrobial drug use and to limit the potential spread of resistance to antimicrobial drugs in Tanzania.

Trematode Infections in Freshwater Snails and Seasonal Variations in Iringa and Arumeru Districts, Tanzania

Understanding of the larval trematode infections in snail intermediate hosts is essential in designing appropriate control measures. The current study was designed to determine larval trematode infection and seasonal variations in freshwater intermediate host snails Iringa and Arumeru Districts where trematode infections in cattle are endemic. A repeated cross-sectional study was adopted whereby Snails were collected three times a year (dry, early wet and mid wet). The selection of water bodies for sampling was based on random sampling and snails were collected by scooping method. The collected snails were identified based on the published morphological keys. A total of 2,016 snails were collected and 134 (6.6%) were found to be infected with trematode larvae. Six species of snails were identified that were Radix natalensis, Bulinus africanus group snails, Bulinus tropicus group snails, Bulinus forskalli group snails, Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Ceratophallous natalensis. Five morphologically different types of cercariae were identified that included gymnocephalous, amphistomes, mammalian Schistosoma, avian Schistosoma and Xiphidiocercariae. The findings on overall seasonal snail infection rates indicated low rate during the wet season while peak of infections were in the dry and early wet seasons. It is concluded that domesticated ruminants in the study areas are at high risk of getting infected with the trematodes (Fasciola and amphistomes) during dry and early wet seasons. Therefore, deworming of domesticated ruminants with an effective flukicide is recommended at the end of the wet season and followed by a treatment in mid dry season and the last treatment in early wet season.

Avian Leukosis Virus in Hatchable Eggs of Commercial and Free-Range Chickens

Avian leukosis is caused by various avian retroviruses which induce a variety of benign and malignant neoplasm in chickens with subsequent economic losses to the poultry industry. A survey of avian leukosis in hatchable eggs of apparently healthy chickens was carried out in an attempt to determine the prevalence of avian leukosis virus (ALV) in exotic breeders and free-range indigenous chickens in Oyo state. A total of 188 (76 exotic breeders and 112 free-range chickens) albumen of hatchable eggs were obtained from 3 different commercial breeder farms and 12 free-range indigenous chicken farms. Eggs were tested by an antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Eleven out of the 76 albumen obtained from eggs of exotic breeders tested positive to ALV antigen which represents 14.5% while 37 of the 112 albumen from free-range indigenous eggs were confirmed as positive representing 33%. Overall prevalence rate of 25% was recorded for all eggs sampled with the highest prevalence of ALV antigen detected in free-range indigenous chickens than the exotic chickens. The results emphasizes the control of the Avian Leukosis transmission by including both exotic and free-range indigenous birds as wells as the use of ALV free eggs in hatcheries