51
|
Leahy E, Bronsvoort B, Gamble L, Gibson A, Kaponda H, Mayer D, Mazeri S, Shervell K, Sargison N. Proof of concept of faecal egg nematode counting as a practical means of veterinary engagement with planned livestock health management in a lower income country. Ir Vet J 2017; 70:16. [PMID: 28588763 PMCID: PMC5457739 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-017-0094-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The wellbeing and livelihood of farmers in impoverished regions of the world is intrinsically linked to the health and welfare of their livestock; hence improved animal health is a pragmatic component of poverty alleviation. Prerequisite knowledge and understanding of the animal health challenges facing cattle keepers in Malawi is constrained by the lack of veterinary infrastructure, which inevitably accompanies under-resourced rural development in a poor country. METHODS We collaborated with public and private paraveterinary services to locate 62 village Zebu calves and 60 dairy co-operative calves dispersed over a wide geographical area. All calves were visited twice about 2 to 3 weeks apart, when they were clinically examined and faecal samples were collected. The calves were treated with 7.5 mg/kg of a locally-available albendazole drench on the first visit, and pre- and post- treatment trichostrongyle and Toxocara faecal egg counts were performed using a modified McMaster method. RESULTS Our clinical findings point towards a generally poor level of animal health, implying a role of ticks and tick-transmitted diseases in village calves and need for improvement in neonatal calf husbandry in the dairy co-operative holdings. High faecal trichostrongyle egg counts were not intuitive, based on our interpretation of the animal management information that was provided. This shows the need for better understanding of nematode parasite epidemiology within the context of local husbandry and environmental conditions. The albendazole anthelmintic was effective against Toxocara, while efficacy against trichostrongyle nematodes was poor in both village and dairy co-operative calves, demonstrating the need for further research to inform sustainable drug use. CONCLUSIONS Here we describe the potential value of faecal nematode egg counting as a platform for communicating with and gaining access to cattle keepers and their animals, respectively, in southern Malawi, with the aim of providing informative background knowledge and understanding that may aid in the establishment of effective veterinary services in an under-resourced community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eithne Leahy
- Worldwide Veterinary Service, 14 Wimborne Street, Cranborne, Dorset BH21 5PP UK
| | - Barend Bronsvoort
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG UK.,The Epidemiology, Economics and Risk Assessment (EERA) Group, The Roslin Institute, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH26 9RG UK
| | - Luke Gamble
- Worldwide Veterinary Service, 14 Wimborne Street, Cranborne, Dorset BH21 5PP UK
| | | | - Henderson Kaponda
- Blantyre District Agricultural Development Office, Kunthembwe EPA, Malawi
| | - Dagmar Mayer
- Worldwide Veterinary Service, 14 Wimborne Street, Cranborne, Dorset BH21 5PP UK
| | - Stella Mazeri
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG UK.,The Epidemiology, Economics and Risk Assessment (EERA) Group, The Roslin Institute, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH26 9RG UK
| | | | - Neil Sargison
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG UK
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Sargison ND, Ivil SAJ, Abraham J, Abubaker SPS, Hopker AM, Mazeri S, Otter IA, Otter N. Investigation of productivity in a south Indian Malabari goat herd shows opportunities for planned animal health management to improve food security. Vet Rec 2017; 180:278. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.103801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. D. Sargison
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh; Roslin Midlothian EH25 9RG UK
| | - S. A. J. Ivil
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh; Roslin Midlothian EH25 9RG UK
| | - J. Abraham
- Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences; Pookot, Wayanad 673576, Kerala India
| | - S. P. S. Abubaker
- Kerala State Veterinary Council; Peroorkada PO Thiruvananthapuram 695005 Kerala India
| | - A. M. Hopker
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh; Roslin Midlothian EH25 9RG UK
| | - S. Mazeri
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, University of Edinburgh; Roslin Midlothian EH25 9RG UK
| | - I. A. Otter
- Worldwide Veterinary Service, International Training Centre; Gramya Bhavan/RDO-building complex Aruvankadu 643202 Tamil Nadu India
| | - N. Otter
- India Project for Animals and Nature, Hill View Farm Animal Refuge; Mavanalla, Masinagudi PO Nilgiris 643223 Tamil Nadu India
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Mazeri S, Sargison N, Kelly RF, Bronsvoort BMD, Handel I. Evaluation of the Performance of Five Diagnostic Tests for Fasciola hepatica Infection in Naturally Infected Cattle Using a Bayesian No Gold Standard Approach. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161621. [PMID: 27564546 PMCID: PMC5001639 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical and economic importance of fasciolosis has been recognised for centuries, yet diagnostic tests available for cattle are far from perfect. Test evaluation has mainly been carried out using gold standard approaches or under experimental settings, the limitations of which are well known. In this study, a Bayesian no gold standard approach was used to estimate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of five tests for fasciolosis in cattle. These included detailed liver necropsy including gall bladder egg count, faecal egg counting, a commercially available copro-antigen ELISA, an in-house serum excretory/secretory antibody ELISA and routine abattoir liver inspection. In total 619 cattle slaughtered at one of Scotland's biggest abattoirs were sampled, during three sampling periods spanning summer 2013, winter 2014 and autumn 2014. Test sensitivities and specificities were estimated using an extension of the Hui Walter no gold standard model, where estimates were allowed to vary between seasons if tests were a priori believed to perform differently for any reason. The results of this analysis provide novel information on the performance of these tests in a naturally infected cattle population and at different times of the year where different levels of acute or chronic infection are expected. Accurate estimates of sensitivity and specificity will allow for routine abattoir liver inspection to be used as a tool for monitoring the epidemiology of F. hepatica as well as evaluating herd health planning. Furthermore, the results provide evidence to suggest that the copro-antigen ELISA does not cross-react with Calicophoron daubneyi rumen fluke parasites, while the serum antibody ELISA does.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stella Mazeri
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Neil Sargison
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Robert F. Kelly
- Farm Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ian Handel
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Egbe NF, Muwonge A, Ndip L, Kelly RF, Sander M, Tanya V, Ngwa VN, Handel IG, Novak A, Ngandalo R, Mazeri S, Morgan KL, Asuquo A, Bronsvoort BMDC. Abattoir-based estimates of mycobacterial infections in Cameroon. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24320. [PMID: 27075056 PMCID: PMC4830956 DOI: 10.1038/srep24320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacteria cause major diseases including human tuberculosis, bovine tuberculosis and Johne’s disease. In livestock, the dominant species is M. bovis causing bovine tuberculosis (bTB), a disease of global zoonotic importance. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of Mycobacteria in slaughter cattle in Cameroon. A total of 2,346 cattle were examined in a cross-sectional study at four abattoirs in Cameroon. Up to three lesions per animal were collected for further study and a retropharyngeal lymph node was collected from a random sample of non-lesioned animals. Samples were cultured on Lowenstein Jensen media and the BACTEC MGIT 960 system, and identified using the Hain® Genotype kits. A total of 207/2,346 cattle were identified with bTB-like lesions, representing 4.0% (45/1,129), 11.3% (106/935), 23.8% (38/160) and 14.8% (18/122) of the cattle in the Bamenda, Ngaoundere, Garoua and Maroua abattoirs respectively. The minimum estimated prevalence of M. bovis was 2.8% (1.9–3.9), 7.7% (6.1–9.6), 21.3% (15.2–28.4) and 13.1% (7.7–20.4) in the four abattoirs respectively. One M. tuberculosis and three M. bovis strains were recovered from non-lesioned animals. The high prevalence of M. bovis is of public health concern and limits the potential control options in this setting without a viable vaccine as an alternative.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N F Egbe
- Microbiology and Parasitology Unit, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.,Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory Bamenda, P.O. Box 586 Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - A Muwonge
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - L Ndip
- Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - R F Kelly
- Farm Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - M Sander
- Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory Bamenda, P.O. Box 586 Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - V Tanya
- Cameroon Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 1457 Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - V Ngu Ngwa
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, B.P. 454, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
| | - I G Handel
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - A Novak
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - R Ngandalo
- Laboratoire de Recherches Vétérinaires et Zootechniques de Farcha, N'Djaména, Chad
| | - S Mazeri
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - K L Morgan
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Wirral, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - A Asuquo
- Microbiology and Parasitology Unit, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - B M de C Bronsvoort
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| |
Collapse
|
55
|
Sargison N, Francis E, Davison C, Bronsvoort BMD, Handel I, Mazeri S. Observations on the biology, epidemiology and economic relevance of rumen flukes (Paramphistomidae) in cattle kept in a temperate environment. Vet Parasitol 2016; 219:7-16. [PMID: 26921033 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
There is concern about the probable recent introduction, increased prevalence and potential economic impact of rumen fluke infection of United Kingdom cattle. A study of 339 cattle slaughtered in a Scottish red meat abattoir was undertaken with the aims of describing the prevalence and geographical distribution of rumen fluke infection, estimating its effect on production, and evaluating faecal egg counts (FECs) as a tool to diagnose infection in live animals and study the epidemiology of the disease. The overall proportion of cattle consigned to the abattoir from northern United Kingdom with rumen fluke infection in the forestomachs was 0.29. Rumen flukes were distributed predominantly in the cranial sac of the rumen and adjacent to the reticular groove. Overall, a mean of 213 and median of 44 rumen flukes was identified in the forestomachs of rumen fluke-positive cattle. The mean and median FECs of animals were 26.01 and 5.20 eggs per gram (epg), respectively. There was a significant difference between the mean FECs per rumen fluke of 0.08 and 0.13 epg during summer/autumn and winter sampling periods, respectively. The overall correlation between rumen fluke FECs and the number of flukes in the forestomach was high, albeit lower in the summer/autumn than in the winter period. The sensitivities of rumen fluke FECs for the identification of flukes in the forestomach during the summer/autumn and winter sampling periods were 0.65 and 0.85, respectively. These results will aid in the interpretation of rumen fluke FECs when monitoring cattle health and production and studying the parasite's epidemiology in a temperate environment, thereby informing rational, precise and sustainable disease control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neil Sargison
- University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Francis
- University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, United Kingdom
| | - Chloe Davison
- University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ian Handel
- University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, United Kingdom
| | - Stella Mazeri
- University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, United Kingdom; University of Edinburgh, Roslin Institute, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Kelly RF, Hamman SM, Morgan KL, Nkongho EF, Ngwa VN, Tanya V, Andu WN, Sander M, Ndip L, Handel IG, Mazeri S, Muwonge A, Bronsvoort BMDC. Knowledge of Bovine Tuberculosis, Cattle Husbandry and Dairy Practices amongst Pastoralists and Small-Scale Dairy Farmers in Cameroon. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146538. [PMID: 26745871 PMCID: PMC4706344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Control of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and zoonotic tuberculosis (zTB) has relied upon surveillance and slaughter of infected cattle, milk pasteurisation and public health education. In Cameroon, like many other sub-Saharan African countries, there is limited understanding of current cattle husbandry or milk processing practices or livestock keepers awareness of bTB. This paper describes husbandry and milk processing practices within different Cameroonian cattle keeping communities and bTB awareness in comparison to other infectious diseases. STUDY DESIGN A population based cross-sectional sample of herdsmen and a questionnaire were used to gather data from pastoralists and dairy farmers in the North West Region and Vina Division of Cameroon. RESULTS Pastoralists were predominately male Fulanis who had kept cattle for over a decade. Dairy farmers were non-Fulani and nearly half were female. Pastoralists went on transhumance with their cattle and came into contact with other herds and potential wildlife reservoirs of bTB. Dairy farmers housed their cattle and had little contact with other herds or wildlife. Pastoralists were aware of bTB and other infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and fasciolosis. These pastoralists were also able to identify clinical signs of these diseases. A similar proportion of dairy farmers were aware of bTB but fewer were aware of foot-and-mouth and fasciolosis. In general, dairy farmers were unable to identify any clinical signs for any of these diseases. Importantly most pastoralists and dairy farmers were unaware that bTB could be transmitted to people by consuming milk. CONCLUSIONS Current cattle husbandry practices make the control of bTB in cattle challenging especially in mobile pastoralist herds. Routine test and slaughter control in dairy herds would be tractable but would have profound impact on dairy farmer livelihoods. Prevention of transmission in milk offers the best approach for human risk mitigation in Cameroon but requires strategies that improved risk awareness amongst producers and consumers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert F. Kelly
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Farm Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Saidou M. Hamman
- Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Regional Centre of Wakwa, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
| | - Kenton L. Morgan
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease and School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Wirral, United Kingdom
| | - Egbe F. Nkongho
- Microbiology and Parasitology Unit, Faculty of Allied Medical Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria
- Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory Bamenda, Hospital Roundabout, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Victor Ngu Ngwa
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, B.P. 454, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
| | - Vincent Tanya
- Cameroon Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 1457, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Walters N. Andu
- Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, NWR Regional Delegation, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Melissa Sander
- Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory Bamenda, Hospital Roundabout, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Lucy Ndip
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Ian G. Handel
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Stella Mazeri
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian Muwonge
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Barend M. de. C. Bronsvoort
- The Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Mazeri S, Scolamacchia F, Handel IG, Morgan KL, Tanya VN, Bronsvoort BMD. Risk factor analysis for antibodies to Brucella, Leptospira and C. burnetii among cattle in the Adamawa Region of Cameroon: a cross-sectional study. Trop Anim Health Prod 2012; 45:617-23. [PMID: 23117621 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-012-0268-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Brucellosis, leptospirosis and Q fever are important livestock diseases, commonly responsible for significant production losses, yet their epidemiology in sub-Saharan Africa is largely unknown. Animal reservoirs pose the main risk of transmission to humans, where serious disease can occur. In the developing world setting, the flu-like symptoms of the acute stages of these diseases can be misdiagnosed as malaria, which can result in the administration of the wrong treatment, prolonged disease and increase in antibiotic resistance. Multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression models in this study revealed potential risk factors associated with the aforementioned pathogens in cattle in the Adamawa Region of Cameroon, with wildlife, namely, buffaloes, playing a major role in both Brucella and Coxiella burnetii seropositivity. Cattle mixing with other herds at night and cattle grazing in an area on a route taken by herds on transhumance appear to be positively associated with Leptospira seropositivity, while female cows and whether buffaloes are seen during grazing or transhumance are positively associated with C. burnetii seropositivity. On the other hand, animals that have been on transhumance in the past year and animals belonging to herdsmen of the Fulbe ethnic group appear to be protected against Leptospira and C. burnetii, respectively. Cattle of more than 2 years old appear to have increased odds of being seropositive to either pathogen. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and improve the knowledge of the epidemiology of these three pathogens in Africa, taking particular consideration of the wildlife involvement in the disease transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stella Mazeri
- Genetic and Genomics Department, The Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|