School of Biosecurity, Biotechnolgy and Laboratory Sciences (SBLS)

Permanent URI for this community

http://10.29.1.53:4000/handle/10570/635

Browse

Browsing School of Biosecurity, Biotechnolgy and Laboratory Sciences (SBLS) by Subject "Animal diseases"
  • Item
    Peste des petits ruminants post vaccination seroconversion and risk factors in selected districts of Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2023) Sanyu, Charity
    Following the adoption of the Global Strategy for the control and eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Uganda set to procure vaccines for the eradication of PPR. About 1.5 million doses of PPR75/1 (EMVY strain) vaccines were utilized in 2020/2021 and a post-vaccination sero conversion exercise was conducted to assess the critical control points which determine the success of a mass vaccination campaign. This included identifying best practices, resource gaps, and infrastructure status needed for successful mass vaccination campaigns. The objectives of this study were to identify the host related and non-host related factors that affect seroconversion in sheep and goat populations as well as estimate the rate of seroconversion following a mass Peste des Petit Ruminants vaccination campaign. The study was carried out in six randomly selected districts from Northern, Central, South-Eastern, and South Western parts of Uganda. Villages were considered epidemiological units. Data on vaccine cold chain management and vaccination monitoring were recorded from key informants using the Open Data Kit software. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors that lead to the seroconversion before and after vaccination with Peste des Petits Ruminants vaccine in Uganda. Pre and Post vaccination PPR seroconversion rates were obtained by screening 1505 goats and 97 sheep sera using a commercial competitive Enzyme linked Immunoabsorbent Assay. The PPR vaccination campaign caused a significant rise in the sheep and goat herd seroprevalence from 10% [95% CI, 10.2 - 14.1] to 96% [95% CI, 94.7 - 97.1] with a p-value of <0.0001. Age factor was a statistically significant predictor of the Peste des Petit Ruminants seroconversion. Animals older than three years were three times more likely to have PPRv antibodies than animals less than one year before vaccination. Having more than two functional fridges was four times more likely to enable post vaccination seromonitoring. The high level of seroconversion achieved post vaccination shows that the vaccination campaign will help control Peste des Petit Ruminants in the small ruminant herds.
  • Item
    Prevalence and risk factors of Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs in Moroto and Bukedea Districts in Uganda
    (Springer, 2015-10) Oba, Peter ; Ejobi, Francis ; Omadang, Leonard ; Chamai, Martin ; Okwi, Andrew Livex ; Othieno, Emmanuel ; Inangolet, Francis Olaki ; Ocaido, Michael
    A cross sectional study was conducted in Moroto and Bukedea districts of Uganda from May to September 2013 to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs. Fresh dog faecal samples were collected, preserved in 70 % ethanol, and later screened for presence of taeniid eggs using zinc chloride floatation method. Positive samples were confirmed by a copro- PCR (polymerase chain reaction) for E. granulosus using NADH dehydrogenase sub-unit 1 gene (NADH1) as a target molecular marker. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data for risk factor identification. Study sub-counties were selected by simple random sampling. Overall apparent prevalence of taeniid infection in dogs of 14.9 % (39/261, confidence interval 10.6–19.2) in both districts was recorded using the faecal floatation test. The sensitivity of the faecal floatation test was found to be 78 % (25/32), while the specificity was 93%(215/229). Copro-PCR results revealed a true prevalence of 14.4% (9.91–19.0, 95 % CI) in dogs in Moroto district and 7.4 % (2.14–12.60, 95 % CI) in Bukedea district. The overall true prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) was 12.2 % (8.70–15.76, 95 % CI) in both districts. The major risk factors identified using logistic regression were uncontrolled access of dogs to animal slaughter facilities, higher cattle herd sizes
  • Item
    Prevalence and risk factors of porcine cysticercosis in Kitgum District, Northern Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2024) Bole, Stephen
    Cysticercosis caused by Taenia solium (T. solium) is a neglected zoonotic disease with serious public health implications. It is caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm, T. solium. Pigs are intermediate hosts of the worm, existing as cysticerci in their active muscles. Humans being both definitive and intermediate hosts, they are affected with two diseases Taeniasis (infection with the adult tapeworm) and Cysticercosis (infection with the cysticerci). Significantly, T. solium has economically constrained farmers and traders due to losses encountered due to carcasses being condemned at slaughter of infected pigs. Furthermore, the larval stage of the tapeworm has been reported to be the major cause of epileptic cases among humans in Uganda. This was the first cross sectional study conducted in Kitgum, where serum was collected from 251 pigs in 180 households. Serology was run on the later using apDIA Cysticercosis antigen ELISA kit, a relatively high apparent prevalence of PCC, 26.3% (95% CI: 21.1–31.9%) was obtained. By logistic regression using R statistical package, protective risk factors significantly associated with PCC were not having freely roaming pigs in households (P=0.020), not feeding pigs on brewer waste obtained for free from brewers (p=0.044), the risk factor was lack of knowledge about pork cysts (P =0.007). There were 76% higher odds of pigs being infected with PCC when fed on free feeds from the brewer, 203% higher odds of getting PCC among pigs of respondents who had no knowledge of pork cysts and finally households with free roaming pigs had 58% higher odds of getting PCC. 5 seropositive pigs were procured at prevailing market prices from consenting farmers for full carcass dissection and were all found with cysts in their muscles. From the findings, there is need to train meat inspectors and ensure all carcasses are inspected at slaughter, deworming of humans should be emphasized to break the cycle of the parasite.
  • Item
    Prevalence of selected zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths and associated risk factors in free roaming domestic dogs in Kyegegwa District, Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2022-12) Namwabira, Aminah
    Gastrointestinal helminths remain the most important parasitic infections affecting dogs worldwide and pose a risk to animal and human health. Helminth infections are most common in free roaming domestic dogs and stray dogs due to limited veterinary care accorded to them. There is still inadequate information on these infections in most parts of Uganda yet their effective control requires area specific data. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of selected zoonotic GIT helminths and associated risk factors in free roaming domestic dogs in Kyegegwa district, Uganda. A cross section study was conducted, with a total of 283 faecal samples collected from dogs. Kobo collect data collection tool was used to administer a semi structured questionnaire to dog owners to collect data on the dog characteristics, dog management and household practices that may predispose dogs to helminth infections. The overall prevalence of zoonotic GIT helminths was 66.4%. Toxocara canis was the most frequently observed helminth with a prevalence of 41.7%, while prevalences of 21.9%, 21.6% and 20.1%% were obtained for Dipylidium caninum, Ancylostoma caninum and Taenia spp respectively. Upon Poisson regression multivariate analysis, use of dogs for herding (PR= 2.75, P=0.42 [0.01,0.90]), slaughter of animals at home (PR=2.0, P=0.042, [0.01,0.91]) and interaction of dogs with wild animals (PR=2.5, P=0.004, [1.34,4.80]) were identified as associated risk factors for Teania spp infections. Keeping dogs for the purpose hunting (PR=3.8, P=0.029, [0.08,6.65]) was identified an associated risk factor for Dipylidium caninum while keeping dogs for the purpose of companionship was identified as an associated risk factor for Toxocara canis. It can be concluded that the role or purpose for which the dog is kept has a great influence on its exposure to the different helminth species. The high prevalence of zoonotic GIT helminths in free roaming domestic dogs in Kyegegwa district indicates a potential risk to human health. Thus, veterinarians should play an important role of sensitizing dog owners about the effects of helminth infections in dogs, encourage them to regularly deworm their dogs and prevent or minimize zoonotic transmission
  • Item
    The role of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in the etiology of piglet diarrhea in Kayunga and Mityana Districts of Central Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2023) Obala, Tonny
    Pig production in Uganda is highly constrained by rampant piglet mortalities with diarrhea being a key feature. The present study was conducted to determine possible involvement of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli as agents of diarrhea in piglets and elucidate the factors for the spread of diarrhea. Virulence factors were also determined that can be exploited to develop mitigation strategies in the smallholder pig value chains in Uganda. This was a cross-sectional study carried out from January to August 2020 on pre- and post-weaned piglets from households in Kayunga and Mityana districts of Central Uganda, selected by snowballing method due to lack of precise information on location of pig farmers in the study area. Data about herd management and risk factors for diarrhea were collected from selected farmers in the two districts. A total of 179 faecal samples were collected from randomly selected neonatal and pre-weaning piglets for bacteriological isolation of Escherichia coli. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction technique was used to detect the virulence (enterotoxin and fimbrial) genes from the isolates. From the 179 faecal samples, a total of 158 (88.3%) E. coli isolates were obtained. Virulence gene markers were detected in 18.4% (29/158) of the isolates. Among the investigated genes encoding for enterotoxin production, STb was the most prevalent (16/158, 10.13%), followed by STa (12/158, 7.59%), while gene for LT was not detected. The gene coding for F4 adhesin was the only one detected while F18 adhesin was not detected from the isolates. On multiple logistic regression analysis, only tertiary educational level (OR=0.141; 95% CI=0.30-0.666; p=0.013) and infrequent use of antibiotics (OR=0.231, 95% CI=0.062-0.859; p=0.029) among the farmers, were the two factors significantly protective of the piglets from diarrhea. The 158 E. coli isolates were tested for their susceptibility to eight antibiotics using agar disk diffusion test. Overall, 98.1, 65.2 and 41.8% of the isolates were resistant to erythromycin, tetracycline and ampicillin, respectively. However, gentamycin showed low resistance to all the strains tested (1.3%). The most effective drugs against E. coli were gentamycin, ciprofloxacin and kanamycin. These are the drugs of choice that should be prescribed for treatment of piglet diarrhea in Mityana and Kayinga districts.
  • Item
    Seroprevalence and risk factors for brucellosis in cattle and humans in selected districts of Jimma zone, Southwest Ethiopia
    (Makerere University, 2014-09) Bashahun, Gebremichael Dirar
    A cross-sectional study was carried out in two selected areas of Jimma zone from February 2014 to May 2014 to determine sero-prevalence of Brucellosis and associated risk factors in cattle and humans. A total of 348 blood samples from cattle (174from Chora Botor district and 174 from Jimma town) and 48 human blood samples (24 from Chora Botor and 24 from Jimma town) were collected. The collected blood samples were screened using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT)and positive ones were further subjected to Complement Fixation Test (CFT) for confirmation. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20 software. The overall sero-prevalence of Brucellosis and demographic characteristics of the herd owners was performed using descriptive statistics. Chi-square test was used to determine association between explanatory variables and outcome variables.Results in cattle showed overall sero-prevalence of 1.4% and 0.3% as tested by RBPT and CFT, respectively. In Chora Botor district and Jimma town, the sero-prevalence of Brucellosis in cattle was found to be 1.1% and 0.6%; and 1.7% and 0% as tested by RBPT and CFT, respectively. In humans the sero-prevalence was 2.1% and 0% by RBPT and CFT, respectively. Retained fetal membrane was significantly associated with sero-positivity of Brucellosis in cattle (p=0.019). No statistically significant variation in prevalence of Brucellosis was found among the different location, age, sex, and herd size, breed and management system of the animals. The majority (97.6%) of the respondents had no knowledge and awareness about the zoonotic importance of Brucellosis. This warrants awareness creation about the zoonotic importance of the disease and transmission modes particularly to those high risk groups to minimize contact with animals and their products. Occurrence of the disease in both humans and animals in the study area warrants effective control using the One Health approach which is the most constructive strategy embraced.
  • Item
    Seroprevalence and serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus in apparently clinically healthy small and large ruminant populations in selected districts of the Karamoja Sub-Region, North-Eastern Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2024) Kansiime, Marvyn
    Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, sheep, and goats. It causes significant economic loss to the Uganda livestock industry due to livestock movement restrictions and trade bans. Despite these measures, outbreaks persist due to inadequate surveillance, poor vaccination strategies and inadequate vaccination coverage. This study aimed to determine FMDV seroprevalence and circulating serotypes in apparently healthy ruminants in the Karamoja subregion. Using ID Screen® ELISA kits that detect 3ABC FMDV NSP and not vaccine antigens, serum samples from 2,122 small ruminants and 2,400 cattle were screened. Positive samples were further tested for serotypes A, O, SAT1, and SAT2 using serotyping kits by Pirbright Institute. FMD seroprevalence in small ruminants was 20.6% [95% CI:18.9% - 22.4%] while that in cattle was 45.1% [95% CI: 43.1% - 47.1%]. Amudat district had the highest FMDV seroprevalence for both small [49.1%; 95% CI: 44.3% - 53.9%] and large [69.8%; 95% CI: 65.1% - 74.0%] ruminants, while Karenga had the lowest in both small [10%; 95% CI: 7.0% - 15.1%] and large [38.5%; 95% CI: 34.2% - 43.1%]. Age was strongly associated with seroprevalence of FMDV in both small ruminants [P <0.05] and cattle [p <0.001]. Similarly, Kaabong and Karenga [p <0.01] had lower odds of association with FMDV seropositivity compared to Amudat. FMDV serotypes A [84.7%] and SAT1 [60.1%] were most prevalent in small ruminants, whereas serotypes O [6.4%] and SAT2 [10.1%] were infrequently detected. Serotypes A [49.3%] and SAT1 [54.2%] were the most prevalent in cattle compared to O [7.2%] and SAT2 [5.6%] which were infrequently detected. The high prevalence of FMDV in Karamoja region indicates that FMDV is still an impediment to ruminant production in this region. This means that there is need to design and implement a risk-based FMDV control program involving cattle and small ruminant vaccination with vaccines made up of FMDV serotypes A, O, SAT1 and SAT2.The currently used FMDV vaccines contain FMDV serotypes O, SAT1and SAT2. They therefore don’t protect cattle and small ruminants against serotype A which is one of the commonly encountered serotypes in Karamoja region.