Background. Gastrointestinal helminth parasite infection is a major influencing factor against the profitability of working equines all over the world. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal tract (GI) helminths and assess the associated risk factors in donkeys and horses in the Hawassa district. A total of 214 fecal samples were collected from randomly selected equines (112 donkeys and 102 horses) and examined for the presence of eggs of GI helminths using standard coprological techniques. Results. According to the current study, the prevalence of GI helminths in equine was 78.5% (168/214) and the highest prevalence was reported in donkeys 92% (103/112) as compared to horses 63% (65/102). Out of 168 positive samples, the different species of parasites were identified, namely, Strongyle species 120 (56.1%), Strongyloides westeri 76 (35.5%), Parascaris equorum 54 (25.2%), Anoplocephala perfoliata 34 (15.8%), Oxyuris equi 20 (9.3%), Fasciola hepatica 18 (8.8%), Gastrodiscus species 12 (5.6%), and Dictyocaulus arnfieldi 4 (1.8%). There was a strong association between the prevalence of GI helminths and factors such as the species of equine, body condition scores, and feed type ( p < 0.05). However, no significant association ( p > 0.05) was observed between the prevalence of GI helminths and putative risk factors such as age, sex, housing, and water source. The coproculture performed on 30 pooled fecal samples revealed that Cyathostomes species, Strongylus vulgaris, and Strongylus edentatus were the major helminth parasites of donkeys and horses. Conclusion. The frequency of gastrointestinal helminths in equine species was high, especially in donkeys. Hence, strategic deworming using broad-spectrum antihelminthic drugs and a rotational grazing program should be implemented to control and prevent the diseases.
Introduction In-feed probiotics are becoming attractive alternatives to antibiotics in the poultry industry due to the ever-growing strict prohibitions on antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in animal production. Methods The study was conducted to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus paracaseis sparacasei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus on the growth performance of 120 day-olds randomly selected Sasso dual-purpose chicken. They were divided into four groups with two replicates per group and 15 chicks per replicate. The treatments were T 1 (control), T 2 (supplement diet with 4g probiotic), T 3 (supplement diet with 2g probiotic), T 4 (supplement diet with 1g probiotic). The experimental feeding trials were conducted after two weeks adaptation period. Results The present findings revealed that the chickens supplemented with Lactobacillus species probiotics during the first week of age have shown higher body weight than control ( p < 0.05). The feed intake of week one of T 2 and T 3 were significantly higher ( p < 0.05) than the T 1 (control). However, there was no significant difference ( p > 0.05) in feed intake in the 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , and 5 t h weeks of all treatment groups. The present result showed that there was a significant body weight gain ( p < 0.05) in all probiotic fed groups than the control group. The highest body weight gain was observed in chickens found in the T4 treatment group. Whereas the body weight gains significantly higher and improved the feed conversion ( p <0.05) in the T 2 and T 4 than the T 1 (control). However, the feed conversion ratio was significantly influenced by probiotic inclusion in T 3 as compared to the control group. Conclusion Overall, the results suggest that Lactobacillus paracaseis sparacasei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus have a positive effect on the growth performance of broilers.
This study was conducted between September 2012 and May 2013 in three Districts of Borana pastoral area to determine seroprevalence of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) and assess field performance of inactivated commercial vaccine, produced by the National Veterinary Institute (NVI) in Ethiopia, against CCPP. Both pre and post vaccination sera samples were tested using competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Out of 510 examined sera, 161 samples were positive for CCPP, giving an overall seroprevalence of 31.6% (95% CI = 27.57-35.64%) in the study area. Seroprevalence of 35.2, 35.1 and 25% were recorded in Arero, Dhas and Yabello districts, respectively. However, there was no significant difference (χ2=5.56, P=0.062) in seropositivity among the three districts and between male and female goats (χ2=0.068, P=0.794) examined in this study. On the other hand, the differences in seroprevalence among the age categories were statistically significant (χ2=24.48, p<0.0001). A rise in antibody (seroconversion) was observed after field vaccination of goats with inactivated CCPP vaccine and a total of 253 of the 414 examined sera samples were positive for Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp) specific antibodies, thus 61.1% of goats seroconverted following vaccination. Comparison of Mccp specific antibodies in the goat population before and after vaccination indicated that the number of positive reactors increased significantly (P<0.0001) following CCPP vaccination. Seropositivity following vaccination was analyzed among the three age groups and statistically significant differences (χ2=45.48, P<0.0001) were recorded. The change in the serum antibody after vaccination was found to be higher in younger and adult aged goats than old aged goats. In conclusion, the present study indicates that CCPP is one of the major goat health problems in Borana pastoral area which warrants appropriate measures to be in place towards the prevention and control of the disease. Moreover, field vaccination of goats by inactivated CCPP vaccine induced seropositivity in majority of the inoculated goats. Future controlled experimental studies with challenge infection after vaccination need to be conducted for further evaluation of the vaccine efficacy.
A cross sectional study design was used to determine the prevalence and species spectrum of major gastrointestinal parasites affecting camels; and to find out risk factors associated with this parasitic infestation in Yabello district, southern rangelands of Ethiopia. A total of 412 camels of all age and sex were examined between August, 2011 and March, 2012. Collected faecal samples were processed by standard floatation methods and then examined for helminth eggs. Coprological examination revealed that 73.8% (n=304) of the camels excreted helminth eggs/protozoan oocyst in their faeces. Six types of helminth/protozoan parasites eggs/oocyst encountered in descending order of prevalence were, Strongylus species 55.59%, Strongyloides species 13.82%, Trichostrongylus species 10.19%, Monezia species 6.91%, Coccidia and Trichuris species each encountered 1.32%. Single and concurrent infections with two or more parasites were recorded in 89.15% and 10.85% of the cases, respectively. Except for age and treatment factors significantly affected (P<0.05) the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infections, all the other factors like origin, sex, body condition score and health status have shown no significant effect on parasitic infestation. The high prevalence and wide spectrum observed in the present study suggests that helminth infection are widespread and may be a constraint to economic camel production, and there is need to institute control measures.
Babesiosis, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia, and ixodid ticks are considered to be one of the most important causes that result in significant economic losses in cattle production worldwide, including in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was undertaken in the Dasenech and Salamago Districts of South Omo zone Ethiopia to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of babesia infection and ixodid ticks of cattle using Giemsa-stained thin and thick film techniques and morphological identification keys for babesia species and tick identification, respectively. Out of 470 examined cattle, 102 (21.7%) were infected by Babesiosis (15.53% Babesia bigemina and 6.17% Babesia bovis). A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was observed between babesia infection and season and tick infestation. However, cattle that were infected with the Babesia parasite revealed a lower mean PCV value (21.49%) than noninfected cattle (28.29%) and showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference with the occurrence of Babesia infection. The overall prevalence of ixodid ticks was 53.8% (253/470) and revealed a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between the season and origin of the animal. However, no statistically significant association (p > 0.05) was observed between sex, age, and body condition score of the animal with the occurrence of ixodid tick. A total of 8040 adult ticks belonging to four tick genera, Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus), Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus, were collected from various body parts and identified. The high prevalence of Babesia infection and ixodid ticks in cattle at the study sites requires seroprevalence and molecular studies to identify the predominant Babesia species and to detect Babesia in tick hemolymph for the identification of tick genera responsible for the occurrence of Babesia infection. Additionally, tailoring suitable and coordinated tick management methods using chemotherapy as well as strategic treatment to overt clinical cases of bovine babesiosis is critical.
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