Gastrointestinal parasites are the major threats to camel production and productivity losses in pastoral communities of Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted starting from September 2017 to April 2018 in Administrative Zone three of the Afar Region, Ethiopia. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for gastrointestinal parasites in camels. Fecal samples were collected aseptically from the rectum, and floatation and sedimentation techniques were used to identify the parasite in the laboratory. Out of 450 fecal samples collected from camels, 76% (71.8–79.7) of them were harboring at least one parasite in their gastrointestinal tract. The majority of infections were mixed parasitic infections. Nematodes, trematodes, protozoa, and cestodes were encountered in descending order of their prevalence. Strongyle, Trichostrongylus, and Haemonchus eggs were the most frequently encountered parasite eggs. The occurrence of parasite eggs was statistically significantly associated with the age of the camels and their origin (
p
value <0.05). Older camels in the Amibara district were the most likely affected groups (OR = 2.34 (1.01–5.44)). However, the sex of the camels was not associated with the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites. Generally, the present study indicated a high prevalence of parasites which were economically important in the study area. So, awareness about the magnitude and control options should be given to the camel owners in the study area. Infected animals should be treated with effective anthelmintics like albendazole and ivermectin. Routine and scheduled deworming and good husbandry practices should be implemented. Further study on seasonal occurrences and species identification of the parasites should be studied.
Background
Among bacterial pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus which lives in the mammary gland is the leading cause of bovine mastitis worldwide, which causes enormous economic losses to the dairy industry.
Objectives and methods
The study was carried out cross‐sectionally to determine the occurrence of methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and the risk factors for mastitis infection in dairy cows in and around Adama from October 2014 to June 2015. This particular study included 384 animals. Milk samples were collected and screened with California mastitis test. Then bacteria were cultured and identified using biochemical tests and disc diffusion test was used to determine the antimicrobial sensitivity for MRSA.
Results
The prevalence of mastitis was 121 (31.5%). Among them, 37 cases (30.6%) were clinical mastitis and 84 cases (69.4%) were subclinical mastitis. Among these positive cases, 37 cases (30.6%) of S. aureus were isolated. The prevalence of mastitis was significantly related to the breed, age, floor type and sanitation status of the milking (p <0.05). The Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method was performed on Mueller Hinton agar medium according to NCCLS guidelines to test antibiotic sensitivity. The 32.4% of S. aureus isolates were resistant to oxacillin. Isolates of MRSA are more resistant to amoxicillin (75%), oxytetracycline (66.7%) and sulfa (50%). However, they were sensitive to kanamycin (75%), streptomycin (58.3%) and nalidixic acid (50%). Insufficient dosage, short treatment time and chronic infection in dairy cows in the herd are the main reasons for the large number of resistant strains.
Conclusion and recommendation
Generally, mastitis was prevalent in the area, and it was resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Therefore, hygienic, prevention and alternative treatment methods should be implemented.
Background: Ethnoveterinary medicine is a scientific term for traditional animal health care that encompasses knowledge, belief, practice and skill of the community used for curing diseases and maintaining health of animals. A crosssectional study was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires from September 2016 to August 2017 to gather information on the knowledge, practice and skill of the pastoralists and traditional healers about the importance and application of Ethno-veterinary medicine. Moreover, this study was conducted with the objectives of identification and documentation of major ethno-veterinary medicinal plants commonly used to treat camel aliments in Afar region. Result: A total of 146 traditional healers and pastoralists were interviewed for baseline and reliable information about Ethno-veterinary medicinal practice in Afar region. Accordingly, 99.3% of the respondents were men in which 66.44% of them were in the age range of 45-60. Majorities (76.02%) of the information's concerning EVM were obtained from the elders among which 84.93% responded that the overall EVM practice and status in pastoral society of Afar is decreasing. A total of 710 plant species supposed to have medicinal property were recommended by pastoralists to be used for the treatment of 49 different animal diseases. Among 64 plants specimen collected, Balanites aegyptia, Cissus rotundifolia (Forssk.) Vahl, Cadaba rotundifolia Forssk, Solanum sp, Acalypha indica L and Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karsts were the commonly used plant species with high fidelity value. Concerned with plant parts used, leaf (20.5%) was the most frequently used plant parts followed by root (19.4%), fruit (14.4%), seed (10.8%) and entire plant (8.8%). These herbal remedies were administered orally, nasally, ocular and topically. Conclusion: pastoralists and traditional healers in Afar region have immense indigenous knowledge and practices of treating sick animals which should be supported by scientific techniques for analyzing the active ingredients contained in each plant species and for evaluating the safety, efficacy and dosage of the commonly used medicinal plants. In addition, on station establishment of commonly used medicinal plant nursery for conservation purpose and to conduct in-depth phytochemical analysis is paramount important.
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