A cross-sectional seroprevalence study was conducted on cattle in the North and Adamawa Regions of Cameroon to investigate the status of bovine brucellosis and identify potential risk factors. The diagnosis was carried out using the Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT) and indirect ELISA (i-ELISA), while questionnaires were used to evaluate risk factors for bovine brucellosis in cattle. The Bayesian approach was used to evaluate the diagnostic tests' sensitivity and specificity. The overall individual level (n = 1031) and herd level (n = 82) seroprevalence were 5.4% (0.4–10.5) and 25.6% (16.2–35.0), respectively. Bayesian analysis revealed sensitivity of 58.3% (26.4–92.7) and 89.6% (80.4–99.4) and specificity of 92.1% (88.7–95.2) and 95.7% (91.1–99.7) for RBPT and i-ELISA, respectively. Management related factors such as region, locality, herd size, and knowledge of brucellosis and animal related factors such as sex and age were significantly associated with seropositivity of brucellosis. Zoonotic brucellosis is a neglected disease in Cameroon. The study highlights the need for control measures and the need to raise public awareness of the zoonotic occurrence and transmission of bovine brucellosis in the country. An integrated disease control strategy mimicking the one health approach involving medical personnel, veterinarians, related stakeholders, and affected communities cannot be overemphasized.

Abstract:A study was carried out in two villages and one marketplace of the Batibo subdivision in North-West Cameroon to determine the prevalence of porcine cysticercosis. The results showed that 4.44% of 383 pigs were positive at tongue examination whereas ELISA detected circulating antigens in 27.7% of 271 pig sera. A questionnaire survey in 140 pig raising households indicated that 59.3% of them lacked latrines while in 75.7% of the households members defecated directly into pigpens. The seroprevalence of porcine cysticercosis was significantly higher in households without latrines than in those with latrines. Similarly, significantly more seropositive pigs were present in households that defecated in the pig pens (35.5%) than in those that did not (14.4%). Although 91.4% of pig raising households did know of pig cysticercosis, only 28.6% were aware of the link with human taeniasis and only 10.7% were aware of human cysticercosis.

Une étude menée de mai à octobre 1999 dans le département du Mayo- Danay (extrême nord du Cameroun) et dans la préfecture du Mayo-Kebbi (sud-ouest du Tchad) a eu pour but de déterminer la prévalence de la cysticercose porcine et d’identifier les principaux facteurs qui la favorisaient. Elle a montré que les conditions hygiéniques dans lesquelles vivait la population ainsi que celles de l’élevage des porcs étaient très médiocres, avec pour conséquence des infestations massives de la population porcine par des cysticerques de Taenia solium. En effet, 42 p. 100 des 126 exploitations visitées étaient dépourvues de latrines et les porcs, en divagation permanente ou semi-permanente, avaient facilement accès aux matières fécales humaines déposées aux alentours des habitations. Le diagnostic clinique effectué par la méthode du langueyage a montré que 20,5 p. 100 des 852 porcs vivants examinés étaient porteurs de cysticerques. L’inspection des carcasses réalisée dans les abattoirs locaux a révélé que 15,7 p. 100 des 51 porcs abattus étaient ladres. Parmi les 264 sérums de porcs soumis au test Elisa pour la détection des antigènes circulants de cysticerques, 105 (39,8 p. 100) se sont révélés positifs. Ces résultats ont indiqué que le Mayo-Danay et le Mayo-Kebbi étaient d’importants foyers de la cysticercose porcine à Taenia solium.

Aim:The aim of the study was to assess the effect of udder morphological characteristics on milk yield in zebu cows of Cameroon.Materials and Methods:The diameter and height of the udder, length and diameter of the teat, and the milk yield were measured in 29 Djafun (Red Mbororo) and 19 Aku (White Fulani) cows in Louggueré zootechnical station in the North region of Cameroon.Results:Overall, strong positive correlation (rp=0.60) between the diameter (240.21±28.58 mm) and height (131.12±23.64 mm) of udders (p<0.001) and between length (39.51±6.44 mm) and diameter (19.85±3.08 mm) of teats (rp=0.78) were found in the zebu cows. Udder morphologic characteristics varied significantly (p<0.005) according to breed, lactation stage and parity, and height at whiters. There was significant (p<0.001) correlations between udder diameter (rp=0.541) and height (rp=0.549) with milk yield.Conclusion:This study ascertained udder morphological characteristics values in local zebu cows, and showed that udder size is strong and positively correlated to milk yield. The findings are useful in genetic improvement programs of zebu cows.

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