MSUIR Community:

The epidemiology of gastrointestrstinal parasites in painted dogs (Lycaon pictus) in Hwange National Park

Tauro, Takunda . T — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The epidemiology of gastrointestrstinal parasites in painted dogs (Lycaon pictus) in Hwange National Park Authors: Tauro, Takunda . T Abstract: An epidemiological survey was conducted on the prevalence and risk factors associated with intestinal parasites of African Painted dog in Hwange National Park between June 2016 and July 2017. Centrifugal flotation and McMaster techniques were employed to obtain comprehensive data on the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites observed in faecal samples collected from painted dogs. A total of 58 painted dogs were surveyed. Out of these, all were infected with at least one intestinal parasite and 10 parasite genera of gastrointestinal i.e. Alaria, Physolaptera, Isospora, Spirocerca, Dipylidium, Uncinaria, Toxoscaris, Toxocara, Taenia, Ancylostoma and Sarcocystis spp were recorded. Two parasites (Physolaptera and Spirocerca) have been reported for the first time in this study. Sarcocystis had the highest prevalence (28.2%) and intensity (629.18±113.01), while the lowest prevalence was for Physolaptera and Alaria spp (0.6% prevalence and 50± 0 intensity). Level of parasitism was statistically significant across all parasites species (F=0.036; p<0.05). The findings also revealed significant difference in intensity between packs (F= 0.037; p <0.05), no significant difference in level of parasitism between season (F=0.275; p > 0.05). Results were comparable basing on location but with no statistical significance (P=0.132). Coinfection was dominant with 82.8% dogs having multiple infection (>2 parasites) while 17.2% had single infection (<2 parasites). This coinfection affected intensity of parasitism with 27.1% of multi infected dogs having a heavy infection (>1000e.p. g) whilst 20% of single infected having a heavy infection. Overall, most parasite species were consistent with those found from studies in other regions of Africa and are likely a result of ingesting infected prey. The identification of two new parasite genera shows the scarcity of information on the subject. To our knowledge this study provides the most comprehensive survey of gastrointestinal parasite infection in painted dogs from this region to date and provides baseline data for future studies.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with fasciolosis in the southern region of Masvingo province

Mashate, Kudzai — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Prevalence and risk factors associated with fasciolosis in the southern region of Masvingo province Authors: Mashate, Kudzai Abstract: Fasciolosis is a zoonotic disease of economic importance caused fasciola species and intermediate host Lymnaeid natalensis. The research aims to bring awareness to the farmers on the economic effects of fasciolosis in the beef production as well as its economic effects to the public health .A study to investigate the prevalence of fasciolosis and its associated risk factors was carried out at Koala park abattoir in Chiredzi district Zimbabwe. A total of 20553 cattle were delivered at Koala Park for slaughter with the objective of finding out if there is an association between prevalence and animal breed, animal sex, season of measurement and area of origin. From the animals slaughtered between January 2016 and December 2017, 1584 cattle were detected positive with adult and immature fasciola species. The average prevalence was 7.7% (n=1584). This study proves that, there was an association between prevalence of bovine fasciolosis and animal sex, animal breed and area of origin with (p<0.05) while there is no association between seasons of measurement and prevalence of fasciolosis with (p>0.05). I recommendend that further research on disease prevalence should be intensified to facilitate its management and control. Further researches need to be done in the southern region of Masvingo province on the use of coprological examinations to compare prevalence of the disease with the post-mortem examinations in the abattoirs.

Diagnostic accuraccy of ehrlichia ruminantium test for heartwater screening in Masvingo district

Zhou, Witness — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Diagnostic accuraccy of ehrlichia ruminantium test for heartwater screening in Masvingo district Authors: Zhou, Witness Abstract: Background We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the Ehrlichia Ruminantium test (Post Mortem vs Direct Brain Smear) to screen for Heartwater in Masvingo District. Methods Between July 2016 and July 2017, cattle and goat carcasses were screened for heartwater (tick abundance, characteristic post mortem lesions and direct brain smear for microscopy). Sensitivity and specificity and predictive values of E Ruminantium were calculated using microscopy results as our gold standard. Epi info software version 7 was used. Findings 145 animal carcasses were selected, 101 were positive by post mortem examinations and 44 were negative by post mortem examinations. Samples had to underdo tentative diagnosis by direct brain smear in the lab. Among all the participants, sensitivity was found to be 88% and 82% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity was calculated seperately for cattle and goats, for cattle sensitivity and specificity was 91% and 70.3% respectively for goats sensitivity and specificity was 82% and 72.2% respectively. Conclusion The diagnostic tests used have adequate sensitivity for heartwater screening in this population.

A comparison of conception rates in naturally serviced and artificially inseminated Tuli and Afrikaner females as a reproductive performance indicator.

Dube, Sijabuliso — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Title: A comparison of conception rates in naturally serviced and artificially inseminated Tuli and Afrikaner females as a reproductive performance indicator. Authors: Dube, Sijabuliso Abstract: A study was conducted to compare conception rate between groups of 71 Tuli and 86 Afrikaner heifers and cows bred using artificial insemination technology and natural service method at Matopos Research Institute. Data on female ID number (ear tag), last calving date, parity, the breed of animal, breeding method (inseminated vs. natural mating) and pregnancy status were recorded. Binary logistic regression and cross tabulations were used for statistical analysis. Breeding method, breed, parity and last calving date were the predictors and pregnancy status was the dependent variable. The overall conception rate was 66.8%. Conception rate between Tuli and Afrikaner breeds, and between cows in different parity and calving interval groups were not significant different. However, the method of breeding animals significantly (P< 0.05) affected conception rate. More females became pregnant when artificial insemination (77.6%) was used compared to natural mating (56.8%). Conception rate was significantly lower in females with calving dates spanning more than one year (72.1%) compared to females with calving dates falling within 365 days (76.6 %). Heifers also showed a lower conception rate of 52.9%. The cows that had calving dates falling within 365days exhibited higher conception rate in both breeding methods. In conclusion, the study confirms that favourable conception rate can be obtained when the Tuli and Afrikaner breeds which are the common breeds in the southern part of Zimbabwe are exposed to artificial insemination technology, they exhibit comparable results to those bred with natural service method. As such, artificial insemination technology can be used as an alternative method of breeding or can be used to complement natural service in indigenous cattle of Zimbabwe.