Epidemiology of bovine trypanosomiasis in the Ghibe valley, southwest Ethiopia. 2. Factors associated with variations in trypanosome prevalence, incidence of new infections and prevalence of recurrent infections

The incidence of new and the prevalence and persistence of recurrent trypanosome infections in cattle in southwest Ethiopia exposed to a high challenge with drug-resistant parasites

Epidemiology of bovine trypanosomiasis in the Ghibe valley, southwest Ethiopia 1. Tsetse challenge and its relationship to trypanosome prevalence in cattle

A deltamethrin 'pour-on' insecticide was applied monthly to over 2000 cattle exposed to a high challenge of drug-resistant trypanosomes and high tsetse re-invasion pressure in the Ghibe valley, south-west Ethiopia. Blood samples were taken monthly from an average of 760 cattle for determination of PCV and presence of trypanosomes. The area of the valley is approximately 350 km2 and the cattle grazed in roughly four locations covering about a quarter to half of the area. Two years before the trial commenced, Glossina morsitans submorsitans Newstead (Diptera: Glossinidae) began to invade the valley. Despite the use of the pour-on the mean apparent density of G. m. submorsitans continued to rise, and, during the 4 years of tsetse control, was more than three-fold higher than that recorded during the previous 18 months. Over the same period there was little change in the apparent density of Glossina pallidipes Austen (Diptera: Glossinidae). By contrast, the mean monthly prevalence of trypanosome infections in cattle over 36 months of age decreased from 38.3 to 29.0%, the incidence of new infections decreased from 26.6 to 16.0% (a reduction of 40%), and packed cell volume in cattle increased from 21.7 to 24.1%. Evidence of a change in apparent parasite transmission rate was demonstrated by regression of infection incidence in cattle on the logarithm of apparent density of G. m. submorsitans. Before the trial started the regression coefficient was 45.8 +/- 6.3 and this reduced to 9.2 +/- 2.5% incidence per log(e) (flies/trap/day) during the period of tsetse control. It was concluded that this indicated reductions in tsetse numbers in the immediate vicinities of cattle in a way that was not reflected in overall tsetse catches. Nevertheless, the comparatively high levels of trypanosome prevalence that persisted in the cattle demonstrates that, where invasion prevalence is high, treatment of small pockets of cattle will not eradicate tsetse. To achieve more significant reduction in trypanosome prevalence in cattle, integrated methods of control utilizing target barriers in the major routes of invasion will be needed.

In the Ghibe valley, south-west Ethiopia, a tsetse control trial using deltamethrin-impregnated targets was started in May 1990. The mean relative density of the main vector, Glossina pallidipes, fell from 2.1 flies per trap per day in the 12 months prior to introduction of tsetse control to 0.41 flies per trap per day in the 12 months after tsetse control was initiated. The annual mean prevalence of Trypanosoma congolense infections in cattle fell from 32% in the 2 years before tsetse control to 13% in the 2 years following deployment of targets. The largest reduction occurred in the first quarter of 1991 when the mean monthly trypanosome prevalence was 5%. There was also a decrease of approximately 75% in the estimated rate of relapse of trypanosome infections in cattle after treatment with diminazene aceturate. However, in June 1991, socio-political disturbances occurred in Ethiopia and were associated with substantial thefts of targets. Following these thefts, the mean relative density of G. pallidipes rose from 0.41 flies per trap per day in the period May 1990-April 1991, to 1.29 flies per trap per day in the period April 1992-March 1993. Associated with this rise, the mean trypanosome prevalence in cattle increased from 13% in the period May 1991-April 1992 to 28% in the period May 1992-April 1993. This was similar to the mean trypanosome prevalence in cattle during the pre-control period. Thus, while effective tsetse control methods can be used to reduce the transmission of trypanosomes their long-term impact is dependent on their sustainability.

Variations in packed red cell volume and trypanosome prevalence and relationships with reproductive traits in East African Zebu cows exposed to drug-resistant trypanosomes

1. An experimental study was made of the effect of drying-off by ‘stop’ or intermittent milking on the incidence of new infection in the early dry period of dairy cows. Ninety-one and ninety-seven dry periods were examined following the treatments, and the results were analysed on a cow and quarter basis.2. The incidence of new infection was similar for groups of cows dried off by ‘stop’ or intermittent milking.3. The quarters of cows that were not infected on drying-off showed a significantly higher incidence (P <0·05) of new infection following ‘stop’ than following intermittent milking.4. Of the cows that were not infected at the time of drying off, those which had a previous history of infection showed a significantly higher (P <0·01) incidence of new dry-period infection than cows that had not been infected before.5. There was a much higher incidence of new infection in cows that were already infected on drying-off compared with cows free from infection at that time.6. About half of all the new dry-period infections persisted until the next lactation, and about one-third of these resulted in mastitis in the affected quarter.7. The method of drying-off had no effect on infections that were already established in quarters going dry.8. The types of pathogen causing infection were similar for both methods of drying-off.9. The method of ending lactation did not affect milk yield in the lactation following the dry period studied.

Trypanosomiasis in cattle in Gambia: Incidence, prevalence and tsetse challenge

BackgroundThe state-of-the-art nutrition used for critically ill children is based essentially on expert opinion and extrapolations from adult studies or on studies in non-critically ill children. In critically ill adults, withholding parenteral nutrition (PN) during the first week in ICU improved outcome, as compared with early supplementation of insufficient enteral nutrition (EN) with PN. We hypothesized that withholding PN in children early during critical illness reduces the incidence of new infections and accelerates recovery.Methods/DesignThe Pediatric Early versus Late Parenteral Nutrition in Intensive Care Unit (PEPaNIC) study is an investigator-initiated, international, multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) in three tertiary referral pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in three countries on two continents. This study compares early versus late initiation of PN when EN fails to reach preset caloric targets in critically ill children. In the early-PN (control, standard of care) group, PN comprising glucose, lipids and amino acids is administered within the first days to reach the caloric target. In the late-PN (intervention) group, PN completing EN is only initiated beyond PICU-day 7, when EN fails. For both study groups, an early EN protocol is applied and micronutrients are administered intravenously. The primary assessor-blinded outcome measures are the incidence of new infections during PICU-stay and the duration of intensive care dependency. The sample size (n = 1,440, 720 per arm) was determined in order to detect a 5% absolute reduction in PICU infections, with at least 80% 1-tailed power (70% 2-tailed) and an alpha error rate of 5%. Based on the actual incidence of new PICU infections in the control group, the required sample size was confirmed at the time of an a priori- planned interim-analysis focusing on the incidence of new infections in the control group only.DiscussionClinical evidence in favor of early administration of PN in critically ill children is currently lacking, despite potential benefit but also known side effects. This large international RCT will help physicians to gain more insight in the clinical effects of omitting PN during the first week of critical illness in children.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01536275 on 16 February 2012.

Background: Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is a major contributor to bovine respiratory disease complex in dairy and beef calves, especially during the first year of life. There is a lack of comprehensive information about the prevalence of infection in cattle herds in Poland as well as in European countries outside the European Union.Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of BRSV infections in young beef and dairy cattle in southeastern Poland, a region that has direct contact with non-EU countries.Animals & methods: Nasal swabs and sera (n = 120) were obtained from young cattle aged 6–12 months from 45 farms in eastern and southeastern Poland. BRSV antigen detection in the nasal swabs was carried out using a rapid immunomigration assay used in diagnosing human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) infections in humans, while antibodies to BRSV were detected in the sera by ELISA antibody detection.Results: The study confirmed the presence of BRSV infections in young cattle under 12 months of age from both dairy and beef herds. BRSV was detected in 27 of the 45 herds (60%) sampled.Conclusions: Findings from this study indicate a high prevalence of BRSV infections in cattle in Poland, which may have a significant influence on health status and animal performance. The prevalence of infection is similar to that in other parts of Poland and other countries in Europe. Development of strategies to reduce BRSV infections is needed to improve health and productivity.

BackgroundTrypanosomiasis is a fatal disease that threatens the economy of at least 37 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly with regard to livestock farming. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of trypanosome infection in cattle, and molecularly identified the species of trypanosomes in infected cattle and the spatial distribution of trypanosome-infected herds along the Jebba axis of the River Niger.MethodsA randomized cross-sectional study was conducted along the Jebba axis of the River Niger by screening cattle from 36 herd clusters by nested PCR using ITS-1 generic primers. Data generated were analysed using the Chi-square test at a 95% confidence interval.ResultsMicroscopic examination revealed three infected cattle out of 398 examined, representing 0.8% prevalence. Twelve animals (3.0%) were positive by PCR. Our results showed a decline in the packed cell volume of infected animals (24.7%). The infection rates were categorized as single infection in 11/12 (91.7%) and mixed infection in 1/12 (8.3%). Animals were most frequently infected by Trypanosoma congolense (50.0%), with T. congolense Savannah being the most prevalent subspecies (71.4%). Aside from the infection rate by age (10.0%) and relative distance of animals from the River Niger (56.2%), statistical differences in every other parameter tested were based on mere probabilistic chance. Spatial data showed that the disease was prevalent among herds located less than 3 km from the River Niger.ConclusionsSix species of trypanosomes were identified in cattle herds along the Jebba axis of the River Niger, with T. congolense being the most prevalent. Age and relative distance of herds from the River Niger may be risk factors for trypanosome infection in cattle herds in this area.Graphical abstract

A comparative longitudinal study of bovine trypanosomiasis in tsetse-free and tsetse-infested zones of the Amhara Region, northwest Ethiopia

Randomized noninferiority study evaluating the efficacy of a postmilking teat disinfectant for the prevention of naturally occurring intramammary infections

Animal African Trypanosomosis is a Neglected Tropical Disease with significant impacts to pastoral community livelihoods. Our study sought to determine the influence of seasonal cattle movements on the prevalence of trypanosome infections in cattle in the pastoral areas of the Maasai Steppe. Identification of spatial and temporal dynamics of trypanosome infections in cattle is essential for designing effective control strategies. To identify potential hotspots of trypanosome transmission, we worked with 5 pastoralists in each of 3 villages in the Maasai Steppe of northern Tanzania, and consecutively sampled 10 of each of their cattle in 3 periods, covering both wet and dry season grazing ranges (July 2017 to January 2018).

Assessment of the effect of tsetse control on livestock productivity—a case study in northern Côte d'Ivoire

The prevalence of bacterial isolation and the somatic cell count (SCC) of the milk from goats ( n=110 from six herds) and sheep ( n=153 from three herds) was determined at parturition and approximately 40 days later. Incidence of new intramammary infection (IMI) and the spontaneous cure rate were determined over this time period. In the goats, 27.3 and 25.5% were infected at parturition and 40 days later, respectively, while 15.0 and 9.1% of sheep were infected at parturition and 40 days later, respectively. Incidence of new infection was 0.039 and 0.034 cases/half/30 days for goats and sheep, respectively, and did not differ between the species ( P>0.2). Spontaneous cure occurred in 93.8% of sheep halves infected at parturition but only 50.0% of goat halves ( P<0.05). Coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) were the most common isolates from both sheep and goats. Milk from bacteriologically positive halves had a significantly higher somatic cell count than halves from which no bacteria were isolated in both sheep and goats. It was concluded that bacterial infection of the mammary gland was associated with an elevated somatic cell count. Additionally, differences were detected between the species in incidence of new infection and spontaneous cure rate which resulted in a decline in prevalence in sheep, but not goats, with time postpartum.