Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise Research Articles

Abundance and diurnal activity patterns of hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus Temminck,) in Addis Ababa abattoirs enterprise, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) is an African endemic scavenger listed as Critically Endangered species. The population is declining across its range and there is threat of significant decline in population and distribution in Ethiopia. Little efforts have been made to properly document the status of vulture population and their diurnal activity patterns in the country for ensuring long term conservation measures. A study was conducted in Addis Ababa Abattoirs enterprise, Ethiopia from November 2019 to January 2020 to investigate the abundance and diurnal activity patterns of hooded vultures. The abundance of these vultures was estimated by direct counts method at their feeding sites and scan sampling was employed to study the diurnal activity patterns of hooded vultures from dawn to dusk. Hooded vulture mean abundance was 216±40 at the abattoir. Their diurnal activity pattern showed that they were observed feeding, resting (perching, watching and basking), preening, roosting and others activities such as walking, drinking, chasing and flying. They spent 37.73% of their time in resting followed by others (including walking, drinking, chasing and flying) (27.73%). The major threat recorded for theses vultures in the abattoir includes shortage of food, human disturbances, negative attitudes and lack of awareness on the importance of the species. Further ecological studies and impacts of human activities on Addis Ababa Abattoirs enterprise should be conducted for the conservation of hooded vulture and other conspecifics in the area.

Prevalence and risk factors of swine tuberculosis in central Ethiopia

There is paucity of information in the epidemiology and pathology of tuberculosis in swine though the endemic occurrence of bovine tuberculosis was elucidated in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was employed to investigate the epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and Mycobacterium avium complex in swine. The study was conducted from September 2016 to December 2017 using single intradermal comparative tuberculin test, gross pathology and histopathology. Tuberculin test was carried out in farmed swine of central Ethiopia while the necropsy at Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise, Ethiopia. Of the total 329 heads of swine tuberculin tested by bovine purified protein derivative antigen, an animal level prevalence of 3% (95% CI: 2-6) and a herd level prevalence of 11% (95% CI: 1-49) were observed at a cut-off value of >2mm. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed the protective exposure effect of body condition to tuberculin test positivity in swine (Adjusted OR: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.0-1.1; P: 0.055). Swine were predominantly in close proximity with dairy cattle which is an important risk factor for the transmission of bovine tuberculosis from cattle to swine. Necropsy study of tuberculosis-like lesions in 640 heads of swine revealed an overall lesion prevalence of 4.1 % (95 CI: 2.8-6.0). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the occurrence of swine tuberculosis in low prevalence in farmed swine and swine slaughtered atAddis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise in central Ethiopia. Further in-depth study covering larger sample size and wider areas is warranted so as to identify the prevalent species and their zoonotic importance.
 Keywords: Abattoir; Epidemiology; Ethiopia; Pathology; Swine; Tuberculosis

Prevalence and associated risk factors of cysticechinococcosis in pigs slaughtered at Addis Ababa abattoir enterprise.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of cysticechinococcosis in pigs slaughtered at Addis Ababa abattoir enterprise.

Isolation, DNase-cross-Coagulase test and antimicrobial resistance test on <i>Staphylococcus</i> along beef abattoir line in Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Staphylococci are responsible for foodborne infection and intoxication with the spread of antibiotic resistance. The aims of the study were to investigate beef abattoir line contamination with Staphylococcal, to evaluate DNase test for alternative of the tube coagulase test, and to assess isolates drug resistance in Ethiopia. A total of 169 samples from slaughter environment, raw beef at inspection and at public supply along Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise line were examined for Staphylococci. The isolates were tested against DNase, tube plasma coagulase, and eight medicinal drugs. A total proportion of 35.5% (60/169) isolates with 13.6% S. aureus and 21.9% coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CNS) were observed. All sampling locations were found positive for Staphylococcus environmental samples ranged from 18.2% - 46.2% with no difference (p > 0.05) among locations. In raw beef, it was 23.5% at abattoir and 52.9% at butchers. Three (1.9%), 13 (7.7%) and 23 (13.6%) of locations were positive for S. aureus only, CNS only and both as a mixed, respectively. Of all 60 Staphylococci isolates, the DNase test and coagulase tests were in agreement for 56 isolates (21 for positive, 35 for negative) showing DNase test was strong agreement with the gold standard test (coagulase tests), kappa=0.86)). S. aureus was 38.3% but CNS was 61.7%. Resistant isolates were observed for trimethoprim (35.0%), polymyxin-B (33.7%), oxytetracycline (31.7%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (20.0%), chloramphenicol (8.3%), oxacillin (6.7%), and gentamycin (5.0%) but not for tetracycline. Thirty-one (51.7%) isolates were resistant for at least one drug with multiple drugs resistance (MDR) of three to six in 17 isolates. Contamination of all sampling locations with Staphylococcus including with resistant isolate to medically used drugs warrants the application of good hygienic practices along the abattoir line. Due to availability and cost effectiveness, DNase can be used as alternative to the gold standard, coagulase test, for diagnosis of Staphylococcus.Keywords: Abattoir line; beef; drug resistance; foodborne intoxication; Staphylococci

Cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered cattle at Addis Ababa Abattoir enterprise, Ethiopia

Cystic echinococcosis, caused by larval stages of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, is responsible for hydatid cysts in the lungs, liver and other organs of intermediate hosts. A cross-sectional Abattoir study was conducted from October 2015 to May 2016 at Addis Ababa Abattoir enterprise, Ethiopia. For this purpose a total of 1209 cattle were examined using the classical meat inspection procedure for the presence of hydatid cysts. An overall prevalence of 21% (254/1209) of hydatid cyst was recorded in cattle slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoir enterprise. The prevalence of hydatid cyst was statistically significantly higher (P<0.05) in cattle with the age group of >6 years than those cattle with all other age categories. The study showed that lungs and livers were the most affected organs of cattle. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher overall number of hydatid cysts were observed in the lungs (63.9%; 1324/2071) than in the livers (35.4%; 734/2071). The study revealed the presence of an overall of 84.1% (333/396) sterile, 12.2% (48/396) calcified and 4.3% (17/396) fertile cysts. Of the total of 17 fertile hydatid cysts tested for viability, 17.6% (3/17) viable and 82.3% (14/17) nonviable cysts were observed. Overall, findings of the present study showed the widespread occurrence of hydatid cysts in internal organs of cattle that possibly incur significant economic losses through condemnation of edible organs rendering unfit for human consumption. Molecular studies on the role of intermediate host species, genotypes of E. granulosus, zoonotic impact and economic significance of echinococcosis are needed in different parts of Ethiopia.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of S. aureus Isolated from Sheep and Goat Carcasses

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of food poisoning resulting from the consumption of contaminated food with staphylococcal enterotoxins. Raw meat is a good medium for the survival and spread of drug-resistant S. aureus. Objective: To look for the prevalence of drug-resistant S. aureus in Addis Ababa abattoir enterprise. Material &amp; Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to April 2014 in Addis Ababa abattoir enterprise. A total of 185 swab samples were collected from the carcasses of sheep, goat and slaughtering materials such as workers’ clothes, vehicles, knives and hands. Isolation and identification of S. aureus were conducted using the conventional culture methods and signatory tests. Antimicrobial sensitivity was conducted using standard methods. Results: The overall prevalence rate for S. aureus in the present study was 33%. The higher prevalence rates of S. aureus were recorded from sheep carcasses 36%, followed by 30% from the environment and 16% from goat carcasses. The variation in the prevalence of S. aureus between the carcasses and environment was not statically significant (p &gt; 0.05). More than 90% of S. aureus strains were sensitive to vancomycin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin and kanamycin. While 86.9% S. aureus strains were resistant to penicillin G 80.3% resistant to ampicillin, 63.9% resistant to ceftriaxone, 62.3% resistant to oxacilin, and 62.3% resistant to cefoxitin respectively. Conclusion: The present study indicated that the quality of slaughtered sheep carcasses was more contaminated by S. aureus as compared to goat carcasses, during slaughtering, processing, handling and transportation. The presence of MDR strain in the carcasses demonstrates that there is a growing need to control antimicrobial resistance in sheep and goat carcasses.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Salmonella Serovars Isolated from Slaughtered Cattle in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Salmonella is one of the top causes of foodborne bacterial illnesses in humans. The primary sources of human Salmonella infection are food producing animals such as cattle, poultry, and swine. A cross-sectional study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence and to determine the serovar distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Salmonella spp. isolated from fecal (n=567) and carcass swab (n=159) samples of slaughtered cattle at Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise and Kara'alo PLC, Abattoirs, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia between January 2014 and April 2015. Salmonella isolation was conducted according to Global Foodborne Infections Network Laboratory Protocol and isolates were confirmed by genus specific PCR and serotyped by slide agglutination test. Susceptibility of the isolates to 17 antimicrobials was testedusing the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Out of the total 726 samples examined, 27 (3.7%) were positive for Salmonella. Salmonella was detected in 4.1% (23/567) fecal and 2.5% (4/159) carcass swab samples. Twelve different serovars were identified and the most predominant serovars were S. Dublin (n=10, 35.7%) and S. Virchow (n=5, 17.9%), followed by S. Braendrerup, S. Haifa, and S. Saintpaul which were isolated from 2 samples each (7.1%). All of the Salmonella isolates investigated were resistant or intermediately resistant to four or more of the 17 drugs tested. High resistance rate was recorded to streptomycin 25 (89.3%), cephalothin 20 (71.4%), ampicillin 19 (67.9%), and amoxicillin+clavulanic acid 19 (67.9%). Resistance to five or more antimicrobials was detected in 20 (71.5%) of the isolates. Multidrug resistance to more than 7 antimicrobials was detected in 5 (17.9%) of the isolates. Isolation of such multidrug resistant strains of Salmonella from slaughtered cattle poses a major public health concern. These findings imply the need for a strict biosecurity and regulation of antimicrobial use across the country.

English

The present study was an endeavor to isolate and identify the various bacteria localizing pneumonic lungs and the associated tracheas of sheep slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise, Central Ethiopia, in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. A total of 60 pneumonic lungs and 60 tracheal swabs were examined bacteriologically. From all the samples collected, a total of 440 bacterial isolates (239 from the aerobic culture and 201 from the anaerobic culture) were obtained. The result of aerobic isolates include: Staphylococcus species (31.38%), Pasteurella hemolytica (29.71%), Bacillus species (10.04%), Bibersteinia trehalosi (6.69%), Micrococcus (3.77%), Escherichia coli (3.35%), Streptococcus species (2.51%), Rhodococcus equi (2.93%), Pseudomonas species (2.09%), Klebsiella pnuemonea (0.84%), Actinobacillus species and Bordetella species (1, 29%); whereas Staphylococcus species (26.87%), P. hemolytica (37.81%), Bacillus species (3.98%), B. trehalosi (10.45%), Micrococcus (3.48), E. coli (6.97%), Streptococcus species (0.5%), Rhodococcus equi (0.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.99%) and Actinobacillus species (1.49%) were among anaerobic isolates. Thus, isolation of multiple bacterial species from the respiratory tracts of pneumonic sheep in this study signifies their possible role in the involvement of respiratory diseases. Appropriate prevention and control methods should be established along with identification of the most pathogenic species by future studies. Key words: Bacteria, lung, pneumonia, sheep, trachea.

Indigestible Rumen Foreign Bodies - Causes of Rumen Impaction in Cattle, Sheep and Goats Slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise, Ethiopia

Indigestible Rumen Foreign Bodies - Causes of Rumen Impaction in Cattle, Sheep and Goats Slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise, Ethiopia

Major Cause of Organ and Carcass Condemnation in Apparently Healthy Small Ruminant Slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise, Ethiopia

Study was conducted from November 2008 to March 2009 to determine the major causes of organ and carcass condemnation and associated annual magnitude of financial loss at Addis Ababa abattoir enterprise. Out of 1052 examined sheep and goats 459 (43.6%) livers, 307 (29.18%) lungs, 130 (12.36%) Hearts, 108 (20.27%) kidney and 28 (2.66%) carcass were condemned. The major causes of condemnation were parasite 52.24%, cirrhosis (11.2%), hepatitis (9.2%) and mechanical damage (8.12%) for liver; pneumonia (32.2%), emphysema (19.5%) and hydatidosis (15.9%) for lung; pericarditis (43.07%), calcification (17.7), Abscess (5.4%), Cysticercus ovis (8.4%) and other (25.4%) for heart; nephritis (30.5%) for kidneys, abscess (50%), bruising (29%) and other causes for carcasses. Rate of condemnation due to hydatidosis was higher in the lungs (4.3% in sheep and 5.0% in goats) than in the liver (3.3% in sheep and 3.4% in goats) significant higher rate of liver, lung, heart, kidney and carcass condemnation were not observed between age groups (p>0.05), but significantly higher rate of organ and carcass condemnation were observed with in sex group of sheep (P 0.05). Total annual loss due to organ and carcass condemnation was estimated one million Ethiopian Birr (90909.09 USD). Result of the present work warrant immediate need for the prevention of causes of organ and carcass condemnation and pathological abnormalities through development of and animal health delivery, enforcement of slaughter policy, education of sheep and goat traders, and training of slaughter house personnel on standard slaughter operations.

Isolation, Identification, and Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing of Salmonella from Slaughtered Bovines and Ovines in Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Salmonellae are ubiquitous, found in animals, humans, and the environment, a condition which facilitates transmission and cross contamination. Salmonella enterica serotypes exert huge health and economic impacts due to their virulence or carriage of antibiotic resistance traits. To address this significant issues with regard to public health, availability of adequate information on the prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of Salmonella, and establishment of adequate measures to control contamination and infection are needed. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the level of Salmonella infection in slaughtered bovines and ovines at Addis Ababa abattoir. Samples were collected randomly and processed for identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Salmonella spp. From 280 animals examined, 13 (4.64%) (8 bovines and 5 ovines) were positive, with most samples (12/13, 92%) comprising Salmonella Dublin. Very high level of resistance to some antibiotics used in human medicine was detected. Most isolates were susceptible to gentamycin and amikacin. Nine (69%) of all isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Serotyping revealed 12 of 13 isolates to be of the Dublin serotype with 9,12:g,p:- antigenic formula. This study emphasizes the importance of improving the evisceration practice during slaughtering and restricting the use of antibiotics in farm animals.

Prevalence, Cyst Characterization and Economic Importance of Bovine Hydatidosis in Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence, cyst fertility and economic importance of bovine hydatidosis in cattle slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise, Ethiopia. The study revealed 20.16% (98/486) occurrence of hydatidosis based on the postmortem examination of 486 cattle slaughtered and examined. Prevalence of hydatidosis is significantly associated with body condition score (P 0.05). Of the 98 viscera harboring hydatid cysts, the highest 57(58.17%) were found in lung followed by liver 24(24.49%), kidney 2(2.04%) and 1(1.02%) heart. In addition, out of the total 361 cysts collected 63(17.45%) were fertile, 210 (58.17%) sterile and 88 (24.38%) calcified. During viability test of fertile cysts, 33.33% hydatid cyst viability rate was observed. The rate of cyst calcification was higher in liver (43.24%) than in the lung (11.43%). Based on the study, the direct annual economic loss due to organs condemned at Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise was estimated to be 345334.84 Ethiopian Birr. The present study showed higher prevalence of hydatidosis in Addis Ababa abattoir. Therefore to break the life cycle of hydatidosis, public education should be undertaken in addition to regular treatment of dogs and fencing the surrounding of the abattoir should be encouraged to reduce the spread of the disease.

Cystic echinococcosis amongst small ruminants and humans in central Ethiopia.

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in small ruminants and humans in Addis Ababa, central Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study involving systematic random sampling was conducted to estimate the prevalence of CE in 512 small ruminants (262 sheep and 250 goats) slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise between October 2011 and March 2012. Hydatid cysts were identified macroscopically during postmortem examination and their fertility and viability were determined. CE was observed in 21 (8.02%) sheep and 17 (6.80%) goats. In sheep 13 (4.96%) of the lungs, 10 (3.81%) livers and 1 (0.381%) heart were found to be infected with hydatid cysts. Involvement of lung and liver in goats was found to be 10 (4.0%) and 8 (3.2%) respectively, with no cysts recorded in the heart. Of the total of 77 and 47 cysts encountered in sheep and goats, 33 (42.85%) and 15 (31.91%) respectively were fertile. Viability of protoscoleces from fertile cysts in sheep (29 [87.87%]) was higher than in goats (6 [40.0%]). For humans, retrospective analysis covering five years of case reports at two major hospitals in Addis Ababa between January 2008 and December 2012 showed that of the total of 25 840 patients admitted for ultrasound examination, 27 CE cases were registered, a prevalence of 0.1% and mean annual incidence rate of approximately 0.18 cases per 100 000 population. Liver was the major organ affected in humans (81.5% in affected patients) followed by spleen (11.1%) and kidney (7.4%). Logistic regression analysis showed that prevalence of CE varied significantly in relation to host age in the small ruminants (OR = 3.93, P < 0.05) as well as in humans (95% CI, R = 4.8). This epidemiological study confirms the importance of CE in small ruminants and humans in central Ethiopia, emphasising the need for integrated approaches to controlling this neglected preventable disease.

Study on Prevalence and Distribution of Salmonella Isolates from Apparently Healthy Sheep and Goats Slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise,Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2010-April 2011 to determine the prevalence and distribution of salmonella isolates from apparently healthy sheep and goats slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoir enterprise, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 384 sheep and goats were randomly selected and examined for the presence of salmonella in liver, kidney, spleen, carcass, mesenteric lymph node and feces. Three hundred eighty four samples of liver (0.00%), kidney (0.00%), spleen (0.00%), muscle (0.00%), carcass (0.00%), mesenteric lymph node (1.9%) and feces (5.3%) were examined. The isolation and identification of salmonella were carried out according to the technique recommended by the Standard Technique. Out of 384 samples, a total of 4 (1.04%) salmonella were isolated of which 1.5% (n=200) and 0.5% (n=184) were from sheep and goats respectively. Out of the positive isolates, 2(2.6%) and 1(3.6%) were from faeces and mesenteric lymph node of sheep and 1(3.7%) was from feces of goats. The result revealed that there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence of salmonella between male (1.14%) and female (1.79%) sheep and male (100%) and female (0.00%) goats. There was also no statistical significant difference between adult (1.96%) and young (1.02%) sheep and also between adult (100%), and young (0.00%) goats. The prevalence of salmonella in sheep (1.5%) and in goat (0.54%) was not significantly associated (p>0.005). Finally, the result of present study shows that unhygienic practices of workers resulted in contamination of mesenteric lymph node and the possibilities of cross contamination between positive animal and healthy ones. Although the present study shows the low prevalence of salmonella in the study area, the important impacts of salmonellosis on sheep and goats' production and productivity should not be neglected. Therefore, emphasis should be given to control the disease.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Major Gastrointestinal Parasites of Pig Slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine prevalence and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) parasites of pigs slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise (AAAE) from October, 2009 to May, 2010 using systematic random sampling technique. A total of 390 pigs were sampled to assess and identify different genera of GIT parasites of pig. For this study, faecal samples were collected from a total of 390 pigs’ slaughtered in the abattoir while post mortem adult parasite recovery was done by incision of liver, removing intestinal content, opening of the cecum and colon. The collected faecal samples were examined by zinc sulphate floatation and sedimentation techniques for isolation of parasitic eggs and/or oocysts. Out of 390 samples tested in the present study, an overall prevalence of 61.8% GIT parasite was identified. Among the examined samples, 16.2% (63/390), 12.6% (49/390), 6.9% (27/390), 3.9% (15/390), 11.8% (46/390), 10.5% (41/390) were identified as Strongyloides spp., Ascaris suum (A. suum), Trichuris suis (T. suis), Oesophagostomum spp., Coccidia spp. and Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) ova/oocyst, respectively. The study had also revealed that about 11.28% and 37.69% pigs had harbored mixed and single infection, respectively. A Chi-square computed statistical analysis indicated that origin (χ2=3.5408; P>0.05), age (χ2=1.8628; P>0.05) and sex (χ2=0.0636; P>0.05) were insignificantly associated with the infection of GIT parasites in the study area. However, the prevalence of individual GIT parasite infections analysis revealed that both sex and age were significantly associated with the prevalence of Coccidia spp. (p<0.05) while origin was significantly associated with the prevalence of the nematode A. suum (p<0.05). An overall prevalence of 28.2% GIT parasites were identified upon postmortem adult parasite inspection. Our study revealed that pig GIT parasites were the major biological constraints contributing to the low productivity of pig and hampered the economic benefit obtained from the sector. Therefore, further detailed investigations are needed to formulate appropriate and cost-effective strategies for the control of gastrointestinal parasites in pig farms in Ethiopia.

Prevalence and economic importance of liver parasites: Hydatid Cyst, Fasciola species and Cysticercus tenuicolis in sheep and goats slaughtered at Addis Ababa abattoir enterprise in Ethiopia

This research was designed to determine the prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis,Fasciola and Hydatid cyst and to estimate the magnitude of the direct financial losses attributed to the condemned liver of sheep and goats slaughtered in the abattoir. Ante-mortem examination was done to determine the origin and age of animals slaughtered. Post-mortem inspection was conducted on a total of 1152 animals comprising 576 sheep and 576 goats and (288/1152) 25% livers were condemned due to parasitic induced gross lesions. From 176 (30.6%) positive sheep, 45 (7.81%) were infected by C.tenuicollis, 108 (18.75%) by Fasciola and 23 (3.99%) by Hydatid cyst. Similarly from 112 positive goats, 91 (15.8%), 13 (2.26%) and 8 (1.39%) C. tenuicollis, Fasciola and Hydatid cyst were recorded. Fasciola was leading cause of liver condemnation in sheep and C. tenuicollis in goats. Hydatid cyst was responsible for lowest condemnation rate. A statistically significant difference was observed between species and origin of small ruminants for Fasciola, C. tenuicollis and Hydatid cyst with P < 0.05. The abattoir’s financial losses due to condemnation of liver by parasitic induced gross lesions accounts approximately 157,684 ETB annually. Key words: Prevalence, liver, Fasciola, Hydatid cyst, C. tenuicollis, sheep, goats, Addis Ababa.

Prevalence and financial loss estimation of hydatidosis of cattle slaughtered at Addis Ababa abattoirs enterprise

The study was undertaken from November, 2009 to April, 2010, at Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise with the aim of determining the prevalence of bovine hydatidosis and to have realistic estimate of the financial loss attributed to organ condemnation as a result of hydatidosis disease. Of the 484 examined animals, 196 (40.5%) harbored hydatid cysts. Observation during the survey period also revealed that the infection rate among different age groups of examined animals were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) with the highest in old aged cattle (56%) followed by adult (37.11%) and young (9.3%). There was no statistically significant difference between infection rate and breeds, sex and body condition score of the animals. Of the total 474 recovered cysts from condemned organs, 197(41.56%), 127(26.79%), 37(7.8%) and 113(23.84%) were small, medium, large, and calcified, respectively. Of the total 474 cysts, 79(16.66%) fertile, 282(59.5%) sterile and 113(23.74%) were calcified cyst. Calcification was found higher in the liver than the lungs, while most of fertile cysts were recovered from the lungs. The financial loss from organ condemnation due to bovine hydatidosis at Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise was estimated to be 19,847,704.5 (ETB). It can be stated that hydatidosis is one of the most economically important cattle disease in the area warranting for serious attention. Key words: Abattoir, Addis Ababa, cattle, cyst, financial loss, hydatidosis, prevalence.

Gross and histopathological studies on pulmonary lesions of camel (Camelus dromedarius) slaughtered at Addis Ababa abattoir, Ethiopia

This study was carried out with the aim of identifying types of gross and histopathological lesions in lungs of camels slaughtered between October 2009 and April 2010 at Addis Ababa abattoir enterprise, Ethiopia. All camels were originated from Borana and Kereyu areas. A total of 387 slaughtered camel lungs were inspected during the study period. Of which, one or more gross lesions were encountered on 300 lungs. Lesions were further subjected for detail gross and histopathological examinations. The occurrence of pulmonary lesions was 77.5%. The gross and histopathological examination of these lesions had revealed 60.2% emphysema, 21.2% hydatidosis, 18.6% pneumonia, 10.6% atelectasis, 4.9% aspiration of blood, 3.9% pneumoconiosis, 2.6% pulmonary edema and congestion, 1.6% abscess, 1% pleurisy, and 0.8% granulomatous pneumonia. Most camels had one or more pulmonary lesions on postmortem examination, but they were apparently healthy during antemortem inspection. Therefore, the prevailing stressful environmental condition coupled with the existing poor level of veterinary service in camel-rearing areas of the country might reverse these hidden inactive lesions and thereby contributed for the higher occurrence of respiratory diseases in camels.

Bacteriological studies on pulmonary lesions of camel (Camelus dromedarius) slaughtered at Addis Ababa abattoir, Ethiopia

This study was carried out with the aim of identifying bacterial species involved in lung lesions of camels slaughtered between October 2009 and April 2010 at Addis Ababa abattoir enterprise, Ethiopia. All camels were originated from Borana and Kereyu pastoral areas. A total of 387 lungs were inspected during the study period, of which 300 (77.5%) possessed gross pulmonary lesions. Of which 72 lungs with lesions were processed for bacteriology and bacterial growth was observed from 50 of the pneumonic lung samples. A total of 54 bacterial species were isolated and identified. These included coagulase negative staphylococci (21.1%), Streptococcus species (19.3%), Escherichia coli (17.5%), Francisella tularensis (5.3%), Flavobacterium species (5.3%), Rhodococcus equi (5.3%), Bordetella bronchoseptica (3.5%), Aeromonas hydrophila (3.5%), Neisseria species (3.5%), Streptococcus agalactia (1.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (1.8%), Pasteurella trehalosi (1.8%), Pasteurella anatipestifer (1.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.8%), Micrococcus species (1.8%) and Mycobacterium species (5.3%). These pathogens could induce respiratory diseases under stressful conditions or predispose camels to other opportunistic infections.

Species composition, abundance and activity pattern of birds in Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise area

Studies on species composition and abundance of birds inAddis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise compound were carried out from March2006 to February 2007. Point count method was employed to record theabundance of individual bird species. Twenty one species of birds, includingthe endemic Wattled Ibis, White-collared Pigeon and Thick-billed Ravenwere recorded. Of the total species, 12 (57.14%) were regular, 4 (19.05%)were resident and 5 (23.81%) were irregular. The species compositiondecreased during the wet season due to the departure of migratory birds. But,the abundance of birds during the wet season was greater than during the dryseason. The most abundant species were hooded and African white-backedvultures. The activity time was from 06: 00 - 18:00 h during the dry season.The fresh dumping site was intensively disturbed by human activities,affecting the normal feeding behaviour of birds.