Cattle In Uganda Research Articles

Occurrence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in fecal samples from children with diarrhea and from healthy zebu cattle in Uganda

Fecal samples collected from 237 diarrheic infants in Kampala, Uganda and from 159 healthy cattle from a ranch in the Central Region of Uganda were investigated for the presence of Escherichia coli O157 and other types of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). E. coli O157 were not detected in 150 stool samples from children which were cultivated on sorbitol MacConkey agar. A search for all types of STEC performed on 87 additional human stool samples with an enzyme-immunoassay for Shiga toxins (Premier EHEC) was also negative. Forty-two stool samples from infants were additionally investigated for enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) by DNA-hybridization with an eae-specific gene probe. Compared to STEC, EPEC were frequent and found in six (14.3%) of these 42 randomly selected stool specimens. We were further interested in the role of cattle as a reservoir for STEC in Uganda. STEC were isolated from 45 of 159 cattle from a herd in the Central Region of Uganda. STEC strains from cattle belonged to 16 different O- and nine different H-types and nine O:H types were identical to those found in bovine STEC from other continents. Only one bovine STEC strain was positive for the eae-gene, and O-groups associated with enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) types (O26, O103, O111, O145 and O157) were not found. Our report demonstrates that STEC are not frequent in urban children in Uganda, but domestic cattle were identified as an important natural reservoir for these organisms in this country.

Rinderpest vaccination responses among calves and adult cattle in Uganda monitored using ELISA assay

Responses to the Plowright Rinderpest vaccine by 43 calves and 70 adult cattle in Uganda in 1990, through the production of IgG antibodies, were monitored for 4 weeks using the ELISA assay. 80% of the calves were seronegative before vaccination of which 32% remained seronegative and 68% subsequently seroconverted at 2 weeks postvaccination. 20% of the calves were seropositive before vaccination but registered a decline during the 2nd and 4th weeks postvaccination. 50% of adult Ankole cattle seroconverted after 3 weeks postvaccination, while the other 50% of them, which were seropositive before vaccination, showed a decline in seronegative levels during the first 2 weeks postvaccination, but increased again at the 4th week. 90% of Friesian adult cattle were seronegative before vaccination; however, they all seroconverted within the 2nd week of postvaccination. The other 10% remained seropositive, with a slight decline of antibody levels during the 4 weeks after vaccination.

African Sleeping Sickness: Political Ecology, Colonialism and Control in Uganda

Based on an interplay of bio-ecology, medicine, anthropology, history, and sociopolitics, this work compares and contrasts the role of communalist traditional, colonial, and postcolonial agencies in the control or eruption of trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) in man and cattle in Uganda.

Characterization of trypanosome isolates from cattle in Uganda using species-specific DNA probes reveals predominance of mixed infections

The application of nucleic acid hybridization techniques in the identification of most protozoan parasites, using species-specific DNA probes, has recently been described by several investigators. Species-specific DNA probes have been employed in the characterization of trypanosome infections in cattle and tsetse from Uganda. Most infections revealed by our DNA probes were mixed. Using these probes, a mixed infection with Trypanosoma brucei, T. vivax and both savannah and Kilifi types of T. congolense was revealed in one cow. This mixed infection could not have been detected by any of the classical parasitological methods. Isolates made from natural field infections, which had been passaged in laboratory animals, were found to consist of homogeneous trypanosome species. This was demonstrated in all of 47 stabilates which were homogeneous infections either of savannah type T. congolense or T. brucei.

A comparison of energy flow among the grazing animals of different societies

Domestic cattle serve a variety of purposes in human society. In most cultures they are used primarily as a source of food: either meat, milk, or both. However, in some societies products such as blood and manure are important and elsewhere cattle are important draft animals or symbols of status and prosperity. Comparisons of energy flow in Indian, Ugandan, and North American cattle reveal how these different human strategies shape the energetics of cattle herds. Despite allegations to the contrary, Indian cattle appear to be rather productive when all consumable and nonconsumable products are considered. North American range cattle are considerably more productive than Ugandan cattle; however, the latter are efficient at maintaining high biomass. Other aspects of cattle energetics demonstrate the divergence in grazing strategies used by different peoples and the ecological efficiencies of these diverse strategies.

Field cases of East Coast fever in grade cattle in Uganda.

Case records were kept of 81 cattle suspected to be infected with East Coast fever. Microscopical confirmation was obtained in 66 animals and the fate of 65 of these was known. Forty-five cattle died or were slaughtered and 20 recovered. No significant difference in mortality was found in respect of age or grade. When the incidence of certain clinical signs in these two groups was compared, differences in respect of rectal temperature and observable vascular changes in certain visible mucous membranes were found. Enlargement of the superficial lymph nodes was the commonest clinical sign and the prescapular nodes were the most regularly involved. Drug treatment, where given, appeared ineffective. Among 20 recovered cases some were severely ill while others had very mild symptoms.

Grazing Behaviour of Exotic Dairy Cattle in Uganda

Grazing Behaviour of Exotic Dairy Cattle in Uganda

Haemotoxenus veliferus in Cattle in Uganda and Kenya

Haemotoxenus veliferus in Cattle in Uganda and Kenya

The Birth Weights and Gains in Weight to Six Months of Age of Uganda Cattle

The Birth Weights and Gains in Weight to Six Months of Age of Uganda Cattle

Reproductive habits and fertility of indigenous cattle to artificial insemination in Uganda

1. Records are presented of observations of the sexual behaviour of indigenous Uganda cattle and the fertility to artificial insemination.2. The mean cycle length found was 20·9 days,s.d.1·38 days. Mean length of oestrus was 2 hr. 14 min.3. Marked pro-oestrus and metoestrus periods occurred averaging 14 hr. and 11 hr. 7 min., respectively. The mean total length of time that cows remained attractive to the bulls was 26 hr. 21 min.4. The number of services and attempts to serve by three bulls was recorded and frequent small grunts were noted to be an important expression of excitement by the bulls.5. The highest percentage of animals conceived to artificial insemination when inseminated between 15 and 25 hr. after commencement of pro-oestrus.

An analysis of the Entebbe herd of Nganda cattle in Uganda

In the herd of Nganda cattle at the Government Livestock Experiment Station, Entebbe, Uganda, it was found that of the known environmental factors affecting milk production, the more important ones were age (in lactations) and length of the calving interval preceding the second and third lactations. The correlations between performance in different lactations of the same animal were high for lactation milk yield (0·73) and average daily milk yield (0·62) and low for calving interval (0·21) and dry period (0·15). The repeatability of lactation length was intermediate (0·42). The heritability values were around 0·3 for the weight measurements, around 0·2 for yield characteristics and around 0·1 for length of lactation and age at first calving.The sires used in the breeding programme at Entebbe made little impact on production performance in the herd. The estimated genetic improvement in milk yield through selection of dams of cows was also low. It is argued from comparison with results from other parts of the tropics that superior genotypes for milk production are difficult to come by among indigenous cattle in these areas and that we should therefore look for other opportunities and methods to move ahead faster in the future.

Some Observations on the Haematology of Zebu Cattle in Uganda

Some Observations on the Haematology of Zebu Cattle in Uganda

Stomoxys sp. on cattle in Uganda.

IT is common practice in Uganda to house cattle during the hottest part of the day, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (approximately 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. sun time), primarily to protect them from irritation caused by the biting fly Stomoxys sp. Although no factual evidence is available, it is generally assumed that where cattle are left out continuously much of the observed loss of condition can be ascribed to this annoyance. Were this housing unnecessary it might be possible to avoid, not only the added expense, but also the inconvenience caused by extra herding on extensive ranching systems.

62. The Haemoglobins of 211 Cattle in Uganda

62. The Haemoglobins of 211 Cattle in Uganda

Oestrus in Zebu cattle in Uganda.

DURING investigations into the possibility of artificial insemination of indigenous Zebu and Nganda cattle with homologous semen obtained by electrical stimulation, the œstrous cycles of an experimental group of heifers have been determined, using marked vasectomized bulls. The animals have been examined for evidence of service at 0700 and 1900 hr. local time. In two months, œstrus has been detected in five animals on fifteen occasions; but marking by the bull has never occurred on less than two occasions. These were recorded as of 12 hours duration (0700–1900 hr., and vice versa). Based on this marking of the females, three heat periods lasted 12 hr., nine lasted 24 hr., two lasted 36 hr. and one lasted 48 hr. Of this total, six (40 per cent) were first recorded at 0700 hr. (commenced during darkness), and nine were first recorded at 1900 hr. (commenced during daylight).

A Note on the Estimation of Liveweight of Cattle in Uganda

A Note on the Estimation of Liveweight of Cattle in Uganda

A Suspected Mineral Deficiency Amongst Cattle in Uganda

A Suspected Mineral Deficiency Amongst Cattle in Uganda

Turning Sickness, a Protozoan Encephalitis of Cattle in Uganda. Its Relationship with East Coast Fever

1. A specific disease of cattle is described which occurs sporadically in the East Coast fever areas of eastern equatorial Africa. Clinically, acute cases are characterised by peculiar nervous symptoms, absence of fever and blindness. Death occurs in most cases within 2 to 21 days of the onset of illness. Chronic cases are encountered from time to time and may survive up to 6 months.2. The disease is widespread in Uganda. It affects cattle of both sexes and all breeds, and is commonest in young stock between 6 months and 2 years of age. It has, however, been observed in older animals.3. Pathologically, in acute cases petechial haemorrhages or extravasations are found in various parts of the brain and meninges. Generally the haemorrhages are small and do not seriously injure the adjacent brain tissue. In some cases the extravasations are responsible for a considerable amount of damage.4. Microscopic examination shows that the brain lesions are due to extensive embolism of cerebral vessels. The lymphocytes which form these emboli contain in their cytoplasm protozoan bodies indistinguishable in structure from the schizonts of the genus Theileria. These bodies occur in great numbers in the brain, but are extremely rare or absent in the lymphocytes of other parts of the body.5. In chronic cases the haemorrhages have been absorbed but the brain is permanently damaged by replacement changes, and by the appearance of small cysts or cavities which contain a citron-coloured fluid. These cavities when numerous seriously disorganise certain parts of the brain.6. The disease has not yet been transmitted experimentally, and its connection with the theileriases is still uncertain. However, much evidence has been collected to show that cases of turning sickness have been infected with East Coast fever some time previously, generally on an average of 6–8 months.7. The possible relationship between turning sickness and East Coast fever is discussed at some length during the course of the paper.

Notes on trypanosomiasis of cattle in Uganda

Journal Article Notes on trypanosomiasis of cattle in Uganda Get access U. F. Richardson, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S. U. F. Richardson, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S. Uganda Veterinary Service Uganda Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Volume 22, Issue 2, 22 August 1928, Pages 137–146, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0035-9203(28)90005-X Published: 22 August 1928

An antelope trypanosome

Ten days after blood of a bushbuck, which was shot on the shores of the Victoria Nyanza, had been injected into a healthy goat, trypanosomes appeared in the goat's blood. The same species of trypanosome was present in blood smears made from another bushbuck and a situtunga, which were shot in the same neighbourhood. The small characteristic trypanosome corresponds morphologically to the one which was discovered in cattle in Uganda, and which was named Trypanosoma uniforme by the Royal Society Sleeping Sickness Commission, 1908-10. This is shown by curves representing the distribution, by percentages, in respect to length of the antelope trypanosome and Trypanosoma uniforme .