Livestock Production In Countries Research Articles

Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of tick-borne pathogens in cattle from southern Malawi.

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose a major hindrance to livestock production in countries with limitedresources. Effective prevention and management of TBDs require a thorough understanding of disease vectorsand pathogens. However, there is limited information on studies of bovine tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) using molecular methods in Malawi. This study aimed to detect TBPs of cattle populations in southern Malawi, which has the largest cattle population in the country. A total of 220 blood samples from apparently healthy cattle were collected in six districts, and werescreened for selected TBPs using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The overall detection rate of TBPs was 72.3%. Among the detected pathogens, Babesia bigemina hadthe highest detection rate (34.5%), followed by Anaplasma marginale (23.2%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum(22.3%), Theileria taurotragi (22.3%), Theileria parva (15.5%),Anaplasma bovis (9.6%), Babesia bovis (7.3%),Theileria mutans (4.1%), and Babesia naoakii (2.7%). Among the positive samples, 64.2% were found to be co-infected with two or more TBPs, with the highest number of seven pathogens detected in a single sample. Thestudy documents the existence of A. phagocytophilum, B. bovis, and B. naoakii in Malawian cattle for the first time. The findings herein demonstrate a significant burden of TBPs on cattle in Malawi, which gives a challenge in combating TBDs. The high TBP burden, along with the high co-infection frequencies in Malawian cattle necessitates the urgency to implement effective control strategies to enhance cattle production in the country.

Serological detection of foot and mouth disease antibodies in apparenty healthy pigs within federal capital territory, Abuja

Swine production contributes significantly to the economic wealth of most farmers in developing nations including Nigeria. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been a highly contagious viral disease of agricultural importance in domestic ruminants and pigs, hampering livestock productivity in countries where the disease is still endemic. The study aimed to determine the swine FMD occurrence in order to elucidate the disease burden within Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and its environs. One hundred (100) sera were collected from Pigs and subjected to 3ABC ELISA test at the FMD Laboratory in National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom. The result showed that out of 100 sera samples tested for FMD antibodies, 26 (26%) were positive and 74 (74%) were negative. Sero-positive distribution showed sow/gilt (32.7%), younger pigs (57.7%) and local breeds (50%) were more exposed to FMD. Although, this was not significant (P>0.05). Questionnaire report further showed knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) of farmers was good, however, the absence of vaccination could be a contributing factor to FMD spread to other susceptible and between carrier livestock within the study area. This finding suggests an increasing occurrence of FMD in pigs within the Guinea Savanna Zone of North-Central Nigeria. In conclusion, FMD antibodies were detected in apparently healthy, unvaccinated pigs of all breeds, ages and sex slaughtered and reared in the FCT. Control efforts should be put in place to prevent possible transmission of Foot and Mouth Disease between pigs and cattle and other ruminants within and between herds, market and slaughter slabs.

A higher water-soluble phosphorus supplement in pig diet improves the whole system phosphorus use efficiency

Low phosphorus use efficiency in livestock production has contributed greatly to the unsustainable depletion of phosphorus rock reserves, and to subsequent impacts on the environment. In this study, we compared the effects of two contrasting water-soluble phosphorus supplements on phosphorus use efficiencies through the ‘rock mining – feed – pig – crop’ system, as this whole system analysis has not been explored in previous studies. Weaned piglets were individually fed one of eight different diets that were formulated using two water-soluble phosphorus supplements, a high water soluble (HWS) and a low water soluble (LWS) supplement, at different levels of inclusion in the diet, and production indicators were measured. The total phosphorus content and different phosphorus fractions were measured in the resulting manure, and in the soil following manure application. At the whole system level, the diet supplemented with 0.20%HWS increased average daily gain and apparent total tract digestibility of feed phosphorus by 21.9% and 21.7%, and reduced manure total phosphorus and water soluble inorganic phosphorus by 37.7% and 43.9%, compared with the 0.20%LWS amended diet. The 0.10%HWS supplement increased phosphorus use efficiency of the whole system by 18.1%, compared to 0.20%LWS supplement. These results suggest that a shift of pig feed supplementation from lower to higher water-soluble supplements could be an effective strategy for sustainable phosphorus use through the whole pig production system, and provides new insights for sustainable livestock production in countries with severe challenges from phosphorus shortages and pollution.

Serological Detection of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Non-Structural Protein Antibodies in Sheep Slaughtered at Gwagwalada Abattoir, Abuja-Nigeria

Small ruminants (Ovine and Caprine) constitutes a significant revenue generation component for small-scale livestock farmers across the globe especially in most developing nations including Nigeria. Viral diseases like Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a major contagious disease of domestic ruminants that hampers livestock productivity in countries where the disease is still endemic. However, the role of Sheep in FMD epidemiology in Nigeria is still underestimated and poorly understood. This study was aimed at establishing the occurrence of FMD in slaughtered Sheep at Gwagwalada abattoir. One hundred and eighty (180) sera were randomly collected from slaughtered sheep and subjected to NS-Blocking ELISA test using PrioCHECK® ELISA kit at the Foot and Mouth Disease Laboratory, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom. The result showed that out of 180 test sera, 29 (16.0%) were evident of NSP-FMD antibodies and 151 (84.0%) were negative. This findings indicates FMD infections were within and absence of vaccination against FMD in sheep. The consequence of co-herding of sheep as a risk factor in FMD spread and transmission within this study area could be far overwhelming. In conclusion, this preliminary finding provides information on the occurrence of FMD in all breeds of apparently healthy, non-vaccinated Rams and Ewes slaughtered in Gwagwalada abattoir. Control efforts should be put in place to prevent potential vicious circle of outbreaks that may arise from transmission of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus from slaughtered sheep in the abattoir to livestock markets and possibly herds within and around Gwagwalada Area Council.

Identification of Common Antigens in Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, and B. divergens

Bovine babesiosis, caused by Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, and B. divergens, is a significant impediment to livestock production in countries with tropical/subtropical and temperate climates. Previous studies conducted on the immunoprophylaxis against the disease and diagnosis of these parasites has demonstrated the presence of similar antigens. The objective of this article was to identify and partially characterize antigens conserved among these three species. Immunochemical analysis using sera from cattle immunized individually with antigens from these three Babesia species revealed a number of antigens recognized by heterologous antisera. Cross-reactions were more evident in sera from cattle immunized with B. bovis/B. bigemina which recognized several antigens (15 kDa to >200 kDa) in B. divergens. Immunoscreening of a B. divergens cDNA library with bovine serum to B. bigemina allowed the isolation of five clones and DNA sequencing of plasmid BdJF5 showed a 680 bp cDNA insert. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence revealed 47% identity with a protein identified as alphaNAC. Serum from mice immunized with a recombinant Glutathione S-Transferase-BdJF5 fusion protein immunoprecipitated a 20 kDa B. bovis antigen. However, 30 kDa and 18 kDa antigens were immunoprecipitated from B. divergens and immunoblotting analysis revealed the recognition of a 35 kDa B. bigemina antigen. An indirect fluorescence antibody assay on merozoites showed strong reaction with B. divergens and weak recognition of B. bovis and B. bigemina. Despite the existent antigenic polymorphism among the Babesia spp., these results demonstrated that common antigens occur between European B. divergens and Mexican B. bovis/B. bigemina.