Municipal Abattoir Research Articles

Study on Prevalence of Rumen and Reticulum Foreign Bodies in Cattle Slaughtered at Shashemene Municipal Abattoir, Oromia Region, West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia

Across-sectional study was conducted on 384 cattle (375 male and 9 female) from November, 2015to April, 2016 at Shashemene Municipal Abattoir, Oromia Regional State, West Arsi Zone Ethiopia, with the objectives to assess the prevalence of rumen and reticulum foreign bodies, identifying types of foreign bodies and associated risk factors for the occurrences of foreign bodies. During ante mortem examinations detail information on individual animals were done for the assessment of age, sex, breed, body condition and their place of origin. Postmortem examination was employed for the recovery of foreign body from rumen and reticulum. From total of 384 cattle examined, 47/384 (12.24%) were found positive for the occurrence of indigestible foreign bodies in rumen and reticulum. When the prevalence was compared between sex, among different age groups, among different body condition score and site of lodgment higher prevalence of foreign bodies 44.5%, 36%, 80% and 11% were observed in female, age older than 10 years, animal having poor body condition score and site of lodgment respectively. There was highly statistically significant difference in the prevalence among sex, age, body condition score and site (P<0.05). Rumen harbored mostly plastic materials while reticulum was the major site for the retention of metallic objects. Plastics were recovered as the most common foreign bodies followed by clothes and leather. Therefore, continued awareness creation should be instituted in to the animal health care services to avoid the risk of foreign body ingestion by animals and appropriate solid waste disposal system need to implement in the study area to prevent health risk for ruminants and also to protect the environment.

The occurrence of Sarcocystis spp. in the myocardium of alpacas (Vicugna pacos) with associated risk factors in the Peruvian Andes.

Sarcocystis masoni n. sp. (known as "S. lamacanis") infects alpacas affecting their productivity and can cause a food poisoning syndrome in humans by consuming contaminated, undercooked cardiac muscle. There are few studies estimating the prevalence of this parasite in alpacas, although this information is crucial for the control and prevention of sarcocystosis. This study aimed to determine the frequency and density of Sarcocystis masoni n. sp. in the heart of alpacas in Huancavelica, a province of the Andean region of Peru. Heart samples were taken for histopathology from 104 alpacas slaughtered at the municipal slaughterhouse of Huancavelica, the official abattoir in the Huancavelica district. No macroscopic sarcocysts were observed. All alpacas (100%) had microscopic sarcocysts of Sarcocystis masoni n. sp., with no inflammatory reactions. The alpacas showed an average sarcocyst density of 60.8 ± 23.3/mm2. Sarcocysts density was significantly higher (p < 0.05) as the age of the animals increased. In addition, sarcocysts density was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in male animals aged 4 and 5years compared to females of the same age. These results confirmed that heart sarcocystosis is highly endemic in Peruvian alpacas. Therefore, it is recommended that alpaca hearts be well-cooked at the time of consumption. The present study showed current data and contributes to the knowledge of this parasitosis. Studies of this nature are necessary because they are the basis for developing animal health programs.

Cross Sectional Study of Small East African Goat Ovarian Morphology During Wet and Dry Seasons

Reproductive cycle of Small East African (SEA) goats in the tropics is characterized by a reduced fertility rate during the dry season. The reduced fertility rate has a negative impact on livestock sector development and the livelihood of rural communities. The current study was conducted to evaluate ovarian morphometric parameters and follicular atresia during dry and wet seasons. A total of 90 apparently healthy adult goats from Morogoro region in Tanzania brought for slaughter at Morogoro Municipal slaughterhouse were randomly selected for the study. Following the slaughter both left and right ovaries were collected for gross and histomorphological analysis. The results of morphometric analysis found that, length of right ovary was significantly higher than that of the left (p&lt;0.05). Histological analysis revealed a significant increase in the number of atretic follicles during the dry season when compared to the wet season (p&lt;0.05). These findings indicate that the reduced fertility rate in the SEA goat during the dry season could be contributed by an increased rate of follicular atresia

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Cysticercosis bovis in Bishoftu Municipal Abattoir, Central Ethiopia.

Cysticercus bovis has zoonotic implications with economic losses from organ contamination and treatment costs. In developing countries such as Ethiopia, where hygienic standards are low and residents customarily eat raw or undercooked meat, the disease is prevalent. A cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2021 to June 2022 to determine the prevalence of Cysticercus bovis in cattle slaughtered at the Bishoftu municipal abattoir, in central Ethiopia. Study populations for the active abattoir survey were cattle presented to the abattoir for slaughtering and routine meat inspection conditions. The organ namely the tongue, masseter muscle, liver, and triceps muscle were inspected for the presence of C. bovis. From a total of 330 cattle, 14 were found to be positive for C. bovis, with an overall prevalence of 4.24%. Based on the origin of the animals, the highest prevalence was recorded at Adama (7.27%), followed by Bishoftu (5.45%), Mojo (5.45%), Borana (3.63%), Dukem (3.63%), and Kaliti (0.00%). Similarly, out of 111 adults and 219 old-aged cattle slaughtered and examined at the abattoir, 4.5%, and 4.11% were positive for C. bovis, respectively. Among tested independent variables, sex, body condition score, age, and origin of animals had no relationships with the prevalence of C. bovis. From the detected organ, the tongue ranks first for the highest number of cysts, followed by the masseter muscle, liver, and triceps muscle, with total cysts of 6, 4, 3, and 1, respectively. C. bovis is a prevalent zoonotic parasite disease that causes carcass condemnation; an enhanced understanding of the health consequences of teniasis is required to protect the community.

Antimicrobial Profiles and Conventional PCR Assay of Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC) Isolated from Cattle Slaughtered at Bedele Municipal Abattoir, South West Ethiopia.

Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC) is considered the most prevalent food borne pathogen that has gained increasing attention worldwide in recent years. A cross-sectional study was carried out at Bedele Municipal abattoir on cattle that were reported healthy from detailed ante-mortem inspections and having various body conditions scores. A total of 516 samples were collected and examined after enriched in modified peptone water. Following an enrichment, the samples were plated onto MacConkey agar and then onto Eosin methylene blue agar. Finally after a few similar procedures, 14 E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) isolates were confirmed through latex agglutination test. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software. This study finding revealed that the overall prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 out of 516 samples was found to be 2.7%. However, on sample type basis, the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 from feacal samples, carcass swabs, butcher hand swabs and knife swabs were 4.7%, 3.3%, 1.1% and 1.1%, respectively. It was also found that that the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was significantly affected by age groups of slaughtered cattle (p<0.05). Moreover, in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility test result on average showed that almost all of E. coli O157:H7 isolates were highly susceptible to kanamycin and no resistance was shown to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Finally, the conventional PCR detection of stx1, st2 and hylA genes revealed that only 21.4% and 14.3% were found to contain stx1 and hylA genes respectively. To wrap up, this study showed that Shiga toxin producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) isolates were found with almost low overall prevalence rate from all sample sources in this study site. Therefore, improving abattoir facilities and slaughter house workers' personal hygiene are recommended to curtail E. coli O157:H7 meat contamination in this abattoir.

Isolation and Molecular Identification of Mycobacterium bovis from Slaughtered Cattle in Nekemte Municipality Abattoir, Ethiopia.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans as well as from human to human. Little research has been conducted on bovine tuberculosis prevalence and molecular characterization in the western part of Ethiopia. To investigate this, a cross-sectional study was conducted on slaughtered cattle at the Nekemte municipal abattoir between January 2020 and June 2021. A detailed postmortem examination, culture, acid-fast staining technique, molecular characterization using RD4 deletion, and spoligotyping were all carried out. Based on a detailed postmortem examination, the overall prevalence of bovine tuberculosis was 7.8% (80 of 1020). Mycobacterium isolation confirmed only 12.5% (10/80) of the suspected tuberculosis tissue lesions. With acid-fast bacilli staining, all Mycobacterium spp. isolates (n = 10) were positive. However, only 9/10 isolates were confirmed to be M. bovis with RD4 molecular deletion typing. Spoligotyping revealed that 55.6% (5/9) of the isolate patterns had previously been reported, but 44.4% (4/9) of the isolates were new. In the current investigation, it was discovered that 80% (4/5) of the M. bovis strains circulating in the cattle population of study regions were SB2233 (2/5) and SB0134 (2/5), whereas 20% (1/5) of the strains corresponded to SB1176, which is compatible with previously documented M. bovis spoligotypes. These findings suggested that M. bovis was the main cause of bovine tuberculosis in the study area and posed a risk of disease transmission from cattle to humans due to low levels of public health awareness. As such, improved awareness among citizens and the development of control policies are warranted.

Evidencia serológica y molecular de especies patógenas de Leptospira en rastros de bovinos del estado de Veracruz, México

Cattle raising is the most important livestock activity in Mexico, highlighting the fact that the Country is eight place worldwide in the production of bovine meat. However, cattle can be affected by leptospirosis (a bacterial disease caused by 17 species of spirochetes of the genus Leptospira), which cause reproductive problems that translate into great economic losses. Additionally, these zoonotic agents can cause a rapidly evolving febrile condition in humans, which can be solved after the first week of symptoms or could progress to develop a severe late-phase manifestations. Despite the great impact of these agents on the economy and Public Health, epidemiological surveillance against the infectious disease that cause is not present in municipal slaughterhouses (MS). Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify, using serological and molecular methods, the circulating Leptospira species in three MS in Veracruz State. The frequency of anti-Leptospira antibodies was 67.5%. Additionally, five sequences were recovered that were 99% similar to L. interrogans. This work represents the first national effort for the evaluation of MS as sentinel units, that allow establishing the diversity of species of the genus Leptospira that circulate in cattle and establishing intervention measures for workers risk mitigation, who come into contact with the fluids and organs of infected animals.

Detection of mecA gene in oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from cattle, pigs, abattoir workers in two municipal abattoirs and their antibiotic profiles

ABSTRACT Oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from the nares of cattle, pigs and abattoir workers, and their carriage of mecA gene as well as antibiotic resistance profile were investigated in this study. Nasal samples were collected from two municipal abattoirs in two states of Nigeria. Fifteen oxacillin-resistant S. aureus were obtained from 830 (cattle = 400, pigs = 400 and abattoir workers = 30) samples, out of which seven carried the mecA gene. Three of the oxacillin-resistant S. aureus that carried the MecA gene are from cattle, two from pigs and two from abattoir workers. They showed varying levels of antibiotic resistance, with 100% resistance observed with ceftriaxone. The presence of mecA gene in the oxacillin-resistant S. aureus suggests that cattle and pigs are potential reservoirs of resistant bacteria, and they transmit infections to human beings and the environment. This poses a great threat to public health.

Lesion Characterizations, Associated Risk Factors and Financial Implication of Zoonotic Hydatid Cyst of Dromedary Camels Slaughtered at Addis Ababa, Akaki Kality Municipal Abattoir, Ethiopia

Hydatid cyst, is zoonotic helminthic parasites of Taeniid families having significant economic crisis in the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to May 2022 to characterize hydatid cyst lesions, analysis of associated risk factors and estimate annual direct financial loss due to hydatid cyst infected organs condemnation during postmortem examination in dromedary camels slaughtered at Addis Ababa, Akaki Kality Municipal abattoir, Ethiopia. A total of 370 camels were purposively sampled and systemic meat inspection was employed to detect the presence of hydatid cyst. Out of 370 hydatid cysts like cases examined in different organs, 96 (25.9%) camels were found harboring hydatid cyst. The percentage of hydatid cyst in adult camels were 29.67%; OR= 1.54 while in young it was 18.55%. Likewise, the prevalence of hydatid cyst in poor, medium and good body condition score was 61.4%; OR= 10.79, 30.89%; OR= 3.30 and 12.11% respectively. Results indicated that age and body condition score had statically significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on prevalence of hydatid cyst. The overall prevalence of hydatid cyst in male dromedary camel was (14.59%; OR=0.83;) found higher than female (11.35%). The overall prevalence of hydatid cyst in camels originated from Borana, East Hararge, Jigjiga, Karrayyu, Matahara, Minjar-shenkora and Wollo were 9.18%, 0.54%; OR= 2.12, 4.86%; OR= 2.06, 3.51%; OR= 1.18, 3.78%; OR= 0.94, 1.08%; OR= 0.78 and 2.97%; OR= 1.31, respectively. Result indicated, origin and sex didn’t have significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on the overall prevalence of hydatid cyst. Out of 96 total infected camels, only 9 (9.38%) cases had hydatid cyst on both lung and liver while the remaining 87 (90.62%) cases had hydatid cysts only in single organs. Of 105 total infected organs, percentage of distribution of hydatid cyst in lungs, livers, spleen and heart were 87.61%, 10.47%, 0.95% and 0.95% respectively. Result showed that out of 105 examined organs of camels, 51 organs harboring less than three hydatid cysts number while 54 organs had greater than or equal to three hydatid cysts. Grossly, hydatid cyst of lung had a shape of cotton ball, implanted in lung parenchyma, filled with clear to slightly turbid fluid, soft and malleable to touch and inside white germinal layer while hydatid cyst on the livers was firm, calcified and strong when it was about to be cut off. Microscopically, hydatid cyst structure overlying organs had a fibrous layer on the external (pericyst), an acellular eosinophilic laminated membrane layer on the middle (ectocyst) and a germinal layer internally (endocyst) and protoscolices were also seen in a lung section. Fibrous layer had infiltration of epitheliod macrophages, lymphocytes and eosinophils showed inflammatory reaction response to hydatid cyst layer and cellular infiltration was lessened when they went away from hydatid cysts. Histopathology of lung infected with hydatid cyst displayed massive alveolar damage, some alveoli was emphysematous, congested capillary, hemorrhage and atelectasis in the fibrous layer. In hydatid cyst infected liver histology, there was hemorrhage, hepatocyte degeneration and cytoplasmic swelling with dilation of nucleus in fibrous layer. Microscopically, hydatid cyst infected heart had not a visible protoscolices and it had weak germinal and lamination layer followed by lymphocyte and epitheloid macrophages infiltration. The total annual direct financial loss due to hydatid cyst was estimated at 86,209.63 Ethiopian birr. Hereafter, this study helps to stress the economic consequences and pathological patterns of hydatid cysts at abattoir, and creation of public awareness and control of stray dogs in order to reduce infection by the parasite were suggested recommendation.

Animal diseases and zoonoses at a municipal slaughterhouse in Southwest Nigeria: Three-year retrospective survey (2014–2016)

Slaughterhouses are certified premises where animals are slaughtered and inspected to ensure meats are wholesome and safe for public consumption. To determine the common zoonoses encountered in a municipal slaughterhouse of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, a three-year retrospective study was conducted (2014–2016). During the review of slaughterhouse records, the overall throughput of cattle slaughtered was 146,794 (4077.6 ± 413.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3923.3–4206.7). Female animal slaughtering outweighed male ones at 5:1 ratio (p &lt; 0.0001). The highest number of cattle were slaughtered in December 2014, December 2015, and August 2016. Of all the total cattle slaughtered, the overall observed prevalences for bovine tuberculosis (BTB), hydatidosis and fasciolosis were estimated as 9514 (6.5%, 264.3 ± 81.7; 95% CI 236.6–291.9), 1851 (1.3%, 55.8 ± 17.3; 95% CI 49.9–61.6) and 845 (0.6%, median = 19.0; 95% CI 18.7–28.3), respectively. On average the highest number of BTB cases was reported in February-March, it declined slightly in October and increased again in November. Similarly, the highest numbers of hydatidosis and fasciolosis were observed in March and February, respectively. A significant (p = 0.02) mean variation of cases of BTB was found across the period and it was higher (p = 0.03) during the wet/rainy season in 2015. Our results emphasized the need to promote coordinated active surveillance for zoonoses detection and mitigation to ensure food safety at farm and slaughterhouse levels. Adequate record keeping for specific organ/meat/carcass condemnation is crucial at postmortem, as this represents a significant loss of animal proteins and revenues. Such data can be used for informed policy to intensify reduction in economic loss associated with animal diseases.

Occurrence of Gross Lesions and Cysts on the Lungs of Cattle Slaughtered At the Asella Municipal Abattoir, Ethiopia

A total of 384 randomly selected cattle were examined for the presence of gross lesions and cysts, according to standard inspection procedures for developing countries. Out of the total 384 male cattle presented for slaughter, 303 (79.3%) of the lungs of cattle had different gross lesions and cysts. Hydatid cyst (40.9%), emphysema (15.4%), congestion (12.2%) and calcification were the major gross lesions and cysts found in the lungs. Cattle with an older age (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.10–2.78; p = 0.018) and a poor body condition score (OR = 6.10; 95% CI = 2.29–16.59; p = 0.001) were more likely to have hydatidosis and calcified cysts than cattle with a younger age and a good body condition score. Furthermore, emphysema and congestion were more common in crossbred cattle (OR = 2.57; 95%CI = 1.19–5.28; p = 0.012) and younger cattle (OR = 2.87; 95%CI = 1.40–5.83; p = 0.004), respectively. The hydatid cyst was the most common cyst and the cause of lung condemnation in the Asella municipal abattoir. Therefore, better meat inspection procedures, proper lung disposal systems, and preventing the entrance of stray dogs to the abattoir would reduce the prevalence and transmission of diseases to humans.

Isolation, identification and antibiotic resistance profile of thermophilic Campylobacter species from Bovine, Knives and personnel at Jimma Town Abattoir, Ethiopia.

Thermophilic Campylobacter species are common cause of animal and human bacterial diseases with growing resistance to antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Campylobacter species from bovine, knives and personnel in Jimma Town, Ethiopia. Faecal samples and carcasses swabs were collected from cattle systematically selected from the annual plan of Jimma Municipal Abattoir. Personnel hand and knife swabs were collected after slaughtering each selected cattle. A cross-sectional study with systematic sampling method was conducted from October 2019 to September 2020 for the isolation, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of thermophilic Campylobacter species. Isolation and identification of Campylobacter species were performed according to the techniques recommended by the International Organization for Standardization, and in vitro antibiotic susceptibility testing was screened using the standard agar disc diffusion method as recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institutions. A total of 684 samples (171 samples from faeces, carcasses, knives and personnel hands, were collected independently). The overall prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacterspecies was 5.6% (38/684). Majority of the isolates were from faecal samples (12.9%, n = 22) followed by carcass swabs(4.1% n = 7), knife swabs(3.5% n = 6) and personnel hand swabs(1.8% n = 3). Isolated and identified species of C.jejuni, C. coli and C. lari accounted for 63.2%, 23.7% and 13.2%, respectively. The isolated Campylobacter species were found to be resistant to Cephalothin (100%), Ampicillin (60.5%), Cefotaxime (60.5%), Chloramphenicol (47.4%) and Tetracycline (42.1%). On the other hand, the isolates were susceptible to Nalidixic acid (86.8%), Ciprofloxacin (86.8%), Sulphamethazole (84.2%), Ceftriaxone (78.9%), Clindamycin (68.4%) and Cefixime (65.8%). 84.2% of the isolates showed multi-drug resistance for three-to-six drug classes. All the C. lari isolates were multidrug resistant. All the three isolated species of Campylobacter were resistant to Cephalothin, and most were multidrug resistant. Isolation of Campylobacter species from faecal, carcass, knife and hand swabs revealed possible risk of contamination and exposure to Campylobacter infection of those who consume raw meat. Therefore, enactment of hygienic practices during the slaughtering process, proper handling and cooking of meat and awareness creation on jurisdictional antibiotic usage are required to avoid Campylobacter infection.

Slaughter of pregnant cows in the municipal abbattoir of Pijijiapan, Chiapas, Mexico

Objective: To quantify the percentage of breeding heifers slaughtered and the stage of gestation of the product, in the municipal slaughterhouse of Pijijiapan, Chiapas. Approximation: A large number of breeding heifers are sent to the slaughterhouse due to various factors such as the few gestations diagnostic tests that are carried out in the field, as well as erroneous diagnoses. Another cause is the dry season, in which the forage capacity is reduced, and the producer must dispose of animals in his productive unit, including breeding heifers, thus decreasing the population of the cattle herd. This situation can be considered as an animal welfare problem. Methodology: The total number of cattle slaughtered in four months was recorded, as well as the number of females and it was recorded whether they were pregnant or not and the gestation period of the calf. Results: Cattle individuals (428) were slaughtered, of which 399 were females (93.22%) and 29 males (6.78%). Of the females, 211 (53%) were pregnant, 39.81% in the first third of gestation, 27.48% in the second and 32.22% in the third. Limitations: It is necessary to increase the period of the study and not only in this municipality, but also to implement similar research it in other slaughterhouses in Chiapas, in order to understand this problem better

Prevalence and distribution patterns of Sarcocysts in cattle carcasses slaughtered at the municipal abattoir of Tanta, Egypt.

Prevalence and distribution patterns of Sarcocysts in cattle carcasses slaughtered at the municipal abattoir of Tanta, Egypt.

Economic losses, morpho-molecular identification, and identity of Fasciola species recovered from Egypt.

A retrospective study to estimate economic losses caused by livers condemnation, due to fascioliasis, of slaughtered cattle and buffaloes in Egypt during the period of 2016-2020, was done. Moreover, a morpho-molecular identification of collected liver flukes from slaughtered animals in municipal abattoirs was conducted. Livers of naturally infected carcasses were obtained from slaughtered animals in Beni-Suef, Cairo and Tanta provinces, Egypt during 2019-2020 for phenotypic characterization of recovered Fasciola species and molecular identification of collected worms using PCR targeting the ITS-1 region. Findings of the retrospective study revealed that percentages of livers condemnation of cattle and buffaloes ranged from 0.79 to 0.66% during the period from 2016 to 2020. The highest percentages were detected in the south Egypt (2.5-6.0%) with the highest economic losses (261850-616300 USD annually). Morphometrically, collected flukes categorized into Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. No intermediate forms (Fasciola sp.-like) were detected. Sequencing analysis of ITS-1 PCR products showed that only Fasciola hepatica (26/34) and F. gigantica (8/34) isolates were found, with no intermediate forms, Fasciola sp.-like, could be identified. Currently, Fasciola hepatica was 100% identical with the Egyptian species (LC076196 and JF294998), French species (JF294999), and Iranian species (MF969009 and MK377150). Moreover, the obtained F. gigantica species showed 100% identity with Egyptian ones (LC076125, LC076108 and KX198619), Iranian (KF982047 and MF372919), and other GenBank specimens from Vietnam, Cameroon and India. In conclusion, South Egypt showed the highest economic losses due to fascioliasis, especially Aswan province. Fasciola hepatica was more common than F. gigantica, while the hybrid form was not detected.

Identification and Genetic Characterization of Fasciola hepatica Isolated from Cattle in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Based on Sequence Analysis of Mitochondrial (COI) Gene.

BackgroundIn Saudi Arabia, more than US$ 0.2 million annual losses are caused by liver condemnations due to fascioliasis. Data obtained from the genetic characterization of Fasciola population sheds light on parasite transmission which could eventually help in development of effective parasite control measures. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of Fasciola spp. isolated from cattle in Saudi Arabia by sequence analyses of COI gene.Materials and MethodsA total of 325 cows slaughtered at the central municipal abattoir in Jeddah city, Jeddah Province, Saudi Arabia were examined for fascioliasis in the period from 1st of June to 1st of July 2020. DNA was extracted from adult Fasciola worms and used for PCR and DNA sequence using a primer pair targeting COI gene. Analysis of the obtained sequences was done using BLAST search and phylogenetic analysis.ResultsBovine fascioliasis was diagnosed in 18 out of 325 cattle (5.5%). Forty-eight flukes were extracted from infected animals and DNA was successfully amplified from all flukes. Overall 12 different DNA sequences were obtained. BLAST search showed that all obtained sequences were F. hepatica and had >97% similarity with F. hepatica isolates from Tanzania, Europe and Iran. Phylogenetic analysis of the obtained sequences showed that Fasciola isolates from the current study were clustered in one subclade closely related to isolates from North and South Africa and Italy.ConclusionReports on the molecular characterization of Fasciola spp. in Saudi Arabia are limited. In the current study, our findings showed that F. hepatica was the only Fasciola species parasitizing cattle in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. Further studies using a large number of samples from different localities in Saudi Arabia are needed to provide data that will help the development of control measures against fascioliasis.

Descripción macroscópica y microscópica de ovarios de alpaca (Vicugna pacos) durante la etapa fetal

The aim of this work was to describe macroscopically and microscopically the ovaries of alpacas during the fetal stage. We worked with 18 female fetuses collected at the Huancavelica Municipal Slaughterhouse, from alpacas destined for human consumption. The process and analysis of the collected samples was performed at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - UNMSM, in Lima, Peru. Fetal age was calculated by measuring the biparietal diameter and divided into three groups: Group I (60 - 150 days), Group II (151 - 239 days) and Group III (240 - 335 days). The weight of the ovaries was 0.02 ± 0.01, 0.03 ± 0.01 and 0.03 ± 0.01 grams in the first, second and third group, respectively. The ovaries were paired, oval-shaped, with a smooth, cream surface, located in the sublumbar region at the level of the 6th and 7th lumbar vertebrae. The cortex and medulla were visible from the third month. Microscopically, in Group I, we observed oogonium, the distinction between cortex and medulla, unilaminar primary follicles, atresia and segmentation of the germ cells. In Group II, we observed preantral primary follicles. In Group III, we observed preovulatory follicles. We concluded that, from day 68 of the fetal stage of the alpaca, ovaries have macroscopic characteristics similar to those of an adult alpaca. Microscopically, they presented ovogonia, primordial follicles, unilaminar primary follicles, preantral follicles, preovulatory follicle, as well as the degeneration of the germ cells.

Evaluation of the microbiological quality of pork meat from the slaughterhouse in the municipality of imperatriz, maranhão

Nowadays, pork has been consumed more and more each year, so the interest in raising animals and meat production has increased. The microbiological alteration of the product, caused by the presence of undesirable microorganisms can lead to toxinfections for those who eat it. The objective of this work is to evaluate the hygienic quality and microbiology of pork in natura and was carried out in the Municipal Slaughterhouse of Imperatriz. Samples of pork samples randomly selected from the belly, rib and pallet regions of the animal carcass were randomly selected from 10 different animals. The samples were transported to the Laboratory of Microbiology and Health of the State University of the Tocantina Region of Maranhão, in iceboxes, soon after the collections, their analysiswere started. There were microbiological quality evaluation for total coliforms, and thermotolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. Positive samples of microorganisms were found in all analyzes. In view of the results achieved, such as total and thermotolerant coliforms, it has been found that measures such as the standard operating procedure should be applied more rigidly to improve the quality of the product in question.

Cystic echinococcosis in cattle slaughtered at a slaughterhouse in Gessa, southern Ethiopia

Cystic echinococcosis is caused by the metacestode of the zoonotic flatworm Echinococcus granulosus. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2020 to August 2021 at the Gessa municipality abattoir in southern Ethiopia, through regular meat examinations and cyst characterization to determine the prevalence, organ distribution, and fertility of Cystic echinococcosis. The overall prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato was 17.9% (69/384) and has shown a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) with the body condition of cattle but not with other putative risk factors (p > 0.05). The odds of poor body condition cattle infected with CE was 1.29 times higher than medium body condition (OR = 0.506; CI = 0.566–2.96). Based on organ distribution of cysts, the lungs and liver were the most affected organs having a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) with the prevalence of CE. Based on the size of cysts, small (47.9%) size cysts revealed the highest prevalence as compared with large (33.3%) and medium (18.8%) sized cysts. On cyst characterization, the majority of Cystic echinococcosis were sterile cysts (55.4%) followed by fertile (38.8%) and calcified (8.7%) cysts and revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Cyst number, organ localization, fertility of cyst, and cyst size have shown a strong positive correlation (r = 0.8686, r = 0.8393, r = 0.9506, and r = 0.9189) with the prevalence of CE, respectively. The presence of an overall high prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in the present study required urgent action to interrupt the life cycle of Cystic echinococcosis and further studies using molecular techniques to characterize the circulating genotypes to prevent the risk of zoonosis in humans in the study area.

In Vitro Anthelmintic Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Crude Extracts of Three Medicinal Plants against Haemonchus Contortus in Sheep at Haramaya Municipal Abattoir, Eastern Hararghe.

The current study was carried out to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of crude methanolic extracts of leaves of Croton macrostachyus and Nicotiana tabacum and rhizome parts of Zingiber officinale on nematode parasite, Haemonchus contortus. For these objectives, adult worm mortality assay (AWMA) was conducted on adult H. contortus to investigate the in vitro adulticidal effect of crude extracts from March to October 2021 G.C. The percentage yield of crude 99.9% methanolic extracts was 53%, 78%, and 44% for C. macrostachyus, N. tabacum, and Z. officinale, respectively. Phytochemical analysis using standard techniques was also used to detect secondary metabolites contained in the plants. The study revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and terpenoids in all extracts, which are considered to be the chemical components that are responsible for the wide therapeutic activities of several medicinal plants. In in vitro study, four graded concentrations of the crude extracts (500 mg/ml, 250 mg/ml, 125 mg/ml, and 62.5 mg/ml) were tested at regular time intervals, and parasite viability for 8 hours was recorded in triplicate. Albendazole (1.25 mg/ml) and distilled water were used as the positive and negative controls, respectively. At 4 hr posttreatment, the 62.5 mg/ml, 125 mg/ml, and 250 mg/ml concentrations of C. macrostachyus, N. tabacum, and Z. officinale extracts have caused significantly higher mortality (P < 0.05) compared to the albendazole. Methanolic extracts of C. macrostachyus, N. tabacum, and Z. officinale produced mortality of adult H. contortus significantly (P < 0.05) to the level of 93%, 83%, and 50% at concentration of 125 mg/ml at 4 hr posttreatment and meanwhile at 6 hr produced 100%, 100%, and 90%, respectively, at the same concentration. On the other hand, albendazole (1.25 mg/ml) killed 60% and 80% of the parasites at 4 hr and 6 hr posttreatment, respectively. Concentrations of all the extracts had showed a comparable and strong nematocidal effect on H. contortus having no significant difference with that of the positive control (P > 0.05) at 8 hr posttreatment period. Hence, the current study revealed that the extracts from three plants have potential anthelmintic effect, and we recommend further study on fractionating each component separately and validating the materials using other parasite developmental stages are warranted.