Bulletin of animal health and production in Africa, 2017
A retrospective study was conducted to determine the temporal and spatial patterns of theileriosi... more A retrospective study was conducted to determine the temporal and spatial patterns of theileriosis in Zimbabwe and the factors that may influence these patterns. Data were obtained from the Department of Field Veterinary Services (DFVS) theileriosis database covering the period from January 2000 to December 2014. Temporal patterns were analysed through examining the monthly, yearly, and seasonal patterns. The spatial spread of theileriosis and its main vector over the study period was done by projecting the georeferenced records of cases and the tick vector into a Geographical Information System. The chi-square (X2) test for association and odds ratios (OR) at 95% confidence level was used to evaluate the association between theileriosis cases and seasons. The month of January recorded most cases, and the rainy season also accounted for the majority of cases (64%), with the hot-dry season recording the lowest number of cases (1%). The rainy season was also significantly associated w...
Papers presented at the Brucellosis research workshop, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Auditorium ... more Papers presented at the Brucellosis research workshop, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Auditorium Old Faculty Building, 13 – 15 May 2015.
MOHAN, K., MAKAYA, P.V. , MUVAVARIRWA, P. , MATOPE, G., MAHEMBE, E. & PAWANDIWA, A. 1996. Brucell... more MOHAN, K., MAKAYA, P.V. , MUVAVARIRWA, P. , MATOPE, G., MAHEMBE, E. & PAWANDIWA, A. 1996. Brucellosis surveillance and control in Zimbabwe: bacteri ological and serological investigation in dairy herds. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 63:47-51 Brucellosis in dairy cattle is endemic in Zimbabwe. The prevalence continues to be monitored inten sively. Only milk and serum samples are routinely screened. Attemp ts to culture Brucella spp. from clinical specimens are seldom made. Consequently, incidence of vari ous Brucella spp. within Zimba bwe is virtually unknown, despite the high serepositivity reported. Th is information is paramount in understanding the transmission cycle and is also significant to public health ; particularly as B. melitensis infects humans more often than do the other brucellae. This paper describes the results of bacteriological and serological investigations of brucellosis in a dairy from near Bulawayo. The said farm was selected for the present ...
Milk is regarded as one of the most perfect foods available on the food market worldwide. It is n... more Milk is regarded as one of the most perfect foods available on the food market worldwide. It is naturally a good provider of a whole range of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats, which are essential for growth, development and maintenance of the human body. However, milk can easily be contaminated by pathogenic bacteria such as Mycobacterium bovis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Staphyloccocus aureus. Milk contaminated by microorganisms usually becomes unsuitable for further processing since it cannot meet the consumer’s expectations in terms of health (nutritional value), safety (hygienic quality) and satisfaction (sensory attributes). Therefore a study aimed at estimating the total viable bacterial counts of raw and processed milk from selected smallholder dairy farms of Zimbabwe was carried out.
Plant remedies used in avian ethnomedicine are potential candidates for the development of phytog... more Plant remedies used in avian ethnomedicine are potential candidates for the development of phytogenic feed additives. An ethnoveterinary survey was carried out in 3 districts in Zimbabwe to document plants used in poultry ethnomedicine and identify plants that have the potential to be used for the development of poultry phytogenic feed additives. The survey employed questionnaire-guided oral interviews with 146 smallholder farmers. Key areas of investigation and discussion were poultry production and traditional knowledge in bird health care (ethnotreatments and poultry disease control). The survey documented a total of 36 plant species cited as being useful interventions for the treatment and management of various poultry ailments/health constraints. These medicinal plants belonged to 22 families, with the Fabaceae family the dominant family. The plant species were used to treat 11 disease/health constraint categories, with the highest number of species being used for coccidiosis. ...
Résumé Research Application Summary Assessment of milk producers’ awareness of milk-borne zoonose... more Résumé Research Application Summary Assessment of milk producers’ awareness of milk-borne zoonoses, prevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in selected smallholder and commercial dairy
A cross-sectional study was conducted to study the epizootology and diagnostic approaches of catt... more A cross-sectional study was conducted to study the epizootology and diagnostic approaches of cattle brucellosis in six smallholder cattle farming areas of Zimbabwe. Specifically, the seroprevalence and risk factors for brucellosis were investigated. Serological diagnostic tests were evaluated and bacteriological investigations of herds and characterisation of Brucella spp. were carried out. The overall mean individual animal and herd-level seroprevalences were 5.6% (95% CI: 4.4%, 6.8%) (81/1440) and 25.0% (95% CI: 18.1%, 31.9%), (52/203) respectively. The seroprevalence differed significantly (P<0.05) among the study areas. Young animals (2-4 years) were found to be 5 times (OR=5.0, 95% CI: 1.4, 16.7) more likely to be positive compared to old animals (>7 years). Animals in the age group 5.5-7 years were found to be approximately 5 times (OR=4.9, 95% CI: 2.0, 11.6) more likely to have aborted compared to those of the age group 2-4 years, but the risk subsequently decreased wit...
Plants are often justifiably used in folklore medicine. A determination of the antibacterial, ant... more Plants are often justifiably used in folklore medicine. A determination of the antibacterial, antifungal and anti-enzymatic activities of the extracts of Cissus quadrangularis, Adenium multiflorum and Erythrina abyssinica. Microdilution bioassays were used for both antibacterial and antifungal activities. Bacteria used are Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Brevibacillus agri and Staphylococcus epidermis. Fungi used are Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum canis. Non-radioactive HIV-RT colorimetric ELISA was used for the anti-reverse transcriptase activities. E. abyssinica leaf and A. multiflorum crude extract fractions exhibited the best antibacterial and antifungal properties. Ethanol extract fractions gave the best antimicrobial properties. All plants exhibited good anti-reverse transcriptase-1 activities. Erythrina abyssinica leaf extracts gave the best anti-tyrosinase activity follo...
This study was conducted to determine the amino acid profiles and rumen degradability of amino ac... more This study was conducted to determine the amino acid profiles and rumen degradability of amino acids of three cultivated forage legumes – velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and silverleaf desmodium (Desmodium uncinatum) – using the in situ nylon-bag technique. Two Friesian cows fitted with 10-cm-diameter rumen cannulae on a complete dairy feed ration (19% crude-protein dairy meal and maize silage) were used. Silverleaf desmodium had significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentration of amino acids compared with cowpea and velvet bean. Aspartic acid showed the highest (p < 0.05) concentration in all legumes and cysteine showed the lowest concentration. Legume forage of cowpea showed the highest (p < 0.05) level of degradability of amino acid followed by silverleaf desmodium and then velvet bean. Readily and slowly degradable components in all amino acids were highest (p < 0.05) in cowpea followed by silverleaf desmodium and then velvet bean. Moreover, silverleaf and cowpea showed higher (p < 0.05) levels of effective degradability of amino acids (at outflow rates p = 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06 h−1) than velvet bean. Total amino acid disappearance was the least in velvet bean, which suggests that it can be used to supply bypass protein to the duodenum of the ruminant animal.
Abstract Herbal medicines are considered an intricate and integral part of humankind's knowle... more Abstract Herbal medicines are considered an intricate and integral part of humankind's knowledge systems. Time has proven their efficacy and safety for both human and animal applications. Modern science, guided by indigenous knowledge systems can further optimize the use of various herbal products. To widen the current focus on herbal medicines, a study was carried-out to determine antioxidant properties, phytochemical and mineral contents of some medicinal plants used in ethnoveterinary practices in the management of animal wounds in Zimbabwe. The studied plants were Cissus quadrangularis L, Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ExDC. and Adenium multiflorum Klotzsch. Radical scavenging activities, antioxidant properties were determined using the DPPH and the β -carotene-linoleic acid model while the total phenolic content was determined using the Folin C method, flavonoid content using the aluminium assay and mineral content was investigated using the ICP-OES method. All extracts investigated exhibited radical scavenging activities and antioxidant properties, with C. quadrangularis leaf extracts exhibiting superior activities such as radical scavenging (EC 50 of 21.04 ± 3.00 μg/ml) and antioxidant properties (ORR of 0.03 ± 0.01). Variations were observed in the total phenolic, flavonoid and metal contents. C. quadrangularis leaf extracts exhibited highest amounts of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The E. abyssinica (bark) and A. multiflorum extracts exhibited moderate (40–70%) affinity for protein binding while the rest of the extracts exhibited high affinity. Their antioxidant properties, phytochemical profile and mineral content justify applications in animal wound management and many other human and/or animal uses.
Background: In the great Limpopo transfrontier conservation area (GLTFCA), there is an increased ... more Background: In the great Limpopo transfrontier conservation area (GLTFCA), there is an increased interface between wildlife and domestic animals, because rural households move their cattle into the game park in search of grazing and watering resources. This creates opportunities for inter-species transmission of infectious diseases, including zoonoses like brucellosis and tuberculosis, which may also pose a health risk to the local rural communities. This study investigated the awareness, perceptions and practices on zoonoses amongst rural cattle owners, commodity chain-and health-workers in three different localities around Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), Zimbabwe, where the interface between wild and domestic animals varies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Malipati, Chikombedzi and Chiredzi that are considered to be high-, medium-and low-domestic animal-wildlife interface areas, respectively. Data was collected from cattle owners, commodity chain and health-workers using a semi-structured questionnaire. To determine the public health risk of food-borne zoonoses, their practices with regard to meat and milk consumptions, and measures they take to prevent exposure to infections were assessed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and principal component analysis. Results: Most respondents (52.8 %, 102/193) were cattle owners, followed by health (30.1 %, 58/193) and lastly commodity chain workers (17.1 %, 33/193). Overall 67.4 % (130/193) of the respondents were aware of zoonoses with respective 48, 81.8, and 93.1 % of cattle owners, commodity chain, and health workers, being aware. Significantly more cattle owners (P < 0.05) from medium and low interface areas were aware of zoonoses compared to those from high interface areas. All categories of respondents cited anthrax (69.2 %), rabies (57.7 %), tuberculosis (41.5 %) and brucellosis (23.9 %) as important zoonoses. About half (46.1 %; 89/193) of the respondents perceive wildlife as important reservoirs of zoonoses. High proportions 98.4 % (190/193) and 96.4 % (186/193) of the respondents indicated that they consume meat and milk, respectively. Access to game meat and milk from informal markets was closely associated with consumption of raw meat and milk. Conclusions: Fewer cattle owners from a high interface area of Malipati are aware of zoonoses compared to other areas due to combined effects of limited education and other factors disadvantaging these marginalised areas. This may increase their risk of exposure to zoonoses, considering that consumption of raw meat and milk is common. Thus, awareness campaigns may reduce the public health impact of zoonoses at the interface.
This study examined the effects of adding forage legumes as protein supplements to poor-quality n... more This study examined the effects of adding forage legumes as protein supplements to poor-quality natural pasture (veld) hay offered to goats on microbial protein yield and nitrogen metabolism. Four indigenous Nguni-type goats were used in a 4×4 Latin cross-over design experiment. Goats were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments comprising commercial goat feed (GF), veld hay supplemented with cowpea (CW), velvetbean (VB) or silverleaf desmodium (SD). Microbial protein yields were determined using the purine derivatives technique and nitrogen retention was calculated from the digestible organic matter intake. Total nitrogen intake was significantly higher in the GF followed by CW, SD and VB, respectively. Microbial protein supply, calculated microbial true protein and digestible microbial true protein were affected (P<0.05) by legume supplementation. Animals on poor-quality forages had the most efficient microbial protein synthesis. However, supplementation of hay failed to meet the maintenance requirements of animals as evidenced by negative nitrogen balances in VB and SD. The efficiency of utilisation of nitrogen in the supplements could have been limited by unavailable fermentable metabolisable energy in the diets. Supplementation of poor-quality veld hay with legume forages could improve utilisation, especially in the dry season.
Anthrax is an important but neglected zoonosis in southern Africa and elsewhere which occurs natu... more Anthrax is an important but neglected zoonosis in southern Africa and elsewhere which occurs naturally in herbivorous wildlife and livestock. Fatal outbreaks in animals are spaced by potentially extended periods of non-activity during which the bacterium is maintained in soil. The ecology of the pathogen in the multi-host system and the environment is still not fully understood. This study investigated the patterns of anthrax in Zimbabwe in order to better understand the occurrence of disease in susceptible wildlife and livestock and hence its control. The study used available data in governmental reports between 1995 and 2018 and structured interviewer-administered questionnaires of local communities in three porous wildlife-livestock-human interface sites where livestock/wildlife interactions were documented from previous researches. Two non-interface sites were also included for comparison based on known previous anthrax outbreaks. Respondents from non-interface sites had significantly higher odds (χ2 = 23.2, OR = 3.5, 2.1<OR<5.8, p<0.001) of reporting anthrax outbreaks than their counterparts at the interface. Overall 20.0% (74/372) of the respondents reported that some anthrax carcasses were left to dissipate into the environment indicating a risk of environmental contamination. In livestock a total of 214 outbreaks with 2911 losses (mainly cattle) were recorded between 2000 and 2018, while 10 outbreaks with 3171 deaths were noted in wildlife. In humans 99 outbreaks were recorded involving 903 individual cases with 16 fatalities due to enteric infections following the consumption of infected meat between 2010 and 2018. Since its first incidence in wildlife in 2004–2005 in the south-eastern Lowveld of Zimbabwe, anthrax appears to be establishing endemic status along the Zambezi River basin. The disease has expanded spatially affecting 45 (72.6%) of the country’s 62 rural districts in a single decade. Thus, robust multi-disciplinary efforts are encouraged for surveillance and disease containment measures to minimize its impact on livestock, wildlife and humans.
In Zimbabwe, there have been no chlamydiosis and limited brucellosis studies in goats. This study... more In Zimbabwe, there have been no chlamydiosis and limited brucellosis studies in goats. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of the two diseases in goats at three different livestock–wildlife interface areas: porous, non-porous and non-interface in the south-eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe. Collected sera (n = 563) were tested for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and the complement fixation test (CFT); and for Chlamydia abortus antibodies using the CFT. All tested goats were negative for Brucella antibodies. Overall, chlamydial seroprevalence was 22%. The porous [c2 = 9.6, odds ratio (OR) = 2.6, p = 0.002] and non-porous (c2 = 37.5, OR = 5.8, p < 0.00001) interfaces were approximately three and six times more likely to be chlamydial seropositive than the non-interface area, respectively. Chlamydial seroprevalence was not associated with sex (c2 = 0.5, OR = 1.2, p = 0.5), abortion history in female goats (c2 = 0.7, OR = 1....
Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases, 2018
Bats carry a great diversity of zoonotic viruses with a high-impact on human health and livestock... more Bats carry a great diversity of zoonotic viruses with a high-impact on human health and livestock. Since the emergence of new coronaviruses and paramyxoviruses in humans (e.g. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Nipah virus), numerous studies clearly established that bats can maintain some of these viruses. Improving our understanding on the role of bats in the epidemiology of the pathogens they harbour is necessary to prevent cross-species spill over along the wild/domestic/human gradient. In this study, we screened bat faecal samples for the presence of Coronavirus and Paramyxovirus in two caves frequently visited by local people to collect manure and/or to hunt bats in Zimbabwe. We amplified partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes of Alpha and Betacoronavirus together with the partial polymerase gene of Paramyxovirus. Identified coronaviruses were related to pathogenic human strains and the paramyxovirus belonged to the recently described Jeilongvirus ...
The first outbreak on the African continent of infection with Aphanomyces invadans (the causative... more The first outbreak on the African continent of infection with Aphanomyces invadans (the causative agent of epizootic ulcerative syndrome) in fish was confirmed in the Chobe-Zambezi rivers in 2007. The emergence of massive outbreaks of infection with A. invadans in multiple fish species exposed serious aquatic biosecurity challenges in the Southern African region. This study investigated the incursion of infection with A. invadans in fish from the main aquatic ecosystems of Zimbabwe from 2012 to 2015 using data obtained from the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services, Zimbabwe. In some outbreaks, fish samples were collected and tested at the University of Zambia, for confirmation by histopathology and species-specific PCR. The infection was first confirmed at Darwendale water impoundment (Mashonaland West Province) in 2012, followed by Matabeleland South Province at Mtshabezi water impoundment and Nkankezi River (both 2013). An apparent southward spread continued in 2014, wi...
Tropical animal health and production, Jan 20, 2018
A study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Chlamydia ... more A study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Chlamydia abortus infection in cattle and some selected wildlife species at selected interface areas at the periphery of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area in Zimbabwe. Three study sites were selected based on the type of livestock-wildlife interface, porous livestock-wildlife interface (unrestricted), non-porous livestock-wildlife interface (restricted by fencing), and livestock-wildlife non-interface (totally absent or control). Sera were collected from cattle aged ≥ 2 years representing both female and intact male. Sera were also collected from selected wild ungulates from Mabalauta (porous interface) and Chipinda Pools (non-interface) areas of the Gonarezhou National Park. Sera were tested for antibodies to Chlamydia abortus using a CFT. A X test was used to assess differences between categories and p < 0.05 was considered as significant. In cattle, the overall seroprevalence...
A study was conducted to investigate seroprevalence and risk factors for Brucella species infecti... more A study was conducted to investigate seroprevalence and risk factors for Brucella species infection in cattle and some wildlife species in communities living at the periphery of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area in south eastern Zimbabwe. Three study sites were selected based on the type of livestock-wildlife interface: porous livestock-wildlife interface (unrestricted); non-porous livestock-wildlife interface (restricted by fencing); and livestock-wildlife non-interface (totally absent or control). Sera were collected from cattle aged≥2years representing both female and intact male animals. Sera were also collected from selected wild ungulates from Mabalauta (porous interface) and Chipinda (non-interface) areas of the Gonarezhou National Park. Samples were screened for Brucellaantibodies using the Rose Bengal plate test and confirmed by the complement fixation test. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression modelling. In cattle, brucellosis seroprevalence from all areas was 16.7% (169/1011; 95% CI: 14.5-19.2%). The porous interface recorded a significantly (p=0.03) higher seroprevalence (19.5%; 95% CI: 16.1-23.4%) compared to the non-interface area (13.0%; 95% CI: 9.2-19.9%).The odds of Brucellaseropositivity increased progressively with parity of animals and were also three times higher (OR=3.0, 2.0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;OR&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;4.6, p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.0001) in cows with history of abortion compared to those without.Brucella antibodies were detected in buffaloes; 20.7% (95% CI: 13.9-29.7%) form both study sites, but no antibodies were detected from impalas and kudus. These results highlight the importance of porous interface in the interspecies transmission of Brucella species and that independent infections may be maintained in buffalo populations. Thus, brucellosis control aimed at limiting animal inter-species mixing may help reduce the risk of human brucellosis in interface areas. Further studies should aim at establishing subspecies identity and direction of possible transmission of brucellosis between wildlife and livestock.
Bulletin of animal health and production in Africa, 2017
A retrospective study was conducted to determine the temporal and spatial patterns of theileriosi... more A retrospective study was conducted to determine the temporal and spatial patterns of theileriosis in Zimbabwe and the factors that may influence these patterns. Data were obtained from the Department of Field Veterinary Services (DFVS) theileriosis database covering the period from January 2000 to December 2014. Temporal patterns were analysed through examining the monthly, yearly, and seasonal patterns. The spatial spread of theileriosis and its main vector over the study period was done by projecting the georeferenced records of cases and the tick vector into a Geographical Information System. The chi-square (X2) test for association and odds ratios (OR) at 95% confidence level was used to evaluate the association between theileriosis cases and seasons. The month of January recorded most cases, and the rainy season also accounted for the majority of cases (64%), with the hot-dry season recording the lowest number of cases (1%). The rainy season was also significantly associated w...
Papers presented at the Brucellosis research workshop, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Auditorium ... more Papers presented at the Brucellosis research workshop, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Auditorium Old Faculty Building, 13 – 15 May 2015.
MOHAN, K., MAKAYA, P.V. , MUVAVARIRWA, P. , MATOPE, G., MAHEMBE, E. & PAWANDIWA, A. 1996. Brucell... more MOHAN, K., MAKAYA, P.V. , MUVAVARIRWA, P. , MATOPE, G., MAHEMBE, E. & PAWANDIWA, A. 1996. Brucellosis surveillance and control in Zimbabwe: bacteri ological and serological investigation in dairy herds. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 63:47-51 Brucellosis in dairy cattle is endemic in Zimbabwe. The prevalence continues to be monitored inten sively. Only milk and serum samples are routinely screened. Attemp ts to culture Brucella spp. from clinical specimens are seldom made. Consequently, incidence of vari ous Brucella spp. within Zimba bwe is virtually unknown, despite the high serepositivity reported. Th is information is paramount in understanding the transmission cycle and is also significant to public health ; particularly as B. melitensis infects humans more often than do the other brucellae. This paper describes the results of bacteriological and serological investigations of brucellosis in a dairy from near Bulawayo. The said farm was selected for the present ...
Milk is regarded as one of the most perfect foods available on the food market worldwide. It is n... more Milk is regarded as one of the most perfect foods available on the food market worldwide. It is naturally a good provider of a whole range of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats, which are essential for growth, development and maintenance of the human body. However, milk can easily be contaminated by pathogenic bacteria such as Mycobacterium bovis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Staphyloccocus aureus. Milk contaminated by microorganisms usually becomes unsuitable for further processing since it cannot meet the consumer’s expectations in terms of health (nutritional value), safety (hygienic quality) and satisfaction (sensory attributes). Therefore a study aimed at estimating the total viable bacterial counts of raw and processed milk from selected smallholder dairy farms of Zimbabwe was carried out.
Plant remedies used in avian ethnomedicine are potential candidates for the development of phytog... more Plant remedies used in avian ethnomedicine are potential candidates for the development of phytogenic feed additives. An ethnoveterinary survey was carried out in 3 districts in Zimbabwe to document plants used in poultry ethnomedicine and identify plants that have the potential to be used for the development of poultry phytogenic feed additives. The survey employed questionnaire-guided oral interviews with 146 smallholder farmers. Key areas of investigation and discussion were poultry production and traditional knowledge in bird health care (ethnotreatments and poultry disease control). The survey documented a total of 36 plant species cited as being useful interventions for the treatment and management of various poultry ailments/health constraints. These medicinal plants belonged to 22 families, with the Fabaceae family the dominant family. The plant species were used to treat 11 disease/health constraint categories, with the highest number of species being used for coccidiosis. ...
Résumé Research Application Summary Assessment of milk producers’ awareness of milk-borne zoonose... more Résumé Research Application Summary Assessment of milk producers’ awareness of milk-borne zoonoses, prevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in selected smallholder and commercial dairy
A cross-sectional study was conducted to study the epizootology and diagnostic approaches of catt... more A cross-sectional study was conducted to study the epizootology and diagnostic approaches of cattle brucellosis in six smallholder cattle farming areas of Zimbabwe. Specifically, the seroprevalence and risk factors for brucellosis were investigated. Serological diagnostic tests were evaluated and bacteriological investigations of herds and characterisation of Brucella spp. were carried out. The overall mean individual animal and herd-level seroprevalences were 5.6% (95% CI: 4.4%, 6.8%) (81/1440) and 25.0% (95% CI: 18.1%, 31.9%), (52/203) respectively. The seroprevalence differed significantly (P<0.05) among the study areas. Young animals (2-4 years) were found to be 5 times (OR=5.0, 95% CI: 1.4, 16.7) more likely to be positive compared to old animals (>7 years). Animals in the age group 5.5-7 years were found to be approximately 5 times (OR=4.9, 95% CI: 2.0, 11.6) more likely to have aborted compared to those of the age group 2-4 years, but the risk subsequently decreased wit...
Plants are often justifiably used in folklore medicine. A determination of the antibacterial, ant... more Plants are often justifiably used in folklore medicine. A determination of the antibacterial, antifungal and anti-enzymatic activities of the extracts of Cissus quadrangularis, Adenium multiflorum and Erythrina abyssinica. Microdilution bioassays were used for both antibacterial and antifungal activities. Bacteria used are Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Brevibacillus agri and Staphylococcus epidermis. Fungi used are Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum canis. Non-radioactive HIV-RT colorimetric ELISA was used for the anti-reverse transcriptase activities. E. abyssinica leaf and A. multiflorum crude extract fractions exhibited the best antibacterial and antifungal properties. Ethanol extract fractions gave the best antimicrobial properties. All plants exhibited good anti-reverse transcriptase-1 activities. Erythrina abyssinica leaf extracts gave the best anti-tyrosinase activity follo...
This study was conducted to determine the amino acid profiles and rumen degradability of amino ac... more This study was conducted to determine the amino acid profiles and rumen degradability of amino acids of three cultivated forage legumes – velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and silverleaf desmodium (Desmodium uncinatum) – using the in situ nylon-bag technique. Two Friesian cows fitted with 10-cm-diameter rumen cannulae on a complete dairy feed ration (19% crude-protein dairy meal and maize silage) were used. Silverleaf desmodium had significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentration of amino acids compared with cowpea and velvet bean. Aspartic acid showed the highest (p < 0.05) concentration in all legumes and cysteine showed the lowest concentration. Legume forage of cowpea showed the highest (p < 0.05) level of degradability of amino acid followed by silverleaf desmodium and then velvet bean. Readily and slowly degradable components in all amino acids were highest (p < 0.05) in cowpea followed by silverleaf desmodium and then velvet bean. Moreover, silverleaf and cowpea showed higher (p < 0.05) levels of effective degradability of amino acids (at outflow rates p = 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06 h−1) than velvet bean. Total amino acid disappearance was the least in velvet bean, which suggests that it can be used to supply bypass protein to the duodenum of the ruminant animal.
Abstract Herbal medicines are considered an intricate and integral part of humankind's knowle... more Abstract Herbal medicines are considered an intricate and integral part of humankind's knowledge systems. Time has proven their efficacy and safety for both human and animal applications. Modern science, guided by indigenous knowledge systems can further optimize the use of various herbal products. To widen the current focus on herbal medicines, a study was carried-out to determine antioxidant properties, phytochemical and mineral contents of some medicinal plants used in ethnoveterinary practices in the management of animal wounds in Zimbabwe. The studied plants were Cissus quadrangularis L, Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ExDC. and Adenium multiflorum Klotzsch. Radical scavenging activities, antioxidant properties were determined using the DPPH and the β -carotene-linoleic acid model while the total phenolic content was determined using the Folin C method, flavonoid content using the aluminium assay and mineral content was investigated using the ICP-OES method. All extracts investigated exhibited radical scavenging activities and antioxidant properties, with C. quadrangularis leaf extracts exhibiting superior activities such as radical scavenging (EC 50 of 21.04 ± 3.00 μg/ml) and antioxidant properties (ORR of 0.03 ± 0.01). Variations were observed in the total phenolic, flavonoid and metal contents. C. quadrangularis leaf extracts exhibited highest amounts of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The E. abyssinica (bark) and A. multiflorum extracts exhibited moderate (40–70%) affinity for protein binding while the rest of the extracts exhibited high affinity. Their antioxidant properties, phytochemical profile and mineral content justify applications in animal wound management and many other human and/or animal uses.
Background: In the great Limpopo transfrontier conservation area (GLTFCA), there is an increased ... more Background: In the great Limpopo transfrontier conservation area (GLTFCA), there is an increased interface between wildlife and domestic animals, because rural households move their cattle into the game park in search of grazing and watering resources. This creates opportunities for inter-species transmission of infectious diseases, including zoonoses like brucellosis and tuberculosis, which may also pose a health risk to the local rural communities. This study investigated the awareness, perceptions and practices on zoonoses amongst rural cattle owners, commodity chain-and health-workers in three different localities around Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), Zimbabwe, where the interface between wild and domestic animals varies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Malipati, Chikombedzi and Chiredzi that are considered to be high-, medium-and low-domestic animal-wildlife interface areas, respectively. Data was collected from cattle owners, commodity chain and health-workers using a semi-structured questionnaire. To determine the public health risk of food-borne zoonoses, their practices with regard to meat and milk consumptions, and measures they take to prevent exposure to infections were assessed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and principal component analysis. Results: Most respondents (52.8 %, 102/193) were cattle owners, followed by health (30.1 %, 58/193) and lastly commodity chain workers (17.1 %, 33/193). Overall 67.4 % (130/193) of the respondents were aware of zoonoses with respective 48, 81.8, and 93.1 % of cattle owners, commodity chain, and health workers, being aware. Significantly more cattle owners (P < 0.05) from medium and low interface areas were aware of zoonoses compared to those from high interface areas. All categories of respondents cited anthrax (69.2 %), rabies (57.7 %), tuberculosis (41.5 %) and brucellosis (23.9 %) as important zoonoses. About half (46.1 %; 89/193) of the respondents perceive wildlife as important reservoirs of zoonoses. High proportions 98.4 % (190/193) and 96.4 % (186/193) of the respondents indicated that they consume meat and milk, respectively. Access to game meat and milk from informal markets was closely associated with consumption of raw meat and milk. Conclusions: Fewer cattle owners from a high interface area of Malipati are aware of zoonoses compared to other areas due to combined effects of limited education and other factors disadvantaging these marginalised areas. This may increase their risk of exposure to zoonoses, considering that consumption of raw meat and milk is common. Thus, awareness campaigns may reduce the public health impact of zoonoses at the interface.
This study examined the effects of adding forage legumes as protein supplements to poor-quality n... more This study examined the effects of adding forage legumes as protein supplements to poor-quality natural pasture (veld) hay offered to goats on microbial protein yield and nitrogen metabolism. Four indigenous Nguni-type goats were used in a 4×4 Latin cross-over design experiment. Goats were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments comprising commercial goat feed (GF), veld hay supplemented with cowpea (CW), velvetbean (VB) or silverleaf desmodium (SD). Microbial protein yields were determined using the purine derivatives technique and nitrogen retention was calculated from the digestible organic matter intake. Total nitrogen intake was significantly higher in the GF followed by CW, SD and VB, respectively. Microbial protein supply, calculated microbial true protein and digestible microbial true protein were affected (P<0.05) by legume supplementation. Animals on poor-quality forages had the most efficient microbial protein synthesis. However, supplementation of hay failed to meet the maintenance requirements of animals as evidenced by negative nitrogen balances in VB and SD. The efficiency of utilisation of nitrogen in the supplements could have been limited by unavailable fermentable metabolisable energy in the diets. Supplementation of poor-quality veld hay with legume forages could improve utilisation, especially in the dry season.
Anthrax is an important but neglected zoonosis in southern Africa and elsewhere which occurs natu... more Anthrax is an important but neglected zoonosis in southern Africa and elsewhere which occurs naturally in herbivorous wildlife and livestock. Fatal outbreaks in animals are spaced by potentially extended periods of non-activity during which the bacterium is maintained in soil. The ecology of the pathogen in the multi-host system and the environment is still not fully understood. This study investigated the patterns of anthrax in Zimbabwe in order to better understand the occurrence of disease in susceptible wildlife and livestock and hence its control. The study used available data in governmental reports between 1995 and 2018 and structured interviewer-administered questionnaires of local communities in three porous wildlife-livestock-human interface sites where livestock/wildlife interactions were documented from previous researches. Two non-interface sites were also included for comparison based on known previous anthrax outbreaks. Respondents from non-interface sites had significantly higher odds (χ2 = 23.2, OR = 3.5, 2.1<OR<5.8, p<0.001) of reporting anthrax outbreaks than their counterparts at the interface. Overall 20.0% (74/372) of the respondents reported that some anthrax carcasses were left to dissipate into the environment indicating a risk of environmental contamination. In livestock a total of 214 outbreaks with 2911 losses (mainly cattle) were recorded between 2000 and 2018, while 10 outbreaks with 3171 deaths were noted in wildlife. In humans 99 outbreaks were recorded involving 903 individual cases with 16 fatalities due to enteric infections following the consumption of infected meat between 2010 and 2018. Since its first incidence in wildlife in 2004–2005 in the south-eastern Lowveld of Zimbabwe, anthrax appears to be establishing endemic status along the Zambezi River basin. The disease has expanded spatially affecting 45 (72.6%) of the country’s 62 rural districts in a single decade. Thus, robust multi-disciplinary efforts are encouraged for surveillance and disease containment measures to minimize its impact on livestock, wildlife and humans.
In Zimbabwe, there have been no chlamydiosis and limited brucellosis studies in goats. This study... more In Zimbabwe, there have been no chlamydiosis and limited brucellosis studies in goats. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of the two diseases in goats at three different livestock–wildlife interface areas: porous, non-porous and non-interface in the south-eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe. Collected sera (n = 563) were tested for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and the complement fixation test (CFT); and for Chlamydia abortus antibodies using the CFT. All tested goats were negative for Brucella antibodies. Overall, chlamydial seroprevalence was 22%. The porous [c2 = 9.6, odds ratio (OR) = 2.6, p = 0.002] and non-porous (c2 = 37.5, OR = 5.8, p < 0.00001) interfaces were approximately three and six times more likely to be chlamydial seropositive than the non-interface area, respectively. Chlamydial seroprevalence was not associated with sex (c2 = 0.5, OR = 1.2, p = 0.5), abortion history in female goats (c2 = 0.7, OR = 1....
Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases, 2018
Bats carry a great diversity of zoonotic viruses with a high-impact on human health and livestock... more Bats carry a great diversity of zoonotic viruses with a high-impact on human health and livestock. Since the emergence of new coronaviruses and paramyxoviruses in humans (e.g. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Nipah virus), numerous studies clearly established that bats can maintain some of these viruses. Improving our understanding on the role of bats in the epidemiology of the pathogens they harbour is necessary to prevent cross-species spill over along the wild/domestic/human gradient. In this study, we screened bat faecal samples for the presence of Coronavirus and Paramyxovirus in two caves frequently visited by local people to collect manure and/or to hunt bats in Zimbabwe. We amplified partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase genes of Alpha and Betacoronavirus together with the partial polymerase gene of Paramyxovirus. Identified coronaviruses were related to pathogenic human strains and the paramyxovirus belonged to the recently described Jeilongvirus ...
The first outbreak on the African continent of infection with Aphanomyces invadans (the causative... more The first outbreak on the African continent of infection with Aphanomyces invadans (the causative agent of epizootic ulcerative syndrome) in fish was confirmed in the Chobe-Zambezi rivers in 2007. The emergence of massive outbreaks of infection with A. invadans in multiple fish species exposed serious aquatic biosecurity challenges in the Southern African region. This study investigated the incursion of infection with A. invadans in fish from the main aquatic ecosystems of Zimbabwe from 2012 to 2015 using data obtained from the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services, Zimbabwe. In some outbreaks, fish samples were collected and tested at the University of Zambia, for confirmation by histopathology and species-specific PCR. The infection was first confirmed at Darwendale water impoundment (Mashonaland West Province) in 2012, followed by Matabeleland South Province at Mtshabezi water impoundment and Nkankezi River (both 2013). An apparent southward spread continued in 2014, wi...
Tropical animal health and production, Jan 20, 2018
A study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Chlamydia ... more A study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Chlamydia abortus infection in cattle and some selected wildlife species at selected interface areas at the periphery of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area in Zimbabwe. Three study sites were selected based on the type of livestock-wildlife interface, porous livestock-wildlife interface (unrestricted), non-porous livestock-wildlife interface (restricted by fencing), and livestock-wildlife non-interface (totally absent or control). Sera were collected from cattle aged ≥ 2 years representing both female and intact male. Sera were also collected from selected wild ungulates from Mabalauta (porous interface) and Chipinda Pools (non-interface) areas of the Gonarezhou National Park. Sera were tested for antibodies to Chlamydia abortus using a CFT. A X test was used to assess differences between categories and p < 0.05 was considered as significant. In cattle, the overall seroprevalence...
A study was conducted to investigate seroprevalence and risk factors for Brucella species infecti... more A study was conducted to investigate seroprevalence and risk factors for Brucella species infection in cattle and some wildlife species in communities living at the periphery of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area in south eastern Zimbabwe. Three study sites were selected based on the type of livestock-wildlife interface: porous livestock-wildlife interface (unrestricted); non-porous livestock-wildlife interface (restricted by fencing); and livestock-wildlife non-interface (totally absent or control). Sera were collected from cattle aged≥2years representing both female and intact male animals. Sera were also collected from selected wild ungulates from Mabalauta (porous interface) and Chipinda (non-interface) areas of the Gonarezhou National Park. Samples were screened for Brucellaantibodies using the Rose Bengal plate test and confirmed by the complement fixation test. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression modelling. In cattle, brucellosis seroprevalence from all areas was 16.7% (169/1011; 95% CI: 14.5-19.2%). The porous interface recorded a significantly (p=0.03) higher seroprevalence (19.5%; 95% CI: 16.1-23.4%) compared to the non-interface area (13.0%; 95% CI: 9.2-19.9%).The odds of Brucellaseropositivity increased progressively with parity of animals and were also three times higher (OR=3.0, 2.0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;OR&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;4.6, p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.0001) in cows with history of abortion compared to those without.Brucella antibodies were detected in buffaloes; 20.7% (95% CI: 13.9-29.7%) form both study sites, but no antibodies were detected from impalas and kudus. These results highlight the importance of porous interface in the interspecies transmission of Brucella species and that independent infections may be maintained in buffalo populations. Thus, brucellosis control aimed at limiting animal inter-species mixing may help reduce the risk of human brucellosis in interface areas. Further studies should aim at establishing subspecies identity and direction of possible transmission of brucellosis between wildlife and livestock.
Uploads
Papers by Gift Matope