Begna Bulcha

Background: Marek’s Disease (MD) is an economically devastating poultry disease that causes substantial livestock losses and drives up overall health management costs. There was no study conducted on isolation and molecular detection of Marek’s disease virus (MDV) in extensively managed local breed chickens in some parts of Central and Western Ethiopia. Methods: The present study was conducted from September 2021 to October 2022 with the aim of isolation and molecular detection of MDV suspected from outbreak cases in chickens in Central and Western Ethiopia. A total of 94 pooled samples were collected from clinically suspected chickens from four areas, namely, Mako, Guto Gida, Holeta, and Sebeta subcity. Samples were collected from chickens in both intensive and extensive production systems, but nonvaccinated birds against MDV were obtained only from the extensive system. Result: From the clinical samples tested based on quantitative real‐time PCR, 75 (79.78%; 75/94) tested positive for meq gene of the virus. Of these, 36.17% (34/94) of the positive samples were obtained from the feather (34/41) and the rest (43.62%; 41/94) were obtained from postmortem tissue (41/53) samples. From the overall prevalence of 79.78% (75/94), the highest score was recorded in Holeta town (95.65%), followed by Mako District (88.89%), Sebeta Subcity (62.5%), and Guto Gida District (57.89%). Though there are confounding factors such as vaccination status, significantly ( p = 0.04) higher real‐time PCR positive results were obtained in exotic breeds. From 10 pooled liver samples, all samples (100%) tested positive for the virus using real‐time PCR. Similarly, all examined organs showed complete positivity: kidney (10/10, 100%) and spleen (10/10, 100%). However, from six pooled samples of proventriculus samples, only one (1/6, 16.67%) sample was positive for the virus, whereas 34 (82.9%) pooled feather follicles from clinically sick chickens were positive for MDV1. From a total of 75 real‐time PCR positive samples inoculated into DF‐1 cells for virus isolation, 45 (60%) of them were able to show cytopathic effects (CPEs) on the cell line up to the third passage. The seven (40%) feather samples remained negative against the test until the third passage. Conclusion: This study provides critical insights into the isolation and molecular detection of MDV in chickens from Central and Western Ethiopia, highlighting its significant impact on poultry health and productivity. Detailed genetic characterization of the virus and differentiation of the vaccinal strain from the natural infection in exotic breeds are necessary to have effective prevention and control. Experimental studies are also needed to evaluate differences in susceptibility to MDV among local and exotic poultry breeds.

Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) is the causative agent of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IPV) in cows, and infectious pustular balanoposthitis (IPB) in bulls, and it occurs worldwide. It is an important infectious viral disease of cattle responsible for respiratory and reproductive losses in cattle population, especially in developing nations. Across sectional study was conducted on a total of 349 randomly selected dairy cattle from 39 herds. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) was applied to detect antibodies specific to BoHV-1. Added to this, semi-structured questionnaire was administered and farm records were assessed to identify potential risk factors associated with BoHV-1 seropositivity. Logistic regression analyses were used to potential risk factors associated with BoHV-1 serostatus. Model fitness was assessed by using the Hosmer and Lemeshow method. An Overall animal level BoHV-1 seroprevalence of 14.57% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.41-18.23%) and herd level seroprevalence of 61.53% (95% CI: 44.62-76.63%) were found. In multivariable logistic regress model, the seroprevalence of BoHV-1exposure was higher in purchased cattle (Odd ratio [OR] = 94; P-value: 0.0001) than homebred dairy cattle. Cows with a history of abortion were 20.06 times more likely to be seropositive than cows without such a history (OR = 20.06; P-value: 005), indicating a strong link between BoHV-1 infection and reproductive losses. Cow with history of infertility were 37.38 (OR=37.38, P-value: 0.001) more likelihood of seropositive that cows without such problem. BoHV-1 infection was widespread at both animal (14.57%) and herd level (61.53%). Purchased cattle, abortion, and infertility were strongly associated with seropositivity, indicating the virus’ major role in reproductive losses. These findings underscore the importance of implementing preventive measures, including strict biosecurity, screening of newly introduced animals, and vaccination strategies, to reduce BoHV-1 transmission and its economic consequences.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an important pathogen affecting dairy cattle all over the world by causing significant economic losses due to reproductive and respiratory problems, immunosuppressive effects, increased risk of morbidity, and calf mortality. A cross‐sectional study was conducted from February 2021 to August 2021 to determine the seroprevalence of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) and identify risk factors associated with its occurrence in and around Nekemte Town of Ethiopia. Blood samples were collected from 305 dairy cattle of 41 herds by using cluster‐sampling method. All sampled animals were identified by their age, breeds, origin, parity, pregnancy status, and history of reproductive and respiratory problems. Competitive ELISA was used in the laboratory to detect the presence of antibodies in the serum. At the animal and herd level, descriptive statistics were utilized to assess the amount of BVDV viral antibody circulation, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to detect potential risk variables. The result demonstrates 9.84% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.49–13.18) and 28.52% (95% CI: 23.46–33.59) seroprevalence of BVDV antibody at individual and herd level, respectively. Abortion (odds ratio (OR) = 2.75; p = 0.019), retention of fetal membrane (OR = 3.33; p = 0.011), purchasing of animals (OR = 2.98; p = 0.017), and pregnancy (OR = 3.16; p = 0.019) were variables significantly associated with the seropositivity of BVDV. Herd size was found to be substantially linked with BVDV infection at the herd level ( p = 0.009). These moderate seroprevalence of BVDV results indicate that the virus is widely spread among dairy cattle at various farms in and around Nekemte Town, hurting dairy farm production and productivity. To reduce the seroprevalence of this infectious agent, cows with a history of reproductive disorders should be tested, and new animals should be quarantined before being introduced into herds, and more research should be done to assess the impact of reproductive failure and other effects associated with this virus.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top global public health and economic threats. The use of antimicrobials (AMs) in animal production is a major contributor to the development of AMR globally. Animal health professionals (AHPs) play a key role in ensuring judicious use of AMs. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of antimicrobial usage (AMU) and AMR among healthcare professionals in Nekemte town, Leka Dulecha and Sibu Sire districts. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 120 purposively chosen AHPs residing in the districts and the town. A semi-structured questionnaire consisting of 49 questions was used to ascertain the KAP. The chi-square test (X²) was used to analyze the association between the knowledge score and demographic profile of the study participants. Results: In the study the overall knowledge of the participants was moderately appreciable, and all participants had positive attitudes toward AMR and appropriate usage. In terms of knowledge of antibiotic use, the majority (93.33%) of the participants correctly answered the statement that antibiotics can kill viruses. About 84.17% of the participants correctly knew that antibiotics killed or stopped the growth of both bad and good bacteria. The majority of the participants (74.17%) always or (25.83%) sometimes rely on usage of antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription. It was shown that comparing respondents from Sibu Sire, Leka Dulecha and Nekemte town, the scores of knowledge of AMU were significantly (X²=14.13, p=0.007) different. Most animal healthcare professionals from the Sibu sire have a good knowledge of AMU, and contribute to AMR development. Conclusion: The study revealed that there was moderate knowledge and positive attitude toward AMU and resistance. This warrants continuing capacity building programs for the professionals on AM usage and resistance, and development of field-friendly disease diagnosis and management tools is essential in the need to reduce AMR.

Brucellosis is a contagious zoonotic disease transferred from sick animals to humans and endemic in Eastern Africa and other countries. The objective of this study was to assess the extent of the knowledge and attitudes relating to brucellosis at the human-animal interface and identify practice at the farm and household level that poses a risk for human infection at the study site. By cross-sectional study design, a total of 120 participants were involved in assessing Knowledge, Attitude, and practice (KAP) toward the disease. From the study, about 20% of respondents knew the disease, out of which 75% heard about it from a veterinary service. Nearly, 79% and 75% understood that the disease can be transmitted between cattle and from cattle to humans respectively. About 54.2% handle placental membranes and aborted fetuses with bare hands. Of the total respondents, 5.8% and 38.3% have had good knowledge and good practice scores respectively. Educational level, with illiterate less, knew, highly influences both knowledge (p = 0.01) and practice (p = 0.018) of the respondents. Males (p = 0.006) had a good practice, which was statistically significant. This indicates that an awareness creation campaign is important so as to equip the farmers in the study areas with knowledge of the disease and to change their malpractice in order to protect themselves from brucellosis.

Brucellosis is a contagious zoonotic disease transferred from sick animals to humans and endemic in Eastern Africa and other countries. The objective of this study was to assess the extent of the knowledge and attitudes relating to brucellosis at the human-animal interface and identify practice at the farm and household level that poses a risk for human infection at the study site. By cross-sectional study design, a total of 120 participants were involved in assessing Knowledge, Attitude, and practice (KAP) toward the disease. From the study, about 20% of respondents knew the disease, out of which 75% heard about it from a veterinary service. Nearly, 79% and 75% understood that the disease can be transmitted between cattle and from cattle to humans respectively. About 54.2% handle placental membranes and aborted fetuses with bare hands. Of the total respondents, 5.8% and 38.3% have had good knowledge and good practice scores respectively. Educational level, with illiterate less, knew, highly influences both knowledge (p = 0.01) and practice (p = 0.018) of the respondents. Males (p = 0.006) had a good practice, which was statistically significant. This indicates that an awareness creation campaign is important so as to equip the farmers in the study areas with knowledge of the disease and to change their malpractice in order to protect themselves from brucellosis.