Cryptosporidium in human-animal-environment interphase at Adama and Asella areas of Oromia regional state, Ethiopia

'Implementation of bio…what?' Farm workers' subjectivities in Spanish dairy cattle farms through an ethnographic approach

This study explores the implementation of biosecurity measures by farm workers through daily work routines on dairy cattle farms in Spain. The implementation of biosecurity measures on dairy cattle farms is mainly decided by farmers and veterinarians, but it is carried out by both farmers and farm workers. However, farm workers may be affected by socio-employment factors such as the precariousness of their work such that implementation of biosecurity measures may be context dependent and may differ from official recommendations. An ethnographic approach was used through observations and conversations on four farms in two regions of Spain, two in Galicia (north-west) and two in Catalonia (north-east) to explore these factors. The profiles of participants were farmer-family workers, internal worker-employees and external worker-employees. Results showed that there were social differences, particularly communicative and hierarchical differences, between workers and farmers that influenced the implementation of biosecurity measures. Workers implemented biosecurity practices incompletely, differently or incorrectly from their supervisors' instructions. Workers also relied on what the authors called an anthropomorphic approach to implementing biosecurity measures, which deviated from farm guidelines. In order to improve the implementation of biosecurity measures on dairy cattle farms, it is necessary to consider workers as key stakeholders in biosecurity. Such consideration could also help to professionalise workers, reduce their turnover and increase their permanence on these farms.

Contribution of domestic animals' feces to the occurrence of diarrhoea among children aged 6-48 months in Sidama region, Ethiopia: a laboratory-based matched case-control study

BACKGROUND

In developing countries, due to improper management of domestic animals' exposures, under-five (U5) children have been affected by diarrhoea. However, there is no evidence that shows the presence of diarrhoea-causing pathogens in the faeces of U5 children and animals residing in the same houses in the Sidama region, Ethiopia.

METHODS

A laboratory-based matched case-control study was conducted on children aged 6-48 months in the Sidama region of Ethiopia from February to June 2023. The study enrolled 113 cases, and 113 controls visited the selected health facilities during the study period. Faecal specimens from the case and control children and domestic animals were collected using transport media. Data were collected at children-residing homes by interviewing caretakers using the KoboCollect application. The presence of diarrhoea-causing pathogens (Campylobacteria, Escherichia coli, non-typhoidal salmonella, Shigella and Cryptosporidium) was detected using culture media, biochemical tests, gram stain, catalase and oxidase tests. The diarrhoea risk factors were identified using conditional logistic regressions and the random forest method using R.4.3.2.

RESULTS

Of the faecal specimens diagnosed, 250 (64.1%) tested positive for one or more pathogens. Faecal specimens from chickens tested more positive for E. coli and Campylobacteria. Of the pairs of faecal specimens taken from case children and animals living in the same house, 104 (92%) tested positive for one or more similar pathogens. Among the factors, disposing of animal waste in an open field, storing drinking water in uncovered containers, caretakers poor knowledge about the animals' faeces as a risk factor for diarrhoea and ≤2 rooms in the living house were significantly associated with diarrhoea.

CONCLUSION

The finding shows that diarrhoea-causing pathogens are transmitted from domestic animals' faeces to children aged 6-48 months in the Sidama region. The improper management of animals' faeces and related factors were the predominant risk factors for diarrhoea.

Cryptosporidium from sheep herds around water tributaries of the Malakand region of Pakistan

This study was designed to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infections in sheep herds around tributaries in Pakistan and to evaluate the influence of potential risk factors. In total, 448 samples from 26 sheep herds were screened microscopically and then confirmed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 18S SSU rRNA gene. Our result revealed that, out of 448 samples, 107 were found positive by microscopy and 77 positive by PCR, with prevalence rates of 23.88% and 17.18% in different breeds of sheep. A high statistical difference exists between the p-value (p <0.05) when comparing diarrheic and non-diarrheic sheep, breeds, ages, genders, and seasons. The highest infection rate was found in the Australian breed (8.25%); season-wise, the highest prevalence was recorded in summer. Furthermore, sheep-secreting diarrheal faces were 41% young sheep and lambs. This reveals that young animals are more susceptible to infection than adults, and cryptosporidial infection decreases with increasing age of the animal. This report is the first on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in sheep sampled near the tributaries in Pakistan. The implications of this study's findings are clear; immediate action is necessary to prevent further spread and potentially devasting harm.

Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence in the general population in Guinea: first large-scale screening study

Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrheal mortality in children in Africa and Asia. Despite the public health significance of this parasite, its molecular epidemiology and circulation in Guinea remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and genotype distribution of Cryptosporidium in the Guinean general population. To achieve this, fecal samples were collected from 834 individuals, both with and without digestive disorders, at two hospitals in Conakry. The presence of the parasite in the stool samples was detected using nested PCR targeting the SSU rDNA gene, followed by sequencing of the PCR products for genotyping of the isolates. The PCR-based prevalence was 0.12% for the whole cohort, and 0.2% among adults. The low frequency of Cryptosporidium observed in the current study is thus consistent with the prevalence of this parasite already reported in certain other African countries. The species identified in the positive samples was Cryptosporidium hominis. This study is the first to report the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in the general population of Guinea. Given the potential of this parasite to cause life-threatening diarrhea, further studies are needed to clarify the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in this country.

Impact of improper municipal solid waste management on fostering One Health approach in Ethiopia - challenges and opportunities: A systematic review

Improper disposal of solid waste, predominantly illegal dumping, can lead to severe air and water pollution, land degradation, climate change, and health hazards due to the persistence of hazardous materials. As a result, it is threatening public and animal health, environmental sustainability, and economic development. The One Health approach, which acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, offers a comprehensive solution. This systematic review examines the impact of improper municipal solid waste on fostering One Health approaches at the national level of Ethiopia by identifying key challenges and opportunities. Publications were retrieved from peer-reviewed, indexed journal publications, government documents (policies, proclamations, regulations, and guidelines), and credible non-governmental organization publications from selected electronic databases (Google scholar, PubMed, EMBASE, Global Health, Web of Science, etc.), and governmental offices. Despite efforts to advance the One Health approach in Ethiopia through the formation of the National One Health Steering Committee and technical working groups, implementation is hindered by challenges such as poor sectoral integration, insufficient advocacy, financial constraints, and limited research. These challenges contribute to worsening zoonotic and infectious diseases and environmental issues due to inadequate solid waste management. Nonetheless, opportunities exist through One Health integration via holistic programs, interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, policy enhancement, institutional capacity building, and public-private partnerships. Therefore, enhancing sectoral integration and increasing advocacy efforts and securing financial support is necessary to back waste management initiatives and related research. Further research is crucial to understand the impact of solid waste management and the potential benefits of the One Health approach in Ethiopia.

Frequency and Molecular Identification of Cryptosporidium in Adult Prim'Holstein Dairy Cattle Farms in the North of France

Cryptosporidium apicomplexan protozoa are ubiquitous intracellular agents affecting humans and animals. In particular, bovine cryptosporidiosis is recognized as endemic worldwide. However, epidemiological investigations remain limited in France regarding the burden of these parasites in cattle. To improve our understanding of the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis, the main aim of this study was to determine the frequency and the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium in adult Prim'Holstein dairy cattle farms in the north of France. Fecal specimens were collected from 1454 non-diarrheic and non-pregnant animals (nulli-, primi-, or multiparous) throughout 20 farms in an area of 110 km around Lille. For Cryptosporidium species identification, nested PCR followed by sequence and phylogenetic analyses were used. The overall frequency of Cryptosporidium spp. in-fection was 30.00% (C.I. 95%: 12.83-54.33) in farms and 0.89% (C.I. 95%: 0.498-1.57) at the individual level. In primi- or multiparous cows, only C. andersoni was found. C. ryanae, C. bovis/xiaoi and C. andersoni were detected in heifers. The phylogenetic tree confirmed that analyzed sequences were grouped with known reference sequences reported in dairy cattle. Further studies on the cumulative prevalence, risks factors and pathogenicity are needed to give a more accurate assessment of the impact of Cryptosporidium infection in dairy cattle in France.