Pathological and Bacteriological Assessment of Reproductive Organ Disorders in She Camels in Somali, Eastern Ethiopia

Background

Reproduction is a vital necessity for effective livestock production, and its productivity depends on the normal structure and function of the genital organs.

Methods

A study was carried out to characterize gross pathological lesions and identify aerobic bacteria from reproductive organ disorders of slaughtered she-camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the Fafen zone of the Somali Regional States of Ethiopia. All the available reproductive organ (50) samples were considered during sampling and cultured bacteriologically using a standard procedure.

Results

Accordingly, eighteen out of fifty female dromedary camels (36%, 18/50) were found to have gross pathological lesions on the genitalia, including acute metritis (10%), pyometra (8%), cervicitis (6%), vaginitis (4%), follicular cysts (4%), inactive/hypoplastic ovaries (2%) and vaginal lymphocytic masses (2%). Based on the anatomical distribution of reproductive tract lesions, uterine abnormalities were the most frequently observed lesions (18%, 9/50), followed by cervicovaginal abnormalities (12%, 6/50) and ovarian abnormalities (6%, 3/50). In addition, eight different species of bacteria were identified from the sampled reproductive organs: 29 (58%) from the uterus, 7 (14%) from the cervix, 7 (14%) from the vagina, 4 (8%) from the udder, and 3 (6%) from the ovary. Of the total isolated bacteria, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species 25 (50%), Staphylococcus aureus 18 (36%), E. coli 12 (24%), Streptococcus species 11 (22%), Salmonella species 6 (12%), Proteus species 8 (16%), Shigella species 2 (4%) and Klebsiella species 1 (2%) were the most commonly identified bacterial species.

Conclusion

The study revealed that gross lesions of reproductive tracts and their bacterial isolates are prevalent in female dromedary camels. The role of each reproductive tract lesion and bacterial isolate as causes of reproductive failure in camels requires further investigation.

Study on the distribution of ixodid ticks of cattle in pastoral areas of Yabello district, Borana zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Ticks and tick-borne diseases cause major losses in the livestock economy. From both human and veterinary viewpoints, ticks are very important vectors.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This cross-sectional research was conducted to study the prevalence, tick distribution, and related risk factors in the Borana pastoral region of the Yabello district, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. A total of 445 cattle were examined for the presence of tick infestation collected from different body parts of the cattle and 89.89% (400/445) of indigenous cattle harbor a total of 7,778 adult ticks belonging to four different genera of ticks namely Rhipicephalus (78.31%), Amblyomma (13.46%), Boophilus (7.01%), and Hyalomma (1.22%). Besides, Rhipicephalus pulchellus (73.17%) and Amblyomma varigatum (7.57%) were among the most prevalent tick species identified whereas Hyalomma dromedari (0.08%) was found to be the least one. In this study, high proportions of ticks were collected from the head and ear (34.57%) followed by anus and vulva (29.47%), scrotum/udder (19.18%), dewlap and neck (8.77%), brisket (7.16%) and belly and back (0.85%). Moreover, a high proportion of Amblyomma species were collected from scrotum/udder (47.76%) and brisket (38.01%); Rhipicephalus species from head and ear (41.14%), anus and vulva (33.64%); Hyalomma species from scrotum/udder (41.05%), anus and vulva (28.42%) and dewlap and neck (20%) whereas most Boophilus species were collected from anus and vulva region (32.48%) and head and ear (31.19%). A statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed among potential risk factors like age group being higher in adult animals and different kebeles such as Dharito kebele and Dida Tuyoura ranch.

CONCLUSION

The result of this survey indicates that economically important ticks are widespread throughout the study areas and their presence in abundance is alerting. To minimize losses attributed to ticks and tick-borne disease cost-effective control strategy should be designed.