The African Journal of Animal & Biomedical Sciences

Aetiological spectrum of pancytopenia based on bone marrow morphological examination as seen in Mulago Hospital Uganda.

2021-07-09T12:06:35+00:00

The study was done to determine the frequency of etiological spectrum of pancytopenia on the basis of morphologic bone marrow examination as seen in Mulago hospital Uganda. The study design was observational cross sectional study. It was done in the department of Haematology, Mulago Hospital and Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) from June 2008 – January 2009. All patients on haematology ward and haematology clinic with pancytopenia from 12 years and above were consecutively recruited. Blood samples were taken from patients after informed consent. The patients below 18 years were consented thorough their parents/guardians. The blood samples were analysed for haemoglobin, total and differential leucocyte counts, platelet count and reticulocyte count. Besides, a peripheral blood smear and bone marrow aspiration/biopsy were also performed. Fifty patients were studied during this period and the most common cause of pancytopenia was megaloblastic anaemia (54%) followed by hyperspleenism (16%), aplastic anaemia(14%). The others included in order of importance were aplastic anaemia, normoblastic erythroid hyperplasia, myelodysplasia. acute leukaemia and multiple myeloma. Severe pancytopenia was mainly due to aplastic anaemia. In conclusion, megaloblastic anemia, hyperspleenism and aplastic anaemia were the most common causes of pancytopenia and aplastic anaemia was the most common cause of severe pancytopenia.

Cost Benefit Analysis Of Establishing Cervical Cancer Screening Services At Health Centres In The Districts Of Uganda Using Papanicolaou Method.

2021-07-09T12:13:33+00:00

There is limited access to cervical cancer screening facilities at health centers in the districts of Uganda. The objective of the study was to perform Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) of screening women for cervical cancer at health centers in the districts of Uganda using Papanicolaou method. Pilot screening services were established at selected health centers in selected districts of Uganda using Papanicolaou method. CBA was performed under two scenarios. Scenario 1 was when there are no screening services at district health centers and all women were referred to Mulago hospital for screening. Scenario 2 was when there was screening services at health centers and only processed Papanicolaou smears which were sent to Pathology department for interpretation. The cost of screening for cervical cancer would be high both in scenario 1 and 2 in the first year. The screening costs would drastically reduce in scenario 2 in the second and subsequent years. However, screening women in eastern Uganda would be associated with high savings as compared with western region. Screening women at health centers in northern and central regions would be insensitive and associated with loses both in year one and subsequent years because of low number of women who would be screened. Papanicolaou screening was sensitive to the number of women screened and the distance from the screening center. Screening women at districts health centres distant from Mulago hospital would be the most cost effective intervention if many women are screened. Referring women to Mulago from health centers near Mulago hospital would be the cheapest option.

Diagnostic Efficiency Of Meat Inspection Service To Detect Taenia Solium Cysticercostic Pork At Wambizi Pig Abattoir, Kampala, Uganda: Implications For Public Health.

2021-07-09T12:23:30+00:00

The study was conducted at Wambizi abattoir by reviewing the meat inspection records retrospectively for the last five years 2010-2005. Wambizi pig abattoir2 receives pigs from all parts of Uganda some of which are endemic for porcine cysticercosis. The number of positive pigs diagnosed with certain conditions in each year were determined. The hygiene and incspection practices were noted. For a four month period, blood was harvested from the every fourth pig lined for slaughter. Serum was harvested from the clotted blood and cysticercosis antigen prevalence was detected in the serum by Ag-ELISA at using the HP10 Ag- ELISA system. It was found that less than ten cysticercotic pigs per year were detected. During the four month period of blood sampling no pig was diagnosed to be positive of cysticercosis on physical inspection. However, antigen sero-prevalence detected a prevalence of 42%. This implied that Wambizi pig abattoir was letting infected cysticercotic pork into the human food. It was therefore recommended that stringent supervision of the meat inspection to minimize the risk of tramsmission of cysticercosis to pork consumers. porcine Also sensitive method of diagnosis using the lamina flow ELISA be introduced for detecting cysticercosis infected pigs.

Effects Of Supplementation Of The Natural Grazing With Roselle Seeds On Dry mater intake and performance of Desert Sheep Lambs In West Kordofan, Sudan.

2021-07-09T12:35:54+00:00

A study was done to investigate the effects of supplementation of dry season grazing with Roselle seeds or groundnut seed cake on total voluntary dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility coefficients, total digestible nutrients, lambs live weight changes, body measurements and water consumption of Sudanese Desert sheep. The study was done at Abuzabad, El Nuhud District in West Kordofan State. Fifteen castrated lambs from Hamari sub-type of Sudan Desert sheep were sub-divided into three equal groups (5 lambs each). One group was offered natural grazing (NG), the second group was given natural grazing plus groundnut seed cake (NG+GNSC) and the third was fed on natural grazing plus Roselle seeds (NG+RS). Water was provided ad lib. The treatments lasted 77 days. Feed intake and water consumption were estimated daily while body measurements and body weight were taken weekly. Feed and faecal samples were taken for chemical analysis Statistical analysis indicated significant increase in total voluntary dry matter intake. It increased from 522g/day when lambs were fed on un-supplemented NG, to 810 and 845 g/day upon supplementation with GNSC and RS, respectively. The nutrients digestibility coefficients increased significantly (P<0.01) with supplementation, but no differences were observed in dry matter, organic matter and nitrogen free extract digestibility coefficients that could be attributed to type of supplement. Total digestible nutrients increased with supplementation (P<0.05) from 51 for NG to 56.9 and 61.5% upon supplementation with groundnut seed cake and Roselle seeds, respectively. Body weight increased from 20.10kg for lambs on NG to 24.50 and 25.70 kg upon supplementation with groundnut seed cake and Roselle seeds respectively. Feed conversion ratio improved from -22.32 for the animal groups on GN to 6.30 and 5.70 and daily growth rate from -27.50 when lambs left on GN only to 91.70 and 109.40 g/day upon supplementation with groundnut seed cake and Roselle seeds, respectively. Chest depth increased from 31.50 cm to 34.70 and 35.60 cm ; height at shoulder increased from 65.20cm to 68.00 cm and 69.00 cm ; and heart girth from 57.90cm to 64.70 cm and 66.50 cm upon supplementation with GNSC and Roselle seeds, respectively. No significant differences were observed in body length among the three groups. Water consumption increased from 1.126 to 1.476 L/day upon supplementation with GNSC and RS respectively. The study revealed that both supplements could improve nutritional status of the weaned lambs and that RS that are not usually used, could replace the cake in supplementation of lambs on NG during the dry season hence enabling producers and feedlot centers to reduce cost of production. Further studies are needed to evaluate effects of feeding lambs with Roselle seeds on meat quality.

Growth Performance Of The Japanese Quail In A Semi Arid Area Of Nigeria.

2021-07-09T12:44:07+00:00

A study was designed to determine the growth performance of Japanese quails in a semi arid area of Nigeria at the poultry unit of the University of Maiduguri Livestock Teaching and Research farm, Maiduguri, using 300 chicks. Mean live weights of the quails at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks were 16.08, 49.3, 82.26, 104.8, 133.93 and 140.74 g respectively. The corresponding weight gain were 10.07, 33.19, 7.25, 10.54 and 1.08 g while feed intakes were 5.02, 9.64, 20.11, 23.6, 32.64 and 34.58 g. Live weights, gain and feed intake of Japanese quails for the two sexes were similar except between weeks 6 and 10 when females were significantly (P.

In Vitro Fermentation Ttechnique To Evaluate Feeds Of Goats.

2021-07-09T12:52:05+00:00

A study was done to evaluate banana peels, maize bran, cotton seed cake, Leucaena leaves and elephant grass for energy as feeds for goats, using in-vitro fermentation technique. The in-vitro media solution was prepared and fermentation bottles were prepared using 12 culture screw bottles, with a valve and connected to a teflon tube to allow fermentation of gas within the bottle to flow out and be measured. Rumen fluid (10ml) was used to inoculate substrate in all fermentation bottles, each containing 0.5 g of each sample including the blank under a continuous carbon dioxide flux. The bottles were incubated in the water bath at a temperature of 380C for 168 hours. The gas volumes were measured by displacement of water in a 100 ml measuring cylinder suspended in a water trough. The cumulative gas production was determined by subtracting gas from the blank and the results plotted against time of incubation. The cumulative gas volume was associated with increase in bacterial activities in the rumen indicating the rate of degradation of the feeds. The result showed that maize bran, banana peels and elephant grass were primarily energy feeds in respect order of importance, while cotton seed cake and Leucaena leaves had the lowest levels and rate of gas production.

Measurement Of Association Between Exposure To Helminths And Occurrence Of Helminthosis In Goats In Busitta Village In Eastern Uganda.

2021-07-09T13:00:40+00:00

The study was conducted at Busitta village, Sironko district in Eastern Uganda to measure association between exposure to helminth and occurrence of helminthosis in goats in a randomized clinical trial in two age groups of goats, 8-12 weeks and 16-20 weeks old respectively, under the management of the goat farmers. The unexposed goats were given albendazole orally monthly while the exposed goats were given the placebo, a mixture of maize meal and water. The association between exposure to disease and disease (moderate gastro-intestinal infection) was detected by measures of association namely the relative Risk (RR), attributable risk (AR) and attributable fraction (AF). The RR showed that in both age groups there was association between exposure and helminthosis, and the risk was more in the younger goats. The AR showed that there was effect of exposure to helminth infection in both age groups. The AF which was calculated to reveal what proportion of the disease in the exposed group was due to helminth infection showed that the proportion of the disease in the exposed group due to helminth infection was higher in the younger goats.

Occurrence And Fish Farmer Perceptions Of Symptoms Of Diseases In Ibadan And Ikorodu In Nigeria.

2021-07-09T13:08:31+00:00

Most fish farmers in developing countries like Nigeria are ignorant of the devastating impact of diseases to aquaculture. This study was carried out to assess fish farmers’ knowledge and perception of symptoms of disease among Clarias gariepinus fish farming communities in Ibadan and Ikorodu. Questionnaires were administered to 50 consenting fish farmers in each community. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the result. A total of 54.2% of respondents had experienced disease outbreak from various culture systems. Majority of the farmers (87.2%) reported frequent outbreaks during the dry season. About 38% believed that majority of disease outbreaks occur during the juvenile stage. Commonly observed signs and symptoms of diseases were: grey colouring of bodies (46.7%), grainy white spot (59.0%), body wounds (87.2%), big head (25.6%), hole in the head (53.3%), haemorrhage (75.6%), stunted growth (80%), skeletal abnormalities (61.4%), fish scratching against hard object (34.9%), loss of appetite (76.6%), pop-eyes (22.7%), cloudy eyes (27.9%), emaciated appearance (48.9%), fish floats upside down (87.0%), tumours (30.2%), discolouration (59.1%), reddening of corners of the mouth and buccal cavity (25%). Most of the identified signs and symptoms were relevant to fish diseases. It was therefore apparent that diseases were constraint to development of sustainable productive aquaculture industry of Ibadan and Ikorodu. It was recommended that fish farmers be educated on biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreaks.

Prevalence Of Bacterial Infections And Their Effects On sSemen Of Infertile Men, Seen Retrospectively At Mulago Hospital 2012-2005.

2021-07-09T13:13:39+00:00

A retrospective analytical study to determine the prevalence of bacterial infections, their effects on the semen quality, and the antibiogram of the bacterial isolates, in semen of infertile men referred to Mulago Hospital Infertility clinic, Makerere University, Kampala-Uganda was done from March 2012 to Aug 2005. Clinical records of semen of infertile men attending the infertility clinic at Mulago Hospital were retrieved and analyzed. Only results of samples analyzed according to World Health Organization guidelines of (1999) were included in the study. The variables of interest were spermatozoa; concentration, motility, morphology and vitality,bacterial isolates and their antibiotic sensitivities; and effect of bacterial isolates on semen quality and quantity. Sixty-six percent (n=57) of the semen specimen cultured had bacterial growth. The most prevalent bacteria isolates were Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (40.35%), Staphylococcus aureus (31.57%), and Enterococcus feacalis (19.29%. Others were Streptococcus agalaceae (1.75%), Pseudomonas earuginosa (1.75%), Esch.coli (1.75%), Ureaplasma urealyticum (1.75%) and Acitenobacter baumani (1.75%).The semen abnomalities were Azoospermia (12.79%), Normozoospermia (11.62%), Asthenoteratozoospermia (24.4%) and Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (51.16%). Staph aureus was exhibiting 33.5% asthenoteratozoospermia, 33% oligoasthenoteratozospemia and 22 % Normozoospermia, whereas CNStaphylococcus and Enterococcus feacalis exhibited 82% and 73% oligoasthenoteratozoospermia respectively. The rest of bacterial infection exhibited astheno-teratozoospermia. The bacteria were mostly sensitive gentamycin (90%) and augumentin (75%), as they were resistant to Amoxyllin (100%) and cotrimaxazole at (100%).In conclusion it was found that bacterial infection in semen was quite common in Uganda, leading to deterioration of semen quality resulting in likely male infertility. Therefore bacteria culture and sensitivity should routinely be done in semen analysis.

Qualitative Risk Assessment For Introduction Of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus To Uganda.

2021-07-09T13:28:29+00:00

A qualitative risk assessment study was done from January to April 2013. The risk question addressed was “What is the risk of introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus to Uganda through wild migratory birds and cross border trade in live poultry and poultry products. The OIE framework for risk assessment was used. Emphasis was, however, laid on exposure assessment. The study involved content analysis of unclassified government reports, key informant interviews and expert opinion consultations. We estimated the risk of introduction of HPAI H5N1 virus through cross border movement of live poultry or poultry products from South Sudan to Uganda as very low with a low level of uncertainty. Furthermore, we also estimated the risk of introduction of HPAI H5N1 to Uganda through migratory wild birds as medium with a high level of uncertainty. The major risk increasing factors for the spread of HPAI H5N1 virus from migratory wild birds to resident poultry and humans included mixing of migratory wild birds with domestic poultry; abundance and spatial distribution of breeding sites; and in some communities, migratory wild birds are hunted and consumed. To prevent introduction of HPAI virus to Uganda, we recommend enhanced veterinary capacity in the whole country; heightened risk-based surveillance programs, especially in the high risk districts; and strengthened biosecurity measures in poultry farms in the high risk districts.

Reliability Of Using Best’s Carmine And Haematoxylin-Eosin Methods For The Detection Of Glycogen In Paraffin Wax Tissue Sections.

2021-07-09T13:36:48+00:00

The study sought to determine the reliability of Heamatoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Best’s carmine methods for the detection of glycogen in paraffin wax embedded tissues sections. This was a retrospective laboratory based study. Tissue blocks of adenocarcinoma of the ovary were retrospectively retrieved, sectioned and stained using H&E and Best’s carmine as test methods and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) as “gold standard”. Out of 200 tissues sampled, 60.5% were PAS positive.. Based on the performance of “gold standard” (PAS), Best’s carmine and H&E had sensitivities of (88.5%; 56%) and specificities of (69.9%; 44%) respectively. Best’s carmine had positive and negative predictive values of (69.4%; 88.8%) respectively, while H&E had positive and negative predictive values of (45.5%; 54.6%) respectively. Best’s carmine had diagnostic accuracy of 78.6% and H&E 49.5%. Best’s carmine had Cohen’s kappa of 0.6 while H&E had 0.001. PAS had turn- around time (TAT) of 858 minutes, costing USD 1.17 per test, while Best’s carmine TAT of 107 minutes costing USD 1.65 per test. H&E had TAT of 65 minutes costing USD 1.21 USD per test. Exchange rate of 1 USD = Ug. Shs 2509..Best’s carmine had fairly high reliability, high TAT and fairly costly. H&E had low reliability, low TAT and fairly cheaper. PAS had highest reliability and highest TAT and very cheap. Although Best’s carmine had high TAT and fairly expensive, it would be the most preferred method in the absence of PAS.

Serological Survey Of Brucella Antibodies In Cattle Herds In Yobe State, Nigeria.

2021-07-09T14:00:55+00:00

Serological survey of Brucella antibodies in cattle herds was carried out in all the five agricultural zones of Yobe state, Nigeria. Four hundred (400) cattle serum samples from different herds located in all the agricultural zones of the state were screened by Microtitre Serum Agglutination Test (MSAT). One hundred structured questionnaires were also administered to pastoralist herdsmen in the state. Out of the four hundred (400) sera screened, 136(34.0%) was seropositive. Of the 136 seropositive cattle, 32(8.0%) were male while 104(26.0%) were female cattle. There was no significant statistical difference (P>0.05) in the sero-prevalent rates between the male and female cattle screened. The highest specific sero-prevalence of 14.0% was obtained in the age band of 5–6.5years, while the least (1.5%) was obtained in the age band 1–2.5 years. Geidam zone with 12.0% specific sero-prevalence was the highest among all the zones of the state while Damaturu zone recorded the least (3.5%). The white Fulani breed recorded the highest specific sero-prevalence of 15.0% followed by Wadara, 9.5%, Red Bororo 5.5% and Adamawa Gudali 3.5 %. There was no significant statistical difference in the age, breeds and agricultural zones of the state (P>0.05). Also there was no significant statistical association between the sex of the cattle and Brucella infection. The study concluded that brucellosis was still endemic in the herds of cattle in Yobe State. The sero-prevalence was higher among females than males and in the adults than in the young cattle studied. Key words: Brucellosis, cattle, sero-prevalence, Nigeria, Yobe.