Browsing by Author "Komba, Erick V.G"

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Evaluation of the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) Curriculum at Sokoine University of agriculture in Tanzania: mapping to OIE Veterinary graduate ‘Day 1 competencies
(2022-03) Komba, Erick V.G; Kipanyula, Maulilio J; Muhairwa, Amandus P.; Kazwala, Rudovick R; Makungu, Modesta J; Nzalawahe, Jahashi; Sebhatu, Tesfaalem T; Mosier, Derek A.; Schmidt, Peggy L
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) provides the requirements needed for graduating veterinary professionals to be competent in the delivery of animal health services. However, significant differences in veterinary curricula across countries—attributable to differing animal health priorities and predominant types of veterinary practice—provide a challenge for veterinary schools to address these competencies adequately. As part of the OIE’s veterinary education establishment Twinning Project activities, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Tanzania undertook a curriculum mapping and gap analysis to assess the extent to which the veterinary curriculum addresses OIE’s ‘Day 1 Competencies’ for graduating veterinarians. Results of the analysis indicated that all the OIE’s Day 1 Competencies (general, specific, and advanced) are addressed to some degree by the courses present in the curriculum. However, gaps in the depth and breadth of instruction were found for a number of competencies in all three categories. These findings indicate a need for addressing the gaps in the next curriculum review. This will allow the development of a stronger curriculum that will efficiently meet the national and international animal health requirements.
Human and animal campylobacteriosis in Tanzania: a review
(Tanzania Journal of Health Research, 2013) Komba, Erick V.G; Mdegela, Robinson H.; Msoffe, Peter L.M.
The thermotolerant species of Campylobacter have become very important in public health, particularly as agents of infectious diarrhoea in human beings. Though the mechanism by which they cause disease is yet to be fully explained, they have been recognized as the leading cause of bacterial enteritis in both developed and developing countries. The organisms colonize different animal species without causing any symptoms of disease; and humans acquire infections through contact with or consumption of contaminated meat especially raw/undercooked poultry meat. The growing trend of antibiotic resistant Campylobacter isolates continues to pose significant public health challenges. In this review we present the available information generated in Tanzania about Campylobacter infections in humans and animals. We conducted a structured literature search of PUBMED and ScienceDirect electronic databases and identified 15 articles. Studies on humans reported Campylobacter infections in both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects; with higher prevalence in children under the age of five years. Studies on animals found colonization of both domestic and wild species. Among isolates, some demonstrated antimicrobial resistance. The available information for both human and animal Campylobacteriosis in the country is sparse. It however provides an insight of the bacteriological and epidemiological aspects of Campylobacter infections in the country and eventually creates more awareness on the need to develop control strategies. Since the organism is zoonotic its control strategies should adopt the “One Health” approach involving collaborative efforts from veterinary and human medicine.
Occurrence, species distribution and antimicrobial resistance of thermophilic Campylobacter isolates from farm and laboratory animals in Morogoro, Tanzania
(Veterinary World,, 2014) Komba, Erick V.G; Mdegela, Robinson H.; Msoffe, Peter L. M.; Matowo, Denis E.; Maro, Makori J.
Aim: To determine the carriage and antimicrobial resistance of Thermophilic Campylobacter species in the gastrointestinal tracts of farm and laboratory animals in Morogoro, Tanzania Materials and Methods: Faecal samples were collected from farm (n=244) and laboratory (n=466) animals and were subjected to the Cape Town protocol for isolation of Campylobacter. Isolates were preliminarily identified based on potassium hydroxide string and hippurate hydrolysis tests. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed for confirmation of isolates.Antimicrobial resistance testing was done using disc diffusion method. Results: Of the laboratory animals, 26.7% of guinea pigs (n=30) and 1.2% of rats (n=242) were colonized with Campylobacter. Four isolates from guinea pigs were Campylobacter jejuni and the other four were Campylobacter coli. From rats, two isolates were C. jejuni and one was C. coli. In farm animals thermophilic Campylobacter were detected from 31.6% of sheep (n=57) and 60% horses (n=5). Of the isolates 12 (57%) were C. jejuni (10 from sheep and 2 from horses) and the remaining were C. coli (8 from sheep and 1 from a horse). The isolates were frequently resistant to erythromycin, norfloxacin, colistin sulphate and nalidixic acid; whereas low levels of resistance were observed for ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Conclusion: Our study reveals carriage of antimicrobial resistant thermophilic Campylobacter in the intestines of the study animals. This highlights possibilities in involvement of these animals in the epidemiology of Campylobacter infections. Thus, there is a need to consider these animal species when planning control measures for this zoonotic bacterium.
Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis and associated risk factors in smallholder pig production systems in Mbeya region, southern highlands of Tanzania
(Elsevier, 2013-09-07) Komba, Erick V.G; Kimbi, Eliakunda C; Ngowi, Helena A; Kimera, Sharadhuli I; Mlangwa, James E.; Lekule, Faustin P.; Sikasunge, Chummy S.; Willingham III, Arve Lee; Johansen, Maria Vang; Thamsborg, Stig M.
Porcine cysticercosis (PC) caused by the larval stage of a zoonotic tapeworm Taenia solium, is known to pose serious economic losses and public health risk among smallholder pig production communities. The present study was conducted to determine prevalence and associated risk factors for PC in smallholder pig production systems in Mbeya region, the major pig rearing region of Tanzania. A cross-sectional survey employing a random sample of 300 pig keepers from 30 villages of Mbozi and Mbeya Rural districts, Mbeya region were used to evaluate pig production systems and practices. Concurrently, 600 male and female pigs of different age categories were randomly selected and examined for PC using lingual examination method and antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag- ELISA). The overall pig level PC prevalence in Mbozi district was 11.7% (95% CI = 8.5–15.8%) and 32% (95% CI: 27–37.5%) based on lingual examination and Ag-ELISA, respectively. In Mbeya Rural district, the prevalences were 6% (95% CI: 3.8–9.3%) and 30.7% (95% CI: 25.8–36.1%) by lingual examination and Ag-ELISA, respectively. In Mbozi district 46% of the households were found infected (one or more infected pigs) and the corresponding figure was 45% for Mbeya Rural district. The agreement between lingual examination and Ag-ELISA was poor ( < 0.40). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of PC in different sex categories of pigs. Significant risk factors associated with PC preva- lence were free roaming of pigs (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.3–3.6; p = 0.006), past experience of porcine cysticercosis in the household (OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.5–4.8; p = 0.002), increased age of pig (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.2–3.0), slatted raised floor in pig pen (OR = 8.4; 95% CI = 1.0–70.0), in-house origin of the pig (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.1–2.5) and sourcing of water from rivers (OR = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.6–6.3; p < 0.001) and ponds (OR = 5.0; 95% CI = 1.2–21.7; p = 0.031). This study has clearly revealed a high sero-prevalence of PC in the study area, which imposes a major economical and public health burden to the smallholder pig farmers. The study also points to a number of important risk factors in smallholder pig management that may be addressed (e.g. confinement, quality of pens and water sources) in future interventions and educational campaigns for control of T. solium.
Sanitary practices and occurrence of zoonotic conditions in cattle at slaughter in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania: implications for public health
(Tanzania Journal of Health Research, 2012-04) Komba, Erick V.G; Komba, Ewaldo V; Mkupasi, Ernatus M; Mbyuzi, Albano O; Luwumba, Denice; Busagwe, Zablon; Mzula, Alexanda
As meat consumption is increasing worldwide to cover for protein demands, also raise concerns and challenges regarding meat hygiene and safety. The current one year follow up study aimed at investigating on sanitary practices and occurrence of zoonotic conditions, during post- mortem examination, in cattle at slaughter in Morogoro Municipality abattoir. Sanitary practices were assessed through direct observation where as routine post-mortem inspection procedures were employed to detect zoonotic conditions in cattle at slaughter. During the study period a total of 30,713 cattle were slaughtered and inspected at the abattoir. Results revealed poor hygienic practices at the level of abattoir surrounding, the slaughter operation area, personnel as well as meat vans. Whole carcasses, lungs, livers, hearts and heads were condemned due to zoonotic conditions at rates of 0.026%, 1.96%, 1.61%, 0.02% and 0.21% respectively. Bovine tuberculosis, Cysticercus bovis cysts, fasciolosis and hydatidosis were the responsible zoonotic conditions for the condemnations. Bovine tuberculosis was a leading zoonotic cause of condemnations accounting for 95.7% of lungs and 100% of all head and carcass condemnations. Cysticercus bovis cysts were ranking the second in serving as causes of condemnations closely followed by fasciolosis and lastly hydatidosis. Occurrence of disease conditions with zoonotic implication in cattle at slaughter, meant for human consumption, may pose significant economic and public health risks to especially disaster-prone marginalized communities. Thus, there is a need to introduce appropriate control measures of livestock diseases to minimize the rate of infection; and eventually reduce economic losses and safeguard public health. _____________________________________________________________________________