Browsing by Author "Muse, E. A."

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Clinico-pathological findings of the 2011 outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in Tandahimba district, southern Tanzania
(Research Opinions in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 2012) Matondo, R. B.; Muse, E. A.; Karimuribo, E. D.; Misinzo, G.; Albano, M. O.; Gitao, G. C.
Although PPR outbreaks were reported in Northern Tanzania since 2008, there has been no description of the clinical or pathological manifestation of the disease, an important criterion in guiding veterinarians and farmers on proper recognition and diagnosis of the disease. A study was therefore conducted to investigate and describe clinical signs and pathological lesions associated with 2011 Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) outbreak in goats and sheep in Tandahimba district located in Southern Tanzania. The investigation involved taking history and conducting clinical examination of PPR suspected cases (25 goats and 3 sheep) in the study district which had neither a history of vaccination against PPR nor previous illness due to PPR. This work was complemented by collection of pathological samples and specimens for laboratory examination. A detailed post-mortem was performed on three sacrificed animals followed by collection of specimens including lungs, liver, spleen and lymph nodes for histopathological examination. Clinical samples from 30 animals which included swabs from ocular, nasal and mouth lesions were also collected for confirmation of PPR through detection of PPR ribonucleic acid using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Clinical examinations of the cases showed signs suggestive of PPR including severe depression, high fever (41oC), anorexia, muco-pulurent nasal discharge, erosive and necrotic stomatitis, mild diarrhoea and skin nodules. Post mortem examination showed evidence of pneumonia including lung congestion and consolidation, increased thickness of inter-alveolar walls, moderate infiltration of inflammatory cells in bronchiolar subepithelial and perivascular layers. Overall 56.7% of the samples (n=30) tested were positive for PPR by RTPCR. This study has confirmed and described the presence of PPR in southern Tanzania. A more detailed study including other districts is recommended to provide more information regarding the magnitude and factors associated with PPR in Southern Tanzania.
Demographics and parasites of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer Sparrman, 1779) in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
(African Journal of Ecology, 2016) Roug, A.; Muse, E. A.; Smith, W. A; Mazet, J. A. K.; Kazwala, R. R.; Harvey, D.; Paul, G.; Meing’ataki, G. O.; Banga, P.; Clifford, D. L.
The number of African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer Sparrman, 1779) inhabiting Ruaha National Park, Tanzania, is thought to be declining, but little data exist to determine whether the population is actually in decline. As an initial phase of collecting population data, we conducted demographic surveys, faecal egg counts and gastrointestinal parasite identification in Ruaha’s buffalo herds in September 2011 and 2013. Most herds encountered in the two surveys appeared to be in good health, but with fewer calves in 2013 compared with 2011. The herd-level body condition score was positively associated with the number of calves per 100 cows after adjusting for year, and the lower number of offspring in 2013 could possibly be associated with a below average rainfall in the 2012–2013 rainy season. Mean herd-level egg counts ranged from 83 to 140 and from 28 to 113 eggs per g faeces in 2011 and 2013, respectively. Haemonchus, Nematodirus, Cooperia and Oesophagostomum spp., as well as coccidian oocysts, were detected in the population. Monitoring herd demographics and baseline health parameters over time will provide insight into population performance, increase the understanding of population stressors and contribute to buffalo conservation within Ruaha National Park and other protected areas of Africa.
Epidemiological investigation into the introduction and factors for spread of Peste des Petits Ruminants, southern Tanzania
(2012) Muse, E. A.; Karimuribo, E. D.; Gitao, G. C.; Misinzo, G.; Mellau, L. S. B.; Msoffe, P. L. M.; Swai, E. S.; Albano, M. O.
A study was carried out to confirm and identify sources and elucidate factors associated with the introduction of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in southern Tanzania. This study was conducted in Tandahimba and Newala districts of Mtwara region following suspected outbreak of PPR in the area. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews of key informants who included goat and sheep owners with suspected cases of PPR and animal health service providers as well as local administrative authority. Additionally, 216 serum samples and 28 swabs were collected for serological and virological laboratory disease confirmation. The results show that PPR was first introduced in Likuna village of Newala district in February 2009 through newly purchased goats from the Pugu livestock market located about 700 km in the outskirts of Dar es Salaam city. Factors which contributed to spread of PPR included communal grazing and the cheap prices of sick animals bought by livestock keepers for slaughtering in other villages. Laboratory findings confirmed presence of PPR in the area by RT-PCR and serological analysis revealed that seroprevalence was 31%. These findings have confirmed, for the first time, introduction of PPR in southern Tanzania. The presence of PPR poses high risk of southward spread of the disease to other southern African countries in the SADC region thus calling for concerted and collaborative efforts in prevention and control of the disease to avoid losses. Further elaborate studies on the spread, prevalence and risk factors associated with the disease should urgently be investigated.
Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) outbreak in southern, Tanzania
(RUFORUM, 2012) Muse, E. A.; Matondo, R. B.; Karimuribo, E. D.; Misinzo, G.; Mellau, L. S. B.; Msoffe, P. L. M.; Albano, M. O.; Gitao, G. C.
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) was first confirmed in Tanzania in 2008, however description of clinical or pathological signs was not carried out although this is important to assist quick identification and reporting of PPR cases by both livestock keepers and field-based animal health workers. A study was therefore conducted to investigate and describe clinical signs and pathological lesions associated with suspected PPR cases in southern Tanzania. It involved history taking and clinical examination of suspected cases of 25 goats and 3 sheep. Post- mortem examination of some cases was performed followed by collection of specimens for histopathological examination. Swabs were also collected for confirmation of PPR by detecting ribonucleic acid using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Serum samples were analysed using competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Severe depression, high fever, anorexia, muco-pulurent nasal discharge, erosive and necrotic stomatitis, mild diarrhoea and skin nodules were major signs suggestive of PPR. Post mortem examination showed evidence of pneumonia including lung congestion and consolidation. RT-PCR confirmed presence of the PPR virus in samples and serum antibodies showed seroprevalence of 31%.
Tuberculosis infection in wildlife from the Ruaha ecosystem Tanzania: Implications for wildlife, domestic animals, and human health
(Epidemiology and Infection, 2013-03-13) Clifford, D. L.; Kazwala, R. R.; Sadiki, H.; Roug, A.; Muse, E. A.; Coppolillo, P. C.; Mazet, J. A. K.
Mycobacterium bovis, a pathogen of conservation, livestock, and public health concern, was detected in eight species of wildlife inhabiting protected areas bordering endemic livestock grazing lands. We tested tissues from 179 opportunistically sampled hunter-killed, depredation, road-killed, and live-captured wild animals, representing 30 species, in and adjacent to Ruaha National Park in south-central Tanzania. Tissue culture and PCR were used to detect 12 (8·1%) M. bovis-infected animals and 15 (10·1%) animals infected with non-tuberculosis complex mycobacteria. Kirk’s dik-dik, vervet monkey, and yellow baboon were confirmed infected for the first time. The M. bovis spoligotype isolated from infected wildlife was identical to local livestock, providing evidence for livestock–wildlife pathogen transmission. Thus we advocate an ecosystem-based approach for bovine tuberculosis management that improves critical ecological functions in protected areas and grazing lands, reduces focal population density build-up along the edges of protected areas, and minimizes ecological stressors that increase animals’ susceptibility to bovine tuberculosis.