Browsing by Author "Okwee-Acai, James"

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    Chemical tick control practices in southwestern and northwestern Uganda
    (Ticks and tick-borne diseases, 2018) Vudriko, Patrick; Okwee-Acai, James; Byaruhanga, Joseph; Tayebwaa, Dickson S.; Okech, Samuel G.; Tweyongyere, Robert; Wampande, Eddie M.; Ademun Okurut, Anna R.; Mugabi, Kenneth; Muhindo, Jeanne B.; Nakavuma, Jesca L.; Umemiya-Shirafuji, Rika; Xuan, Xuenan
    Tick acaricide failure is one of the leading challenges to cattle production in Uganda. To gain an understanding into the possible drivers of acaricide failure, this study characterized the current chemical tick control practices in the southwestern (Mbarara, Mitooma and Rukungiri districts) and northwestern (Adjumani district) regions of Uganda. A total of 85 farms participated in a survey that utilized a semi-structured questionnaire. Moreover, ticks were collected to determine the most common species on the farms. Tick acaricide failure was mainly encountered in the districts where 95% (60/63) of the farms reared exotic cattle (dairy cross-breeds) under a paddocking (fenced) system. In the northwestern region, local cattle were reared in communal grazing areas. All farms used chemical acaricides for tick control, predominantly amidine (amitraz) (48%, 41/85) and co-formulated organophosphates and pyrethroids (38%, 32/85). The spraying method was the most common (91%, 77/85) acaricide application technique, with cattle crush (81%, 69/85) as a common means of physical restraint. Less than optimal tick control practices encountered included use of substandard equipment for spraying, inappropriate dilutions, frequent interaction between animals in neighboring farms despite lack of synchronized chemical tick control and malpractices in acaricide rotation. Only Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and R. (Boophilus) decoloratus ticks were found in the southwestern region, where 51% (32/63) of the farmers used high acaricide concentrations above the manufacturers’ recommendation. Farmers in the northwestern region used 2.2 times less acaricide volume per cattle than those in the southwestern region, and more diverse tick species were encountered. Toxic effects of acaricide to cattle and workers were reported by 13% (11/85) and 32% (27/85) of the respondents, respectively. All 27 cases of human acaricide toxicity reported were from the southwestern region. Overall, our findings may inform strategies for more prudent chemical tick control and safe acaricide handling to benefit animal welfare, food safety and public health.
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    Evidence-based tick acaricide resistance intervention strategy in Uganda: concept and feedback of farmers and stakeholders
    (Ticks and tick-borne diseases, 2017-09) Patrick, Vudriko; Okwee-Acai, James; Byaruhanga, Joseph; Tayebwa, Dickson Stuart; Omara, Robert; Bukeka Muhindo, Jeanne; Lagu, Charles; Rika, Umemiya-Shirafuji; Xuenan, Xuan; Hiroshi, Suzuki
    The emergence of multi-acaricide resistant ticks has led to unprecedented level of acaricide failure in central and western Uganda. In the absence of a national acaricide resistance management strategy, the country’s dairy sector is threatened by upsurge of ticks and tick-borne diseases. In this study, we developed a short-to-medium-term intervention approach called Evidence-Based Acaricide Tick Control (EBATIC): Identify, Test, Intervene and Eradicate (ITIE). Furthermore, the perception of 199 farmers and extension workers, 12 key informants in four districts and 47 stakeholders in the animal industry in Uganda were assessed using semi structured questionnaires. We report that the establishment of a specialized laboratory is pivotal in identifying and testing (IT) acaricide resistant ticks for prompt intervention and eradication (IE). The laboratory test results and the farm tick control gaps identified are very important in guiding acaricide resistance management strategies such as evidence-based acaricide rotation, development and dissemination of extension materials, training of farmers and extension workers, and stakeholders’ engagement towards finding sustainable solutions. All the 47 stakeholders and 91.0% (181/199) of farmers and extension workers reported that the EBATIC approach will help in solving the tick acaricide resistance crisis in Uganda. Similarly, all the 12 key informants and 92.5 % (184/199) of the farmers and extension workers suggested that the EBATIC approach should be sustained and rolled out to other districts. The EBATIC stakeholders’ dialogue generated both short-to-medium and long-term strategies for sustainable management of tick acaricide resistance in the country. Overall, the positive feedback from farmers, district veterinarians and stakeholders in the animal industry suggest that the EBATIC approach is a useful proof-of-concept on scalable intervention pathway against tick acaricide resistance in Uganda with possibility of adoption in other African countries.
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    In vivo Efficacy of Ethanolic Extract of Cassia nigricans (Vahl) Against Gastro-Intestinal Nematodes (GIN) of Goats in West Nile Region, Uganda
    (Am J Clin Exp Med, 2016) Oba, Peter; Asizua, Denis; Komuntaro, Godwin; Kasozi, Nasser; Kalenzi, Moses; Apamaku, Michael; Kateregga, John; Okwee-Acai, James; Ndukui, Jimmy G.; Kabasa, William; Benda, Katali K.
    Several plants are used by farmers for the treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in goats. However, their phytochemical properties, efficacy and safety is largely unknown. A trial was therefore designed to determine in vivo efficacy of ethanolic extract of Cassia nigricans against gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in goats. Cassia nigricans leaves were collected from Arua District, Uganda. Ethanolic extraction method was to prepare extracts and the experimental goats were dosed accordingly. Treatments were assigned to five (5) groups of goats (n=9) as follows: Group A, the negative control (30ml of distilled water; group B, the positive control (Albendazole 10%, 8mg/kg). Groups C, D and E received extracts at 50, 100 and 150mg/kg, respectively. Live weights (LWs kg), faecal samples (for faecal egg count reduction (FECR) based on eggs per gram (EPGs) of faeces, packed cell volume (PCV %), total protein (TP g/dL), body condition scores (1-5) and Faffa Malan Chart (FAMACHA scores 1-5) were taken on day 1 of the experiment and subsequently at 7-day intervals for 4 weeks. Results revealed that a significant increase in LWs by 2nd week was observed in goats treated with Albendazole from 20.8 ± 1.9 to 21.9 ± 1.8 (p ≤ 0.05). No change in LWs and in TP was observed in all other groups (p ≥ 0.05). Only Albendazole treated group exhibited a significant increase of PCV in the 2nd week (p ≤ 0.05). EPGs were observed to significantly drop in those treated with Albendazole by the 2nd week from 300 ± 91 to 0 ± 0 and extract at 150 mg/kg dose from 740 ± 236 to 60 ± 25 (p ≤ 0.05). The FECR for Albendazole, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg doses of the extract were found to be 100%, 37.3%, 66.6% and 83.8% respectively. Only at 150 mg/kg dose did the extract show moderate efficacy in reducing mixed Strongyle spp faecal egg counts in goats. Strongyles spp. were the most predominant genera of nematodes found in goats. Further evaluations of leaf extracts and other plant parts is necessary to establish its potential as a source of local effective remedy against gastro-intestinal nematodes in goats.
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    Molecular epidemiology of Babesia species, Theileria parva, and Anaplasma marginale infecting cattle and the tick control malpractices in central and eastern Uganda
    (Ticks and tick-borne diseases, 2018) Tayebwa, Dickson Stuart; Vudriko, Patrick; Tuvshintulga, Bumduuren; Guswanto, Azirwan; Budiman Nugraha, Arifin; Gantuya, Sambuu; El-Saber Batiha, Gaber; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Komugisha, Mariam; Bbira, Jonh Son; Okwee-Acai, James; Tweyongyere, Robert; Wampande, Eddie M.; Byaruhanga, Joseph; Adjou Moumouni, Paul Franck; Sivakumar, Thillaiampalam; Yokoyama, Naoaki; Igarashi, Ikuo
    East Coast fever, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis are the major tick-borne diseases affecting cattle productivity in Uganda. The emergence of acaricide-resistant ticks is suspected to have caused a rise in hemoparasites. This study sought to detect and characterize hemoparasites among farms in acaricide-failure hotspots of central as compared to the acaricide-failure naïve areas in eastern Uganda. Nested PCR assays were performed to determine the prevalences of Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Theileria parva, and Anaplasma marginale in cattle blood samples sourced from randomly selected farms. Randomly selected isolates were sequenced to determine the genetic diversity of the parasites using the following marker genes: B. bovis spherical body protein 4, B. bigemina rhoptry-associated protein 1a, T. parva 104 kDa microneme-rhoptry antigen, and A. marginale major surface protein 5. Furthermore, partially and fully engorged adult ticks were collected for taxonomy, and tick-control practices were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The prevalences of B. bigemina, T. parva, and A. marginale in cattle were 17.2, 65.1, and 22.0%, and 10.0, 26.5, and 3% in the central and eastern region, respectively. Whilst, B. bovis was not detected in the farms involved. The sequences for B. bigemina, T. parva, and A. marginale from the central region showed 99% identity with those from the eastern region. Of the 548 ticks collected, 319, 147, 76, and 6 were Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Amblyomma variegatum, and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, respectively. The Rhipicephalus ticks were more abundant in the central, whereas A. variegatum ticks were more abundant in the eastern region. Tick control malpractices were found in both central and eastern Uganda, and 42 of the 56 surveyed farms lacked appropriate restraining facilities and so they utilized either ropes or a ‘boma’ (enclosure). In summary, B. bigemina, T. parva, A. marginale and their co-infections were more prevalent in the central than eastern region; even though, tick control malpractices were observed in both regions. Therefore, an urgent tick and TBD control strategy is needed.
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    Porcine Circovirus type 2 – Systemic disease on pig farms and associated knowledge of key players in the pig industry in Central Uganda
    (International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine, 2018) Eneku, Wilfred; Mutebi, Francis; Mwiine, Frank Norbert; Okwee-Acai, James; Ojok, Lonzy
    Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infections and associated diseases have been rarely studied in Africa. There is no report of PCV2 infection-associated morbidity and the level of awareness of stakeholders has never been investigated in Uganda. This cross sectional survey investigated the occurrence of Porcine Circovirus type 2 – systemic disease (PCV2-SD) among pigs and the associated level of awareness of stakeholders in Central Uganda. Data were collected using questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews and laboratory investigations. All respondents (n = 131) and farmers attending FGDs (n = 31) had never heard of PCV2-SD and only 16.7% (n = 2) of the interviewed animal health workers (n = 12) knew about the disease. Among the farms, 20 piglets presenting with a chronic wasting and a persistent diarrhea were detected and sampled for laboratory investigations. Severe lymphoid depletion with histiocytic and macrophage infiltration in lymphoid organs (n = 8), shortening of intestinal villi (n = 9), abscesses in various organs (n = 15) and granulomatous pneumonia (n = 2) were the major histopathological lesions described. Immunohistochemistry and PCR assays on organs with implicating lesions confirmed PCV2 infection in 25% (n = 5) of the 20 pigs. The study confirmed the occurrence of PCV2 infections among piglets with persistent diarrhea on pig farms in central Uganda and revealed a low level of associated knowledge among farmers and veterinary practitioners. The study arouses the need for systematic studies on prevalence of PCV2 infections and sensitization of stakeholders on occurrence of PCV2 infections in Uganda.
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    Retrospective study on cattle and poultry diseases in Uganda
    (International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine, 2017) Byaruhanga, Joseph; Tayebwa, Dickson S.; Eneku, Wilfred; Afayoa, Mathias; Mutebi, Francis; Ndyanabo, Susan; Kakooza, Steven; Okwee-Acai, James; Tweyongyere, Robert; Wampande, Eddie M.; Vudriko, Patrick
    Cattle and poultry enterprises are among the major contributors to food security and socioeconomic empowerment of households in Uganda. However, various diseases constrain their productivity. A two-year retrospective study between April 2012 and March 2014 was conducted using records for cattle and poultry diseases diagnosed at the Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL) to determine prevalent diseases in Uganda. The laboratory received 836 samples from poultry (36.3%) and cattle (63.7%). Of the 836 samples, 47.5% had a definitive diagnosis of disease causation. Most of the cattle and poultry diseases diagnosed were protozoan diseases (39.3%) followed by bacterial (21.4%), viral (17.1%), helminthiasis (11.1%), nutritional diseases (4%) and others (7.1%). For poultry, viral diseases (29.5%) and protozoan diseases (27.1%) especially newcastle disease (44.3%) and coccidiosis (100%) respectively, were the most diagnosed. While for cattle, hemo-protozoan parasites (52.1%) were the most prevalent, of which 92.9% were east coast fever infection. Bacterial infection (20.5%) in cattle were the second most diagnosed diseases and mastitis was the most diagnosed (46.2%). In summary, coccidioisis, collibacillosis, newcastle disease, gumboro disease, and avian helminthiasis were the most prevalent poultry diseases while in cattle, east coast fever, helminthiasis, mastitis, brucellosis and rabies were the most frequently diagnosed diseases. This study has identified the major diseases that hinder poultry and cattle production in Uganda. The data generated by CDL could be used for surveillance, monitoring and designing strategic interventions for control of poultry and cattle diseases in Uganda.