Browsing by Author "Wieland, Barbara"

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    Correlations between lung pneumonic lesions and serologic status for key respiratory pathogens in slaughtered pigs in northern Uganda
    (Porcine health management, 2021) Oba, Peter; Dione, Michel M.; Wieland, Barbara; Mwiine, Frank N.; Erume, Joseph
    A cross-sectional study of slaughtered pigs was conducted in Lira district, Uganda, to (1) determine the prevalence and severity of pneumonia and (2) establish relationships between pneumonia types and the serological status for key respiratory pathogens. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), sera were screened for antibodies against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo), Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). Postmortem, lungs were grossly scored for pneumonia types and pneumonic lesions. Pneumonia types were characterized as catarrhal purulent bronchopneumonia (CPBP), pleuropneumonia (PLP) and pleuritis. The percent of lung surface affected by pneumonia was determined by estimating the affected surface area of each lung lobe. Each lobe was assigned scores based on the approximate volume represented and the total percentage of lung surface affected obtained as a sum of individual lobe scores. Metastrongylus spp. helminth infection was determined by examining lungs for gross presence or absence. RStudio was used for data analysis and presentation. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to compare median pneumonia lesion scores and serostatus for each studied pathogen. An ordinal logistic regression model was fitted to evaluate the odds of multiple pneumonia, with pathogen serostatus and Metastrongylus spp. infection as predictors. Results: One hundred sixty-seven (n = 167) lungs were examined for pneumonic lesions. The prevalences of CPBP, PLP and pleuritis were 29.9% (95% CI 22.9–36.9), 74.2% (95% CI 67.5–80.9) and 17.3% (95% CI 22.4–36.3), respectively. The true prevalence of PCV2 was 9.7% (95% CI 4.5–16.8), that of PRRSv was 7.5% (95% CI 2.7–14.2), that of M. hyo was 11.5% (95% CI 7.2–18.0), that of App was 25.1% (95% CI 18.5–38.0), and that of Metastrongylus spp. was 29.3% (95% CI 22.9–36.6). The odds of multiple pneumonia forms increased in pigs with multiple pathogens (ORs 2.6, p = 0.01) and Metastrongylus spp. infestation (OR 2.5, p = 0.003), suggesting synergistic effects of coinfections in the induction of lesions. Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence and severity of pneumonic lesions in slaughtered pigs. It provides baseline information and evidence for the magnitude of pneumonia associated with the studied pathogens and justifies future studies on their potential economic impacts on Ugandan pigs.
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    Enhancing biosecurity along Uganda’s pig value chains to control and prevent African swine fever
    (CGIAR, 2017) Dione, Michel; Nantima, Noelina; Mayega, Lawrence; Amia, Winfred; Wieland, Barbara; Ouma, Emily
    African swine fever (ASF) is an important health challenge facing the Ugandan pig sector, causing significant economic losses. While effective control and treatment of ASF are unavailable due to the absence of effective treatment or vaccination, its impact can be minimized through the adoption of biosecurity measures designed to prevent the entry and spread of the disease on farms. In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, local Government of Hoima, Kamuli, Lira, Mukono and Masaka districts, National Livestock Resources Research Institute, Makerere University, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) undertook detailed assessments of the pig value chain in Uganda to document critical areas for intervention and pilot tested practical biosecurity measures for controlling ASF along pig value chains. This brief highlights lessons learnt from these studies.
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    Impact of participatory training of smallholder pig farmers on knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding biosecurity for the control of African swine fever in Uganda
    (Transboundary and emerging diseases, 2020) Mainack Dione, Michel; Dohoo, Ian; Ndiwa, Nicholas; Poole, Jane; Ouma, Emily; Christine Amia, Winfred; Wieland, Barbara
    We evaluated the impact of a participatory training of pig farmers on knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of biosecurity relating to ASF control in two districts of Uganda using a randomized control trial (RCT). A total of 830 pig farmers from 32 villages were included in the study, with 425 farmers receiving training, while 405 did not. An item response theory model was used to assess the impact of the training on farmer's KAP. Logistic regression models were used to assess the factors that affected knowledge gain and change in attitude and practices after training. Focus group discussions (FGD) were carried out with selected farmers from the treatment group at the end of the intervention, to share their experiences and discuss potential factors that could hinder adoption of biosecurity in their communities. Results of the regression analyses showed that there was a significant effect of biosecurity training (p = .038) on gain in knowledge after 12 months, but there were limited changes in farmer's attitude and practice at 12 and 28 months after training. Pig production domain (peri-urban/urban production), group membership, gender (male) and education of the farmer positively influenced knowledge gain and attitude of farmers towards biosecurity. This paper provides empirical evidence on the impact of training intervention on biosecurity practices for disease prevention or control. In addition, it breaks down the components of the biosecurity practices and documents the specific challenges to its uptake by the farmers. It therefore relaxes the assumption of knowledge constraint as a barrier to uptake. The results clearly show that knowledge is not the binding constraint to uptake of the biosecurity interventions.
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    Modeling the Spread of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Among Pig Farms in Lira District of Northern Uganda
    (Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2021) Hasahya, Emmanuel; Thakur, Krishna K.; Dione, Michel M.; Wieland, Barbara; Oba, Peter; Kungu, Joseph; Lee, Hu Suk
    Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is a viral swine disease that causes reproductive failure in breeding sows and respiratory distress in growing pigs. The main objectives were to simulate the transmission patterns of PRRS in Uganda using North American Animal Disease Spread Model (NAADSM) and to evaluate the potential effect of prevention and control options such as vaccination and movement control. The median number of infectious farms at the end of 52 weeks for the baseline scenario was 735 (36.75% of the 2,000 farms). The best effects of vaccination were observed in scenarios 60% farm coverage and 80% farm coverage, which resulted in 82 and 98.2% reduction in the median number of infectious farms at the end of the simulation, respectively. Vaccination of all medium and large farms only (33% of the farms) resulted in a 71.2% decrease in the median number of infectious farms at the end of 52 weeks. Movement control (MC) results showed that the median number of infectious farms at the end of 52 weeks decreased by 21.6, 52.3, 79.4, and 92.4%for scenariosMC 20,MC 40, MC 60, and MC 80%, respectively. This study provides new insights to the government of Uganda on how PRRS can be controlled. The large and medium farms need to be prioritized for vaccination, which would be a feasible and effective way to limit the spread of PRRS in Uganda. Scavenging pigs should be confined at all times, whether in the presence or absence of any disease outbreaks.
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    Molecular Characterization of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSv) Isolated From Slaughtered Pigs in Northern Uganda
    (Research Square, 2021) Oba, Peter; Dione, Michel M.; Erume, Joseph; Wieland, Barbara; Mutisya, Christine; Ochieng, Linnet; Cook, Elizabeth A. J.; Mwiine, Frank N.
    A cross sectional study was conducted to determine genotypes of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv) isolated from slaughtered pigs in Lira district, northern Uganda. The study was conducted from March to September 2019 in three selected slaughter slabs. Pigs brought for slaughter were randomly sampled. At necropsy, lungs were extracted from the thoracic cavity and examined for pneumonic lesions. Seventy-three (73) pigs with gross lung lesions were sampled, from which one hundred and one (101) tissue samples were taken. A real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to characterize PRRSv genotypes. Results A total of 20 samples tested positive for PRRSv. The respective prevalence of PRRSv type 1 and type 2 were 24.65% (n = 18) and 2.73% (n = 2) respectively. Of the pigs sampled (n = 73), only two pigs, 2.73% (n = 2) tested positive to both strains. The likelihood of PRRSv detection decreased with pig age, but increased with gross pneumonic pathology. Conclusions This study demonstrated dual circulation of both genotypes in northern Uganda. The association between PRRSv and lung pathology suggests that it may be an important cause of lung disease in pigs in Uganda and hence loss of production. This calls for further investigations on potential economic impacts of PRRSv on pig productivity. These findings contribute to discussions about the need of surveillance and possible vaccination strategies against PRRSv in Uganda.
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    Pig diseases in Uganda: Impacts on pig production, human health and nutrition
    (CGIAR, 2016) Dione, Michel; Steinaa, Lucilla; Okoth, Edward; Roesel, Kristina; Wieland, Barbara
    Pig keeping is an increasingly important livelihood strategy for rural households in Uganda. Whereas pork accounted for only 1–2% of the 11–12 kg per capita meat consumption in the 1960s, it now accounts for at least one third of the current 10 kg/year (FAOSTAT). The 2008 Livestock Census reported that 1.1 million Ugandan households (17%) kept an average of 1–4 pigs each. Most pigs are kept by smallholder households—managed by women—under extensive systems. The pig value chain was included in the CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish due to the growth potential and competitiveness of small-scale pig production in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the last five years, scientists have significantly enhanced their understanding of the composition, structure and workings of the Uganda pig sector. This brief brings together some of the most compelling evidence and best practices in animal and human health control from research by the Livestock and Fish program in collaboration with the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH).
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    Supply Chain and Delivery of Antimicrobial Drugs in Smallholder Livestock Production Systems in Uganda
    (Frontiers in veterinary science, 2021) Mainack Dione, Michel; Amia, Winfred Christine; Ejobi, Francis; Awuor Ouma, Emily; Wieland, Barbara
    This study assessed the veterinary drug supply chain in Uganda, the constraints faced by the actors, and how the challenges influence the use of antimicrobial (AMs) by livestock farmers. We carried out stakeholder consultation workshops, key informant interviews and a knowledge, practices, and awareness survey with actors of the veterinary drug supply chain. We also profiled drugs stored in 23 urban and peri-urban drug shops in Lira and Mukono districts to record the commonly sold drugs. The veterinary drug supply chain is made of several actors including wholesalers, retailers, Animal Health Service Providers (AHSP) and farmers. Nearly ninety per cent of drug retailers and veterinary practitioners did not receive specialized training in veterinary medicine, and most of veterinary practitioners have been in the drug business market for more than 10 years. Antibiotics and anti-helminthics were the most stocked drugs by retailers, with antibiotics ranking highest in terms of contribution to annual financial profits, accounting for 33%. The choice of a drug by veterinary practitioners was mainly informed by past success with efficacy of the drug, and financial capacity of the client (the farmer) to meet the treatment cost. Many veterinary practitioners were not conversant with veterinary drug policies of the country, with Mukono having a higher number (72%) compared to Lira (37%). Veterinary practitioners from Lira district compared to Mukono and those mainly serving small scale farmers relative to large scale smallholders were more knowledgeable about antibiotics and AMR. Several supply chain constraints were identified as potential drivers of misuse of antibiotics that could contribute to AMR. These included low level of education of supply chain actors, particularly drug retailers, poor handling of drugs at purchase and administration practices, low enforcement of policies and regulations, and lack of awareness of stakeholders about policies that regulate drug use. Thus, future interventions to reduce misuse of AM drugs in livestock production systems in Uganda such as capacity building, should also target veterinary input suppliers, and deliberately involve a strong policy advocacy component.
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    The importance of on-farm biosecurity: Sero-prevalence and risk factors of bacterial and viral pathogens in smallholder pig systems in Uganda
    (Acta tropica, 2018) Dione, Michel; Masembe, Charles; Akola, Joyce; Amia, Winfred; Kungu, Joseph; Leee, Hu Suk; Wieland, Barbara
    The productivity of pigs in smallholder systems is affected by high disease burden, most of which might not be obvious, with their epidemiology and impact being poorly understood. This study estimated the seroprevalence and identified the risk factors of a range of bacterial and viral pathogens of potential economic and public health importance in domestic pigs in Uganda. A total of 522 clinically healthy pigs were randomly selected from 276 pig farms in Masaka (142) and Lira (134) districts of Uganda in 2015. Results: Overall the highest animal prevalence was found for Streptococcus suis 73.0% (CI95: 67.0–78.3) in Lira and 68.2% (CI95: 62.7–73.4) in Masaka; followed by Porcine circovirus type 2 with 50.8% (CI95: 44.5–57.2) in Lira and 40.7% (CI95: 35.2–46.5) in Masaka and Actinobacillus pleuro-pneumoniae, 25.6% (CI95: 20.4–31.6) in Lira and 20.5% (CI95: 16.2–25.6) in Masaka. Mycoplasma hyopneumonia prevalence was 20.9% (CI95: 16.2–26.6) in Lira and 10.1% (CI95: 7.1–14.1) in Masaka, while Porcine parvovirus was 6.2% (CI95: 4.0–9.7) in Masaka and 3.4% (CI95: 1.7–6.6) in Lira. Less common pathogens were Influenza A, 8.5% (CI95: 5.6–12.8) in Lira and 2.0% (CI95: 0.9–4.5) in Masaka and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus, 1.7% (CI95: 0.7–4.3) in Lira and 1.3% (CI95: 0.5–3.5) in Masaka. Even less common was Rotavirus A with 0.8% (CI95: 0.2–3.0) in Lira and 0.7% (CI95: 0.2–2.5) in Masaka; the same was for Aujeszky virus with 0.4% (CI95: 0.7–2.4) in Lira and 0.0% (CI95: 0.0-0.1) in Masaka. Co-infection with two pathogens was common and there was a significant association of M. hyo and PCV2 co-occurrence (p=0.016). Multivariate analysis showed that for S. suis the use of disinfectant reduced odds of sero-positivitey (OR=0.15; p=0.017) and pigs less than 6 months were more likely to be infected than older pigs (OR=3.35; p=0.047). For M. hyo, crossbred pigs had higher odd of infection compared to local breeds (OR=1.59; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The studied pathogens have high prevalences in smallholder pig production systems and might be silent killers, thus affecting productivity and there is a possibility that some pathogens could spread to humans. Given the limited knowledge of veterinary workers and the poor diagnostic capacities and capabilities in these systems, the diseases are potentially usually under-diagnosed. These findings constitute baseline data to measure the impact of future interventions aiming to reduce disease burden in the pig production systems in Uganda.