Molecular detection and characterization of Anaplasma spp. in cattle and sable antelope from Lusaka and North-Western provinces of Zambia.

Rickettsiales of the genus Anaplasma are globally distributed tick-borne pathogens of animals and humans with complex epidemiological cycles. Anaplasmosis is an important livestock disease in Zambia but its epidemiological information is inadequate. This study aimed to detect and characterize the species of Anaplasma present in domestic and wild ruminants in Zambia with a focus on the infection risk posed by the translocation of sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) from North-Western Province to Lusaka Province. Archived DNA samples (n = 100) extracted from whole blood (sable n = 47, cattle n = 53) were screened for Anaplasmataceae using 16S rRNA partial gene amplification followed by species confirmation using phylogenetic analysis. Out of the 100 samples, Anaplasma species were detected in 7% (4/57) of the cattle and 24% (10/43) of the sable antelope samples. Of the 14 positive samples, five were determined to be A. marginale (four from cattle and one from sable), seven were A. ovis (sable) and two were A. platys (sable). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA partial gene sequences revealed genetic proximity between A. ovis and A. marginale, regardless of host. The detection of Anaplasma in wildlife in Zambia shows the risk of transmission of Anaplasma species associated with wildlife translocation.

Ethical dimensions of zoonotic disease research: Perspectives of traditional livestock keepers in Zambia.

Background: With the increase in zoonotic disease research using livestock belonging to traditional livestock keepers (LKs) as research subjects, careful attention to both animal and livestock keeper interests is critically important in Zambia and other similar contexts. Methods: The study aimed to explore ethics-related challenges during zoonotic disease research among LKs where their livestock are included as research subjects. The study was implemented in the Southern province of Zambia in July 2020.  Three focus group discussions  (FGDs) involving 30 adult male LKs living in livestock-wildlife interface areas where zoonotic diseases are likely to occur, were carried out. The FGDs were done in the local language and audio recorded. Thematic analysis was done using field notes and translated and transcribed recorded interviews.  Results: The study found that trust between the researchers and LKs when their livestock are used as research subjects was very cardinal and depended on the continual presence of the local veterinary assistant (VA) during the conduct of research.  Conclusions: The LKs could be considered a vulnerable population when their livestock were used as research subjects as, being resource poor, they were looking to researchers to provide benefits yet not fully understanding the research, and thus did not worry so much about consent procedures, bringing into question the validity of the oral consent obtained. The study also found that opportunities to strengthen trust and enhance the research experience could be exploited by researchers conducting research that is locally relevant and desired, being aware of procedural preferences for entering into livestock keeping communities, adequate disclosure of research procedures, respecting conventions and traditional cultural beliefs, and returning results of research. The findings of this study can be used by both researchers as they carry-out zoonotic disease research and by Research Ethics Committees.

Ethnoveterinary treatments for common cattle diseases in four districts of the Southern Province, Zambia.

AIM: Ethno veterinary knowledge has rarely been recorded, and no or limited effort has been made to exploit this knowledge despite its widespread use in Zambia. This study documented the types of plants used to treat important animal diseases in rural Zambia as a way of initiating their sustained documentation and scientific validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was done in selected districts of the Southern Zambia, Africa. The research was a participatory epidemiological study conducted in two phases. The first phase was a pre-study exploratory rapid rural appraisal conducted to familiarize the researchers with the study areas, and the second phase was a participatory rural appraisal to help gather the data. The frequency index was used to rank the commonly mentioned treatments. RESULTS: A number of diseases and traditional treatments were listed with the help of local veterinarians. Diseases included: Corridor disease (Theileriosis), foot and mouth disease, blackleg, bloody diarrhea, lumpy skin disease, fainting, mange, blindness, coughing, bloat, worms, cobra snakebite, hemorrhagic septicemia, and transmissible venereal tumors. The plant preparations were in most diseases given to the livestock orally (as a drench). Leaves, barks, and roots were generally used depending on the plant type. CONCLUSION: Ethno veterinary medicine is still widespread among the rural farmers in the province and in Zambia in general. Some medicines are commonly used across diseases probably because they have a wide spectrum of action. These medicines should, therefore, be validated for use in conventional livestock healthcare systems in the country to reduce the cost of treatments.

Clinical response of ovarian cysts in dairy cows after PRID treatment.

We investigated the therapeutic effects of a progesterone releasing intravaginal device (PRID) on cystic ovarian disease (COD) and reproduction performance of cows. The possible influence of PRID on metabolic and/or health status was also examined. A total of 40 Holstein-Friesian cattle, with ovarian cystic structures, > or =2.5 cm in diameter, persisting for more than 7-14 days, without a corpus luteum (CL) were used for the study. PRID or placebos were inserted into the vagina for 12 days. Five animals lost the intravaginal device before removal and one was culled. Based on plasma progesterone concentration on the day of treatment, 20 (17 PRID and 3 placebos) of the remaining 34 cows had follicular cysts (progesterone < or =1 ng/ml) and 14 (10 PRID and 4 placebos) had luteal cysts (progesterone >1 ng/m l). Fourteen (82%) of the PRID-treated follicular cystic cows responded with formation of a CL within 14 days after treatment, and an overall conception rate of 53.8%. Likewise, 70% of the treated luteal cystic cows responded with CL formation and 71.4% conception rate. No significant differences were observed in hematocrit (Ht), white blood cell count and serum levels of glucose, blood urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase, between the day of PRID insertion and removal, in animals with follicular and luteal cysts. PRID treatment resulted in ovulation 2-4 days later and formation of a CL in cows that recovered.

Relationship among insulin-like growth factor-I, blood metabolites and postpartum ovarian function in dairy cows.

The relationship among nutritional status, systemic insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and ovarian function early postpartum were investigated. A total of 27 Holstein-Friesian cows, 10 that cycled normally within 20 days postpartum, 5 diagnosed with follicular cysts, 8 with persistent corpus luteum (CL) after the first ovulation postpartum and 4 with inactive ovaries were used for the study. Blood samples were collected 1-3 times per week, for 60 days pre- and postpartum, for IGF-I, progesterone, estradiol, free fatty acids (FFA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) determination. Inactive ovary and cystic cows had a higher body condition score before calving and lost more condition than normal or persistent CL cows. Immediately postpartum, IGF-I levels were higher and rose sharply in cows that cycled normally than in cystic, inactive ovary or persistent CL cows. At calving and early postpartum, FFA was higher in inactive ovary and cystic than in normal and persistent CL cows. There was a significant strong positive relationship between IGF-I and BUN, and strong negative relationships between IGF-I and FFA and AST in all groups. There was a positive relationship between serum IGF-I and estradiol in normal cystic and inactive ovary cows. This study found that overconditioned cows during the dry period or at calving, lost more body condition postpartum. These cows also had a deeper and longer period of negative energy balance (NEB), poor liver function and low circulating IGF-I concentrations early postpartum. Such cows were likely to have poor reproductive function as seen in development of cystic ovaries, persistent CL and inactive ovary. Changes in serum IGF-I early postpartum may help predict both nutritional and reproductive status in dairy cattle.

Insulin-like growth factor-I as a possible hormonal mediator of nutritional regulation of reproduction in cattle.

The current review aims to establish insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) as the factor that signals nutritional status to the reproductive axis, and show that assessment of IGF-I in blood early postpartum during the negative energy balance (NEB) period could be used to predict both nutritional and reproductive status in dairy cattle. The review also explores the effect of nutritional status on circulating IGF-I concentrations and the endocrine role of IGF-I on the reproductive axis. IGF-I plays an important role in gonadotropin-induced folliculogenesis, ovarian steroidogenesis and corpus luteum (CL) function. It also modulates pituitary and hypothalamus function. IGF-I clearly has an endocrine role on the reproductive axis. Severe under nutrition significantly reduces plasma IGF-I concentrations. During the critical period of NEB in high yielding dairy cattle early postpartum, IGF-I concentrations are low in blood and its levels are positively correlated to energy status and reproductive function during this period. Changes in circulating IGF-I immediately postpartum may help predict both nutritional and reproductive status in dairy cattle. IGF-I is therefore one of the long sought factors that signal nutritional status to the reproductive axis.