Financial Losses Arising from Cattle Organ and Carcass Condemnation at Lokoloko Abattoir in Wau, South Sudan.

Slaughterhouses in South Sudan mirror the economic losses resulting from cattle organs and carcass condemnation due to zoonotic and epizootic diseases of livestock, such as tuberculosis, cysticercosis, and hydatidosis in cattle. However, due to the war, slaughterhouse record keeping has been inconsistent in South Sudan, and thus the estimation of diseases in cattle and their impact may be underestimated. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the major causes of carcasses and organ condemnation of cattle slaughtered at Lokoloko abattoir and the resulting financial losses. A cross-sectional active abattoir survey involving antemortem and postmortem examinations was conducted on 310 cattle between January 2021 and March 2021. Furthermore, five-year (September 2015-September 2020) retrospective data on meat inspection records were also collected and analyzed. During the antemortem inspection of the active abattoir survey, 103 (33.2%) cattle had signs of disease. These signs included herniam 17 (5.5%), local swelling 16 (5.2%), lameness 15 (4.8%), emaciation 13 (4.2%), blindness 12 (3.9%), depression 11 (3.5%), pale mucus membrane 7 (2.3%), nasal discharge 5 (1.6%), lacrimation 4 (1.3%), and salivation 03 (0.97%). Postmortem inspection revealed gross pathological findings on 180 (58.6%) carcasses, out of which 47 (26.1%) livers and 31 (17.2%) hearts were condemned due to various causes. The active abattoir survey and the retrospective data revealed that tuberculosis, fascioliasis, hydatidosis, and heart cysticercosis were the leading causes of condemnation of carcasses and organs. In the active abattoir survey, a total of 19,592,508 South Sudanese Pounds, equivalent to US$29,686 was lost from organ condemnation, while in the retrospective data; the overall direct financial loss during the five years was estimated to be 299,225,807 South Sudanese Pounds equivalent to US$453,372. This study revealed that bacterial and parasitic diseases were the common causes of carcass and organ condemnations and caused significant financial losses at Lokoloko abattoir in Wau, South Sudan. Therefore, there is a need for training farmers on cattle disease management, heightened meat inspections, and proper disposal of condemned meat.

Causes of pre-treatment loss to follow-up in patients with TB.

SETTING: Five urban TB diagnostic centres in Lusaka, Zambia. OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of bacteriologically confirmed pre-treatment lost to follow-up (LTFU) patients with TB found at the study settings in 2020. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study in which the TB laboratory and treatment registers at the study sites were cross-matched. RESULTS: A total of 1,085 bacteriologically confirmed patients with TB were found in the laboratory TB registers at the study settings. Of these, 809 (74.6%) were males, whereas 8 (0.7%) were children, 1,005 (92.6%) were diagnosed using Xpert, 78 (7.2%) by microscopy. A total of 91 (8.4%, 95% CI 6.8-10.2) were determined to be pre-treatment LTFU. Those who had very low (14.0%, 95% CI 8.5-21.2) and low (11.8%, 95% CI 8.4-16.0) results on Xpert were respectively 3.1 (95% CI 1.6-6.0) and 2.6 (95% CI 1.4-4.8) times more likely to become pre-treatment LTFU than those who had medium (4.5%, 95% CI 2.5-7.4) results. The proportions of pre-treatment LTFU varied among the study sites from 0.7% to 16.1%. CONCLUSION: Health facilities should strive to account for every patient with TB, with particular attention to those who are bacteriologically confirmed.

CADRE: Cinq centres urbains de diagnostic de la TB à Lusaka, en Zambie. OBJECTIF: Déterminer la proportion de patients atteints de TB perdus de vue (LTFU) avant le traitement et confirmés bactériologiquement dans les centres d'étude en 2020. MÉTHODE: Il s'agit d'une étude de cohorte rétrospective dans laquelle les registres de laboratoire et de traitement de la TB des sites étudiés ont été appariés. RÉSULTATS: Au total, 1 085 patients atteints de TB confirmée par une analyse bactériologique ont été trouvés dans les registres de laboratoire de la TB des sites de l'étude. Parmi eux, 809 (74,6%) étaient des hommes, tandis que 8 (0,7%) étaient des enfants. 1 005 (92,6%) ont été diagnostiqués à l'aide d'Xpert, 78 (7,2%) par microscopie. Au total, 91 (8,4% ; IC 95% 6,8­10,2) ont été déterminés comme étant des cas de LTFU avant traitement. Ceux qui avaient obtenu des résultats très faibles (14,0% ; IC 95% 8,5­21,2) et faibles (11,8% ; IC 95% 8,4­16,0) au test Xpert étaient respectivement 3,1 (IC 95% 1,6­6,0) et 2,6 (IC 95% 1,4­4,8) fois plus susceptibles de devenir des cas de LTFU avant traitement que ceux qui avaient obtenu des résultats moyens (4,5% ; IC 95% 2,5­7,4). Les proportions de LTFU avant traitement variaient entre les sites de l'étude de 0,7% à 16,1%. CONCLUSION: Les établissements de santé devraient s'efforcer de comptabiliser tous les patients atteints de TB, en accordant une attention particulière à ceux dont la présence est confirmée par la bactériologie.

Re-evaluated treatment outcomes of bacteriologically positive TB patients registered at a clinic in Lusaka, Zambia in 2018.

SETTING: An urban TB diagnostic centre in Lusaka, Zambia. OBJECTIVE: To re-evaluate treatment outcomes of all bacteriologically confirmed TB patients registered in 2018. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study on TB patients. Treatment outcomes of patients who were transferred out were retrieved. RESULTS: A total of 182 patients were registered, 26 of whom had missing documents; these were excluded from the study. Of the remaining 156 patients who were reviewed, 86 (55.1%) were correctly evaluated by the centre, 35 (22.4%) were incorrectly evaluated and 35 (22.4%) were 'transferred out' (not evaluated). As a result of this review, the number of evaluated patients increased from 86 (55.1%) to 150 (96.2%). The cure and treatment success rates rose from 43.6% and 44.2%, respectively, to 57.7% and 73.1%, respectively. Of note, 14 of the 35 patients who were initially declared 'transferred out' did not actually reach their treatment facilities and ended up being lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study shows that it is possible to evaluate almost all TB patients. Re-evaluation of treatment outcomes of TB patients revealed the problems in the TB services that need to be improved in the future.

CONTEXTE: Un centre urbain de diagnostic de la TB à Lusaka, Zambie. OBJECTIF: Réévaluer les résultats du traitement de tous les patients atteints de TB bactériologiquement confirmée qui étaient enregistrés en 2018. SCHÉMA: Ceci est une étude rétrospective de cohorte de patients. Des résultats du traitement des patients TB qui ont été transferés dans un autre hôpital étaient retrouvés. RÉSULTATS: D'un total de 182 patients enregistrés, 26 ont été exclus car leur dossier était incomplet. Sur les 156 patients restants qui ont été revus, 86 (55,1%) ont eu une évaluation correcte dans le centre, pour 35 (22,4%) patients, elle était incorrecte et les 35 (22,4%) derniers ont été transférés donc pas évalués. A la suite de cette revue, la proportion de patients évalués augmenté de 86 (55,1%) à 150 (96,2%). Le taux de guérison et de succès du traitement ont augmenté de 43,6% et 44,2%, respectivement, à 57,7% et 73,1%, respectivement. Il faut noter que 14 des 35 patients initialement déclarés « transférés ¼ n'ont pas atteint leurs structures de traitement et ont fini par être perdus de vue. CONCLUSION: Cette étude montre qu'il est possible d'évaluer presque tous les patients TB. Une ré-évaluation des résultats du traitement des patients TB a révélé les problèmes des services TB qui doivent être améliorés à l'avenir.

Contribution of market value chain to the control of African swine fever in Zambia.

African swine fever (ASF) is a worldwide disease of pigs endemic in most sub-Saharan African countries. Zambia has been experiencing outbreaks of ASF for many years because the disease is endemic in the eastern part of the country, with incursion into the central part of Lusaka Province. The latest outbreaks of ASF in Lusaka occurred in 2013 with substantial pig mortalities, loss in trade, and cost of control measures and compensation of affected farmers. The aims of the study were to identify market value chain-related factors that were associated with ASF outbreaks and assess why these outbreaks are becoming frequent despite control measures being put in place. Using a mixed-method design, participants involved in the value chain were purposively sampled. Some pig farmers were included using a respondent-driven technique. Farmers came from Lusaka, Chilanga, Kafue, and Chongwe districts. Other participants included district veterinary officers, veterinary assistants, police officers, and veterinary staff manning veterinary checkpoints, abattoir and processing plant managers, meat inspectors, market chairpersons, and traders. Semi-structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and direct observations were used to collect data to come up with narrations, tables, and flow charts. In assessing the contribution of the value chain in ASF, aspects of ASF screening, market availability and procedures, knowledge on ASF transmission, occurrence of ASF outbreak, and regulation of pig movement were investigated. Despite government ASF control measures being applied, the following were noted: (1) low awareness levels of ASF transmission among pig farmers and traders; (2) only 50% of farmers had their animals screened for ASF before sale; (3) all the markets did not have the pork inspected; (4) laxity in enforcing livestock movement control because of inadequate police and veterinary staff manning checkpoints; (5) lack of enforcement of meat inspection and food safety regulations at pig markets; and (6) inadequate and bureaucratic ASF screening. Improving biosecurity; sensitizing farmers, traders, and all stakeholders in the pig value chain on ASF prevention and control; reinforcement of staff at checkpoints; and regulation of pig markets are some of the ways in which future outbreaks can be prevented.

A novel assay for the detection of anthelmintic activity mediated by cuticular damage to nematodes: validation on Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to cysteine proteinases.

Plant cysteine proteinases (CPs) from Carica papaya kill parasitic and free-living nematodes in vitro by hydrolysis of the worm cuticle, a mechanism that is different to all commercially available synthetic anthelmintics. We have developed a cheap and effective, rapid-throughput Caenorhabditis elegans-based assay for screening plant CP extracts for anthelmintic activity targeting cuticular integrity. The assay exploits colorimetric methodology for assessment of cuticular damage, and is based on the ability of viable cells to incorporate and bind Neutral red dye within lysosomes and to release the dye when damaged. Living worms are pre-stained with the dye, exposed to CPs and then leakage of the dye through the damaged cuticle is quantified by spectrophotometry. In contrast to motility assays and semi-subjective interpretation of microscopical images, this colorimetric assay is independent of observer bias. Our assay was applied to a series of C. elegans bus mutant strains with leaky cuticles and to cystatin knockout mutants. At ambient temperature and over 0.5-24 h, both bus mutants and the cystatin knockouts were highly susceptible to CPs, whereas wild-type Bristol N2 worms were essentially unstained by Neutral red and unaffected by CPs, providing validation for the utility of this assay.

Use of bait containing triclabendazole against Fasciola gigantica in a herd of captive wild impala (Aepyceros melampus).

Although the efficacy of triclabendazole treatment against Fasciola gigantica has been shown before in cattle and buffaloes, there appears to be no published report on the efficacy of triclabendazole in impala or other antelope species. As part of a health monitoring programme at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Lusaka, Zambia, a coprological examination was undertaken to investigate the helminthological status of captive impala (Aepyceros melampus). Of 39 fresh coprological samples, 46% contained F. gigantica. The source of infection was identified to be a fountain within the grounds of the conference centre. Lymnaea natalensis, collected from the study site, were induced to shed cercariae, and were thus confirmed as the snail intermediate host. In managing this disease, triclabendazole at 6 mg/kg was administered together with the feed bait. Water from the pond was drained; vegetation within it cleared and the pond allowed to dry for 1 week before water was replaced. Three weeks post-treatment, faecal examination revealed that the Fasciola had been cleared. To the best of our knowledge, this is a first case of Fasciola spp. infection reported in captive wild impala in Zambia and provides evidence that triclabendazole may be delivered to free-ranging antelope using medicated bait.

Non-invasive ventilation with bubble CPAP is feasible and improves respiratory physiology in hospitalised Malawian children with acute respiratory failure.

BACKGROUND: In low-income countries and those with a high prevalence of HIV, respiratory failure is a common cause of death in children. However, the role of non-invasive ventilation with bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) in these patients is not well established. METHODS: A prospective observational study of bCPAP was undertaken between July and September 2012 in 77 Malawian children aged 1 week to 14 years with progressive acute respiratory failure despite oxygen and antimicrobial therapy. RESULTS: Forty-one (53%) patients survived following bCPAP treatment, and an HIV-uninfected single-organ disease subgroup demonstrated bCPAP success in 14 of 17 (82%). Compared with children aged ≧60 months, infants of 0-2 months had a 93% lower odds of bCPAP failure (odds ratio 0·07, 95% confidence interval 0·004-1·02, P  =  0·05). Following commencement of bCPAP, respiratory physiology improved, the average respiratory rate decreased from 61 to 49 breaths/minute (P  =  0·0006), and mean oxygen saturation increased from 92·1% to 96·1% (P  =  0·02). CONCLUSIONS: bCPAP was well accepted by caregivers and patients and can be feasibly implemented into a tertiary African hospital with high-risk patients and limited resources.

Developing a rapid throughput screen for detection of nematicidal activity of plant cysteine proteinases: the role of Caenorhabditis elegans cystatins.

Plant cysteine proteinases (CPs) from papaya (Carica papaya) are capable of killing parasitic nematode worms in vitro and have been shown to possess anthelmintic effects in vivo. The acute damage reported in gastrointestinal parasites has not been found in free-living nematodes such as Caenorhabditis elegans nor among the free-living stages of parasitic nematodes. This apparent difference in susceptibility might be the result of active production of cysteine proteinase inhibitors (such as cystatins) by the free-living stages or species. To test this possibility, a supernatant extract of refined papaya latex (PLS) with known active enzyme content was used. The effect on wild-type (Bristol N2) and cystatin null mutant (cpi-1(-/-) and cpi-2(-/-)) C. elegans was concentration-, temperature- and time-dependent. Cysteine proteinases digested the worm cuticle leading to release of internal structures and consequent death. Both cystatin null mutant strains were highly susceptible to PLS attack irrespective of the temperature and concentration of exposure, whereas wild-type N2 worms were generally resistant but far more susceptible to attack at low temperatures. PLS was able to induce elevated cpi-1 and cpi-2 cystatin expression. We conclude that wild-type C. elegans deploy cystatins CPI-1 and CPI-2 to resist CP attack. The results suggest that the cpi-1 or cpi-2 null mutants (or a double mutant combination of the two) could provide a cheap and effective rapid throughput C. elegans-based assay for screening plant CP extracts for anthelmintic activity.

Helminth parasites of the Kafue lechwe antelope ( Kobus leche kafuensis): a potential source of infection to domestic animals in the Kafue wetlands of Zambia.

The Kafue lechwe antelope (Kobus leche kafuensis), a medium-sized, semi-aquatic antelope, grazes extensively on pastures accessed by livestock in and around Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon national parks in the Kafue wetlands of Zambia. This interaction has a potential for bi-modal transmission of a wide range of parasitic helminths between lechwe and domestic ruminants. A survey was conducted to investigate the status of helminths in the Kafue lechwe during the 2008 (July-December) hunting season, involving 65 animals hunted under special research licences. Worm identification was based on morphological features using standard identification keys. Eleven different types of helminths were identified in the animals studied; namely, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum, Cooperia, Dictyocaulus, Marshallagia, Stilesia, Setaria, Trichuris, Fasciola, amphistomes and Schistosoma. Amphistomes (100%) and Oesophagostomum (60.9%) were the most common while Fasciola (7.8%) and Stilesia (1.6%) were the least of the identified helminths. There was no evidence that helminths, at intensities observed, adversely affected the health of the lechwe. The degree of worm infection was observed to vary between the two study areas, with Blue Lagoon recording higher infection levels compared to Lochinvar. The host range of many of the helminths found in the Kafue lechwe is broad and could serve as a potentially stable source of infection to domestic animals such as goats and cattle. Therefore, issues concerning livestock management and conservation may arise.

Management of chronic gangrenous mastitis in a 3-year-old cow using partial (quarter) mastectomy.

Bovine gangrenous mastitis is an acute or peracute condition involving one or more quarters of the cow's udder. It occurs infrequently, but when it occurs, mortality of the affected cows is high. A partial mastectomy of one quarter using a cranial epidural analgesia with 2% lignocaine is described to manage a gangrenous mastitis affecting only one quarter caused by Proteus mirabilis (a gram-negative bacteria) which was not amenable to medical treatment. Partial mastectomy can be a safe and effective procedure for ruminants with udder disease in genetically or otherwise valuable cattle.

Concurrent infections of Fasciola, Schistosoma and Amphistomum spp. in cattle from Kafue and Zambezi river basins of Zambia.

This study investigated interactions among Fasciola gigantica, Schistosoma spp. and Amphistomum spp. concurrent natural infections in Zambian cattle, based on egg and worm counts. In the abattoir 315 cattle were screened for worms of F. gigantica in the liver, Schistosoma spp. in mesenteric veins and/or Amphistomum spp. in the rumen. One hundred and thirty-three (42.2%) of the abattoir-examined cattle harboured one, two or all three trematodes. Of 133 cattle, 50 were randomly selected for worm and egg counts. The mean numbers (+/- SD) of Amphistomum, Schistosoma and Fasciola were 622.08 (+/- 97.87), 33.68 (+/- 7.44) and 19.46 (+/- 4.58), respectively. A total of 32% harboured all the three trematodes, 66% had F. gigantica and Amphistomum spp. infections, 52% had Schistosoma spp. and Amphistomum spp. infections while 32% had F. gigantica and Schistosoma infections. A positive correlation (P = 0.014) was found between F. gigantica and Amphistomum worm burdens. There were no correlations between Amphistomum and Schistosoma worm burdens and between F. gigantica and Schistosoma worm burdens. It may be concluded that there is no significant cross-protection among these trematodes in cattle in endemic areas.

Brain abscesses in Malawian children: value of CT scan.

The clinical presentation and management of brain abscess in three HIV-uninfected Malawian children are reported. One case was associated with staphylococcal empyema and severe malarial anaemia and another case with chronic suppurative otitis media and mastoiditis. The third case had no identified extracranial focus of infection. These cases illustrate the difficulties of diagnosis and management of brain abscesses in the resource-poor setting where other causes of encephalopathy caused by infection are common, and highlight the value of neuroradiological imaging.

Prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal helminths and their effects on weight gain in free-range chickens in Central Zambia.

Examination of helminths from gastrointestinal tracts of 125 free-range chickens in Zambia revealed a 95.2% prevalence rate. The species and their prevalences were: Allodapa suctoria (85.6%), Tetrameres americana (80.8%), Ascaridia galli (28.8%), Gonglonema ingluvicola (50.4%), Raillietina spp. (81.6%) and Heterakis gallinarum (32.8%). No trematodes or Syngamus trachea were found. Mixed infections accounted for 88.2% as compared to 7.2% of single infections. Effects of helminthoses on weight gain were investigated in 100 growing chickens randomly assigned to treatment (levamisole) and untreated control groups. There was a significant mean (+/- SEM) weight gain (grams) of 812.8 +/- 51.4 in the treatment group and 623 +/- 57.4 in the control group (p < 0.01). The mean (+/- SEM) worm burdens from the control group and the treatment group were 96.3 +/- 5.61 and 22.05 +/- 2.61, respectively. These results confirm the higher risk of helminth infections in free-range systems and may explain the deleterious effects in chickens.

Trematode infections in freshwater snails and cattle from the Kafue wetlands of Zambia during a period of highest cattle-water contact.

A total of 984 snails, comprising nine species, were collected from six areas in the Kafue wetlands between August and October 2003 to assess larval trematode infections. Of these, 135 (13.7%) were positive. Most trematode infections were recorded from Lymnaea natalensis (42.8%), which harboured four of the five morphologically different cercariae found. No trematodes were recovered from Bellamya capillata, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Melanoides tuberculata, Physa acuta and Cleopatra nswendweensis. One snail (0.2%) of 416 Bulinus snails shed brevifurcate-apharyngeate distome cercariae while three (0.7%) shed amphistomes. Gymnocephalous and longifurcate-pharyngeate distome were the commonest types of cercariae recorded while xiphidiocercaria was the least common. The highest prevalence rates of F. gigantica (68.8%) and amphistomes (50.0%) in cattle (n = 101) were in Chiyasa while those in Kaleya had the lowest (9.1 and 18.2%, respectively). In most habitats, infections were recorded in both cattle and snails. Critical determinants of infection may have been the distance of settlements and/or cattle kraals, the number of animals in nearby homesteads and the presence of susceptible host snails. This study suggests that fascioliasis and amphistomiasis could be major constraints of cattle production in the Kafue wetlands because favourable factors were available to introduce and maintain the infections. It further provides a starting point for some comprehensive studies on snail-related aspects of transmission and snail host ecology in Zambia.

Risk factors associated with porcine cysticercosis in selected districts of Eastern and Southern provinces of Zambia.

To determine the risk factors associated with Taenia solium transmission in humans and pigs in the rural areas of Eastern and Southern provinces of Zambia, a questionnaire was administered in 788 households from 155 villages. Pigs were examined from 800 households. Tongue examination and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA) for the detection of circulating antigens of T. solium cysticerci were used to measure infection in pigs. A snowballing technique was utilised to select households with pigs. Prevalence of households with pigs infected with T. solium on tongue examination by district ranged from 12.7% to 32.1% with Ag-ELISA having a range of 30.0-51.7%. Of the total number of households visited, 18.8% and 37.6% had at least one pig positive for porcine cysticercosis on tongue examination and Ag-ELISA, respectively. Risk factors associated with T. solium infection were lack of pork inspection at slaughter (96.7%), consumption of pork with cysts (20.1%), selling of pork infected with T. solium cysticerci (18.3%), free-range husbandry system (83.2%) and absence of latrines (58.0). Free-range husbandry system (OR=1.68; 95% CI=1.36-2.07) was a significant risk factor for porcine cysticercosis in the surveyed areas. The result that pigs were mostly kept on free-range and semi-intensive husbandry systems may have permitted them to have access to eating human faeces that could be contaminated with tapeworm eggs. This study has shown that T. solium infection poses a high public health risk in the study areas and urban areas as well. We recommend that a human survey be conducted to verify the human exposure to taeniasis and/or cysticercosis in Zambia.

The serum glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate levels in sheep with experimental Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica infection.

The influence of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica infection on serum glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-HOB) in sheep was evaluated. This was done by setting up two groups of sheep. The first group (n=13) was split in two sub-groups, one experimentally infected with F. hepatica (n=9) and the other (n=4) as uninfected control. A second group consisting of a sub-group experimentally infected with F. gigantica (n=9) the other sub-group (n=6) left as uninfected control was also set up. The results of weight gain, parasitological and serum liver enzymes activity (glutamate dehydrogenase [GLDH] and gamma glutamyltransferase [gamma-GT]) used in monitoring the infection showed that all infected animals developed fasciolosis. It was observed that a reduction in serum glucose levels was significantly lower (p<0.05) in F. hepatica infected sheep than in uninfected control sheep starting from 5 weeks post-infection (wpi) to the end of the experiment. Similar reduction was recorded in F. gigantica infected sheep between 8 and 19 wpi. In contrast, serum beta-HOB levels were elevated in F. hepatica infected sheep between 6 and 16 wpi and in F. gigantica infected sheep between 7 and 15 wpi. It would appear from these serum glucose and beta-HOB levels that fasciolosis does lead to energy deficiency (low glucose) and ketosis (increased beta-HOB). The decrease in serum glucose and increase in serum beta-HOB levels in infected sheep may help in understanding the interaction between fasciolosis and nutritional status of infected ruminants especially in young growing animals.

Seasonal pattern of bovine amphistomosis in traditionally reared cattle in the Kafue and Zambezi catchment areas of Zambia.

Seasonality of bovine amphistomosis in the Southern province of Zambia was established after examining 268 faecal samples from cattle presented for slaughter at Turnpike slaughter slab, Mazabuka. Amphistomosis was found present throughout the year but the highest abundance rate was found during the post-rainy season (47.8%) and the lowest during the cold dry season (24.8%). In the rainy and post-rainy seasons, higher mean egg counts and cattle found positive were recorded than in any other season. The distribution of amphistome eggs was significantly different (p < 0.001) among the four seasons, with the rainy season having higher median egg counts than others. There were no significant differences in abundance rates between sexes or between ages of cattle. A similar seasonality to that of fasciolosis exists and may help in strategic management of Fasciola and amphistomes.

A case series of brain abscesses in Malawian children.

We report three cases of brain abscess in children admitted to QECH in 2006. All children were HIV-uninfected. One case was associated with staphylococcal empyema, another with chronic suppurative otitis media and mastoiditis, and the third case had no identified extracranial focus of infection. These cases illustrate the difficulties of diagnosis and management of brain abscesses in the resource-poor setting where other causes of infection of the central nervous system are common. The typical clinical presentation of brain abscess of altered mental state and seizures is also characteristic of cerebral malaria and meningitis and it is likely that many cases of brain abscess in Malawian children are not diagnosed. The value of cranial CT scan, ideally with contrast, for diagnosis and management of brain abscess is highlighted by these cases.

Serum antibody isotype responses of Fasciola-infected sheep and cattle to excretory and secretory products of Fasciola species.

This study investigated the immunoglobulin isotype responses of sheep and cattle chronically infected with Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica to adult F. hepatica excretory/secretory products (Fh-ES) or F. gigantica excretory/secretory products (Fg-ES), respectively. An antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ab-ELISA) was used to determine serum antibody (total Ig, IgG(1), IgM, IgG(2) and IgA) responses. At necropsy, the mean number of flukes recovered was lower in cattle than in sheep. All F. hepatica and F. gigantica infected sheep and cattle showed an increased total Ig levels from 3 to 4 weeks post-infection (wpi). Among isotypes IgG(1) was most dominant while IgM was the earliest (2 wpi) to be detected in both sheep and cattle infected with both F. hepatica and F. gigantica animals. IgG(2) response was early (2 wpi) in sheep infected by F. hepatica but there was no response in sheep infected with F. gigantica. There was a late and strong IgG(2) response in cattle infected with both flukes. The IgA isotype showed an early and a clear biphasic response in sheep with F. hepatica but was less pronounced in F. gigantica infected sheep. While IgA response to Fh-ES was noticed 5 wpi in F. hepatica infected cattle, it appeared much later (21 wpi) in those infected with F. gigantica. The dominance of IgG(1) isotype in infected sheep and cattle suggest an associated Th2 response. This early response to adult Fasciola spp. ES antigen suggests an early exposure to the antigen presumably through the cross-reacting ES products of juvenile flukes. There is clearly difference in IgG(2) isotype response in cattle (resistant) compared to sheep (susceptible). The late IgG(2) response in cattle may suggest late Th1 involvement in bovine cellular responses to adult Fh-ES/Fg-ES.

Common conditions leading to cattle carcass and offal condemnations at 3 abattoirs in the Western Province of Zambia and their zoonotic implications to consumers.

From a total of 32 717 cattle slaughtered, 183 whole carcass condemnations were attributable to 9 diseases and conditions, namely, tuberculosis (TB), cysticercosis, emaciation, generalised lymphadenitis, jaundice, abscesses, moribund, sarcosporidiosis and odour. Bovine TB was the most important cause of condemnations (152/183, 83.1%). Bovine cysticercosis and sarcosporidiosis accounted for 5/183 (2.7%) and 8/183 (4.4%), respectively, while each of the remaining conditions contributed less. Among the many conditions responsible for offal/organ condemnations were fascioliasis, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, hydatidosis and TB. In terms of number and weight, Fasciola gigantica infections made livers and lungs the most condemned offals (20.1% and 0.7%, respectively). Hydatidosis was the cause of 0.9% lung and 0.1% liver losses. Cysticercus bovis contributed to only 0.05% of all inspected tongues, hearts, and heads. TB was very rare in heads (0.01%). The financial impact of whole carcasses and offals condemned during the study period was enormous and deprived livestock farmers of the much needed revenue and consumers of protein sources. Much or all of the condemned material that could have been useful was wasted by not being retrieved for conversion to processed meat, bone meal or pet food. Failure to detect lesions of potential zoonotic diseases at slaughter poses a health risk to consumers especially when meat is eaten undercooked.