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This study evaluated the presence of selected heavy metals in farmed tilapia and catfish) in Nyeri County, Kenya. Live fish comprising of 17 catfish and 33 tilapias were purchased from 15 fish farmers with 31(62%) caught from earthen ponds while 19 (38%) were from liner ponds. The fish were dissected to obtain muscle tissue samples for analysis for levels of lead, mercury and cadmium residues using the Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Tilapia fish accumulated higher concentrations of lead, mercury and cadmium in the muscles compared to catfish. The difference of lead and mercury ion concentration between fish species was not significant (p>0.05). Fish obtained from earthen ponds recorded a higher mean concentration of the three heavy metals compared to those from liner ponds. Mercury concentration in fish muscles was slightly higher than European Union limits (0.1 Mg/Kg) but lower than codex alimentarius (0.5 Mg/Kg) limits. There is need to continuously monitor levels of heavy metals especially mercury in farmed fish tissues in Nyeri County and other peri-urban areas in Kenya.

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is the most cultured and available fish for Kenyan consumers, and therefore, any tilapine disease deprives them the valuable source of protein. Nile tilapia farm was diagnosed with severe concurrent black spot disease and multiple bacteriosis using gross lesions and parasitological, histopathology, and standard bacteriological procedures. A total of 25 fish were sampled and inspected, and all of them had raised, macroscopic 1 mm-sized black spot lesions. The mean intensity of black spots per fish was 728 with an abundance of 2–1740 metacercariae cysts per fish. A high intensity of black spot infestation was observed in the fins (43.9%), skin and underlying muscles (18.3%), and gills (18%). In addition, histopathological data confirmed presence of a metacercaria of Neascus spp. as the aetiological agent of black spot disease. Furthermore, a thick fibrous capsule around the metacercaria, black pigment melanomacrophages, and moderate muscle atrophy were observed. The most prevalent bacteria isolated were Aeromonas, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Micrococcus luteus. Physicochemical parameters of pond water were temperature (28.2°C), dissolved oxygen (4.2 mgl−1), pH (8.5), ammonia free nitrogen (15.8 mgl−1), alkalinity (112 mgl−1), hardness (68 mgl−1), nitrites (0.058 mgl−1), nitrates (58 mgl−1), and phosphates (0.046 mgl−1). However, the levels of nitrates, nitrites, alkalinity, and ammonia free nitrogen exceeded the recommended limits. In conclusion, these findings suggest that coinfections by these organisms coupled by water quality-related stress can be associated with low-grade mortality observed in postfingerling tilapia as well as reduced growth. The authors recommended immediate destocking, thorough disinfection, and control of piscivorous birds. Moreover, attention ought to be geared towards prevention of parasitic infestations in fish so as to minimize fish deaths related to secondary bacteriosis. Further experimental studies should be carried out to elucidate the relationship of these pathogens.

Fish bacterial pathogens cause diseases which result in a considerable economic impact on the aquaculture industry, necessitating the use of antimicrobials for their control. However, intensive and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials has led to increased occurrence of drug resistance in pathogenic bacteria, as well as normal flora. The aim of the current study was to determine the susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolated from fish, with respect to some commonly used antibiotics and disinfectants. Bacteria were isolated between December 2017 and April 2018 from farmed Nile tilapia, African catfish, goldfish, and koi carp in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. Antibiotic and disinfectant susceptibility patterns of 48 isolates belonging to the genera Aeromonas, Proteus, Klebsiella, Citrobacter, Salmonella, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Escherichia, Serratia, and Micrococcus were established using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method and agar well diffusion technique, respectively. The antibiotics evaluated included ampicillin, tetracycline, co-trimoxazole, streptomycin, kanamycin, gentamicin, co-trimoxazole, and chloramphenicol, while the disinfectants tested were quaternary ammonium compound, formalin, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, and iodine. All the bacteria except Micrococcus, Escherichia, and Salmonella species showed multiple drug resistance patterns. Streptococcus showed resistance to six antibiotics, while Proteus, Pseudomonas, and Serratia were resistant to five antibiotics. The multiple antibiotic resistance index ranged from 0.1 to 0.8, with Streptococcus spp. having the highest score value. All the organisms were sensitive to gentamicin, while co-trimoxazole and ampicillin showed the highest resistance at 73% (n = 34) and 62% (n = 31), respectively. Most of the disinfectants showed antibacterial activity with varying magnitudes. The isolates were 100% sensitive to hydrogen peroxide and formalin, but were resistant to sodium hypochlorite at recommended user-dilution. The study has shown that some of the bacterial isolates were resistant to common antibiotics and disinfectants; thus, it is recommended to include an antibiogram whenever making any therapeutic decision. The resistant bacteria may transmit resistance genes to other fish bacteria and also to human bacteria, thus making it difficult to treat the resultant disease(s); thus, there is a possibility that these resistant bacteria may be transmitted to humans who consume or handle the carrier fish. It is, therefore, advisable that fish are cooked properly before consumption, so as to kill bacteria that may be present.

This study aimed at determining parasitic prevalence and probable haemato-biochemical changes that may occur from parasitic infections in marketed indigenous chickens in Kiambu County, Kenya. Thirty adult chickens were purchased and examined for ectoparasites, haemoparasites and haemato-biochemical changes. Post mortem was conducted to recover gastro-intestinal parasites and fecal samples taken for egg/oocyst counts. Forty-seven percent (14/30) of chickens examined were in poor body condition, 43% (13/30) in fair and 10% (3/30) in good body condition. Ectoparasites infection prevalence was 66.7% (20/30). Four haemoparasites were isolated. Overall helminths prevalence was 86.6% (26/30), nematodes at 76.7% (23/30) and cestodes at 40% (12/30). After processing fecal samples, 30% (9/30) were positive for helminth eggs and 30% (9/30) had coccidial oocysts. Relative to normal values, total erythrocyte count was low and total leucocyte count with band cells high. Mean haematocrit and heterophil values were high (p=0.0005; p=0.0061). Mean lymphocyte count was low (p=0.0128) in chickens with ectoparasitic infestation. Eosinophils increased significantly (p=0.0363) although mean erythrocytes counts decreased (p=0.0176), in chickens with gastrointestinal parasites. Creatine phosphokinase and blood glucose levels were high, serum protein and albumin levels were low. Blood glucose level decreased significantly (p=0.0239) and total plasma protein increased (p=0.045) in chickens with Haemoproteus spp. infection. The study showed, ecto- and endo-parasites are prevalent and may contribute to alteration of haemato-biochemical parameters of sub-clinically infected marketed indigenous chickens. These results are expected to contribute towards and encourage usage of clinico-pathological parameter testing as a measure of poultry health status for enhanced poultry disease diagnoses.

Infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is the causative agent of infectious haematopoietic necrosis, a disease of salmonid responsible for great economic losses. The disease occurs in most parts of the world where rainbow trout is reared but has not been previously reported in Kenya. In this study, rainbow trout fry and growers from two farms in Nyeri County were screened for IHNV. Whole fry (n = 4 from each farm) and kidney samples from growers (n = 15 and n = 6 from the two farms, respectively) were collected and preserved for cell culture examination or PCR analysis. Screening of samples was done by PCR followed by sequencing of the glycoprotein gene of the virus. Demonstration of the virus was done by propagation in EPC cells followed by the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The results revealed the presence of IHNV at low prevalence of 0.1 and 0.4 for the two farms. The virus was confirmed both by IFAT and by partial sequencing of the G gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Kenyan isolates were identical to those of the J genogroup found mostly in Asia. The findings have implications for biosecurity measures and import regulations for the Kenyan rainbow trout industry.

Various plant species such as Opuntia stricta have developed defensive measures, namely, spines, thorns, and other sharp pointed structures to protect themselves from herbivores and other animals feeding on them. Opuntia stricta has invaded the northern part of Laikipia County, Kenya, and its fruits are protected by small spines called glochids. This study determined the pathology in goats feeding on this plant in Laikipia County. Eighteen goats that had eaten the plant and six others that were raised in a ranch without O. stricta were purchased for the study. All study animals were clinically examined for lesions and euthanized for necropsy examination. Clinically, goats affected by O. stricta had poor body condition, wounds on various body parts, and diarrhea. Variable numbers of O. stricta spines occurred externally on the skin throughout the body and elicited pain, swelling, and ulcerative wounds on affected parts. Internal lesions were observed in subcutaneous tissues (100%), together with stomatitis, cheilitis, gingivitis, glossitis, abomasitis (100%), rumen, reticulum, omasum thinning and loss of papillae (72.2%), esophagitis, and duodenitis (5.6%). Carcasses had gelatinous fat and muscular atrophy. Other gross lesions were generalized viscera atrophy, edema, subcutaneous emphysema, lymphadenopathy, abscesses, ascites, hydrothorax, and hydropericardium. The abomasum wall and its mucosal folds were swollen with edema, haemorrhages, and scattered foci of abscesses. Histopathology confirmed the main lesions in all affected goats were foreign-body granulomas which were located in all organs with gross lesions. Goats from O. stricta-free ranches had no spines or lesions. The pathological effects caused by O. stricta resulted in emaciated goats due to pain, inability to masticate and assimilate food, and stress, resulting in poor carcass and organs quality and possible condemnation and death. This could affect the socioeconomics and livelihoods of communities in the study area, and therefore, the spread of this plant needs to be controlled.

Objective: Naja ashei is a snake of medical importance in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, and Tanzania. Little is known about the enzymatic (snake venom phospholipases A2; svPLA2’s) and toxic (lethal) activities of Naja ashei venom and crucially, the safety and capacity of available antivenom to neutralize these effects. This study aimed to determine the enzymatic and toxic activities of Naja ashei venom and the capacity of Indian and Mexican manufactured antivenoms to neutralize these effects. The protein content of the venom and the test antivenoms were also evaluated. A 12-point log concentration-response curve (0.5-22.5 µg/mL) was generated on an agarose-egg yolk model to predict the svPLA2 activity of the venom. The toxicity profile of the venom and antivenoms was evaluated in the brine shrimp lethality assay. Lowry’s method was used for protein estimation. Results: Low and intermediate concentrations of the venom exhibited similar svPLA2 activities. The same was true for concentrations >15µg/mL. Intermediate and high doses of the venom exhibited similar mortalities in brine shrimp and test antivenoms were generally non-toxic but poorly neutralized svPLA2 activity. Mexican manufactured antivenom had lower protein content but neutralized venom-induced brine shrimp lethality much more effectively than Indian manufactured antivenom.

In this study, fish farmers’ management practices, occurrence, and knowledge of fish diseases in Nyeri County, Kenya, were evaluated. Fish farming management practices for small-scale farmers in Kenya have numerous challenges which have led to disease occurrence and reduced production. Moreover, the impact and association of these challenges to farmers’ knowledge of fish diseases and their burden has not been fully studied. A semistructured questionnaire was used to capture farmers’ biodata, fish species farmed, and farmers’ management practices such as handling of nets, pond fertilization, and disposal of fish waste. Farmers’ knowledge of fish diseases was based on their ability to identify independent and dependent variable indicators. Independent variables included clinical signs, decreased feeding, bulging eyes, floating on water, abdominal swelling, bulging eyes, abnormal skin color, reduced growth, and abnormal swimming with fish death as were the dependent variable. A total of 208 farmers were interviewed and included those of tilapia (134), mixed tilapia and catfish (40), catfish (22), rainbow trout, and five dams under cooperative management. Tilapia was the most kept fish species (66.8%) followed by polyculture of tilapia and catfish (20%) and rainbow trout (2%). Most respondents were male (78.5%) over 51 years of age (50%). Fifty percent of the respondents had secondary school education. There was a significant association between deaths and sharing of nets in Kieni East subcounty ( p = 0.0049 , chi-square), while on-farm fish waste disposing appeared to cause higher deaths compared to burning of the waste although not statistically significant ( p = 0.13 ). Few respondents observed decreased feed uptake (

Aim: This was a systematic review conducted to evaluate the analgesic drugs and techniques used in the management of pain in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Materials and Methods: Systematic searches in PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect were conducted for peer-reviewed articles written in English and published from 1995 to 2015. The key search words were dogs, ovariohysterectomy, pain, and analgesics. This was followed by a manual search of the references within the primary data sources. Inclusion and exclusion of studies and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. All randomized studies evaluating the effects of analgesics during ovariohysterectomy in dogs were included. Results: A total of 31 trials met the criteria and were, therefore, included in the study. Data on the type of analgesic drugs used, the technique of administration, and the need for rescue analgesia were extracted from the papers. Individual analgesic protocols were used in 83.9% of the studies compared to multimodal drug therapy, which was used in 16.1% of the studies. Opioids were used in 39.0% of studies, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in 19.4%, a combination of NSAIDs and opioids in 19.4%, local analgesics in 6.5%, and acupuncture in 3.2% of the studies. Drug administration was done using three approaches that included pre-operative (64.5%), post-operative (22.6%) as well as combined pre- and post-operative approach (12.9%). In 77.4% of the studies, administration of analgesics was done once, while in 12.9%, it was done as a 72-h post-operative course. 24-h and 48-h courses of post-operative pain therapy were done in 6.5% and 3.2% of the studies, respectively. About 57% of the dogs in the control groups required rescue analgesia as compared to 21.6% in the single and 11.3% in multimodal drug therapy groups. The requirement for rescue analgesics was highest in dogs treated using acupuncture (43.8%) and lowest in dogs treated using NSAID-opioid combination (8.6%). Fewer dogs among those that received pain medication preoperatively and postoperatively required rescue analgesia compared to those in groups given drugs before and after surgery only. More dogs (26.4%) among those given analgesics only once postoperatively required rescue analgesia as compared to those that received analgesics daily for 72 h (4.4%). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that opioids are the mainstream analgesic drugs used in managing acute post-operative pain in dogs' post-ovariohysterectomy. In addition, multimodal drug therapy, particularly, NSAID-opioids combination is more effective for pain management than single drug administration. Administering analgesics both before and after surgery is associated with better outcomes and so is a protracted course of post-operative pain therapy. Although these practices should be encouraged, controlled studies should be conducted to conclusively determine the best practices for pain management in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) is an aquabirnavirus that causes serious diseases in a variety of fish species worldwide. It has been isolated from a large number of healthy fresh and marine water fish. Prior to this study, there was no record of the presence of IPNV infection in Kenya. Here, the presence of IPNV in farmed rainbow trout and tilapia was examined in Nyeri County of central Kenya. Head kidney samples taken from five rainbow trout and three tilapia farms and stored in RNALater® were processed by PCR followed by sequencing of a segment A fragment covering nucleotide positions 2,120-2,343 bp. IPNV was detected in all the farms sampled with infection ratios ranging from 0.3 to 0.78 although the infections were not associated with any specific clinical signs of disease. These findings were supported by immunohistochemistry staining of the virus in the kidney and exocrine pancreas of rainbow trout. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Kenyan isolates were identical to European isolates, suggesting a common origin. These findings highlight the need for better biosecurity procedures with more stringent surveillance programmes and control for fish diseases, especially focusing on imported breeding materials to Kenya.

The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices of people in the Nairobi and Kajiado Counties, Kenya, on the usage, disposal, and effect of plastic waste on sheep and goats (shoats). A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 384 respondents in four communities in the two counties. Most of the people irrespective of their age, occupation, and educational status used plastic bags of some type on a daily basis. A high proportion of the respondents (37.0%, 142) used plastic bags because of the low cost. Approximately, 79.1% (304) disposed used plastic bags in open dumps. A total of 147 (38.3%) households kept shoats. Out of these, 38.1% (56) purchased feed and also allowed their animals to roam. Most of them (45.3%, 174) thought that lack of feed for the animals was the main reason why shoats roam and scavenge at refuse dump sites and road sides. A large proportion of the respondents (44.5%, 143) mentioned death of animals as the ultimate consequence of ingestion of waste plastic bags. Though, the respondents were aware that indiscriminate disposal of used plastic bags could result in death of the animals from which they derive their livelihoods, they nevertheless continued with the practice. There is a need for a paradigm shift in the way and manner plastic bags are used and disposed.

Immune responses are critical for protection of chickens from infectious bursal disease (IBD). In this study, the antibody response-enhancing effect of drinking water supplementation of 1% stinging nettle and neem on different IBD vaccines and vaccination regimes was evaluated, using 36 (n = 36) specific antibody negative indigenous chicks. The birds were allocated into 3 groups as follows: 1A-C, 2A-C, and 3A-B, while group 3C acted as the unvaccinated non-supplemented control. A local inactivated K1 and imported live attenuated D78 IBD vaccines were given to groups 1A-C and 3A-B at 14 and 28 d of age, respectively. A combination of K1 and D78 vaccines was given 30 d apart to groups 2A and 2B (D78 at 14 and 21 d and K1 at 44 d of age) and on the same d to group 2C at 14 and 28 d of age. Stinging nettle was given in water to groups 1B, 2B, and 2C, and neem to groups 1C, 2A, and 3B. Birds were bled weekly and immune responses monitored using indirect ELISA. Both neem and stinging nettle had antibody response-enhancing effects in groups 1B and 1C, receiving the local inactivated K1 vaccine. There were significant differences (P0.05) in antibody titers between groups 1A and 2C. Stinging nettle induced earlier onset of high antibody responses in group 2C and persistent titers (3.8 log10) from the third week in group 2B. Imported live D78 vaccine induced higher antibody titers compared to the local inactivated K1 vaccine. Groups 2B and 2C receiving a combination of the local K1 and imported live attenuated D78 vaccines had the highest antibody titers. Adoption of stinging nettle supplementation and a prime-boost program involving use of a local virus isolates-derived vaccine is recommended.

Lethality and cytotoxicity assays of snake venoms and their neutralization by antivenom require many mice for the experiments. Recent developments have prompted researchers to seek alternative strategies that minimize the use of mice in line with Russel and Burch's 3Rs philosophy (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement). Artemia salina is an animal model widely used for toxicity screening. However, its use in snake venom toxinology is limited by a lack of data. The present study compared the toxicity of venoms from Bitis arietans, Naja ashei, and Naja subfulva using mice and Artemia salina. In the Artemia salina test at 24 h and the dermonecrotic test in mice, the toxicity of the venoms was in the order Naja ashei ~ Naja subfulva > Bitis arietans. In the lethality test in mice, the toxicity of the venoms was in the order Naja subfulva > Naja ashei > Bitis arietans. These findings suggest that the toxicity of the venoms in Artemia salina and the dermonecrotic bioassay in mice have a similar trend but differ from the lethality test in mice. Therefore, it may be relevant to further explore the Artemia salina bioassay as a potential surrogate test of dermonecrosis in mice. Studies with more venoms may be needed to establish the correlation between the Artemia salina bioassay and the dermonecrotic assay in mice., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Bitis arietans, Naja ashei, and Naja subfulva snake venom-induced toxicities were compared in Artemia salina and in mice. • Venom-induced toxicity in Artemia salina has a similar trend to necrosis in mice but not lethality. • The Artemia salina bioassay may be further explored along the 3Rs (Reduction, Replacement, and Refinement) concept.

Myiasis is the infestation of tissues of live vertebrate animals and humans with dipterous larvae. In sub-Saharan Africa, Cordylobia anthropohaga and Cordylobia rodhaini are known to be responsible for cutaneous myiasis in animals and humans. Human cases of myiasis, purportedly acquired in Ghana but diagnosed in other countries, have been reported; however, published data on its occurrence in animals in Ghana is unavailable. This study assessed the prevalence of canine myiasis among owned dogs in the Greater Accra region (GAR) of Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Greater Accra region of Ghana, selected for being the region with the highest estimated population density of owned dogs. Physical examination and demographic characteristics of the study dogs were assessed. Management of the dogs was assessed through a questionnaire administered to the dog owners. A total of 392 owned dogs were sampled. Twenty-nine (7.4%) had cutaneous myiasis caused by C. rodhaini. In addition, one (0.2%) of the dogs had intestinal myiasis, with Dermatobia hominis as the offending larvae. Among the breeds of dogs with myiasis, the mongrel was most affected, with 24 (82.8%) out of the 29 cases. The mongrels, majority of which (24; 82.8%) were males, were left to roam freely in the community. Results from this study demonstrate that C. rodhaini and D. hominis are important causes of myiasis in owned dogs in the GAR of Ghana. Dogs could play a role in the spread of myiasis to humans, with its attendant public health implications.

This study determined the presence, levels and co-occurrence of mycotoxins in fish feeds in Kenya. Seventy-eight fish feeds and ingredients were sampled from fish farms and fish feed manufacturing plants and analysed for 40 mycotoxins using high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. Twenty-nine (73%) mycotoxins were identified with 76 (97%) samples testing positive for mycotoxins presence. Mycotoxins with the highest prevalences were enniatin B (91%), deoxynivalenol (76%) and fumonisin B1 (54%) while those with the highest maximum levels were sterigmatocystin (&lt, 30.5&ndash, 3517.1 &micro, g/kg), moniliformin (&lt, 218.9&ndash, 2583.4 &micro, g/kg) and ergotamine (&lt, 29.3&ndash, 1895.6 &micro, g/kg). Mycotoxin co-occurrence was observed in 68 (87%) samples. Correlations were observed between the fumonisins, enniatins B and zearalenone and its metabolites. Fish dietary exposure estimates ranged between &lt, 0.16 and 43.38 &micro, g/kg body weight per day. This study shows evidence of mycotoxin presence and co-occurrence in fish feeds and feed ingredients in Kenya. Fish exposure to these levels of mycotoxins over a long period of time may lead to adverse health effects due to their possible additive, synergistic or antagonist toxic effects. Measures to reduce fish feed mycotoxin contamination should be taken to avoid mycotoxicosis in fish and subsequently in humans and animals through residues.

A study was carried out with the objective of determining the haematological and blood biochemical parameters in sheep and goats with plastic bags in the rumen for a period of 42 days. This was to indicate the possible influence of plastic bags in the rumen on blood parameters. 16, one-year old castrate Dorper sheep with a mean body weight of 26.8 kg (± 0.3 kg) and 16 one-year old castrate small East African goats with a mean weight of 24.5 kg (± 0.3 kg) were used for the study. The 16 sheep and 16 goats were divided into 4 groups of 4 animals each (n = 4). Three groups of each species were implanted with 129 g, 258 g and 387 g of plastic bags, respectively, in the rumen through rumenotomy and the fourth group of each species was control on which rumenotomy was done but with no implanting of plastic bags. Blood samples were obtained by jugular venipuncture from all sheep and goats every 2 weeks for analysis. The only haematological parameter that had significant change was platelets, which significantly (p < 0.05) increased in both sheep and goats with plastic bags in the rumen. However, mean values of erythrocytes, packed cell volume, haemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume decreased but not significantly in the sheep and goats with plastic bags in the rumen. The sheep and goats with plastic bags in the rumen had hyponatraemmia, hypochloridaemia and decreased aspartate aminotransferase enzyme activity. The changes observed in haematological and biochemical parameters could be an indication of adverse effects on the production and well-being of sheep and goats that ingest these plastic bags. These finding may be of diagnostic importance in cases of rumen impaction with indigestible foreign bodies, particularly, plastic bags.

Aflatoxins are fungal metabolites that contaminate foods and feeds, causing adverse health effects in humans and animals. This study determined the occurrence of aflatoxins in fish feeds and their potential effects on fish. Eighty-one fish feeds were sampled from 70 farms and 8 feed manufacturing plants in Nyeri, Kenya for aflatoxin analysis using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fish were sampled from 12 farms for gross and microscopic pathological examination. Eighty-four percent of feeds sampled tested positive for aflatoxins, ranging from 1.8 to 39.7 &micro, g/kg with a mean of 7.0 &plusmn, 8.3 &micro, g/kg and the median of 3.6 &micro, g/kg. Fifteen feeds (18.5%) had aflatoxins above the maximum allowable level in Kenya of 10 &micro, g/kg. Homemade and tilapia feeds had significantly higher aflatoxin levels than commercial and trout feeds. Feeds containing maize bran and fish meal had significantly higher aflatoxin levels than those without these ingredients. Five trout farms (41.7%) had fish with swollen abdomens, and enlarged livers with white or yellow nodules, which microscopically had large dark basophilic hepatic cells with hyperchromatic nuclei in irregular cords. In conclusion, aflatoxin contamination of fish feeds is prevalent in Nyeri, and may be the cause of adverse health effects in fish in this region.

Pasteurella multocida causes fowl cholera, a highly contagious and severe disease in chickens and water fowls. The disease is not well described in less intensive production systems, including scavenging family poultry production in developing countries. P. multocida was isolated from 25.9% of healthy-looking ducks and 6.2% of chickens from free-range family poultry farms and at slaughter slabs at market. On experimental infection with 1.2 to 2.0 x 10(8) organisms of the P. multocida type strain (NCTC 10322(T)), 12-week-old chickens expressed fowl cholera clinical signs significantly more times (372 signs) than those of 4-week-old, 8-week-old and 16-week-old chickens (173, 272 and 187 signs) and more signs were severe. In family ducks the 8-week-old birds expressed clinical signs significantly more times (188 signs) than those of the other age groups (117, 80, and 83 signs, respectively) and severe signs were more frequent. P. multocida transmitted from seeder birds (n=12) to sentinel birds (n=30), which developed clinical signs, and in some cases lesions of fowl cholera allowed bacterial re-isolation, whether infected ducks served as seeders for chickens or chickens served as seeder for ducks. This study has documented the occurrence of P. multocida among healthy-appearing family poultry in a tropical setting, and demonstrated that age susceptibility is highest in 12-week-old family chickens and 8-week-old family ducks when challenged with a low-virulent strain of P. multocida. It has further demonstrated that cross-transmission of fowl cholera may happen between family ducks and chickens, and vice versa.

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) isolates were recovered from outbreaks to initiate activities towards developing a local vaccine strain. Use of indigenous chicken embryos was exploited to determine their potential, promote utilization of local resources for research, and enhance household economic activities. Bursa of Fabricius (BFs) samples from outbreaks shown to be IBDV positive was homogenized and inoculated in 4-week-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) IBDV seronegative white leghorn chicks. The harvested virus was inoculated into 11-day-old indigenous chicken embryos that were IBDV seronegative and passaged serially three times after which they were inoculated into 4-week-old indigenous chicks to test for presence and virulence of propagated virus. Out of 153 BFs collected from outbreaks, 43.8% (67/153) were positive for IBDV antigen and 65.7% (44/67) caused disease in SPF chicks. The embryo mean mortalities were 88% on primary inoculation, 94% in 1st passage, 91% in 2nd passage, and 67% in 3rd passage. After the third passage in embryos all the 44 isolates were virulent in 4-week-old indigenous chicks. The results show that indigenous chicken embryos support growth of IBDV and can be used to propagate the virus as an alternative viral propagating tool for respective vaccine preparation.

Toxocariosis and ancylostomosis remain the most important parasitic infections affecting companion animals worldwide and pose a risk to animal and human health. Information on these infections in dogs in Ghana is inadequate. A cross sectional study was undertaken to determine the occurrence of gastrointestinal helminths infections and management practices of dogs in the Greater Accra Region (GAR) of Ghana. Faecal samples were obtained from 380 dogs from communities in 11 out of 16 districts in the GAR. Coprological examination of the samples was performed using the modified McMaster technique. Management practices for control of helminths in dogs were assessed through questionnaire interviews of the dog owners. Most dogs (70.7%) were kept for security reasons and were not housed (61.8%). Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths was 62.6%. Hookworm eggs were found in 178 (46.8%) dogs, Toxocara canis eggs in 22 (5.8%) and mixed infections of hookworms and T. canis in 38 (10.0%). Dipylidium caninum was found in 51 (13.4%) dogs, while Isospora species was in 33 (8.5%) dogs. Most households (68%; 133/194) of the sampled dogs had at least a child below the age of 5 years. Hookworm, T. canis and D. caninum were the zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths prevalent in dogs in the study area. Lack of housing for dogs creates ideal conditions for infection and spread of the zoonotic parasites.

Twenty goats, in two groups of 10, were injected intradermally with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The doses of infection were 1 x 10(5) and 5 x 10(4) colony-forming units (cfu) for groups 1 and 2, respectively. Thereafter, a goat from each group was killed every 2-3 days and examined for gross and microscopic caseous lesions in the draining lymph nodes. Bands or zones of macrophages and polymorphonuclear granulocytes were observed microscopically on the second day of infection in both groups. Gross caseous lesions were observed from days 8 and 9 of infection, respectively. Positive bacterial agglutination test and haemolysis inhibition test titres were detected after 15-17 days and 20-25 days of infection, respectively. These results indicated that caseous lymphadenitis is a subacute disease with an incubation period of 8-9 days, but that it is not detectable serologically until after 15 days of infection.

The implementation of strategies to detect, prevent, and control highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in developing countries presents several challenges, one of which is the presence of other diseases in poultry populations. Training workshops in developing countries using the Avian Flu School have revealed that in areas with heavy Newcastle disease burdens, smallholder poultry keepers do not recognize HPAI as an immediate threat. We have developed a strategy to address the more proximal needs and priorities of communities with free-ranging poultry flocks as a means to create value in poultry, and thus to improve disease detection and prevention overall. To this end, we have created the Poultry Health and Well-Being for Development project, which trains graduate veterinarians and paraprofessionals in poultry disease diagnosis, control, and treatment. These trainees then serve their local communities to improve poultry health and to implement disease detection and management programs.

Immunization together with application of biosecurity measures are the principal methods of preventing infectious bursal disease outbreaks in high-risk areas. However, outbreaks in vaccinated chicken flocks have been reported in many parts of the world as a result of factors of vaccine virus, animal, or vaccine handler. In Kenya, such outbreaks have been reported, but the causes have not been studied. This study aimed at determining the risk factors associated with vaccine handling leading to vaccine failure in broiler flocks in Kwale County, Kenya. Structured questionnaires and visual observations were used to collect data from 83 broiler farms, 6 breeding farms, and 17 vaccine outlets. Relative risk (RR) analysis was used to determine the association between identified potential risk factors and vaccination failure. Results show that vaccines were properly handled in all vaccine outlet shops. Breeding farms maintained high levels of biosecurity and employed standard vaccine handling practices. Basic biosecurity practices were poor in broiler farms. Broiler farms failed to meet all the recommended standard procedures for vaccine storage, reconstitution, and administration. Risk factors included poor vaccine storage (RR = 8.7) and use of few drinkers to administer vaccine (RR = 5.8); traces of disinfectants in drinkers used to administer live vaccine (RR = 2.8); use of wrong vaccine—infectious bronchitis instead of infectious bursal disease vaccine (RR = 2.1); and use of improper diluents (RR = 1.6). Broiler farmers need training on basic farm biosecurity measures and standard vaccine handling practices.

Lameness in cattle is one of the major causes of economic losses in dairy production systems (Hernandez et al., 2005; Kossaibati & Esslemont, 1997). These losses occur through various negative impact directly on cattle and indirectly on the dairy production system. These include reduced milk yield (Hernandez et al., 2005), discarding of milk due to withdrawal period of drugs used to treat some of the lameness conditions, cost of veterinary drugs and professional services in managing the conditions (Enting et al., 1997), lowered conception rate and increased calving interval (Melendez et al., 2003; Sogstad et al.,2006), reduced ovarian activity during early postpartum period (Garbarino et al., 2004), as well as premature culling and occasional mortalities (Enting et al., 1997). Lameness has also been identified as a major welfare determinant in cattle because of discomfort and pain that it causes (Offer et al., 2000).

This study was carried out to verify the possibility that ducks are sources of Newcastle disease (ND) virus infection for chickens in mixed flocks. Immunosuppressed (IS) and non immunosuppressed (NIS) birds, at three different antibody levels (medium, low and absent) were used; the titres having been induced through vaccination, and Immunosuppression done using dexamethazone. Each of the 3 respective groups was further divided into 2 groups of about 12 ducks each: one challenged with velogenic ND virus; the other not challenged. Selected ducks from all groups had their antibody titres monitored serially using hemagglutination inhibition test, while two birds from each of the challenged groups were killed and respective tissues processed for ND viral recovery, using chicken embryo fibroblasts. In general, antibody titres of IS and NIS challenged ducks were significantly higher than their unchallenged counterparts (P<0.05). Non-challenged pre-immunised ducks had a progressive decrease in antibody levels; non-immunised ducks did not seroconvert. Newcastle disease virus was isolated from livers and kidneys of the challenged ducks throughout the experimental period; indicating a possibility of viral excretion, especially when the birds are stressed. It, therefore, provides another possible model of viral circulation within mixed flocks.

Localization of Newcastle disease viral nucleoprotein and pathological lesions was evaluated in tissues of 55 indigenous ducks (45 experimentally infected and 10 sentinel ones). In addition, ten Newcastle disease infected chickens were used to ensure that the virus inoculum administered to the ducks produced the disease in chickens, the susceptible hosts. Ducks were killed on day 1, 4, 8 and 14 post-infection. Post-mortem examination was done with six tissues (liver, spleen, lung, caecal tonsils, kidneys and brain) being collected from each bird. The tissues were preserved in 10% neutral formalin for 24 h. They were then transferred to 70% ethanol for histology and immunohistochemical staining. Airsacculitis, necrotic splenic foci, congested intestines, lymphoid depleted caecal tonsils and focal infiltrations by mononuclear cells were the main pathological lesions in infected ducks. Over 28.9% of the infected ducks had Newcastle disease viral nucleoprotein in macrophage-like large mononuclear cells in the caecal tonsils and kidney tubular epithelium. The viral antigens were located in the cytoplasm and nucleolus of the cells. The other organs had no detectable viral antigens. This study shows that the kidneys and caecal tonsils are the likely predilection sites for the virus in ducks. They thus need to be considered as diagnostic indicators for the viral carriage in ducks.

Although the epidemiology of Newcastle disease in commercial poultry systems is well documented, its ecology in indigenous birds, especially in tropics, is not adequately reported. The objective of this study, therefore, was to determine the risk factors associated with occurrence of Newcastle disease in village indigenous chickens. The study was carried out in five agro –ecological zones and seventy five households keeping indigenous chickens. Farmers were randomly selected and assessed on whether they understood Newcastle disease including knowing its local name and clinical signs manifested by the affected birds. Those who did not fit into the above category were excluded from further interviews. Data on management practices, incidence of diseases and risk factors associated with Newcastle disease outbreaks were collected using a questionnaire and analysed using statistical package. The prevalence rate of Newcastle disease was highest (93.8%) in the dry zone (Low midland 5) and lowest (50%) in cool wet zone (Lower Highland 1). Newcastle disease outbreaks were significantly associated with the following factors namely: confinement of birds in all ecological zones except in lower midland 5 where most cases were reported without confinement; mode of disposal of infected birds, carcasses and poultry faecal matter; dry seasons in the dry zones just before the rains; wind conditions; short intermittent temperature changes and the restocking of farms with chickens from the markets (P 0.05) associated with Newcastle disease outbreaks. The responses varied across the seasons and between the agro – ecological zones. In conclusion, the study has shown that several factors namely: confinement; cold or very hot temperatures; winds; introduction of market birds and disposal of manure and sick birds are major risk factors to occurrence of Newcastle disease in indigenous chickens. It is recommended that flock owners be educated on Newcastle disease transmission and prevention. Key – words : risk factors, agro–ecological zones, confinement, hot and cold seasons

A study was carried out to determine the toxicity of unripe fruits of S. incanum L in goats. Dried unripe fruits of S. incanum L, were orally fed to goats at a dose rate of 0 (group1), 0.75 (group 2), 1.5 (group 3) and 2.25 (group 4) g/Kg /day for 9 weeks. Clinical signs were observed daily while blood with and without anticoagulant was taken weekly for haematological and biochemical analysis. Clinical signs started on day two with shivering. All group 4 goats (2.25g/ kg) showed bloat, colic, coughing and shivering while one goat had additional signs of depression, staggering gait and continuous bleating before death. One goat in group 3 (1.5g/kg) had bloat, shivering, progressive weakness, depression, staggering gait, lateral recumbency, leg paddling movements, continuous bleating and death while the rest were asymtomatic. All group 2 goats (0.75g/kg) were asymptomatic. Group 4 goats had hydroperitoneum and hydropericardium while group 3 had hydroperitoneum and fibrinous pericarditis. Group 2 goats had no significant pathology. On histopathology the brain of group 3 and 4 goats showed microthrombi, marked wallerian degeneration of neurons and necrosis of purkinje cells while group 2 goats only showed congestion. Other organs in the body also showed significant pathology. The results indicate that unripe fruits of S. incanum L are toxic to goats and allowing animals to graze on this plant could be deleterious to their health. Key words: Poisonous plants, Solanum incanum, Solanaceae, cerebellar disease, diseases of goats, neuropathology

The study reported data from 507 post-mortem records in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, Kenya. The records were from carcasses obtained from the peri-urban area of Nairobi during a 20-year period between 1990 and 2009. Approximately 80% (393/507) of the calf carcasses had their diagnosis made through post-mortem examination, while the rest (114/507) were inconclusive. Just less than half (48.3%) of the calf carcasses presented had their age specified by the owners compared to 51.7% whose age was not specified. For calf carcasses whose age was specified by the owners, those indicated as more than 3 months were one-and-a-half times as many as those below 3 months old. The proportion of female carcasses (53.8%, 273/507) presented for post-mortem were slightly higher than the male carcasses (46.2%, 234/507). Diseases or conditions of the respiratory system were the most common 17.7% (97/507) while gastrointestinal tract (GIT) was second and affected 16.1% (88/507) of the cases. Another small number, 3.3% (18/507), died from bloat giving the total cases associated with GIT as 19.4% (106/507). Severe calf malnutrition and septicaemia were the third most reported causes of calf mortality in similar proportions at 14.3% (78/507) and 14.4% (79/507), respectively. Other minor causes of calf mortality were tick-borne diseases 8.6% (47/507), helminthiasis and poisoning, 2.9% (16/507) and 1.8% (10/507), respectively.

Prospective study was carried out to determine the characteristics of claw lesions in dairy cattle in Nairobi and the peri-urban districts between December 2005 and May 2006. The gaits of 300 dairy cows in 29 zero-grazed and 3 pasture-grazed farms were evaluated and their claws examined for laminitis and other lesions. A retrospective study was also conducted on case records for dairy cattle foot lameness in the Large Animal Clinic of the University of Nairobi. Claws were also collected from abattoirs and examined for lesions. Data was analyzed with GENSTAT for Windows Discovery Edition 2. From the retrospective study, the prevalence of laminitic lesions was 0.79% while infective lesions particularly interdigital necrobacillosis and sole abscesses had prevalence of 35.7% and 11.1% respectively. In the prospective study, the prevalence of laminitis was 70.3%, sole bruising 45%, heel erosion 27.3%, white line separation 18% and double soles 17%. However, the total prevalence of infective claw lesions was 4.7%. Abattoir claws had lesions with similar trends as prospective survey. Current nutrition, housing and management practices that are adopted for increasing productivity and improving hygiene, may account for changes seen in claw lesion patterns of increased laminitis and decreased infective lesions in dairy cattle.

Rinderpest was confirmed in Kenya in 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989. Three epidemiologically distinct events appear to have occurred: repeated outbreaks in West Pokot district related to cross-border movement of stock, an outbreak in Marsabit district in 1987 (thought to have been caused by illegal movement of cattle, possibly in vehicles, from countries further north) and a series of related outbreaks in and near Nairobi between 1988 and 1989 due to the unauthorized movement from abattoirs and holding grounds of slaughter stock possibly introduced from West Pokot or Marsabit. In West Pokot the disease affected unvaccinated calves and yearlings. In Marsabit cattle of all ages were affected. In August 1988, a major outbreak was confirmed in Kiambu and Kajiado districts in central Kenya, near Nairobi. At the same time a provisional diagnosis of rinderpest was made in a herd of cattle at a slaughterhouse in Nairobi. Rinderpest virus was isolated from sick cattle in all the outbreaks. Experimental infection of susceptible cattle with the Kiambu isolate demonstrated this to be of low virulence. Emergency vaccination and quarantine measures instituted immediately after confirmation eliminated clinical disease within three to four weeks in West Pokot, Kiambu and Nairobi. In Kajiado, however, the disease persisted for at least nine months, during which time a series of virus isolates was recovered. There was no evidence of infection in susceptible wildlife. This increase in the incidence of rinderpest in Kenya in recent years serves to highlight the problems of control and the need for concerted efforts to eradicate the threat of the disease from East Africa.

In this study, one hundred and thirty three non - vaccinated village hens in lay were tested for carriage of Newcastle disease virus and presence of antibody against the virus in sera, ovules and eggs. Blood was obtained from the hens through wing venipuncture while matched ovules and mature eggs were taken from the oviducts. Cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected from each hen for virus isolation. Haemagglutination inhibition assay was performed for all sera and egg yolk samples. Protective serum antibody titres of ≥3 (log2) were recorded in 5.3% of the naturally exposed, indigenous village hens. Antibody titers to Newcastle disease virus in the yolks were higher than in their sera (230.08 ± 40.05; 1.56 ± 0.74 for egg yolk and sera, respectively) (P Keywords: Newcastle disease, egg yolk, nonvaccinated, village chickens

The objective of the study was to determine the common radiographic features in laminitic claws from dairy cows using abattoir samples. A total of 192 claws were collected from Wangige slaughter slab and 126 claws from Kiserian abattoir. The claws were examined for gross lesions. Dorso-palmar/dorso-plantar and lateral radiographic exposures of each claw were taken and evaluated for radiographic changes. Subclinical and chronic laminitis was respectively present in 35% and 21% of the claws examined and 44% of the claws showed extreme deformities. Concurrent appearance of lesions was in 27% of the claws. Radiographic changes were observed in the pedal bones but not in the adjacent joints. Dilated vascular channels (61%) and prominently visible non-dilated vascular channels (24%) in the pedal bones were observed in subclinical and chronic laminitis. The most frequently observed radiographic changes in pedal bones were: irregular (serrated) margins (14%), exostoses (8%), and narrowing (6%), complete absence (3%) or partial absence (1%) of its apex. Other changes on the pedal bones were: rotation (4%), “dropping (sinking)” (3%), fissure fractures (2%), periostitis (1%) and osteolysis (1%). Most of these radiographic changes were seen in claws that had chronic laminitis with extreme deformities. It is concluded that radiographic changes in laminitis occur during the chronic phase and are most severe when concurrent extreme deformities of the claws are present. Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 31 (2) 2007: pp. 72-78

La prevalence et les facteurs de risque de la fourbure aigue etaient determines chez 300 vaches laitieres de 29 fermes en zero-pâturage et de 3 ferme en pâturage a Nairobi et dans les districts periurbains. La boiterie etait estimee a l\'aide d\'un systeme d\'evaluation de la locomotion universellement reconnu. Les onglons etaient examines et une couche de 1-2mm d\'epaisseur de la corne de la sole etait rognee pour exposer davantage les lesions qui etaient en-dessous. La localisation des lesions sous les onglons etait enregistree selon les 6 zones universellement reconnues. La prevalence de la fourbure aigue infraclinique et chronique etait de 49,3% et 21% respectivement. Alors que l\'hemorragie de la sole n\'etait observee que chez 82% sur les 70,3% des vaches souffrant de fourbure aigue (a la fois infraclinique et chronique), elle a en revanche ete notee chez toutes les 49,3% des vaches en phase infraclinique de fourbure aigue. Les hemorragies etaient reparties en 5 categories universellement reconnues. Les hemorragies dans la zone 4 en-dessous de l\'onglon etaient souvent associees a la fourbure aigue infraclinique, tandis que celles dans les zones 2, 3 et 6 etaient surtout associees a la fourbure aigue chronique. Les hemorragies « faible a moderee » (point 1 et 2) avaient une forte correlation (χ2 = 18,01 ; p Prevalence and risk factors of laminitis were determined in 300 dairy cows from 29 zero-grazed and 3 pasture-grazed dairy farms in Nairobi and the peri-urban districts. Lameness was assessed using a universally recognized locomotion scoring system. Claws were examined and 1-2mm thick layer of the horn of the sole was trimmed-off to further expose underlying lesions. Location of lesions on the under-side of the claws was recorded corresponding to 6 universally recognized zones. Prevalence of subclinical and chronic laminitis was 49.3% and 21% respectively. While sole haemorrhages were recorded in 82% of the 70.3% of the cows with laminitis (both subclinical and chronic), it was nevertheless present in all the 49.3% of the cows with subclinical phase of laminitis. Haemorrhages were categorized into 5 universally recognized scores. Haemorrhages in zone 4 of the claw under-side were frequently associated with subclinical laminitis while those in zones 2, 3 and 6 were frequently associated with chronic laminitis. Slight to moderate (score 1 and 2) haemorrhages were significantly correlated (χ2 = 18.01, p Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa Vol. 55 (4) 2007: pp. 232-243

No Abstract Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa Vol. 55 (4) 2007: pp. 292-295

Une etude preliminaire a ete menee entre janvier et mai 2006 pour enqueter sur la prevalence des helminthes et leurs lesions pathologiques chez quatre especes de poisson. Au total, 43 poissons frais de la riviere Tana, vendus au marche de Gikomba, ont ete achetes et autopsies. Ces poissons etaient 15/43 (34,9%) de l'espece Oreochromis, 11/43 (25,6%) Clarias spp., 10/43 (23,2%) Cyprinus carpio et 7/43 (16,3%) Barbus spp. A l'autopsie, on a trouve plusieurs vers Contraceacum au troisieme stade larvaire dans la cavite abdominale, les muscles et derriere les branchies. Au total, 91% des poissons-chats (Clarias spp.) et 20% des tilapias (Oreochromis spp.) avaient une infestation « moderee a grave » de vers Contraceacum. L'intensite de l'infestation variait entre 1 et 593 helminthes par poisson, ce qui a provoque une grave peritonite et l'adherence sur les organes visceraux. Au microscope, les helminthes causaient une forte infiltration des heterophiles, des macrophages, des plasmocytes et la fibrose des organes. Il y avait une atrophie de la pression de l'epithelium du canal biliaire chez un tilapia, qui a ete causee par un tenia migrateur pleurocercoide, un protozoaire Cryptocotyle incruste sur l'arc branchial, et des lesions parasitaires granulomateuses sur les parois des intestins. Les autres lesions observees etaient des hemorragies, des ulceres et des blessures sur les nageoires, autour de la bouche et sur la peau. Les resultats de cette etude montrent que les poissons de la Riviere Tana sont infestes par les helminthes qui provoquent de graves lesions pathologiques chez les poissons affectes. Ces poissons peuvent aussi servir de reservoirs de ces parasites pour les poissons d'aquaculture. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa Vol. 56 (1) 2008: pp. 38-46

One hundred and twenty three indigenous chickens and 24 ducks reared under free range scavenging system were examined for the carrier status of Pasteurella multocida. Both the oropharynyngeal and cloacal swab samples were examined for the presence of the organisms by means of mouse passage and inoculation into blood agar. Of these, 53 chickens and 24 ducks were from different smallholder farms in Nairobi, and Machakos districts, 41 chickens were from various slaughterhouses in Nairobi, while 29 were market chickens obtained from various market centers in Nairobi. The traded (market and slaughter) chickens all originated from rural districts in various parts of the country. From the 123 chickens examined, Pasteurella multocida subspecies were isolated only from four birds. The isolates were recovered from the traded chickens only. Pasteurella organisms were not from any of the 24 ducks. On the basis of biochemical characterization, the organisms were differentiated as P. multocida multocida (1/4), P. multocida septica (1/4) and P. multocida gallicida (2/4). This study suggests that healthy traded poultry could be carriers of Pasteurella multocida. It describes the first report of Pasteurella multocida isolation from indigenous birds in Kenya. Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 31 (1) 2007: pp. 1-5

A 10-year–old German shepherd dog was presented with right fore limb oedema, ascites and hepatomegaly. A clinical diagnosis of ehrlichiosis and liver failure was made. Response to therapy was unfavorable and with the owner's consent, euthanasia was performed. Necropsy findings revealed a markedly enlarged liver whose surface had numerous cream colored nodular masses. On histopathology, the liver tissue was destroyed by the infiltrating neoplastic mast cells and eosinophils. Based on the gross and microscopic findings, the condition was diagnosed as metastatic mastocytoma that resulted in liver failure. Occurrence of systemic mastocytosis without overt cutaneous lesions is rare. This article documents a case of liver failure due to malignant mastocytosis of which there are scant reports. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 30 (1) 2006: pp. 19-22

APPARITION ET PATHOLOGIE DE L'ARTHRITE ET DE L'ENCEPHALITE CAPRINES CHEZ LES JEUNES CHEVRES AU KENYA Resume Six chevreaux SEA (race “petite chevre de l'Afrique de l'Est”) et leurs croisements âges de 3-16 semaines venant de trois districts du Kenya etaient examines. Du point de vue clinique, l'on a observe chez ces chevreaux une incoordination, des tremblements fasciculaires, le tournis, le torticolis et la paralysie de tous les membres. Ceux qui sont arrives in extremis etaient couches, belaient comme s'ils souffraient de grandes douleurs et essayaient de ruminer. A l'autopsie, tous les chevreaux avaient un collapsus pulmonaire et des petites taches rougesfoncees; deux avaient le cerveau congestionne et un avait une dilatation des ventricules lateraux avec beaucoup de liquide. Un chevreau avait les articulations carpiennes enflees et une portion de l' intestin grele presque completement encerclee de tissu lymphoide. Chez tous les chevreaux, le mesentere et les autres ganglions lymphatiques etaient legerement hypertrophies. Au microscope, tous les chevreaux avaient une encephalite ventriculaire non-suppurative, une pneumonie lobaire et une hyperplasie lymphoide generalisee. D'apres les aspects cliniques et les traits macroscopiques et microscopiques, il a ete conclu que tous les chevreaux sont morts de la forme encephalitique de l'arthrite et de l'encephalite caprines (AEC). Il s'agit du premier rapport sur la forme nerveuse de l' AEC au Kenya et egalement du premier rapport qui ait rassemble a la fois des informations sur l'encephalite et l'arthrite chez un chevreau. Summary Six kids of the Small East African (SEA) goat and their crosses aged between 3-16 weeks from three districts of Kenya were examined. Clinically, the kids were observed to have incoordination, muscle tremors, staggering, torticollis and paralysis of all limbs. Those brought in extremis were recumbent, bleating like in extreme pain and attempted to chew. On postmortem examination, all the kids had partially collapsed lungs and small dark red patches, two had congested brains and one had dilation of the lateral ventricles with excessive fluid. One kid had swollen carpal joints and a portion of the small intestine was almost completely encircled with lymphoid tissue. The mesenteric and other lymph nodes were moderately enlarged. Microscopically, all kids had non-suppurative ventricular encephalitis, interstitial pneumonia and generalized lymphoid hyperplasia. On the basis of clinical presentations, gross and microscopic features, it was concluded that they all had died of the encephalitic form of caprine arthritis – encephalitis (CAE). This is the first report of the nervous form of CAE in Kenya, and also the first to document encephalitis together with arthritis in a kid. Bull. Anim. Hlth. Prod. Afr. (2005) 53, 77-83

Background: Resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and disinfectants has been reported widely in the world. Listeria monocytogenes is no exception, although normally it tends to be variably sensitive to many antibiotics and disinfectants. Objectives: To assess the susceptibility of Listeria isolates recovered from indigenous chickens to commonly used antimicrobials. Design: Nine Listeria isolates recovered from village chickens were tested for sensitivity to commonly used antibiotics and disinfectants and compared with Listeria monocytogenes type strains (L028 and DGH), Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Subjects: Nine Listeria isolates. Interventions: None. Main outcome measures: Susceptibility to eight antibiotics and seven disinfectants. Results: The nine Listeria isolates were sensitive to gentamycin (100%), kanamycin (88.9%), tetracycline (77.8%), cotrimoxazole (66.7%), chloramphenicol (66.7%) and resistant to ampicillin, augmentin and cefuroxime. There was no difference between the antibiotic sensitivity to the various Listeria isolates and Listeria monocytogenes type strains (P>0.05). The isolates were sensitive to disinfectants; A (100%), B (88.9 %), D (77.8%), E (77.8%) but resistant to, CF, and G. There was significant difference between the resistance of Listeria isolates to the various disinfectants at the varied dilutions and the resistance at the recommended user - dilution (P Conclusion: This study has shown that some of the Listeria isolates were resistant to most common antimicrobial agents except gentamycin and disinfectant A. Hence the need to consider this resistance pattern for effective treatment and control of listeriosis. East African Medical Journal Vol.81(10) 2004: 534-537