College of Veterinary Medicine

ISOLATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF Escherichia coli O157: H7 FROM GOAT MEAT, SELECTED FRUIT AND VEGETABLES IN MAYA CITY, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

2025-04-01T00:00:00Z

ISOLATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF Escherichia coli O157: H7 FROM GOAT MEAT, SELECTED FRUIT AND VEGETABLES IN MAYA CITY, EASTERN ETHIOPIA Dursitu Teha Hassen; Prof. Adem Hiko; Dr. Amare Eshetu. Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a cause of food-borne disease and global public health issues especially in developing countries. In Ethiopians most people prefer to eat raw or undercooked meat and fresh vegetables and fruits. A cross-sectional study was carried out from September 2024 to February 2025 to study the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7, evaluate its antimicrobial resistance, and assess hygienic practices in goat meat, selected fruits and vegetables at Maya city, Eastern Ethiopia. A total of 224 samples were collected, isolated, and confirmed using selective enrichment media, biochemical tests, and latex agglutination tests. The overall occurrence of E. coli O157:H7 was estimated to be 34(15.18%) and from total positive result, 12/34 (35.3%) of was found in goat meat swabs from butcher shop, 3/34 (8.8%) in tomato, 3/34 (8.8%) in cabbage, 5/34 (14.7%) in carrot, 6/34 (17.7%) in lettuce, 3/34 (8.8%) in banana and 2/34 (5.9%) in orange samples from open market. Hygiene and sanitation data were collected using questionnaire and observational checklist. The antimicrobial susceptibility study of 7 E. coli O157:H7 isolates using 8 commercially available antimicrobial discs revealed that all isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, clindamycin and penicillin antimicrobial disks and 6(85.7%) isolates were resistant to ampicillin and vancomycin. Also, 5(71.4%) isolates was resistant to erythromycin. However, 6(85.7%), 4(57.1%) and 1(14.3%) isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacillin, kanamycin and vancomycin antimicrobial disks respectively. The results of this study demonstrate the presence of drug-resistant E. coli O157:H7 in goat meat, selected fruits and vegetables at Maya city. Results also showed multiple antimicrobial resistant profiles of E. coli O157:H7 isolates, poor personal hygiene practices among meat, fruit and vegetables handlers, and general hygiene measures in place. The current study needs for implementation of E. coli O157:H7 prevention and control strategies from butcher shops and open market. 78p.

ISOLATION AND MOLECULAR DETECTION OF LUMPY SKIN DISEASE VIRUS FROM OUTBREAK CASES IN BALE ZONE, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

2025-03-01T00:00:00Z

ISOLATION AND MOLECULAR DETECTION OF LUMPY SKIN DISEASE VIRUS FROM OUTBREAK CASES IN BALE ZONE, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA Muzeyen Mohammadnur Biltu; Bruk Abraha Fitwi Assoc. Prof.); Tesfaye Rufael Chibbsa (PHD) Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a transboundary viral disease of cattle that has rapidly spread from Africa to Europe and Asia, causing significant economic losses. This study aimed to isolate and molecularly detect the Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) in three selected districts of the Bale zone, Ethiopia, and assess associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to July 2024 in purposively selected districts. A total of 227 cattle from outbreak areas were examined, of which 13 showed clinical signs of LSD. Additionally, 100 house-holds were surveyed using semi-structured questionnaires to assess knowledge, disease history, and risk factors. Samples collected included skin nodules (n=10), nasal swabs (n=1), and saliva swabs (n=2). Virus isolation was performed using the Vero cell line (P-40), followed by molecular detection via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data were analyzed using SPSS 20, employing descriptive statistics and logistic regression. All 13 samples exhibited cytopathic effects (CPE) consistent with LSDV, and real-time PCR confirmed their positivity. The study revealed morbidity, mortality, and case fatality rates of 5.7%, 1.32%, and 23.08%, respectively. Logistic regression identified key risk factors, including lack of vaccination (AOR: 7.46, p = 0.001), introduction of new animals (AOR: 6.146, p = 0.003), and communal watering points (AOR: 6.394, p = 0.027). The study confirmed the presence of LSDV with high case fatality rates in the Bale zone, driven by factors such as unvaccinated herds, new animal introductions, and shared watering sources. Effective disease management, continuous surveillance, and advanced molecular research, such as genome sequencing, are crucial to mitigate the economic impact of LSD, improve outbreak control, and enhance vaccine development. 82p.

HYGIENIC PRACTICES IN MILK HANDLING AND PREVALENCE OF CAMPYLOBACTER IN RAW COW MILK SUPPLY CHAINS IN MAYA CITY, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

HYGIENIC PRACTICES IN MILK HANDLING AND PREVALENCE OF CAMPYLOBACTER IN RAW COW MILK SUPPLY CHAINS IN MAYA CITY, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA Ishetu Namomsa; Dr. Sisay Girma; Dr. Dinaol Belina Campylobacter is an intestinal bacterium of animals, especially poultry, cattle and other livestock. It is one of the most common bacterial causes of foodborne infection in humans worldwide, usually through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of Campylobacter in raw cow milk through its supply chain and to assess the contribution factors for contamination of raw cow milk in Maya City. A total of 127 raw cow milk samples with 60 milk contact associate environmental samples were collected from February 2024 to July 2024 through a cross-sectional type of study. Raw milk and environmental samples were collected and processed using enrichment, differential, and selective medium. Risk factors for Campylobacter occurrences were assessed using culture method laboratory diagnosis of milk and environmental samples and structured questionnaire surveys, followed by binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of Campylobacter in tested raw cow milk was 11.02% (95% CI: 0.95-9.68), and in environmental samples it was 8.3% (95% CI: 0.14- 1.71), resulting in an overall prevalence of 10.70%. The occurrence of Campylobacter in raw cow milk was significantly associated with poor cleanness of the house (AOR: 14.35, 95% CI: 1.25- 164.62), poor cow cleanliness (AOR: 5.7, 95% CI: 1.23-40.20), use of unclean containers (AOR: 6.63, 95% CI: 1.28-34.35. The current study indicated that there is a significant prevalence of Campylobacter in fresh farm milk from milk selling sites (17.7%) and udder milk (6.6%) from individual dairy cows. A questionnaire survey revealed limited awareness, with 95% of respondents lacking training in hygienic milk handling. The prevalence of Campylobacter in raw cow milk supplied to the community is slightly high in the Maya City East Hararghe zone, Ethiopia, when compared with other studies in the country. It is highly associated with hygiene practices in the milk supply value chain. Thus, strict hygiene measures, including cleaning and disinfection of milking areas, equipment, and containers, as well as efforts should be made to establish baseline data for Campylobacter prevalence in the study area to enable trend analysis and better epidemiological understanding. 77p.

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES ON ANTIMICROBIAL USE AND RESISTANCE AMONG COMMERCIAL POULTRY FARM OWNERS AND WORKERS IN SELECTED CITIES OF EASTERN ETHIOPIA

2025-03-01T00:00:00Z

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES ON ANTIMICROBIAL USE AND RESISTANCE AMONG COMMERCIAL POULTRY FARM OWNERS AND WORKERS IN SELECTED CITIES OF EASTERN ETHIOPIA Bekiyad Shasho Daro; Yihenew Getahun ( MSc); Dawit Kassaye ( MSc); Dinaol Belina ( PhD) Antimicrobials are vital for disease control and productivity; however, their inappropriate use leads to antimicrobial resistance, a global threat to public health. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of poultry farm owners and workers towards antimicrobial use and resistance in three selected cities in Eastern Ethiopia, through structured interviews with a census of 106 poultry farms. Findings indicated that only 30.2% (95% CI: 22.1%-39.7%) had good knowledge, regarding antimicrobials (36.7%, OR=24.7, p<0.001), unawareness of residues (67.9%; OR=0.02, p<0.001), disease-specific drug (34.9%; OR=54.2, p=0.001), unfamiliarity with residue transmission (64.2%, OR=0.01, p<0.001), and difference in efficacy of antimicrobials (64.2%; OR=8.79, p=0.033). Attitudes were desirable in 48.1% (95% CI: 38.6%-57.7%), subjected to random antimicrobial use (64.4%, OR=3.94, p=0.026), missing doses (7.7%, OR=0.04, p = 0.013), using with feed (53.6%, OR=20.91, p<0.001), correct dosage (61.5%, OR=11.82, p=0.010), controlling access to antimicrobials (57.4%, OR=7.02, p=0.016), not obliged to finish before expiration (65.3%, OR=10.01, p=0.001), and minimizing antimicrobial use (75.9%, OR=15.37, p<0.001). Improved practices were noted only in 38.7% (95% CI: 29.8%-48.4%), with personal drug administration (90.9%, OR=11.8, p=0.010), non-professional recommendations (77.8%, OR=28.93, p=0.016), uninformed about its use as growth promoter (8.3%, OR=0.05, p=0.036), noting withdrawal times (87.5%, OR=30.9, p<0.001), adjusting dose when no recovery (95.6%, OR=13, p=0.002), not ceasing treatment even if symptoms go (64.5%, OR=30.9, p=0.007), and not switching antimicrobials (13.2%, OR=0.004, p=0.001). Pertaining to the associated factors for each, knowledge was found to be directly related with attitudes (r=0.3278, p=0.0006) and practices (r=0.4300, p<0.0001), and also attitudes with practices (r=0.2278, p=0.0189). In general, this study identified significant gaps in knowledge, attitudes and practices related to antimicrobial use and resistance among commercial poultry farm owners and workers in eastern Ethiopia, necessitating targeted interventions to enhance understanding and promote responsible antimicrobial use practices. Therefore, comprehensive education, veterinary guidance, mentorship programs, and robust antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems are necessary to address the gaps and curb the spread of resistance in the study areas and beyond 95p.