Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in a dairy cattle farm and a research farm in Ghana.

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) and to identify the mycobacterial species causing BTB in a dairy farm and research farm. Six hundred and eighty-five cattle were screened for BTB by using the Comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CTT). Positive reactors were slaughtered and carcasses were taken for isolation of mycobacterial species.

Microbiological quality and antibiotic residues in informally marketed raw cow milk within the coastal savannah zone of Ghana.

Objectives: To investigate the microbiological quality and the presence of antibiotic residues in raw cow milk and in some indigenous milk products produced and marketed by the informal sector in the coastal savannah zone of Ghana.

Methods: Milk samples were aseptically collected from 224 kraals and samples of 26 indigenous milk products were purchased from processors and retailers. Total plate counts, total coliform counts and the presence of Escherichia coli and E.

Bacterial contaminations of informally marketed raw milk in ghana.

Summary Background: Milk has an outstanding nutritional quality but is also an excellent medium for bacterial growth and an important source of bacterial infection when consumed without pasteurization.

Objective: To estimate the bacterial health risk of milk consumption in Accra and Kumasi, the two major cities in Ghana.

Method: A total of 96 raw milk samples collected in 2002 from the two sites were cultured and the isolated organisms identified by standard bacteriological methods.

Reproduction and mortality in a colony of captive greater cane rats, Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck.

The reproductive performance and mortalities in a colony of captive greater cane rats, Thryonomys swinderianus, were monitored from 1992 to 1998 at the Grasscutter Domestication Centre, Achimota, Ghana. The animals were kept in cages and exposed to constant lighting from a 100 W electric light bulb during the night. The diet consisted mainly of freshly cut Panicum maximum (guinea grass) fed ad libitum, with occasional supplements of cassava and cane sugar.

Chemotherapy of dermatophilosis--a preliminary study.

In view of the unpredictability of results of antibiotic therapy of bovine dermatophilosis and following the report of successful use of 10% formalin administered intravenously at the dosage of 20 ml per 100 kg body weight, a trial was undertaken to evaluate the latter treatment in naturally-occurring dermatophilosis in a group of Friesian crossbred cattle. Group 1 animals were given only 10% formalin. Group 2 received 10% formalin and long-acting oxytetracycline (L/AO) at a dosage of 20 mg per kg body weight and Group 3 animals were given only L/AO.

Effects of exogenous amino acids on the multiplication of porcine Escherichia coli.

The multiplication rates of 70 porcine Escherichia coli strains were compared in minimal medium and in medium supplemented with aspartic acid, lysine, serine and threonine, which were the amino acids taken up during multiplication of porcine E. coli in a complex medium. The effects of these amino acids singly or in combinations and the amino acids norleucine and norvaline on the growth of porcine E.