Investigating compliance with cow comfort and mastitis control recommendations on mastitis outcomes in smallholder dairy farms in Central Kenya.

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Kenya in 2020 with the objectives being to assess compliance of smallholder dairy farmers (SDF) with farm-specific mastitis and cow comfort recommendations, to determine factors associated with compliance, and to determine the impact of these recommendations in reducing cases of subclinical mastitis. A total of 114 SDFs (124 cows) were recruited into the study and randomly allocated into intervention (74 farms) and control (40 farms) groups during the first farm visit. Existing farm-level mastitis control and cow comfort strategies were assessed in both intervention and control farms.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with infection among calves in Narok County, Kenya.

Background And Aim: East Coast fever (ECF), caused by , is a devastating disease that causes significant economic losses to cattle production in sub-Saharan Africa. Prevention and control of ECF are challenging in pastoral settings due to inadequate epidemiological information. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with infection among calves in different production systems to help design appropriate control interventions.

In-silico analysis of potent Mosquirix vaccine adjuvant leads.

Background: World Health Organization recommend the use of malaria vaccine, Mosquirix, as a malaria prevention strategy. However, Mosquirix has failed to reduce the global burden of malaria because of its inefficacy. The Mosquirix vaccine's modest effectiveness against malaria, 36% among kids aged 5 to 17 months who need at least four doses, fails to aid malaria eradication.

Alcohol spiked with zolpidem and midazolam potentiates inflammation, oxidative stress and organ damage in a mouse model.

Purpose: Crime-related spiking of alcoholic drinks with prescription drugs is quite common and has been happening for centuries. This study, therefore, evaluated the effects of oral administration of alcohol spiked with the zolpidem and midazolam potent sedatives on inflammation, oxidative stress and various organ damage in male Swiss albino mice.

Methods: Mice were randomly assigned into six treatment groups; the first group constituted the normal control, the second group received 50 mg/kg body weight of zolpidem only, the third group received 50 mg/kg body weight zolpidem dissolved in 5 g/kg alcohol, the fourth group received 50 mg/kg midazolam only, the fifth group received midazolam (50 mg/kg) dissolved in 5 g/kg alcohol and the sixth group received 5 g/kg alcohol.

Randomized control trial to investigate compliance with, and impacts of, cow comfort recommendations on smallholder dairy farms in Kenya.

Smallholder dairy farmers (SDF) in developing countries often have limited understanding on the importance of cow comfort. We conducted a randomized controlled trial with 124 cows on 114 Kenyan SDF to determine the status of cow comfort, to assess compliance to farm-specific cow comfort recommendations, and to evaluate the impacts of the farm-specific interventions on cow comfort. On the first farm visit, stall dimensions and characteristics (e.

The prevalence, antimicrobial sensitivity, and factors associated with camel mastitis in Isiolo County, Kenya.

Background And Aim: The one-humped camels () adapt very well to arid and semi-arid (ASALs) environments and continue to thrive and produce milk even during severe droughts when cattle, sheep, and goats experience high mortalities. These attributes make the dromedaries very vital for the survival of pastoralists, especially in the ASALs of Africa. Mastitis is among the most important diseases of camels and can cause significant economic losses, thereby endangering the livelihoods of pastoralists.

Factors associated with total coliform and total viable bacterial count in camel milk from Isiolo County, Kenya.

Background And Aim: Camels have adaptive features to harsh climatic conditions, which make them a valued stable source of livelihood in arid lands. This study estimated the total bacterial and coliform counts (CCs), their associated factors in raw camel milk from the pastoral camel keepers, and the entire milk value chain in Isiolo County and Nairobi, Kenya. This study elucidates the bacterial load in camel milk and its potential risk.

Evaluation of antibody and antigen cross-reaction in Kenyan dairy cattle naturally infected with two pestiviruses: Bovine viral diarrhea virus and classical swine fever virus.

Background And Aim: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and classical swine fever virus (CSFV) are important pathogens of cattle and pigs, respectively, and belong to the genus Pestivirus. As CSFV has been shown to infect cattle, it can create diagnostic challenges of BVDV results through possible cross-reactivity where cattle could be exposed to pigs and CSFV. This study aimed to determine the possible cross-reactivity of BVDV and CSFV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results for antigen (Ag) and antibody (Ab) among smallholder dairy cattle in Kenya.

Effectiveness of dry cow therapy and/or internal teat sealant on existing infections in smallholder dairy farms in Kenya.

Background And Aim: Dry cow therapy (DCT) can be an effective treatment of mastitis that has not responded to conventional treatment during lactation. The aim of this study was to establish the effectiveness of DCT options available in reducing intramammary infections in smallholder dairy farms in Kiambu County, Kenya.

Materials And Methods: The study targeted smallholder dairy farms which were registered at the local dairy cooperatives and which had cows that were at the point of dry-off.

Evaluation of environmental and comfort improvements on affective welfare in heifer calves on smallholder dairy farms.

A controlled trial on zero-grazed smallholder dairy farms was conducted to determine the effect of environmental and comfort improvements on sucking and lying behaviours in heifer calves on Kenyan smallholder dairy farms. The study involved 187 heifer calves from 150 farms in two Kenyan counties, 75 farms per county. Farms in one county received animal welfare training and improvements in the calf pen that included: 1) placement of rubber mats on the lying area; 2) fixing gaps/holes in the flooring and roofing; and 3) attaching a rubber nipple on the wall of the calf pen.

Effect of housing improvement and other factors on the growth of heifer calves on Kenyan smallholder dairy farms.

This trial evaluated average daily gain (ADG) effects of heifer calves (< 1 year old) from affordable housing improvements to the roof and flooring on 150 randomly allocated smallholder dairy farms. During the 16-month data collection period, bimonthly farm visits were used to measure weight and other animal- and farm-level factors on the 187 study calves. Multivariable linear regression was used to model ln ADG and ADG during pre-weaning and post-weaning periods, respectively.

Prevalence and genotyping of sensu lato from livestock in north-eastern Kenya.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease of cosmopolitan distribution and caused by the larval stage of the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.).

Management factors associated with time-to-onset and fecal egg/oocyst counts of gastrointestinal parasites in heifer calves on Kenyan smallholder farms.

A prospective cohort study on zero-grazed smallholder dairy farms was conducted to determine factors associated with onset and counts of gastrointestinal parasitism in heifer calves. The researchers recruited 187 newborn heifer calves from 150 farms in Kenya. Over 16 months, farm visits every two months were used to collect rectal fecal samples and animal- and farm-level measures.

Effects of and on Daily Milk Production in Dairy Cows on Commercial Smallholder Farms in Kenya.

There is a growing interest in protein supplementation of dairy-cow diets using leguminous shrubs. The study objective was to ascertain the association between diet supplementation with and and milk production in dairy cattle on commercial smallholder farms. This trial involved 235 cows from 80 smallholder dairy farms in Kenya randomly allocated to 4 intervention groups: (1) receiving and and nutritional advice; (2) receiving reproductive medicines and advice; (3) receiving both group 1 and 2 interventions; and (4) receiving neither intervention.

Sero-prevalence and risk factors of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (type 1) in Meru County, Kenya.

The aim of the study was to determine the antibody sero-prevalence of Bovine Herpesvirus-1 which cause Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) and to identify risk factors associated with BHV-1 antibody seropositivity among smallholder dairy farms in Meru County, Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Naari area of Meru County, Kenya between September-October 2016 and March-April 2017. The 149 farmers were randomly selected from members of the Naari Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society who were actively delivering milk to the society at the time of the study.

Effects of Calliandra and Sesbania supplementation on weight gain in dairy calves on smallholder farms in Kenya.

The growth rate of female calves on dairy farms is one of the crucial factors which influence age at first calving, affecting lifetime lactation productivity of a dairy cow. Diets with adequate crude protein are necessary to support calf growth. The study objective was to determine the effects of nutritional advice and diet supplementation with Calliandra calothyrsus and Sesbania sesban on average daily weight gain in dairy calves on semi-commercial smallholder dairy farms in Kenya.

Assessment of farmers' compliance in implementing recommended cow comfort changes and their effects on lying time, stall and cow cleanliness within smallholder dairy farms in Kenya.

Our study aimed to evaluate farmers' compliance in implementing recommendations of farm-specific cow comfort changes, and the effects of these changes on lying time, stall cleanliness and cow cleanliness using a randomized controlled trial carried out on 100 smallholder dairy farms in Kenya, with 62 and 11 farms remaining in the intervention and control groups, respectively. On the first farm visit, data loggers were attached on lactating cows to determine lying time and questionnaires utilized to collect baseline data. Three days later, stall design and management recommendations were given to the intervention group of farmers orally and in written form.

Risk factors associated with cows' lying time, stall and cows' own cleanliness in smallholder dairy farms in Kenya.

Background And Aim: The welfare of animals kept in livestock production systems has raised concerns around the world. Adult dairy cattle require adequate rest and spend approximately 12 h/day lying down. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the stall factors and management practices affecting cows' lying time, stall cleanliness, and cows' cleanliness (udder and upper leg), in smallholder dairy cows in Meru County of Kenya.

Factors influencing economic efficiency of milk production among small-scale dairy farms in Mukurweini, Nyeri County, Kenya.

This paper highlights the factors likely to influence the economic efficiency of small-scale dairy farms in Mukurweini, Nyeri County, Kenya. A total of 91 small-scale dairy farms previously involved in a nutritional training in 2013 were administered with semi-structured questionnaires. Data collected were entered into SPSS and FRONTIER 4.

Animal and management factors associated with weight gain in dairy calves and heifers on smallholder dairy farms in Kenya.

Calf growth is an important determinant of dairy herd productivity, particularly in countries where the dairy industry is expanding, such as Kenya. Our objective was to determine factors associated with weight gain in randomly selected dairy calves and heifers in smallholder dairy farms (SDF) in Kenya. A cross-sectional study on a census of 321 calves and heifers (dairy calves and heifers up to 36 months of age), sampled from 200 randomly selected SDF in Naari, Kenya, formed the study population.

A cross-sectional study of the welfare of calves raised in smallholder dairy farms in Meru, Kenya, 2017.

Aim: This study was aimed at describing calf comfort and determining the individual and pen level factors that affect comfort status (in particular, calf leg hygiene scores) of smallholder dairy farms in Meru County, Kenya.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 52 calves that were up to 1 year old in 38 dairy farms (mean±standard deviation: Herd size=1.71±0.

Knowledge and practices regarding Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus among camel handlers in a Slaughterhouse, Kenya, 2015.

Dromedary camels are implicated as reservoirs for the zoonotic transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) with the respiratory route thought to be the main mode of transmission. Knowledge and practices regarding MERS among herders, traders and slaughterhouse workers were assessed at Athi-River slaughterhouse, Kenya. Questionnaires were administered, and a check list was used to collect information on hygiene practices among slaughterhouse workers.

The topology of between-herd cattle contacts in a mixed farming production system in western Kenya.

In many livestock production systems in sub-Saharan Africa, cattle are owned by individual keepers but regularly mix with animals from other herds while grazing communal land, at watering points or through the use of shared bulls for breeding and ploughing. Such contacts may have important implications for disease transmission and control but are not well documented. We describe between-farm contacts in Kimilili sub-county of Bungoma County, a mixed farming area of predominately smallholder farmers.

Molecular characterization of group A rotaviruses in Mukuru slums Kenya: detection of novel strains circulating in children below 5 years of age.

Background: Gastroenteritis is a public health concern due to high morbidity and mortality among children. Rotaviruses are the leading etiological agents of severe gastroenteritis in children and accounts for more than half a million deaths per year in Africa. The study aimed at investigating the rotavirus genotypes that were circulating in children aged 5 years and below in and around Mukuru slums in Nairobi County Kenya.

Environmental predictors of bovine Eimeria infection in western Kenya.

Eimeriosis is caused by a protozoan infection affecting most domestic animal species. Outbreaks in cattle are associated with various environmental factors in temperate climates but limited work has been done in tropical settings. The objective of this work was to determine the prevalence and environmental factors associated with bovine Eimeria spp.