Isolation of multi-drug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli from faecal samples of dogs and cats from Harare, Zimbabwe.

Background: The escalation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in recent years has been of major public health concern globally. Escherichia coli are amongst the bacteria that have been targeted for AMR surveillance due to their ability to cause infection in both animals and humans. Their propensity to produce extended spectrum beta-lactamases further complicates the choices of treatment regimens.

Bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis at a livestock-wildlife interface in Zimbabwe: A nexus for amplification of a zoonosis or a myth?

Background: Bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis are important zoonoses affecting both livestock and wildlife.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate seroprevalence of brucellosis and to isolate Brucella spp. and Mycobacterium bovis in cattle from livestock-wildlife interface areas.

Epidemiology of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) in fish in the main water bodies of the Kavango-Zambezi and Great Limpopo transfrontier conservation areas of Zimbabwe.

A three-year study investigated the epidemiology of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) in fish from Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) and Great Limpopo (GL) transfrontier conservation areas of Zimbabwe. A total of 38 sites comprising 27 wild fisheries and 11 aquacultures, from Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North and South, and Midlands were selected. Of the 27 wild fisheries, EUS-positive fish were detected from 9 (33.

Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of plant species used in traditional poultry ethnomedicine in Zimbabwe: A first step to developing alternatives to antibiotic poultry feed additives.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Global interest in phytogenic feed additives as alternatives to antibiotics in feed has been spurred by the banning of antibiotic growth promoters by several countries. Suitable plant extracts for development of phytogenic feed additives should have therapeutic value and should also be safe.

Aim Of Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-lipoxygenase activities as well as cytotoxicity of selected plant species used in poultry ethnomedicine in Zimbabwe.

Longitudinal Survey of Coronavirus Circulation and Diversity in Insectivorous Bat Colonies in Zimbabwe.

Background: Studies have linked bats to outbreaks of viral diseases in human populations such as SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV and the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methods: We carried out a longitudinal survey from August 2020 to July 2021 at two sites in Zimbabwe with bat-human interactions: Magweto cave and Chirundu farm. A total of 1732 and 1866 individual bat fecal samples were collected, respectively.

Bioassay Guided Fractionation of and Its Potential for Development of Poultry Phytogenic Feed Additives.

There has been burgeoning interest in plant-based feed additives following restrictions placed on the use of antibiotic feed additives in many countries. Phytogenic feed additives are recommended to have a range of useful properties to support the growth and development of poultry to a similar level as that obtained by supplementing feed with antibiotics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial, anti-lipoxygenase and antioxidant activity, and safety of fractions and isolated compounds from leaves of .

Ethnoveterinary Remedies Used in Avian Complementary Medicine in Selected Communal Areas in Zimbabwe.

Plant remedies used in avian ethnomedicine are potential candidates for the development of phytogenic feed additives. An ethnoveterinary survey was carried out in 3 districts in Zimbabwe to document plants used in poultry ethnomedicine and identify plants that have the potential to be used for the development of poultry phytogenic feed additives. The survey employed questionnaire-guided oral interviews with 146 smallholder farmers.

The pattern of anthrax at the wildlife-livestock-human interface in Zimbabwe.

Anthrax is an important but neglected zoonosis in southern Africa and elsewhere which occurs naturally in herbivorous wildlife and livestock. Fatal outbreaks in animals are spaced by potentially extended periods of non-activity during which the bacterium is maintained in soil. The ecology of the pathogen in the multi-host system and the environment is still not fully understood.

A serological survey of Bacillus anthracis reveals widespread exposure to the pathogen in free-range and captive lions in Zimbabwe.

Numerous unknown factors influence anthrax epidemiology in multi-host systems, especially at wildlife/livestock/human interfaces. Serology tests for anti-anthrax antibodies in carnivores are useful tools in identifying the presence or absence of Bacillus anthracis in a range. These were employed to ascertain whether the disease pattern followed the recognized high- and low-risk anthrax zonation in Zimbabwe and also to establish whether anthrax was absent from Hwange National Park in which there have been no reported outbreaks.

Evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of the lateral flow assay, Rose Bengal test and the complement fixation test for the diagnosis of brucellosis in cattle using Bayesian latent class analysis.

This study was conducted to evaluate the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the Rose Bengal test (RBT), complement fixation test (CFT), the serum lateral flow assay (LFA) and the blood lateral flow assay (LFA) for the detection of antibodies to Brucella spp. using Bayesian latent class models (BLCMs). Sera and whole blood were collected from naturally infected cattle reared in smallholder, small-scale commercial and large-scale commercial farms in Zimbabwe (n = 1022) and Botswana (n = 770).

Next-Generation Sequencing on Insectivorous Bat Guano: An Accurate Tool to Identify Arthropod Viruses of Potential Agricultural Concern.

Viruses belonging to the family have attracted a great deal of attention from scientists owing to their negative impact on agricultural economics, as well as their recent identification as potential aetiological agents of febrile illness in human patients. On the other hand, some Dicistroviruses are also studied for their potential biopesticide properties. To date, Dicistrovirus characterized in African mainland remain scarce.

Brucellosis and chlamydiosis seroprevalence in goats at livestock-wildlife interface areas of Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe, there have been no chlamydiosis and limited brucellosis studies in goats. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of the two diseases in goats at three different livestock-wildlife interface areas: porous, non-porous and non-interface in the south-eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe. Collected sera (n = 563) were tested for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and the complement fixation test (CFT); and for Chlamydia abortus antibodies using the CFT.

A serological survey of anthrax in domestic dogs in Zimbabwe: a potential tool for anthrax surveillance.

Anthrax is an important disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis affecting both domestic and wild animals at the wildlife/livestock interface, defined here as a physical space in which wild and domestic species overlap in range and potentially interact. In endemic regions, sporadic anthrax outbreaks occur, causing significant deaths of both wildlife and livestock and sporadically, humans. However, it may also occur as isolated outbreaks with a few animals affected.

Emergence of infection with Aphanomyces invadans in fish in some main aquatic ecosystems in Zimbabwe: A threat to national fisheries production.

The first outbreak on the African continent of infection with Aphanomyces invadans (the causative agent of epizootic ulcerative syndrome) in fish was confirmed in the Chobe-Zambezi rivers in 2007. The emergence of massive outbreaks of infection with A. invadans in multiple fish species exposed serious aquatic biosecurity challenges in the Southern African region.

Sero-prevalence of chlamydiosis in cattle and selected wildlife species at a wildlife/livestock interface area of Zimbabwe.

A study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Chlamydia abortus infection in cattle and some selected wildlife species at selected interface areas at the periphery of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area in Zimbabwe. Three study sites were selected based on the type of livestock-wildlife interface, porous livestock-wildlife interface (unrestricted), non-porous livestock-wildlife interface (restricted by fencing), and livestock-wildlife non-interface (totally absent or control). Sera were collected from cattle aged ≥ 2 years representing both female and intact male.

Circulation of Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus and Paramyxovirus in Hipposideros bat species in Zimbabwe.

Bats carry a great diversity of zoonotic viruses with a high-impact on human health and livestock. Since the emergence of new coronaviruses and paramyxoviruses in humans (e.g.

Seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle and selected wildlife species at selected livestock/wildlife interface areas of the Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe.

A study was conducted to investigate seroprevalence and risk factors for Brucella species infection in cattle and some wildlife species in communities living at the periphery of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area in south eastern Zimbabwe. Three study sites were selected based on the type of livestock-wildlife interface: porous livestock-wildlife interface (unrestricted); non-porous livestock-wildlife interface (restricted by fencing); and livestock-wildlife non-interface (totally absent or control). Sera were collected from cattle aged≥2years representing both female and intact male animals.

Wound Healing Properties of Selected Plants Used in Ethnoveterinary Medicine.

Plants have arrays of phytoconstituents that have wide ranging biological effects like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties key in wound management. wound healing properties of ointments made of crude methanolic extracts (10% extract w/w in white soft paraffin) of three plant species, L. (whole aerial plant parts), Klotzsch (whole aerial plant parts) and Lam.

Assessment of community awareness and risk perceptions of zoonotic causes of abortion in cattle at three selected livestock-wildlife interface areas of Zimbabwe.

A study was conducted to assess the awareness of cattle abortions due to brucellosis, Rift Valley fever (RVF) and leptospirosis, and to compare frequencies of reported abortions in communities living at the periphery of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area in southeastern Zimbabwe. Three study sites were selected based on the type of livestock-wildlife interface: porous livestock-wildlife interface (unrestricted); non-porous livestock-wildlife interface (restricted by fencing); and livestock-wildlife non-interface (totally absent or control). Respondents randomly selected from a list of potential cattle farmers (N = 379) distributed at porous (40·1%), non-interface (35·5%) and non-porous (26·4%), were interviewed using a combined close- and open-ended questionnaire.

Living at the edge of an interface area in Zimbabwe: cattle owners, commodity chain and health workers' awareness, perceptions and practices on zoonoses.

Background: In the great Limpopo transfrontier conservation area (GLTFCA), there is an increased interface between wildlife and domestic animals, because rural households move their cattle into the game park in search of grazing and watering resources. This creates opportunities for inter-species transmission of infectious diseases, including zoonoses like brucellosis and tuberculosis, which may also pose a health risk to the local rural communities. This study investigated the awareness, perceptions and practices on zoonoses amongst rural cattle owners, commodity chain- and health-workers in three different localities around Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), Zimbabwe, where the interface between wild and domestic animals varies.

Brucellosis in Sub-Saharan Africa: Current challenges for management, diagnosis and control.

Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonosis caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella and affecting domestic and wild mammals. In this paper, the bacteriological and serological evidence of brucellosis in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and its epidemiological characteristics are discussed. The tools available for the diagnosis and treatment of human brucellosis and for the diagnosis and control of animal brucellosis and their applicability in the context of SSA are presented and gaps identified.

A survey of feline leukaemia virus infection of domestic cats from selected areas in Harare, Zimbabwe.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to detect the feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) p27 antigen and to determine risk factors and the haematological changes associated with infection in domestic cats in Zimbabwe. Sera were collected for detection of the p27 antigen, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels, whilst whole blood was collected for haematology. FeLV p27 antigen was detected using a rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kit.

The contribution of veterinary medicine to public health and poverty reduction in developing countries.

Few studies have explicitly examined the linkages between human health, animal disease control and poverty alleviation. This paper reviews the contribution that veterinary medicine can make to poverty alleviation in sub-Saharan Africa. Our analysis attempts to explore aspects of this contribution under five themes: food production; food safety; impact and control of zoonotic infections; promotion of ecotourism; and environmental protection.

Serological survey of Brucella canis in dogs in urban Harare and selected rural communities in Zimbabwe.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in order to detect antibodies for Brucella canis (B. canis) in dogs from urban Harare and five selected rural communities in Zimbabwe. Sera from randomly selected dogs were tested for antibodies to B.