Publications by authors named "Robert M Waruiru"

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.

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Various plant species such as have developed defensive measures, namely, spines, thorns, and other sharp pointed structures to protect themselves from herbivores and other animals feeding on them. 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.

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Article Synopsis
  • Nile tilapia, the most important fish for Kenyan consumers, is facing serious health issues due to concurrent black spot disease and multiple bacterial infections, which can impact protein availability for the population.
  • A study found that all sampled tilapia exhibited black spot lesions, with high levels of metacercariae cysts in various body parts, and identified specific bacteria contributing to the infections.
  • To address these problems, the authors suggest immediate steps such as destocking the affected fish, disinfecting facilities, controlling predatory birds, and emphasizing prevention of parasitic infections to reduce mortality and promote growth.
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Article Synopsis
  • Fish bacterial diseases significantly impact the aquaculture industry, leading to the widespread use of antimicrobials, which has resulted in increased drug resistance among pathogens.
  • The study evaluated the antibiotic and disinfectant susceptibility of bacteria isolated from various fish species in Kenya, using methods like the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion.
  • Findings revealed that most bacterial isolates demonstrated multiple drug resistance, especially to common antibiotics such as co-trimoxazole and ampicillin, while being mostly sensitive to gentamicin and certain disinfectants like hydrogen peroxide and formalin.
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Fish mortality has an enormous impact on the aquaculture industry by reducing fish production and slowing industrial growth. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Kirinyaga County, Central Kenya, to evaluate potential risks of fish mortality and disease transmission and suitability of pond water for rearing fish. A semistructured questionnaire that focused on general information, management practices, and disease history was administered to 92 small-scale fish farmers.

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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.

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Mange is a common disease of rabbits globally, and knowledge of efficacy of drugs used in its treatment is critical for effective disease control. The current study evaluated the efficacy of three commonly used therapeutic agents in Kenya against mange. In a controlled laboratory trial, 20 adult rabbits were recruited for the study (16 of which were infested with mange, while 4 were mange-free).

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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.

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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.

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There are no anticoccidial drugs labelled for rabbits in Kenya and those available are used as extra labels from poultry. The drugs are used in rabbits with limited knowledge of their efficacy and safety. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of sulphachloropyrazine, amprolium hydrochloride, and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole relative to diclazuril when used curatively against experimental and natural rabbit coccidiosis.

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Rhipicephalus decoloratus causes serious economic losses in cattle industry every year in East Africa. Biological control using entomopathogenic fungi is seen as a promising alternative to chemical acaricides being used for their control. The pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae and of Beauveria bassiana isolates was tested in the laboratory against amitraz-resistant and amitraz-susceptible strains of R.

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