Papers by Habtamu Taddele
Background: Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an emerging and major zoonotic foodborne pathogen with an... more Background: Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an emerging and major zoonotic foodborne pathogen with an increasing concern for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant strains which may results in sporadic cases to serious outbreaks in the whole world. Cattle have been identified as a major reservoir of the pathogen. This study aimed to isolate and characterize Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 from raw milk, yogurt, and meat of bovine origin and determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2014-June 2015 and a total of 284 milk and meat were collected from different sources in Mekelle. The collected samples were analyzed for the presence of E. coli and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 and determination of their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern following the standard bacteriological and molecular techniques and procedures, and antimicrobial sensitivity test. Results: Out of the total 284 samples,...
Ethiopian Veterinary Journal
A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December, 2016 in Semi-arid areas of Raya A... more A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December, 2016 in Semi-arid areas of Raya Azebo District with the objectives to estimate the prevalence of ixodid ticks and assessing the difference in infestation among the different host risk factors such as age, sex and body condition scores. A total of 2697 adult ixodid ticks were collected from 488 Raya cattle breed selected randomly. Tick species were identified morphologically and the prevalence of the infested animals was estimated in relation to sex, age and body condition score. The study revealed that cattle in the study area were infested with atleast one or more ticks with an overall prevalence of 90% (405/448). Six tick species that belongs to the genera of Rhipicephalus (54%), subgenus Boophilus (5%), Amblyomma (3%) and Hyalomma (2.7%) were also identified. The overall prevalence of ticks on cattle with the age from 6 months to 2 years, 3-5 years and greater than 5 years was 90%, 90%, and 92% respectively. A prevalence of 91% in female and 90% in male cattle was also observed. Similarly, the prevalence of ticks was 100 %, 90.7% and 70% in poor, medium and good body conditioned animals, respectively. The high prevalence and presence of many species of ticks may damage the hide and skins of the cattle and thereby contribute to reduced income from cattle. Hence, appropriate control measures using acaricides, improved cattle management practices and community awareness creation are recommended.
Journal of Tropical Diseases
Visceral Leishmaniasis is becoming a major public health problem both in terms of geographical sp... more Visceral Leishmaniasis is becoming a major public health problem both in terms of geographical spread and incidence in Ethiopia although failed to attract the attention it deserves. Magnitude,public health impact and dynamics of the disease in Ethiopia are not well studied. Hence,this study was conducted in Welkait district to determine public awareness about the disease. Wekait is a highly productive area having a conducive environment for the spread of the parasite. A cross sectional study was employed in purposively selected sub-districts in which house to house survey was carried out using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 288 participants (264 household heads and 24 health professionals) were interviewed to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice towards visceral leishmaniasis. Overall score of the participants showed that 59%, 95% and 53% of them were knowledgeable have positive attitude and good practice on visceral leishmaniasis, respectively. Sex, educational status and history of travel profile showed significant association with the knowledge of participants. The study also revealed a gap in the knowledge and practices of health professionals about the disease. The present study highlighted an overall positive attitude regarding the disease. However, the gap in knowledge and poor practice calls for an intervention to improve the public awareness regarding visceral leishmaniasis in the study area.
Parasite epidemiology and control, 2018
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is major neglected public health problem in terms of geographical spr... more Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is major neglected public health problem in terms of geographical spread and incidence in Ethiopia. Magnitude, public health impact and dynamics of VL were not well studied in Welkait District, Western Tigray, though the area is known for VL. Hence, this study aimed to determine sero-prevalence of human VL and associated risk factors in Welkait as new foci. A cross sectional study design was employed in this study. Two stage stratified random sampling method was used to select study participants. Hence, a total of 329 human study participants were included for serological survey using ITleish and leishmanin skin tests. Semi structured questionnaire was also used to identify VL associated risk factors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression statistical methods were used to determine the degree of association. The overall sero-prevalence of human VL in the study area was found to be 8.81%. Statistical significant difference in the prevalence of the...
Climate Change Management, 2017
Disc diffusion test Antibacterial activity Broth dilution methods mastitis Medicinal plants Wound... more Disc diffusion test Antibacterial activity Broth dilution methods mastitis Medicinal plants Wound and food contaminants Objective: To screen the antibacterial activity of nine ethnoveterinary plants traditionally used for the treatment of mastitis, wound and gastrointestinal complications. Methods: Hydroalcoholic exctracts of medicinal plants namely, Achyranthes aspera (A. aspera) L. (Family Asparagaceae), Ficus caria (F. caria) (Family Moraceae), Malvi parviflora (M. parviflora) (Family Malvaceae), Vernonia species (V. species) (local name Alakit, Family Asteraceae), Solanum hastifolium (S. hastifolium) (Family Solanaceae), Calpurinia aurea (C. aurea) (Ait) Benth (Family Fabaceae), Nicotiana tabacum (N. tabacum) L. (Family Solanaceae), Ziziphus spina-christi (Z. spina-christi) (Family Rhamnaceae), Croton macrostachys (C. macrostachys) (Family Euphorbiaceae), were screened against clinical bacterial isolates of veterinary importance from October 2007 to April 2009. The antibacterial activity was tested using disc diffusion at two concentrations (200 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL) and broth dilution methods using 70% methanol macerated leaf extracts. Results: With the exception of S. hastifolium all plant extracts exhibited antibacterial activity. Among the medicinal plants tested C. aurea, C. macrostachyus, A. aspera, N. tabacum and vernonia species (Alakit) showed the most promising antimicrobial properties. Conclusions: It can be concluded that many of the tested plants have antibacterial activity and supports the traditional usage of the plants for mastitis, wound and gastrointestinal complications treatment. Further studies into their toxicity and phytochemistry is advocated.
The study was conducted to determine prevalence of bovine mastitis, identify predominant bacteria... more The study was conducted to determine prevalence of bovine mastitis, identify predominant bacteria responsible for mastitis infection and assess potential risk factors associated with the disease. A total of 460 lactating Boran breed cows from both pastoral and agro-pastoral set up of the district were included in the study. California Mastitis Test (CMT), clinical examination of udder and teats and bacteriological examination were employed during the study period. The overall prevalence of mastitis at a cow level was 59.1% (272/460), from which 21.1% (97/460) and 38.0% (175/460) were clinical and subclinical, respectively. The quarter level prevalence of the disease was also 38.7% (712/1840) from which 13.4% (246/1840) and 25.3% (466/1840) were clinical and subclinical form, respectively. Among the cause of bovine mastitis in the study area Staphylococcus species, Streptococcus species and E. coli were leading infectious causes with relative percentage of 29.2%, 22.5% and 11.4%, respectively. All the potential risk factors considered in this study namely, parity (P² = 83.6, p = 0.00001), age (P²= 16.4, p = 0.0003) and stage of lactation (P² = 14.1, p = 0.0009) showed very highly significant effects on prevalence of mastitis in the present study. Thus, high prevalence was observed in older cows >10 years and cows with parity >7 calves. In general, management practices and hygiene of dairy environment in all studied pastoral associations were very poor. Adequate sanitation of dairy environment, proper attention to health of mammary gland, regular screening tests and awareness of the people of the area about the disease should get emphases as control strategies and antimicrobial sensitivity tests for the isolated bacterial species were recommended for further study.
ABSTRACT Objective To assess the food safety knowledge and practices in meat handling, and to det... more ABSTRACT Objective To assess the food safety knowledge and practices in meat handling, and to determine microbial load and pathogenic organisms in meat at Mekelle city.MethodsA descriptive survey design was used to answer questions concerning the current status of food hygiene and sanitation practiced in the abattoir and butcher shops. Workers from the abattoir and butcher shops were interviewed through a structured questionnaire to assess their food safety knowledge. Bacterial load was assessed by serial dilution method and the major bacterial pathogens were isolated by using standard procedures.Results15.4% of the abattoir workers had no health certificate and there was no hot water, sterilizer and cooling facility in the abattoir. 11.3% of the butchers didnt use protective clothes. There was a food safety knowledge gap within the abattoir and butcher shop workers. The mean values of bacterial load of abattoir meat, butcher shops and street meat sale was found to be 1.1×10,55.6×105 and 4.3×106 cfu/g, respectively. The major bacterial pathogens isolated were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus.Conclusions The study revealed that there is a reasonable gap on food safety knowledge by abattoir and butcher shop workers. The microbial profile was also higher compared to standards set by World Health Organization. Due attention should be given by the government to improve the food safety knowledge and the quality standard of meat sold in the city.
The study was carried out from December 2010 to June 2011 to determine the hygienic and sanitary ... more The study was carried out from December 2010 to June 2011 to determine the hygienic and sanitary conditions on the available cafeterias, restaurants, juice houses, supermarkets, and food handlers of Mekelle city. Using the standardized pre-tested questionnaire and observational check list, data was collected from a total of 510 catering establishments. Microbiological examination of 260 food samples indicated that food provided to the consumers in the city was less hygienic and had prepared under poor sanitation conditions. General hygiene of food handlers, sanitary facilities of food establishments, physical conditions of food catering establishments, disposal services, legal licensing and environmental hygiene were identified as major sanitary deficiencies. Less understanding in food hygiene among food handlers were also commonly observed. High mean values of bacterial load were found in mayonnaise (2.64 × 10 6) among the food samples taken from the supermarkets and 2.89 × 10 6 bacterial load was found in samples from restaurants. The bacteriological swab tests of food utensils confirmed the gross unhygienic condition of food offered to the consumers. Pathogens such as Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Escherichia coli were the main identified organisms in the catering establishments. It is concluded that the sanitary conditions of studied subjects required strict follow up for the provisions of sanitary codes. Periodic sanitary-hygienic evaluation and inspection of catering establishments should be strengthened to reduce public health hazards.
Ethiopian Veterinary Journal, 2014
ABSTRACT This case report describes sudden exposure of pullets as a cause of death. Initially, 44... more ABSTRACT This case report describes sudden exposure of pullets as a cause of death. Initially, 441 rearing chicken were kept in PTC+ Barneveld poultry farm of the Netherlands for training purpose. The cumulative mortality rate up to the 8th week was 2.49%. However, due to sudden exposure of the pullets to sand bath in the 9th week the mortality rate rises to 12.24%. A postmortem examination conducted on 15 dead pullets has revealed blood coagulation in the heart and hepatization of lungs. This finding is associated with the sudden exposure of the pullets to sand bath which scared the birds and resulted in gathering to one corner of the house. This in turn resulted in shortage of oxygen and high concentration of CO2 leading to the sudden death. This case report justifies the consequence of a minor problem in management resulting in higher mortality rate. Therefore, serious attention should be given to climatic factors, behavior and reaction of birds to new management practices.
International Journal of Livestock Research, 2014
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2013
This is a good study in which the authors evaluated meat handling system, the bacterial load, maj... more This is a good study in which the authors evaluated meat handling system, the bacterial load, major bacterial pathogens that were found in the city abattoir, butchery shop and street meat sale. The results are interesting which suggested that the meat supplied to the consumers in the city is not of good hygienic quality.
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2012
Tropical Animal Health and Production, 2012
The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of bovine mastitis, isolate mastitis causing... more The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of bovine mastitis, isolate mastitis causing bacteria, assess the association of some risk factors, and determine the antibiotic resistance pattern of bacterial isolates in cows in large-scale dairy farms of Northern Ethiopia. A total of 305 lactating and nonlactating cows were included in the present study. The overall prevalence of clinical and subclinical mastitis was 3.6 and 33.8 %, respectively. The quarter level prevalence was 15.4 %; from which, 11.9 and 1.1 % were subclinical form and blind teat, respectively, while the remaining 2.4 % were of clinical form. Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 36 % of the isolates followed by Escherichia coli (27.3 %). Risk factors including age (p< 0.001), parity (p < 0.001), and lactation stage (p 00.02) showed significant association with the occurrence of mastitis. Higher prevalence was observed in both groups of older cows (i.e., 6-9 years (odds ratio (OR)04.65, 95 % confidence interval (CI)02.74-7.89) and >9 years (OR0 3.63, 95 % CI01.42-9.25)), cows with four to seven calves (OR03.39, 95 % CI02.06-5.60), and cows in late lactation stage (OR03.79, 95 % CI01. 64-8.75). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (p00.005) and lactation stage (p00.027) showed statistically significant association with the occurrence of mastitis. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern showed high susceptibility of S. aureus to nalidixic acid (82.4 %) followed by chloramphenicol (58.8 %); however, these species were resistant to the rest of the antimicrobials tested. Highest resistance was observed against clindamycin and ampicillin. Coliform bacteria (E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) showed resistance to most of the antimicrobials used. Detailed investigation is needed to identify the interplay of managemental and environmental risk factors to design appropriate control measures.
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Papers by Habtamu Taddele