In 1995 research was conducted in Trinidad and Tobago with the aim of collecting knowledge on eth... more In 1995 research was conducted in Trinidad and Tobago with the aim of collecting knowledge on ethnoveterinary medicines in order to lay a foundation for further scientific study and validation. This paper describes only the ethnoveterinary practices used in the poultry sub-sector. A four stage process was used to conduct the research and document these ethnoveterinary practices. 28 ethnoveterinary respondents were identified using a modified Rapid Rural Appraisal Ž . RRA technique, the student essay method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with these respondents as well as with 30 veterinarians, 27 extension officers and 19 animal health assistantsragricultural officers, and the 7 key respondents that they identified. 5 participatory workshops were then held with 55 of the respondents interviewed to discuss the data generated from the interviews and to determine dosages for some of the plants mentioned. 12 plant species were used to treat 4 categories of health problems common to poultry production. Aloe Õera, Bryophyllum pinnatum, Citrus sp. and Momordica charantia were the main medicinal plants being used. q 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.
One hundred four Escherichia coli isolates were collected from internal tissues and the cloacae o... more One hundred four Escherichia coli isolates were collected from internal tissues and the cloacae of broilers with colibacillosis or from the cloacae of healthy birds. The isolates were tested for the presence of DNA sequences for temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin (tsh), for P (pap) and F1 (pil) fimbriae, and for aerobactin synthesis (iuc) by DNA/DNA hybridization. The isolates were also tested for O1, O2, and O78 serogroups, serum and antibiotic resistance, and virulence in day-old chickens. The Tsh/Pil/Iuc was the major pathotype detected in 53.8% of isolates from internal tissues, as compared with only 28.8% of isolates from the cloacae. The Tsh/Pap/Iuc pathotype was detected at a lower frequency (15.4%) but only in isolates from internal tissues. Among the virulence-associated marker genes, tsh and iuc were detected in most of the isolates from internal tissues (90.4% and 92.3%), as compared with only 51.9% and 63.5% of isolates from the cloacae, respectively, pap was detected to a lesser extent, in 25% of isolates but only from internal tissues. In contrast to the pil gene, the tsh-, pap-, and iuc-DNA sequences were more frequently detected in isolates from internal tissues than in isolates from the cloacae. O-antigen typing revealed that 25% of isolates belonged to serogroups O1 (4.8%), O2 (9.6%), and O78 (10.6%). Although most isolates appeared to be resistant to serum, only isolates from internal tissues were virulent in day-old chickens in contrast to isolates from the cloacae. More than 10% of isolates were resistant to most of the antibiotics used for the study. However, less resistance to enrofloxacin and norfloxacin was observed. Our data suggest that the Tsh/Pil/Iuc and Tsh/Pap/Iuc pathotypes and Tsh and Iuc virulence-associated markers are important factors of avian pathogenic E. coli. Enrofloxacin appeared to be the best choice for treatment of the infection.
Brucellosis has been documented in domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) but published literat... more Brucellosis has been documented in domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) but published literature is limited despite the importance of this species in tropical agricultural systems. The objective of this study was to compare the virulence of Brucella abortus isolates recovered from cattle and water buffalo. Nineteen strains of B. abortus from cattle and domestic water buffalo in Trinidad were intraperitoneally inoculated into BALB/c mice. Spleens were cultured for B. abortus and histopathological severity scores were calculated based on lymphoid depletion, lymphoid necrosis, splenitis, and macrophage accumulation. A general linear model approach was used to estimate the effect of isolate source (cattle versus water buffalo) on virulence. Isolates of water buffalo origin were significantly less virulent in the mouse model based on recovered B. abortus from splenic tissues, spleen/weight ratio, and lymphoid necrosis but not overall histopathological severity scores. Further investi...
The prevalence of intestinal helminths in broiler chickens The prevalence of intestinal helminths... more The prevalence of intestinal helminths in broiler chickens The prevalence of intestinal helminths in broiler chickens in Trinidad. in Trinidad. Vet. arhiv 82, 591-597, 2012. to identify intestinal helminths in commercial broiler chickens and estimate their prevalencet in Trinidad. Three hundred and forty four intact commercial broiler chickens and estimate their prevalencet in Trinidad. Three hundred and forty four intact intestines of commercial broiler chickens were obtained from eight counties and examined. Of these 36 intestines of commercial broiler chickens were obtained from eight counties and examined. Of these 36 (10.5%) were found to harbor helminths. The chickens were found to have a single infection with nematodes (10.5%) were found to harbor helminths. The chickens were found to have a single infection with nematodes (5.5%), a single infection with cestodes (4.1%) and a mixed infection with nematodes and cestodes (0.9%). (5.5%), a single infection with cestodes (4.1%) a...
Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, 2003
Faecal samples were collected from fifty three freshly captured monkeys which were kept at the Ba... more Faecal samples were collected from fifty three freshly captured monkeys which were kept at the Barbados Primate Research Centre and Wildlife Reserve (BPRCWR). Examination of these samples for gastrointestinal helminths using the zinc sulphate floatation method revealed an overall infection rate of 88.7%.The parasites observed included Strongyloides (62.4%), Physaloptera (58.5%), Trichuris (52.8%), Hookworm (34.0%), Oesophagostomum (30.2%), Trichostrongylus (3.8%) and Ascaris (5.7%). No significant differences in overall prevalence were observed according to sex or age. Polyparasitism appeared to be common as it was observed in 92.5% of all monkeys examined. It is concluded that these monkeys could act as reservoirs of some of the parasites which can infect man.
Brucellosis has been documented in domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) but published literat... more Brucellosis has been documented in domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) but published literature is limited despite the importance of this species in tropical agricultural systems. The objective of this study was to compare the virulence of B. abortus isolates recovered from cattle and water buffalo. Nineteen strains of Brucella abortus from cattle and domestic water buffalo in Trinidad were intraperitoneally inoculated into BALB/c mice. Spleens were cultured for B. abortus and a histopathological severity scores were calculated based on lymphoid depletion, lymphoid necrosis, splenitis, and macrophage accumulation. A general linear model approach was used to estimate the effect of isolate source (cattle versus water buffalo) on virulence. Isolates of water buffalo origin were significantly less virulent in the mouse model based on recovered B. abortus from splenic tissues, spleen:weight ratio, and lymphoid necrosis but not overall histopathological severity scores. Further investigation of isolates recovered from water buffalo might provide the key to the development of procedures for brucellosis control in tropical environments. Footnotes Tittarelli, M. and Scacchia, M., 2010. Efficacy of Brucella abortus strain RB51 compared to the reference vaccine Brucella abortus strain 19 in water buffalo, Veterinaria Italiana 46, 13-19 Capparelli, R., Parlato, M., Iannaccone, M., Roperto, S., Marabelli, R. and Iannelli, D. 2009. Heterogeneous shedding of Brucella abortus in milk and its effect on the control of animal
The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence and serovar identity of Salmonella, at ... more The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence and serovar identity of Salmonella, at the national level, in farmed Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) in Trinidad and Tobago, and to compare the relative benefits of bacterial culture to those of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for use in the routine detection and surveillance of Salmonella in these ducks. From March-September 2003, 110 fecal samples were collected from 82 farms across the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Salmonella was isolated from fresh and frozen samples and the serotype of each was determined through bacterial culture. An in-house, nested PCR that detects all pathogenic Salmonella species was utilized in analyzing the samples. Five samples were positive for Salmonella by bacterial culture, whereas 44 were positive by the nested PCR. Serovars isolated were Kiambu, Orion, Uganda, and two isolates from Group E1 whose H antigens could not be fully characterized. Of the samples, 87 (79%) gave equivalent PCR results for both enrichment broths-28 were positive for both and 59 were negative for both). However, 16 samples were positive for one broth, but not for the other, with the majority (14 of the 16) resulting positive for Selenite broth. PCR results for seven samples were inconclusive due to ambiguous band size or multiple bands near the expected band size. In Trinidad and Tobago, the Muscovy duck does not appear to be a significant source of S. typhimurium or S. enteritidis, but it does harbor other Salmonella species. In-house, nested PCR represents a simple, relatively inexpensive and potentially more sensitive method than bacterial culture for the routine surveillance of pathogenic Salmonella in the Muscovy duck.
An 8-yr retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the rate of Escherichia coli infection and ... more An 8-yr retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the rate of Escherichia coli infection and antibiotic resistance of isolates from diseased broilers submitted for diagnosis in Trinidad from 1990 to 1997. Of a total of 906 cases of diseased birds subjected to postmortem examination, 603 (66.6%) had E. coli infection. The number of cases increased over the years from 16 in 1990 to a peak of 294 in 1996. For every year, at least 50% of all broiler cases had E. coli infection. The rate of infection was significantly higher during the rainy season (74.1 +/- 6.9%) than during the dry season (57.8 +/- 7.0%). Approximately 50% of all E. coli isolates were resistant to 9 out of a total of 11 antimicrobial drugs selected for the study. The isolates showed an increasing trend of resistance to amoxicillin, apramycin, gentamicin, nitrofurantoin, norfloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. However, only the trends of resistance to apramycin and norfloxacin were statistically significant. Overall, of the antimicrobial drugs selected, norfloxacin relatively appeared as the best choice for treatment. From this study, we conclude that the high rate of E. coli infection in broilers submitted for diagnosis along with the high resistance of isolates to antimicrobial drugs constitute a threat to the poultry industry on the island.
The use of medicinal plants is an option for livestock farmers who are not allowed to use allopat... more The use of medicinal plants is an option for livestock farmers who are not allowed to use allopathic drugs under certified organic programs or cannot afford to use allopathic drugs for minor health problems of livestock.
In 1995 research was conducted in Trinidad and Tobago with the aim of collecting knowledge on eth... more In 1995 research was conducted in Trinidad and Tobago with the aim of collecting knowledge on ethnoveterinary medicines in order to lay a foundation for further scientific study and validation. This paper describes only the ethnoveterinary practices used in the poultry sub-sector. A four stage process was used to conduct the research and document these ethnoveterinary practices. 28 ethnoveterinary respondents were identified using a modified Rapid Rural Appraisal Ž . RRA technique, the student essay method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with these respondents as well as with 30 veterinarians, 27 extension officers and 19 animal health assistantsragricultural officers, and the 7 key respondents that they identified. 5 participatory workshops were then held with 55 of the respondents interviewed to discuss the data generated from the interviews and to determine dosages for some of the plants mentioned. 12 plant species were used to treat 4 categories of health problems common to poultry production. Aloe Õera, Bryophyllum pinnatum, Citrus sp. and Momordica charantia were the main medicinal plants being used. q 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.
One hundred four Escherichia coli isolates were collected from internal tissues and the cloacae o... more One hundred four Escherichia coli isolates were collected from internal tissues and the cloacae of broilers with colibacillosis or from the cloacae of healthy birds. The isolates were tested for the presence of DNA sequences for temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin (tsh), for P (pap) and F1 (pil) fimbriae, and for aerobactin synthesis (iuc) by DNA/DNA hybridization. The isolates were also tested for O1, O2, and O78 serogroups, serum and antibiotic resistance, and virulence in day-old chickens. The Tsh/Pil/Iuc was the major pathotype detected in 53.8% of isolates from internal tissues, as compared with only 28.8% of isolates from the cloacae. The Tsh/Pap/Iuc pathotype was detected at a lower frequency (15.4%) but only in isolates from internal tissues. Among the virulence-associated marker genes, tsh and iuc were detected in most of the isolates from internal tissues (90.4% and 92.3%), as compared with only 51.9% and 63.5% of isolates from the cloacae, respectively, pap was detected to a lesser extent, in 25% of isolates but only from internal tissues. In contrast to the pil gene, the tsh-, pap-, and iuc-DNA sequences were more frequently detected in isolates from internal tissues than in isolates from the cloacae. O-antigen typing revealed that 25% of isolates belonged to serogroups O1 (4.8%), O2 (9.6%), and O78 (10.6%). Although most isolates appeared to be resistant to serum, only isolates from internal tissues were virulent in day-old chickens in contrast to isolates from the cloacae. More than 10% of isolates were resistant to most of the antibiotics used for the study. However, less resistance to enrofloxacin and norfloxacin was observed. Our data suggest that the Tsh/Pil/Iuc and Tsh/Pap/Iuc pathotypes and Tsh and Iuc virulence-associated markers are important factors of avian pathogenic E. coli. Enrofloxacin appeared to be the best choice for treatment of the infection.
Brucellosis has been documented in domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) but published literat... more Brucellosis has been documented in domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) but published literature is limited despite the importance of this species in tropical agricultural systems. The objective of this study was to compare the virulence of Brucella abortus isolates recovered from cattle and water buffalo. Nineteen strains of B. abortus from cattle and domestic water buffalo in Trinidad were intraperitoneally inoculated into BALB/c mice. Spleens were cultured for B. abortus and histopathological severity scores were calculated based on lymphoid depletion, lymphoid necrosis, splenitis, and macrophage accumulation. A general linear model approach was used to estimate the effect of isolate source (cattle versus water buffalo) on virulence. Isolates of water buffalo origin were significantly less virulent in the mouse model based on recovered B. abortus from splenic tissues, spleen/weight ratio, and lymphoid necrosis but not overall histopathological severity scores. Further investi...
The prevalence of intestinal helminths in broiler chickens The prevalence of intestinal helminths... more The prevalence of intestinal helminths in broiler chickens The prevalence of intestinal helminths in broiler chickens in Trinidad. in Trinidad. Vet. arhiv 82, 591-597, 2012. to identify intestinal helminths in commercial broiler chickens and estimate their prevalencet in Trinidad. Three hundred and forty four intact commercial broiler chickens and estimate their prevalencet in Trinidad. Three hundred and forty four intact intestines of commercial broiler chickens were obtained from eight counties and examined. Of these 36 intestines of commercial broiler chickens were obtained from eight counties and examined. Of these 36 (10.5%) were found to harbor helminths. The chickens were found to have a single infection with nematodes (10.5%) were found to harbor helminths. The chickens were found to have a single infection with nematodes (5.5%), a single infection with cestodes (4.1%) and a mixed infection with nematodes and cestodes (0.9%). (5.5%), a single infection with cestodes (4.1%) a...
Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, 2003
Faecal samples were collected from fifty three freshly captured monkeys which were kept at the Ba... more Faecal samples were collected from fifty three freshly captured monkeys which were kept at the Barbados Primate Research Centre and Wildlife Reserve (BPRCWR). Examination of these samples for gastrointestinal helminths using the zinc sulphate floatation method revealed an overall infection rate of 88.7%.The parasites observed included Strongyloides (62.4%), Physaloptera (58.5%), Trichuris (52.8%), Hookworm (34.0%), Oesophagostomum (30.2%), Trichostrongylus (3.8%) and Ascaris (5.7%). No significant differences in overall prevalence were observed according to sex or age. Polyparasitism appeared to be common as it was observed in 92.5% of all monkeys examined. It is concluded that these monkeys could act as reservoirs of some of the parasites which can infect man.
Brucellosis has been documented in domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) but published literat... more Brucellosis has been documented in domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) but published literature is limited despite the importance of this species in tropical agricultural systems. The objective of this study was to compare the virulence of B. abortus isolates recovered from cattle and water buffalo. Nineteen strains of Brucella abortus from cattle and domestic water buffalo in Trinidad were intraperitoneally inoculated into BALB/c mice. Spleens were cultured for B. abortus and a histopathological severity scores were calculated based on lymphoid depletion, lymphoid necrosis, splenitis, and macrophage accumulation. A general linear model approach was used to estimate the effect of isolate source (cattle versus water buffalo) on virulence. Isolates of water buffalo origin were significantly less virulent in the mouse model based on recovered B. abortus from splenic tissues, spleen:weight ratio, and lymphoid necrosis but not overall histopathological severity scores. Further investigation of isolates recovered from water buffalo might provide the key to the development of procedures for brucellosis control in tropical environments. Footnotes Tittarelli, M. and Scacchia, M., 2010. Efficacy of Brucella abortus strain RB51 compared to the reference vaccine Brucella abortus strain 19 in water buffalo, Veterinaria Italiana 46, 13-19 Capparelli, R., Parlato, M., Iannaccone, M., Roperto, S., Marabelli, R. and Iannelli, D. 2009. Heterogeneous shedding of Brucella abortus in milk and its effect on the control of animal
The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence and serovar identity of Salmonella, at ... more The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence and serovar identity of Salmonella, at the national level, in farmed Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) in Trinidad and Tobago, and to compare the relative benefits of bacterial culture to those of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for use in the routine detection and surveillance of Salmonella in these ducks. From March-September 2003, 110 fecal samples were collected from 82 farms across the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Salmonella was isolated from fresh and frozen samples and the serotype of each was determined through bacterial culture. An in-house, nested PCR that detects all pathogenic Salmonella species was utilized in analyzing the samples. Five samples were positive for Salmonella by bacterial culture, whereas 44 were positive by the nested PCR. Serovars isolated were Kiambu, Orion, Uganda, and two isolates from Group E1 whose H antigens could not be fully characterized. Of the samples, 87 (79%) gave equivalent PCR results for both enrichment broths-28 were positive for both and 59 were negative for both). However, 16 samples were positive for one broth, but not for the other, with the majority (14 of the 16) resulting positive for Selenite broth. PCR results for seven samples were inconclusive due to ambiguous band size or multiple bands near the expected band size. In Trinidad and Tobago, the Muscovy duck does not appear to be a significant source of S. typhimurium or S. enteritidis, but it does harbor other Salmonella species. In-house, nested PCR represents a simple, relatively inexpensive and potentially more sensitive method than bacterial culture for the routine surveillance of pathogenic Salmonella in the Muscovy duck.
An 8-yr retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the rate of Escherichia coli infection and ... more An 8-yr retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the rate of Escherichia coli infection and antibiotic resistance of isolates from diseased broilers submitted for diagnosis in Trinidad from 1990 to 1997. Of a total of 906 cases of diseased birds subjected to postmortem examination, 603 (66.6%) had E. coli infection. The number of cases increased over the years from 16 in 1990 to a peak of 294 in 1996. For every year, at least 50% of all broiler cases had E. coli infection. The rate of infection was significantly higher during the rainy season (74.1 +/- 6.9%) than during the dry season (57.8 +/- 7.0%). Approximately 50% of all E. coli isolates were resistant to 9 out of a total of 11 antimicrobial drugs selected for the study. The isolates showed an increasing trend of resistance to amoxicillin, apramycin, gentamicin, nitrofurantoin, norfloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. However, only the trends of resistance to apramycin and norfloxacin were statistically significant. Overall, of the antimicrobial drugs selected, norfloxacin relatively appeared as the best choice for treatment. From this study, we conclude that the high rate of E. coli infection in broilers submitted for diagnosis along with the high resistance of isolates to antimicrobial drugs constitute a threat to the poultry industry on the island.
The use of medicinal plants is an option for livestock farmers who are not allowed to use allopat... more The use of medicinal plants is an option for livestock farmers who are not allowed to use allopathic drugs under certified organic programs or cannot afford to use allopathic drugs for minor health problems of livestock.
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