Browsing by Author "Komba, Erick VG"

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A literature survey of common parasitic zoonoses encountered at post-mortem examination in slaughter stocks in Tanzania: economic and public health implications
(Biomedical Journal of Science & Technical Research, 2017) Komba, Erick VG
Zoonoses caused by parasites constitute a large group of infectious diseases with varying host ranges and patterns of transmission. Their distribution, prevalence and transmission patterns are affected by the influence of both human and environmental factors. The economic and public health impact of such zoonoses warrants appropriate surveillance to obtain enough information that will provide inputs in the design and implementation of control strategies. A need therefore arises to regularly re-evaluate the current status of zoonotic diseases, particularly in view of new data available as a result of surveillance activities and the application of new technologies. Consequently this paper summarizes available information in Tanzania on parasitic zoonoses encountered in slaughter stocks during post-mortem examination at slaughter facilities. The occurrence, in slaughter stocks, of fasciola spp, Echinococcus granulosus (hydatid) cysts, Taenia saginata Cysts, Taenia solium Cysts and ascaris spp. have been reported by various researchers. Information on these parasitic diseases is presented in this paper as they are the most important ones encountered in slaughter stocks in the country.
Adoption of I2 vaccine in immunization of village chickens against newcastle disease virus in southern Tanzania: immune status of farmer vaccinated birds
(Journal of Agricultural Science, 2012) Komba, Erick VG; Mbyuzi, Albano O.; Mulangila, Rutashobya CT
Newcastle disease (ND) is an economically important disease of poultry for which vaccination is applied as a preventive measure in many countries. In June 2009 we conducted a survey to establish the immune status of village chickens against ND virus in villages where vaccination programs, using thermotolerant ND I2 vaccine were adopted by farmers in southern Tanzania. One hundred farmers from ten villages in three district councils were involved. Blood samples were collected from 499 chickens and sera harvested for Hemmagglutination Inhibition (HI) test. Results indicated that 73.3% of the sampled birds had protective levels of antibodies against ND virus. A significantly large proportional of vaccinated adult chickens attained protective immunity as compared to growers and chicks. We recommend advocating ND I2 in other village chicken keeping communities of the country for ND control. Additionally farmers need to be educated on control measures for other important diseases of village chickens.
Human and animal thermophilic campylobacter infections in East African countries: epidemiology and antibiogram
(Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 2017) Komba, Erick VG
Purpose: Campylobacter mediated diarrhoea is a leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. The organisms colonize the gastrointestinal tract of different animal species without causing disease symptoms. Humans acquire infections through contact with or consumption of contaminated meat especially raw/undercooked poultry meat. The rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter strains heightens the public health concern of the organisms. The aim of this review was to summarise information on the epidemiology and antibiogram of Campylobacter in humans and animals in East African countries. Method: A structured literature search of PUBMED and Science Direct electronic databases. Results: Forty reports on thermophilic Campylobacter were identified in four of the five East African countries in the following order; Kenya (16), Tanzania (17), Uganda (4) and Rwanda (3). No study was found to report thermophilic Campylobacter infections in either humans or animals in Burundi. Studies on animals reported colonization of both domestic and wild species. Of the studies that described Campylobacter infections in humans, both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects were reported to be infected; with higher prevalence in subjects younger than five years old. Among isolates, some demonstrated antimicrobial resistance. Conclusion: Available information for both human and animal Campylobacteriosis in the region is however sparse thus calling for more research to better understand the epidemiology of infections caused by the organism including clonal dependence and independence of human and animal derived isolates. This understanding will help researchers and health program developers in designing and implementing effective control strategies. Since the organism is zoonotic its control strategies should adopt the “One Health” approach involving collaborative efforts from veterinary and human medicine.