Gogo Jaja | University of Fort Hare (original) (raw)

Papers by Gogo Jaja

Research paper thumbnail of Dairy farm-workers’ knowledge of factors responsible for culling and mortality in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Milk serves as a significant source of protein for many families and aids in combating food insec... more Milk serves as a significant source of protein for many families and aids in combating food insecurity. However, the demand for milk and milk-related products far exceeds the supply. The objective of the study was to evaluate dairy farm-workers’ knowledge of factors responsible for culling and mortality of dairy cows in the Eastern Cape Province. Data was collected from 106 dairy farm-workers using a questionnaire. Any correctly answered question by the majority amounted to a point and a zero for incorrectly answered questions. Correct answering by the majority to more than half the questions of a subsection amounted to a pass. A less than 50% pass rate was considered a poor level of knowledge, 51–69% pass rate was considered an average level of knowledge, and anything higher than that was considered a good level of knowledge. Most farm-workers (66.0%) relied on their colleagues for dairy health information. Most dairy farm-workers (49.1%) indicated that lameness, milk fever (56.6%)...

Research paper thumbnail of Bacteriological Quality and Antibiotics' Susceptibility Profile of Small-medium Scale Commercial Fish farms in Nigeria

The Open Agriculture Journal

Background: Fish currently provide 6.7% of all proteins consumed by humans globally; nevertheless... more Background: Fish currently provide 6.7% of all proteins consumed by humans globally; nevertheless, the aquaculture system has been linked to fish, environmental contamination and disease outbreak. The aim of this study was to determine the bacteriological quality and the antibiotic resistance profile of bacteria from water samples of pond stocked with Tilapia and Catfish in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Objective: To isolate, identify and characterise heterotrophic bacteria and test for the antibiogram of detected Coliforms. Methods: Water samples were collected from ponds stocked with Tilapia and Catfish, and tested for total heterotrophic and coliform bacteria as well as the antibiogram. The susceptibility of the isolates was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar. Results: A total of 40 isolates were recovered from the water samples, of which 5 species were Gram positive bacteria representing two genera, and 35 species were Gram negative bacteri...

Research paper thumbnail of Aerobic Mesophilic, Coliform, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus Counts of Raw Meat from the Formal and Informal Meat Sectors in South Africa

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Foodborne disease (FBD) is a global public health concern, and foods from animal sources have bee... more Foodborne disease (FBD) is a global public health concern, and foods from animal sources have been associated with outbreaks of food-related illness. In this study, animal carcasses from the two abattoirs (HT1 and HT2) in the formal meat sector (FMS) and slaughter points in the informal meat sector (INMS) were examined at two stages of slaughter (before washing and after washing) for aerobic colony counts (ACC) and total viable count (TCC), as well as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus count. At each stage, carcasses were sampled by swabbing at the neck, brisket, flank, and rump. ACC for beef, mutton, and pork carcasses at HT1 and HT2 before washing were between 2.5-5.8, 2.2-4.7, and 2.7-3.7 mean log CFU/cm 2 , respectively, and TCC count before washing was highest on the neck of cattle (6.3 ± 2.4) and after washing was highest on the perineal of sheep (5.7 ± 6.9). In the INMS, TCC count was highest on the brisket (6.9 ± 3.2) and in the neck (5.5 ± 2.4). Higher ACC values of 6.2-6.7 mean log CFU/cm 2 were obtained in the INMS. The highest count for E. coli (4.2 mean log CFU/cm 2) after washing was in the neck, while the highest count for S. aureus (4.0 mean log CFU/cm 2) was in the flank. All bacteria count in the INMS exceeded acceptable limits, and washing did not significantly reduce microbial load in meat in the FMS and INMS. Bacteria count in the FMS and INMS exceeded acceptable standards. However, meat processed in the INMS poses a more significant risk of FBD to consumers.

Research paper thumbnail of Preventing and managing antimicrobial resistance: imperative for chest physicians

European Respiratory Journal, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Detection, Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Heavy Metals/Metalloids, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead in Goat Carcasses Processed for Human Consumption in South-Eastern Nigeria

Foods

Notwithstanding the increased toxic heavy metals/metalloids (THMs) accumulation in (edible) organ... more Notwithstanding the increased toxic heavy metals/metalloids (THMs) accumulation in (edible) organs owed to goat′s feeding habit and anthropogenic activities, the chevon remains increasingly relished as a special delicacy in Nigeria. Specific to the South-Eastern region, however, there is paucity of relevant data regarding the prevalence of THMs in goat carcasses processed for human consumption. This work was, therefore, aimed to investigate the detection, distribution and health risk assessment of THMs in goat carcass processed for human consumption in South-Eastern Nigeria. To achieve this, a total of 450 meat samples (kidney, liver and muscle) were evaluated from 150 randomly selected goat carcasses processed in two major slaughterhouses in Enugu State. The detection, distribution, as well as health risk assessment parameters followed standard procedures. Results revealed that at least one THM was detected in 56% of the carcasses. Mean concentrations of arsenic (As) were 0.53 ± 0....

Research paper thumbnail of Potential sources and characteristic occurrence of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) gene-harbouring bacteria recovered from the poultry sector: a literature synthesis specific to high-income countries

PeerJ

Understanding the sources, prevalence, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of mcr gene-harbo... more Understanding the sources, prevalence, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of mcr gene-harbouring bacteria (MGHB) in the poultry sector is crucial to supplement existing information. Through this, the plasmid-mediated colistin resistance (PMCR) could be tackled to improve food safety and reduce public health risks. Therefore, we conducted a literature synthesis of potential sources and characteristic occurrence of MGHB recovered from the poultry sector specific to the high-income countries (HICs). Colistin (COL) is a last-resort antibiotic used for treating deadly infections. For more than 60 years, COL has been used in the poultry sector globally, including the HICs. The emergence and rapid spread of mobile COL resistance (mcr) genes threaten the clinical use of COL. Currently, ten mcr genes (mcr-1 to mcr-10) have been described. By horizontal and vertical transfer, the mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3, mcr-4, mcr-5, and mcr-9 genes have disseminated in the poultry sector in HICs, thus pos...

Research paper thumbnail of Is Africa ready for mobile colistin resistance threat?

Infection Ecology & Epidemiology

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing public health problem and a threat to effective treatment a... more Antimicrobial resistance is a growing public health problem and a threat to effective treatment and prevention of an array of infections caused by bacteria. Africa is already faced with many socioeconomic and health crises. Many countries in Africa can seldom boast of a standardized health care facility comparable to those in developed countries. Yet, the non-therapeutic use of COL has been banned in developed countries. However, in Africa, except for South Africa, COL is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication sold and dispensed by non-professionals/without a veterinarian's supervision. The ban of nontherapeutic COL in developed countries has proven to reduce the development of mobile colistin resistance (MCR) in humans and animals. The unregulated use of COL has been proven to select pathogenic and commensal bacteria resistance. A transmissible plasmidmediated colistin determinant, mobile COL resistance (mcr) gene, which is rapidly transferred/acquired horizontally or laterally intra/inter-species/genera, has been reported. A highly promiscuous mobile genetic element like plasmids containing transposons, insertion sequences, and integrons aid the carriage/rapid transfer and acquisition of these mcr genes. Hence, we highlight the danger posed by escalating colistin (COL) resistance in the continent and the impetus to halt the indiscriminate and non-therapeutic use of COL to protect public health.

Research paper thumbnail of Antimicrobial Resistance Phenotype of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli Isolates Obtained from Meat in the Formal and Informal Sectors in South Africa

BioMed Research International

Background. Foodborne diseases (FBD) caused by resistant pathogens are a global public health pro... more Background. Foodborne diseases (FBD) caused by resistant pathogens are a global public health problem. One main driver of the increasing FBD incidence is the transfer of pathogenic organisms from animal guts to carcasses during processing and subsequent transfer from meat products to consumers. Methods. In this study, meat samples from abattoirs in the formal meat sector (FMS) (n=140) and slaughter points in the informal meat sector (IMS) (n=104) were collected for microbial detection and phenotypic AMR determination using polymerase chain reaction. Results. The antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus isolates revealed that resistance to clindamycin (74.3%) and ampicillin (59.5%) was highest in the FMS, while resistance to penicillin (83.8%) and tetracycline (82.1%) was highest in the IMS. Escherichia coli isolates show significant resistance to chloramphenicol (90.7%) and tetracycline (82.3%) in the FMS. Likewise, resistance to tetracycline (92.3%) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (8...

Research paper thumbnail of Culling and mortality of dairy cows: why it happens and how it can be mitigated

F1000Research

The United Nations estimates that the global population will total 9.7 billion in 2050. Rapid pop... more The United Nations estimates that the global population will total 9.7 billion in 2050. Rapid population growth pose a significant obstacle to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly eradicating hunger and poverty. In view of the expanding population growth, food production ideally should triple to prevent massive food shortages. Sustainable food and nutrition security is the focal point of the dairy industry. Dairy production plays a pivotal role in addressing and advancing global food and nutrition security. It serves as a major source of protein, calcium, and phosphorus in many families in developing countries with a fast-growing population. Consequently, the dairy industry is expected to grow by approximately 26% in the next 10 years and produce an estimated 1077 million tonnes of milk by 2050. However, the growth and distribution of the dairy industry is limited by many factors such as culling and mortality of dairy cows. Several studies highlight reproduction...

Research paper thumbnail of Seasonal prevalence, body condition score and risk factors of bovine fasciolosis in South Africa

Veterinary and Animal Science

Research paper thumbnail of Microbiological quality of beef, mutton, and water from different abattoirs in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Veterinary World, Jul 18, 2020

Background and Aim: Abattoir processes from skinning, evisceration, to chilling usually lead to m... more Background and Aim: Abattoir processes from skinning, evisceration, to chilling usually lead to meat contamination by foodborne pathogens. Hence, continual microbial surveillance of slaughter carcasses by veterinary public health officials is key to preventing contamination and outbreak of meat-related foodborne diseases. This study was conducted to determine the Enterobacteriaceae count and aerobic plate count (APC) and to detect Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in meat and water from selected slaughter facilities. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data (n=100) collected in 2017 by the Provincial Veterinary Department of the Eastern Cape Province from abattoirs and prospective survey data of meat (n=50) collected in 2018 from abattoirs in the Eastern Cape Province were utilized in this study. APC and Enterobacteriaceae were enumerated from the samples. In addition, Salmonella and E. coli were isolated from samples using selective media. Results: The APC in both retrospective...

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence of lung lesions in slaughtered cattle in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 2016

Information obtained from abattoirs on the causes of lung condemnation is important in preventing... more Information obtained from abattoirs on the causes of lung condemnation is important in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases and for promoting food security. In this study, we assessed the causes of lung condemnation in cattle at three abattoirs represented as ANA, QTA and EBA to evaluate the financial losses associated with lung condemnation. A retrospective study (n = 51 302) involving the use of abattoir slaughter records of 2010–2012 and an active abattoir survey (n = 1374) was conducted from July to December 2013. The retrospective study revealed the main causes of lung condemnation as pneumonia (1.09%, 2.21% and 0.77%), emphysema (1.12%, 1.14% and 1.1.6%) and abscessation (0.71%, 1.06% and 0.77%), from ANA, QTA and EBA, respectively. The combined monetary loss because of lung condemnation during the period 2010 to 2012 was estimated as ZAR 85 158 (USD 7939) for the abattoirs surveyed. Conversely, during the active abattoir survey, agonal emphysema (15%, 15% and 23%) and i...

Research paper thumbnail of Relevance of the formal red meat classification system to the South African informal livestock sector

South African Journal Of Animal Science

In 1992 the South African meat industry was deregulated and this led to the formation of the new ... more In 1992 the South African meat industry was deregulated and this led to the formation of the new Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, Act no. 47 of 1996. The Act made provisions for producers to sell animals to customers of their own choice at mutually agreed prices. Thus, producers in the informal sector took advantage of the free marketing system. The result was a substantial increase in the number of animals slaughtered in the informal sector. Unfortunately the requirements for animal identification are not always observed in this sector. Challenges faced by communal farmers which include the multipurpose roles of livestock, lack of slaughter facilities within reasonable distance and lack of access to market information make them less willing to sell their animals through the formal market. The formal market is characterised by meat inspection and carcass classification which scare away the communal farmers for fear of income loss through animal condemnation. The informal sector might not recognise the importance of formal carcass classification. There is need to direct research and development efforts to address marketing constraints faced by communal farmers, and to promote formal marketing of livestock for meat quality assurance and a fair return to the farmers. This review seeks to assess the relevance of formal classification of red meat carcasses to the informal sector, make recommendations on ways to ameliorate the undesirable effect of the classification system on the informal sector, and identify possible areas which need further research to develop the classification system in South Africa.

Research paper thumbnail of Occurrence and Characteristics of Mobile Colistin Resistance (mcr) Gene-Containing Isolates from the Environment: A Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

The emergence and spread of mobile colistin (COL) resistance (mcr) genes jeopardize the efficacy ... more The emergence and spread of mobile colistin (COL) resistance (mcr) genes jeopardize the efficacy of COL, a last resort antibiotic for treating deadly infections. COL has been used in livestock for decades globally. Bacteria have mobilized mcr genes (mcr-1 to mcr-9). Mcr-gene-containing bacteria (MGCB) have disseminated by horizontal/lateral transfer into diverse ecosystems, including aquatic, soil, botanical, wildlife, animal environment, and public places. The mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3, mcr-5, mcr-7, and mcr-8 have been detected in isolates from and/or directly in environmental samples. These genes are harboured by Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, Citrobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Kluyvera, Aeromonas, Providencia, and Raulotella isolates. Different conjugative and non-conjugative plasmids form the backbones for mcr in these isolates, but mcr have also been integrated into the chromosome of some strains. Insertion sequences (IS) (especially ISApl1) l...

Research paper thumbnail of Social distancing: how religion, culture and burial ceremony undermine the effort to curb COVID-19 in South Africa

Emerging Microbes & Infections

Research paper thumbnail of Dairy farm-workers’ knowledge of factors responsible for culling and mortality in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Milk serves as a significant source of protein for many families and aids in combating food insec... more Milk serves as a significant source of protein for many families and aids in combating food insecurity. However, the demand for milk and milk-related products far exceeds the supply. The objective of the study was to evaluate dairy farm-workers’ knowledge of factors responsible for culling and mortality of dairy cows in the Eastern Cape Province. Data was collected from 106 dairy farm-workers using a questionnaire. Any correctly answered question by the majority amounted to a point and a zero for incorrectly answered questions. Correct answering by the majority to more than half the questions of a subsection amounted to a pass. A less than 50% pass rate was considered a poor level of knowledge, 51–69% pass rate was considered an average level of knowledge, and anything higher than that was considered a good level of knowledge. Most farm-workers (66.0%) relied on their colleagues for dairy health information. Most dairy farm-workers (49.1%) indicated that lameness, milk fever (56.6%)...

Research paper thumbnail of Bacteriological Quality and Antibiotics' Susceptibility Profile of Small-medium Scale Commercial Fish farms in Nigeria

The Open Agriculture Journal

Background: Fish currently provide 6.7% of all proteins consumed by humans globally; nevertheless... more Background: Fish currently provide 6.7% of all proteins consumed by humans globally; nevertheless, the aquaculture system has been linked to fish, environmental contamination and disease outbreak. The aim of this study was to determine the bacteriological quality and the antibiotic resistance profile of bacteria from water samples of pond stocked with Tilapia and Catfish in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Objective: To isolate, identify and characterise heterotrophic bacteria and test for the antibiogram of detected Coliforms. Methods: Water samples were collected from ponds stocked with Tilapia and Catfish, and tested for total heterotrophic and coliform bacteria as well as the antibiogram. The susceptibility of the isolates was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar. Results: A total of 40 isolates were recovered from the water samples, of which 5 species were Gram positive bacteria representing two genera, and 35 species were Gram negative bacteri...

Research paper thumbnail of Aerobic Mesophilic, Coliform, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus Counts of Raw Meat from the Formal and Informal Meat Sectors in South Africa

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Foodborne disease (FBD) is a global public health concern, and foods from animal sources have bee... more Foodborne disease (FBD) is a global public health concern, and foods from animal sources have been associated with outbreaks of food-related illness. In this study, animal carcasses from the two abattoirs (HT1 and HT2) in the formal meat sector (FMS) and slaughter points in the informal meat sector (INMS) were examined at two stages of slaughter (before washing and after washing) for aerobic colony counts (ACC) and total viable count (TCC), as well as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus count. At each stage, carcasses were sampled by swabbing at the neck, brisket, flank, and rump. ACC for beef, mutton, and pork carcasses at HT1 and HT2 before washing were between 2.5-5.8, 2.2-4.7, and 2.7-3.7 mean log CFU/cm 2 , respectively, and TCC count before washing was highest on the neck of cattle (6.3 ± 2.4) and after washing was highest on the perineal of sheep (5.7 ± 6.9). In the INMS, TCC count was highest on the brisket (6.9 ± 3.2) and in the neck (5.5 ± 2.4). Higher ACC values of 6.2-6.7 mean log CFU/cm 2 were obtained in the INMS. The highest count for E. coli (4.2 mean log CFU/cm 2) after washing was in the neck, while the highest count for S. aureus (4.0 mean log CFU/cm 2) was in the flank. All bacteria count in the INMS exceeded acceptable limits, and washing did not significantly reduce microbial load in meat in the FMS and INMS. Bacteria count in the FMS and INMS exceeded acceptable standards. However, meat processed in the INMS poses a more significant risk of FBD to consumers.

Research paper thumbnail of Preventing and managing antimicrobial resistance: imperative for chest physicians

European Respiratory Journal, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Detection, Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Heavy Metals/Metalloids, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead in Goat Carcasses Processed for Human Consumption in South-Eastern Nigeria

Foods

Notwithstanding the increased toxic heavy metals/metalloids (THMs) accumulation in (edible) organ... more Notwithstanding the increased toxic heavy metals/metalloids (THMs) accumulation in (edible) organs owed to goat′s feeding habit and anthropogenic activities, the chevon remains increasingly relished as a special delicacy in Nigeria. Specific to the South-Eastern region, however, there is paucity of relevant data regarding the prevalence of THMs in goat carcasses processed for human consumption. This work was, therefore, aimed to investigate the detection, distribution and health risk assessment of THMs in goat carcass processed for human consumption in South-Eastern Nigeria. To achieve this, a total of 450 meat samples (kidney, liver and muscle) were evaluated from 150 randomly selected goat carcasses processed in two major slaughterhouses in Enugu State. The detection, distribution, as well as health risk assessment parameters followed standard procedures. Results revealed that at least one THM was detected in 56% of the carcasses. Mean concentrations of arsenic (As) were 0.53 ± 0....

Research paper thumbnail of Potential sources and characteristic occurrence of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) gene-harbouring bacteria recovered from the poultry sector: a literature synthesis specific to high-income countries

PeerJ

Understanding the sources, prevalence, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of mcr gene-harbo... more Understanding the sources, prevalence, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of mcr gene-harbouring bacteria (MGHB) in the poultry sector is crucial to supplement existing information. Through this, the plasmid-mediated colistin resistance (PMCR) could be tackled to improve food safety and reduce public health risks. Therefore, we conducted a literature synthesis of potential sources and characteristic occurrence of MGHB recovered from the poultry sector specific to the high-income countries (HICs). Colistin (COL) is a last-resort antibiotic used for treating deadly infections. For more than 60 years, COL has been used in the poultry sector globally, including the HICs. The emergence and rapid spread of mobile COL resistance (mcr) genes threaten the clinical use of COL. Currently, ten mcr genes (mcr-1 to mcr-10) have been described. By horizontal and vertical transfer, the mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3, mcr-4, mcr-5, and mcr-9 genes have disseminated in the poultry sector in HICs, thus pos...

Research paper thumbnail of Is Africa ready for mobile colistin resistance threat?

Infection Ecology & Epidemiology

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing public health problem and a threat to effective treatment a... more Antimicrobial resistance is a growing public health problem and a threat to effective treatment and prevention of an array of infections caused by bacteria. Africa is already faced with many socioeconomic and health crises. Many countries in Africa can seldom boast of a standardized health care facility comparable to those in developed countries. Yet, the non-therapeutic use of COL has been banned in developed countries. However, in Africa, except for South Africa, COL is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication sold and dispensed by non-professionals/without a veterinarian's supervision. The ban of nontherapeutic COL in developed countries has proven to reduce the development of mobile colistin resistance (MCR) in humans and animals. The unregulated use of COL has been proven to select pathogenic and commensal bacteria resistance. A transmissible plasmidmediated colistin determinant, mobile COL resistance (mcr) gene, which is rapidly transferred/acquired horizontally or laterally intra/inter-species/genera, has been reported. A highly promiscuous mobile genetic element like plasmids containing transposons, insertion sequences, and integrons aid the carriage/rapid transfer and acquisition of these mcr genes. Hence, we highlight the danger posed by escalating colistin (COL) resistance in the continent and the impetus to halt the indiscriminate and non-therapeutic use of COL to protect public health.

Research paper thumbnail of Antimicrobial Resistance Phenotype of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli Isolates Obtained from Meat in the Formal and Informal Sectors in South Africa

BioMed Research International

Background. Foodborne diseases (FBD) caused by resistant pathogens are a global public health pro... more Background. Foodborne diseases (FBD) caused by resistant pathogens are a global public health problem. One main driver of the increasing FBD incidence is the transfer of pathogenic organisms from animal guts to carcasses during processing and subsequent transfer from meat products to consumers. Methods. In this study, meat samples from abattoirs in the formal meat sector (FMS) (n=140) and slaughter points in the informal meat sector (IMS) (n=104) were collected for microbial detection and phenotypic AMR determination using polymerase chain reaction. Results. The antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus isolates revealed that resistance to clindamycin (74.3%) and ampicillin (59.5%) was highest in the FMS, while resistance to penicillin (83.8%) and tetracycline (82.1%) was highest in the IMS. Escherichia coli isolates show significant resistance to chloramphenicol (90.7%) and tetracycline (82.3%) in the FMS. Likewise, resistance to tetracycline (92.3%) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (8...

Research paper thumbnail of Culling and mortality of dairy cows: why it happens and how it can be mitigated

F1000Research

The United Nations estimates that the global population will total 9.7 billion in 2050. Rapid pop... more The United Nations estimates that the global population will total 9.7 billion in 2050. Rapid population growth pose a significant obstacle to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly eradicating hunger and poverty. In view of the expanding population growth, food production ideally should triple to prevent massive food shortages. Sustainable food and nutrition security is the focal point of the dairy industry. Dairy production plays a pivotal role in addressing and advancing global food and nutrition security. It serves as a major source of protein, calcium, and phosphorus in many families in developing countries with a fast-growing population. Consequently, the dairy industry is expected to grow by approximately 26% in the next 10 years and produce an estimated 1077 million tonnes of milk by 2050. However, the growth and distribution of the dairy industry is limited by many factors such as culling and mortality of dairy cows. Several studies highlight reproduction...

Research paper thumbnail of Seasonal prevalence, body condition score and risk factors of bovine fasciolosis in South Africa

Veterinary and Animal Science

Research paper thumbnail of Microbiological quality of beef, mutton, and water from different abattoirs in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Veterinary World, Jul 18, 2020

Background and Aim: Abattoir processes from skinning, evisceration, to chilling usually lead to m... more Background and Aim: Abattoir processes from skinning, evisceration, to chilling usually lead to meat contamination by foodborne pathogens. Hence, continual microbial surveillance of slaughter carcasses by veterinary public health officials is key to preventing contamination and outbreak of meat-related foodborne diseases. This study was conducted to determine the Enterobacteriaceae count and aerobic plate count (APC) and to detect Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in meat and water from selected slaughter facilities. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data (n=100) collected in 2017 by the Provincial Veterinary Department of the Eastern Cape Province from abattoirs and prospective survey data of meat (n=50) collected in 2018 from abattoirs in the Eastern Cape Province were utilized in this study. APC and Enterobacteriaceae were enumerated from the samples. In addition, Salmonella and E. coli were isolated from samples using selective media. Results: The APC in both retrospective...

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence of lung lesions in slaughtered cattle in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 2016

Information obtained from abattoirs on the causes of lung condemnation is important in preventing... more Information obtained from abattoirs on the causes of lung condemnation is important in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases and for promoting food security. In this study, we assessed the causes of lung condemnation in cattle at three abattoirs represented as ANA, QTA and EBA to evaluate the financial losses associated with lung condemnation. A retrospective study (n = 51 302) involving the use of abattoir slaughter records of 2010–2012 and an active abattoir survey (n = 1374) was conducted from July to December 2013. The retrospective study revealed the main causes of lung condemnation as pneumonia (1.09%, 2.21% and 0.77%), emphysema (1.12%, 1.14% and 1.1.6%) and abscessation (0.71%, 1.06% and 0.77%), from ANA, QTA and EBA, respectively. The combined monetary loss because of lung condemnation during the period 2010 to 2012 was estimated as ZAR 85 158 (USD 7939) for the abattoirs surveyed. Conversely, during the active abattoir survey, agonal emphysema (15%, 15% and 23%) and i...

Research paper thumbnail of Relevance of the formal red meat classification system to the South African informal livestock sector

South African Journal Of Animal Science

In 1992 the South African meat industry was deregulated and this led to the formation of the new ... more In 1992 the South African meat industry was deregulated and this led to the formation of the new Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, Act no. 47 of 1996. The Act made provisions for producers to sell animals to customers of their own choice at mutually agreed prices. Thus, producers in the informal sector took advantage of the free marketing system. The result was a substantial increase in the number of animals slaughtered in the informal sector. Unfortunately the requirements for animal identification are not always observed in this sector. Challenges faced by communal farmers which include the multipurpose roles of livestock, lack of slaughter facilities within reasonable distance and lack of access to market information make them less willing to sell their animals through the formal market. The formal market is characterised by meat inspection and carcass classification which scare away the communal farmers for fear of income loss through animal condemnation. The informal sector might not recognise the importance of formal carcass classification. There is need to direct research and development efforts to address marketing constraints faced by communal farmers, and to promote formal marketing of livestock for meat quality assurance and a fair return to the farmers. This review seeks to assess the relevance of formal classification of red meat carcasses to the informal sector, make recommendations on ways to ameliorate the undesirable effect of the classification system on the informal sector, and identify possible areas which need further research to develop the classification system in South Africa.

Research paper thumbnail of Occurrence and Characteristics of Mobile Colistin Resistance (mcr) Gene-Containing Isolates from the Environment: A Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

The emergence and spread of mobile colistin (COL) resistance (mcr) genes jeopardize the efficacy ... more The emergence and spread of mobile colistin (COL) resistance (mcr) genes jeopardize the efficacy of COL, a last resort antibiotic for treating deadly infections. COL has been used in livestock for decades globally. Bacteria have mobilized mcr genes (mcr-1 to mcr-9). Mcr-gene-containing bacteria (MGCB) have disseminated by horizontal/lateral transfer into diverse ecosystems, including aquatic, soil, botanical, wildlife, animal environment, and public places. The mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3, mcr-5, mcr-7, and mcr-8 have been detected in isolates from and/or directly in environmental samples. These genes are harboured by Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, Citrobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Kluyvera, Aeromonas, Providencia, and Raulotella isolates. Different conjugative and non-conjugative plasmids form the backbones for mcr in these isolates, but mcr have also been integrated into the chromosome of some strains. Insertion sequences (IS) (especially ISApl1) l...

Research paper thumbnail of Social distancing: how religion, culture and burial ceremony undermine the effort to curb COVID-19 in South Africa

Emerging Microbes & Infections