Browsing by Author "Johnson, S.A.M."
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Item Diagnostic utility of selected faecal biochemical parameters in the determination of acute diarrhoea and associated defecation stooling characteristics in dogs: An observational study(Veterinary and Animal Science, 2024) Acheampong, O.D.; Ofori, E.K.; Johnson, S.A.M.; et al.Diarrhoea, which is a clinical manifestation of various illnesses, is frequently observed in dogs. Regrettably, many dog owners find it difficult to provide comprehensive case histories, primarily because of limited interaction with their canine companions. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of faecal biochemical analytes in detecting and characterizing acute diarrhoea in dogs. Sixty-two domestic dogs were selected using the proportionate stratified sample technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic and clinical data. Faecal stool specimens from the dogs were obtained using the colon flush technique. The specimens were taken through biochemical analysis to determine urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, gamma-glutamyl transferase and uric acid levels. Results showed a significant association between the diarrhoea status of the participants and their age, weight, breed, body size, source of last diet, period of inappetence, and other gastrointestinal signs (p < 0.050, respectively). Dogs that had not eaten in at least three days were five times more likely (p < 0.05) to have diarrhoea. Furthermore, miniature breeds were about six times more likely to develop diarrhoea (p < 0.05). Of the seven selected biochemical parameters, total faecal cholesterol was the most predictive index in diagnosing acute diarrhoea in dogs, with a likelihood ratio of 6.5, and it was the most accurate in predicting defecation stooling frequency and texture. In summary, in situations of inadequate case histories, measuring total faecal cholesterol could assist veterinarians in detecting diarrhoea and predicting its faecal stooling texture and frequency in dogs.Item Evidence of Rift Valley Fever Virus Circulation in Livestock and Herders in Southern Ghana(MDPI, 2023) Mensah, G.I.; Johnson, S.A.M.; Asmah, R.; et al.Abstract: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a re-emerging zoonotic disease of domestic ruminants and humans. While neighbouring countries have reported outbreaks of RVF, Ghana has not yet identified any cases. The aim of this study was to determine whether RVF virus (RVFV) was circulating in livestock and herders in the southern part of Ghana, to estimate its seroprevalence, and to identify associated risk factors. The study surveyed 165 livestock farms randomly selected from two districts in southern Ghana. Serum samples of 253 goats, 246 sheep, 220 cattle, and 157 herdsmen were tested to detect IgG and IgM antibodies against RVFV. The overall seroprevalence of anti-RVF antibodies in livestock was 13.1% and 30.9% of farms had RVFV seropositive animals. The species-specific prevalence was 24.1% in cattle, 8.5% in sheep, and 7.9% in goats. A RVFV IgG seroprevalence of 17.8% was found among the ruminant herders, with 8.3% of all herders being IgM positive. RVFV was shown, for the first time, to have been circulating in southern Ghana, with evidence of a recent outbreak in Kwahu East; however, it was clinically undetected despite significant recent human exposure. A One Health approach is recommended to better understand RVF epidemiology and socio-economic impact in Ghana.Item Myiasis in Dogs in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana(Mary Ann Liebert Inc, 2016) Johnson, S.A.M.; Gakuya, D.W.; Mbuthia, J.D.; Mande, J.D.; Afakye, K.; Maingi, N.Myiasis is the infestation of tissues of live vertebrate animals and humans with dipterous larvae. In sub-Saharan Africa, Cordylobia anthropohaga and Cordylobia rodhaini are known to be responsible for cutaneous myiasis in animals and humans. Human cases of myiasis, purportedly acquired in Ghana but diagnosed in other countries, have been reported; however, published data on its occurrence in animals in Ghana is unavailable. This study assessed the prevalence of canine myiasis among owned dogs in the Greater Accra region (GAR) of Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Greater Accra region of Ghana, selected for being the region with the highest estimated population density of owned dogs. Physical examination and demographic characteristics of the study dogs were assessed. Management of the dogs was assessed through a questionnaire administered to the dog owners. A total of 392 owned dogs were sampled. Twenty-nine (7.4%) had cutaneous myiasis caused by C. rodhaini. In addition, one (0.2%) of the dogs had intestinal myiasis, with Dermatobia hominis as the offending larvae. Among the breeds of dogs with myiasis, the mongrel was most affected, with 24 (82.8%) out of the 29 cases. The mongrels majority of which (24; 82.8%) were males, were left to roam freely in the community. Results from this study demonstrate that C. rodhaini and D. hominis are important causes of myiasis in owned dogs in the GAR of Ghana. Dogs could play a role in the spread of myiasis to humans, with its attendant public health implications. © Copyright 2016, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2016.Item Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths and management practices for dogs in the Greater Accra region of Ghana(Heliyon, 2015-09) Johnson, S.A.M.; Gakuya, D.W.; Mbuthia, P.G.; Mande, J.D.; Maingi, N.Toxocariosis and ancylostomosis remain the most important parasitic infections affecting companion animals worldwide and pose a risk to animal and human health. Information on these infections in dogs in Ghana is inadequate. A cross sectional study was undertaken to determine the occurrence of gastrointestinal helminths infections and management practices of dogs in the Greater Accra Region (GAR) of Ghana. Faecal samples were obtained from 380 dogs from communities in 11 out of 16 districts in the GAR. Coprological examination of the samples was performed using the modified McMaster technique. Management practices for control of helminths in dogs were assessed through questionnaire interviews of the dog owners. Most dogs (70.7%) were kept for security reasons and were not housed (61.8%). Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths was 62.6%. Hookworm eggs were found in 178 (46.8%) dogs, Toxocara canis eggs in 22 (5.8%) and mixed infections of hookworms and T. canis in 38 (10.0%). Dipylidium caninum was found in 51 (13.4%) dogs, while Isospora species was in 33 (8.5%) dogs. Most households (68%; 133/194) of the sampled dogs had at least a child below the age of 5 years. Hookworm, T. canis and D. caninum were the zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths prevalent in dogs in the study area. Lack of housing for dogs creates ideal conditions for infection and spread of the zoonotic parasites. © 2015 The Authors.Item Seroprevalence of Q fever in cattle, sheep and goats in the Volta region of Ghana(Veterinary Medicine and Science, 2019-03) Johnson, S.A.M.; Kaneene, J.B.; Asare-Dompreh, K.; Tasiame, W.; Mensah, I.G.; Afakye, K.; Simpson, S.V.; Addo, K.Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused byCoxiella burnetii,a causative agent of abortion in livestock and febrileillness in humans. Outbreaks of human cases of Q fever have been reported in Australia and the Netherlands,which was linked to abortions in goat and sheep farms. In Ghana, information on Q fever in both livestock andhumans is scanty. This study sought to determine the seroprevalence of Q fever in livestock in the Tongu areaof the Volta region of Ghana. It was a cross sectional study with blood sampled from 204 cattle, 158 sheep and100 goats. An indirect ELISA test was performed to detect Q fever antibodies in the serum of livestock. A totalof 20 farms were sampled across the municipalities and an overall prevalence of Q fever was 21.6%. Specie-specific prevalence was 28.4% (45/158) for sheep, 21.7% (45/204) for cattle and 10% (10/100) for goats. Abor-tions were reported on all the farms sampled and most farmers lived in close proximity to the farms sampled.Q fever is prevalent in the North Tongu area and requires the attention of the veterinary and health authori-ties, using the One- Health approach in order to control its occurrence and save lives.