Clinical Veterinary Medicine
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Item Viral Zoonoses of National Importance in Ghana: Advancements and Opportunities for Enhancing Capacities for Early Detection and Response(Hindawi, 2021) Suu-Ire, R.D.; Obodai, E.; Bonney, J.H.K.; Bel-Nono, S.O.; Ampofo, W.; Kelly, T.R.Zoonotic diseases have devastating impacts on human and animal health, livelihoods, and economies. Addressing the complex web of interrelated factors leading to zoonotic disease emergence and spread requires a transdisciplinary, cross-sectoral approach, One Health. (e One Health approach, which considers the linkages between the health of people, animals, and their shared environment, presents opportunities to reduce these impacts through a more holistic coordinated strategy to understanding and mitigating disease risks. Understanding the linkages between animal, human, and environmental health risks and outcomes is critical for developing early detection systems and risk reduction strategies to address known and novel zoonotic disease threats. Nearly 70 countries across the world, including Ghana, have signed on to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), which is facilitating multisectoral approaches to strengthen country capacities in the prevention and early detection of and respond to infectious disease threats. Currently, Ghana has not yet formalized a national One Health policy. (e lack of a clearly defined multisectoral platform and limited collaboration among key Ghanaian Ministries, Departments, and Agencies has impacted the country’s ability to effectively mitigate and respond to emerging and reemerging zoonoses. Many of these emerging zoonoses are caused by viruses, which, because of their diversity and evolutionary properties, are perceived to pose the greatest threat to global health security. Here, we review viral zoonoses of national importance and priority in Ghana, highlight recent advancements in One Health capacities, and discuss opportunities for implementing One Health approaches to mitigate zoonotic disease threats.Item Polymicrobial Necrotizing Fasciitis in a Dog: The Involvement of Macrococcus caseolyticus, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli(Hindawi, 2021) Acheampong, O.D.; Enyetornye, B.; Osei, D.A male mixed breed dog was presented with two large wounds, extending the epidermis, dermis, and fascia: one at the dorsum of the thoracolumbar region and the other at the lumbosacral area. Lesions had extended inconspicuously to the dorsum of thorax affecting a large area, which showed regions with necrotic and crepitating foci after shaving. Based on histopathological and bacterial culture examinations, polymicrobial necrotizing fasciitis (NF) was diagnosed. Using the Bruker MALDI Biotyper identification technique, Macrococcus caseolyticus, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli were identified. Hitherto, there is no report on these bacteria linking them simultaneously to NF in a dog. In addition, the authors highlight other microbes associated with NF in humans and animals.Item Persistence of Multiple Paramyxoviruses in a Closed Captive Colony of Fruit Bats (Eidolon helvum)(MDPI, 2021) Gibson, L.; Ribas, M.P.; Kemp, J.; Restif, O.; Suu-Ire, R.D.; Wood, J.L.N.; Cunningham, A.A.Bats have been identified as the natural hosts of several emerging zoonotic viruses, including paramyxoviruses, such as Hendra and Nipah viruses, that can cause fatal disease in humans. Recently, African fruit bats with populations that roost in or near urban areas have been shown to harbour a great diversity of paramyxoviruses, posing potential spillover risks to public health. Understanding the circulation of these viruses in their reservoir populations is essential to predict and prevent future emerging diseases. Here, we identify a high incidence of multiple paramyxoviruses in urine samples collected from a closed captive colony of circa 115 straw-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum). The sequences detected have high nucleotide identities with those derived from free ranging African fruit bats and form phylogenetic clusters with the Henipavirus genus, Pararubulavirus genus and other unclassified paramyxoviruses. As this colony had been closed for 5 years prior to this study, these results indicate that within-host paramyxoviral persistence underlies the role of bats as reservoirs of these viruses.Item Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Ghana, 2015: degree of losses and outcomes of time-course outbreak management(Epidemiology and Infection, 2020-02-17) Tasiame, W.; Johnson, S.; Burimuah, V.; Akyereko, E.; El-Duah, P.; Amemor, E.; Emikpe, B.O.; Owiredu, E.W.This retrospective study highlights the degree of losses and time-course through which the 2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in Ghana were managed. A total of 102 760 birds from 35 farms across five regions in Ghana included in this study were affected. Out of this, 89.3% was from the Greater Accra region. Majority of the birds were culled (94.2%). Adult layers were most affected and destroyed (64.0%), followed by broilers (13.7%). Event initiation to reporting averaged 7.7 ± 1.3 days (range: 1–30 days). Laboratory confirmation to depopulation of birds averaged 2.2 ± 0.5 (0–15) days while depopulation to disinfection took 2.2 ± 0.7 (0–20) days. Overall, some farms took as long as 30 days to report the outbreak to the authorities, 15 days from confirmation to depopulation and 20 days from depopulation to disinfection. On average, outbreak management lasted 12.3 (2–43) days from event initiation to depopulation. The study reveals a significant number of avian losses and delays in HPAI reporting and management by the authorities in Ghana during the 2015 outbreak. This poses a high risk of spread to other farms and a threat to public health. Awareness creation for poultry farmers is necessary for early reporting, while further study is required to set thresholds for the management of such outbreaks by veterinary departments.Item Perceived Quality of Healthcare Delivery in a Rural District of Ghana(Ghana Medical Journal, 2009-06) Turkson, P.K.Objective: The study aimed at finding out clients’ perceptions of the quality of healthcare delivery at the district level in rural Ghana, using the Komenda-Edina- Eguafo-Abrem District as a case study. Design: 803 patients were purposively selected and interviewed after visits to health facilities using a pretested questionnaire, while focus group discussions were held in 13 communities. The study was done between October 2003 and August 2004. Results: The majority of respondents (70%) were females. The mean expected maximum waiting time for seeking medical help was 1 hr. About 98% said they were asked to explain their problem. However, lower proportions, 74%, 43% and 46% were physically examined, told what was wrong, or given advice about their illness, respectively. About 90% of the respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the care given during their visit to the health facility. The participants perceived poor attitude of some health workers, long waiting times, high cost of services, inadequate staff, policy of payment for health services, frequent referrals to hospitals, and lack of ambulances at facilities as being detrimental to effective delivery of quality healthcare. Conclusions: The study found that generally the quality of healthcare delivery was perceived to be high for most of the indicators used. There were, however, some concerns that patients were not told the diagnosis or informed about the management of their illness. These need to be addressed. The level of satisfaction with quality of healthcare was high.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.Item Reconstruction of femoral length from fragmentary femora(Korean Association of Anatomists, 2016) Abledu, J.K.; Offei, E.B.; Osabutey, C.K.The reconstruction of femoral length (FL) from fragmentary femora is an essential step in estimating stature from fragmentary skeletal remains in forensic investigations. While regression formulae for doing this have been suggested forseveral populations, such formulae have not been established for Ghanaian skeletal remains. This study, therefore, seeks to derive regression formulae for reconstruction of FL from fragmentary femora of skeletal samples obtained from Ghana. Six measurements (vertical head diameter, transverse head diameter, bicondylar breadth, epicondylar breadth, sub-trochanteric anterior-posterior diameter, and sub-trochanteric transverse diameter) were acquired from different anatomical portions of the femur and the relationship between each acquired measurement and FL was analyzed using linear regression. The results indicated significantly moderate-to-high correlations (r=0.580-0.818) between FL and each acquired measurement. The error estimates of the regression formulae were relatively low (i.e., standard error of estimate, 13.66-19.28 mm), suggesting that thediscrepancies between actual and estimated stature were relatively low. Compared with other measurements, sub-trochanteric transverse diameter was the best estimate of FL. In the absence of a complete femur, the regression formulae based on the assessed measurements may be used to infer FL, from which stature can be estimated in forensic investigations.Item Household exposure and animal-bite surveillance following human rabies detection in Southern Ghana(2016) Afakye, K.; Kenu, E.; Nyarko, K.M.; Johnson, S.A.; Wongnaah, F.; Bonsu, G.K.INTRODUCTION: Rabies remains a neglected tropical zoonotic disease with 100% case fatality rate and estimated 6,000 global mortality annually, and yet vaccine preventable. In Ghana, rabies outbreaks receive poor response. We investigated rabies in a 5-year old boy to find the source of infection, identify exposed persons for post-exposure prophylaxis and describe animal-bite surveillance in Manya-Krobo District of Ghana.METHODS: We actively searched for cases and exposures by interviewing household members of the victim, schoolmates, and health professionals using WHO case definition, interview guide and checklist. We reviewed health and veterinary records and reports, and interviewed stakeholders. Descriptive data analyses were carried out and presented using tables and charts. Recorded responses were transcribed into thematic areas and analysed.RESULTS: Child had dog-bite at the wrist, and developed hyperactivity, hydrophobia and hyperventilation 2 months post bite. He was hospitalised and died from respiratory failure day 3 after admission. Thirty-three persons were exposed to rabies infectious material. Females were 66%, age-groups 5-15yrs and 30-59 yrs were 33.3% and 39.4% respectively. A third (11/33) were category II exposure by WHO classification and were recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis. Surveillance records showed ninety-two animal-bite cases were reported for past 12 months. Half were females, and 18-59yrs age-group was 43%. Surveillance data quality was poor.CONCLUSION: Rabies remains a public health burden inGhana with domestic dog as reservoir of the virus and females more vulnerable to secondary exposures. Health education on rabies should be intensified, and robust animal-bite surveillance system put in place.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 Prevalence of agenesis of palmaris longus muscle and its association with gender, body side, handedness and other anomalies of the forearm in a student population in Ghana(Rawal Medical Journal, 2014-01) Offei, E.B; Abledu, J.K.Palmaris longus (PL) muscle is one of the most variable anatomical entities in the human body and its absence (agenesis) is a frequent anatomical variation, the prevalence of which varies in different populations. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of agenesis of PL in a Ghanaian population sample and to verify its association with sex, handedness, body side and neighboring anomalies such as functional absence of flexor digitorium superficialis (FDS) to the little finger and anomalous superficial palmar arch (SPA). The prevalence of agenesis of PL was determined using the standard technique; in subjects with an absent PL, four other tests were done to confirm the absence. All 210 subjects were examined for the presence of flexor digitorium superficialis (FDS) to the little finger. An Allen’s test was done to assess the palmer arches. The overall prevalence of agenesis of PL was 3.8% with no significant difference (p>0.05) in terms of sex, body side and handedness. However, unilateral absence on the right side was more common (p=0.0302) in females. None of the subjects with absent PL had a concomitant absence of FDS to the little or anomalous superficial palmer arch or both. The prevalence of agenesis of PL in the Ghanaian population is much lower than values coated in standard textbooks of surgery. Also, it seems that the prevalence of agenesis of PL is independent of body side, handedness and neighbouring anomalies like functional loss of FDS to the little finger and anomalous SPA.Item Musculoskeletal disorders among first-year ghanaian students in a nursing college(African Health Sciences, 2015-06) Abledu, J.K.; Offei, E.B.Objective: To estimate the prevalence and extent of MSDs among a sample of freshmen in a nursing college in Ghana. Methods: A semi-structured self-reported questionnaire including the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to collect information on age, gender and musculoskeletal complaints among a random sample of 200 students at a nursing and midwifery college in the Eastern region of Ghana. Results: Out of the 200 questionnaires administered, 160 were retrieved of which 3 were found to be incomplete and void, yielding a total of 157 evaluable questionnaires, a response rate of 78.5%. One hundred and ten (70.1%) students reported having MSDs in the previous 12 months, of which a total 88 (56.1%) suffered disabling effects, while 70(44.6%) students reported having MSDs in the past 7 days. The prevalence of MSDs in the different body regions was generally low with clustered distribution in the neck, upper back, wrists/hands and lower back. Conclusion: Nursing students are at reasonably high risk of MSDs. Strategies to prevent this important public health problem amongst future generation of nursing students must be given utmost priority. This study provides the baseline data for more elaborative studies in the Ghanaian population. © 2015 Makerere University, Medical School. All rights reserved.Item Determination of sex from footprint dimensions in a ghanaian population(Public Library of Science, 2015) Abledu, J.K.; Abledu, G.K.; Offei, E.B.; Antwi, E.M.The present study sought to verify the utility and reliability of footprint dimensions in sex determination in a Ghanaian population. Bilateral footprints were obtained from 126 Ghanaian students (66 males and 60 females) aged 18â€"30 years at Koforidua Polytechnic using an ink pad and white papers. Seven dimensionsâ€"length of each toe (designated T1-T5) from the most anterior point of the toe to the mid-rear heel point, breadth at ball (BAB) and breadth at heel (BAH)â€"and the heel-ball (HB) index were obtained from each footprint. Some footprint dimensions (i.e. T2, T3, T4 and T5) showed statistically significant bilateral asymmetry in males only. All the footprint dimensions, except HB index, were significantly greater in males than females (p0.001). Applied singly in discriminant function analysis, the footprint dimensions allowed 69.8%-80.3% of cases to be correctly classified into their sex groups; the accuracy of sex classification was higher using left footprints than right footprints. With all dimensions subjected to stepwise discriminant function analysis 80.3% and 77% of cases could be correctly classified, combining both T5 and BAH for left footprints and T1, BAB and BAH for left footprints respectively. The present study has demonstrated, for the first time among Ghanaian subjects, the utility and reliability of sex determination standards developed from footprint dimensions. The results thus provide the baseline for elaborated studies in the future.