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Background and Aim: Laying hen breeding is on the rise in Benin; nevertheless, there are several sanitary constraints to its development, including bacterial diseases. Faced with this situation, breeders mainly resort to different means of treatment. The objective of this study was to assess the current state of hygiene measures, the bacterial diseases commonly encountered, and antibiotic therapy practices on laying hen farms in Benin. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 laying hen farms were randomly selected from lists of laying hen farms obtained from veterinary offices, territorial agricultural development agencies, and the Benin National Union of Professional Aviculturists. Each visited farmer was subjected to a semi-structured questionnaire by direct interview. The results were compared using the bilateral Z-test. Results: The results of this survey revealed that 99.5% of the surveyed farms had a health and medical prophylaxis program although only 88.5% of them reported strictly adhering to it (p

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous apicomplexan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, a cosmopolitan zoonosis responsible for abortion and congenital malformation in animals and humans. Pigs can be a reservoir for T. gondii and act as one of the sources for parasite transmission to humans. Currently, there are no data about T. gondii infection in any animal in Benin. After the report of several cases of abortions and reproductive problems in pigs in several livestock farms in the southern region of Benin, this study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of this zoonotic parasite in pigs. A total of 184 pig serum samples have been collected in two municipalities and sent to the laboratory for the detection of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies by ELISA indirect method. The results showed the presence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG in 23% (IC95 = 22.56–23.44) of pigs (42/184). Age, sex, and race did not seem to affect the frequency of this infection. Moreover, reproductive failure has been reported on many farms. These were cases of stillbirths in 40% of farms followed by neonatal mortality (36%) and abortion cases which were frequently observed in 27% of farms. T. gondii is present in pigs from south Benin and could be responsible for reported abortions in the areas. In addition, the raw and undercook meat of pigs could be important source of Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans from south Benin

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protozoan, the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis, a worldwide zoonosis responsible for abortion and congenital malformation in animal and human. The present study reports, for the first time, the occurrence of T. gondii infection among sheep and goats from Benin. A total of 368 small ruminants: 215 serum samples from sheep raised in Sahelian area of North Benin and 153 serum samples from goats raised in a family farm from South-Benin, were collected and screened for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies by the ELISA-indirect method. The results show the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG in 53% (83/153) of goats and 1.4% of sheep (3/215). Age, sex and breed did not seem to affect the frequency of this infection. Among goats, T. gondii infection was higher in animals reared in the coastal zone (Cotonou municipality) than those raised on the island (Allada municipality) [odds ratio (OR) = 4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07–15.002, p = 0.032, (χ(2)) test]. Humidity would be the determining factor in the disparity of recorded infection rates among sheep and goat. The high prevalence of caprine toxoplasmosis observed in southern Benin shows strong environmental contamination. Sensitization campaigns should therefore be undertaken by the public health authorities to inform the inhabitants of this area about risks and preventive measures of this zoonose.

The beta-casein gene is one of the most functional genetic candidate that affect milk quality and composition traits. Among its variants, the A1/A2 are the most common. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the distribution of the Beta-casein gene variants (A1/A2) in three different cattle breeds in order to determine which of the breed produce a better milk for consumers’ health. 152 blood samples which comprises 72 (Muturu), 40 (Azawak) and 40 Girolando were used to carry out this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples and each variant was subsequently amplified from the extracted DNA samples using an Allele-Specific PCR technique and then confirmed by running the PCR products on 1% agarose gel. The result showed that there were three genotypes (A1A1, A2A1 and A2A2) in the three breeds. The average percentage genotypic frequencies obtained from this study were 42.76%, 31.58% and 25.66% respectively for A1A1, A1A2 and A2A2 genotypes while the percentage allelic frequencies were 58% and 42% respectively for A1 and A2 allele. The genetic parameters of Azawak breed were higher than that of the other breeds, what implies that there was a higher polymorphism and genetic diversity in the Azawak breed in the beta-casein gene compare to the other breeds. The A2 beta-casein variant in milk has been found to be desirable for milk consumer’s health and nutrition. This study therefore showed that the Azawak breed provides a good potential for increasing this favorable allele through appropriate breeding techniques of cattle.

In the original publication of the article, one of the authors' name and affiliation is incorrect and the author has requested to correct it. The correct name and affiliation is mentioned below.

Background The environmental pathogen, Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) can infect both humans and animals and cause Buruli ulcer (BU) disease. However, its mode(s) of transmission from the colonized environment to human/animal hosts remain unclear. In Australia, MU can infect both wildlife and domestic mammals. Till date, BU-like lesions have only been reported in wildlife in Africa. This warrants a thorough assessment of possible MU in domestic animals in Africa. Here, we screened roaming domesticated animals that share the human microhabitat in two different BU endemic sites, Sedje-Denou in Benin and Akonolinga in Cameroon, for MU lesions. Methodology/Principal findings We screened roaming mammals and birds across 3 endemic villages of Sedje-Denou in Southern Benin and 6 endemic villages of Akonolinga in Cameroon. After approval from relevant authorities, specimens (wound swabs and tissue fragments) were collected from animals with open or active lesion and systematically screened to detect the presence of MU though the diagnostic DNA targets IS2404, IS2606 and KR-B. Out of 397 animals surveyed in Akonolinga, 44 (11.08%) carried skin lesions and all were negative for MU DNA. For Sedje-Denou, only 25 (6.93%) out of 361 animals surveyed carried external skin lesions of which 2 (8%) were positive for MU DNA targets. These MU infected lesions were found in two different villages on a goat (abdominal part) and on a dog (nape area of the neck). Source-tracking of MU isolates within infected animal lesions was performed using VNTR genotyping and further confirmed with sequencing. One MU VNTR genotype (Z) was successfully typed from the goat lesion. The evolutionary history inferred from sequenced data revealed a clustering of animal MU isolates within isolates from human lesions. Conclusion/Significance This study describes the first report of two MU infected lesions in domestic animals in Africa. Their DNA sequence analyses show close relationship to isolates from human cases. It suggests that MU infection should be suspected in domestic hosts and these could play a role in transmission. The findings further support the hypothesis that MU is a ubiquitous environmental pathogen found in endemic areas, and probably involved in a multiple transmission pathway., Author summary Buruli ulcer (BU) remains a major Public Health problem in rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. There are several reports of the occurrence of BU in Wildlife as well as domestic animals in Australia leading to the suggestion that animals may play a role in the transmission of MU to humans. Report of BU in animals is however scanty in Africa and no significant link has been made between BU in humans and animals. BU-like lesions were investigated in 397 and 361 roaming domestic animals respectively from Sedje-Denou and Akonolinga. Wound swabs, and tissue fragments were collected from animals with active lesions. Overall, 2 (8%) type I (

The tick Rhipicephalus microplus developed resistance against synthetic pyrethroid classes used for its control. The aim of this study was to characterize resistance of R. microplus for synthetic a...

A study was carried out on the Opkara (Benin) cattle farm on 64 cattle of four different breeds (16 individuals per breed) from June to December 2016. During this study, three tick species were found in different numbers, Amblyomma variegatum (732), Rhipicephalus microplus (8079), and Hyalomma spp. (208), with parasitic intensity of 11.90, 126.23, and 3.25, respectively. The interracial comparison of the tick infestation between the cattle showed a significant difference (P<0.001). However, Girolando was more infested than all the cattle breeds. Infestation of A. variegatum, R. microplus, and Hyalomma spp. on the Girolando was, respectively, 19.43 ± 2.71, 171.25 ± 23.50, and 7.12 ± 0.63, but the Borgou were less infested. Borgou breed females were more infested by A. variegatum (4.41 ± 1.14) than females Girolando (4.20 ± 0.90). The Crossbred and Azawak females were less infested (P<0.01). The mean of A. variegatum on Borgou, Azawak, Crossbred, and Girolando calves was 1.29 ± 0.35, 0.66 ± 0.26, 1.37 ± 0.37, and 2.25 ± 0.48 (P<0.01), respectively. The results of this study can be exploited to include genetic and nongenetic approaches to tick control.

Les coccidioses constituent un probleme sanitaire majeur pour l’elevage cunicole. Une vaccination contre cette maladie a l’aide de souches precoces de Eimeria ayant une parfaite innocuite est necessaire. Pour evaluer cette innocuite, trois lots de 12 lapereaux de 35 + 1 jours ont ete inocules avec des souches precoces de Eimeria magna et Eimeria media provenant des lapins eleves au Benin. Un melange a parts egales des deux souches a ete constitue. Les animaux du lot 1 ont ete inocules per os avec ce melange a la dose de 5 x 10 3 oocystes et ceux du lot 2 ont recu le meme melange a la dose de 2,5 x 10 3 . Le lot 3 a servi de temoin. Deux semaines apres l’inoculation, aucun cas de mortalite et/ou de diarrhee n’a ete enregistre ; les temoins ont excrete moins d’oocystes (3,2 x 10 4 oocystes/g) comparativement aux animaux experimentaux (P < 0,01) du lot 1 (10,1 x 10 6 oocystes/g) et du lot 2 (8,8 x 10 6 oocystes/g), confirmant ainsi une bonne multiplication de ces souches. La chute du GMQ des lots inocules par rapport a celui des temoins est significative (P < 0,001) mais reste moderee. Il en resulte que ces souches s’averent etre de bonnes candidates a un vaccin. Keywords : Coccidiose, Eimeria magna, Eimeria media, vaccin, lapin, Benin

Les coccidioses constituent l’une des maladies les plus meurtrieres chez les lapins. Pour mieux controler cette affection, une prophylaxie vaccinale est mise au point. La reussite d’une telle innovation passe par la perception des cuniculteurs. Ainsi, la presente etude a ete entreprise afin de determiner les facteurs favorisant l’adoption par les eleveurs de la vaccination des lapins contre les coccidioses. Les enquetes menees aupres des cuniculteurs ont revele que 100% d’entre eux ont une opinion favorable du vaccin. De meme, 83,3% des eleveurs ont affirme que le vaccin etait efficace. Par ailleurs, 80% des eleveurs ont declare connaitre la coccidiose. Parmi ceux-ci, 62,5% avait bien decrit les signes cliniques de la coccidiose. L’etude economique a montre que la vaccination engendre un benefice net de 123,2 F CFA par lapin comparativement aux lapins non vaccines. La vaccination s’avere efficace et est bien appreciee par les utilisateurs. Son adoption contribuera a ameliorer les conditions de vie des cuniculteurs. © 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Mots cles: Oryctolagus cuniculus , cuniculture, coccidies, prophylaxie, immunisation, adoption English Title: Socio-economic effects on the rabbit breeders of rabbit’s vaccination against intestinal coccidiosis in Benin English Abstract Coccidiosis is recognized as being one of the major serious diseases in rabbit breeding. For a better control of this disease, a vaccination program is set up. The perception of the rabbit breeders determines the success of this innovation. Thus, this study was undertaken in order to determine the factors which favour the adoption of the rabbit vaccination against coccidiosis by the rabbit breeders. Survey performed on rabbit breeding revealed that 100% of the breeders included in the survey thought that vaccine is useful for the control of coccidiosis. An average of 83.3% of breeders has reported that the use of vaccine was effective to control coccidiosis. Likewise among rabbit breeders included in the study, an average of 80% has been reported to know coccidiosis. Among those breeders, an average of 62.6% was reported to know well clinical symptoms of coccidiosis. Economical study carried out on rabbit breeding showed that vaccine involves a net profit of 132.2 F CFA per vaccinated rabbit compared to non vaccinated rabbits. Vaccine turns out to an effective control of coccidiosis in rabbit and was well appreciated by the breeders. Its adoption will help improving rabbit breeders’ life. © 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Oryctolagus cuniculus , rabbit breeding, coccidia, prevention, immunization, adoption

Objectif : Cette etude a ete entreprise afin d’evaluer la contamination parasitologique des eaux usees domestiques collectees et epurees a la station a boue activee de Camberene. Elle a permis d’une part d’identifier les oeufs de differents helminthes et d’autre part de decrire la variation de la concentration temporelle de la charge parasitaire de ces eaux usees. Methodologie et Resultats : Les examens coprologiques effectues sur des echantillons ponctuels et sequentiels d’eaux usees avaient montre une forte charge parasitaire. La concentration moyenne en oeufs d’helminthes a ete de 180 oeufs/l. L’evolution de la charge parasitaire au cours du temps indiquait la quasi-presence des oeufs d’helminthes dans les eaux usees brutes a des concentrations variables. Par ailleurs, ces charges parasitaires enregistrees sont etroitement liees aux periodes d’activites humaines. Par contre, dans les eaux clarifiees, aucun oeuf d’helminthe n’a ete observe. Conclusion et application : La charge elevee de ces eaux usees brutes en agents pathogenes interdit leur usage en agriculture contrairement aux pratiques couramment observees sur le terrain. L’abandon de cette pratique par les agriculteurs va contribuer a reduire les risques de contamination parasitaire chez l’homme. Mots cles : Eaux usees, parasitologie, helminthes, boue activee, Dakar.