Browsing by Author "Gathuma, J.M."
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Item Economic assessment of the performance of trypanotolerant cattle breeds in a pastoral production system in Kenya(2009) Maichomo, M.W.; Kosura, W.O.; Gathuma, J.M.; Ndungu, J.M.; Nyamwaro, S.O.Cattle are the major source of food security and income for pastoral farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. However, infectious and parasitic diseases remain a major constraint to improved cattle productivity in the region. The use of animal health economics to support decision making on cost-effective disease control options is increasingly becoming important in the developing world. Trypanotolerant indigenous Orma/zebu cattle in a trypanosomosis endemic area of Kenya were evaluated for economic performance using gross-margin analysis and partial-farm budgeting. Orma/zebu and SahiwaVzebu cross-bred cattle were exposed to similar husbandry practices and monitored for growth rate, incidence of common infections (trypanosomosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, East Coast Fever and helminthosis) and the cost of treatment assessed. Interview questionnaires were also used to assess the preference rating of the 2 breeds. Results indicated that incidence of infection was trypanosomosis 3 %, anaplasmosis 58 %, babesiosis 11 %, East Coast Fever 22 % and helminthosis 28 %, with no significant difference between breeds. The Orma/zebu and SahiwaVzebu breeds had comparable economic benefits, hence a pastoralist in Magadi division is likely to get similar returns from both breeds. This study therefore recommends adoption of not only the SahiwaVzebu but also the Orma/zebu breed for cattle improvement in trypanosomosis endemic areas and conservation of indigenous genetic resources.Item Extent and implications of incorrect offspring-sire relationships in pastoral production system in Kajiado District, Kenya(2008) Maichomo, M.W.; Gitau, G.K.; Gathuma, J.M.; Ndungu, J.M.; Kosura, O.; Oliver, H.O.The aim of this study was to evaluate accuracy of farmer's paternity identification which determines success of future breed selection and hence genetic gain. Patemity of269 Ormalzebu and Sahiwallzebu calves was evaluated using genetic markers and the likelihood based method.Item Sero-Prevalence of Non-Tsetse Transmitted Trypanosoma Evansi Infections in Preweaned Camel Calves in Pastoral Herds in Northern Kenya.(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, 1991) Njanja, J.C.; Gathuma, J.M.; Gitau, J.; Njeru, F.M.; Ngugi, R.K.; Kenya agricultural Research Institute MarsabitAs part of improvement of camel health in pastoral herds in northern Kenya a participatory epidemiological study on sero-prevalence of non-tsetse transmitted T.evansi infections in preweaned camel calves was carried out in 287 camel calves in 60 households. The clinical status of camel calves were observed, packed cell volumes (PCVs) determined and point sero-prevalence levels evaluated from direct antibody agglutination tests using the C ATTI T.evansi kit"'. Major factors associated with the infections were also determined.Item Theileria Parva Infection Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Cattle in Machakos County, Kenya(Springer Nature, 2014) Wesonga, F.D.; Gachohi, J.M.; Kitala, P.M.; Gathuma, J.M.; Njenga, M.J.; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI); International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI); University of NairobiThe principle objective of this study was to estimate the infection seroprevalence and identify risk factors associated with Theileria parva infection in cattle on smallholder farms in Machakos County, Kenya. A total of 127 farms were selected by a proportional allocation approach based on the number of farms in four divisions in the county previously selected by stratified random sampling method. Subsequently, a total sample of 421 individual animals was randomly selected from the farms. Information on animal and relevant individual farm management practices was gathered using a standardized questionnaire. Prevalence of serum antibodies was determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Multivariable logistic models incorporating random effects at the farm level evaluated the association between the presence of T. parva antibodies and the identified risk variables. The overall estimation of T. parva antibodies in the county was 40.9 % (95 % confidence interval of 36.1, 45.7 %). Seroprevalence to T. parva was significantly associated with animal age, vector tick infestation in the animal, tick control frequency, and administrative division. Further analyses suggested a confounding relationship between administrative division and both breed and grazing system and the T. parva seropositivity. Random effects model yielded intra-farm correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.18. The inclusion of farm random effect provided a substantially better fit than the standard logistic regression (P = 0.032). The results demonstrate substantial variability in the T. parva infection prevalence within all categories of the cattle population of Machakos County of Kenya, where East Coast fever is endemic.
