Browsing by Author "Maichomo, M.W."
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Item Assessment of the Rose-Bengal Plate Test for the Diagnosis Of Human Brucellosis in Health Facilities in Narok District, Kenya(1998) McDermott, J.J.; Maichomo, M.W.; Arimi, S.M.; Gathura, P.B.The Rose-Bengal plate test (RBPT) was performed on 488 patients with flu-like symptoms from Narok district. There was poor agreement between RBPT results from four health facilities in Narok and from the central veterinary laboratory (CVL). Agreement was poorer for the three rural dispensaries than for the District Hospital. On the other hand, for tests conducted at the CVL, there was good agreement between RBPT, serum agglutination test (SAT) and complement fixation test (CFT) results, indicating that all these tests were probably performing well. Better training and quality control and the use of white rather than a clear background surface for judging agglutination results are recommended to improve the performance of test results in Narok District health facilities.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 Effect of Subclinical Mastitis caused by B-haemolytic Streptococi on Milk Yields in Kenyan Camels (Cmelus Dromedarius)(2014) Maichomo, M.W.; Karuku, J.K.; Richard, K.; Muli, V.M.; Younan, M.Mastitis is a major constraint to milk production in camels. We conducted a survey in Marsabit and Isiolo counties of Kenya to quantify losses in milk yield associated with subclinical mastitis caused by B-haemolytic Streptococci in the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius). Four hundred and twenty (420) pair wise quarter milk yield comparisons were obtained from randomly selected camels. Mastitis prevalence was determined by clinical examination, physical milk examination, on-the-spot screening by CMT and isolation of B-haemolytic Streptococci from hygienically collected quarter milk samples using standard culture methods. Data were submitted to the analysis of variance for comparing 2 means. Differences in milk production within fore and hind quarters were attributed to mastitis. Milk loss was 0.1 14L and 0.172L per mastitic fore and hind quarter per camel per day respectively. Regardless of quarter, loss in milk production was significant (F = 30.51, pItem 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 Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization Veterinary Science Research Institute 2022/23 Annual Report(Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization Veterinary Science Research Institute, 2024) Olum, M. O.; Ndungu, D. N.; Inguyesi, C.N.; Too, E.; Maichomo, M.W.The Veterinary Research Institute continued with its research mandate to generate technologies, innovations and management practices (TIMPs) to inform disease control and enhance sustainable livestock production.Item The point prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in calves, sheep and goats in Magadi division, south-western Kenya(2004) Maichomo, M.W.; Kagira, J.M.; Walker, T.Helminths cause great economic loss in livestock in Africa, and can be categorized as either direct or indirect losses. Arid and semi-arid lands (A SAL) in Kenya comprise 71 % of total land area and harbour the largest population of cattle, sheep and goats. However, little information on the distribution and impact of gastro-intestinal (GIT) parasitism in these animals is available. This survey was conducted to establish the prevalence of GIT parasites infecting calves, sheep and goats and their relative importance in Magadi division, which is semi-arid. Faecal samples were obtained directly from the rectum of 109 calves, 133 goats and 20 sheep and submitted to the laboratory for faecal worm egg counts, and coccidial oocysts examination using a modified McMaster method. The significance of differences in mean egg count per gram (epg) between animal species and herds (farms) were assessed using analysis of variance. The overall prevalence of nematodes in the calves, sheep and goats was 69.2 %, 80% and 82 %, respectively. About 10% of sheep and goats had epgs higher than 1 000, the remainder having light to moderate infections. The overall prevalence of coccidial oocysts in calves, sheep and goats was 30 %, 44 % and 45 %, respectively. Poor productivity in ASAL areas, where nutrition is often poor, is likely to be pronounced in the presence of parasite infections. These findings indicate that viable internal parasite control should be implemented in the study area in order to increase the productivity of the livestock there.Item Prevalence and risk factors of mastitis in goats from a semi -arid part of Eastern Kenya(2015) Maichomo, M.W.; Ndirangu, P.N.; Wesonga, H.O.; Malonza, V.M.In livestock farming, Rhipicephalus(Boophilus)decoloratus, the blue ticks are usually the firstto develop resistance to acaricides, becdause they prefer cattle and are exposed to multiple treatments during their relatively short life cycle. Blue ticks cause serious economic losses in cattle industry in Kenya and East Africa in general. Traditional parasite control is primarily based on the use chemical acaricides, which unfortunately have negative side effects.Item Prevalence of Bovine Mastitis and Antimicrobial Sensitivities of the Bacterial Causes in Smallholder Farms of Kisumu County, Kenya(Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics (JARTS), 2022) Ndirangu, P.N.; Kipronoh, A.K.; Mungube, E.O.; Ogali, I.N.; Omwenga, S.G.; Ndung'u, D.N.; Maichomo, M.W.; Kenya Agricultural Research and Livestock Organization (KALRO)Prevalence of bovine mastitis in Kisumu County, risk factors and antibiotic sensitivities of the causative bacteria were determined in this cross-sectional study. Sub-clinical mastitis (SCM) was diagnosed using California Mastitis Test (CMT). Risk factors were identified through the administration of 64 questionnaires and assessment of 134 lactating cows. Bacteria were identified by culturing 72CMT-positive udder quarter milk samples and their sensitivities to antibiotics investigated using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test. Only SCM was detected and had cow level prevalence of 33%(44/134). Prevalence of SCM was significantly (p< 0.05) higher in cows under complete and semizero grazing systems, at mid lactation, those pregnant and with parity of 1–3. Staphylococcus species was the most common (63.8%, n= 58) isolate. Other isolates were E. coli (13.8%), Streptococcus species (12.1%) and Pseudomonas (5.2%). Staphylococcus and Streptococcus isolates were 100% sensitive to streptomycin, kanamycin, gentamycin and chloramphenicol. Additionally, Streptococcus species were 100% sensitive to ampicillin, tetracycline and cotrimoxazole. Staphylococcus species had developed varying levels of resistance against sulfamethoxazole, cotrimoxazole, ampicillin and tetracycline. Streptococcus species was 100% resistant to sulfamethoxazole. A significantly high SCM prevalence was reported in this study thus an appropriate control strategy is needed that consists of awareness creation, good milking hygiene practices, teat disinfection, regular screening for SCM and preventing spread of mastitis in the herd by milking infected cow (s) last.Item Study of brucellosis in a pastoral community and evaluation of the usefulness of clinical signs and symptoms in differentiating it from other flu-like diseases.(2000) Mugambi, T.J.; McDermott, J.J.; Maichomo, M.W.; Arimi, S.M.; Gathura, P.B.; Muriuki, S.M.A study of differentials causing flu-like symptoms (malaria, typhoid, streptococcal infections and rheumatoid arthritis) in 488 patients from a pastoralist area is presented. The potential usefulness of clinical signs, symptoms and diagnostic tests in ruling-in or ruling-out these diseases was investigated in the District hospital and three outlying health dispensaries. For each patient a detailed clinical history plus diagnostic test for brucellosis, typhoid, streptococcal infections and rheumatoid arthritis, and for some patients’ malaria were conducted. Incidence levels of these diseases were estimated using laboratory test results; brucellosis, 13%, typhoid, 40%: ... streptococcal infections, 6% malaria, 9%: and rheumatoid arthritis, 10%. Brucellosis could not be differentiated clinically from the other flu-like diseases but rheumatoid arthritis could.
