FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Heliyon2022; 8(8); e09939; doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09939

Prevalence and risk factors of epizootic lymphangitis in cart pulling horses and mules in Central and South Gondar zones, Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Abstract: Epizootic lymphangitis (EZL) is a chronic, contagious disease of equids caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum. The disease is often prevalent in cart pulling equids in developing countries. This study was undertaken in Central and South Gondar zones of Amhara region, Ethiopia with the objectives of estimating the prevalence of EZL in cart pulling horses and mules and identifying the risk factors of the disease. Two towns, one high altitude and one mid altitude, from each of the two zones were included for the study. A total of 528 cart pulling horses and mules from the selected towns were examined clinically, screened by physical examination based on clinical signs of the disease and confirmed by microscopic mycological examination of the causative agent. Potential risk factors data were collected through observation of cart animals and interviewing of cart owners and were statistically evaluated using mixed effect logistic regression. An overall EZL prevalence of 12.5% (95% CI: 9.9-15.6%) was found. The prevalence was 19.9% (95% CI: 15.8-24.8%) in horses and 5.8% (95% CI: 2.4-13.2%) in mules. The disease was prevalent in mid altitude towns but was not detected in high altitude cold towns of the study zones. The risk factor analysis revealed that sharing of harness, mingling of cart animals in cart stations, communal housing and pre-existing trauma wound were risk factors of EZL in cart pulling horses and mules. The study generally indicated that EZL is a prevalent problem in mid altitude towns that endangers the livelihood of the cart owners and wellbeing of cart pulling equids. This warrants the initiation of a control strategy mainly focusing on improving management of cart pulling equids related to the identified risk factors to ameliorate the EZL problem in the study area.
© 2022 The Author(s).
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2022-07-19 PubMed ID: 35928106PubMed Central: PMC9343934DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09939Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article centers on the investigation of the prevalence and risk factors of epizootic lymphangitis, a contagious fungal disease, in cart-pulling horses and mules in specified regions of Ethiopia. The study aimed to estimate disease prevalence and identify risk factors in order to inform control strategies.

Introduction and Objective

  • The research focused on studying epizootic lymphangitis (EZL), a contagious disease affecting horses and mules. This disease, caused by a specific fungus, is prevalent amongst cart-pulling horses and mules, particularly in developing countries.
  • The geographic focus of the research was the Central and South Gondar zones in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The specific aim was to estimate the prevalence of EZL in these regions and identify the risk factors associated with the disease’s spread.

Methodology

  • Four towns — two in high-altitude areas and two in mid-altitude regions — were selected for the study. In total, 528 horses and mules plied in these regions were examined for EZL.
  • The animals were clinically examined, initially screened based on the physical signs of EZL. Confirmation of the disease was achieved through a microscopic mycological examination.
  • Data regarding potential risk factors were collected through direct observation of the animals and interviews with cart owners. These data were analyzed using mixed-effect logistic regression.

Findings

  • The researchers found an overall prevalence of EZL at 12.5% in the examined population. The breakdown between species indicated a higher prevalence in horses (19.9%) than in mules (5.8%).
  • The disease was identified in the mid-altitude towns but was absent from the high-altitude, colder towns being studied.
  • The identified risk factors contributing to the spread of EZL included shared harness equipment, congregation of animals in cart stations, communal housing environments, and existing trauma wounds.

Conclusion and Recommendations

  • The study concluded that EZL is a prevalent problem in mid-altitude Ethiopian towns, with serious risks posed to the livelihoods of the cart owners and the wellbeing of the animals.
  • Control strategies, particularly focusing on improving the animal management practices related to the identified risk factors, were recommended as a means to reduce the EZL problem in the examined region.

Cite This Article

APA
Molla AM, Jemberu WT, Fentahun T. (2022). Prevalence and risk factors of epizootic lymphangitis in cart pulling horses and mules in Central and South Gondar zones, Amhara region, Ethiopia. Heliyon, 8(8), e09939. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09939

Publication

Heliyon
ISSN: 2405-8440
NlmUniqueID: 101672560
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 8
Pages: e09939

Researcher Affiliations

Molla, Amsalu Misgie
  • College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Debre Tabor University, P. O. Box 272, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
Jemberu, Wudu Temesgen
  • International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine and Animals Sciences, University of Gondar, P. O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Fentahun, Tewodros
  • College of Veterinary Medicine and Animals Sciences, University of Gondar, P. O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 40 references
  1. FAOSTAT . 2020. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation Statistical Databases (FAOSTAT)http://faostat.fao.org/default.aspx Online. Available at: Accessed.
  2. Federal C.S.A. II. 2020/2021. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Central Statistical Agency: Agricultural Sample Survey Report on Livestock and Livestock Characteristics).
  3. Garuma S., Lemecha F., Sisay A., Jemal E.. Study on gender distribution of ownership of animal-drawn carts and its effect on women’s life in adami Tulu and Dugda Bora districts. Draught Animal News 2007; pp. 29–34.
  4. Admassu B., Shiferaw Y.. Donkeys, Horses and Mules: Their Contribution to People’s Livelihoods in Ethiopia. The Brooke Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: 2011.
  5. Asmamaw K., Alemayehu T., Alemayehu R., Bojia E.. A preliminary study of the socioeconomic contribution of working equids in Dalocha district, southern Ethiopia. 7th International Colloquium on Working Equids 2014; pp. 1–27.
  6. Nigatu A., Abebaw Z.. Socioeconomic impact of epizootic lymphangitis on horse- drawn taxi business in Central Ethiopia. 6th International Colloquium on Working Equids: Learning from Others 2010; pp. 83–86.
  7. Bekele M., Leggese G., Teshome W., Nahom W., Anteneh K., Tewodros T.. Socioeconomic impact of epizootic lymphangitis in cart mules in Bahir dar city, north west Ethiopia. 7th International Colloquium on Working Equids 2014; pp. 10–15.
  8. Scantlebury C.E., Zerfu A., Pinchbeck G.P., Reed K., Gebreab F., Aklilu N.. Participatory appraisal of the impact of epizootic lymphangitis in Ethiopia. Prev. Vet. Med. 2015;120:265–276.
    pubmed: 25980831
  9. Stringer A.P.. Infectious diseases of working equids. Vet. Clin. Equine 2014;30:695–718.
    pubmed: 25441116
  10. Stringer P., Christley R.M., Bell C.E., Gebreab F., Tefera G., Reed K.. Owner reported diseases of working equids in Central Ethiopia. Equine Vet. J. 2017;49:501–506.
    pmc: PMC5484383pubmed: 27565130
  11. Ameni G.. Epidemiology of equine histoplasmosis (epizootic lymphangitis) in cart horses in Ethiopia. Vet. J. 2006;172:160–165.
    pubmed: 16772141
  12. Scantlebury C., Reed K.. Epizootic lymphangitis: infectious diseases of the horse. Equine Veterinary Journal 2009; pp. 397–406.
  13. OIE. Epizootic Lymphangitis: Terrestrial Manual, Chapter 2.5.4. World Animal Health Organization (OIE) 2018; P. 1-8.
  14. Ali-Ani K.T.. Epizootic lymphangitis in horses: a Review of the literature. Rev. Sci. Tech. 1999;18:691–699.
    pubmed: 10588013
  15. Radostits O.M., Gay C.C., Hinchicliff K.W., Constable P.D.. Veterinary Medicine: A Text Book of the Diseases of Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Pig and Horses. 2007; pp. 1478–1480.
  16. Cafarchia C., Figueredo L.A., Otranto D.. Fungal diseases of horses. Vet. Microbiol. 2013;78:1–20.
    pubmed: 23428378
  17. Quinn P.J., Carter M.E., Markey B., Carter G.R.. Clinical Veterinary Microbiology. 2004; pp. 402–409.
  18. Scantlebury C.E., Pinchbeck G.L., Loughnane P., Aklilu N., Ashine T., Stringer A.P.. Development and evaluation of a molecular diagnostic method for rapid detection of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum, the causative agent of epizootic lymphangitis, in equine clinical samples. J. Clin. Microbiol. 2016;54:2990–2999.
    pmc: PMC5121390pubmed: 27707938
  19. Barrandeguy M.E., Carossino M.. Infectious diseases in donkeys and mules: an overview and update. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2018;65:98–105.
  20. Ameni G., Siyoum F.. Study on histoplasmosis (epizootic lymphangitis) in carthorses in Ethiopia. Vet. J. 2002;3(2):135–139.
    pubmed: 12441683
  21. Mesafint M., Ashenafi A., Askale A., Gashaw E.. Prevalence, associated risk factors and socioeconomic impact of epizootic lymphangitis in carthorses in and around gondar town. J. Am. Sci. 2018;14(2):77–83.
  22. Meselu D., Abebe R., Mekibib B.. Prevalence of epizootic lymphangitis and Bodily distribution of lesions in cart-mules in Bahir dar town, Northwest Ethiopia. J. Vet. Sci. Technol. 2018;9:1–4.
  23. Gondar Town Administration Agriculture Office . Gondar, Ethiopia; 2017. Gondar Town Administration Animal Resource Number Database. Accessed on: 14/12/2018.
  24. Town Azezo Gondar, Jan-Tekel Cart Association Office . 2018. Recorded Data of the Number of Cart Horses. Accessed on: 15/12/2018.
  25. Amba Giorgis Town Municipality Office . 2018. Municipality Office Town Services Delivery Department, General Background of Amba Giorgis Town and Recorded Data of the Number of Cart Horses and Mules. Accessed on: 02/01/2019.
  26. Debre Tabor Town Administration Agriculture Office . Debre Tabor, Ethiopia; 2017. Debre Tabor Town Administration Animal Resource Number Database. Accessed on: 20/12/2018.
  27. Debre Tabor Town Administration Municipality Office . 2018. Town Municipality Office Services Delivery Department, General Background of Debre Tabor Town and Recorded Data of the Number of Cart Horses and Mules. Accessed on: 20/12/2018.
  28. Woreta Town Administration Municipality Office . 2018. Woreta Town Municipality Office Services Delivery Department, General Background of Woreta Town and Recorded Data of the Number of Cart Mules. Accessed on: 23/12/2018.
  29. Woreta Town Administration Agriculture Office . 2016. Woreta Town Administration Animal Resource Recorded Number. Woreta, Ethiopia. Accessed on: 23/12/2018.
  30. Thrusfield M.. Veterinary Epidemiology. 2007; pp. 228–242.
  31. Dohoo I., Martin W., Stryhn H.. Veterinary Epidemiologic Research. 2012; pp. 10–53.
  32. Martin W.S., Meek H.A., Willeberg P.. Veterinary Epidemiology: Principles and Methods. 1987; pp. 22–47.
  33. Endebu B.. Epidemiology of Epizootic Lymphangitis in Ethiopia: Retrospective Analysis and Cross-Sectional Study and Treatment Trial at Debrezeit and Akaki. 1996; pp. 1–84.
  34. Kahn C.M., Line S.. Epizootic lymphangitis: the merck veterinary manual. 2006; pp. 251–263.
  35. Henneke D.R., Potter G.D., Kreider J.L., Yeates B.F.. Relationship between condition score, physical measurement, and body fat percentage in mares. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 1983;15:371–372.
    pubmed: 6641685
  36. Ameni G., Terefe W.. A cross-sectional study of epizootic lymphangitis in cart- mules in western Ethiopia. Prev. Vet. Med. 2004;66:93–99.
    pubmed: 15579337
  37. Ameni G.. Pathology and clinical manifestation of epizootic lymphangitis in cart mules in Ethiopia. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2007;18(1):1–4.
  38. de Irala J., Navajas R.F.C., del Castillo A.S.. Abnormally wide confidence intervals in logistic regression: interpretation of statistical program results. Pan Am. J. Public Health. 1997;2:268–271.
    pubmed: 9162592
  39. USAHA. Foreign Animal Diseases: Foreign and Emerging Diseases of the United States. 2008; 7thEdition. pp. 251–257.
  40. Hadush B., Michaelay M., Menghistu H.T., Abebe N., Genzebu A.B., Bitsue H.K.. Epidemiology of epizootic lymphangitis of carthorses in northern Ethiopia using conventional diagnostic methods and nested polymerase chain reaction. BMC Vet. Res. 2020;16:375 7.
    pmc: PMC7541241pubmed: 33028302

Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Cornell TR, Fye BL, Nyassi E, Ceesay F, Jallow M, Langendonk RF, Wootton DG, Pinchbeck G, Scantlebury CE. Exploring Histoplasma species seroprevalence and risk factors for seropositivity in The Gambia's working equid population: Baseline analysis of the Tackling Histoplasmosis project dataset. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1444887.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1444887pubmed: 39364262google scholar: lookup
  2. Molla AM, Fentahun T, Jemberu WT. Estimating the Economic Impact and Assessing Owners' Knowledge and Practices of Epizootic Lymphangitis in Equine Cart Animals in Central and South Gondar Zones, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:673442.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.673442pubmed: 34222399google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,824 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.