In the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality (BLM), Mpumalanga, the size and economic importance of the local, mostly informal, cattle trade has been considered negligible to date by local policy makers. Opportunities for the local cattle farmers to access formal live or product markets remain severely limited, mainly as a result of movement restrictions associated with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control. Data, in the form of movement permits and monthly cattle registers were used to analyse movement and trade activity in the area over a four-year period (May 2015 - April 2019). The population fluctuated around 77 166 head of cattle, distributed between 9739 emerging rural livestock farmers. The proportion of animals/products moved ranged between 3.1 and 7.2 percent (0.04 ± 0.02). Movements were found to be highly seasonal (p < 0.001) with the ‘cool dry’ season (April-July) being the most active. Most movements consisted of live cattle which were herded to their destinations. The vast majority of trade did not leave Bushbuckridge and was informal in nature. Farmers moved animals and products much further to access formal markets (p < 0.001) than informal markets, and generally required use of motorised transport to do so. The FMD outbreak of 2017 did not prove detrimental to the local cattle industry in the medium term. However, distinct changes to the overall Bushbuckridge herd dynamics were noted, with small scale farmers most severely affected. As a direct result of the heightened movement restrictions in this period, an estimated 96% of formal trade; 85% of informal trade, and 54% of local trade were lost. In 2018, an improvement in cattle prices stimulated farmers to access the formal marketplace, and an increase in the proportion of the cattle population moved was observed. It was concluded that farmers pursue formal marketing options only when financially incentivised or pressurised by adverse conditions such as environmental factors or disease outbreaks. Growing established local markets is likely the best way to assist the local population with market access, development and poverty reduction. The key constraints to marketability of animals/products originating in the BLM were identified as the absence of a competitive market system and associated infrastructure such as FMD designated abattoirs, disease control regulations, poor carcass quality, and seasonality of offtakes. These limitations will need to be considered when policy decisions are made. Context-specific solutions should be generated to address local needs and effectively support development of a sustainable cattle trade going forward. / Mini Dissertation (MSc (Tropical Animal Health))--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / MSc (Tropical Animal Health) / Unrestricted

In rural areas of developing countries like South Africa, people typically depend on goat farming for both meat and milk production due to the shortage of grazing and the higher maintenance cost of cattle. An understanding of the functionality of the mammary gland and subsequent drug transport into milk are important factors in determining milk withdrawal periods and drug residues in milk intended for human consumption. Tight cellular monolayers, cultured to resemble the in vivo blood-milk-barrier, are used to evaluate the transepithelial transport of drugs into milk in vitro. The aim of this study was to culture and maintain tight monolayers of primary Boer goat mammary epithelial cells that would be a barrier to paracellular drug movement. Cells were cultured and maintained similarly to the method described by Pantschenko and colleagues (2000), with some adaptations and with MCF10a as growth medium. The formation of tight barriers was evaluated by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and the paracellular movement of dextran-FITC. An aggregated monolayer was established which had the characteristic cobblestone appearance, typical of epithelial cells, with no fibroblasts seen microscopically. On day 11 the monolayers appeared to be confluent under microscopic examination, they presented a significant barrier to the movement of FD70 dextran (Papp = 0.001), and the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was greater than 200 ?.cm2. At day 18 of culture, macroscopically the cells started to stack and cell debris formed, presumably due to overgrowing and cell differentiation, and the monolayers were no longer appropriate for use. Furthermore, cryopreservation techniques were performed on the cells and these cells were frozen, stored, and regrown as viable epithelial cells. Primary Boer goat mammary epithelial cells, cultured and maintained using the methods described in this dissertation, form tight monolayers that are a significant barrier to the paracellular movement of relatively large molecules like dextran70, with TEER values appropriate for xenobiotic transcellular flux studies between day 11 and 18 of culture. This timeframe corresponds with the time in which drug transfer studies are typically done in cell cultures from other species. Viable cryopreservation of Boer goat mammary epithelial cells is a useful tool that can be used to enhance these studies. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / tm2016 / Paraclinical Sciences / MSc

There is a dearth of information pertaining to the occurrence and prevalence of filarial helminth infections of dogs and cats in several provinces in South Africa. In this context the dissertation is a pilot survey that was conducted to determine the occurrence and prevalence of filarial helminth infections of dogs in the greater Mahikeng Local Municipality of North West province. The incentive for the choice of this location in the North West province was a reported high overall prevalence of 18 % of canine filariosis in the town of Gaborone in neighbouring Botswana. EDTA blood samples were collected from 100 live dogs between the ages of 1-11 years (53 males and 47 females). Only dogs that had not received treatment with macrocyclic lactone actives during the previous 12 months were included in the survey. A total of 13 different dog breeds were involved in the survey and the crossbreed animals were the most abundant (59 %) followed by the Boerboel (9 %). Blood samples were screened for the presence of microfilariae by means of the membrane filtration technique. There was no evidence of filarial infections in the 100 dogs sampled. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / MSc / Unrestricted

Rhipicephalus microplus transmit two important diseases of livestock in South Africa, namely Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis. As cattle still play a key role in the livelihood of rural communities in the Eastern Cape province, animal health is of utmost importance to maintain and strengthen these communities. In most rural areas of the Eastern Cape, the South African government provides free dipping of cattle with amitraz. Deltamethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid (SP), has been used as pour-on dip in a few locations where there are no functional dips. Of concern, is the growing number of global reports on the increase of acaricide resistance. Routine screening for resistance to acaricides is therefore needed. In this study we investigated allele frequencies of acaricide resistance-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in R. microplus ticks from the Engcobo Local Municipality. The estimated frequencies of amitraz resistance-associated SNPs were 0.58 (at locus 1) and 0.32 (at locus 3). Resistance against formamidines (amitraz) appears to be on the rise. The published mutation in the voltage gated sodium channel (VGS) receptor gene (domain II segment 4-5 region), known to confer resistance to synthetic pyrethroids, was not found. This could be attributed to the low selection pressure against pyrethroids in the study area. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / MSc / Unrestricted

BACKGROUND In South Africa, bovine TB (bTB) is a state-controlled disease but the monitoring of bTB in small ruminants is largely neglected, whereas bTB diagnosis and surveillance in cattle and buffalo are prioritised due to limited resources. In communities where bTB surveillance is not conducted regularly in herds, bTB surveillance data in cattle and other susceptible livestock are lacking. Goats co-existing with cattle, especially in areas where the prevalence of TB is high in both the cattle and the human populations, are not tested for TB. The prevalence of bTB in goats is unknown though they are known to be susceptible to Mycobacterium bovis. Thus, there was an opportunity to gather information from state veterinarians on their observations of bTB in goats. This information would assist to make a decision on whether to pursue further studies on bTB in goats in South Africa. METHODS A survey study design using a quantitative research approach was used. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Contacts of state veterinarians where obtained from the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) website. Participants were initially contacted via email. In the e-mail the participants were given a brief introduction of the researcher as well as his intention of carrying out the questionnaire. Participants that were willing to participate would either do so via email in which they would read and sign the consent form and then proceed to answer the questions on the questionnaire. They could either fill in with a pen or, type in their responses electronically. During the face-to-face interviews, participants were given the option to complete the questionnaire themselves or let the interviewer read out the questions and complete the questionnaire on their behalf. They were however requested to go through the consent form and fill it in before the interview could start. Other participants preferred to go through the questionnaire themselves while in the presence of the interviewer. RESULTS None of the 25 interviewed veterinarians had tested for or diagnosed bTB in goats. When asked the reason for not testing for bTB in goats, 55% said it was not mandatory and 25% cited limited resources as the reason. From the literature search, Spain and the United Kingdom had the most reported cases in Europe of TB in goats at 36% (n=355) and 27% (n=45) respectively. M. bovis was the most commonly encountered species and the mediastinum lymph nodes was the organ most often affected. In Africa, Ethiopia and Nigeria had the most reported cases of TB in goats with 54% (n=184) and 15.4% (n=9) respectively. M. bovis was most commonly encountered in these cases and unlike the European cases; the lungs were most frequently affected with a frequency of just under 80%. The only reported case of bTB in goats from South Africa was reported in 1928. CONCLUSION There is limited knowledge of bTB in goats in South Africa primarily driven by a bTB disease policy that is biased to focus on cattle and pay little attention to small stock such as goats. / Mini Dissertation (MSc (Tropical Animal Health))--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / MSc (Tropical Animal Health) / Unrestricted

This project was conducted in order to ascertain the presence or absence of acaricide resistance in ticks in an area of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) where tick-borne diseases pose a real and dire threat to communal and commercial livestock. The results of this study will assist farmers and state veterinarians in their tick control strategies and aid in the battle against stock losses due to ticks and tick-borne diseases. The aim of the project was to collect one-host Rhipicephalus spp. (blue ticks) from cattle presented at communal dip tanks and from cattle on commercial dairy and/or beef farms to test for the presence of acaricide resistance. The ticks were identified as either R. microplus or R. decoloratus, then the engorged female ticks were incubated and the hatched larvae subjected to the Shaw Larval Immersion test (SLIT). The Shaw Larval Immersion test was developed in 1966 by RD Shaw (Shaw, 1966) to determine the spectrum of acaricide resistance in tick populations. The three acaricides selected for the laboratory bio-assay are included in the classes of topical acaracides most frequently used in KZN, namely amidines, organophosphors and pyrethroids. Both tick species were present in the study area and two commercial farms showed a mixed population of both tick species. All fifteen populations of ticks tested in this study showed resistance to at least one class of acaricide, and four of the 15 (26%) showed resistance to two classes of acaricides. 80% of the tick samples tested was resistant to cypermethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid. It can be concluded from this study that: 1. acaricide resistance is present in one-host Rhipicephalus spp. in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and this poses a real and significant threat to tick control efforts in this region of KwaZulu-Natal, 2. resistance to pyrethroids is developing at a faster rate than other acaricides and, 3. both blue tick species were identified in the study area however only one or the other species was represented at almost all of the 15 sites sampled. The exceptions were two commercial farms, where both R. decoloratus and R. microplus were identified in a mixed population. / Dissertation (MSc (Tropical Animal Health))--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / MSc (Tropical Animal Health) / Unrestricted

Tabanidae (Diptera) is a diverse haematophagous fly family, known to transmit over 35 livestock pathogens both mechanically and biologically. Kruger National Park (KNP) (in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces), South Africa, has a high diversity of tabanids, representing 26 of the total indigenous species (n=213) present in South Africa. Little modern taxonomical work has been done on tabanids within South Africa despite their medical, veterinary and environmental importance. This study aimed to determine a cost-effective DNA extraction method as well as comparing the traditional alpha-taxonomic approach to species delimitation with molecular methods using two gene regions, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and nuclear alanyl-tRNA-synthetase (AATS) of tabanids collected in KNP. Furthermore, the study aimed to elucidate the role of tabanids in the transmission of Besnoitia besnoiti as this pathogen has found to ciculate in impala (Aepyceros melampus) and blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus). A comparative study on DNA extraction methods were conducted, of which the most effective method was selected for DNA extractions. Tabanids were captured in three locations within KNP. The flies were morphologically identified then homogenized. DNA was pooled for the B. besnoiti screening, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In total, 856 flies were captured belonging to 16 species under five genera. The COI barcode indicated that some species are genetically uniform while others formed co-occurring haplotypes. This study found that COI alone was not adequate in distinguishing between all the species of the South African Tabanidae. It is apparent that the classification of Tabanidae should be placed under scrutiny. A larger sample size, especially with regards to the Tabanus genus, or the use of several markers will aid in clarifying their relationships. No B. besnoiti positives were detected in the screened tabanids. Furthermore, in-depth research should also be conducted in other regions of South Africa; not only on tabanid ecology and composition but their role as pathogen vectors. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / MSc / Unrestricted

The tragelaphine antelopes comprise a group of nine species, namely Tragelaphus eurycerus (bongo), Tragelaphus scriptus (bushbuck), Tragelaphus oryx (common eland), Tragelaphus derbianus (giant eland), Tragelaphus strepsiceros (greater kudu), Tragelaphus imberbis (lesser kudu), Tragelaphus buxtoni (mountain nyala), Tragelaphus angasii (nyala) and Tragelaphus spekii (sitatunga) which are all confined to the African continent. Currently, a total of 72 species of helminth parasites from seven tragelaphine antelope species have been recorded, while no records exist for T. imberbis and T. buxtoni. Some helminth species are shared with domestic stock and only a few helminths have zoonotic implications. The clinical significance of most helminth species in tragelaphine antelopes is unknown. This information was compiled based on an extensive search for records in the literature ranging from the early nineteen-hundreds until August 2019. A synopsis of the results is presented in tabular form. / Mini Dissertation (MSc (Tropical Animal Health))--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / MSc (Tropical Animal Health) / Unrestricted

Theileriosis is a lymphoproliferative tick-borne disease of cattle and other wild ruminants, caused by infection with a protozoan, Theileria parva. The disease is prevalent in cattle throughout Central, East and southern Africa, where it threatens 50% of the cattle population. There are various control and treatments methods used against theileriosis; however, they all have limitations. The available live immunisation method, the Muguga cocktail, does not confer protection against all field strains, particularly buffalo-derived T. parva. Attempts to develop a subunit vaccine have been promising but these have shown limited efficacy due to antigenic and genetic diversity of T. parva strains in the field. Thus, there is a need to search for additional vaccine candidates. A related study has identified potential vaccine candidates using a genome-wide in silico approach. Consequently, the aim of this study was to genotype one of the identified antigens. TP04_0028 was selected for genotyping among candidate genes with high expression levels in the schizont stage of both cattle- and buffalo-derived T. parva isolates. Specific primers were designed and optimised for PCR amplification and sequencing. The comprehensive analysis of sequences from 17 cattle- and 17 buffalo-derived T. parva, from East and southern Africa, showed conservation in 12 (60%) of the 20 TP04_0028 predicted epitopes, in both parasite types, irrespective of geographical origin. Eighteen of the 20 predicted epitopes are conserved amongst different BoLA alleles and an area of 7 overlapping epitopes could be the starting point for initial experimental evaluation of the immunogenic properties of TP04_0028. Once the immunogenicity of these epitopes have been tested and the extent to provide protection from cattle- and buffalo-derived infections have been verified, they may be considered for vaccine development. / Dissertation (MSc (Tropical Animal Health))--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / MSc (Tropical Animal Health) / Unrestricted

Theileriosis is a lymphoproliferative tick-borne disease of cattle and other wild ruminants, caused by infection with a protozoan, Theileria parva. The disease is prevalent in cattle throughout Central, East and southern Africa, where it threatens 50% of the cattle population. There are various control and treatments methods used against theileriosis; however, they all have limitations. The available live immunisation method, the Muguga cocktail, does not confer protection against all field strains, particularly buffalo-derived T. parva. Attempts to develop a subunit vaccine have been promising but these have shown limited efficacy due to antigenic and genetic diversity of T. parva strains in the field. Thus, there is a need to search for additional vaccine candidates. A related study has identified potential vaccine candidates using a genome-wide in silico approach. Consequently, the aim of this study was to genotype one of the identified antigens. TP04_0028 was selected for genotyping among candidate genes with high expression levels in the schizont stage of both cattle- and buffalo-derived T. parva isolates. Specific primers were designed and optimised for PCR amplification and sequencing. The comprehensive analysis of sequences from 17 cattle- and 17 buffalo-derived T. parva, from East and southern Africa, showed conservation in 12 (60%) of the 20 TP04_0028 predicted epitopes, in both parasite types, irrespective of geographical origin. Eighteen of the 20 predicted epitopes are conserved amongst different BoLA alleles and an area of 7 overlapping epitopes could be the starting point for initial experimental evaluation of the immunogenic properties of TP04_0028. Once the immunogenicity of these epitopes have been tested and the extent to provide protection from cattle- and buffalo-derived infections have been verified, they may be considered for vaccine development. / Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / MSc (Veterinary Science) / Unrestricted