Browsing by Author "Musinguzi, Simon Peter"

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Assessing land degradation neutrality in data scarce semi-arid drylands agroecosystems to improve land resources management: a case study in Matabeleland North Province of Zimbabwe
(Europe PMC Plus, 2023-07-20) Chisadza, Bright; Gwate, Onalenna; Musinguzi, Simon Peter
Semi-arid agroecosystems have a crucial function in supplying food and ecosystem services. However, these ecosystems are under severe threat due to land degradation. To enhance our understanding of environmental trends and their causes and to identify more sustainable land management techniques, it is important to track land degradation in space and time. This study uses land cover, soil organic carbon, and land productivity dynamics maps to evaluate land degradation neutrality (as per Sustainable Development Goal 15, indicator 15.3.1). In this regard, we employed the trends.earth tool in QGIS 3.3, utilising the European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative (ESA CCI) classified LULC maps for 1992, 2000, 2010, and 2020 to assess land degradation. Additionally, we predicted 2050 LULC maps using the MOLUSCE plugin in QGIS, which integrates an artificial neural network (ANN) in cellular automata (CA) modeling (CA-ANN) based on the 2015 LULC map and independent variables such as digital elevation model (DEM) and slope. Our results indicated a significant decrease in bare areas (71%) and an increase in settlements (built-up areas) (163%) between 1992 and 2020. Furthermore, the predicted land cover map shows a significant increase in bare land (238%) and settlements (72%), accompanied by a decrease in water bodies (23%) and forested areas (3.5%). In terms of land degradation, approximately 26.46% of the province exhibited degraded land, accounting for approximately 20,146.35 km , while approximately 59.55% (45,337.84 km ) of the land remained stable. Land cover conversions, particularly from forests to grasslands and settlements, are among the potential drivers of land degradation. Identifying land cover transitions and assessing land degradation is paramount for effective monitoring and planning. By understanding these dynamics, targeted interventions can be developed to mitigate land degradation and promote sustainable land use practices in semi-arid agroecosystems.
An Assessment of Livestock Technology Packaging and Dissemination in Rukungiri District
(2012) Musinguzi, Simon Peter
The study was motivated by the fact that despite availability of technologies capable of solving farmers’ constraints adoption of relevant technology has been insufficient to address the constraints. This research set out to examine prospects of livestock technology in enhancing farm productivity, through assessing the livestock technology packaging and dissemination methods. Both qualitative and quantitative methods using PRA techniques and a questionnaire respectively were used. One hundred questionnaires were administered. The study revealed the common livestock species raised in the study area were goats (32%), cattle (39%), pigs (16%) and chicken (6%). Technology adoption emphasized de-worming (37%), acaricide use (22%), pasture improvement (20%) and farm structures (10%). Livestock production was particularly constrained by limited grazing area (52%), livestock diseases (17 %) poor breeds (11%), and lack of dry season feeds (7%). Farmer exchange visits (45%) and trainings (32%) were the most effective technology dissemination approaches. Improved feeds and breeds arehence the key technology needs for livestock. It was noted that whereas there exists relevant technologies that can address farmers’ constraints there is general lack of information about their existence. It was recommended that technology promotion be refocused to address needs particularly lack of improved feeds and breeds. These should be implemented through farmer training, exchange visits supplemented by appropriate radio messages.
Effectiveness of traditional approaches in management of desert locust(Schistocerca Gregaria Forskal) in arid areas of Isiolo and Laikipia Kenya
(Uganda Martyrs University, 2024) Mwikali, Pamela; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Mwamburi, Lizzy
The Horn of Africa has witnessed an upsurge in desert locust invasions (Schistocerca gregaria Forskål). Curiously, the first-line of management is often based on traditional methods. We assessed the effectiveness the traditional methods of desert locust control in two rural arid areas in Kenya between 2019 and 2020 using a questionnaire survey. Large swarms of desert locusts were observed during the migratory, feeding, and developmental stages during the driest months. Most of the identified stages were adults and 3rd nymphal instars. The past desert locust preventive strategies among the respondents were early planting, high seed rates, early warning strategies, and information interchange. The physical/mechanical control strategies used by the respondents during the outbreaks included digging up eggs, handpicking, smoking, and baiting. The cultural desert locust control strategies used by the respondents were noise from beating drums, metallic containers, and motorbike hooting. These methods had low effectiveness in controlling desert locust populations. Traditional methods of locust control should not rely solely on desert locust management. There is a need to integrate these traditional methods with new methods for desert locust control only when the swarms are low.
The evaluation of GM6-based ELISA and ICT as diagnostic methods on a Mongolian farm with an outbreak of non-tsetse transmitted horse trypanosomosis
(Elsevier, 2017) Davaasuren, Batdorj; Amgalanbaatar, Tovuu; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Suganuma, Keisuke; Otgonsuren, Davaajav; Mossaad, Ehab; Narantsatsral, Sandagdorj; Battur, Banzragch; Battsetseg, Badgar; Xuan, Xuenan; Inoue, Noboru
Trypanosoma equiperdum, which is the etiological agent of dourine, spreads through sexual intercourse in equines. Dourine (T. equiperdum) has been reported in Mongolia, where it is considered an economically important disease of horses. T. evansi has also been reported in Mongolian domestic animals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential application of recombinant T. evansi GM6 (rTeGM6-4r)-based diagnostic methods on a farm with an outbreak of non-tsetse transmitted horse trypanosomosis. Ninety-seven percent homology was found between the amino acid sequences of T. equiperdum GM6 and the GM6 of another Trypanozoon, which also shared the same cellular localization. This finding suggests the utility of rTeGM6-4r-based serodiagnostic methods for epidemiological studies and the diagnosis of both surra and dourine in Equidae. Fifty blood samples were examined from a herd of horses. The diagnostic value of an rTeGM6-4r-based ELISA and an rTeGM6-4r-based immunochromatographic test (ICT) were measured in comparison to a T. evansi crude antigen-based ELISA, which is a diagnostic method recommended by the OIE. However, this is not a perfect diagnostic method for trypanosomosis. Positive serum samples were detected in 46%, 42% and 28% of the tested horses using an rTeGM6-4r-based ELISA, crude antigen-based ELISA and rTeGM6-4r-based ICT, respectively. The sensitivity of rTeGM6-based ELISA was 81%, the specificity was 79%, and the agreement was moderate. We conclude that rTeGM6-4r-based ELISA and ICT represent alternative options for baseline epidemiological studies and the on-site diagnosis of horse trypanosomoses in the field, respectively.
Heterogeneity in Prevalence of Bovine Trypanosomosis and its Associated Risk Factors in Pastoral and Agro Pastoral Communities Surrounding Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
(Research Square, 2021-03-22) Kizza, Daniel; Ocaido, Michael; Mugisha, Anthony; Azuba, Rose; Nalule, Sarah; Onyuth, Howard; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Okwasiimire, Rodney; Waiswa, Charles
Bovine trypanosomosis transmitted by tsetse flies is a major constraint to cattle health and productivity in sub- Saharan countries including Uganda. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and its associated risk factors and the species of trypanosomes associated with the disease. A cross sectional study was conducted around Murchision Falls National Park, Uganda from January 2020 to April 2020. Blood samples were collected from 460 cattle and were screened for trypanosomes using ITS-PCR. From 460 samples collected, 136 (29.6%) of the samples were positive for trypanosomosis infections while 324 (70.4%) samples were negative. The overall trypanosome prevalence was 29.6% (95% CI 25.4-33.8). T. vivax (n = 130, 28.3%) was the most prevalent trypanosome specie detected and two mixed infection types (T.vivax + T. congolense (n = 2, 0.4%) and T.vivax + T. brucei (n = 1.0, 0.2%) were detected during the analysis. There was a significant difference when Trypanosome prevalence was compared with sex, age, breed of the sampled animals (P < 0.05 for sex), (P = 0.0043 for age) and (P = 0.001 for breed). Trypanosomosis is still a major limitation to cattle production around Murchision Falls National Park and interventions are urgently needed .The prevalence of trypanosomosis was high and T.vivax was identified as the major trypanosome species in the cattle herd.
Identification and characterization of guanosine 5′-monophosphate reductase of Trypanosoma Congolese as a drug target.
(Parasitology international, 2017) Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Eka, Albertus; Sarwono, Yudistira; Suganuma, Keisuke; Mitsuhashi, Shinya; Okada, Tadashi; Shigetomi, Kengo; Noboru, Inoue; Ubukata, Makoto
Trypanosoma Congolese is one of the most prevalent pathogens which causes trypanosomosis in African animals, resulting in a significant economic loss. In its life cycle, T. Congolese is incapable of synthesizing purine nucleotides via a de novo pathway, and thus relies on a salvage pathway to survive. In this study, we identified a gene from T. Congolese, TcIL3000_5_1940, as a guanosine 5′-monophosphate reductase (GMPR), an enzyme that modulates the concentration of intracellular guanosine in the pathogen. The recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the gene product was enzymatically confirmed as a unique GMPR, designated as rTcGMPR. This enzyme was constitutively expressed in glycosomes at all of the parasite's developmental stages similar to other purine nucleotide metabolic enzymes. Mycophenolic acid (MPA) was found to inhibit rTcGMPR activity. Hence, it is a potential lead compound for the design of trypanocidal agents, specifically GMPR inhibitor.
The incrimination of three trypanosome species in clinically affected German shepherd dogs in Sudan
(Springer, 2014) Mossaad, Ehab; Satti, A. Rawan; Fadul, Abdeen; Suganuma, Keisuke; Salim, Bashir; Elamin, E. A.; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Xuan, Xuenan; Inoue, Noboru
Canine trypanosomosisis (CT) is a common disease caused by tsetse- and non-tsetse-transmitted trypanosomes worldwide. The severity of the disease varies from acute, sub-acute to chronic with non-specific clinical signs. Here, we attempt in a cross-sectional study to assess the current situation of CT and the role of dogs in transmitting trypanosomes to other domesticated animals. The study was carried out during July 2016 on 50 caged German shepherd dogs in Khartoum State to investigate the prevalence of dog trypanosomosis using both serological (CATT/Trypanosoma evansi) and molecular (KIN-PCR, RoTat1.2 VSG-PCR and TviCatL-PCR) tests to detect possible trypanosome infections. CATT/T. evansi detected antibodies against T. evansi in 15 (30%) dogs, while parasite DNA was detected in 17 (34%) dogs by RoTat1.2 PCR. In contrast, a KIN-PCR detected the subgenus Trypanozoon, Trypanosoma congolense savannah, T. congolense Kenya and T. vivax in 36 (72%), 3 (6%), 1 (2%), and 2 (4%) dogs, respectively. However, a species-specific PCR for Trypanosoma vivax was detected 7 (14%) positive cases. We concluded that CT was caused by at least three species of trypanosomes, namely T. evansi, T. vivax and T. congolense. Trypanozoon other than T. evansi could not be ruled out since other tsetse-transmitted trypanosomes have also been detected and species-specific PCRs were not used. This study illustrates that dogs play an important role in the transmission dynamic and the epidemiology of the abovementioned trypanosome species.
Isolation, cultivation and molecular characterization of a new Trypanosoma equiperdum strain in Mongolia
(2016) Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Keisuke, Suganuma; Sandagdorj, Narantsatsral; Banzragch, Battur; Shino, Yamasaki; Davaajav, Otgonsuren; Batdorj, Davaasuren; Badgar, Battsetseg; Noboru, Inoue
Background: Trypanosoma equiperdum causes dourine via sexual transmission in Equidae. T. equiperdum is classified under the subgenus Trypanozoon along with the T. brucei sspp. and T. evansi; however, the species classification of Trypanozoon remains a controversial topic due to the limited number of T. equiperdum reference strains. In addition, it is possible that some were misclassified T. evansi strains. Thus, there is a strong need for a new T. equiperdum strain directly isolated from the genital mucosa of a horse with a clinically- and parasitologically-confirmed dourine infection. Methods: Trypanosomes isolated from the urethral tract of a stallion with suspected dourine, were directly cultivated using soft agarose media at 37 °C in 5 % CO2. For molecular characterization, 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 8 maxicircle DNA regions were amplified by a PCR and their sequences were determined. To analyze the ratio of the kinetoplastic/akinetoplastic population, the kinetoplasts and the nuclei of trypanosomes were subjected to Hoechst staining and observed by fluorescence microscopy. Results: In addition to the clinical symptoms and the molecular diagnosis, this stallion was definitively diagnosed with dourine by the detection of trypanosomes in the urethral mucosa. These results strongly suggested that the isolated trypanosome was true T. equiperdum. T. equiperdum isolated from the urethral tract was adapted in vitro using soft agarose media. Based on the results of a phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA and ITS, this T. equiperdum isolate was classified into the Trypanozoon clade. In a PCR of the maxicircle DNA region, only NADH-dehydrogenase subunits 4 and 5 was amplified. Clear kinetoplasts were observed in most of the T. equiperdum isolates. In contrast, most cultureadapted T. equiperdum were of the akinetoplastic form. Conclusion: We concluded that our isolated trypanosome was the first confirmed case of T. equiperdum in Mongolia and named it “T. equiperdum IVM-t1”. T. equiperdum IVM-t1 was well adapted and propagated in soft agarose media, which indicates that this culture method is useful for isolation of T. equiperdum from horses with dourine. Keywords: Dourine, In vitro culture, Maxicircle DNA, Mongolia, Soft agarose media, Trypanosoma equiperdum Abbreviations: 18S rRNA, 18S ribosomal RNA; ALP, Alkaline phosphatase; ALT, Alanine transaminase; AST, Aspartate aminotransferase; BUN, Blood urea nitrogen; CFT, Complement fixation test; CSF, Cerebrospinal fluid; ELISA, Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay; HCT, Hematocrit; HGB, Hemoglobin; HMI-9, Hirumi’s modified Isocove’s medium-9; ICT, Immunochromatographic test; ITS, Internal transcribed spacer; kDNA, Kinetoplast DNA; MCH, Mean corpuscular hematocrit; MCHC, Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration; MCV, Mean corpuscular volume; ND4-ND5, NADHdehydrogenase subunits 4 and 5; PLT, Platelet; RBC, Red blood cell; WBC, White blood cell
Knowledge, attitudes and practices on bovine trypanosomosis control in pastoral and agro pastoral communities surrounding Murchison Falls National Park
(Springer Link, 2021-05-07) Kizza, Daniel; Ocaido, Michael; Mugisha, Anthony; Azuba, Rose; Nalule, Sarah; Onyuth, Howard; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Nalubwama, Sylvia; Waiswa, Charles
A mixed method survey was conducted among pastoral and agro pastoral communities surrounding Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices about control of bovine trypanosomosis. A total of 96.8% (n = 152) of the participants had seen tsetse flies, and close to 91.7% (n = 116) of the participants had heard about bovine trypanosomosis. Bovine trypanosomosis was reported as a major disease in their area by about 73.9% (n = 116). There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the level of awareness and perception about tsetse and bovine trypanosomosis across the study sub counties. The majority of the farmers (60.5%) stated that grazing near national parks was the main cause of bovine trypanosomosis. A small proportion of farmers associated sharing grazing land and watering points with wildlife (19.1%) and grazing cattle in tsetse fly-infested areas (8.3%) as the causes of trypanosomosis. The communities in the study sub counties were aware of at least one or two clinical signs of bovine trypanosomosis. Spraying cattle with insecticide and avoiding grazing animals in tsetse-infested areas were the control practices. Curative trypanocides were mainly used to treat their cattle against trypanosomosis. Bush clearing, targets and traps as tsetse fly control measures were less practiced by the farmers. Treatment of cattle was based on observation of clinical signs due to absence of blood diagnostic facilities. Implementing regular tsetse fly population monitoring surveys and promotion of disease rapid diagnostic tools at farm level as long-term strategies are key for effective control of the disease.
Molecular epidemiology of anaplasmosis in small ruminants along a human-livestock-wildlife interface in Uganda
(Elsevier, 2020-12-04) Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Welburn, Susan Christina; El-Saber Batiha, Gaber; Marraiki, Najat; Nalumenya, David Paul; Namayanja, Monica; Matama, Kevin; Zalwango, Kelly Katenta; Matovu, Wycliff; Zirintunda, Gerald; Ekou, Justine; Kembabazi, Stellamaris; Mugasa, Claire Mack; Kitibwa, Annah; Tayebwa, Dickson Stuart; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Mahero, Michael; Ssengendo, Ibrahim; Nanteza, Anne; Matovu, Enock; MacLeod, Ewan Thomas
Information as regards the epidemiology of the Anaplasmataceae in small ruminants in several lowand middle-income countries is scarce. In this study a total of 712 DNA samples collected from small ruminants were analyzed for Anaplasmataceae and Anaplasma ovis using the 16S rRNA and MSP4 genes respectively. Infection risk was assessed by location, sex and age of the animals and qGIS® was used to construct spatial maps. The prevalence of Anaplasmataceae spp was 89.1% (95% CI: 77.5–95.9) and 79.1% (95% CI: 75.9–82.1) in ovines and caprines respectively (RR ¼ 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.3); higher than those previously reported in other eastern African countries. The prevalence of A. ovis was 26.1% and 25.4% for both ovines and caprines respectively with ovines showing significantly higher levels of infection than caprines (P < 0.05). The risk of Anaplasma ovis infections was not affected by age (OR ¼ 1.2, 95% CI: 0.9–1.7) or sex (OR ¼ 1.1, 95% CI: 0.6–2.0). Small ruminants located at the forest edge (<0.3 km) showed higher A. ovis prevalence than those found inland with infections present in the midland regions associated with increased agricultural activity. Anaplasma ovis remains a major challenge for small ruminant husbandry in Uganda and infections are under-reported. Policy efforts to prioritize management of Anaplasmataceae for small ruminant health would promote livestock productivity in vulnerable communities, improving livelihoods and ecosystem health.
Molecular epidemiology of Babesia species, Theileria parva, and Anaplasma marginale infecting cattle and the tick control malpractices in Central and Eastern Uganda
(2018) Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Tayebwa, Dickson Stuart; Vudriko, Patrick; Tuvshintulga, Bumduuren; Guswanto, Azirwan; Nugraha, Arifin Budiman; Gantuya, Sambuu; SaberBatiha, Gaber El-; Komugisha, Mariam; SonBbira, Jonh; Okwee-Acai, James; Tweyongyere, Robert; Wampande, Eddie M.; Byaruhanga, Joseph; Moumouni, Paul Franck Adjou; Sivakumar, Thillaiampalam; Yokoyama, Naoaki; Igarashi, Ikuo
East Coast fever, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis are the major tick-borne diseases affecting cattle productivity in Uganda. The emergence of acaricide-resistant ticks is suspected to have caused a rise in hemoparasites. This study sought to detect and characterize hemoparasites among farms in acaricide-failure hotspots of central as compared to the acaricide-failure naïve areas in Eastern Uganda. Nested PCR assays were performed to determine the prevalences of Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Theileria parva, and Anaplasma marginale in cattle blood samples sourced from randomly selected farms. Randomly selected isolates were sequenced to determine the genetic diversity of the parasites using the following marker genes: B. bovis spherical body protein 4, B. bigemina rhoptry-associated protein 1a, T. parva 104 kDa microneme-rhoptry antigen, and A. marginale major surface protein 5. Furthermore, partially and fully engorged adult ticks were collected for taxonomy, and tick-control practices were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The prevalence of B. bigemina, T. parva, and A. marginale in cattle were 17.2, 65.1, and 22.0%, and 10.0, 26.5, and 3% in the central and eastern region, respectively. Whilst, B. bovis was not detected in the farms involved. The sequences for B. bigemina, T. parva, and A. marginale from the central region showed 99% identity with those from the eastern region. Of the 548 ticks collected, 319, 147, 76, and 6 were Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Amblyomma variegatum, and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, respectively. The Rhipicephalus ticks were more abundant in the central region, whereas A. variegatum ticks were more abundant in the eastern region. Tick control malpractices were found in both Central and Eastern Uganda, and 42 of the 56 surveyed farms lacked appropriate restraining facilities and so they utilized either ropes or a ‘boma’ (enclosure). In summary, B. bigemina, T. parva, A. marginale and their co-infections were more prevalent in the central than eastern region; even though, tick control malpractices were observed in both regions. Therefore, an urgent tick and TBD control strategy is needed.
Prevalence and risk factors for trypanosome infection in cattle from communities surrounding the Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
(BioMed Central, 2021-10-07) Kizza, Daniel; Ocaido, Michael; Mugisha, Anthony; Azuba, Rose; Nalule, Sarah; Onyuth, Howard; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Okwasiimire, Rodney; Waiswa, Charles
Bovine trypanosomosis transmitted by tsetse fies is a major constraint to cattle health and productivity in all sub-Saharan countries, including Uganda. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and identify its associated risk factors and the species of trypanosomes associated with the disease. A cross-sectional study was conducted around Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda from January 2020 to April 2020. Trypanosomes were detected in blood samples by PCR analysis targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-PCR assays), and trypanosomes in positive blood samples were sequenced. Of 460 blood samples collected and tested, 136 (29.6%) were positive for trypanosome infections and 324 (70.4%) were negative. The overall trypanosome prevalence was 29.6% (95% confdence interval 25.4–33.8%), attributed to three trypanosome species. Of these three species, Trypanosoma vivax was the most prevalent (n=130, 28.3%) while the others were detected as mixed infections: T. vivax+Trypanosoma congolense (n=2, 0.4%) and T. vivax+Trypanosoma evansi (n=1, 0.2%). There were signifcant diferences in trypanosome prevalence according to sex (χ 2=62, df=1, P<0.05), age (χ 2=6.28, df=2, P=0.0043) and cattle breed (χ 2=10.61, df=1, P=0.001). Trypanosomosis remains a major limitation to cattle production around Murchison Falls National Park and interventions are urgently needed. In our study, the prevalence of trypanosome infections was high, with T. vivax identifed as the most prevalent species. Age, sex and breed of cattle were risk factors for trypanosome infection.
Prevalence of Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma vivax in Lira District, Uganda
(Hindawi, 2021-06-15) Katabazi, Aziz; Almustapha Aliero, Adamu; Gift Witt, Sarah; Odoki, Martin; Musinguzi, Simon Peter
Trypanosomes are the causative agents of animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) and human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), the former affecting domestic animals prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa. The main species causing AAT in cattle are T. congolense, T. vivax, and T. b. brucei. Northern Uganda has been politically unstable with no form of vector control in place. The return of displaced inhabitants led to the restocking of cattle from AAT endemic areas. It was thus important to estimate the burden of trypanosomiasis in the region. This study was designed to compare the prevalence of animal African trypanosomes in cattle in Lira District using microscopy and polymerase chain reaction amplification (PCR) methods. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 254 cattle from the three villages of Acanakwo A, Barropok, and Acungkena in Lira District, Uganda, were selected by simple random sampling technique and screened for trypanosomiasis using microscopy and PCR methods. The prevalence of trypanosomiasis according to microscopic results was 5/254 (2.0%) as compared to 11/254 (4.3%) trypanosomiasis prevalence according to PCR analysis. The prevalence of trypanosomiasis infection in the animal studied is 11/254 (4.3%). Trypanosoma congolense was the most dominant trypanosome species with a proportion of 9/11 (81.8%), followed by T. vivax 1/11 (9.1%) and mixed infection of T. congolense/T. vivax1/11 (9.1%). Barropok village had the highest prevalence of trypanosomiasis with 6/11 (54.5%). There is a statistically significant relationship (; 95% CI: 1.634-22.331; ) between abnormal PCV and trypanosome infection. Polymerase reaction amplification was the most reliable diagnostic method due to its high sensitivity and specificity as compared to the conventional microscopic method. Polymerase reaction amplification appears to have adequate accuracy to substitute the use of a microscope where facilities allow. This study, therefore, underscores the urgent need for local surveillance schemes more especially at the grassroots in Uganda to provide data for reference guideline development needed for the control of trypanosomiasis in Uganda.
Rabbit intensification systems in Rwanda: feeding influence and growth
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2023-02-24) Gates, Jeanne Françoise; Ayuke, Fredrick; Musinguzi, Simon Peter
A study was conducted in Northern Province of Rwanda, from the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Busogo Campus located in Musanze district to evaluate the effect of feed type on rabbit growth in rabbit intensification systems in Rwanda. The Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was used and data were collected on rabbit growth weekly for a period of 12 weeks. The experiment was composed of three treatments replicated ten times. The treatments included three types of feeds namely; cabbage combined with Mucuna pruriens added to local forage (I), cabbages combined with Leucaena leucocephala added to local forage (II) and a control composed of other varieties of locally available forage, such as Bidens pilosa, Crassocephalum vitellium and Galinsoga parviflora (III) which was considered as the control (Farmers practice). The feeds were given to ten rabbits separated in individual cages, and each rabbit was considered a replicate. Water was given ad libitum. One month old rabbits (weaners) were used and data were collected after one week of adaptation for 12 weeks. The results showed that the mean of weight gain after 12 weeks was 783.3 g, 760.7 g and 705.7 g for feed type I, II and III respectively. The difference between means of feed types after 12 weeks was not significant (p > 0.5), which implied that rabbit growth did not depend on the feed type. The mean weight gain after 8 weeks was 707.5 g, 661.4 g and 577.1 g for feed type I, II and III respectively. At 8 weeks, the difference between means of feed types was significant (p < 0.5), which implied that rabbits fed on Mucuna pruriens combined with cabbage and local forage were growing faster than rabbits from other treatments at 8 weeks. The researchers recommended that farmers should be facilitated with feeding materials by the concerned institutions. Training of rabbit farmers and further researches on locally available feeding materials were also given as recommendations at the end of this study.
Review of the land use and climate change impact assessments in semi-arid ecosystems in Africa: Opportunities and challenges
(Forscher, 2023-12-25) Chisadza, Bright; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Gwate, Onalenna; Malinga, Wayne
Despite the existing literature on climate variability (CV) and land use change (LUC) impact assessments, understanding their effectiveness in semi-arid regions remains challenging. This review aims to assess the effectiveness of CV and LUC impact assessments in guiding adaptation options for smallholder farmers in semi-arid ecosystems and associated challenges and opportunities. We conducted a systematic literature review, primarily using Google Scholar, to examine the impact of LUC and CV in African semi-arid ecosystems. We employed Vos Viewer to analyze the relationships among the identified sources. Our findings reveal that current assessment approaches often fall short in capturing the intricate interactions within semi-arid ecosystems. These assessments frequently emphasize biophysical productivity, employ reductionist modeling methods, and neglect the social, economic, and adaptive aspects of these systems. Our review underscores the importance of integrating CV and LUC in impact assessments. While a majority of studies concentrate on CV adaptation (26%), they often overlook the pivotal role of LUC and their interplay with climate impacts. Only a small fraction (2%) integrates CV and LUC in impact assessments. Assessing the benefits of CV and LUC impact assessments presents mixed results, particularly for smallholder farmers. While global and regional benefits are discernible, quantifying these advantages at the local smallholder farmer level remains challenging due to diversified land use and small-scale operations. This highlights the need for localized studies addressing the specific challenges confronting smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions. To enhance assessments effectiveness, we recommend for more interdisciplinary research and the application of a complex systems approach, integrating GIS and remote sensing.