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All Journal Media Kedokteran Hewan Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Journal
Emikpe, Benjamin Obukowho
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Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Education Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Veterinary

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Molecular Detection of Ricketssia africae and Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii in Cattle Ticks from Cameroon Mbafor, Fidelia Lem; Osei-Mensah, Jubin; Kwarteng, Sandra Abankwa; Addo, Seth Ofei; Manchang Tanyi Kingsley; Michael E. DeWitt; Patrick Kwasi Obuam; Ewurabena Oduma Duker; Jessica Dufie Boakye; Gayheart Deladem Agbotse; Folitse, Raphael Deladem; Achille Paguem; Emikpe, Benjamin Obukowho
Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Journal Vol. 7 No. 1 (2025): Vol. 7 No. 1 2025
Publisher : Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Universitas Brawijaya

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.21776/ub.VetBioClinJ.2025.007.01.4

Abstract

Ticks spread pathogens that affect both human and animal health and often cause significant economic losses to the livestock industry. However, there is limited data on the distribution of ticks and tick-borne pathogens, particularly those affecting cattle in Cameroon. In this study, ticks were collected from cattle in Buea, the capital of the South West Region of Cameroon, to determine their diversity and identify tick-borne pathogens through PCR and sequencing. The tick samples were screened for pathogens using assays that target the rOmpA gene (ompA) of Rickettsia, the ssrRNA gene of Babesia and Theileria and the Ehrlichia genus 16SrRNA gene. A total of 458 ticks were collected with Rhipicephalus annulatus (65.6%) as the predominant species. From 68 tick pools screened, 26 (38.2%) were positive for pathogen/ symbiont DNA. The pathogen identified was Rickettsia africae (22.1%). This study reports the first molecular detection of the symbiont Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii (22.1%) in the sampled tick species. It was observed that male ticks were significantly more likely to test positive for R. africae (OR = 208, 95% CI = 28.6 - 4553, p<0.001). Animal handlers may face the risk of these zoonotic infections and as such, there is a need to employ protective measures to prevent or reduce pathogen spread.
Insight into Fish Welfare: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Farmers in the Eastern Region of Ghana Emikpe, Benjamin Obukowho; Derrick Adu Asare; Prince Nana Takyi; Daniel Baba Abiliba; Salisu Shaban; Emmanuel Awuni; Abdul Rahman Yakubu; Sampson Yeboah; Irene Darko
Media Kedokteran Hewan Vol. 37 No. 1 (2026): Media Kedokteran Hewan
Publisher : Universitas Airlangga

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.20473/mkh.v37i1.2026.1-21

Abstract

Fish welfare has emerged as a global concern, with aquaculture playing a critical part in satisfying the growing need for animal consumption; however, fish welfare continues to be mainly disregarded in Africa. This gap is evident in Ghana, where the policy framework and on-farm practices have not incorporated relevant fish welfare criteria. The study employed a mixed-methods approach to assess fish welfare knowledge, perceptions, and practices among 17 aquaculture operators in Ghana's Eastern Region. Data collection also included six key informant interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from farm supervisors and women involved in fish handling. Descriptive statistics and theme analysis were employed to interpret the results. 70.59% of respondents were not aware of pre-kill stunning, and only 17.65% indicated its use in practice. About 29.41% of the farmers lacked training, and 52.94% lacked impressive equipment. Although more than half (58.82%) believed that fish could feel pain, attitudes and practices towards humane killing were different. Facility conditions and welfare standard compliance were ranked as fair or poor. There is a significant gap between ethical goals and operational realities in Ghanaian aquaculture. To close this gap, there is a need to invest in on-farm training of farmers, create clear welfare standards, and encourage the use of technologies that support humane fish farming. Through this, aquaculture routine operations will be benchmarked against ethical levels, opening the door for more sustainable and profitable fish production in Ghana.
Co-Authors Abdul Rahman Yakubu Achille Paguem Addo, Seth Ofei Daniel Baba Abiliba Derrick Adu Asare Emmanuel Awuni Ewurabena Oduma Duker Folitse, Raphael Deladem Gayheart Deladem Agbotse Irene Darko Jessica Dufie Boakye Kwarteng, Sandra Abankwa Manchang Tanyi Kingsley Mbafor, Fidelia Lem Michael E. DeWitt Osei-Mensah, Jubin Patrick Kwasi Obuam Prince Nana Takyi Salisu Shaban Sampson Yeboah