Brucellosis is a neglected debilitating zoonosis with a high prevalence in many developing countries. Bovine brucellosis is widespread in Cameroon but the epidemiological situation of human brucellosis is not known. A cross sectional study was carried to determine the seroprevalence and factors associated with bovine and human Brucellosis among abattoir personnel and pregnant women in Ngaoundéré, Cameroon. Serum sample from 590 abattoir cattle and 816 plausible occupational risk and vulnerable humans to brucellosis (107 abattoir personnel and 709 pregnant women) were collected and screened for anti-brucella antibodies using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and ELISA tests. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-demographics and risk-factors. The differences in proportions between seropositive and seronegative reactors were tested using odds-ratio and χ2tests. Bovine brucellosis seroprevalence was at 3.40% (n = 590; 3.4% for RBPT, 5.93% for i-ELISA). Human Brucella seroprevalence was at 5.6% among abattoir personnel (n = 107; 5.6% for RBPT, 12.15% for Brucella IgG ELISA) and 0.28% in pregnant women (n = 709; both tests). Breed (P < 0.00001) was associated with increased risk of brucellosis in cattle and the seroprevalence was highest among the Djafoun (OR = 16.67, 95%CI: 4.49–28.85) and Akou (OR = 16.96, 95% CI: 0.10–23.91) cattle compared to the other breeds. There was a moderate positive correlation (R2 = 0.5025) of Brucella IgG concentrations (> 200 U/ml) and clinical data for Brucella IgG ELISA seropositive humans. Several potential factors were associated (P > 0.05) with increased risk of human brucellosis seroprevalence among the abattoir personnel. The abattoir personnel were essentially males; the seropositive respondents were male and did not use protective equipment at work. Handling of foetus and uterine contents (OR = 13.00, 95%CI: 1.51–111.88) was associated with increased risk of human brucellosis. Antibrucella antibodies are prevalent in cattle (3.40%), among abattoir personnel (5.60%) and in pregnant women (0.28%) in Ngaoundéré, Cameroon. The study reports the first evidence of human brucellosis in Cameroon and therefore, an indication of a real public health problem. Public awareness campaigns and health education especially among livestock professional and in agropastoral communities should be highlighted to disseminate knowledge, associated risk factors and control measures of brucellosis.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, practices and zoonotic risk perception of Q fever among 484 selected cattle farmers (438) and veterinary personnel (46) in three northern regions of Cameroon. Data collection was conducted using questionnaires and responses were recoded into binary scale. An ANOVA test was used to assess significant differences in mean knowledge, attitude, practice and zoonotic risk perception (KAPP) scores between regions, while Linear regression was done to explore the relationship between demographic characteristic and KAPP. Overall, surveyed had low mean scores for knowledge (0.02 ± 0.11), desirable attitude (0.30 ± 0.16), appropriate practice (0.43 ± 0.13) and negative perception of zoonotic risks (0.05 ± 0.11). The means knowledge, attitude, practice and risks perception scores of cattle farmers were lower than those of veterinary personnel. The nature of respondent was negatively associated to knowledge and risks perception, while regions were negatively correlated to attitude and practice. These results revealed significant knowledge gaps, low levels of desired attitudes, and high-risk behavioral practices. To improve awareness, control programs are needed to update knowledge on medical personnel and to prevent animal-to-human transmission.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive and growth performances of pig breeds in Douala, Cameroon. The reproductive performance of gilts and multiparous sows (38 per group) from 8 selected farms were monitored and controlled. Thereafter, piglets were controlled from birth to weaning age. The age at first service (AFS), fertility index (FI), fecundity, age at first farrowing (AFF), weight at first farrowing (WtFF) and litter size (LS) of gilts were 179.97 ± 25.40 days; 1.76 ± 0.77; 100 ± 0.00; 350.47 ± 40.58 days; 107.26 ± 31.85 kg and 7.18 ± 1.93 piglets, respectively. In sows, the FI, fecundity, LS and farrowing interval (FarI) were 1.13 ± 0.34; 100 ± 0.00; 9.03 ± 2.14 piglets and 179.63 ± 25.14 days, respectively. FI and LS were better in sows compared to gilts (P = 0.000). The sex ratio was 0.63. Local breed animals reared in semi-modern farms and fed mixed feed showed the lowest WtFF. In piglets, the average birth weight (kg), the average weaning weight (kg), age at weaning (days) and survival rate (%) until weaning were 1.32 ± 0.20, 10.60 ± 1.41, 56.86 ± 8.24 and 48.43, respectively. These results indicated that reproductive performance is strongly influenced by breed, feed and farm type.

Toxoplasmosis and chlamydiosis remain among the primary causes of abortion and fetal loss in small ruminants. Consequently, they are a source of considerable economic losses for farmers. The objectives of this study were to determine the seroprevalence and highlight the risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii and Chlamydophila abortus infection in small ruminants in Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 200 small ruminant farms during a period from April to October 2021. A total of 1061 small ruminants were sampled, and the sera obtained were analyzed using the indirect ruminant multi-species ELISA test for specific IgG antibody detection for T. gondii and C. abortus at the National Veterinary Laboratory. A questionnaire was constructed to collect information about flock management and risk factors possibly associated with T. gondii and C. abortus infection in goats and sheep. Overall, 329 small ruminants tested positive for T. gondii-specific IgG antibodies and 45 for C. abortus-specific IgG antibodies with a seroprevalence of 31.1% (95% CI: 28.2–33.8) for T. gondii and 4.2% (95% CI: 3.0–5.5) for C. abortus, respectively. However, a significant co-infection of 1.8% (95% CI: 0.37–3.3) was obtained between T. gondii and C. abortus (p = 0.02). Linear regression model analysis revealed that, the seroprevalence of T. gondii at the flock level was significantly correlated with the region (0.22 CI: 0.17; 0.26) the breeding objectives (0.36 CI: 0.17; 0.56) the level of hygiene (0.11 CI: 0.01; 0.21) and presence abortions (0.55 CI: 0.46; 0.64) on the farms and that of C. abortus was significantly correlated with the regions (0.01 CI: 0.00–0.02) and degree of abortion on the farms (−0.26 CI: −039; −0.14). At the individual level, a significant correlation was observed between the seroprevalence of T. gondii and region (−0.09 CI: −0.14; −0.04), species (0.07 CI: 0.01–0.14), sex (−0.11 CI: −0.18; −0.03), age (0.08 CI: 0.04–0.12) and physiological status (0.21 CI: 0.18; 0.24). For C. abortus seroprevalence, a significant correlation was observed with the regions (0.02 CI: 0.00; 0.03) and breed (0.01 CI: 0.01; 0.02) of small ruminants reared in the northern regions of Cameroon. These results could be used to implement efficient management measures to prevent and control T. gondii and C. abortus infection in goats and sheep in Cameroon.

Zoonotic abortive diseases represent a significant health and economic risk for national public health. This cross‐sectional survey was conducted from April to October 2021 among 200 selected small ruminant farmers in the three northern regions of Cameroon. Data collection was done through questionnaires administered by exchange with the herder, and responses were coded and recorded on an Excel spreadsheet. The data were then analyzed with R software, version 2.13.0. An ANOVA test was used to assess significant differences in mean of Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Perception of zoonotic risks (KAPP) scores between regions. Pearson correlations were used to calculate the association between KAPP scores within regions. Small ruminant farmers surveyed had low mean scores for knowledge of abortive toxoplasmosis and chlamydophilosis (0.1 ± 0.2), desirable attitude (0.32 ± 0.07), appropriate practice (0.36 ± 0.13) in managing abortion, and positive perception of zoonotic risks of toxoplasmosis and chlamydophilosis in small ruminants (0.12 ± 0.33), respectively. KAPP was significantly (P < 0.01) and positively associated with knowledge (r = 0.98) and risk perception (r = 0.99). However, attitudes (r = 0.06), practices (r = 0.05), and risk perception of toxoplasmosis (r = 0.07) and chlamydophilosis (r = 0.08) were not associated with farmers’ knowledge. This study revealed significant knowledge gaps, low levels of desired attitudes, and high‐risk behavioral practices. These results therefore call for capacity building of health professionals and farmers to better integrate the One Health concept in the management of neglected zoonotic diseases.

L’étude a eu pour objectif d’évaluer l’efficacité d’un traitement combiné à base de progestérone intravaginale sur l’induction de l’oestrus de femelles croisées au Cameroun. Un total de 116 vaches Goudali (Bos indicus) x Charolaises (Bos taurus) ayant mis bas au moins une fois, sans antécédent pathologique, avec une note d’état corporel supérieure à 2, ont été sélectionnées dans des élevages du département de la Vina (arrondissement de Nyambaka). Elles ont été rassemblées dans un ranch et réparties en lots de 10 animaux. Le protocole d’induction et de synchronisation des chaleurs a consisté en la pose d’un dispositif intravaginal à base de progestérone (Prid Delta) pendant huit à neuf jours. Vingt-quatre heures avant son retrait, une injection de cinq millilitres de prostaglandine F2alpha (Dinoprost, Enzaprost) a été administrée. Au moment du retrait, 500 UI de gonadotropine chorionique équine ont été injectées. Cinquante-six heures après le retrait, l’insémination a été effectuée à heure fixe avec de la semence de taureaux Gyr et Brahman. Les taux d’induction de l’oestrus et de synchronisation, de rétention du dispositif intravaginal, de gravidité en première insémination, de fécondité, et d’avortement ont été respectivement de 100 %, 100 %, 56,0 %, 51,7 %, et 4,3 % (en % des vaches traitées). Le Prid Delta s’est révélé efficace pour l’induction des chaleurs et l’obtention de gravidités chez les vaches Goudali x Charolaises.