Background Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection is an economically important respiratory disease in the poultry production system worldwide. It is characterized by rapid transmission and causing many obstacles to poultry industries in different parts of Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was employed from January to September 2021 to estimate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of MG in domestic layer chickens in large and small commercial poultry farms in Hawassa and Bishoftu area, Ethiopia. A total of 368 blood samples were collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS version-20, reported as percent prevalence, and Pearson's chi-square was used to assess the association between factors considered to have association with MG infection. The samples were processed by using an indirect ELISA (ProFLOKIBV, USA) test coated with antibody against MG. Results The total seroprevalence of MG infection was found to be 70.65%. Significant variation in environmental risk factors with seroprevalence was assessed and the higher prevalence of MG was significantly ( χ 2 = 14.42; p < 0.05) higher in layer chicken farms found in Bishoftu. Likewise, it was significantly observed in the adult chicken and commercial production system. There were significant difference between breeds and ages of birds with the occurrences of MG ( χ 2 = 19.60 and χ 2 = 17.46, respectively). Management related risk factors found around the types of farms were significantly different with the occurrences of MG (OR = 52.5; p < 0.05). Conclusion The evidence from seroprevalence of the MG infection in the current finding provides an indication of the eminence of infection in the study areas. Moreover, it provides an insight on the prevalence of MG infection and further molecular characterization of the organism needs to be conducted in the areas. Biosecurity measures combined with vaccination and sero-monitoring should also be implemented in the farms.

Background. Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a highly contagious viral disease of chicken typically affecting the reproductive and respiratory tract and results in possible economic causes from its serious infectious and transmission characteristics. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried on serum samples of chickens selected from six (two commercial and four small holder) farms and two types of production (broiler and layer) to detect seroprevalence of IBV and its associated risk factors in Bishoftu and Holeta areas of central Ethiopia from June 2021 to September 2021. A total of 354 blood samples were collected and subjected to indirect ELISA test by IBV antibody test kit ((ProFLOK IBV), from ProFLOK Laboratories Inc., (USA)) to detect specific antibodies against IBV. Results. Overall, 97.46% seroprevalence was identified. From 230 and 124 samples collected from commercial and smallholder poultry farms, 226 (98.26%) and 119 (95.98%) positive results were obtained, respectively. Among the production types of chickens, high seroprevalence (99.31%) was found in layer poultry, and lower seroprevalence (96.17%) was found in the case of broiler chicken. Significant association was observed among different associated risk factors particularly age, sex, breed, and production types of chickens. From the tested chickens, all age groups, species, and farm types have high seroprevalence of IBV. The prevalence of IBV was highly significant ( p ≤ 0.01 ) in the study site. The risk factors indicated could have increased infection prevalence, pathogens’ economic impact, and disease occurrence. Conclusion. IBD is complicating factor affecting poultry production systems in the area. Vaccine and biosecurity measures are recommended for the control of IBV. Furtherly, identification and characterization (by using RT-PCR) of persistent serotype of IBV circulating in the field are recommended.

Background Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a highly contagious viral disease challenging poultry industry throughout the world. It is also among the main obstacles in the different chicken production system in Ethiopia. This study was conducted with the aim of determining seroprevalence and associated risk factors of IBD in backyard and intensively managed chickens of the study area. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected districts of western Oromia on intensive and backyard production systems to investigate seroprevalence of IBD and associated risk factors from September 2020 to August 2021. A total of 384 chickens of either sex, 128 from each district, were included from three randomly selected peasant associations (PAs). In addition, 180 individual poultry keepers, of both sexes, and different educational backgrounds, were included for questionnaire survey ( Supplementary Material ). Data were analyzed using SPSS Version-20, and results were presented as percentages. The samples were processed by using (ProFLOKIBV, USA) indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) kits. Results Out of 384 serum samples tested, 66.93% ( n = 257) were found positive by indirect ELISA. The highest prevalence was recorded from Sasiga district Balo Bareda PA. Prevalence of IBD showed significant statistical association ( p < 0.05) among owner education level, chicken rearing practice, origin and breed. Questionnaire survey results showed the majority of respondents lack sufficient knowledge about IBD and other chicken diseases. The practice of backyard chicken producers on vaccination and treatment of sick birds is limited. Conclusion In conclusion, IBD is a major factor hindering production and health of birds. Proper vaccination programs coordinated with awareness creation of chicken owners on how to isolate and treat sick birds should be implemented.

Background The parasites causes localized and generalized infections to the host depends on the parasite attachment organs, depth of penetration, site of location and worm burdens. Methods The experimental study was done between December, 2019 and April, 2020 in the fly-proof experimental animal facility located in the premise of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture at Bishoftu, Ethiopia. A total of 14 male goat (G1 and G2) and 14 male sheep (G3 and G4) were allotted in to four equal groups. Single dose of 10,000 of infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus (L3) was orally administered to each animal in G1 and G3. Parameters such as body weight, PCV, haemoglobin, worm count, serum total protein, serum albumin, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase were measured. Moreover, histopathological sections were stained and examined for general changes as well as for changes in specific cells such as tissue eosinophilia and parietal cell population. Results The findings show that 1) All infected sheep and goats developed the infection with higher mean worm burden in goats (5590) than sheep (2887) and the difference was significant (P < 0.05); 2) All infected sheep and goats exhibited a progressive anaemia; the level being more severe in goats than in sheep (P < 0.05) with mean PCVs of 13 and 18.6% respectively; 3) While body weight gain was minimal in sheep, goats have lost significant weight compared to pre-infection levels, to control animals or in relation to infected sheep (P < 0.05); 4) analysis of biochemical changes revealed marked reduction in serum total protein and albumin which was much more significant in goats than in sheep (P < 0.05); 5) the abomasum of infected sheep and goats have shown thickening, nodule development, eosinophilic infiltration and damage to parietal cells. Tissue eosinophilia was more prominent in sheep while parietal cell loss was severe in goats. Conclusion In conclusion, goats under experimental infection and similar management condition with sheep develop much more severe infection and associated pathology compared to sheep and hence deserve special attention.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to March 2020 to detect the major causes of carcass condemnation and to estimate the attributed financial loss in chickens slaughtered at a private poultry slaughterhouse in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. The study involves a postmortem (PM) inspection of 400 randomly selected chickens. From a total of 400 chickens subjected to PM examination, 77 (19.25%) of them had abnormalities. Of these, 35(8.75%) chickens were totally condemned, while 42 (10.5%) were partially rejected. The major causes of total carcass condemnation observed during this study were machine damage (4.25%), poor bleeding (2.5%), emaciation (1.25%), and septicemia (0.5%). While bruise (7.25), fracture of bone (2%), arthritis (1%) and machine damage (0.25%) were the major causes of partial condemnation, respectively. The high bruises occurrence in the slaughterhouse was due to poor handling of the poultry during transportation and hoisting. The annual financial loss incurred due to carcass condemnation to the slaughterhouse in the study period was estimated to be ETB 660,480 or USD 19,144.34. Improving the management of harvesting, transportation, and adjustment of the equipment used at slaughter can reduce the effect on the carcass and financial losses. This type of study especially, on poultry was not reported so far in Ethiopia therefore; this finding can be used as baseline information for further investigation and controlling of factors responsible for chicken meat condemnation in a poultry slaughterhouse.