Mitochondrial COII DNA was amplified by PCR from total DNA extracted from field collected primate fecal samples (n=24) which had been stored without refrigeration for over 30 days. High molecular weight DNA total DNA was obtained from samples stored in 70% (v/v) ethanol, SDS lysis buffer (LB) and guanidine isothiocyanate buffer (GTB) than from samples stored in 10% formalin. Fecal DNA quality and COII amplification varied according to storage solution (formalin, ethanol, LB and GTB), extraction method (LB-based and GTB-based) and primate species (chimpanzee, baboon, human). It is recommended that fecal samples be collected in LB for DNA analysis. However, GTB-based protocols are suitable when total RNA is needed for epidemiological studies of viral diseases or gene expression analysis.

Ethnoveterinary medicine is the study of indigenous knowledge systems of animal health care, the practical aspects of which are relevant to applied development work. The Afghan Pashtun Koochi of southern Afghanistan possess a sophisticated body of ethnoveterinary knowledge about animal diseases, treatments for animal diseases, and animal management practices. Although the Koochi live and migrate in fragile, arid and often sparsely vegetated environments, they know the regional plants and minerals well and utilize many of them in the care of their diseased livestock. The Koochi also use indigenous vaccination and surgical treatments to promote herd health. This study demonstrates the breadth of the Koochi's knowledge in these areas and describes many of the indigenous methods and medicines they use to care for and to treat disease among their livestock. (C)1995 Academic Press Limited

Recent serological evidence and clinical observations have indicated that small-ruminant plague (peste des petits ruminants, PPR) may be a major constraint to small-ruminant production in the pastoral zone of central Niger. In 1986, the Government of Niger made a decision to vaccinate the national small-ruminant herd against PPR. In order to determine the potential effectiveness of this decision, a 5-year dynamic herd model of the national goat herd of Niger was constructed. The age and sex demographics for this model were based on data collected from the 30 herds used in the PPR point prevalence survey. Population and production parameters used in this model were based on data collected in several studies of goat production in Niger.Economic analyses (net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR)) of the benefits of the PPR vaccination programme were made, and sensitivity analyses on various discount rates, vaccination costs, and animal market values were done.The PPR vaccination programme instituted by the Government of Niger appears to be highly beneficial with an anticipated NPV return in 5 years of 24 million dollars (IRR > 900%) following an investment of 2 million dollars; there would be an anticipated minimum NPV return of 14 million dollars with an investment of 10 million dollars (IRR > 100%) if the cost of the vaccination programme were to increase five-fold.

The method of vaccine virus production, chemical stabilization, and lyophilization of a thermostable Vero cell-adapted rinderpest vaccine is presented. The production method results in a vaccine which can be used in the field without refrigeration for up to 30 d.