Sokoto Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Prevalence and risk factors of canine dirofilariasis in Kano metropolis, Kano State Nigeria

I.A. Abba — 2024-02-08

Dirofilariasis is a zoonotic disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis causes heartworm disease and invasive human filariasis. This study determined the prevalence and risk factors for the acquisition of canine dirofilariasis in dogs in Kano metropolis, Kano state, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from 170 dogs of 6 months and above in Kano metropolis and tested by the Modified Knott’s technique for circulating microfilaria, an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay in order to detect the presence of filarial antigens of D. immitis as evidence of occult infection. A pre-tested, structured questionnaire was administered to each of the dog owner to obtain demographic, management and environmental information associated with each dog sampled. Test for association and hypothesized factors was determined and the its strength was tested using a binary logistic regression. Out of the 170 dogs tested, 17 (10.00%) were positive for D. immitis infection with the Modified Knott’s technique. However, after subjecting the samples for antigen detection by ELISA tests 23 (13.53%) were positive for D. immitis antigen, giving a sero-prevalence of 13.50%. There was agreement between the two tests on the 17 microfilaria positive samples. Majority of the infected dogs were males (56.5%), aged 24-47 months (43.50%) and of local breed (65.2%). There was significant association (p ≤ 0.05) between D. immitis infection and dogs usage, breed and dogs with stagnant water (gutters) close to their houses (OR= (9.714; 95% CI (1.179-80.024)), OR=5.33; 95% CI (1.349-21.079), OR= 5.775; 95% CI (0.697- 47.832),respectively. The study established that D. immitis infection is prevalent (13.53%) in household dogs indicating the possibility of zoonotic transmission in Kano metropolis. This demands for intensified vector control and good dog management practices to reduce dog to dog and dog to human transmission.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine tuberculosis in the southern zone of Nasarawa State, north-central Nigeria

A.I. Zanwa — 2024-02-08

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 grazing cattle under a pastoral production system in the southern zone of Nasarawa state, North-Central Nigeria to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine tuberculosis using a Single intradermal Comparative Tuberculin Test (SCITT) from April 2019 to February 2020. The total number of animals with bTB was 46 (9.2%) and the results were significantly higher in older animals between 5-6years (OR: 7.4; CI: 1.54-35.4; P=0.000) and in those animals that were ≥ 7 years (OR: 5.7; CI: 1.24-25-9; P=0.00) old and likely at risk of having more bTB. Additionally, the prevalence was significantly higher in female animals (OR:3.7; CI:1.5-8.8; p=0.003), also a significant prevalence was observed as the herd size increased from 31-80 (OR:1.95; CI: 0.75-5.0; p=0.000) as well as from 81-171 (OR:5.5; CI: 2.14-14.4; p=0.000). Moreso, the prevalence was significant with the location of the animals, as areas with grazing reserves appeared to have more odds and more likely to have bTB: Awe (OR:9.6; C I:.2-4.4); Doma (OR:6.9; I:1.5-30.1; p= 0.01); Keana (OR:4.5; CI:0.96-21.6; p=0.01); Obi (OR:3.5; CI:0.7-17; p=0.01). The major risk factors for bovine tuberculosis in this study were sex, age, herd size, and location, contributing largely to the spread of bTB in the study area.

Cryptosporidium infection in captive wild animals at Sanda Kyarimi Zoo in Maiduguri, Nigeria

S.M. Jajere — 2024-02-08

Wild mammals are essential food sources for man and animal predators. Cryptosporidium species have a broad host range, including wildlife, which serve as crucial disease reservoirs for domestic animals and humans with a potential public health concern. The scarcity of information on the incidence of cryptosporidiosis among wild animals in North-eastern Nigeria necessitated the present study, which investigated the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts among captive wild mammals in Maiduguri. Faecal samples collected from Artiodactyla/Proboscidae (n=9), Carnivores (n=7), Primates (n=9), Reptilia (n=4), and Rodentia (n=2) were examined using the ZiehlNeelsen staining technique to detect Cryptosporidium oocyst. Of the 31 captive mammals examined, 17 (54.8%), 14 (45.2%), 9 (29.0%) and 22 (71.0%) were respectively classified as males, females, young and adults. A total of 12 (38.7%; 95% CI: 23.7, 56.2) out of the 31 examined samples were positive, with a higher prevalence of 57.1% (95% CI: 25.0, 84.2) observed among carnivores compared to the other animals. There was no statistical association (p > 0.05) between the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and sex as well as the age of the individual mammal species examined. This paper underscores the role of anthroponotic and zoonotic transmission at the human-wildlife interface in zoological gardens (Zoo) and parks worldwide.

Granulomatous pneumonia due to metastrongylus species associated with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Pasteurella multocida in slaughtered pigs

M.O. Olaniyi — 2024-02-08

Pneumonia has been identified as one of the limiting factors to pig production. Some of the pneumonia-inducing agents include Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHYO), the primary cause of enzootic pneumonia and Metastrongylus species. which are widely distributed lungworms commonly found in indigenous free-range pigs. This paper describes the pathological findings of 6 cases out of 204 lungs randomly collected from slaughtered pigs in Southwest Nigeria. Samples of the lungs were collected from the cases for bacterial culture, histopathology and detection of MHYO antigens using immunohistochemisty. Gross lesions were severe acute lobular bronchopneumonia (104/204, 50.98%) and greyish discrete nodules in the lungs. Microscopically, there were varying degrees of lymphoid hyperplasia of bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) (82.2%), suppurative bronchiolitis with widespread bronchiolar epithelial cells necrosis (57.4%) and granulomatous bronchopneumonia with presence of Metastrongylus spp. and bronchiolar intraluminal cellular exudate consisting predominantly of eosinophils (2.9%). Pasteurella multocida was the most isolated bacterial pathogen (49.0%) either as a single pathogen or in combination with other pathogens from the infected lung samples. Immunohistochemical labelling showed strong MHYO antigens on the surface of bronchial epithelial cells in infected lungs (86/204). This is the first report of granulomatous bronchopneumonia due to Metastrongylus spp. associated with a co-infection of MHYO and Pasteurella multocida in Nigerian indigenous pigs. It is suggested that metastrongylosis may be more common than reported in this study. The detection of respiratory pathogens such as Mycoplasma. hyopneumoniae, Metasrongylusspp. and Pasteurella multocida suggest that they are potential contributors to bronchopneumonia observed in this study.

Rectal temperature and body surface temperature rhythm in Red Sokoto goats infected with Trypanosoma evansi during the rainy season

A.A. Adeiza — 2024-02-08

There are limited studies on circadian rhythmicity in farm animals affected by protozoan diseases. The rectal temperature (RT) and body surface temperature (BST) rhythmic patterns in experimental Trypanosoma evansi-infected Red Sokoto goats (T. evansiinfected RSG) July – September were evaluated. Five goats were assigned to each experimental group, with group I as the negative control (CRSG), while animals in group II were individually infected with about 2.0x10⁶ /2ml T. evansi-inoculum. Temperature reaction patterns were monitored by digital clinical and infrared thermometry. The RT and BST of goats, the ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) inside the pen were measured at 06:00, 12:00 and 18:00 hours (GMT+1) three times a week for 12 weeks. The AT had maximum, minimum and mean values of 27.0°C, 24.2°C and 25.6±0.26°C, respectively, while RH had maximum, minimum and mean values of 94.5%, 53.6% and 80.5±11.5%, respectively. Results obtained, via the application of a single Cosinor procedure showed that the RT and BST exhibited daily rhythmicity in both groups with the pattern distorted in T. evansi-infected RSG which showed an ascent from the 5th to the 10th week. The rhythmic characteristic of RT of the T. evansi-infected RSG showed that the mesor and amplitude were higher (p˂0.05) than those recorded for CRSG. Both groups showed no difference (p˃0.05) in acrophase. The eye region in both groups showed the highest BST, while the coronary band had the lowest. The result, for the first time, reported rhythmicity of RT and BST in T. evansi- infected goats under tropical conditions. The results obtained from our study may be useful for the early screening, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of protozoan diseases.

Immunostimulating potentials of methanolic extract of Plectranthus parviflorus in chickens vaccinated against Newcastle disease and Infectious bursal disease

O.O. Esan — 2024-02-08

Outbreaks of Newcastle disease (ND) and Infectious Bursal disease (IBD) have been reported in vaccinated poultry flocks in many countries highlighting the need for the administration of immunostimulants to improve immunity in such birds. The immunomodulatory effects of methanol leaf extract of plectranthus parviflorus on ND and IBD antibody titre was investigated. One hundred day-old cockerels were randomly assigned into five groups each, A-E and A1-E1 for Newcastle disease and Infectious bursal disease studies respectively. Groups A and A1 were control groups and received water only while groups B and B1 received LaSota and IBD intermediate plus ® vaccine respectively. Groups C and C1, D and D1 were administered 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of Plectranthus parviflorus orally for three days before vaccination respectively, while groups E and E1were given 100mg/kg of the extract orally three days post vaccination. Blood samples were obtained via jugular vein at day-old and 14 days as well as on days 7, 14 and 21 post vaccination. Haemagglutination- inhibition (HI) test and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to assay the antibody titre against ND and IBD respectively. A decline in maternal antibody over 14 days was observed for antibody titre against Newcastle disease and infectious bursal disease from 6.1 to 1.8 geometric mean (log2) and (1043.37±2.1) to (524.48±2.7) respectively. Group D was observed to have a significant titre value of 2.3 and 3.7 geometric mean (log2) 14 and 21 days post ND vaccination while group D1 also had a significant increase (1037.90±3.6) titre 14 days post-vaccination. This study showed that plectranthus parviflorus extract had a significant effect on Newcastle disease and Infectious bursal disease humoral response when administered orally at 200mg/kg before vaccination with ND and IBD vaccines respectively.

Gross and histological studies of the female reproductive tract of the spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis)

Y.B. Majama — 2024-02-08

The extinction of most wild avian species is becoming apprehensive and some water fowls like the spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis) may represent a good model for research, to advance wildlife conservation of related avian species. Currently, there are no baseline information regarding the anatomic characteristics of the reproductive tract of this species, hence; the present study aimed at investigating the gross and histological features of the ovary and oviduct of the wild spur-winged goose. A total of five female adults spur-winged geese with ages between eight to ten months old were used for this study. The bird were purchased from a farm and transported to the Laboratory for quick decapitation and tissue processing. The birds were allowed to acclimatized for seven days, before humanely sacrificed by quick cervical dislocation and reproductive organs (ovary and oviduct) were harvested for both gross and histological evaluations. Thereafter, the ovary and oviduct were fixed, and stained with H & E for light microscopic evaluation using DB2 -180M Digital Biological Microscope at different magnifications (×40, ×100, and ×400). The gross finding on the ovary revealed that it is ovoid in shape and appeared as a cluster of sacs showing yellowish to whitish follicles of different sizes and have a poorly defined oviductal segment. The oviduct appeared to be the longest part of the female reproductive tract (12.5-14.5cm). Histologically, the ovary is characterized by a membrana granulosa surrounding the oocytes at various stages of development. Also, the oviduct is by simple cuboidal to columnar ciliated secretory epithelium, and connects the ovary to the cloaca as a thin and un-convoluted tube. In conclusion, this study provided valuable information to serve as a baseline model to further research and understand the reproductive anatomy of other related domestic and wild waterfowl species.

Awareness and management practices against rabies among dog owners in livestock farming communities, Plateau State: A preliminary report

M.P. Olabode — 2024-02-08

Rabies remains a significant public health concern, especially in endemic regions like Africa and Asia, with likely underreported cases. Primarily transmitted through dog bites, rabies poses a substantial risk in Nigeria, where dogs are the main carriers. This study investigated rabies awareness and control practices among dog owners in livestock farming communities in Plateau State, Nigeria. This was done using structured questionnaire interviews with 50 respondents from five Local Government Areas. Data analysis revealed that 78% were aware of rabies, but few recognized its severity. Only 46% knew about rabies vaccination, and merely 16% sought clinical assistance post-dog bite. Despite relatively high awareness, gaps exist in understanding susceptible hosts, proper management, prevention, and health-seeking behaviours. Findings underscore the necessity of bolstering awareness and management, including vaccinations, to encourage effective rabies control measures among vulnerable populations within remote communities and nationwide.

Screening of meat sold for human consumption in Benue State, Nigeria for antibiotic residues

N.O. Onminyi — 2024-02-08

The problem of veterinary drug residues in food of animal origin is of great importance in developing countries. The concerns are mostly related to food safety and the development of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This study was carried out during the hot dry season (March) between 2016 – 2018 to detect antibiotic presence in beef, chevon and pork sold for human consumption in abattoirs in Benue state. Thirty-nine samples each of 100-150g of kidney, liver and muscle were collected from cattle, goats and pigs making a total of 351 samples from abattoirs across the three geopolitical zones of Benue state. The samples were screened for multidrug residues using the modified agar gel diffusion method. A total of 144 were positive out of which 40.3% (58/144) were beef, while 29.2% (42/144) and 30.5% (44/144) were chevon and pork respectively. From the results of this study, it could be inferred that the meat consumed within Benue State contains residues of antibiotics possibly because of non-adherence to the withdrawal period by farmers and lack of knowledge of its consequences on the consumers.

Parasitism and rumen impaction in a 5-month–old Yankasa ewe: A clinico-pathological report

N.A. Sani — 2024-02-08

We report concurrent acariosis, helminthosis and foreign body rumen impaction of multiple aetiologies in a 5-month-old Yankasa ewe from a multispecies flock on semiintensive management system. The clinical findings were tachycardia, hypothermia, bradypnea, diarrhoea, emaciation, lethargy, pale mucous membranes, and heavy tick infestation attached to the skin of the forelimb, hind limb, inguinal region, and the ears. Severe non-regenerative anaemia, marked neutrophilia and lymphocytopenia characterized the blood picture. The ewe was treated for endo and ectoparasites, along with fluid therapy. However, the ewe died in the course of treatment and the carcass was subsequently presented for necropsy. Gross findings included the presence of numerous ticks attached to the skin of the outer ears and interdigits, indigestible foreign materials in the rumen and numerous worms in the rumen, abomasum and the intestine. Laboratory analysis revealed that the ticks were Rhipicephalus sp. and Amblyomma sp. The rumen worms were identified as Paramphistomum sp., the worms from the abomasum were identified as Haemonchus contortus, and those of the intestine were identified as Moniezia expansa. Histopathologically, there was hypertrophy of the chief cells of the abomasum. There was a section of Haemonchus contortus surrounded by eosinophils within the mucosa of the abomasum. The villi of the intestine sloughed-off into the lumen. Based on the clinicopathological findings, the diagnoses of acariosis, helminthosis and foreign body rumen impaction were arrived at. The remaining animals in the herd were treated accordingly and the farmer was advised to ensure good farm management practices.

Time to treat the climate and nature crisis as one indivisible global health emergency

K. Abbasi — 2024-02-08

This editorial is being published simultaneously in multiple journals. It highlights now as the time to treat the climate and nature crisis as one indivisible global health emergency.