ASSESSMENT OF WATER AND FEED AS SOURCES OF MYCOTIC INFECTION IN CATTLE AND PIG FARMS IN IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Mycotic infections on farms can be attributed to contaminated feed and water. The storage facilities and processes used to keep feedstuffs are largely unhygienic, and contribute to the growth and survival of pathogenic organisms that have impacts on animal health, production and the economy. This study aimed at assessing the presence, type and frequency of fungi in the feed and water served to cattle and pigs in the study areas. A total number of 100 water samples (50 from cattle farms and 50 from pig farms) and 100 feed samples (50 feedstuff from cattle and 50 feed stuff from pigs) were collected from farms in 8 locations within Ibadan, Oyo State. These include WofunOlodo, Iyana church, Olorunsogo, Ologunerun, Teaching and research farm, University of Ibadan, Akinyele, Barika and Iyana Church. Samples were transported in ice pack into the laboratory within 5 hours. Samples were cultured using Sabaroud dextrose agar (Oxoid, UK) at 250C, 370C and analysed for fungal growth. From the pig feed samples, 29 (48.4%) plates were positive for fungi growth while 14 (34.12%) plates of water samples yielded fungi growth. From the cattle feed samples, 38 (62.70%) plates were positive for fungi growth while 14 (35%) plates of water samples yielded fungi growth. The isolated species of fungi from the water and feed samples were Aspergillus, Mucor, Penicillium, Rhizopus and Absidia species. This finding shows that feed and water contain fungi which can be a source of infection to pig and poses threat to the public health.