Assessment of Biosecurity Measures and Distribution of Daily Live Bird ‎Markets in Four North-Western States of Nigeria ‎

Maintenance of strict biosecurity measures is essential in preventing disease spread from Live Bird Markets (LBMs) which serve as a major intermingling area for poultry from different sources. This study assessed the Biosecurity measures and spatial distribution of daily Live Bird Markets of four North-western States in Nigeria. Closed ended questionnaires were administered in 35 daily LBMs in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Zamfara states and identification of disinfectants used in the LBMs were noted. Swab samples of birds’ cages in the LBMs were taken for E. coli isolation. The live bird managers and marketers were all male (100%) across all the four states. Only 6(17%) out of the 35 LBMs had high biosecurity level, 69% had a moderate biosecurity level and 5(14%) were graded as low. Of the 400 Live bird marketers administered questionnaires, only 71 (18%) employ good biosecurity practices and 305(76%) were graded as fair and remaining 24(6%) as poor. Majority of the LBMs were located within human settlements without any form of barrier. There were seven main types of disinfectants identified across the all LBMs. Esherichia coli was isolated from 1(17%) LBM among the 6(17%) LBMs that were identified to have and use disinfectant. From the remaining 29(83%) LBMs, E.coli was isolated from only 5(17%) despite lacking in use of disinfectant by these LBMs. Live bird marketers should be educated on the need to adhere to biosecurity measures and practices.

Molecular Detection of Ampicillin Resistant Genes in E. coli Isolates from ‎Dogs in India

The most common cause of urinary tract infection in dogs is uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). This condition often presents with vaginal discharge, dribbling of urine, straining or vocalization while urinating due to pain. Furthermore, the following signs are also noticeable: hematuria, lethargy, proteinuria, dysuria, cystitis, and oliguria. The aim of this research was to investigate the genes of ampicillin resistance in E. coli isolates from dogs with urinary tract infections. Out of 103 urine samples cultured (Blood agar, MacConkey’s lactose agar and Eosin methylene blue agar), 24.3% were positive for uropathogenic Escherichia coli. The positive isolates were further subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity test and PCR analysis. All the uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin while 96% were resistant to Cloxacillin and Oxytetracycline. Susceptibility to Meropenem, Gentamicin and Amikacin were 64 %, 44 % and 40% respectively. All the 25 strains of the E. coli were identified to be resistant to two or more antibiotics. The PCR result showed the presence of blaAMPC in all the samples and 60 % had blaTEM genes responsible for ampicillin resistance. However, none of the isolates were positive for the blaSHV gene.The presence of the blaAMPC and blaTEM genes in the dogs studied resulted in ampicillin resistance, with blaAMPC being the most commonly detected ampicillin gene in Escherichia coli in the study area. Meropenem was also found to be a good choice for treating uropathogenic E. coli infection in dogs.

Effect of Moringa oleifera Supplementation on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers ‎during Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Infection in Broiler Chickens

This study was designed to assess the effect of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) on oxidative stress biomarkers in broiler chickens fed Moringa oleifera leaf (MOL) supplemented feed. Two hundred- and forty-day-old Ross 308 hybrid broiler chicks were randomly assigned into groups A, B, C and D of 60 chicks each.The chicks were raised on deep litter housing.Broiler starter (BS) and broiler finisher (BF) mash were formulated for broilers in groups A and B each with 5% MOL supplemented as part of the feed.while BS and BF were formulated without MOL for broilers in groups C and D. Broiler chickens in groups A, B and C were challenged with 0.05 ml of a live vvIBDV at 35 days of age, whereas those in group D served as controls. At days 35, 38, 42 and 49 of age, blood was collected from 10 broilers in each group via the wing vein to determine serum concentration of Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) using an Audiocomb Serum Auto-analyser.There was a significant increase in the concentration of CAT (P=0.0125) and GPx (P=0.0190), in broilers of group A at 38 days of age when compared with the control (group D). While the concentration of MDA increased significantly in broilers of group A (P=0.0004) at 42 days of age when compared with the control. Moringa oleifera leaf supplementation in the feed of broilers is shown to potentiate the antioxidant activities of CAT, GPx and MDA during infection with infectious bursal disease virus.

Distribution of Fly Pests in a Farm in Plateau State, Nigeria

An evaluation of fly pests of cattle was conducted in Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAH&PT) Farm, Chaha Village, Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria between August and October, 2020. Samples were collected from the farm weekly for three months. A total of nine hundred and nineteen (919) adult dipterous flies comprising fifteen species in eight genera across the three sub-orders were caught and identified using aerial sweeping hand net, light trapping and aerial insecticide spray. Phlebotomus papaltasi (44.18%) was the most prevalent while Simulium damnosum (0.22%) was the least. Others were Musca domestica (17.73%), Stomoxys calcitrans (11.43%), Culicoides species (10.99%), Musca autumnalis (10.23%), mosquitoes – Anopheles gambiae/Culex quequinfasciatus (4.89%) and Tabanus species (0.33%). The haematophagous flies (72.04%) out-numbered the non-haematophagous flies (27.96%) and the number of females collected/caught 780 (84.87%) were higher than the males 139 (15.13%). The highest collections were made in October (353 representing 38.41%) while September had the lowest (263 /28.62%). The study established the presence of fly pests in the farm and recommends that appropriate control measures should be put in place to forestall any disease outbreak.

Prevalence of Avian Haemosporidian Parasites in Village Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) from Kwami, Gombe State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites in village chickens in Kwami, Gombe State, Nigeria using microscopy and the associated risk factors using structured questionnaires. To achieve this goal, blood samples were collected from 346 apparently healthy village chickens in Kwami of Gombe State, and a total of 45 farmers were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Microscopy revealed an overall prevalence of 20.8% (72/346) for haemosporidian parasites comprising of Plasmodium spp. with 41 (11.8%; 95% CI = 8.9 – 15.7) and Haemoproteus spp. 23 (6.6%; 95% CI = 4.5 – 9.8) as single infection and mixed infection of Plasmodium + Haemoproteus spp. having 8 (2.3%; 95% CI = 1.2 – 4.5). Prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites was significantly higher in male (13.9%) compared to hens (6.9%), as well as in adults (14.50%) compared to growers (6.4%). The prevalence was also found to be higher in the rainy season (15.6%) compared to the dry (5.2%) seasons of the study period. Questionnaire survey on attitude and practice of the village chicken farmers in the study area has shown that village chicken are raised under the extensive management system and are reared with other village poultry species on free range. Inadequate biosecurity, poor management and husbandry systems constituted the predisposing risk factors associated with haemoparasite infections in this study. Key words: Haemosporidian parasites; Avian malaria, Microscopy, Scavenging Chickens; Kwami, Gombe State

Evaluation of low-grade In Vitro Oxidative Stress in Goat Erythrocytes ‎Exposed to Hydrogen Peroxide and Dexamethasone ‎

Under conditions of oxidative stress, erythrocytes of goats could be predisposed to haemolysis. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of oxidant exposure to goat erythrocytes using an in vitro model. Blood samples from 10 goats were incubated with 0.06 – 0.18 mM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) either singly or in combination with 0.02 µM dexamethasone for 60 min, and erythrocyte parameters such as packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and percentage haemolysis in hypotonic sucrose solution (250 mOsmol/L) were determined thereafter. No significant changes in the mean values of all parameters were observed. The in vitro model indicated that erythrocyte parameters remained stable under low-grade oxidant exposure in goats. Therefore, plasma H2O2 concentration of ≤ 0.18 mM, whether in the presence or absence of 0.02 µM dexamethasone, may not induce apparent oxidative damage in goat erythrocytes that could be estimated by PCV, RBC, MCV and sucrose-based osmotic fragility at low hypotonicity.

Lead Levels in Tissues of Local Scavenger Chickens in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Mineral mining activities with environmental pollution in Nigeria resulted in lead intoxication in humans and livestock. The likelihood of lead contamination of the environment from non-mining sources may exist in Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria. The study was carried out to evaluate the bioaccumulation of lead in extensively reared local scavenger chickens-LSC (Gallus gallusdomesticus) in Maiduguri. Two hundred samples each of the liver, kidney, intestine, muscle and blood were tested for lead using standard methods in toxicologic evaluation. There were significant (p<0.05) variations in lead levels in the kidney, liver, muscle, intestine and blood of local scavenger chickens. The highest mean lead level (17.0±12.0µg/kg) was observed in the liver, and the lowest leadlevel (4.0±7.0µg/kg) was in the blood. No significant (p>0.05) sex differences existed in the frequency of lead detection. Mean lead level in the liver of males was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of females with the highest and lowest mean lead levels occurring in the liver and kidney of male chickens, respectively. The highest lead level detected was 414 µg/kg; in the kidney of a female LSC. It was therefore concluded that environmental pollution with lead may be detected in LSCthat bioaccumulate lead; with the liver having the highest affinity.

Comparative Durability of Common Stains Used for Exfoliative Vaginal ‎Cytology

In a study to compare the durability of commonly used stains (Giemsa, Leishman, Wright, Eosin, Nigrosin and Gentian violet) for exfoliative vaginal cytology, vaginal smear was obtained from eleven apparently healthy West African Dwarf (WAD) female Goats and processed according to standard technique. Scores (0-3) were given on four parameters namely background of smears, overall staining pattern, cytoplasmic staining and nuclear staining. Quality index one (QI-I) was calculated from the ratio of score achieved to the maximum score possible (12), immediately post staining while quality index–II (QI-II) was obtained 35 days after. Calculation for durability index (DI) was self-derived and equalled to ratio of QI-II to QI-I. The data were presented as mean ± SEM. Multinomial logistic regression model was generated for the QI-I and QI-II using durability index as reference category. Giemsa, Leishman and Wright stains were more durable than others with their mean DI values significantly (P < 0.05) higher than Gentian violet, Nigrosin and Eosin.The model showed 89.2% overall model accuracy for the multinomial logistic regression model and 81.5% for the multinomial Bayes Naïve regression model. In conclusion, Giemsa, Leishman and Wright stains were more reliable and durable for exfoliative vaginal cytology compared to the other stains.

Molecular Epidemiology of Tuberculosis in Cattle and Human Patients in ‎Bauchi and Gombe States, Northeastern Nigeria

Tuberculosis (TB) is recognized as the most important threat to human and animal health causing morbidity, mortality, and economic losses. A study was conducted to assess the epidemiology and zoonotic implications of TB in two states of northeastern Nigeria, using abattoir surveillance, culture, and molecular typing methods. The human sputum of in-patients from selected hospitals within the study areas was also collected, cultured, and subjected to molecular typing. Out of the 250 human sputa collected, 74 (29.6%) were positive for culture and 40(16%) were positive on Bioline® analysis. Also, of the 200 tissues collected, 62(32.5%) were AFB positive and 25(12.5%) were positive on culture and 18(9.0%) were positive on Bioline® analysis. All positive isolates on Bioline® analyses were further subjected to Genotype® MBTC analysis. A total of (n = 58) isolates; sputum (n=40) and tissue (n=18), identified as MBTC were further subjected to Genotype MBTC® Hain assay PCR analysis. in order to differentiate them into their various species. Of the MBTC isolates from the tissues, 8(4.0%) were found to be Mycobacterium bovis, 5(2.5%) were Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the remaining 5(2.5%) were unidentified using the standard banding patterns. The 40 MBTC from sputum showed 30 (75%) as Mycobacterium tuberculosis 6(15%) were Mycobacterium bovis, 3(7.5%) were Mycobacterium africanum and 1(0.4%) was unidentified using the standard banding patterns. In conclusion, the study revealed the public health importance of bTB in the study area. There is also the need for public health awareness programs on the zoonotic nature of bTB among the abattoir workers and the herdsmen.

Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Staphylococcus ‎aureus and Salmonella species in Fresh Milk and Milk Products Sold in Zaria ‎and Environs, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Staphylococcal infections and salmonellosis are important food-borne diseases affecting both humans and animals, and the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria to humans through the consumption of animal food products remains a challenge. To determine the occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella in fresh milk and milk products sold in Zaria and environs, Kaduna State, Nigeria, ninety samples were purchased comprising of 49 pasteurized milk, 20 ghee (Clarified butter) and 21 fresh milk samples in Zaria. The Samples were pre-enriched before plating on a suitable selective media. Biochemical and Sugar fermentation tests were used to detect S. aureus and Salmonella isolates; also, antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out on positive isolates. The overall prevalence of S. aureus and Salmonella spp. in fresh milk and milk products (pasteurized milk and ghee) were 31.1% (28/90) and 6.7% (6/90), respectively. Higher prevalence of S. aureus was found in fresh milk (38.1%) than in ghee (35%) and pasteurized milk (26.5%). Also, a higher prevalence of Salmonella organism was found in fresh milk (9.5%) than in pasteurized milk (6.1%) and ghee (5%). Positive iso­lates of S. aureus showed the highest percentage of antibiotic resistance to oxacillin (100%), then tetracycline (64%) and vancomycin (57.1%), while positive iso­lates of Salmonella showed oxacillin (100%) and vancomycin (100%), followed by tetracycline (33.3%). Most of the isolates displayed resistance to more than three (3) different classes of antimicrobials, indicating multi-drug resistance. Therefore, there is a need for education and public awareness regarding hygienic processing, handling and storage of fresh milk and milk products; thus, the abuse and indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animals should be discouraged.