African Journals On-line
Tropical Veterinarian

Volume 21 Number 1 2003
Abstracts

COMPARISON OF DETECTION METHODS FOR ANTIBODIES TO BOAR SPERMATOZOA

Fayemi, O. and Joo, H. S.

Department of Clinical and Population Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, U.S.A.

Present address: Department of Veterinary Surgery and Reproduction, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Keywords: Boars, sperm, antibodies, detection, methods.

Abstract

Two boars and two gilts were immunized intramuscularly with a mixture of boar sperm and Freund’s adjuvants at weeks 02 and 15. Sera collected from each animal at weekly intervals and sera from two 3-month old virgin gilts were tested for sperm antibody utilizing indirect immunofluorescence, immunoperoxidase, indirect immunobead, Staphylococcus Aureus protein a agglutination techniques and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera from the virgin gilts and preimmune sera of immunized animals were negative for sperm antibody with all methods. The different methods varied in their sensitivity to determination of sperm antibody titers. The ELISA was the most sensitive of the methods. The ELISA and Protein A agglutination were the most suitable in terms of specificity and repeatability for sperm antibody detection in swine.

Non-radioactive method for labelling trypanosoma brucei brucei (S427, Clone 22) SURFACE PROTEINS USING Ez-LINK SULFO-NHS-LC-BIOTIN (SULFOSUCCINIMIDYL-6- (BIOTINAMIDO) HEXANOATE)

Ezeokonkwo R. C. ,Agu W. E., and Black S.J.

Dept. of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Dept. of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Paige lab. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01002, USA.

Keywords: Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Sulfo-NHS-LC-Biotin,

Streptavidin-horse radish peroxidase conjugate, SDS-PAGE, Western blot,

Molecular weight.

Abstract

Here we describe a non-radioactive procedure that makes use of Ez-linkTM Sulfo-NHS-LC-Biotin (Sulfosuccinimidyl-6-(Biotinamido) hexanoate to label the surface proteins of Trypanosoma brucei brucei (S427, clone 22). Different concentrations (100ug, 200ug, 400ug, 500ug) of Sulfosuccinimidyl-6-(biotinamido) hexanoate were used for the labelling at different temperatures of 40C, room temperature, 370C. The molecular weights of the labeled surface proteins were determined by running SDS-PAGE, and Western blot. Detection of the biotinylated surface proteins was done by the use of streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate and exposed with the ECL western blot detection reagent. It was observed that (i) the biological activities of the T.brucei brucei like the motility, viability, and growth were not affected adversely by the biotinylation; (ii) as little as 100ug Sulfo-NHS-LC-Biotin was enough to label about 6x106 Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei; (iii) high temperature appears to have adverse effect on the viability and growth of biotinylated trypanosomas; (iv) three proteins of molecular weights 177.83, 141.25, and 79.43kDa whose actual identities and immunologic importance are not clear at this stage of the study were consistently and clearly labeled by the biotin at different concentrations at room temperature. In comparison with the other alternative methods of labelling surface proteins of parasites described in the literature, this method offers better advantages as there was no radioactive emission; no loss of biological activities like motility, viability, and growth at room temperature and 40C. The method is less cumbersome, and requires less specialized equipment, and more importantly the method is very fast, stable, and reproducible.

COMPARISON OF TWO IMMUNE DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES FOR DETECTION OF MYCOPLASMA MYCOIDES SUBSPECIES MYCOIDES SC IN CATTLE

Aliyu M.M.,Egwu G.O. ,Ameh J.A.

Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Keywords: Immunodiagnosis, Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC Cattle.

Abstract

The use of Dot-Enzyme immunoassay (Dot-EIA) and Avidin-Biotin

Complex (ABC-Elite) test in detecting Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides Small colony (MmmSc) in CBPP suspect tissues was evaluated. Out of the 330 suspect lung tissues and 20 suspect lymph nodes tissue samples analyzed, 245 (75.9%) and 276 (83.3%) of the lung tissues were positive by ABC-Elite and Dot-EIA respectively. However, the result of 11(3.45%) and 10(3.0%) of the lung tissues samples analyzed by ABC Elite and Dot EIA respectively could not be interpreted hence were considered to be doubtful. It is concluded that while both Dot-EIA and BC-Elite could be used efficiently in the field Dot-EIA is considered superior because of its cost-effectiveness, accuracy and speediness of results compared to ABC-Elite method.

FASCIOLA HEPATICA:(35S-METHIONINE) RADIO-LABELLED STUDY OF EXCRETORY/SECRETORY PRODUCTS DURING DEVELOPMENT.

Ajanusi, O.J.I, Harrison, I.J.S and Sewell, M.M.H

Department of Parasitology & Entomology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Nigeria.

Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG.

Keywords: Fasciola hepatica, radiolabelling, immunoprecipitation, antigen secreted.

Abstract

Newly excysted juvenile (NEJ, DO) Day old (D1); 14, 28, 42 and 56 days old (D14, D28, D42, and D56) Fasciola Hepatica were biosynthetically radio-labelled by culturing with 35S-Methionine in Vitro. The total secreted proteins were analysed by electrophoresis in the presence of Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS-PAGE). There were noticeable differences and similarities in the Excretory/Secretory Products (ES) of the various ages of flukes, and the ES products of DO fluke had the simplest protein profile with only two components. Immunoprecipitation with serum from infected rats faintly recognized a 26KDa antigen in the reduced form of ES products of D1 fluke (D1 ES products). This serum recognised a 38 KDa antigen in the reduced form of ES of D14, D28, D42 and D56 flukes, and a 57 KDa antigen in the non-reduced form of adult (D56 flukes, and a 57 KDa antigen in the non-reduced form of adult (D56) ES. These results extends our knowledge of age-specific components of F. Hepatica.

INFESTATION OF ROYAL PYTHON (PYTHON REGIUS) WITH TICKS AMBLYOMMA HEBRAEUM IN IBADAN ZOO, NIGERIA

Ajuwape A.T.P., Sonibare,A.O., Adedokun, R.A. Adedokun, O.A., Adejinmi,

J.O. and Akinboye D.G.

University of Ibadan, Department Veterinary Microbiology and

Parasitology, Ibadan

Keywords: Infestation, python, ticks, zoo.

Abstract

Tick infestation in royal python is reported. Clinical signs included dullness and inactivity evident in reaction to it’s prey.

Parasitological examination revealed Amblyomma hebraeum.

Epidemiological investigation showed WAD goat with external parasite within the reptile area.

Introduction

The Python/Boa Family is found in most part of tropics. It is a highly domesticated pet and can easily be handled (Cansdale 1962). Snakes are commonly infected by ticks more importantly the hand bodied ticks (Fowler, 1986).However, under captive condition, ticks usually exert a lot of burden on their hosts being carriers of disease causing pathogens (Soulsby 1982, Radostits et al, 2000). These ticks also produce focal ulcerating skin lesions at the point of their attachment to the skin (Fowler, 1986).

Amblyomma hebraeum (bout ticks) occur frequently in warmer part of South, Central Africa and is parasitic in many domesticated and wild mammals. The young stage also attacks birds (Soulsby, 1982). A. hebraeum is a three host tick that usually attaches in the perianal and gential region of it’s host and may produce bad wounds. These ticks are also very resistant to dipping especially in adult stage (Ojeh and Dipeolu, 1986 Soulsby 1982). It was a common theme that parasites of wild animals were so perfectly adapted to their host that under natural condition they would not cause disease (Davis and Anderson, 1971). This phenomena must have informed the reason why there is a dearth information on the incidence of A. hebraeum in royal python.

SEROPREVALENCE OF ZONA PELLUCIDA ANTIBODIES IN SOME MINNESOTA SWINE HERDS

O. E. Fayemi

Department of Clinical and Population Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, U.S.A.

Keywords: Seroprevalence, antibodies, enzyme-linked immunosorbent

Abstract

Serum samples collected from selected swine breeding farms in St.Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A. were screened for zona pellucida (ZP) antibodies by the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Of the 1865 samples screened, 107, 171, 489, 329, 302 were in the age ranges 0-6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-24, 25-30 and above 30 months of age and the proportions positive for ZP antibodies were 0, 5.26, 9.61, 14.78, 18.84 and 19.21% respectively. A total of 245 (13.14%) of them positive for ZP antibodies and seropositivity increased with age (P<0,001). The farm of origin was not associated with the presence of antibody (P>0.10) and there was no interaction between farm of origin and age of animal (P>0.10). The possibility of gential infections contributing to the auto-immunity cannot be ruled out and the association of the antibodies with increased age may be due to infections over a long time. This aspect of immunological infertility should be taken into consideration when investigating infertility in swine herds.

GASTRO-INTESTINAL HELMINTHS OF DONKEYS IN MAIDUGURI: THE HAEMATOLOGICAL CHANGES

Egbe-nwiyi, T.N. and Gana, S.M.

Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

Keywords: Donkeys, adult, Maiduguri, gastro-intestinal parasites, blood.

Abstract

The prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites and the likely effect on the haematological parameters of apparently healthy adult donkeys of either sex was studied in Maiduguri, Borno State. Out of 83 animals examined, 66(79.5%) were infected while 17(20.5%) were not. The parasites encountered were strongyle (34.8%), Strongyloides (28.8%), Dictyocaulus (7.6%) and Oxyuris (1.5%) species. Mixed infections were encountered in 27.3% of the animals. The infected donkeys manifested normocytic and normochromic anaemia as well as leucocytosis characterised by eosinophilia and lymphocytosis. In conclusion, the prevalence of 79.5% was relatively high and local and state governments should extend veterinary services to the donkeys like any other domestic animals.

SOME CASES OF RABIES WITH HIGH EXPOSURE POTENTIAL: A FIELD EXPERIENCE

Ogunkoya a.b., Oshinubi M.O.V., Yilia A.S., Jahun B.M, Hassan A.J.

Department of Veterinary Surgery & Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Keywords: Rabies, high exposure potential, field experience.

Abstract

A 12-year old girl died of rabies in 1986. The source of the rabies was a family dog that had been vaccinated several times with Flury Strain LEP rabies vaccine. The health and home care of the dog was excellent. The death of the dog 4 days after it bit the girl did not qualify it for a rabies suspect and the brain was not tested for rabies antigen. The death of the girl six months later forced a change in the autopsy protocol at Ahmadu Bello University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Zaria. Until the change, only dogs suspected of rabies were tested for rabies antigen. The testing of the brains of all autopsied dogs for rabies antigen inspite of the cause of death has revealed 9 cases that would have escaped being diagnosed under previous protocol as cases of rabies. The individual cases and the high exposure potential of each of the cases are discussed in this paper.