African Journals On-line
Tropical Veterinarian

Volume 21(3) 2003
ABSTRACTS

Observation on the age at initial infection of Zebu Calves by Toxocara vitulorum in Northern Nigeria

Sackey, A.K.B¹.; George, J.B.D². and Sale, M².

Departments of ¹Veterinary Surgery and Medicine; and

²Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the mode of infection of neonatal zebu calves by Toxocara vitulorum in Northern Nigeria under both the extensively nomadic and the semi-intensively Institutional or Private Managements. Of the 90 calves from the 12 nomadic and 70 calves from the 8 Institutional/Private herds sampled, 20 and 10 respectively were positive for Toxocara (Neoascaris) vitulorum eggs in their faeces by the age of one week. This is a strong indication of the early infection of zebu calves by T. vitulorum, in Northern Nigeria as reported for calves of similar ages in other countries. This early infections could have been through intra-uterine route or postnatally via colostrum. Some of the calves voided mature stages of the helminth in their faeces between the ages of 7 and 8 weeks, which might be suggestive of either prenatal (intra-uterine) or postnatal (intra-mammary) modes of infections. Also, an infection rate among the calves of 91.1% for the nomadic and 61.4% for the Institutional/Private farms were observed in this study. The implications of these findings for the success of the cattle industry in Nigeria are discussed.

Key Words: Toxocara vitulorum, neonatal zebu-calves; Initial age of infection.

Trop. Vet. Vol. 21: (3) 124-128 (2003)

Prevalence, abundance and intensity of Clinostomum tilapiae on cultured Oreochromis niloticus

Adeyemo, A.O¹.; Agbede, S.A²; Taiwo, V.O³. and Adedeji, O.B².

Departments of ¹Wildlife and Fisheries Management,

²Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine and ³Veterinary Pathology,

University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Abstract

Clinostomum tilapiae infestation in cultured Oreochromis niloticus in fish farms within Oyo State, Nigeria is highly significant and the prevalence is normally distributed. The abundance and intensity of the parasite on the skin and within viscera of cultured O. niloticus was closely correlated while intensity was independent of prevalence at 0.05 significance level. C. tilapiae hitherto associated with wild fish species is now well recognized in cultural systems and may pose both economic and public health risks in these areas.

Key Words: Prevalence, abundance, intensity, Clinostomum tilapiae, Oreochromis niloticus.

Trop. Vet. Vol. 21: (3) 129-133 (2003)

Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in four breeds of cattle at Ibadan, Nigeria

Joshua, R.A. and Akinwumi, K.A.

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

Abstract

Five hundred, and eighty six serum samples collected from four indigenous breeds of cattle, slaughtered at the Ibadan Municipal abattoir, were assayed for Toxoplasma antibodies by the latex agglutination technique. Ninety-nine (16.9%) of the samples were found infected at an antibody titre of 1/64. The distribution of antibodies titre to Toxoplasma gondii varied in the different breeds of cattle investigated. The highest sero-prevalence of 20.9% was detected in the White Fulani breed while the least, 6.3% was detected in the N’Dama breed. Antibodies to toxoplasma detected in other breeds were Sokoto gudali 14.7% and Red Bororo 11.7%. Neither overt clinical signs nor breed predisposition was observed in the samples investigated. Sero-epidemiological data are discussed in relation to toxoplasmosis morbidity in cattle.

Key Words: Prevalence, Toxoplasma, antibody, cattle

Trop. Vet. Vol. 21: (3) 134-137 (2003)

An assessment of poultry health problems in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

*Ambali, A.G¹.; Abubakar, M.B². and James, T.E¹.

Departments of ¹Veterinary Medicine; and ²Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology,

University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

*Author for correspondence

Abstract

A six-year retrospective survey of poultry diseases presented to veterinary clinics in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria between January 1995 and December 2000 was conducted. Out of a total of 23,813 poultry cases, 18,304 (76.9%) and 5,509 (23.1%) cases were recorded at the State Veterinary Clinic (SVC) Maiduguri and Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) University of Maiduguri respectively. Out of the 18,304 cases presented at the SVC, viral diseases constituted about 44%, bacterial infections were 19.7%, parasitic infestations were 28.7% while non-infectious conditions were 8.7%. Similarly, out of the 5,509 cases recorded at the VTH University of Maiduguri, viral diseases were 69.9%, bacterial diseases were 10.7%, while parasitic and non-infectious conditions were 15.4% and 4.5% respectively. Among the viral diseases encountered, Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bursal disease (IBD) were the most important while fowl cholera and coccidiosis formed the major bacterial and parasitic diseases respectively. A successful development of control and preventive measures can only be achieved after a careful assessment of each condition is carried out.

Key Words: Poultry health problems, semi-arid, retrospective study, Nigeria.

Trop. Vet. Vol. 21: (3) 138-145 (2003)

Bovine Dermatophilosis in Borno State: prevalence, cultural isolation and antibiotic sensitivity pattern

*Dikwa, B. Aisha¹ and Zaria, L.T².

Departments of  ¹Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine; and ²Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

*Author for correspondence

Abstract

One thousand, one hundred and ninety seven cattle were examined bacteriologically for the presence of Dermatophilosis. The result of the investigation revealed a prevalence rate of 4.5%. Bacteriological examination of the scabs and crust samples of affected cattle showed considerable variation in the cultural appearance of the various strains. Cultural comparison showed that all isolates grew at 37^oC in CO₂ atmosphere with differences in haemolysis pattern on bovine and ovine blood agar. Biochemical reactions showed that all strains were catalase positive and actively positive for the fermentation of glucose while most isolates fermented fructose, maltose and mannitol. Few isolates fermented xylose and sucrose and non-fermented lactose and sorbitol within 24 hours when incubated anaerobically at 37^oC. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates indicated that all strains examined were susceptible to nitrofurantoin, gentamycin, kanamycin, co-trimoxazole and tetracycline with few isolates being susceptible to colistin sulphate and ampicillin. Meanwhile all isolates were resistant to sulphafurazole. Investigations revealed that bovine dematophilosis is prevalent in Borno State. A review of present control measures is recommended.

Key words: Bovine dermatophilosis, antibiotics, Borno State, Nigeria.

Trop. Vet. Vol. 21: (3) 146-151 (2003)

The effect of high oral magnesium chloride supplementation on the pathogenicity of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and T. congolense infections in rats

*Egbe-Nwiyi, T.N¹.; Nwaosu, S.C². and Tsuya, R.D¹.

Departments of ¹Veterinary Pathology; and  ²Mathematics and Statistics, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

* Author for correspondence.

Abstract

Eighty healthy adult albino rats of both sex weighing 200-240 grams were used to assess the effect of high oral Magnesium chloride (100mg/kg body weight) supplementation on the pathogenicity of T. b. brucei (Basa strain) or T, congolense (Gboko strain) infections. Two studies were carried out and the rats were divided into 4 groups of 10 rats each (per study) namely; Group A (uninfected, unsupplemented control), Group B (uninfected and supplemented with Magnesium chloride), Group C (T.b. brucei or T. congolense infected, 1x10⁶ trypanosomes and supplemented), Group D (T.b. brucei or T, congolense infected, 1x10⁶ trypanosomes and unsupplemented). Each rat in groups B and C received approximately 0.2ml of MgCl₂ intragastrically daily for 10 days before and during the course of the infection. The prepatent period and survival times were shorter (P<0.05), anaemia more severe (P<0.05), parasitaemia, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly higher (P<0.05) in the T.b. brucei or T. congolense infected unsupplemented than the infected supplemented rats. Oral Magnesium chloride at 100mg/kg body weight supplementation did not affect the packed cell volume of the uninfected supplemented but seemed to reduce the severity (pathogenicity) of T.b. brucei (Basa strain) or T. congolense (Gboko strain) infections in rats. There is need to try the effect of this salt alone or in combination with other known trypanocides in domestic animals.

Key words: Magnesium chloride; Supplementation; Trypanosomes; Pathogenicity; Rats.

Trop. Vet. Vol. 21: (3) 152-159 (2003)

The Effects Of Feeding Processed Cassava Meals In Growing  Pigs

Olubunmi, P.A.; Adenowo, T.K. and Olagbaju, O.

Department of Animal science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Abstract

The effects of feeding processed cassava meals in growing pigs were investigated. The average daily weight gain of control animals (40% maize was 0.34+0.06kg those of animals on processed cassava meals were 0.38+0.04kg, 0.40+0.03kg and 0.39+0.06kg for diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The packed cell volume of the blood of the experimental animal showed that the control diet had higher values than the other diets. Various degrees of histological lesions were observed in the livers of the experimental animals on the different cassava meals. The most pronounced lesions were noticed in animals fed with 40% sun-dried cassava meals (SDCM). Tribecular fibrosis and cellular infiltration of the portal spaces, kidney lesions including prominent glomerulonephritis were noticed in various degrees which was most prominent in animals fed on sun-dried cassava meal. Various degree of disruption of epithelial architecture of the small intestine were observed in the animals placed on the cassava-based diets; the most pronounced lesions were observed in animals fed on sun-dried cassava meal. These findings suggests that prolonged feeding of sun-dried cassava at high levels in the diet of growing pigs may result in histopathological lesions in the livers, kidneys and the small intestine of growing pigs.

Key Words: Histopathology, Growing pigs, cassava meals.

Trop. Vet. Vol. 21: (3) 160-167 (2003)