The study was carried out to show the prevalence of Babesia canis and Hepatozoon canis in dogs within Zaria. Between the months of May and August 2010, blood samples collected from 150 dogs were processed using Giemsa stained thin blood smear and examined for the presence of B. canis and H. canis. Of the 150 dogs sampled, 84 (56%) were males and 66 (44%) were females. 106 (70.7%) were adults aged 1 year and above while 44 (29.3%) were dogs below the age of 1 year. Local breeds numbered 111 dogs constituting (74%) of the total number sampled, while 20 (13.3%) and 19 (12.7%) were foreign and cross breed respectively. One hundred and five (70%) of all dogs sampled were unconfined while 45 (30%) were confined. B. canis and or H. canis occurred in 26(17.3%) dogs, of which 10(38.5%) and 12(46.2%) had single infection of the former and later respectively, while 4(15.4%) had mixed infections of both parasites. The occurrence of the haemoparasites was significantly higher (X 2 = 12.20, p < 0.05, OR= 4.467) in younger dogs than in the adults, but there was no statistically significant association between the occurrence of the parasites and the breed (X 2 = 0.3794, p > 0.05) or sex (X 2 = 1.237, p > 0.05) of the sampled dogs. All the infected dogs were as well infested by the tick vector Rhipicephalus sanguineus with the non-confined dogs having significantly higher (X 2 = 37.93, p < 0.05) tick infestation rates. The infestation rates in both confined and non-confined groups had no statistically significant association to the respective levels of haemo-parasitism.(X 2 = 0.1410, p < 0.05, OR= 1.24).
Amblyomma variegatum F. are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites of livestock that serve as the vectors of Ehrlichia ruminantium (formerly known as Cowdria ruminantium), the causative agent of heartwater disease. In the light of the fact that they are blood-feeding, their salivary glands play prominent role in their acquisition of nutrients from the bloodmeal. Sialic acids are a major component of glycoprotein in mammalian blood fluid and cells. Sialome of hard ticks is still sparse. Here, for the first time, the possible expression of sialidase in A. variegatum was investigated. Our finding established the presence of type II sialidase-like activity in the three stages (larva, nymph, and adult) of the fed and unfed tick. There was no statistically significant difference in sialidase activity in the various stages of this ectoparasite (P > 0.05). The enzyme was purified by combination of salting out and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE--cellulose and hydroxylapatite columns. Characterization of the enzyme revealed that it is optimally active at 40 degrees C and pH 5.5, and is activated by bivalent cations Zn2+ or Fe2+. The enzyme has a Km of 0.023 mM and Vmax of 0.16 millimol/min with Fetuin as the substrate. To assess the susceptibility of some mammalian cells to the tick sialidase, we prepared erythrocyte ghost cells from different animals, which were incubated with the enzyme. Results revealed that the ruminant cells were better substrates. Our work and findings contribute to the preliminary characterization of the A. variegatum salivary proteome, and may pave way to the development of new acaricides.
Phlebotomine sand flies are small tropical insects that have been implicated as vectors of several disease agents, including those responsible for the various forms of leishmaniasis. A study to determine the occurrence and monthly dynamics of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) was conducted in three Local Government Areas (Wamakko, Sokoto South and Kware) of Sokoto State, Nigeria between May-November, 2016. A total of 1260 flies were collected using modified sticky traps placed in the various biotope types (refuse dumps and sewage tanks). Two sand fly genera Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia were encountered. It was also observed that males account for 860(68.3%) while the total number of female specimens was 400(31.7%). More flies were captured in Wamakko LGA of the State with a total number of 757 samples (60.1%), followed by Sokoto South LGA with a total number of 503(39.9%). Refuse dumps harboured 1,149 flies (91.2%) more than sewage tanks with a total number of 111(8.8%). No flies were captured in Kware LGA. Sand flies were more abundant in the peak rainy season of August and September and less or absent in the dry months. It was observed that rainfall and relative humidity were essential meteorological factors that determined the occurrence of sand flies in the study area. This study confirmed the occurrence of phlebotomine sand flies and the possibility of Leishmania transmission in the study-area.
Keywords: Occurrence; sand flies; Phlebotomus; Sergentomyia; Leishmania; Sokoto.
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