No abstract

This study evaluated the effect of low-grade Eimeria tenella infections in broiler chicks of Cobb (C) and Marshal (M) breeds. Birds from the experimental group of each breed were orally infected with 3000 sporulated oocysts of E. tenella and examined for weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), packed cell volume (PCV), total leukocyte count (WBC), total plasma protein (TP), gross lesion scores, and histopathological changes 10 days after infection. There were 31.7% and 15.7% reductions in the mean weight gain of experimental groups of C and M, respectively, compared to their controls; this was statistically significant (P < 0.05) in C but not (P > 0.05) in M. Differences in FCR values between infected and control groups were 0.4 and 0.04 in C and M, respectively. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the mean PCV and WBC values of the infected and control groups in either breed, but the mean TP values were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the experimental groups of both breeds. Mean gross lesion scores were significantly higher in C than in M (P < 0.05) but the histopathological changes observed were similar in both breeds.

The paper reviews some protozoan parasites responsible for infertility in livestock with specific emphasis on neosporosis, sarcocystosis, toxoplasmosis, and trichomoniasis. It highlights the transmission, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment of the individual parasite. It is concluded that these parasites are often overlooked during investigation into causes of abortion in livestock, and they may, however, be responsible for some infertilities in this group of animals which may result in severe economic losses.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a major global zoonosis. It has a complex ecological distribution with almost unpredictable epidemiological features thus placing it topmost in the World Organization for Animal Health list A poultry diseases. Structured questionnaire survey of poultry farmer's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in two Nigerian states revealed the presence of risk farming practices that may enable avian influenza high chance of introduction/reintroduction. There existed significant statistical association between farmer's educational levels and AI awareness and zoonotic awareness (P < 0.005). Poultry rearing of multiage and species (81%), multiple sources of stock (62%), inadequate dead-bird disposal (71%), and access to live bird markets (LBMs) (62%) constituted major biosecurity threats in these poultry farming communities. Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test detected antibodies against H5 avian influenza (AI) in 8 of the 400 sera samples; rapid antigen detection test kit (RADTK) was negative for all the 400 cloaca and trachea swabs. These results and other poultry diseases similar to AI observed in this study could invariably affect avian influenza early detection, reporting, and control. We recommend strong policy initiatives towards poultry farmers' attitudinal change and increasing efforts on awareness of the implications of future HPAI outbreaks in Nigeria.

Field outbreaks of coccidiosis all over the world were commonly reported in chickens over 3-weeks of age. Outbreak of coccidiosis in birds in the first few weeks of life is becoming increasing important but chickens less than 1-week of age appeared not to be susceptible. This case report describes the clinical signs and gross lesions of coccidiosis as well as its microscopic appearance in a five-day old intensively managed broiler breeder chicks. The outbreak occurred in December, 2009 and was characterized by early onset of an acute disease with high mortality. Other clinical features of the disease were: progressive increase and sudden decline of high chick mortality of up to 50%, ruffled feathers, blood stained whitish to brownish diarrhea, weakness and anorexia. Gross lesions seen were congested carcasses, distended caeca and intestinal segments with blood, mucus and tissue debris; retained yolk sac was also observed in some birds. Whole intestines were submitted to the Protozoology and retained yolk sac to Microbiology Laboratories for investigations. A farm visit revealed very poor housing ventilation and wet litter. Laboratory results confirmed coccidian schizonts and gametocytes from caeca and intestinal scrapings. Escherichia coli was isolated from the yolk sac. High hygienic standards must be maintained in hatcheries and poultry houses, damp and warm litter must be avoided and adequate ventilation should always be provided in poultry houses to prevent coccidiosis.