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In April 1982, Katsina, in Northern Nigeria, was affected by an outbreak of gastroenteritis associated with Vibrio cholerae serotype 'Ogawa' and 662 patients were admitted to the Katsina General Hospital during a 16-week period. The outbreak affected all ages and both sexes and all parts of the town and its immediate surroundings except the Government Residential Area (GRA). The overall case fatality rate was 7.7%. Male specific case fatality and female specific case fatality rates were 9.7 and 6.2% respectively. 'Adults' and those in the 11-20 and 21-30 age groups accounted for most of the cases. The epidemic curve was of a propagated and protracted nature. About 51.7% of all the patients spent between 2 and 5 days in the hospital. A similar pattern was observed for all age groups regardless of sex. Cholera vibrio 'Ogawa', Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Proteus spp. and Escherichia coli were isolated from 16 patients. All well-water samples obtained from the compounds of the cases were contaminated with MPN/100 ml index ranging from 540 to greater than 2400. All samples were positive for faecal coliforms. Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Proteus spp. and non-O, group 1 (non-O 1) V. cholerae were isolated. Water sellers probably facilitated the spread of the outbreak.

Sheep Campylobacter isolates from Kaduna State were characterized into their species and bioserogrouped. A total of 1100 samples were collected from Kaduna abattoir and National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika. The samples were from 250 gallbladder, 250 intestinal contents, 100 fetal stomach contents all from Kaduna abattoir while 250 rectal swabs and 250 vaginal swabs were from the NAPRI Small Ruminant Programme. Of a total of 1100 samples, 39 (3.54%) yielded Campylobacter organisms. The highest isolation rate (6.8%) was from samples of intestinal contents followed by those from gall bladders (4.0%). Samples from the vaginal and fetuses had the lowest isolation rates (2.80%) and (0%), respectively. Of the 39 Campylobacter isolates from all the sources, (79%) were characterized as C. fetus subsp jejuni, C. coli (13%) and C. laridis (8.0%). while C. coli and C. laridis were isolated from gall bladder and intestinal contents only. Campylobacter fetus subsp jejuni biotype 1 accounted for 40.3% of the total isolates. C. laridis biotypes I and II were also isolated and accounted for 5% and 3% of the isolates, respectively. 5% of the isolates were not typeable. The serogroups 4 (13%), 36 (10%), 9 (10%), 84 (8%), 29 (5%) and 20 (8%) were the commonest serogroups identified in sheep at two locations surveyed. The isolation of Campylobacter organisms from rectum, vagina, gallbladder, and intestinal contents is a clear indication that sheep serves as a reservoir of this organisms in Nigeria. Similarities between documented human Campylobacter isolates in Nigeria and those in the present study raised the possibility of cross-transmission between sheep and man. It is concluded that biotyping and serotyping can be used for epidemiological study of campylobacteriosis due to Campylobacter jejuni in sheep in Kaduna State of Nigeria.

A survey of bovine campylobacteriosis in breeding bulls and cows was carried out in the states of Kaduna, Kano and Borno. Six hundred and eighty nine cattle composed of 585 and 104 breeding bulls and cows respectively were sampled. Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis was isolated from 12 bulls while Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus was isolated from three of them. Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus was isolated from four cows while Campylobacter fetus subsp. veneralis was isolated from one cow. The overall prevalence of campylobacteriosis in the three states was 2.9% (20/689). The result of the study identifies Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis as the agent of enzootic infertility in Nigeria and suggests that it may be a significant problem.

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