No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

43 Background: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease that has become emerging and re-44 emerging in some regions of the world, infecting livestock and humans. One-humped camels are 45 important economic livestock species in Africa used for traction, transportation, and food.46 Regional and international trade has continued to increase the risk of this disease, spreading 47 widely and causing severe economic and public health catastrophes in affected regions. In spite 48 of these risks, there is a dearth of information about the status of RVF in camels in Nigeria. This 3 49 study was carried out to determine the prevalence of the RVF virus in one-humped camels in 50 Nigeria and identify the risk factors associated with the disease.51 Methods: A cross-sectional study with simple random sampling was carried out in seven local 52 government areas of Jigawa and Katsina States. The sera from camels were tested for anti-RVFV 53 IgG. Camel owners were administered a structured questionnaire to ascertain their knowledge, 54 attitude, and practice. 55 Results: An overall prevalence of 19.9% (95% CI; 17.07-22.90) was recorded. Based on age 56 groups, the highest prevalence of 20.9% (95% CI; 17.00-25.31) was obtained among older 57 camels (6-10 years), while female camels recorded a high prevalence of 20.4% (95%CI; 15.71-58 25.80). Sule Tankar-kar recorded the highest prevalence with 33% (95%CI; 1.31-4.72, p= 0.007) 59 and OR 2.47 in Jigawa State while Mai'adua had 24.7% (95%CI; 0.97-2.73, p=0.030) with OR 60 1.62 in Katsina State respectively. From the risk map, local government areas bordering Niger 61 Republic were at a high risk of RVF. Only high rainfall was not significantly linked with RVF 62 occurrence among nomadic camel pastoralists (95%CI 0.93-5.20; p=0.070). 63Conclusion: There is a need for the country to have quarantine units across borders for 64 screening animals coming from neighbouring countries for transboundary infectious diseases 65 such as RVF. 66

Slaughter houses provide excellent avenues for detecting diseases of both economic and public health importance in livestock. A study of 12,429 slaughtered goats at the Bauchi central abattoir was carried out (from February to May, 2015) in order to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis-like lesions in slaughtered goats. The lesions were counted, visually examined and palpated during post mortem meat inspection. Of the 12,429 goats slaughtered and examined, tuberculosis-like lesions were observed in four (4) slaughtered goats with a prevalence of 0.03%. It was concluded that although the prevalence was relatively low, the financial losses and public health implications of the finding should not be over looked.

No abstract

Background and Aim: Different species of trypanosomes have been reported to cause varying degrees of reproductive disorders in pregnant and non-pregnant animals under experimental infections. Information on reproductive disorders and losses in animals naturally infected with trypanosome species are few. This study was carried out to assess the abnormalities in the genital organs (ovaries, oviduct, uterus, cervix, and vagina) of female cattle naturally infected with trypanosomes in and around Abuja, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Cows showing signs such as emaciation, weakness, or anemia were selected and examined at Gwagwalada and Karu abattoirs, respectively. Venous blood samples were taken from 108 of such animals and screened using standard trypanosome detection methods. The genital organs were also collected and inspected for gross and histopathological lesions in the laboratory. Results: Six (5.55%) out of the 108 animals were positive for trypanosomes; 4 (66.7%) were infected with Trypanosoma vivax and 2 (33.3%) were infected with Trypanosoma congolense. The mean packed cell volume of the infected animals was 22.83%. Grossly, congestion and ecchymotic hemorrhages were observed in the endometrium, myometrium, and cervical submucosa. Mucometra, hydrometra, and pyometra were also seen in the uterus. Histologically, necrosis of the epithelium and endometrial glands accompanied by mononuclear cellular infiltration was observed in the uterus. There was also sloughing of the endometrial epithelium, vascular congestion, and hypertrophy of serosa of the uterus. There was atropy of the granulosa cells, increased numbers of degenerating tertiary follicles, and absence of corpora lutea in the ovary. No gross or histopathological lesions were observed in the fallopian tube and vagina. Conclusion: The lesions observed were restricted to the uterus and ovary of the animals and were less severe when compared to lesions observed under experimental conditions as reported by previous authors.

This study aimed to evaluate the Haematological and Serum biochemical changes in cattle with natural trypanosomosis in North Central Nigeria. Cattle were drawn from cases reported to the State Veterinary Hospital Minna and Area Veterinary Clinics in selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) with health problems suggestive of trypanosomosis. A total of 343 cattle were sampled of which 45 (13%) were infected with species of trypanosomes. Trypanosoma (T) vivax (5.5%), T. congolense (5.5%), and T. brucei (2.0%) were detected in the infected animals. Haematological and serum biochemical parameters of the infected and the uninfected were measured and compared. The mean PCV (23.27±6.82%), platelet (93.23±42.02 x103μl), and total leukocyte counts (4.40 ±1.64x103μl) of infected cattle were significantly lower than those of the uninfected (32.47±8.35%, 209.67±55.75 x103μl, and 8.14±3.34 x103μl). Lymphocyte counts (64.64±12.19%) were significantly higher in the infected cattle compared to the uninfected (58.19±15.29%). The mean neutrophil count (32.62±12.25%) of the infected cattle was significantly lower than the uninfected (39.46±15.05%). The biochemical parameters also differed significantly (P<0.05) between the infected and the uninfected. The mean ALT (34.62±20.57IU/L), ALP (105.48±37.97IU/L), CK (265.71±21.25IU/L) of the infected cattle were significantly higher than the uninfected (16.60±3.73 IU/L, 65.60±18.90 IU/L, and 254.12±11.32IU/L) respectively. The mean total proteins (51.50±18.28mg/dL) and glucose (31.94±13.68mg/dL) of the infected were significantly lower than the uninfected (77.20±14.46 mg/dL, 46.80±13.59 mg/dL) respectively. Albumin (24.84±8.31 mg/dl) and globulins (29.34±15.31 mg/dl) of the infected cattle were significantly lower than the uninfected (27.60±6.73 mg/dL and 49.80±15.05 mg/dL) respectively. Similarly, the mean sodium (111.82±28.84 mg/dL), chloride (91.76±25.59 mg/dL) and bicarbonates (17.46±6.76 mg/dL) levels of the infected cattle were significantly lower than the uninfected (127.8034.95 mg/dL, 98.6019.48 mg/dL, and 20.6012.58 mg/dL) respectively. The levels of calcium (2.98±0.84mg/dL), iron (1.55±0.60 mg/dL), copper (0.49±0.36 mg/dL) and zinc (2.08±1.42mg/dL) were significantly lower in infected cattle compare to uninfected animals (4.16±0.54 mg/dL, 4.45±2.07mg/dL, 0.81±0.08 mg/dL, and 7.88±2.52 mg/dL) respectively. The findings of this study will assist clinicians in the diagnosis and provide rationale clinical decisions for better and effective disease control.