Forty-four Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains, obtained between 2002 and 2007 from different poultry species in Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Cameroon, were phylogenetically analysed based on partial F sequences. Lineage 2 viruses were genetically identical or similar to the locally used LaSota vaccine strain and were mostly detected in commercial farms. Lineage 1, 3 and 4 strains were only sporadically found, and their origin was less clear. Twenty-one strains from backyard farms and live bird markets formed three new clusters within lineage 5, tentatively named 5f, 5g and 5h. All of these strains were predicted to be virulent based on their F protein cleavage site sequence. Minimal genetic distances between new and previously established sublineages ranged from 9.4 to 15.9%, and minimal distances between the new sublineages were 11.5 to 17.3%. Their high genetic diversity and their presence in three different Sub-Saharan countries suggest that these new sublineages represent the NDV variants indigenous to West Africa.

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Bovine brucellosis is endemic in Nigeria; however, limited data exist on nationwide studies and risk factors associated with the disease. Using a cross-sectional sero-epidemiological survey, we determined the prevalence of and risk factors for brucellosis in slaughtered cattle in three geographical regions of Nigeria. Serum samples from randomly selected unvaccinated cattle slaughtered over a period of 3 years (between December 2010 and September 2013) from northern, southern and south-western Nigeria were tested for antibodies to Brucella abortus using the Rose Bengal test. Data associated with risk factors of brucellosis were analysed by Stata Version 12. In all, 8105 cattle were screened. An overall seroprevalence of 3.9% (315/8105) was recorded by the Rose Bengal test, with 3.8%, 3.4% and 4.0% from the northern, southern and south-western regions, respectively. Bivariate analysis showed that cattle screened in northern Nigeria were less likely to be seropositive for antibodies to Brucella spp. than those from south-western Nigeria (odds ratio = 0.94; 95% confidence interval: 0.73–1.22). However, logistic regression analysis revealed that breed ( p = 0.04) and sex ( p £ 0.0001) of cattle were statistically significant for seropositivity to Brucella spp. The study found that brucellosis was endemic at a low prevalence among slaughtered cattle in Nigeria, with sex and breed of cattle being significant risk factors. Considering the public health implications of brucellosis, we advocate coordinated surveillance for the disease among diverse cattle populations in Nigeria, as is carried out in most developed countries.

One hundred and ninety two raw milk samples were collected from lactating cows identified in Fulani herds and small scale dairy farms within Sokoto metropolis in order to investigate the presence and determine the antibiotic susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes in the milk. Selective culture and identification method was employed for the bacterial isolation and Kirby-Bauer technique was used for the antibiotic susceptibility test. Seventy six samples (39.58%) were positive for Listeria species, which upon biochemical characterization 39(51.3%) were Listeria innocua, 14(18.4%) Listeria ivanovii, 17(22.4%) Listeria monocytogenes, 4(5.3%) Listeria welshimeri and 2(2.6%) Listeria seeligeri. Antibiotic susceptibility test of the isolates revealed high resistance to ampicillin (100%), and streptomycin (80%), followed by ampiclox (70%), tetracycline (30%), then gentamycin (20%) while, there was no resistance to ciprofloxacin and chloranphenicol. The findings of this study necessitate the need for extension personnel to educate the Fulani herdsmen, milk handlers and other livestock producers on the significance of hygiene especially during milking and the effect of indiscriminate use of drugs particularly antibiotics. There is also need for the agencies concerned such as the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to regulate the sales and use of both human and veterinary drugs by drug hawkers and other nonprofessional veterinary practitioners.

Prevalence and molecular identification of Campylobacter species isolates from poultry and humans were conducted using culture, biochemical reaction and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques. A total of 798 (506 poultry and 292 human) samples were identified biochemically, out of which 312(39.1%) were positive for Campylobacter species. Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli and C. lari had 38 (23.8%) out of 160, 63(39.4%) out of 160, 59(36.9%) out of 160 prevalence rates, respectively in humans while 29(19.1%) out of 152, 79(52.0%) out of 152 and 44(28.9%) out of 152 were the rates for the species in the same order in poultry. Campylobacter isolates were kept at -20 o C in 15% glycerol and 85% tryptone broth until used while some were identified 24hrs post isolation. Single and multiplex PCR were used to confirm the genus Campylobacter and three Campylobacter species, respectively. All the 130(100 stored and 30 fresh) isolates were members of the genus Campylobacter. The single PCR band view of stored isolates also revealed other bands in addition to 439 bp which is specific for the genus Campylobacter, while the fresh isolates had distinct bands at 439bp only. Multiplex PCR revealed 2(6.7%) out of 30 were positive for stored isolates out of 30, 1(50%) each for C. jejuni and C. Coli. However, 1 of the stored isolate was positive for both spp. On the other hand, 6(20.0%) of out 60 fresh isolates were positive, with 5(83.3%) and 1(16.7%) for C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively. The possibilities of improper identification using conventional method have been revealed in the study. PCR can identify Campylobacter species more accurately than biochemical method, though storage of isolates, integrity of extracted DNA and PCR conditions can affect result. However, the use of both methods should be encouraged in regular and effective surveillance of Campylobacter species in poultry and humans.