IntroductionIn Nigeria, there is limited information on brucellosis particularly in dogs, despite its public health implications. We undertook a sero-epidemiological survey of brucellosis in dogs to determine the prevalence of the disease and associated risk factors for its occurrence in Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted to screen dogs in south-western Nigeria for antibodies to Brucella sp using the rapid slide agglutination test (RSA) and Rose Bengal test (RBT), with positive samples confirmed respectively by serum agglutination test (SAT) and competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Data were analyzed with STATA-12.ResultsFrom the 739 dog sera tested, 81 (10.96%) were positive by RSA and 94 (12.72%) by RBT; these were corroborated with SAT (4/81; 4.94%) and cELISA (1/94; 1.06%), respectively. Logistic regression identified location (OR=0.04; 95% CI: 0.02-0.09), breed (OR=1.71; 95% CI: 1.34-2.19), age (OR=0.10; 95% CI: 0.04-0.30) and management system (OR=8.51; 95% CI: 1.07-68.05) as risk factors for Brucella infection by RSA. However, location (OR=10.83; 95% CI: 5.48-21.39) and history of infertility (OR=2.62; 95% CI: 1.41-4.84) were identified as risk factors using RBT.ConclusionGiven the 10.96% to 12.72% seroprevalence of brucellosis recorded in this study, we advocate control of the disease in dogs, and public health education for those at risk of infection. Again, further studies are required to elucidate the role of dogs in the epidemiology of brucellosis in Nigeria considering the conducive human-animal interface and ecological factors responsible for the transmission of the disease.

IntroductionBuruli ulcer (BU) is a highly ranked neglected tropical disease (NTD) of global health importance with increasing incidence in sub-Saharan Africa yet there is paucity of information on the epidemiology of BU in Nigeria. Incidentally, highly BU endemic Benin Republic shares proximity with Nigeria. This study was carried out to establish presence of BU and ascertain the level of BU perception among rural populace in Ogun State, south-west Nigeria.MethodsSecondary data (2009-2012) on incidence of BU was collected from a reference hospital. A cross-sectional survey using structured questionnaire administered to rural people and healthcare practitioners was conducted in three purposively chosen Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Ogun State based on unpublished reports of BU presence.ResultsData collected revealed 27 hospital confirmed BU cases between 2009-2012 across four LGAs (Obafemi Owode, Abeokuta North, Yewa North and Yewa South) while 14%(21/150) chronic ulcers (suspected to be BU) were discovered during the cross-sectional survey carried out in Odeda, Yewa South and North LGAs. Healthcare practitioners 63.6% (42/66) and 54.7% (82/150) rural people demonstrated poor level of BU perception respectively.ConclusionThis study provides evidence that BU exists in Ogun State and evaluates the poor perception that the affected rural populace has on the disease. This pilot study presents baseline information on BU in a rural setting in Ogun State South-west Nigeria hence the vital need for prompt public health involvement and further research on the epidemiology of BU.

No abstract

Background: Zoonoses and vector-borne diseases currently form over 70% of the global emerging and re-emerging disease burden. In East Africa, Uganda has experienced eight zoonotic disease outbreaks in the past five years, impacting the response strategies. The objective was to document and share the challenges and lessons learnt in response and control of zoonotic outbreaks in Uganda.Methods & Materials: We reviewed the epidemiology, outbreak investigation, response, control activities and reports during postoutbreak evaluation workshops. The challenges and lessons learnt from the input, process and outcome of notification, investigation, response and control efforts were summarized.Results: All outbreaks were hemorrhagic in clinical presentation or after death. Ebola and Marburg are viral whereas Anthrax is bacterial and Yellow fever is viral mosquito-borne. We recorded reduced attack rates; highest in 2010/11 Yellow fever outbreak (273 cases and 54 deaths) followed by Ebola 2007 (149 cases and 37 deaths); Ebola 2012 (24 cases, 16 deaths); Marburg 2012 (28 cases and 15 deaths) while Anthrax 2009 had 13 cases, 5 deaths and 2011 had 5 cases 2 deaths.Laboratory sample referral and processing improved; with Ebola 2007 confirmation in CDC-Atlanta but in-country confirmation was done in 2010, 2012 and field laboratory conducted in Marburg 2012 outbreak. Yellow fever and Anthrax were confirmed in-country. Surveillance and outbreak investigation improved but inadequate funds for early response remains a challenge. Infection control training and social mobilization during and after these outbreaks built capacity at national and sub-national levels, reducing health care worker mortality from three to two and one death in Ebola 2007, 2012 and Marburg 2012 respectively. Challenges included; delayed laboratory confirmation, funding subsequent surveillance and response activities, delay in early notification from health units or communities to district, national and international levels and laboratory results feedback (by 2-15 days at different levels).Conclusion: Uganda has gained a lot of experience in investigating, diagnosing and controlling zoonotic disease outbreaks. Other countries in the region should utilize the lessons learnt to address similar challenges in case of such outbreaks.

. High grade lymphoma in a six-year old Boerboel: A case report. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 21, No 2,[242][243][244][245][246][247][248][249] A case of high grade large cell lymphoma was diagnosed in a dog at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan. The animal was a male Boerboel over six years old. The case was monitored clinically until necropsy where cytological, gross and histological techniques were used for detailed examination of morphological features of the tumour. The morphological pattern and classification schemes of lymphoma were generally reviewed. The relevance of other diagnostic methods was emphasised.