Studies on risk factors of mortality in lambs in Sokoto, Nigeria

Mortality in lambs is complex problem which may result from a variety of climatic, nutritional, management, infectious, genetic and other factors. Associated with death are other factors which could be of maternal or lamb origin that predisposes the young lamb to early death. Records of sex, breed, age, birth weight, type of birth, season of birth and age of ewe from 82 lambs that were dead and posted are recorded and analyzed as the associated risk factors contributing to mortality in these lambs. More male lambs died 49 (59.76%) compared to females 33 (40.24%) whilst mortality in lambs aged 0-7 days was 40 (48.78%). The effect of birth weight showed 47 (57.31%) mortalities in lambs less than 2kg at birth. Higher deaths were seen during the wet season 37 (45.12%) than during cool and hot seasons. Mortality was more in Uda breeds 29 (35.37%) than in other breeds. The outcome of the study showed that the knowledge of when and how mortality occurs could be helpful and to reduce mortality, the management of lambs particularly at early age is imperative

Isolation, Characterization and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Escherichia coli from Diarrhoeic Lambs in Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria

A total of 127 faecal samples were collected from diarrhoeic lambs and examined for Escherichia coli. The bacterial culture involved pre-enrichment in peptone water before C incubation at 37 for 24 hours. Out of the isolates obtained, 42 (36.84%) were positive for Escherichia coli. Characterization of the isolates revealed serotypes O157 (13), O118 (9), O111 (8), O26 (7), and O103 (5) as the most frequent strains. Their prevalence rates being 31.0%,21.4%, 19.0%, 16.7% and 11.9% respectively. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MICs) of the E coli strains to six antibiotics revealed tetracycline as having the lowest MIC, which ranged from 3.12ìg/ml - 50ìg/ml followed by chloramphenicol with an MIC ranging between 6.25ìg/ml -100ìg/ml. It was concluded that there was need for further research to study the pathogenicity of the E coli strains and that resistance to antibiotics was a problem which might have resulted from indiscriminate use of these drugs

Prevalence of hydatid cyst in camels slaughtered at Katsina metropolitan abattoir, Katsina State, Nigeria

Cystic Echinococcosis, among other food animal zoonotic diseases, heralds a significant zoonotic threat to meat consumers due to the lack of stringent meat inspection policies and poor awareness of zoonoses by most livestock traders/butchers. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the prevalence of hydatid cysts in camels slaughtered at katsina metropolitan abattoir, Katsina State, Nigeria. A total of 392 samples were collected over three months (November 2019 to January 2020), of which 129 samples were from males and 263 from females. Information about the age, sex and body condition of the slaughtered camels were recorded. The carcass of each camel was inspected carefully for the presence of Hydatid cysts, the organs infected, and the number of cysts present. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using the Chi-square test (χ2), and significant levels were determined at p<0.05 level for all the data, which revealed an overall prevalence of 14.0% (55/392). The prevalence rate of Hydatid cysts was 16.3% in females and 9.3% in males, while it is 16.8 and 5.3% in adult and young camels, respectively. We recommend a holistic epidemiological study on the prevalence of hydatid cysts in camels and more public enlightenment for effective control measures against the disease in Katsina State

Serological and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium species from humans in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Cryptosporidium species are one of the most common causes of gastrointestinal infection in humans around the world. This study aimed at the characterization of Cryptosporidium species in humans using the 18S rRNA gene. Among the 368 human faecal samples screened using Cryptosporidium antigen Copro-ELISA kit, 61 (16.6%) were positive. The positive faecal samples were subjected to Nested PCR for the amplification of 830 bp fragments of small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and followed by nucleotide sequencing. Out of the 61 copro-ELISA positive samples, 5 (8.2%) were PCR positive for Cryptosporidium species (3 (4.9%) of C. parvum and 2 (3.3%) of C. hominis). Two HIV patients were found to be harbouring C. parvum and C. hominis, so also as hypertensive and diarrheic patients harbouring C. parvum and C. hominis, respectively. Higher prevalence rates of Cryptosporidium was found in young children (11.1%), males (8.7%), loose faeces (42.9%) than older age groups (8.7%), females (7.9%) and well-formed (3.1%) or mucoid/pasty faeces (0%) based on the data gathered from the close-ended questionnaire also used on each human subject. This study was the first to report C. parvum and C. hominis infecting humans in Sokoto state, Northwestern Nigeria. It is suggested that a multi-locus study of Cryptosporidium species in developing countries would be necessary to determine the extent of transmission of Cryptosporidium in the populations

Prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis cysts in sheep slaughtered at Sokoto abattoir, Sokoto state, Nigeria

A prospective study was conducted based on the principle of post mortem examination on sheep slaughtered at Sokoto abattoir for the presence of Cysticercus tenuicollis cysts. A total of 261 sheep were examined with 34 (13.03%) infected. Prevalence of infection increased with the age of the  animals. Males had relatively higher prevalence than females. Infection was recorded in several visceral organs with omentum having the highest  prevalence (35.29%) and the lungs the least(11.76%). The results suggest that C. tenuicollis is common and may constitute a health problem in sheep and a source of economic loss in the meat industry, thus emphasizing the need for proper meat inspection and handling of offals in the study area

Cutaneous leishmaniosis: Some aspects of epidemiology and a case report

Cutaneous leishmaniosis presents as unsightly wound, begins as an erythematous papule at the site of a sandfly bite on the exposed parts of the human and some mammalian body. The papule increases in size and becomes a nodule which eventually ulcerates and crusts over. The ulcer is typically large but painless unless there is secondary bacterial or fungal infection. The disease condition is associated with rural areas and poverty. The sandflies are found around human habitations and breed in specific organic wastes such as faeces, manure, rodent burrows and termitaria. This paper reviews the epidemiology of the sandflies and leishmania species and also considered a human case of cutaneous leishmaniosis in Sokoto, Sokoto state, Nigeria

Prevalence of bacterial pathogens and serotyping of E. coli isolates from diarrhoeic lambs in Sokoto state, Nigeria

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Prevalence of Hydatidosis in Camels Slaughtered in Sokoto Central Abattoir, Sokoto, Nigeria

Data on the prevalence of hydatid cyst in camels slaughtered at the metropolitan abattoir in Sokoto, Nigeria, were collected based on post-mortem inspection over a period of 2 months. Camels of different sexes (male and female) and age categories (puberty, < 3 years of age; and beyond the age of puberty, ≥ 3 years of age) were examined at post-mortem. Out of the 200 slaughtered camels examined, 84 (42%) were found to be infected. The prevalence of infection in camels < 3 years of age (not yet at puberty) was 39.13%, while that of ≥ 3 years of age (beyond the age of puberty) was 42.37%. Out of the 84 (42%) camels infected, 78 (92.86%) of the infections were in the lungs, 21 (25.0%) in the liver and 10 (11.90%) in the spleen. There was no statistical association between the sex and the hydatid cyst disease; and between the different age categories and the hydatid cyst disease (P>0.05). Zoonotic importance of the disease and suggested control measures has been discussed.Les données sur la prévalence du kyste hydatique chez les chameaux abattus à l’abattoir métropolitain de Sokoto au Nigeria ont été recueillies sur base d’une inspection post mortem sur une période de 2 mois. Des chameaux des deux sexes (mâle et femelle) et de diverses catégories d’âge (pubères, < 3 ans, et post-pubères, ≥ 3 ans) ont été soumis à un examen post mortem. Des 200 chameaux abattus examinés, 84 (42%) étaient infectés. La prévalence de l’infection chez les chameaux âgés de < 3 ans (non encore pubères) était de 39,13%, tandis que chez ceux de ≥ 3 ans (post-pubères) elle était de 42,37%. Des 84 (42%) chameaux infectés, 78 (92,86%) des infections étaient localisées dans les poumons, 21 (25,0%) dans le foie et 10 (11,90%) dans la rate. On n’a noté aucune association statistique entre le sexe et le kyste hydatique, ni entre les différentes catégories d’âge et cette maladie (P> 0,05). L’importance zoonotique de cette maladie et les mesures de contrôle proposées ont été abordées.Mots-clés: Hydatidose, abattage, Chameau, Age, Sokoto, Nigeri

Bacteriologic and Histopathologic Studies in Pneumonic Lambs in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria

Mortality in lambs is known to be caused by pneumonia and other bacterial agents. Lamb pneumonia is an infectious disease of young lambs caused primarily by the bacterial organism Pasterella haemolytica. Lung samples recovered from dead lambs were tested bacteriologically and histopathologically to determine the associated bacterial agents as well as the type of pneumonia involved. Bacteria recovered from the samples included Pasteurella multocida, Staphyllococcus aureus, Arcanobacterium pyogenes, Closridium perfringes, Streptococcus, and Klebsiella pneumonia. Histopathologically, three types of pneumonia were recognized namely: Interstitial (46.51%), bronchopneumonia (32.56%) and fibrinous pneumonia (20.93%). It was observed that pneumonia is a major cause of mortality in lambs in Sokoto and pathogenic bacteria, particularly P. multocida are the most important bacterial agents in the pathogenesis of lamb pneumonia. It was also concluded that pneumonia affecting lambs can vary depending on agents of infection, environment, management, immune status of the lamb as well as treatment regime