Anaemia and Mortality in Calves Caused by the Short-Nosed Sucking Louse (Haematopinus eurysternus) (Nitzsch) in Ibadan

A cattle farm in Ibadan recorded the death of a young calf with heavy infestation of short-nosed sucking louse, Haematopinus eurysternus. The surviving calves and calves on a second farm had mean packed cell volumes (21.6±4.1 and 24.6±1.8 [%]), mean haemoglobin concentrations (7.2 ±1.4 and 8.3±0.6[g/dL]), and mean red blood cell 6 counts (6.3±0.7 and 6.9±0.1[x10 /L]) which were below the reference ranges and consistent with anaemia. The animals were also heavily infested with lice. No other causesof anaemia were identified. After treating the calves with 1% ivermectin sub-cutaneously, all the red blood cell indices became significantly higher (p= 0.05). It is therefore suggested that heavy infestations with H. eurysternusshould be considered when investigating the cause of anaemia in calves in Nigeria

Induction of humoral immune response to multiple recombinant Rhipicephalus appendiculatus antigens and their effect on tick feeding success and pathogen transmission

BACKGROUND: Rhipicephalus appendiculatus is the primary vector of Theileria parva, the etiological agent of East Coast fever (ECF), a devastating disease of cattle in sub-Saharan Africa. We hypothesized that a vaccine targeting tick proteins that are involved in attachment and feeding might affect feeding success and possibly reduce tick-borne transmission of T. parva. Here we report the evaluation of a multivalent vaccine cocktail of tick antigens for their ability to reduce R. appendiculatus feeding success and possibly reduce tick-transmission of T. parva in a natural host-tick-parasite challenge model. METHODS: Cattle were inoculated with a multivalent antigen cocktail containing recombinant tick protective antigen subolesin as well as two additional R. appendiculatus saliva antigens: the cement protein TRP64, and three different histamine binding proteins. The cocktail also contained the T. parva sporozoite antigen p67C. The effect of vaccination on the feeding success of nymphal and adult R. appendiculatus ticks was evaluated together with the effect on transmission of T. parva using a tick challenge model. RESULTS: To our knowledge, this is the first evaluation of the anti-tick effects of these antigens in the natural host-tick-parasite combination. In spite of evidence of strong immune responses to all of the antigens in the cocktail, vaccination with this combination of tick and parasite antigens did not appear to effect tick feeding success or reduce transmission of T. parva. CONCLUSION: The results of this study highlight the importance of early evaluation of anti-tick vaccine candidates in biologically relevant challenge systems using the natural tick-host-parasite combination

Performance characteristics and nutrient digestibility of broilers fed varying levels of soldier fly larvae meal

A nine week study was carried out with Avian 3F06 broilers to examine the performance and nutrient digestibility of the birds fed varying levels of soldier fly larvae meal (SFLM). Birds were fed seven experimental diets using fish meal as the reference protein source in control diet A while Diets B, C, D, E, F and G contained 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% levels of SFLM respectively. At the starter phase, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the final live weight of the birds except for the birds on Diet E (20% SFLM). Similarly birds on Diet F (25% SFLM) had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) final liveweight than those on the other diets at the finisher phase. The overall weight gain showed that birds on Diet D (15% SFLM) had the highest daily weight gain (DWG) of 33.50g while birds on Diet F (25% SFLM) had the lowest DWG of (28.84g).The daily feed intake (DF1) increased with increase in the levels of SFLM in the diets at the starter phase while no significant difference was observed at the finisher phase. Over the study period, birds on diet D had the best feed conversion efficiency (FCE). The protein efficiency ratio (PER) was significantly reduced beyond 15% SFLM inclusion at both starter and finisher phases. The results of nutrient digestibility at the finisher phase showed no significant differences in the dry matter, crude fat and nitrogen free extract digestibility of the birds. The crude protein digestibility showed that birds on Diet G had the highest value while birds on diet C had the lowest. Significant differences were also observed in the crude fibre and ash digestibility. The study showed that broilers will tolerate up to 15% SFLM in both starter and finisher diets without adverse effects on their performance and nutrient digestibility. Key words: Performance, Soldier flies larvae meal, nutrient digestibility, and broiler

Performance and carcass characteristics of young rabbits fed varying levels of soldier fly larvae meal

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Supplementation of broiler feed with leaves of Vernonia amygdalina and Azadirachta indica protected birds naturally infected with Eimeria sp.

Anticoccidial efficacy of the herbal mixture of Vernonia amygdalina (VA 10%) and Azadirachta indica (AI 10%) was tested against naturally infected broiler coccidiosis. A total of 100 four week old broilers naturally infected with coccidiosis were divided into five treatment groups based on the number of coccidian oocyst they contained. Group I which contained 20,700 oocyst counts served as a negative control. Group II contained 20,000 oocyst counts served as a positive control and was treated with a synthetic drug, amprolium, at recommended dose of 0.6 g/L for seven days. Groups III and IV with 20,200 and 20,500 oocyst counts were treated with 10% of V. amygdalina and 10% A. indica, respectively. Group V contained 20,400 oocyst count and was treated with the mixture of 10% each of V. amygdalina and A. indica. Groups II, III, IV and V were treated continuously for seven days. Oocysts were identified using the sodium chloride floatation method. The number of oocysts egg per gram (EPG) of faeces was determined by modified McMaster counting technique. Oocysts EPG decreased steadily in all the treated groups with a marked reduction in groups II and V. The packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) count were determined using standard haematological methods. PVC, haemoglobin (Hb) and RBC count of the treated birds were significantly (p< 0.05) higher than those of the infected untreated groups. Hematological parameters and histological features showed a significant increase in WBC, RBC and lymphocytic infiltration; indicative of cell mediated immune response. Lower heterophil/lymphocytic ratio of the groups III, IV and V after treatment suggested immunomudulatory effect of the herbs (V. amygdalina and A. indica). Hence, the plants are capable of boosting the immunity of birds with either clinical or sub-clinical coccidia infection following subsequent exposure.Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, Azadirachta indica, haematology, immunity, coccidiosi

Experimental Infestation of Dogs with Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Brown Dog Tick) and its Effects on Haematological and Biochemical Parameters

Ticks    as vectors are responsible for the maintenance and transmission of many pathogens affecting domestic animals and humans. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of experimental infestation of R. sanguineus (brown dog ticks). Four dogs of about eight months of age were used in this study. There was significant (p<0.05) reduction in RBC, PCV and Hb concentration of dogs experimentally infested with R. sanguineus from week one through week eight of the experiment. Also, the activities of liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly (p <0.05) increased from week one through week eight of the experiment. Similarly, lipid profiles such as triglycerides (TAG), total cholesterol and metabolites such blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were significantly (P<0.05)   higher from week one through week eight of the experiment. In addition, significant electrolyte loss was also observed in this study. In conclusion, experimental R. sanguineus tick infestation could result in anaemia and predispose to hepatic and renal damage with resultant cardiovascular dysfunction and ultimately death in both domestic and wild animals.Keywords: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, anaemia, liver damage, renal injury, cardiovascular dysfunctio

A case of eperythrozoonosis in Royal python (Python requis) in zoological garden in Ibadan, Nigeria

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