Intestinal intussusception due to concurrent infections with Hymenolepis nana and Dentostomella translucida in an African giant rat (cricetomys gambianus). A case report

A rare case of intestinal intussusception due to multiple worm infections (Hymenolepis nana and Dentostomella translucida) was observed in an African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse, 1840). The condition was observed as an incidental finding before an experimental dissection of the animals in the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria. The rat was anorexic and depressed with rough hair coat, and died before the commencement of the experiment. Grossly, the intussusception was 7 cm in length and 27 cm caudal to the stomach and 81cm to the ileo-caecal junction. The affected part of the small intestine was moderately distended with worms and the associated mesenteric blood vessels were engorged. Microscopically, worms (H. nana and D. translucida) were observed in the lumen of the intestine with severe cellular infiltration mostly eosinophils, neutrophils and macrophages. Eggs of both worms, at different stages of development and a focus of attachment of the worms were observed on the intestinal mucosa. The zoonotic implications of these worms were discussed especially H. nana. This report appears to be the first reported case of intestinal intussusception due to multiple helminth infections in an African giant rat. KEYWORDS: Hymenolepis nana, Dentostomella translucida, Intestinal intussusception, African giant rat

Spermiogram and testicular morphological studies of the buck after treatment with ethanol leaf extract of Spondias mombin

Twelve sexually matured West African Dwarf bucks from were used for the experiment. Plant extraction was by cold extraction method using hexane and ethanol as solvents. All the goats had bilaterally well descended free testicles. They were kept in standard goat pen, were served water ad libitum, centrosema plant and ration. They were stabilised for two weeks after which pre-treatment spermiogram was done followed by 14 days of oral administration of 800mg/kg ethanol leaf extract of Spondias mombin. Spermiogram was repeated after treatment. Two randomly selected goats were then castrated through a midline pre-scrotal incision for morphological study and histology of the testes and epididymides. Total spermatozoa morphological abnormalities in pre-treatment of 17.1% was significantly (p≤0.05) higher than the 10% recorded for post-treatment. Curved mid-piece (1.8%) and bent tail (1.8%) constituted the highest abnormalities post-treatment while curved tail (3.5%) was highest pre-treatment. Mean values of progressive motility and percentage liveability were significantly higher (p≤0.05) in post- treatment (96.17±3.10% and 98.25±1.36% respectively) compared to pre-treatment (80.83±11.84% and 78.75±9.56% respectively). Post-treatment sperm concentration (2.50±0.32 x109 cells/ml) compared with pre-treatment (2.32±0.36 x109 cells/ml) was not significantly different. Post-treatment gross and histological features of the bucks’ testes and epididymis were normal. The work revealed that Spondias mombin at 800mg/kgBW improved semen quality in bucks indicating its usefulness as a potential profertility agent.Keywords: Buck, Morphological, Spondias mombin, Spermiogram, Testicula

Diagnosis and surgical management of acanthomatous ameloblastoma in a 5-month-old female Boerboel puppy

A five-month-old female Boerboel puppy presented with a rapidly expanding fibrous growth around the canine tooth of the right maxilla was diagnosed as having acanthomatous ameloblastoma based on findings from skull radiography, cytology of fine needle aspiration, biopsy and histopathology of resected growth. Lateral radiograph of the skull revealed moderate osteolysis of the maxilla with presence ofun-erupted maxillary canine teeth. Cytology of fine needle aspirate from the growth showed clusters of epithelial cells that were  hyperchromatic and showing palisade arrangement. The mass was surgically resected using diathermy instrument following general anaesthesia using combination of intramuscular injection of xylazine (0.5mg/kg), and intravenous injection of propofol (4mg/kg). Post-operative management included Ibuprofen suspension (100mg) administered for 3-days, intravenous vincristine (0.5mg/m2 ) once weekly and oral cyclophosphamide (50mg) was administered twice weekly for six weeks. Histopathology of the growth showed odontogenic epithelium embedded in pulp ectomesenchyme. Features of odontogenic epithelium include palisading epithelium with anti-basilar nuclei and centrally located cells having features of stellate reticulum. This is probably the first reported case of acanthomatous ameloblastoma in a Boerboel puppy that was successfully managed. Keywords: Acanthomatous, Ameloblastoma, Boerboel-puppy, Chemotherapy, Odontoi

PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES AND BACTERIAL PATHOGENS ASSOCIATED WITH SWINE PNEUMONIAS IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Pneumonia is a major economic threat to swine industry worldwide, however, there is still dearth of information on the pathology and associated pathogens in Nigeria, and these were therefore investigated. Lungs from 408 slaughtered pigs were randomly collected from abattoirs in Abeokuta, Ibadan and Lagos. The lung samples were cultured for bacterial pathogens using standard techniques, while formalin-fixed tissues were processed for histopathological examination. Grossly, the most consistent lesion was bronchopneumonia (35.3%). The main histopathological findings were lymphoid hyperplasia of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) (88.2%), suppurative bronchopneumonia (63.6%), suppurative bronchitis and bronchiolitis with concurrent epithelial hyperplasia (57.1%), as well as thickened alveolar septa due to cellular infiltration consisting predominantly of neutrophils (54.1%). Ten different species of bacteria were isolated from the lung samples in which two or more pathogens were isolated from each sample (82.7%). Pasteurella multocida was the most frequently isolated bacterium (54.8%). Among the bacteria isolated, there were significant (P < 0.05) differences in the frequencies of isolation of β-haemolytic Streptococci, P. multocida, Haemophilus species and Escherichia coli between the pneumonic lungs and apparently normal lungs. The results of bacterial culture, gross and histopathological changes recorded in this study are consistent with bacterial pneumonia possibly caused by most of the bacteria identified in the present study.   &nbsp

Retrospective studies on the prevalence, morphological pathology and aetiology of renal failure of dog in Lagos and Abeokuta, Nigeria

No AbstractKeywords: postmortem, renal failure, nephritis, pathology, do

Effeet of Whole Allium cepa Linn. on haematological and biochemical components of Clarias gariepinus Juveniles

Toxicity of onion (Allium cepa) bulb though documented for man and some livestock but few studies in fish. Onion bulb slurry was administered to Clarias gariepinus juveniles at 200,100,25g/kg and 5, 1.5, 0.4g/l through diets and bath. Cellular immune response, humoral changes, liver and kidney function and histopathology of some visceral organs were examined. Proximate composition of the bulb was determined. Onion bulb revealed presence of carbohydrate (7.82%), protein (4.48%), crude fiber (1.68%), iron (0.5mg/l), magnesium (210mg/l), flavonoids (0.46%), saponins (0.28%), tannins (0.95%). PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC were increased in all treatments but values were higher in bath treatment for RBC (3.0×1012/L), PCV (32.7%), Hb (10.7%). MCV, MCH and MCHC showed similar trend. Similar trends as in RBC and WBC were observed in total proteins. Liver and kidney functionality as expressed by ALT, AST, ALP, creatinine and BUN exhibited no damaging effect on organs. Degenerations were observed in the hepatocytes and epithelia cells in the kidney in some treatments especially in bath treatments. In conclusion, onion bulb showed no toxicity in the blood parameters but dose should be considered to avoid harmful effect on liver and kidneys

Serological Status of an Unvaccinated Turkey Flock for Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Antibody in Abeokuta, Nigeria

The serological status of unvaccinated turkey birds to infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) antibody on a livestock farm in Abeokuta was determined using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. A total of 51 turkeys were sampled and the result indicated the presence of IBDV antibody in 37 (72.5%) birds. Since turkeys may serve as carriers of chicken serotype 1 virus, it is recommended that the virus eliciting antibody in the birds be isolated and characterized.Key words: IBDV antibody, unvaccinated turkeys, ELIS

Sero-prevalence of swine toxoplasmosis in Ogun State, Nigeria

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii which is the only known species that affects both human and animals. There is paucity of data on the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among pigs in Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine prevalence and concentration of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pigs from randomly selected three local governments in Ogun State, Nigeria. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to determine the sero-prevalence. The antibody levels were measured as optical density (OD) to determine the seropositivity of individual animals in the studied population. An overall sero-prevalence of 24.2% was observed in the study. Of the total animal studied, 33.3% and 19.0% of the female and male were positive respectively (p=0.6). While 23.5%, 8.3% and 11.1% of the piglets, weaners and adults were positive respectively (p=0.3). Of the pigs sampled from Odeda; 37% were positive while 24% and 39% of the pigs from Obafemi Owode and Abeokuta South local Government areas were positive respectively. The mean concentrations of the titres of the Toxoplasma antibody varied across the age, gender and locations although the differences were not statistically significant (p values of 0.35, 0.60 and 0.22 respectively). This study shows that the zoonotic parasite, T. gondiii is present in Ogun State, thus necessitating the need for public awareness on the disease and serve as a template for institution of necessary control measures.Keywords: ELISA, optical density, pig, sero-prevalence, Toxoplasma gondii, toxoplasmosi

Determination of cyanide concentration in blood and histopathological effect of cassava waste-based feeding on goats

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a major staple food for both humans and animals and feeding goats with its waste is common practice in southwest Nigeria. However, it contains endogenous cyanogenic glycosides that are readily hydrolyzed to liberate hydrogen cyanide that is poisonous. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cassava waste (peels and leaves) on the kidney and liver of goats fed different inclusion level and determine the cyanide concentration in the blood of the goats. Ten West African dwarf male goats were divided into five groups and fed four diets of cassava waste ad-libitum for 16 weeks. Diet 1; 70% peels and 10% leaves, Diet 2; 50% peels and 20% leaves, Diet 3; 30% peels and 30% leaves, Diet 4; 10% peels and 40% leaves while the control were fed grass only. Blood samples were collected before the onset of the feeding, at the 8th week and 16th week. There were no clinical manifestation of cyanide poisoning in the animals and the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) shows that haematological and biochemical parameters were not significantly different (p<0.05) across the 4 diets. High concentration of cyanide (80 ppm) was observed in the blood of animals fed Diet 4. Also the histopathological lesions of liver and kidney were more severe in animals fed Diet 4. The study therefore concludes that the high  concentration of cyanide and the severity of the histopathology finding in Diet 4 can be attributed to the higher level of cassava leaves in the diet and hence, the leaves should be further processed before been feeding to goats.Keywords: Cassava waste, Cyanide, Histopathology, Liver, Kidney, Goats. Determination du taux de cyanure dans le sang et effet histopathologique de l’alimentation a base de dechets de manioc sur les caprinsLe manioc (Manihot esculenta) est un aliment de base à la fois pour les humains et les animaux, et l’alimentation des chèvres avec les déchets de cette plante est une pratique courante dans le sud-ouest du Nigeria.  Cependant, le manioc contient des glycosides cyanogénétiquess  endogènes qui sont facilement hydrolysés pour libérer du cyanure d’hydrogène qui est toxique. Cette étude a pour objectif d’évaluer l’effet des déchets de manioc (pelures et feuilles) sur les reins et le foie des chèvres nourries à différents niveaux d’inclusion et de déterminer le taux de cyanure dans le sang des chèvres. Dix chèvres naines d’Afrique de l’Ouest ont été divisées en cinq groupes et nourries ad libitum pendant 16 semaines avec quatre régimes contenant des déchets de manioc. Le Régime 1 comportait 70% de pelures et 10% de feuilles ; le Régime 2 était constitué de 50% de pelures et 20% de feuilles ; le Régime 3 était composé de 30% de pelures et 30% de feuilles ; le Régime 4 comportait 10% de pelures et 40% de feuilles ; tandis que le régime témoin n’était constitué que d’herbe. Des échantillons de sang ont été prélevés avant le début de l’administration des régimes, à la 8ème semaine et à la 16ème semaine. On n’a noté aucune manifestation clinique d’intoxication au cyanure chez les animaux et l’Analyse de Variance (ANOVA) a montré que les paramètres hématologiques et biochimiques n’étaient pas  significativement différents (p <0,05) dans les 4 régimes. Un taux élevé de cyanure (80 ppm) a été détecté dans le sang des animaux soumis au Régime 4. Les lésions histopathologiques du foie et des reins étaient plus sévères chez les animaux nourris au Régime 4. L’étude conclut donc que le taux élevé de cyanure et la sévérité du résultat histopathologique dans le régime 4 peut être attribué à une importante inclusion de feuilles de manioc dans le régime et, par conséquent, les feuilles doivent être traitées avant d’être données aux chèvres comme aliments.Mots-clés : déchets de manioc, Cyanure, Histopathologie, foie, rein, caprin

Cytomorphological, histopathological and immunohistochemical observations on the histiocytic origin of canine transmissible venereal tumour

The cytogenic origin of canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) still remains unknown. Resulting from paucity of information on the histiocytic phenotypic features and behaviours of CTVT, this study was undertaken to show some uncommon cytomorphological features of CTVT and its immunoreactivity with S-100 protein. Nine cases of CTVT were investigated (6 females and 3 males) using nine fine needle aspirates for cytology and four biopsy samples for histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Cytology revealed CTVT cells with pale basophilic, fine granular cytoplasm and distinct intra-nuclear (3/9) and intra-cytoplasmic (9/9) vacuolations. Erythrophagocytosis by a giant binucleated CTVT cell in one dog and nuclear budding in 2 dogs were observed. Histopathology showed loose sheets and cords of uniformly round to ovoid cells with slight indistinct eosinophilic cytoplasm and a tendency towards glandular as well as syncytial formation. Nuclei were large and round with a single centrally placed nucleolus. The mitotic index was high. Immunohistochemistry of the four biopsy samples revealed negative immunoreactivity to  pan-cytokeratin, actin and desmin but positive immunoreactivity with vimetin and S-100 proteins. This is the first report in which CTVT showed erythrophagocytosis, nuclear budding and positive immunoreactivity to S-100 protein. Based on these cytomorphological and immunohistochemical features, we conclude that CTVT is of histiocytic/dendritic origin.Keywords: Cytology, histopathology, Histiocytic origin,   immunohistochemistry, Transmissible Venereal Tumou