Public Health risk of zoonotic ticks in Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria

Ticks are obligate blood-feeders that require a host to survive and reproduce and has been said to be second to mosquito in pathogen  transmission. Tick-borne diseases are increasingly becoming an important public health issue because of the possibility of acquiring them through tick bite and the presence of ticks in environment poses risk to humans and livestock alike. This study was carried out to determine the presence of ticks in Abeokuta environment and to screen harvested ticks for some zoonotic pathogens. Ticks were gathered from ten different spots in Abeokuta Ogun state using the cloth dragging method. The gathered ticks were morphologically identified to genus level using stereo microscope  and grouped based on their developmental stages. Harvested ticks were screened for 5 pathogens of Public Health importance namely Anaplasma, Babesia, Borrelia, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using extracted DNA from the ticks. A total of 357 ticks were gathered from the environment, the environments were areas where cattle are being grazed. Using their morphology; 19 (5.3%) of ticks were of the genus Amblyomma, 274 (76.6%) were of the Genus Rhipicephalus (sub genus Boophilus), and 64 (17.9%) were of the Genus Rhipicephalus. Using the  developmental stages; 44 (12.3%) of the ticks were adults, 304 (85.2%) were larvae and 9(2.5%) were nymphs. Pathogen prevalence in the harvested ticks was 20.73%. PCR analysis revealed that 2 (0.56%) of ticks were positive for Coxiella and Rickettsia, 28 (7.84%) for Anaplasma, 29 (8.12%) for  Coxiella, 7 (1.96%) ticks were positive for Coxiella and Anaplasma and 8 (2.25%) ticks were positive for Rickettsia. None of the ticks had Babesia and Borrelia. With the presence of Anaplasma, Coxiella and Rickettsia in the harvested ticks, the risk of acquiring infection from bite of ticks by humans  and livestock is very high in the study areas and the possibility of transfer into other areas through movement of goods and services involved in global trade portend danger. Importance of co-infection in the harvested ticks and the dangers they pose in disease transmission to animal and humans are of great public health concern which require Public awareness and education. Key words: zoonoses, Borrelia, pathogens, Rickettsi

Prevalence of ticks on indigenous breed of hunting dogs in Ogun State, Nigeria

Ticks are haematophagous arthropods that are important vectors of diseases of animals and humans, many of which are zoonotic, thus predisposing humans, including hunters to risk. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of tick infestation among hunting dogs with the aim of determining the danger which the presence of ticks portends, bearing in mind that hunting dogs are kept by the duo of rural and urban dwellers. A total of one hundred and nine (109) hunting dogs were sampled from nineteen (19) different locations in the State. The age, weight and sex of the dogs were noted and recorded as variables. The dogs were thoroughly examined for ticks and other ectoparasites which were collected into properly labelled plastic containers and were transported to the laboratory for identification. Chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence of tick infestation between recorded variables. Significance level was set at p = 0.05 or less. The overall prevalence of tick infestation in the 109 hunting dogs was 56%. The tick prevalence in the male dogs (66.7%) and that in the female dogs (51.9%) was not significantly (p> 0.05) different. Also, tick prevalence in young dogs (53.8%) and adult dogs (62.1%) was not significantly (p>0.05) different. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of tick infestation from urban and rural locations (p<0.05). Of the 352 ticks harvested from the hunting dogs, Rhipicepalus sanguineus constituted 68.2%, Haemaphysalis leachi leachi, 30.6%; and Ambylomma variegatum, 1.21%. The education of the hunters and other persons in close contact with dogs is required for the control of ectoparasites.Keywords: Hunting dogs, Indigenous, Nigeria, Prevalence, Tick

Detection and identification of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs presented to veterinary clinics in Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria

Gastrointestinal parasites of dogs have been incriminated in cases of morbidity and mortality; hence, this study was undertaken to investigate the presence and distribution of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs presented to different veterinary clinics in Abeokuta, Ogun State. One hundred and twenty faecal samples were collected between February to September 2018 from three different veterinary clinics into universal sample bottles that were properly labeled with the age, sex and breed. Samples were processed with Mini-FLOTAC® kit using salt and sugar solution at a specific gravity of 1.3. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Chi square test was used to determine the association between variables. Of the 120 dogs screened, 37(30.8%) were positive for one or more gastrointestinal helminths: males had a prevalence of 24(20%) while females had a prevalence of 13(10.8%). Prevalence of 29(24.1%) and 8(6.7%) was reported in young and adult dogs respectively. Of the different breeds of dogs sampled; the Nigerian local breed had the highest prevalence 21(17.5%) of gastrointestinal helminths, followed by German shepherd 8(6.7%), Rottweiller 5(4.2%), Boerboel 1(0.8%) Samoyed 1(0.8%) and Pitbull 1(0.8%). A statistically significant association (p<0.05) was recorded between gastrointestinal helminth infection and breed while no statistically significant association (p>0.05) was observed between age, sex and gastrointestinal helminth infection. Six different genera of helminths were recorded in this study: Ancylostoma caninum (17.5%), Toxocara canis (14.1%), Toxascaris leonina (2.5%), Dipylidium caninum (2.5%), Trichuris vulpis (1.7%) and Taenia spp (1.7%). The findings from this study indicated moderate prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infection. The presence of Ancylostoma caninum, Toxocara canis and Dipylidium caninum infection in this study raises concern about the zoonotic potential of these parasites due to the close relationship between man and dogs

Haematology and serum biochemical alteration in stress induced Equine Theileriosis. A case report

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ENERGY USE EFFICIENCY OF MELON (COLOCYNTHIS CITRULLUS) PRODUCTION UNDER DIFFERENT TILLAGE METHODS

Since mechanization is inevitable and isassociated with increase in productivity, there is need to find the most appropriate tillage method in crop production that minimizes energy consumption, enhance profitability and reduce environmental damage from fossil fuel related emission. This research investigates the energy use efficiency in melon production in three tillage methods (reduced, minimum and maximum). Human power, machinery, diesel fuel, fertilizers, seed and pesticides energy inputs were used during the cultivation of melon. Input and output energy analysis method was used to quantify the input and output energy in each of the tillage methods during the production of melon. The energy indices of melon production determined are; energy efficiency, energy productivity, specific energy, net energy and energy efficiency index. The total energy required per hectare in reduced, minimum and maximum tillage were 4528.29, 7191.07 and 8325.64 MJ/ha while the output energy were found to be 8112, 10404 and 10752 MJ/ha, respectively. The energy efficiency were estimated to be 1.79, 1.45 and 1.29 while net energy were found to be 3583.71, 3212.93 and 2426.36 MJ/ha for reduced, minimum and maximum tillage methods, respectively. The result revealed that maximum tillage is better than both reduced and minimum tillage in terms of energy efficiency and net energy gain. Keywords: Energy, Melon, Tillage, Energy Efficiency, Net Energy DOI: 10.7176/JETP/11-4-03 Publication date: August  31st 202

Psoroptic Mange in a Weaner Pig

Mange is a contagious skin disease affecting various groups of animals. Psoroptic mange is a severe skin condition of farm animals; it is highly contagious and is responsible for huge economic losses in many farm animals. Infestation with Psoroptes has been reported all over the world in various farm animals, but none has ever been reported in swine. A male weaner large white breed pig of age 3 months weighing 10kg was presented with skin lesions and areas of alopecia during a routine farm visit by the handlers. The alopecia was found around the thorax, abdomen and ear regions with severe pruritus, emaciation, wrinkling and thickening of the skin with heavy crust formation on abdomen and the ears, along with curling of the tongue with attending vocal loss noticed on close  observations. A tentative diagnosis of mange was made with the following differential diagnosis: Allergic dermatitis, Bacterial dermatitis, Fly bite dermatitis, Hypovitaminosis. Further confirmatory diagnosis was done by collection of deep skin scrapping from which Psoroptes mites were demonstrated and a case of psoroptic mange diagnosed. To the best of our knowledge this is the first demonstration of Psoroptic mange in pigs. The affected animal was treated using Ivermectin (1%) and Long acting Oxytetracycline (20%). This case may be the first case in which psoroptic mange was reported in pigs with effective ivermectin control. More work should be done on the prevalence and possible molecular characterization of Psoroptic mites on pigs across the globe to ascertain if there are other strains that can affect pigs. Key words: Psoroptes mite, Mange, Ivermectin, and Pig

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

Determination of Fuel Properties of Biodiesel from Sand Apple Seed Oil with Automotive Gas Oil Blend

The objective of this study was to determine the fuel properties of Sand Apple Ethyl Ester (SAEE) and its blends with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).using eggshell as catalyst. Sand apple seed oil (SASO) obtained was characterized based on America Society for Testing and Material (ASTM D6751) to determine acid value, saponification, iodine content, density, kinematic viscosity, flash point, cloud point and pour point. Sand Apple fruits were processed and oil extracted using solvent extraction method. Raw eggshells were calcined at 800oC for 120 min in the muffle furnace. SAEE was blended with AGO at 5 – 25 % mix. Data obtained was analyzed using ANOVA at P < 0.05 significant level. Cloud and pour points obtained for SASO are 4.68 and 3.09℃ . Flash point was 103℃ which fell within ASTM D93 range indicating that SASO is safe for handling and storage. Heating value was 42.61 MJ/kg, slightly lower than that of diesel oil of 44.8 MJ/kg shows that AGO has ability to produce heat of combustion than SASO. Iodine value was 80.71 g I/100g while acid value was determined to be 2.62 mgKOH/g, which was higher than that of ASTM D6751 of 0.5 mgKOH/g. Sulphur contents for AGO and SASO–AGO blends were 0.006, 0.009, 0.014, 0.016 and 0.004%, respectively. Low sulphur values indicates that hazardous sulphur dioxide emission of SAEE has reduced. This study established that all the properties obtained, except acid value, fell within the ASTM specification and could suitably be compared with those of fossil diesel

POULTRY DROPPING BIOGAS

This study evaluated the effects of stirring on the properties of biogas produced from poultry dropping with respect to the quality and quantity of the biogas produced. A plastic batch-flow floating-drum biogas plant was designed and constructed. Poultry dropping from deep litter mixed with water ratio 1:2 (45 kg: 90 litres dropping-to-water slurry ratio) was used as slurry for the gas production. Proximate analyses of the poultry dropping were carried out to determine its potentials for biogas production. Levels of stirring were zero, once per day and twice daily. Each stirring was five slow rotations of the agitator. Properties of the produced biogas that were determined in the laboratory were methane value, carbon (IV) oxide, H2S, pH value, ash and moisture content while the calculated properties were potential calorific value, average gas yield and carbon/nitrogen ratio. The results of the proximate analyses showed that the poultry dropping has high contents of Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), volatile solids and pH value indicating its suitability for biogas production. The result also showed that the biogases up to 65% methane, 33.12% CO2 and 2.93% H2S contents. The treatment with once stirring/day produces the highest weight of biogas of 1.55 kg while treatment with twice stirring/day produced the least with 1.06 kg. Similarly, the twice stirring/day gave the least value of methane while once stirring/day gave the highest value of methane. The calculated calorific values ranged between 6.07 and 6.46 kWh/m³. The mean values of C/N ratio before and after gas production were 7.5 and 8.81, respectively. It could, thus, be concluded that stirring had significant effects on the quantity and qualities of biogas from poultry dropping

In vivo antitrypanosomal evaluation of some medicinal plant extracts from Ogun state, Nigeria

Aqueous extracts of 5 medicinal plants comprising of the root bark of Morinda morindiodes and leaves of Tithonia diversifolia, Lippia multiflora, Ocimum gratissimum and Acalypha wilkesiana were investigated for antitrypanosomal activities in albino rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The plant extracts at 400mg/kg body weight (of rats) were administered once daily for 7 days in an established infection of 5 x 106 parasitaemia before starting treatment. There was significant reduction in parasitaemia (P< 0.05) on the 3rd day of treatment in rats treated with Morinda morindiodes, Tithonia diversifolia and Acalypha wilkesiana but parasitaemia later increased till survival time. Morinda morindiodes, a plant well known for its potents antimalarial effect, has it root bark extracts exhibiting the highest value of mean survival time (12.6+0.7) days this study. The result may probably suggest reduction in parasite virulence by Morinda morindiodes root bark extract. Keywords: Antitrypanosomal, evaluation, medicinal plants, in vivo, Ogun State, Nigeria