Giardia Infection in Recently Acclimatized Kalahari Red Goats in Nigeria

Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in recently acquired and acclimatized Kalahari Red goats in Nigeria was determined using a commercially produced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Giardia duodenalis coproantigens were detected in 46.9% of the faecal samples collected from 98 Kalahari Red goats. The highest (58.1%) and lowest rates (38.2%) were recorded in pre-weaned goat kids up to three months of age and adults goats over one year of age respectively. Infection was higher in females (56.8%) and diarrhoeic goats (75.0%) than males (38.9%) and non-diarrhoeic goats (45.7%) respectively. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the infection rates among age categories, sexes and stool consistencies of the goats. The results of this study showed a high prevalence of Giardia infection in the Kalahari Red goat herd which may imply that they are susceptible to giardiasis if managed under conditions that may facilitate transmission from infected indigenous animals.Key words: ELISA, Giardia, goat, Kalahari Red, Nigeria

COMPARISON OF ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSOR- BENT ASSAY WITH ACID-FAST STAINING TO DETECT CRYPTOSPORIDIUM OF CATTLE FAECES

Cryptosporidiosis is a major cause of diarrhoea, weight loss and low productivity in various domestic animals. The acid-fast staining method used to detect the parasite in cattle may be responsible for the low prevalence rates recorded in previous studies in Nigeria. A comparison of the efficacy of an en-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and acid-fast staining techniques in detecting Crypto-sporidium spp. in bovine faeces was carried out in this work. A total of 200 faecal samples were col-lected from cattle of different age groups by the use of a simple random sampling technique. The sam-ples were analyzed microscopically using formalin-ethylacetate sedimentation method followed by modified Kinyoun«¤??s acid-fast staining technique. All the samples were later tested for Cryptosporidium coproantigens by the use of a commercially available ELISA test kit. Microscopy detected Crypto-sporidium oocysts in 24.0% while ELISA detected the antigens in 37.5% of the samples. The ELISA, with a sensitivity and specificity of 72.9% and 73.7% respectively, had a significantly higher (p<0.05) rate of detection of Cryptosporidium spp. than microscopy with a sensitivity and specificity of 46.7% and 89.6% respectively. The ELISA is therefore a preferable method than microscopy for detection of Cryptosporidium in faecal specimens and will be useful in routine diagnosis and screening of large number of samples in epidemiological surveys

COMPARISON OF ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY WITH ACID-FAST STAINING TO DETECT CRYPTOSPORIDIUM OF CATTLE FAECES

Cryptosporidiosis is a major cause of diarrhoea, weight loss and low productivity in various domestic animals. The acid-fast staining method used to detect the parasite in cattle may be responsible for the low prevalence rates recorded in previous studies in Nigeria. A comparison of the efficacy of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and acid-fast staining techniques in detecting Cryptosporidium spp. in bovine faeces was carried out in this work. A total of 200 faecal samples were collected from cattle of different age groups by the use of a simple random sampling technique. The samples were analyzed microscopically using formalin-ethylacetate sedimentation method followed by modified Kinyoun’s acid-fast staining technique. All the samples were later tested for Cryptosporidium coproantigens by the use of a commercially available ELISA test kit. Microscopy detected Cryptosporidium oocysts in 24.0% while ELISA detected the antigens in 37.5% of the samples. The ELISA, with a sensitivity and specificity of 72.9% and 73.7% respectively, had a significantly higher (p<0.05) rate of detection of Cryptosporidium spp. than microscopy with a sensitivity and specificity of 46.7% and 89.6% respectively. The ELISA is therefore a preferable method than microscopy for detection of Cryptosporidium in faecal specimens and will be useful in routine diagnosis and screening of large number of samples in epidemiological survey

Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection Risk Factors in a Pediatric Population

Background Central venous line (CVL) placement in children is often necessary for treatment and may be complicated by central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). We hypothesize that line type and clinical and demographic factors at line placement impact CLABSI rates. Methods This is a single-institution case-control study of pediatric patients (≤18 years old) admitted between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019. Case patients had a documented CLABSI. Control patients had a CVL placed during the study period and were matched by sex and age in a 2:1 ratio. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Results We identified 78 patients with a CLABSI and 140 patients without a CLABSI. After controlling for pertinent covariates, patients undergoing tunneled or non-tunneled CVL had higher odds of CLABSI than those undergoing PICC (OR 2.51, CI 1.12-5.64 and OR 3.88, CI 1.06-14.20 respectively), and patients undergoing port placement had decreased odds of CLABSI compared to PICC (OR .05, CI 0.01-.51). There were lower odds of CLABSI when lines were placed for intravenous medications compared to those placed for solid tumor malignancy (OR .15, CI .03-.79). Race and age were not statistically significant risk factors. Discussion Central lines placed for medication administration compared to solid tumors, PICC compared to tunneled and non-tunneled central lines, and ports compared to PICC were associated with lower odds of CLABSI. Future improvement efforts should focus on PICC and port placement in appropriate patients to decrease CLABSI rates

Evaluation of Complications and Weight Outcomes in Pediatric Cerebral Palsy Patients With Gastrostomy Tubes

Background: Feeding difficulties are common in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The goal of this study was to examine pediatric CP patients undergoing gastrostomy tube (G tube) placement and assess the association between patient characteristics and weight after 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Methods: This was a retrospective study of all pediatric patients with CP who received a G tube placement between April 2014 and December 2017 at a single institution. Bivariate analysis was used to examine association between patient characteristics and the primary outcome of improvement in weight Z score at 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: Of 63 patients who received a G tube, 81% had an increase in Z score at 3 months, 44% at 6 months, and 64% at 12 months. By 12 months, factors associated with a positive Z score change included moderate and severe malnutrition, lack of prior G tube, and fewer comorbidities. The majority (69.8%) of patients experienced complications. Seven (11%) patients died, with only 1 death related to G tube placement. Discussion: The use of G tubes in CP patients resulted in an increase in an improvement in nutritional status for the majority of patients over the course of a year. Although most complications were minor, patients had a high complication rate and frequently visited the emergency department, highlighting the need for standardized education and follow-up among this patient population

Gastrointestinal helminths of resident wildlife at the Federal University of Agriculture Zoological Park, Abeokuta

A total of forty two resident animals representing eighteen wildlife species at the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB) Zoo Park were screened for nematode helminths between May and June 2013. Freshly voided faeces from the animals were subjected to basic coprology tests (Direct Microscopic Examination and Concentration Techniques). Trichuris specie. was the most prevalent nematode in primate species. Prevalence of 14.3% and 28.6% were recorded for Capillaria specie and Strongyles in the primates respectively. A prevalence of 100% infection with nematodes in screened fourteen (14) primates was recorded. Mona and Vervet monkeys have the highest points for parasite richness count of 2 out of 3 detected nematodes amongst the primates. Wild birds at the park recorded the lowest prevalence for any type of nematodes with 7 out of 8 species without any nematode detected. Ascaridae was only detected in carnivorous reptiles and birds. In terms of feeding category, carnivorous species namely the (Aquila spilogaster) and Royal python (P. regius) have the highest species richness count of parasites. Non-nematode helminths detected include protozoons (Isospora and Eimeria) and Cestodes segments suspected to be Echinococcus proglotids. Knowledge of the helminth parasites in wild animals is vital in formulating preventative veterinary protocols in captive exhibits. This is the first documented account of nematode helminths of resident wild animals at the FUNAAB Zoo Park, Abeokuta.Keywords: Helminth, Nematodes, Parasite richness count, Wild animals, Zo