Prevalence of Newcastle disease virus antibodies in sera and eggs of helmeted guinea fowls (Numida meleagris galeata pallas) in Borno and Yobe States, Nigeria

The seroprevalence and maternal antibody profiles to Newcastle disease virus infection of guinea fowls  were studied using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, in Borno and Yobe States of Nigeria. Of 822 sera  and 354 egg yolk extracts tested, 327 (39.8%) and 242 (68.4%) were positive for NDV antibodies  respectively. The seroprevalence was significantly higher (P< 0.05) in the dry (47%) than in the rainy  (32.8%) seasons. Maternal antibodies in egg yolk extract (sampled during the rainy season), were  significantly (P< 0.05) higher (68.4%) than the seroprevalence. The frequency distribution of antibody  titers were skewed with 79.8% and 63.2 % of sera and egg yolk respectively having reciprocal antibody  titres ≤ 20. The geometric mean antibody titre was higher (P< 0.05) in the dry season (3.7±2.0) than in  the rainy season (2.5 ±1.7). The geometric mean titre was also higher (P<0.05) in egg (8.9±2.5) than in  sera (3.1±1.9). These results showed that Newcastle disease virus is enzootic among guinea fowls in Borno and Yobe states, especially in the dry season. The geometric mean titer of antibodies from egg yolk (8.9)  was below the protective reciprocal titres ≥35.4, suggesting the need for control measures immediately  after hatching. In addition, birds with titers ≤ 35.4 are partially immune and may shed the virus without a clinical disease when infected thereby becoming a risk to in-contact birds.Keywords: Egg, Guinea fowls, Maternal antibodies Newcastle disease, Seroprevalenc

Short Communication: Poultry Management errors among Farmers in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere LOcal Government area, Maiduguri, Nigeria

No Abstrac

Serological evidence of infectious bursal disease virus infection in Grey Breasted Helmet Guinea Fowls (Numida meleagris galeata Pullus) in an arid zone of Nigeria

No Abstrac

Effect of low level feed of dl-a-difluoromethylornithin (DFMO) on layer performance

No Abstract.Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 4 (1) 2008: pp. 32-3

Prevalence and antimicrobial profiles of Salmonella serovars from vegetables in Maiduguri, North eastern Nigeria

This study determined the occurrence of Salmonella from vegetables, the prevailing serovars, and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the serovars. A total of 300 samples of vegetable comprising spinach (Amaranthus hybridus spp.), Corchorus olitorus spp., sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygadalina spp.), and water leaf (Talinum triangulares spp.) were collected from five different farms and Maiduguri central market from May to August, 2009. Presumptive Salmonella isolates were determined by using the conventional biochemical tests, Serovars were confirmed by serotyping, using slide agglutination technique. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed with 17 antimicrobial agents using the minimum inhibition concentration tests (MIC) method. Out of the 300 samples analyzed, 19 were positive for Salmonella, which represent a prevalence of 6.3%. The serovars obtained were Salmonella Hadar, 13(4.3%), Salmonella serovar 47: mt:-, 5(1.7%), and Salmonella Vinohrady, 1(0.3%). Most of the serovars were susceptible to antimicrobial agents with the exception of Salmonella Hadar that exhibited multiple resistances to streptomycin, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, and neomycin. Salmonella represents a major contaminant of vegetables consumed in Maiduguri, North-eastern Nigeria. Therefore, vegetables can serve as a route for the transmission of Salmonella to humans. This constitutes a serious health risk to the human population, and there is a need for specific Salmonella control program to be instituted as part of a national food safety strategy.Keywords: Antimicrobial profiles, MIC, North eastern Nigeria, Prevalence, Salmonella serovars, Vegetable