Prevalence and haematological changes associated with trypanosome infection in wild tilapia fish in Ibadan, Nigeria

There is paucity of information on the incidence and haematological changes associated with trypanosome infection in Nigerian fishes. This investigation examined randomly buffy coat and blood smears of Tilapia in the wild by direct microscopy for Trypanosomes and complete haematology were analyzed. Of the 200 samples collected, 17.5% were positive for trypanosome by buffy coat examination. The Packed cell volume (PCV) of trypanosome-infected fish was 15.3+ 0.9% compared to noninfected fish (p<0.01) with PCV of 38.4+1.3%. All the haematocrit values obtained in trypanosome-infected fish showed the pattern of anaemia in trypanosomiasis. The report establishes the fact that trypanosomiasis in fish is similar to those find in animals.Keywords: Tilapia, Wild, Trypanosome, Haematolog

Gross and histopathological diagnosis of intra-luminal vaginal leiomyoma in an 8-year-old Caucasian bitch: case report

Vaginal leiomyomas are uncommon tumours and they may originate from vaginal smooth muscles, local arterial musculature, bladder or urethral smooth muscles. An 8-year-old Caucasian bitch was presented with a round pendulous smooth solid mass of about 5cm in diameter at the junction between the vestibule and vagina. Two other similar smaller masses were seen on the vaginal wall (0.4-0.6cm in diameter). Histopathologically, abundant densely packed spindle cells of uniform size, indistinct cellular borders, eosinophilic cytoplasm, and elongate, blunt-ended (cigar shaped) nuclei were seen. The cells appeared grouped in broad interlacing fibres at angles of 90 degree in a herringbone pattern, typical of smooth muscle tissue. In-depth examination of the reproductive tract should be carried out to avoid missing valuable diagnostic information that could help in proper intervention

Biliary cystadenoma in an 8-year-old Caucasian bitch

Biliary cystadenoma is reported in an 8-year-old female Caucasian dog diagnosed by gross and microscopic examination. The gross lesion observed during postmortem examination on the liver was a 3×2cm cream-coloured raised nodule that extended into the parenchyma and another 2×4cm cyst filled with mucoid fluid. Histopathology showed multiloculated cysts lined by columnar and occasionally flattened epithelial cells, with papillary projections into the lumens. These findings are discussed in the paper

Knowledge of Validation Status of Point-of-care Glucometers among Veterinarians and Veterinary Technologists in Nigeria

Point-of-care glucometers (PCGs) have of recent almost replaced the conventional laboratory methods of blood glucose determination in animals. This study evaluated the level of awareness and knowledge about the use of handheld PCGs among veterinarians and veterinary technologists. Respondents to a structured questionnaire included academic staff and laboratory technologists from veterinary schools and public and private veterinarians across Nigeria. Design of the questions progressed from whether one had ever used a PCG before or not, how they knew about the PCG, the brands used, for what purposes and on which animals. Results showed that out of 209 respondents, 75 (36%) had used PCGs. Of this number, 37 (49.33%) used PCGs for research purposes, while 36 and 6.67% had used the PCGs for diagnosis of glucose disorders in animals and for both research and diagnostic purposes, respectively. The distribution of respondents that knew about the validation status of the PCGs used was 2.67%. As values generated by each PCG vary significantly in different species, there may be chances of reporting erroneous research conclusions as well as misdiagnosis of glucose disorders with consequent erroneous therapies in such species. Keywords: Point-of-care Glucometers, Validation status, Veterinarians

Oral melanoma with pulmonary metastasis in a Nigerian local dog

Melanomas are the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm of the canine oral cavity accounting for about 7% of all malignant tumours in the dog. Less frequently, metastasis via regional lymph nodes and to the lungs and other organs may occur. A case report of oral melanoma with pulmonary metastasis in a Nigerian local dog is hereby presented. Grossly, irregularly shaped, markedly dark, soft mass was located beneath the premolar and molar teeth on the left mandible. The lungs were also covered with numerous raised, dark, glistening nodules of various sizes ranging from 0.2cm-0.5cm in diameter. Cytomorphological evaluation of the mass via impression smear stained with Giemsa revealed monomorphic round cells with deeply basophilic cytoplasm with grey to dark fine intracytoplasmic pigments. Histological section stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin revealed similar cells with fine grey to dark intracytoplasmic pigments.Keywords: Melanoma, One Health, Oral cavity, Pulmonary Metastasis, Tumo

Haematological Profile of Naturally Infected Haemoparasite Positive and Negative Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Commercial quail farming is economically viable and feasible because quails are resistant to various diseases. But despite this reported resistance, little is known about its resistance to haemoparasites. This study evaluates the haematological changes and haemoparasitic infection of commercially raised quails. Fifty-seven adult quails raised on deep litter were randomly selected for blood sampling in this study. Two milliliters of blood was collected aseptically for complete blood count while blood smears were used for the determination of haemoparasite morphological characteristics. Haemoproteus spp. Plasmodium gallinaceum, and Leucocytozoon spp. were identified in this study. 38 (67%) of the quails were positive for single or mixed infection, 29 (51%) were positive for single infection and 9(16%) for mixed infection. There was a (P<0.05) decrease in PCV, Hb, and RBC counts, and an increase in TWBC and eosinophil count in birds with haemoparasite as compared to the uninfected birds. There was (P<0.05) increase in total white blood cell and heterophil count in the plasmodium positive birds. Also, total white blood cell, heterophil, lymphocyte and eosinophil count were (P<0.05) increased in the Leucocytozoon positive birds. This increase was also observed in birds with mixed infection. The high incidence of haemoparasitic infection in apparently healthy quail, with significant haematological indices deviated from normal, is consistent with reports of the resistance of quail to various disease diseases which thus includes haemoparasitic infection. Keywords: Blood smears; Complete Blood Count; Haemoparasites; Quai

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

Preliminary studies on pathogenic Leptospira spp. In slaughtered pigs in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

This study was undertaken to investigate the occurrence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. and the associated renal morphological changes in pigs slaughtered in slaughter slabs within Abeokuta metropolis, Nigeria. A total of 42 pigs’ kidney samples were randomly collected for the study. The samples were examined using Ellinghausen McCullough Johnson Harris (EMJH) medium, microscopic agglutination test (MAT), Warthin Starry silver stain (WSss) and immunohistochemistry (IH). Thirty (71.43%) of the 42 kidneys showed visible macroscopic lesions. Interstitial nephritis and tubular nephrosis were the most prominent histopathological changes. Leptospira organisms were isolated from 35 (83.3%) of 42 kidneys. The occurrence of Leptospira species from 23 uncontaminated isolates using MAT was 95.7% (22/23). The reactant serovars and respective detection rate were  Icterohaemorrhagiae (8/23, 34.8%), Pomona (4/23, 17.4%), Gripptotyphosa (3/23, 13%) Hardjo (3/23, 13%), Bratislava (2/23, 8.7%), Canicola (2/23, 8.7%), and 1 undetermined isolate (4.4%). Leptospira organisms were detected in 20 (87%) and 8 (34.8%) of the 23 renal tissues examined using WSss and IH respectively. Comparison of level of agreement among diagnostic methods [using kappa statistics (ki)] showed very low level of agreement between MAT and IH, and between WSss and IH. However, there was significant  P<0.005) measure of agreement between MAT and WSss. The significance of these Leptospira serovars in pig industry and their public health implications were discussed. This is the first investigative study on swine leptospirosis in Nigeria.Keywords: immunohistochemistry, Leptospirosis, microscopic agglutination test, Pigs, renal pathology, Serovars