The effect of heat stress on the oxidative status of red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) infected with Streptococcus Agalactiae

A commercial red hybrid tilapia was experimented with S. agalactiae infection under influences of heat stress which indicated by plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) as biomarkers of stress. To achieve these objectives, 110 red hybrid tilapia in good health were divided into five groups of 22 fish each. Group A was challenged with 2.3 109 CFU of S. agalactiae and exposed to heat stress at 33 ± 0.5C on day 1. Group B was challenged on day 1 as in Group A but heat stress was introduced on day 7 post challenge (pc). Group C was exposed to heat stress on day 1 and challenged on day 7 pc while groups D and E served as a positive and negative controls respectively. Blood samples were collected at days 0, 3, 7, 10 and 14 for MDA and SOD analysis. Groups A and B recorded high mortality following exposure to heat stress and bacteria inoculation, with group A reaching 100% mortality at day 7 post inoculation. Overall, Groups A, B, C and Group D showed pattern of increase in MDA level as early as day 3 and decrease pattern for SOD activity. Group E did not show any significant difference in MDA level throughout the study period. Clinical signs such as erratic swimming, exopthalmia, skin haemorrhage and cloudy eye were predominantly observed in group A 24 h post inoculation. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that heat stress plays crucial role in the pathogenesis of S. agalactiae, via alteration of the oxidant defence system

Hunting practices and heavy metals concentrations in fresh and smoked wildmeats in Kumasi, Ghana

The consumption of bush meat is currently a common practice in sub-urban and urban communities of Africa. The study investigates hunting practices and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb, Cd and Mn) concentrations in fresh and smoked bush meats in Kumasi, Ghana. The animal samples were obtained from Sekyere Dumase, Atwemunom and Central Markets. A total of 32 samples from various game animals were used for the study. The samples were wet digested and analyzed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The use of guns (68%) was the most applied method of capture followed by cutlasses (10%), dogs (4%), traps (2%) and baits (2%). In the fresh meat, the concentration of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb was 12.72±2.56mg⁻kg 5.16±2.65mg⁻kg, 0.96±0.29mg⁻kg, 7.40±0.68 mg ⁻kg, 0.10±0.00 mg ⁻kg and 4.31±3.46 mg ⁻kg respectively while in smoked meats, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were 15.28±2.29 mg ⁻kg, 5.33±0.98 mg ⁻kg, 0.94±0.98 mg⁻kg, 7.39±0.57 mg ⁻kg, 0.1±0.00 mg ⁻kg, 0.07±0.00 mg ⁻kg respectively. Higher amount of Lead (Pb) was found in the fresh wild meat than in the processed. The levels of Zinc in both the fresh and smoked bush meat were high while Mn, Cu, Fe and Cd in both fresh and smoked meats were in the acceptable range recommended for human consumption. However, there is need to monitor the levels of heavy metals in bush meat in relation to the hunting practices so as to avoid any possibility of poisoning to human health.Keywords: Heavy metals, Bush meat, Hunting, Ghana, Healt

THE EVALUATION OF DOMESTIC DUCKS AS POTENTIAL RESERVOIR OF AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS IN POST HPAI H5N1 OUTBREAK AREA, SUNYANI MUNICIPALITY, BRONG AHAFO REGION OF GHANA

Background: Avian influenza (AI) is an important zoonotic disease responsible for significant losses in most sub-Saharan countries. However, the role of poultry other than chicken in the epidemiology of the disease, especially after the first AI outbreak in Ghana, has not been fully elucidated. The objective of this study is to determine whether the AI virus infection that was reported in the area in May 2007 was circulating silently in ducks in nine randomly selected farms in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana. Materials and Methods: The sample size was calculated using Epi info version 3.4.1 at 95% confidence level, absolute precision of 5% and assuming 0.5 prevalence of Avian Influenza A virus in ducks. Samples collection was done simultaneously with questionnaire administration to farmers. A total of 526 samples made up of 384 cloacal swabs and 142 feather tissues from ducks from a commercial duck farm, seven backyard holdings and one live birds market in six randomly selected communities in the Sunyani Municipality, Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. The samples were processed and subjected to Influenza Type A Matrix Gene analysis using RRT-PCR. Results: All the 526 samples subjected to Influenza Type A Matrix Gene analysis using RRT-PCR were negative for Influenza Type A viruses. However, it was observed that bio-security practices which are keys to reintroduction of the virus in the area were not adhered to in 89 % of the sites investigated. Our finding also revealed that only the commercial farm investigated in this study complied with fifteen (78.9%) of the nineteen different farm practices observed. Conclusion: Though AI was not detected in the ducks sampled, there is the need for continuous surveillance and education of stakeholders on standard bio-security and farm management practices in the area

A case of pulmonary blastomycosis in a common eland (Taurotragus oryx)

This case report describes for the first time pulmonary blastomycosis in a captive common eland (Taurotragus oryx). The animal has been in captivity for over 14 years and the clinical signs observed before death were non-specific. The carcass was examined grossly and histologically using special stains. There were yellowish, firm and gritty nodules of varying sizes (0.5–2 cm in diameter) on the pleura, in the lung, mediastinal lymph nodes and pericardium. The nodules showed pyogranuloma-tous inflammation and broad based budding yeast (PAS, Giemsa positive and ZN negative) consistent with Blastomyces dermatitidis. Regular screening of soil and environment including animals in cap-tivity should be encouraged to avert possible spread of the mold in favourable conditions. Public awareness should be improved on fungal diseases

DETECTION OF CANINE PARVOVIRUS ANTIGEN IN DOGS IN KUMASI, GHANA

Background: Canine Parvovirus (CPV) in dogs has been documented in many countries. However, evidence of the infection is scanty in Ghana. This study was conducted to detect canine parvovirus antigen in dogs presented with diarrhoea to the Government Veterinary Clinic in Kumasi, Ghana. Materials and Methods: Faecal samples from 72 dogs presented with diarrhoea were tested for the presence of canine parvovirus antigen using commercially available rapid test kit (BIT® Rapid Colour Canine Parvovirus Ag Test Kit, BIOINDIST Co. Ltd, Korea) based on the principle of immunochromatography. Influence of breed, sex, age, vaccination history and the nature of diarrhoea were assessed. Data obtained was analysed with SPSS and subjected to the chi-square test. Significance was at α0.05 Results: We found 61.11% tested positive (44/72) for CPV. Based on sex, 61.54% of males (20/33) and 60.61% of females tested positive (24/39). A total of 65.67% of samples from puppies below 6 months were positive. 56.25% of CPV vaccinated dogs and 70.83% of unvaccinated dogs were positive respectively. 69.05% of samples from haemorrhagic diarrhoeic dogs and 50.00% from non-haemorrhagic diarrhoeic dogs were positive of CPV. Conclusion: The study is the first documented evidence of the existence of CPV in Ghana. It also revealed that absence of bloody diarrhoea does not necessarily rule out CPV infection

THE PREVALENCE OF BRUCELLOSIS IN CATTLE AND THEIR HANDLERS IN NORTH TONGU DISTRICT OF VOLTA REGION, GHANA

Background: Brucellosis is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for great economic losses in most sub-Saharan nations. Although Ghana has successfully implemented the “One Health” initiative for the control of some emerging infectious zoonotic diseases with pandemic potential like Avian Influenza, there is very limited data available on brucellosis especially human brucellosis prevalence. He objective of his study is to determine the seroprevalence of human and bovine brucellosis as well as the predisposing factors at the community level in the North Tongu District of Ghana. Materials and Methods: Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT) was used to analyze blood samples from 178 cattle farmers, and 315 cattle. The positive samples were further confirmed with cELISA. Predisposing factors were determined by questionnaires administered to cattle farmers. All sample sites were geo-referenced. Results: Human and bovine brucellosis seroprevalence using RBPT were 10.1% and 22.9% respectively. Eighty six percent (62/72) of bovine cases were confirmed with ELISA. Delivery assistants were more likely to be infected (p=0.043) with odds ratio of 2.7. Out of the human cases (18), males constituted 88.9%. Ages 11-20 years recorded 77.7% seropositivity whilst cattle drovers represented 44.5% (8/18) of positives. Significant risk factors in cattle were herd size (p=0.037), history of retained placenta (0.000) and abortion (0.005). Conclusion: Bovine and human brucellosis is prevalent in North Tongu district, Ghana. Close contact with parturient cows was a major predisposing factor for human infection. Early referral of positive persons to the Hospital for confirmation and treatment is required to comply with the “One Health” initiative on brucellosis and other zoonoses

Observations on an <em>Actinomyces pyogenes</em> infection in a goat

Actinomyces pyogenes was isolated in a case of visceral abscessation involving the lungs and the liver in a goat

Pathology and immunohistochemical evaluation of Vibrio alginolyticus infection in Macrobrachium rosenberbergii

Vibriosis is one of the common bacterial diseases plaguing the prawn and shrimp industry. However, the sequential histopathological changes associated with Vibrio alginolyticus-induced vibriosis is scanty in literature. This study investigated the histological alterations in groups of Macrobrachium rosenbergii experimentally injected intramuscularly between the second and third abdominal segment with 50 μL of 107 CFU of V. alginolyticus. Twenty-four hours post inoculation, the organism was isolated and molecularly characterized while infected giant freshwater prawns were observed for histological alterations and immunoreactivity in different tissues due to the experimental challenge. The lesions observed in the organs include incipient haemocytic infiltration into the interstitial space of the tubules of the hepatopancreas and loss of epithelial layer, muscular necrosis and disruption of muscular layer with haemocytic infiltration, hyperplasia of epithelial cells and degeneration of the epithelium, deformed and necrotizing lamellae, and enlargement of the lamellar sinus of the gill, and the heart is characterized by localized nodular haemocytic reaction and melanization. Organs such as the heart, gill, hepatopancreas and muscle following injection of the putative bacteria showed immunohistochemical activity. Hence, histology and immunohistochemistry still remain important tools for vibriosis disease diagnoses in giant freshwater prawns

Influence of Parenteral Route on Oral Route of Local IBD Vaccine Administration in the Responses of Broiler Chicks

Six groups (A-F) of ten broilers ten days of age were vaccinated at 7 and 14 days posthatching (PH) against infectious bursal diseases (IBD) with the local IBD vaccine (Vom, Nigeria). The vaccine was administered using parenteral routes with the oral route in different combinations. Seromonitoring was performed with the qualitative and quantitative agar-gel precipitation test (AGPT). The groups vaccinated via the parenteral routes either at 7 or 14 days PH had higher antibody titers than those vaccinated via the oral route both times. All the groups including the unvaccinated control were challenged 16 days postvaccination with a field strain. All the groups vaccinated via parenteral routes were completely protected against the field strain. The unvaccinated control group and the group that received oral vaccination alone had mortality rates of 30 and 10%, respectively. The gross and microscopic lesions were consistent with IBDV infection. It was concluded that the parenteral route of administration enhanced the antibody titer and protection when coupled with the oral route either at day 7 or 14

Isolation and Antibiogram of Aerobic Nasal Bacterial Flora of Apparently Healthy West African Dwarf Goats

Goats are important in the livestock economy by their adaptability to adverse environmental conditions as they are good sources of protein and income for the rural poor. Studies conducted on the bacterial flora of the respiratory tract in goats focused on the pneumonic lungs, with fewer studies on the apparently normal nasal passage and antibiogram of isolated organisms. This study was carried out on 60 apparently healthy West African Dwarf goats. The nasal swab from each goat was analyzed using standard methods. The disc diffusion technique was used for the antibiotic sensitivity test. Three hundred and twenty-eight isolates were obtained. The most frequently isolated species was Streptococcus spp., while Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were the second dominant bacteria. Other species were isolated at relatively lower rates. The isolation of Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida from the nasal cavity of apparently healthy goats in this study reflects their possible role in most common respiratory diseases encountered in small ruminants. Most of the bacteria were found to be susceptible to streptomycin, quinolones (perfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin) and gentamicin, while they were resistant to tetracycline, augmentin and erythromycin. This study shows the relationship between misuse or unrestricted use of antibiotics and drug resistance. Therefore, there is a need for practitioners and researchers to be informed of the appropriate antibiotics to be used in respiratory infections and during control programs