Cross-Reactivity of Some Cryptosporidium Species with Cryptosporidium parvum Coproantigen in a Commercial ELISA Kit

To obtain information about the prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum in cattle in Oyo State, Nigeria, a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit made from Cryptosporidium-specificantibodies raised against antigens of Cryptosporidium parvum was used to screen 406 randomly collected fecal samples from cattle in four White Fulani herds. The overall prevalence was 32.3% (131/406) with 44 % (37/84), 36.5% (35/96) and 26.1% (59/226) prevalence in ages 12 months respectively. Further analysis of some of the ELISA-positive samples using nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR– RFLP) and DNA sequencing of the small subunit (18S) rRNA gene identified the isolates asCryptosporidium bovis and C. ryanae. The use of molecular tools showed that there is crossreactivity between C. bovis and C. ryanae with theCryptosporidium-specific antibodies raised against antigens of Cryptosporidium parvum, thereby eliminating the false alarm about the possible risk of zoonotic transmission in the study area. This work showed that unlike some other livestock diseases where commercially available ELISA kits are often relied on as diagnostic tools, ELISA kits obtainedfrom Cryptosporidium-specific antibodies are not reliable for assessing risk of zoonosis in epidemiological studies

Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Ogun state, Nigeria

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in cattle faeces in Ogun state, Nigeria was determined by a commercially produced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Out of a total of 200 samples, 37.5% were positive for Cryptosporidium coproantigens. The highest rate of infection (78.1%) was observed in calves up to 3 months of age while adult cattle over 4 years of age had the lowest rate of infection (25.0%). There were significant differences (p<0.05) between the infection rates of the different age groups of cattle sampled. There was however no significant difference (p>0.05) between the infection rates in males (41.2%) and females (33.6%). Furthermore, the infection rate in diarrhoeic cattle (43.2%) was not significantly higher (p>0.05) than in non-diarrhoeic cattle (32.4%). The result of the study showed that the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis is high in cattle in southwestern part of Nigeria with calves being at the highest risk.Keywords: Cattle, Cryptosporidium, ELISA,Ogun state Nigeria

Comparative Study on Hematological and Plasma Biochemical Responses of Rabbits to Experimental Single and Mixed Infections of Trypanosoma Brucei And Trypanosoma Congolense

This study compared the effect of single and mixed infections of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma congolense on hematological and biochemical parameters in 24 randomly selected male rabbits. Three groups (A, B, and C) of six rabbits each were challenged with 2 x 105 trypanosomes and fourth group (D) with 1ml normal saline without the parasite. Parasites were detected in the blood of the three infected groups at 3-10 days post infection (dpi). There were significant (p < 0.05) differences between the mean PCV, WBC and HB of the infected groups and the non-infected group with the mean PCV of rabbits with mixed infections significantly highest. The developed anemia was normocytic normochromic while the leucopenia was characterized by neutropenia, eosinopenia and lymphocytosis. While no correlation was established between parasitaemia and the plasma biochemical in the three groups, the plasma protein and bilirubin levels were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated, there was significant depletion of glucose levels in the three groups relative to non-infected group and only the rabbits infected with T.congolense had significant (p < 0.05) cholesterol elevation. AST and ALP increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the three groups (A, B and C) but no significant change in the level of ALT. Treatment with diminazene aceturate at 42 dpi effectively reduced the parasitemia to zero level at 49 dpi. In conclusion, hematological and biochemical alterations in single and mixed infections was significant (p < 0.05) relative to non-infected group but not significant when compared within infections except the PCV and urea. This study revealed that single and mixed infections of T. brucei and T. congolense significantly altered some biochemical and hematological parameters of the infected rabbits. While most of these alterations were not significantly different between the single and mixed infections, the PCV and plasma urea levels of mixed infected rabbits were significantly depressed and elevated, respectively. Keywords: Rabbits. T. brucei, T. congolense, Hematological and biochemical parametersNigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:33(2) 462-47

Observations on the gastrointestinal helminth parasite of the wild grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus, Timmick) in Imo State, Nigeria

No Abstract.International Journal of Tropical Agriculture and Food Systems Vol. 2 (1) 2008: pp. 105-11

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium species coproantigens on a University teaching farm in Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess the potential of animals, used for teaching and research, as a source of Cryptosporidium infection for students and staff of a University in Nigeria. Faecal samples from 185 animals reared on the teaching and research farm were collected and examined for Cryptosporidium spp. antigens by the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). From all the samples evaluated, 35.7% (66/185) were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. antigens with an infection rate of 30.6% (15/49), 40.7% (22/54), 43.9% (18/41) and 26.8% (11/41) for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs respectively. The rate of infection was significantly higher (p<0.05) in pre-weaned animals (63.6%) than in the post-weaned (23.6%) and adult (29.1%) animals. The infection rates, 54.8% and 42.3%, for diarrhoeic and female animals were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in non-diarrhoeic and male animals respectively. The presence of coproantigens of Cryptosporidium spp. observed in stool samples of ruminants and pigs suggests that these animals may be considered as a potential reservoir of this protozoa, that is able to contaminate the environment, infect other domestic and wild animals and in some cases humans.Keywords: Cryptosporidium, ELISA, Nigeria, Pigs, Ruminant

Occurrence Of Cryptosporidium Species Copro-Antigen In Asymptomatic Cattle.

A total of 341 faecal samples were collected from randomly selected cattle without diarrhea from Oyo state, south western Nigeria. Samples were classified based on age range: less than 6 months of age (69), between 7-12 months (71) and greater than 1 year old (191). Each sample was tested for the presence of Cryptosporidium sp copro-antigens using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays kit coated with Cryptosporidium-specific (monoclonal) antibodies raised against antigens of Cryptosporidium parvum. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium antigens in the sample was 28.1% (96/341). The prevalence (46.3%) was significantly higher in calves < 6 months than (29.6%) in ages 6 -12 months (P = 0.0408) and (22.5%) in cattle greater than 12 months (P=0.002). Calves < 6 months were twice at risk of being infected than 6 – 12 months old (OR: 2.059; 95%CI: 1.0 - 4.1) and 12 months old (OR: 2.977; 95%CI: 1.7 - 5.3) respectively. In conclusion, the present study is the first to demonstrate the presence of Cryptosporidium species antigen in bovine faecal samples from Nigeria and also clearly reveals that Cryptosporidium sp. is prevalent in non-diarrhoiec cattle. Therefore non-diarrhoeic cattle as well as diarrhoeic ones should be considered in the design of control measures to reduce the risk of transmission of the dieases to other animals and humans.Keywords: Cryptosporidium; diarrhoeic; non-diarrhoeic, Cattle; copro-antigen; humansUn total de 341 échantillons de matières fécales ont été prélevés auprès des bovins ne présentant pas de diarrhée et sélectionnés au hasard, dans l’État d’Oyo, au sud-ouest du Nigeria. Les échantillons ont été classés en fonction de la tranche d’âge: - moins de 6 mois d’âge (69), entre 7-12 mois (71) et plus de 1 an (191). Chaque échantillon a été testé pour identifier la présence de copro-antigènes Cryptosporidium sp. à l’aide d’un kit d’essai d’immuno-absorption disponible dans le commerce pour les essais recouvert d’enzyme Cryptosporidium spécifiques (anticorps monoclonal) dirigés contre des antigènes de Cryptosporidium parvum. La prévalence globale des antigènes de Cryptosporidium dans l’échantillon était de 28,1% (96/341). La prévalence chez les veaux de moins de 6 mois (46,3%) était significativement plus élevée que celle observée (29,6%) chez ceux âgées de 6 à 12 mois (P = 0,0408) et celle de (22,5%) chez les boeufs de plus de 12 mois (P = 0,002). Les veaux de moins de six mois

Anthelmintic Efficacy Of Nauclea latifolia Extract Against Gastrointestinal Nematodes Of Sheep:In vitro And In vivo Studies

Direct effects of Nauclea latifolia extracts on different gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep is described. In vivo and in vitro studies were conducted to determine possible anthelmintic effect of leaf extracts of Nauclea latifolia toward different ovine gastro intestinal nematodes. A larval development assay was used to investigate in vitro, the effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of N. latifolia towards strongyles larvae. The development and survival of infective larvae (L3) was assessed and best-fit LC50 values were computed by global model of non-linear regression analysis curve-fitting (95% CI). Twenty sheep harbouring naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematodes were treated with oral administration of ethanolic extracts at a dose rate of 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500mg/kg to evaluate therapeutic efficacy, in vivo. The presence of the extracts in the cultures decreased the survival of larvae. The LC50 of aqueous and ethanolic extract were 0.704 and 0.650 mg/ml respectively and differ significantly (