Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Thermophilic Campylobacter Species Isolated From Cattle in Plateau State, Nigeria

A study was designed to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter species isolated from cattle in Plateau state, Nigeria. From April, 2008 – March, 2009, 352 rectal swab samples were randomly taken from cattle in 18 herds in Plateau State, Nigeria and analyzed for the presence of Campylobacter species. Out of the 352 samples tested, 65 (18.5%) were identified as Campylobacter species using biochemical tests; with 52 (80%) as C. jejuni and 13 (20%) as C. coli. Of the 65 isolates, 63 (97%) were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of the 18 cattle herds tested, 12 (66.7%) were positive. The results of the study also showed that the prevalence was significantly (p<0.05) higher in calves (25%) than in adults (12.2%). Keywords: Prevalence, thermophilic Campylobacter, PCR, cattleNigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:32 (4) 349-35

Molecular detection of Brucella spp. from broth culture of clinical samples in Nigeria: Its role in vaccine quality control

PCR was employed to detect Brucella spp. from broth cultures of clinical samples using a group specific primer based on IS6501 sequence. The sensitivity and specificity of this assay was confirmed by Southern hybridization analysis using a digoxigenin-labeled DNA probe while reproducibility of the analysis was confirmed by repetition of the test. Also, ERI1 and ERI2 primers were used to differentiate Brucella abortus strain 19 from other strains and the relevance in quality control of Brucella vaccineproduction highlighted

Very elderly patients with venous thromboembolism on oral anticoagulation with VKAs or DOACs. results from the prospective multicenter START2-register study

Introduction: Few data are available on the safety of anticoagulation in very elderly patients treated with Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Methods: We carried out a prospective cohort study on VTE patients aged ≥85 years enrolled in the Survey on anticoagulaTed pAtients RegisTer (START2-Register) on treatment with VKAs or DOACs, with the aim to evaluate mortality, bleeding and thrombotic rates (venous and arterial). Results: We enrolled 272 patients, 58.7% on VKA and 41.3% on DOACs. Baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups, with a higher prevalence of renal failure in VKAs patients and of a history of bleeding and previous stroke/TIA in DOACs patients. During follow-up of 429 patient-years, 15 major and non-major clinically relevant bleedings were recorded (rate 3.5 × 100 pt-yrs), 5 were major bleeds (rate 1.2 × 100 pt-yrs), 1 in a patient on aspirin (rate 4.3 × 100 pt-yrs). Bleeding rate was higher in patients on DOACs (crude HR 4.7; 95%CI 1.5–15.01). Eight thrombotic events were recorded (rate 1.9 × 100 pt-yrs), 3 recurrent VTE and 5 stroke/TIA. Overall, the incidence of thrombotic events was higher in DOACs patients (crude HR 4.5; 95% CI 1.5; 13.3). The rate of recurrent VTE was similar in the two group. Mortality rate was significantly lower in DOACs patients (crude HR 0.30; 95% CI 0.1;0.9). Conclusion: A higher bleeding risk was found in very elderly VTE patients on DOACs despite the wide use of low-dosages. Similarly a higher thrombotic risk was found while the incidence of recurrent VTE was low and similar between the groups. Mortality rate were significantly lower in DOACs patients

Coccidioidomycosis in Chicken Pullets in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria: A Case Report

No Abstract

Brucellosis as an Emerging Threat in Developing Economies:Lessons from Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, has a large proportion of the world's poor livestock keepers, and is a hotspot for neglected zoonoses. A review of the 127 accessible publications on brucellosis in Nigeria reveals only scant and fragmented evidence on its spatial and temporal distribution in different epidemiological contexts. The few bacteriological studies conducted demonstrate the existence of Brucella abortus in cattle and sheep, but evidence for B. melitensis in small ruminants is dated and unclear. The bulk of the evidence consists of seroprevalence studies, but test standardization and validation are not always adequately described, and misinterpretations exist with regard to sensitivity and/or specificity and ability to identify the infecting Brucella species. Despite this, early studies suggest that although brucellosis was endemic in extensive nomadic systems, seroprevalence was low, and brucellosis was not perceived as a real burden; recent studies, however, may reflect a changing trend. Concerning human brucellosis, no studies have identified the Brucella species and most reports provide only serological evidence of contact with Brucella in the classical risk groups; some suggest brucellosis misdiagnoses as malaria or other febrile conditions. The investigation of a severe outbreak that occurred in the late 1970s describes the emergence of animal and human disease caused by the settling of previously nomadic populations during the Sahelian drought. There appears to be an increasing risk of re-emergence of brucellosis in sub-Saharan Africa, as a result of the co-existence of pastoralist movements and the increase of intensive management resulting from growing urbanization and food demand. Highly contagious zoonoses like brucellosis pose a threat with far-reaching social and political consequences

Wealth, household heterogeneity and livelihood diversification of Fulani pastoralists in the Kachia Grazing Reserve, northern Nigeria, during a period of social transition

A mixed methods study was undertaken in the Kachia Grazing Reserve of northern Nigeria. Surveys in March, June and October 2011 included focus group discussions, key informant and in-depth household interviews, concerning livelihood practices, animal health, ownership, and productivity. In May 2011, 249 Fulani families fleeing post-election violence entered the reserve with their livestock, increasing the number of households by one third.Despite being settled within a grazing reserve, over half of households sent all their cattle away on seasonal transhumance and another third sent some away. Cattle accounted for 96% of total tropical livestock units (TLU), of which 26% were cattle kept permanently outside the reserve. While all households cited livestock as their main source of income, 90% grew crops and 55% derived income from off-farm activities. A multiple correspondence analysis showed that for each extra member of a household its TLU value increased by 2.0 [95% CI, 1.4-2.7], while for each additional marriage its TLU increased by 15.7 [95% CI, 7.1-24.3]. A strong association was also observed between small herds, small households with only one wife, alongside marked geographical wealth differences within the reserve. New immigrant families had larger household sizes (33) and livestock holdings (122 TLU) than old settlers (22 people and 67 TLU). Prior to the mass immigration, the distribution of TLU per person was unimodal: 41% of households were classified as 'poor' and 27% as 'medium', whereas post-immigration it was bi-modal, with 26% classified as 'very poor' and 28% as 'medium'.While cattle remain the principal source of Fulani income and wealth, the inhabitants of Kachia Grazing Reserve have diversified their livelihood strategies to respond to changing circumstances and stress, especially the limited availability of grazing within the reserve and political insecurity outside, resulting in continued transhumance, the maintenance of smaller livestock holdings and pushing households into poverty

Safety and effectiveness of biosimilar enoxaparin (Inhixa) for the prevention of thromboembolism in medical and surgical inpatients

In 2016, biosimilar enoxaparin (Inhixa®, Techdow) was introduced in European markets with the same indications as branded enoxaparin (Clexane®, Sanofi). Its use is constantly increasing in clinical practice, however, little information from post-marketing clinical trials is available on its safety and effectiveness. We conducted an observational, retrospective study to assess the safety and effectiveness of Inhixa in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in medically ill patients and in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. We then compared our results with the incidence of symptomatic VTE and bleeding events during treatment with Clexane by pooling the results of clinical studies carried out in the same settings. We enrolled 381 patients, 189 admitted to a Medical Department and 192 to a Surgical Department from two single institutions. The incidence of major bleeding events was 1.8% globally (95% IC 0.7–3.8), 1.6% in medical patients (95% IC 0.3–4.6) and 2.1% in surgical patients (95% IC 0.6–5.3). VTE rate was 0.5% in the whole population (95% IC 0.1–1.9) and 0.5% (95% IC 0.01–2.9) in each group, respectively. The pooled estimate of the incidence of major bleeding with Clexane was 0.5% (IC 95%: 0.2–1.1) in medical patients and 2.6% (IC 95% 1.3–5.1) in surgical patients. The incidence of thrombotic events was 0.6% (IC 95%: 0.2–1.8) and 0.7% (CI95% 0.3–1.6), respectively. The incidence of bleeding and thrombosis in medical and surgical patients receiving Inhixa was low suggesting biosimilar enoxaparin is a valid alternative to branded enoxaparin

Oral anticoagulation in very elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: Results from the prospective multicenter START2-REGISTER study

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have shown similar efficacy and safety with respect to warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the proportion of patients aged 6585 years enrolled in clinical trials was low and the applicability of their results to very elderly patients is still uncertain. We have carried out a prospective cohort study on AF patients aged 6585 years enrolled in the Survey on anticoagulaTed pAtients RegisTer (START2-Register) and treated with either VKAs or DOACs, with the aim to evaluate mortality, bleeding and thrombotic rates during a long-term follow-up. We enrolled 1124 patients who started anticoagulation at 6585 years with VKA (58.7%) or DOACs (41.3%), Clinical characteristics of patients were similar, except for a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease and renal failure in VKAs patients and of a history of previous bleeding and previous stroke/TIA in patients on DOACs. Median CHA2DS2VASc and HAS-BLED scores were similar between the two groups. During follow-up, 47 major bleedings (rate 2.3 x100 pt-yrs) and 19 stroke/ TIA (0.9 x100 pt-yrs) were recorded. The incidence of bleeding was similar between patients on VKAs and DOACs. Patients on DOACs showed a higher rate of thrombotic events during treatment (rate 1.84 and 0.50,respectively). Mortality rate was higher in patients on VKAs than in patients on DOACs (HR 0.64 (95% CI 0.46-0.91). In conclusion, we confirm the overall safety and effectiveness of anticoagulant treatment in very elderly AF patients, with lower mortality rates in DOACs patients, similar bleeding risk, and a higher risk for cerebral thrombotic events in DOACs patients

Coagulation parameters and venous thromboembolism in patients with and without COVID-19 admitted to the Emergency Department for acute respiratory insufficiency

Background: In the recent outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, increased D-dimer levels and high rates of venous thromboembolic events were reported. We aimed to compare coagulation parameters on admission between COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory insufficiency and to describe VTE diagnosed at entry. Methods: In this single-centre, observational retrospective study consecutive patients admitted for fever and acute respiratory failure were included. Patients underwent laboratory tests, arterial blood gas, chest X-ray, point of care ultrasound (POCUS), limited compression ultrasonography of the lower limbs (L-CUS), chest CT-scan if necessary, and swab test for COVID-19. Results: Of 324 patients, 50% had COVID-19. COVID19 patients had significantly lower mean white blood cells, neutrophils, platelet count, and pCT values, and significantly higher CRP, LDH, and ferritin levels than non-COVID19 patients. D-dimer was increased in 86.5% COVID19 patients and in 84.9% non-COVID19 patients; mean values were similar (2185 ng/mL and 2814 ng/mL, respectively, p = n.s.). After multivariate analysis, results were unchanged (Odds Ratio 1.00 95%CI: 0.99\u20131.00, p = 0.21). PT and aPTT values were also similar between the two groups, fibrinogen levels were higher in COVID19 than in non-COVID19 patients (684 and 496 mg/dL, respectively, p < 0.0001). Five patients had asymptomatic proximal deep vein thrombosis detected by L-CUS (3 COVID19) and 2 patients had symptomatic pulmonary embolism (both non-COVID19). Conclusions: D-dimer levels were similarly increased in patients with and without SARS-CoV 2 related disease. There were few cases of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis or symptomatic pulmonary embolism at first day of admission, similarly distributed between COVID19 patients and non-COVID19 patients

Case Report: Comparison of three techniques used to characterize Newcastle disease virus isolated from chickens treated with aqueous extract of Momordica balsamina

Despite the efforts made by stake holders towards eradication of pathogens from poultry flocks, Newcastle disease virus infection is still of continuing economic concern in Nigeria. Consequently, adapting prompt, sensitive and inexpensive diagnostic techniques will without doubt clamp down on the menace of the disease. Characterization of Newcastle disease virus isolated from laying chickens (layers) receiving aqueous extract of balsam apple (Momordica balsamina) was done using the intra-cerebral pathogenicity infectivity (ICPI) test, mean death time of the minimum lethal dose (MDT/MLD) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. The presence of Newcastle disease (ND) virus was established using the haemagglutination (HA) and haemaglutination inhibition (HI) test from samples of trachea, lungs, liver, heart, proventriculus and intestines of chicken carcasses necropsied. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has a higher advantage over other techniques with respect to sensitivity while in terms of cost and availability of materials; the mean death time and intra-cerebral pathogenicity infectivity have higher advantage over PCR.Keywords: Characterization, mesogenic, Momordica balsamina, Newcastle disease