Hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of the methanol leaf extract of Diaphananthe bidens in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Purpose: To investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of the methanol extract of Diaphananthe bidens leaf using acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity rat model. Methods: Thirty albino Wistar rats, randomly assigned into 6 groups (A - F, n = 5), were used for the study. Groups A and B received distilled water (10 ml/kg), group C received silymarin (0.10 g/kg) while groups D - F received D. bidens extract 0.15, 0.30 and 0.60 g/kg, respectively, for 7 days. On day 8, groups B - F rats received acetaminophen (2 g/kg) orally. About 48 h later, pentobarbitone sodium (0.035 g/kg) was injected intraperitoneally for sleeping time studies. The time of sleep, time of awake and the duration of sleep were recorded. On awakening, blood samples were collected for evaluation of serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant profile. Thereafter, the rats were humanely euthanized and the liver excised for histopathological evaluation. In vitro antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated using ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) scavenging assay. Results: Treatment of the rats with D. bidens decreased (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde values and activities of ALT, AST and ALP, but increased glutathione levels and catalase activities when compared to negative control group. The extract significantly (p < 0.05) decreased sodium pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time relative to the negative control group and produced concentration-dependent increase in antioxidant activities in vitro. The extract protected the hepatocyte against acetaminophen-induced damage. Conclusion: D. bidens extract elicits antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo and thus, protects rat liver against acetaminophen-induced damage. Therefore, the extract can potentially be developed as a hepatoprotective agent for the clinical management of liver damage

Effects of vaccination on the haematological parameters of cockerels and ducks infected with a Velogenic Newcastle disease virus

This study investigated the effects of vaccination on haematologic responses of cockerels and Pekin ducks experimentally infected with a velogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV). One hundred cockerels and ducks respectively were used for the study. The birds were randomly divided into six groups of three groups each. One group from both bird types was vaccinated against NDV with La Sota vaccine after three weeks of age. The vaccinated and unvaccinated cockerels and ducks were inoculated with a velogenic NDV after six weeks and observed for clinical signs and lesions. Blood samples were randomly collected from five birds in each group for haematological analyses at 3 days interval from day 0 to 15 and 21 post inoculation. Ten birds in each group were used for haemagglutination inhibition test weekly. Results showed signs of weakness and greenish diarrheoa from day 2 pi, torticollis, ruffled feathers and droopy wings with 13.33% and 100% mortality for vaccinated and unvaccinated infected cockerels respectively. There were leukocytosis, heterophilia and lymphopaenia in infected birds. The HI titres of vaccinated cockerels were far higher than the vaccinated ducks. The leukocytosis in vaccinated birds confirmed reports that vaccination did not prevent infection but reduced clinical signs, lesions, virus shedding and mortality. The transient leukocytosis in these birds could be seen as early signs of NDV infection in the absence of any clinical signs especially in ducks that are less susceptible and therefore may help in early detection of the disease before they constitute a risk to more susceptible birds.Keywords: Vaccination, Velogenic Newcastle disease virus, Haematology, Cockerels, Duck

Haematological changes in the blood of cultured Clarias gariepinus stored at room and refrigerator temperatures

This study investigated the artifactual changes in the haematological values of Clarias gariepinus blood stored at room (32oC) and refrigerator (4oC) temperatures. Blood samples were collected from 12 apparently healthy fish weighing between 0.8 and 1kg. Samples were divided into two parts immediately after collection and baseline haematological values determined. Haematological determinations were thereafter carried out at 6 hourly intervals up to the 36th hour and then at the 48th hour. Results showed significant reduction (p<0.05) in PCV and RBC values at the 48th hour from the baseline value at room temperature and no significant variation (p>0.05) at the refrigerator temperature. There were significant increases (p<0.05) in the MCV and MCHC values from the baseline values at the 48th hour and MCH value at 36th hour at room temperature while no significant variations (p>0.05) were observed at refrigerator temperature. There were significant reductions (p<0.05) in the WBC count at the 36th and 48th hours when compared with the baseline value at both room and refrigerator temperatures while HBC values did not vary significantly (p>0.05) in both temperatures all through the duration of the study. Reliable RBC count can be obtained up to the 12th hour; WBC and MCH up to the 30th hour; PCV, MCV and MCHC up to the 36th hour and HBC up to the 48th hour at room temperature while at refrigerator temperature, reliable values can be obtained up to the 48th hour in all the parameters determined except WBC count that can be obtained up to the 30th hour of storage.Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, Blood, Artifactual changes, Haematology, Duration of storage, Storage temperatur

Slaughter of pregnant goats for meat at Nsukka slaughterhouse and its economic implications: A public health concern

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the incidence rate of the slaughter of pregnant goats in Nsukka slaughterhouse, which has become a major cruel occurrence in Nigeria, as well as it's economic and public health implications. Materials and Methods: All the goats slaughtered at Nsukka slaughterhouse over a period of 3 months (February-April, 2017) were screened. The data collected were: total number of goats slaughtered, age, breed and sex of goats slaughtered, pregnancy status of the goats, and sex of the fetuses observed, and gestational age of the fetuses estimated by crown-rump length. Results: In the 3-month study, a total of 684 goats were slaughtered, of which 617 (90.2%) were females. 364 (59%) of the females slaughtered were pregnant, and more than 80% of the gestations were in the second and third trimesters. Of 661 fetuses recorded, 320 (48.3%) were males, and 341 (51.7%) were females with 438 (66.3%) predominantly twins. At the cost of ₦ 6,000 ($16) and ₦ 8,000 ($20) for male and female kids, respectively, a total of ₦ 4,648,000 ($11,620) was lost in just one slaughterhouse in 3 months. Conclusion: This study shows that there is a high rate of slaughter of pregnant goats in Nsukka slaughterhouse with a tremendous economic loss, and most chevon sold in Nsukka are unwholesome and of low meat quality

Occurrence and antibiogram of Listeria species in raw pork, beef, and chicken meats marketed in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria

Aim: This study was undertaken to isolate Listeria (L.) species from raw meats sold in markets in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria, and to determine the antibacterial resistance profile. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five grains of beef (n=144). chicken meat (n=144), and pork (n=144) were collected randomly from supermarkets and general markets in Enugu State. Isolation of Listeria was done using half and full Fraser broths, and polymyxin acriflavine lithium chloride ceftazidime aesculin mannitol agar. Identification of isolates was done using an analytical profile index kit specific for Listeria. Confirmation of the genus Listeria was done by a polymerase chain reaction. The resistance of the isolates was determined using the disk diffusion method. Results: Listeria was isolated from 39/144 (27.1%) chicken meat, 19/144 (13.2%) pork, and 66/144 (45.8%) beef samples cultured. Listeria innocea was the predominant species in chicken meat (52.6%) and beef (81.8%) samples. Listeria grayi, Listeria welshimeri, and Listeria ivanovii were also isolated from the beef and chicken meat samples. More than 65% of the isolates were resistant to penicillin, rifampicin. ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and cephalothin. All the isolates from beef and pork samples and 23 (92%) from chicken meat samples, were resistant to >= 3 classes of antibacterial agents. Mean multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) was 0.77 (range=0.42-1.00). 0.58 (range=0.25-0.83), and 0.79 (range=0.58-0.92) for the isolates from beef. chicken meat. and pork samples, respectively. All the isolates had MARI >0.2. Conclusion: Multidrug-resistant Listeria strains contaminate raw beef, pork, and chicken meats marketed in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria.TETfund through the University of Nigeria (Institutional based research - IBR) TETfund TETFUND/DESS/UNN/NSUKKA/RP/VOL.V Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT) CONICYT FONDECYT 116116

Molecular epidemiology, genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from chicken and pig carcasses, and carcass handlers.

The epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus in food animals, associated products, and their zoonotic potential in Nigeria are poorly understood. This study aimed to provide data on the prevalence, genetic characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of S. aureus isolated from chicken and pig carcasses, and persons in contact with the carcasses at slaughterhouses in Nigeria. Surface swabs were collected randomly from 600 chicken and 600 pig carcasses. Nasal swabs were collected from 45 workers in chicken slaughterhouses and 45 pig slaughterhouse workers. S. aureus isolates were analyzed by spa typing. They were also examined for presence of the Panton-Valentine Leucocidin (PVL) and mecA genes, as well as for antimicrobial resistance phenotype. Overall, 53 S. aureus isolates were recovered (28 from chicken carcasses, 17 from pig carcasses, 5 from chicken carcass handlers and 3 from pig carcass handlers). Among the isolates, 19 (35.8%) were PVL-positive and 12 (22.6%) carried the mecA gene. The 53 isolates belonged to 19 spa types. The Based Upon Repeat Pattern (BURP) algorithm separated the isolates into 2 spa-clonal complexes (spa-CC) and 9 singletons including 2 novel spa types (t18345 and t18346). The clonal complexes (CC) detected were CC1, CC5, CC8, CC15, CC88 and CC152. CC15-related isolates represented by spa type t084 (32.1%) and CC5 represented by spa type t311 (35.3%) predominated among isolates from chicken carcasses/ handlers, and pig carcasses/ handlers, respectively. Multidrug resistance exhibited by all the CC except CC8, was observed among isolates from chicken carcasses (64.3%), pig carcasses (41.2%), handlers of chicken meat (40.0%) and handlers of pork (33.3%). All the CC showed varying degrees of resistance to tetracycline while CC15 and CC5 exhibited the highest resistance to sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim and erythromycin, respectively. The predominant antimicrobial resistance pattern observed was penicillin-tetracycline-sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (PEN-TET-SXT). In conclusion, food animals processed in Enugu State in Southeast Nigeria are potential vehicles for transmission of PVL-positive multiple-drug resistant S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus from farm to slaughterhouse and potentially to the human population. Public health intervention programs at pre- and post-slaughter stages should be considered in Nigerian slaughterhouses