Mycobacterial Species Identification and Public Health Implications of Tuberculosis Among Nomadic Pastoralists in Three Local Governments of Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Bovine and human tuberculosis is endemic in Nigeria, and apart from meat inspection at the abattoir, which is not very effective, no control measures are currently practiced against the disease in Nigerian livestock. A study was conducted to determine the level of awareness and knowledge of the public health implications of tuberculosis among pastoralists in some selected Local Government Areas of Plateau State. Majority of the respondents in the study area were aware of tuberculosis and they consumed both raw and boiled milk. However, despite their knowledge of tuberculosis, very few of them vaccinate their children against the disease. Five persons admitted being infected with tuberculosis and 3 (three) of these five were receiving treatment as at the time of questionnaire administration. Smear microscopy and deletion analyses were deployed to detect Mycobacterium species. All specimens were however negative by both techniques. Keywords: Tuberculosis, Nomadic, Cattle, Pastoralists, AwarenessNigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:32 (4) 321-33

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

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The use of Deletion Analysis in the Detection of Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacteium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium africanum among Slaughtered Cattle in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria.

Bovine and human tuberculosis is endemic in Nigeria and apart from meat inspection at the abattoir, which is not very effective, no control measures are currently practiced against the disease in Nigerian livestock. A total of 3381slaughtered cattle were examined for tuberculous lesions in the study area. Of these, 150 (4.4%) animals showed lesions typical of tuberculosis and 124 (3.7%) were acid fast positive. The major organs showing tuberculous lesions were lungs and lymph nodes. Out of 150 animals, 114 lungs (76%) and 27lymph nodes (18%) respectively were positive. 96 (64%) of the lungs were acid fast positive. Tuberculous organs were observed mostly in femaleanimals. Following deletion analysis of 142 tissue samples mic seal using RD1, RD4, RD9, RD12, RD1 and RD2 , 107 were identified as M. bovis, six as M. tuberculosis and two as M. africanum. The public health implication and control measures were discussed

Epidemiological evidence of listeriosis in guinea pigs fed with cabbage (Brassica oleracea) in Nigeria

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that infects livestock and humans. We report the first outbreak of invasive listeriosis caused by L. monocytogenes in a guinea pig breeding colony. Eighty to 100% mortality rate was recorded in the colony of 80 guinea pigs within four weeks outbreak. On epidemiologic investigation, Listeria monocytogenes cultures were made by direct plating of affected organs on Oxford- Listeria selective agar. Culture of suspected cabbage in University of Vermont Listeria-selective broth and Oxford- Listeria selective agar yielded Listeria monocytogenes. Characterization of Listeria species from the clinical and environmental samples cabbage revealed Listeria monocytogenes serotypes 4b.The histological preparations of the liver and lung tissues specimens revealed severe congestion of vessels, multifocal pale areas made up of aggregates of vacuolated hepatocellular necrosis and hemorrhagic interlobular septa with severe fibroplasia around the bronchial walls. Gram-positive thick short-rods were observed. Based on the clustering of cases within the space of time and serotype data from the clinical tissues and cabbage, it was concluded that the cabbage is the possible source of acquisition of infection in the guinea pig breeding colony. Thus, the consumption of fresh or undercooked green foods (cabbage, lettuce and others) that have been grown using animal manure contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may increase the risk of listeriosis in susceptible animals and humans. Keywords: Guinea pigs, cabbage, Listeria monocytogenes, listeriosis, septicemia, abortion > Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp. 248-25