The influence of sex on the haematological values of apparently healthy adult Nigerian Sahel goats

Blood samples were collected from fifty apparently healthy adult Sahel goats, twenty five each of male and female in Maiduguri to assess the influence of sex on their haematology. The red blood cell (RBC) counts, white blood cell (WBC) counts, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), platelet counts,  neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and basophils counts were determined. The mean  corpuscular volume (MCV), the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin  concentration (MCHC) were also determined. The RBC, WBC, MCH and neutrophil values were higher (P<0.05) in female than male goats. However, the platelet, MCV, eosinophil and monocyte values were higher (P<0.05) in male than female goats. The PCV, Hb, MCHC, lymphocytes and basophil values were comparable (P>0.05) in both sexes. The variations may be due to breed idiosyncrasies or inherent sex differences among male and female Sahel goats. The haematological values obtained in this study were significant, but did not differ from the normal values for caprine species. In conclusion, sex significantly influenced the RBC, WBC, MCV, MCH, platelet, neutrophil, eosinophil and monocyte values in this study.Keywords: Haemogram, Maiduguri, Nigeria, Sahel Goats, Se

Bacterial flora in the Urinary bladder of apparently healthy cattle in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Fifty apparently healthy adult cattle presented for slaughter at the Maiduguri Metropolitan Abattoir were examined to determine the bacterial flora in the urinary bladder. Isolation and identification of the isolates in the aseptic urine samples from the urinary bladder were done according to standard bacteriological techniques. All the animals examined were positive for one bacterial isolates or the other. Proteus (30.0%) and Escherichia coli (30.0%) were the most common bacterial isolates. Other bacteria were Salmonella species (20.0%), Shigella species (14.0%) and Klebsiella species (6.0%). The isolates though from apparently healthy animals could be of health and epidemiological significanceKey Words: Bacterial flora, Bladder, Cattle, Maiduguri

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

Studies on the Leucocytic Response to Experimental Infection with Trypanosoma brucei and Haemonchus contortus in Red fronted gazelles (Gazella rufifrons)

The leucocytic response to a concurrent Trypanosoma brucei and Haemonchus contortus infection following parasitaemia and appearance of ova in faeces in red fronted gazelles (Gazella rufifrons) was investigated. A marked decline (P < 0.05) in total white blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte counts was observed among the concurrently infected red fronted gazelles compared to those with single infections. Also, neutrophil numbers declined significantly (P < 0.05) in red fronted gazelles infected either singly with Trypanosoma brucei or concurrently with both parasites while those infected singly with Haemonchus contortus experienced a significant (