Listeria Species in Seafoods from two Major Fish Markets in Lagos, Nigeria

Listeria is a bacterial genus thatis widely distributed in our environment. Its most economically important species is Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The contamination of seafoods with Listeria species may occur during processing, handling and packaging due to poor quality control measures. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify Listeria spp. from seafoods sold at Liverpool and Makoko fish markets in Lagos. A total of 193 seafood samples including Blue Whiting (Micromesistus poutasou), Croaker (Pseudotolitus elongatus) and Pink Shrimp (Penaeus notialis) were screened for the presence of Listeria spp. The isolation and identification of Listeria species were carried out using the Oxoid Listeria Précis method. Forty-nine samples were positive for Listeria spp. and were identified as Listeria ivanovii,L. grayi, L. welshimeri, L. monocytogenes and L. innocua. Fresh croaker had the highest prevalence of 58.8%. The results of this study indicate the presence of Listeria spp. in seafoods in Liverpool and Makoko fish markets. It also revealed the possibility that these seafoods could contribute to food borne infections. Therefore, the improvement of seafood quality is of utmost importance

Isolation and characterization of nanocellulose from pineapple leaf fibres via chemo-mechanical method

In this study, the extraction, isolation and characterization of nanocellulose from pineapple leaf fibres (PALF) were carried out. The chemical pretreatment used include bleaching, and acid hydrolysis processes aimed at removing lignin, hemicellulose, and extractive substances. This was followed by sonication and milling to produce nanocellulose. Morphological changes to the PALF due to treatment were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the nanofibrils were produced and the micrographs showed PALF nanofibrils in the average range of 25–58 nm in diameters. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that there was no significant chemical / structural change after the phase changes. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) shows no significant elemental composition difference in the nano celluloses obtained. The results indicated that PALF waste could become a viable source of commercially valuable nanocellulose

Occurrence of multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae in cultured Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) in Kano metropolis, Nigeria

Multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from cultured African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) from ten different fish farms located in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria using conventional methods of bacterial isolation, phenotypic characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility test. This study seeks to document the occurrence of Enterobacteriaceae isolates in cultured African catfish from ten registered fish farms, determine possible resistance to some antimicrobials and the fish safety for human consumption. Isolation and identification of microorganisms were carried out based on the standard procedures and antimicrobial susceptibility to 8 commonly used antimicrobials were conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Out of the 400 fish liver sampled, 370 (92.5%) were positive for Enterobacteriaceae isolates, these included 277 (69.25%) E. coli, 13 (3.25%) Salmonella spp, 36 (9%) Klebsiella spp, 21 (5.25%) Proteus spp and 23 (5.75%) Enterobacter spp. The prevalence of the multi-drug resistance was 97.5% for E. coli, 100% for Salmonella spp, 100% for Klebsiella spp, 90.5% for Proteus spp and 82.6% for Enterobacter spp. This study establishes the presence of some Enterobacteriaceae and the development of multi-drug resistance by these microorganisms. More studies like molecular characterization need to be carried out to determine the resistant genes in these organisms, also to assess antimicrobial use among fish farmers and the drug residue levels in the edible tissues of cultured African catfish in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Ameliorative Effects of Elaeis guineensis Oil on Water Quality, Hematological and Biochemical Parameters of Clarias gariepinus under Transport Condition

To ascertain the effects of Elaeis guineensis oil on the haematological and water quality parameters of Clarias gariepinus to road transportation, experiments were conducted.  Forty-two clinically healthy adult Clarias gariepinus, weighing an average of 450.46 ± 26.06 g and measuring an average total length of 38.23 ± 4.46 cm were utilized for the experiment and split into two groups. Elaeis guineensis oil was given to group I every day for one month and on the day of transportation, but not to group II. After transportation, the group I's packed cell volume and erythrocyte counts were significantly elevated (P < 0.05). In comparison to group II, the group I's total leucocyte count, neutrophil count, and stress index (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) were all considerably lower (P < 0.05). Following transportation, group II had significantly higher levels (P < 0.05) of nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia than group I. However, the dissolved oxygen level was significantly elevated in group I than in group II. As a result, it was determined that palm oil improved the various Clarias gariepinus haematological and water quality indicators. As a result, it can be beneficial to the fish to reduce the stress of transportation consequently mitigating the effect of stress leading to disease susceptibility and mortality of the fish

Challenges of Decentralized, Farmer-Led and Fee-For-Service Extension

Agricultural extension services are crucial for the rapid spread of research results to farmers and for transmitting information about farmers’ needs, circumstances, and problems to researchers. In developing countries, public extension organizations are dominant. These public extension systems are often inadequately funded, have high costs, and their effectiveness is limited by many administrative and design deficiencies and challenges. Chief among these are the large scale and complexity of extension operations, the weak links between extension and research, problems of accountability, weak political commitment and support, weak management systems, severe difficulties of fiscal unsustainability, and difficulties of tracing extension impact. Disenchantment with the traditional, public extension programmes has led to the emergence of other approaches aimed at overcoming some of the weaknesses inherent in the public extension systems. This paper reviews the challenges of decentralized, farmer-led and fee-for-service extension

Challenges of Decentralized, Farmer-Led and Fee-For-Service Extension

Agricultural extension services are crucial for the rapid spread of research results to farmers and for transmitting information about farmers’ needs, circumstances, and problems to researchers. In developing countries, public extension organizations are dominant. These public extension systems are often inadequately funded, have high costs, and their effectiveness is limited by many administrative and design deficiencies and challenges. Chief among these are the large scale and complexity of extension operations, the weak links between extension and research, problems of accountability, weak political commitment and support, weak management systems, severe difficulties of fiscal unsustainability, and difficulties of tracing extension impact. Disenchantment with the traditional, public extension programmes has led to the emergence of other approaches aimed at overcoming some of the weaknesses inherent in the public extension systems. This paper reviews the challenges of decentralized, farmer-led and fee-for-service extension

Role of biofilm formation on the pathogenesis of Streptococcus agalactiae infection in red hybrid tilapia Oreochromis niloticus x Oreochromis mossambicus

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus, GBS) is an important pathogen of aquatic animals that has led to significant economic loss due to frequent disease outbreak and mortalities in fish worldwide. Tilapia has shown an unusual susceptibility to GBS infection, which is often characterised by acute septicaemia or chronic meningoencephalitis. While acute septicaemia is a sequel to an invasive infection, the mechanism of chronic meningoencephalitis in fish is not fully understood. However, most pathogens that induce acute invasive diseases are capable of developing biofilm associated chronic lesions. Biofilm is an assemblage of irreversibly attached microbial organisms within generated matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. The aim of this research was to investigate the role of biofilm in piscine GBS infection in red hybrid tilapia. A putative piscine GBS biofilm strain was selected and analysed for biofilm formation in vitro. The piscine GBS strain exhibited a weak attachment to polystyrene plates by standard crystal violet assay. Furthermore, fluorescent in situ hybridization and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed discrete aggregates of attached piscine GBS around the brain meningeal surface of the orally exposed experimental tilapia. Importantly, these organised aggregates were first detected at a time point corresponding to the transition from an acute to chronic infection. The aggregates where embedded in a polysaccharide containing matrix and became intractable to antibiotic treatment despite earlier in vitro susceptibility on sensitivity test. The eye and stomach had no aggregates suggestive of the sessile life style. Intracellular bacterial aggregates, such as within erythrocytes and ventricular ependyma of the brain were also observed. Leukocytic infiltrates predominantly macrophages were readily seen around biofilms, while erythrocytes appeared often coagulated and severely injured as shown by increased expression of heat shock protein 70. Moreover, an effective adaptive immune response was not detected during the period of study. The erythrocytes may have facilitated invasion of GBS into the brain of tilapia. The present research demonstrates for the first time, that biofilm is associated with persistence of piscine GBS and development of chronic meningoencephalitis in the experimental tilapia. It provides a foundation for further investigation and the development of a holistic framework to prevent GBS infection in fish. Current approaches including vaccine strategies need to be reviewed to account for the biofilm phenotype

Listeria Species in Seafoods from two Major Fish Markets in Lagos, Nigeria

Listeria is a bacterial genus thatis widely distributed in our environment. Its most economically important species is Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The contamination of seafoods with Listeria species may occur during processing, handling and packaging due to poor quality control measures. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify Listeria spp. from seafoods sold at Liverpool and Makoko fish markets in Lagos. A total of 193 seafood samples including Blue Whiting (Micromesistus poutasou), Croaker (Pseudotolitus elongatus) and Pink Shrimp (Penaeus notialis) were screened for the presence of Listeria spp. The isolation and identification of Listeria species were carried out using the Oxoid Listeria Précis method. Forty-nine samples were positive for Listeria spp. and were identified as Listeria ivanovii,L. grayi, L. welshimeri, L. monocytogenes and L. innocua. Fresh croaker had the highest prevalence of 58.8%. The results of this study indicate the presence of Listeria spp. in seafoods in Liverpool and Makoko fish markets. It also revealed the possibility that these seafoods could contribute to food borne infections. Therefore, the improvement of seafood quality is of utmost importance

PCR-based detection of Schistosoma bovis in cattle in Maiduguri Metropolis and Jere Local Government Areas in Borno State, Nigeria

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Schistosoma infection in cattle in Maiduguri Metropolis (MMC) and Jere Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Blood samples (n=200) were collected from cattle consisting of one hundred (100) each from five (5) ward levels each of MMC and Jere LGAs. DNA samples were extracted from the serum samples, analysed and quantified using a Nano-drop machine. The extracted DNA were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The overall prevalence of Schistosoma infection was 2% (n=200). Jere LGA had 3% (n=100) while MMC had 1% (n=100). There was no statistical significant association in prevalence rate in the two LGAs studied (P=0.621) (P>0.05). At the ward levels, Custom Area in Jere LGA had 15%, Jiddari ward in MMC had 5%, and the remaining ward levels had no cases. Of the 103 female and 97 male cattle screened, the prevalence in female was 1(0.97%) and 3(3.09%) in the male. Of the 177 serum samples from above 1year (adult) examined, 4 (2.26%) were positive and none in the young. There was no statistical significant association in prevalence rate among ward levels, sex groups and age groups in the study areas (P=0.621) (P>0.05), (P=0.356) (P>0.05) and (P=1.000) (P>0.05) respectively. Of the eight (8) breeds screened, Kuri had 2.7%, Sokoto Gudali (1.82%), Abore (2%), Red Bororo (2.63%), White Fulani, Porland, Mbala and Wafara recorded no cases. The difference in prevalence rates among the breeds based on the trend of occurrence of Schistosoma infection were not significantly associated statistically (P=1.000) (P>0.05). Conclusion: There is a prevalence of Schistosoma infection in cattle in the two LGAs of Borno state. It is recommended that a system be established to maintain preventive and control programs. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(2.000): 92-98