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

No Abstract

Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Oko-oba abattoir, Lagos State, Nigeria

No Abstract.Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 4 (2) 2008: pp. 102-10

SEROPREVALENCE OF MAREK'S DISEASE VIRUS ANTIBODY IN CHICKENS FROM THREE ZONES OF NIGERIA

Blood samples from jugular veins were randomly obtained from 2,452 commercially improved and indigenous chickens from 36 flocks in Abuja, Kaduna, Bauchi, Plateau and Nasarawa States of Nigeria. Based on suspected Marek’s disease (MD) outbreaks that needed follow up, the study area was chosen. Commercial flocks were mostly kept on deep litter with few in battery cage system with clinically suspected MD. Agar gel precipitin test (AGPT) was used to test sera sampled for Marek’s disease virus (MDV) antibodies. Herpes turkey virus vaccine was mostly given by the farmers to control MD; some farmers believed chicks from hatcheries might have been vaccinated while other farmers had no idea of any MD vaccination status. The indigenous chickens had no records of vaccination and were all on free range. Marek’s disease virus (HPRS-16) positive standard antigen and serum were commercially obtained from Veterinary Laboratory Agency (VLA–UK). Analysis of risk factors associated with seropositivity of MDV antibodies in commercial and indigenous chickens; univariate and multivariate logistic regression was done. A factor or independent variable of interest was considered to have an influence on seropositivity with statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). The overall seroprevalenvence of MD was 66.0% (P < 0.0001) which has increased since it was first diagnosed in Nigeria. The detection of MDV antibodies in unvaccinated improved and unvaccinated indigenous chickens indicated that they were exposed to MD field virus. This study gave current findings on Marek’s disease in this area. A nationwide screening of chickens against Marek’s disease is needed for epidemiological study and biosecurity control measures