A retrospective study of dog bite cases reported to some hospitals in Plateau State, Nigeria

Dog bite exposes victims to many potential zoonoses, particularly rabies which is feared because of its extremely high fatality rate of almost 100%. This study was carried out to evaluate the incidences of dog bite reported to some human hospitals in Plateau State, Nigeria and to provide data that will help in planning of rabies control programmes in the state. Information retrieved from the hospitals include date of bite, location of bite, age and sex of the victims for the period of January, 2007 to December, 2016. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data and the results were presented in tables. A total of 884 dog bite cases were reported in 9 hospitals visited across the state; the highest cumulative number (85 cases) was reported in April followed by 84 cases in May and 81 cases in October. Furthermore, there were more male (53.39%) victims of dog bite than female (46.61%) victims as well as more adult (53.51%) victims than children (46.49%) below 15 years of age. It can be concluded from this study that there is a high incidence of dog bite cases in the state. The presence of two popular dog markets located in Jos South and Kanke Local Government Areas of Plateau state could possibly play a significant role in the high incidences of dog bite cases recorded in this study. Hospitals in Plateau State should endeavor to improve on their record keeping of dog bite cases as this will help health workers in planning of rabies control programmes.Keywords: Dog Bite, Hospital, Plateau State, Retrospective Stud

Magnitude and risk factors associated with bovine dermatophilosis in Sabon-Gari, Kaduna state and Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria

Dermatophilosis is a contagious zoonotic skin disease affecting a variety of domestic and wild animals with grave economic consequences.  The status of bovine dermatophilosis and associated risk factors in Sabon-Gari, Kaduna State and Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria are yet to be fully determined. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bovine dermatophilosis in Sabon-Gari and Jos. One thousand, nine hundred and twenty skin scab samples consisting of 1,530 from Sabon-Gari and 390 from Jos were obtained from cattle having cutaneous lesions including papules, exudative dermatitis with matting of the hair, cream colored, thickly crusted and scabby lesions suggestive of Dermatophilus infection. Smears were made from the underneath surface of each specimen on a clean glass slide,  air dried, heat fixed and Gram stained. The stained smears were examined microscopically for Gram-positive filamentous organism having both longitudinal and transverse division, typical of Dermatophilus congolensis. Further identification was done by isolating the causative agent in 5% de-fibrinated sheep blood agar. Data were analyzed using tables, percentages and Chi square test. P-values less than or equal  to 0.05 were considered significant. One hundred and forty-six (9.5 %) and 21 (5.4%) of the samples from Sabon-Gari and Jos respectively were positive for D. congolensis. The overall prevalence of bovine dermatophilosis in Sabon-Gari and Jos was 8.7% (167/1,920),  respectively. Breed, age, management practice and season were found to be significant risk factors associated with bovine  dermatophilosis. Methods for control of the disease in cattle as well as prevention of human exposure were highlighted. Keywords: Cattle, Dermatophilosis, Jos, Nigeria, Sabon-Gar

Prevalence and distribution of dermatophytes among domestic horses in Kwara state, Nigeria

The study investigated the prevalence and distribution of dermatophytes among domestic horses in Kwara state, Nigeria. A total of 91 samples were collected which comprised of skin scrapings and hair from both infected and asymptomatic animals. The highest dermatophyte isolation rate per total samples collected from each of the 7 different Local Government Area (LGAs) was 25% for Ilorin-East. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the number of dermatophyte isolates obtained from the seven different LGAs. Dermatophytic lesions were observed on four anatomical sites of the body of horses that were sampled. These sites were the limbs, tail, head and abdominal region with dermatophyte isolation rate per total samples collected being 18.7%, 16%, 15% and 10%, respectively. Out of 85 male horses sampled, 12 were positive, and out of the six female horses sampled, two were positive. However, there was no statistically significant difference (p ˃ 0.05) between the total dermatophytes isolated from male (14.1%) or female (33.3%) horses from the seven LGAs in Kwara state. Dermatophytes isolated include Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton soudanense, M. gypseum, Microsporum persicolor, Microsporum equinum and Microsporum fulvum with Trichophyton tonsurans and Trichophyton soudanense being anthropophilic.Keywords: Dermatophytes, Distribution, Horses, Prevalence, Kwara state, Nigeri

Detection of rabies virus antigen in brain tissue of dogs slaughtered for human consumption in Taraba State, Nigeria

Rabies as an ancient zoonosis constitutes a threat to public health by causing over 59,000 annual human mortalities worldwide. The aim of this study was to detect rabies virus in brain tissue of dogs slaughtered for human consumption in Taraba State, Nigeria. A total of 150 dogs comprising 136 adults and 14 puppies consisting of 82 males and 68 females was sampled from slaughter points in five Local Government Areas. Brain samples were collected from each dog in labeled sterile sample bottles and screened for rabies virus antigen using direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT). Results showed that 3 out of the 150 (2%) brain samples screened were positive for rabies virus; out of which 2 were from Unguwan Kasa (14.3%) and 1 was from Quarter Five (7.1%). This therefore suggests the presence of rabies virus in dogs slaughtered for human consumption in Taraba State, Nigeria and their role as reservoirs of the virus. Therefore, there is need for awareness education on safe handling of dog meat to minimize the risk for butchers/meat handlers. Keywords: Brain samples, dogs, Prevalence, Rabies, Taraba Stat

Prevalence of Tuberculosis in Cattle Slaughtered at Maiduguri Central Abattoir, Nigeria

Bovine tuberculosis is an important public health and economic disease in Nigeria. This study reports the prevalence of tuberculosis in cattle slaughtered at the central abattoir in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Post mortem examination of 664 cattle carcasses was done at the abattoir for 6 months. The lesions collected were processed by using NALC-NaOH and subjected to acid-fast staining and microscopy. The overall prevalence of tuberculosis based on gross tubercle lesions in cattle slaughtered at Maiduguri abattoir was 62 (9.3%). Female cattle 43 (16.7%) had significantly (p = 0.0001) higher prevalence of tubercle lesions than male cattle 19 (4.7%). Cattle with thin body condition had 44 (21.2%), optimal body condition 16 (5.8%) and overweight cattle 2 (1.1%). There was significant (p = 0.0001) difference between body condition and occurrence of tubercle lesions. Prevalence of tubercle lesions in adult cattle was 29 (17.7%), young adults (25 (7.8%) and calves 8 (4.3%). Tubercle lesions were most common in thoracic lymph node and lungs than other organs. The prevalence of tuberculosis by Ziehl-Neelsen microscopy was 6.2% (41/664). There was significant (p=0.0001) differences in the prevalence of tuberculosis by Ziehl-eelsenmicros copy and demographic variable except for breeds. Tubercle lesion is endemic in cattle slaughtered in Maiduguri centralabattoir. One Health approach is recommended to prevent zoonotic transmission to humans and economic losses among farmers and butchers. Keywords: Bovine tuberculosis; Body condition; Cattle; Maiduguri; Nigeri

Foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype SAT1 in cattle, Nigeria.

&lt;p&gt;The knowledge of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) dynamics and epidemiology in Nigeria and the West Africa subregion is important to support local and regional control plans and international risk assessment. Foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype South African territories (SAT)1 was isolated, identified and characterized from an FMD outbreak in cattle in Nigeria in 2015, 35 years after the last report of FMDV SAT1 in West Africa. The VP1 coding sequence of the Nigerian 2015 SAT1 isolates diverges from reported SAT1 topotypes resulting in a separate topotype. The reporting of a novel FMDV SAT1 strain in the virus pool 5 (West and Central Africa) highlights the dynamic and complex nature of FMDV in this region of Africa. Sustained surveillance is needed to understand the origin, the extent and distribution of this novel SAT1 topotype in the region as well as to detect and monitor the occurrence of (re-)emerging FMDV strains.&lt;/p&gt;</p

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Foot and Mouth Disease Viruses from Outbreaks in Some States of Northern Nigeria 2013-2015.

&lt;p&gt;Control measures for foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Nigeria have not been implemented due to the absence of locally produced vaccines and risk-based analysis resulting from insufficient data on the circulating FMD virus (FMDV) serotypes/strains. In 2013-2015, blood and epithelial samples were collected from reported FMD outbreaks in four states (Kaduna, Kwara, Plateau and Bauchi) in northern Nigeria. FMDV non-structural protein (NSP) seroprevalence for the outbreaks was estimated at 80% (72 of 90) and 70% (131 of 188) post-outbreak. Antibodies against FMDV serotypes O, A, SAT1, SAT2 and SAT3 were detected across the states using solid-phase competitive ELISA. FMDV genome was detected in 99% (73 of 74) of the samples from FMD-affected animals using rRT-PCR, and cytopathic effect was found in cell culture by 59% (44 of 74) of these samples. Three FMDV serotypes O, A and SAT2 were isolated and characterized. The phylogenetic assessments of the virus isolates showed that two topotypes of FMDV serotype O, East Africa-3 (EA-3) and West Africa (WA) topotypes were circulating, as well as FMDV strains belonging to the Africa genotype (G-IV) of serotype A and FMDV SAT2 topotype VII strains. While the serotype O (EA-3) strains from Nigeria were most closely related to a 1999 virus strain from Sudan, the WA strain in Nigeria shares genetic relationship with three 1988 viruses in Niger. The FMDV serotype A strains were closely related to a known virus from Cameroon, and the SAT2 strains were most closely related to virus subtypes in Libya. This study provides evidence of co-occurrence of FMDV serotypes and topotypes in West, Central, East and North Africa, and this has implication for control. The findings help filling the knowledge gap of FMDV dynamics in Nigeria and West Africa subregion to support local and regional development of vaccination-based control plans and international risk assessment.&lt;/p&gt;</p