Coliform count and isolation of Escherichia coli in fresh fruits and vegetables sold at retail outlets in Samaru, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Vegetables and fruits are commonly viewed as potential risk factors for infection with enteropathogens. One hundred and eight vegetables and fruits sold within Samaru, Zaria were cultured for coliforms and Escherichia coli using total aerobic plate and coliform counts on Nutrient and MacConkey agar plates respectively, and Eosin Methylene Blue for Escherichia coli isolation. The mean total aerobic plate count (TAPC) ranged between 1.05 ×1011 to 1. 64 ×1011. The highest TAPC (1.64 ×1011) was in pineapple while the lowest count (1.05 ×1011) was in water melon. There was no much difference between the TAPC of lettuce (1.44 ×1011) and cabbage (1.42 ×1011) as well as carrot (1.37 ×1011) and cucumber (1.39 ×1011). Samaru market had the highest (1.56 ×1011) TAPC while Suleiman market had the least (1.30 ×1011). The mean coliform count (TCC) ranged from 1.28×109 to 3.55 ×109 CFU/ml. Carrot (1.28×109) had the lowest TCC while cucumber (3.55 ×109) had the highest. Others were pineapple (2.02 ×109), water melon (3.05 ×109), lettuce (3.17 ×109) and cabbage (2.72 ×109) CFU/ml. Out of 108 samples obtained, 50 (46.3%) were suspected to be E. coli with 23 (46%) yielding reactions typical of E. coli, with an overall prevalence of 21.3%. Cucumber had the highest isolation of 5 (27.8%) while the least was water melon 1 (5.6%). Other coliforms isolated were Klebsiella (8.3%), Enterobacter (7.4%), Citrobacter (5.5%), Proteus (2.7%) and Serratia (0.93%) spp. This study has demonstrated the public health significance of consuming fresh fruits and vegetables sold in the study area as they may be sources of infection to consumers especially if the produces are not properly washed or cooked.Keywords: Coliform, E.coli, Fruits, Vegetable

Enumeration of coliforms in fermented milk product (nono) sold in Samaru, Kaduna State, Nigeria

The quality of cow milk is reduced by microbial contamination and this poses a health risk to humans. One hundred fermented milk products (nono) sold within Samaru, Zaria were collected to determine the bacterial quality of nono using total aerobic plate and coliform counts on Nutrient and MacConkey agar plates respectively, The isolation of Escherichia coli was with the use of Eosin Methylene Blue agar. The mean pH of the nono samples from ten retail outlets ranged from 3.2 in Samaru leather research to 3.8 each in Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and ICSA market. Other mean pH values were as follows: Suleiman Hall and Dogon Ichi 3.3 each, Community market, Faculties of Science and Arts, 3.5 each, Samaru market and Hayin Dogo, 3.6 each. The highest total aerobic plate count of 1.390 x 1013 CFU/mL was from site B while the least of 0.789 x 1013 CFU/mL was from site G. The mean coliform count ranged from 2.10×1010 to 5.12 ×1010 CFU/mL. Site F had the least of 2.10 × 10 10 while site H had the highest count (5.12 ×1010) closely followed by site E (5.03 ×1010). Out of 100 samples obtained, 46 (46%) yielded colonies suspected to be E. coli. On confirmation, after biochemical characterization, only 27 (58.7%) out of the 46 presumptive samples were positive for E. coli. An E. coli isolation rate of 27% was recorded out of the 100 nono samples, with the highest prevalence of 50% in nono samples from site I and the least of 10% from site E. The prevalence of other coliforms in the 100 samples were Enterobacter (8%), Klebsiella (6%), Citrobacter (2%) and Proteus (3%) species. The study has shown that fermented milk, nono is contaminated and can pose a health hazard to consumers of this product.Keywords: Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Milk, Nono, Samar

Prevalence of Salmonella organisms in fresh and smoke-dried fish within parts of Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Aquatic environments are the major reservoirs of Salmonella and fishery products have been recognized as major carrier of food-borne pathogens. To determine the prevalence of Salmonella in fish, 112 fresh and smoke-dried fish samples were pre-enriched and enriched with buffered peptone water and selenite broth respectively, before plating on Desoxycholate Citrate Agar. Of the 112 samples, 75% (84/112) were contaminated with non-lactose fermenters. Upon subjecting them to biochemical tests, 13.1% (11/84) of the Salmonella suspects showed reactions consistent with that of Salmonella species, Proteus 65.5% (55/84) and Citrobacter 21.4% (18/84) species. The total prevalence of Salmonella out of the 112 fish sampled was 9.8% (11/112). Salmonella species was slightly higher in the fiber tank farm 12.9% (95% CI: 5.134-28.852) than in the earthen pond 12.1% (95% CI: 4.816-27.326) but this association was not significant (Fishers exact test=1.0). Prevalence was higher in fresh fish 12.5% (95% CI: 6.472-22.775) compared to smoke-dried fish 6.25% (95% CI: 2.148-16.835), though this association was not statistically significant (Fishers exact test= 0.347). Among the dried fish, the prevalence was higher 9.5% (95% CI: 0.017-0.289) in the weight range 30-49.9g compared to the smallest weight range of 10-29.9g with prevalence of 4.0% (95% CI: 0.002-0.195). For the fresh fish, the prevalence was higher 14.04% (95% CI: 7.287-25.324) in shorter length fish of 20-39cm than the lengthier ones of 40-49cm with 0.0% (95% CI: 0.000-35.433) prevalence. This study has demonstrated the presence of Salmonella species in fresh and smoke-dried fish in parts of Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria. This is of public health significance and poses a potential risk especially among immunocompromised consumers. Keywords: Biochemical test, Earthen pond, Fresh fish, Fiber tank, Prevalence, Salmonella, Smoke-dried fis

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle from selected commercial farms and nomadic settlements in Yola, Adamawa State

Cryptosporidium species are apicomplexan parasites commonly associated with diarrhoea in both men and animals. They are of public health importance. The study aimed to determine the occurrence of Cryptosporidium species in cattle in the Yola metropolitan area, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Four hundred and sixteen (416) faecal samples were collected from cattle in commercial farms and nomadic settlements and were analyzed using Modified Ziehl Neelsen (MZN) technique. Twenty-seven (27) positive samples were subjected to nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for the amplification of a specific fragment of 18S rRNA gene that was used to detect Cryptosporidium spp. Seventy-three (17.5%) out of 416 samples were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts by MZN, and 26 (96.0%) out of 27 isolated oocysts of Cryptosporidium detected by MZN were positive by PCR. Commercial farms had a higher prevalence (19.2%) of Cryptosporidium oocysts than the nomadic settlements (15.9%). Based on risk factors, there was a significant association (P<0.05) between the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and factors such as sex and faecal consistency. At the same time, age, breed, management system, animal source and drinking water source varied insignificantly (P>0.05). This study has shown the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in the Yola metropolis. There should be an awareness campaign among public health workers on the dangers posed by the organism to humans so that the Government would enforce control and preventive measures

Toxoplasma gondii infection and risk factors associated with its spread at live bird markets in Katsina Metropolis, Nigeria

Toxoplasmosis occurs in most species of warm -blooded animals. This study aimed to determine the sero-prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in local chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Katsina metropolis. A total of 460 sera were collected from two live bird markets (LBMs) at slaughter points and samples were analyzed by Indirect Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) test kits specific for avian toxoplasmosis. Structured questionnaires were administered to the workers at LBMs to evaluate their attitudes and practices toward Toxoplasma infection. The overall prevalence for T. gondii antibodies was 7.83% (36/460). Gobarau yan kaji had a higher prevalence 9.06% (25) than Central market 5.98% (11). Mean score was 26.42±15.9 and 21.74±9.21 for attitude and practice respectively. There was a significant correlation r=0.717 (p <0.05) between attitude and practice score of the respondents. The level of education and specific duty at the slaughter houses correlated significantly (p <0.05) with attitude and practice mean ranks. There was no association (0.137) between experience on the job and practice score. Attitude and practice ranked as poor, fair and good in this study were 60% (30), 12% (6), 28% (14) and 80% (40), 6% (3), 14% (7) respectively. This result has shown the presence of T. gondii antibodies in local chickens slaughtered for human consumption in Katsina metropolis and this warns on the public health safety problems. There is urgent need for the implementation of public awareness campaign on toxoplasmosis for workers at LBMs in Katsina metropolis. Keywords: Attitude, ELISA, Live Bird Market, Practice, Seroprevalence, Toxoplasmosi

Occurrence and factors associated with faecal shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts in small ruminants in Potiskum local government area, Yobe State, Nigeria

Cryptosporidium is an enteric protozoan pathogen associated with neonatal diarrhoea and mortality in small ruminants. Faecal samples of two hundred small ruminants were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts using formol-ether concentration and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. Fifty seven (28.5%) out of the 200 faecal samples examined were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The occurrence was higher in sheep (33.0%) than goats (24.0%), in male (32.8%) than female (26.6%), in those with loose/watery faeces (74.4%) than those with well-formed faeces (17.4%), in those between age 4-6 months (39.2%) than 0-3 months (22.2%) and those within 7 months and above (21.1%), in those that drank borehole water (28.7%) than those that drank well/stream water (20.0%), in those raised under semi-intensive/extensive (29.9%) than those under intensive system (21.1%). There was significant association between the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and age of small ruminants (OR = 2.368, 95% CI on OR: 1.251 < OR < 4.484). On the other hand, there were no significant associations between the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and sex, breed, faecal consistencies, source of water and management practices of small ruminants (P > 0.05). The species of Cryptosporidium infecting small ruminants identified in this study were C. parvum (50.9%), C. ryanae (26.3%), C. xiaoi (12.3%), C. bovis (8.8%) and C. andersonii (1.8%). The high prevalence of C. parvum observed in this study is of public health importance because of it zoonotic nature. This study shows that age influence the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and C. parvum is the predominant species in small ruminants in Potiskum, Yobe State.Keywords: Cryptosporidium, Factors, Occurrence, Potiskum, Small ruminant

Milk yield losses and cost of clinical mastitis in Friesian × Bunaji crossbred dairy cows in Zaria, Nigeria

Bovine mastitis is regarded as the most costly disease of dairy cows. Estimating its economic impact therefore gives farmers and veterinarians an insight into the costs of the disease at herd level and helps them make appropriate decisions regarding its control. The aim of this study was to determine the costs of clinical mastitis in Friesian × Bunaji crossbred dairy cows. Passive data collected between 2000 and 2015 was retrieved from the Dairy Research Programme of the National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria and this was used to determine the input parameters for a simulation model. The parameters included the lactation and seasonal prevalence of clinical mastitis, average daily milk yield of cows, average illness period and the proportion of cows in each parity. Stochastic (Monte Carlo) simulation modelling of milk yield losses due to clinical mastitis was done using Microsoft® Excel with @Risk 7 add-in. The cost of a case of clinical mastitis at a base risk incidence of 35.2% was ₦5,005.85 ($15.87). The costs increased by 7.5% in a herd with 10% higher milk yield, while revenue generated was higher by 10.2%. The cost was 1.64% higher in a herd with fifty per cent of it cows in first parity than a herd with fifty per cent of its cows in third parity. 1.01% higher net revenue was generated from herds with fifty per cent of it cows in third parity than the herd with fifty per cent of its cows in first parity. Improving milk production potential of cows resulted in more cases of clinical mastitis, although the increase in revenue overshadows the added costs of clinical mastitis, successful control of mastitis will also significantly reduce production costs and improve the farm revenue.Keywords: Clinical mastitis, Cost, Cows, Friesian x Bunaji, Losses, Milk yiel

Dog ecology and its implications for rabies control in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

The objectives of this study were to determine the characteristics of a dog population, including their accessibility to vaccination and health care, in urban and semiurban areas of Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria. Direct street counts and a house‐to‐house survey of city streets were performed. A total of 451 households were surveyed comprising 43.7% urban and 53.3% semiurban areas. A total of 848 owned dogs were identified, along with 3,115 corresponding humans. With a dog‐to‐human ratio of 1:3.7, the dog population in the study area was estimated as 103,758. A total of 396 dogs were counted on the streets with the greater proportion (74%) in semiurban areas. Most dogs in semiurban areas (77.3%) had no certificate confirming vaccination against rabies, compared to 47.2% in urban areas (p = .004). The majority of dogs in the urban (60.9%) and semiurban (82.0%) were free roaming. In the multivariable model, age, presence of a collar, region, sex, use and having ever visited a veterinarian were significantly associated with rabies vaccination. The majority (125/197, 63.5%) of respondents with higher education were willing to pay more for the healthcare needs of their dogs as opposed to those with a lower level of education (93/251, 37.1%, p = .001). The study revealed a high dog population density, vaccination coverage below WHO recommendation of 70% and generally reduced healthcare‐seeking behaviour among dog owners in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria