Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Thermophilic Campylobacter Species Isolated From Cattle in Plateau State, Nigeria

A study was designed to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter species isolated from cattle in Plateau state, Nigeria. From April, 2008 – March, 2009, 352 rectal swab samples were randomly taken from cattle in 18 herds in Plateau State, Nigeria and analyzed for the presence of Campylobacter species. Out of the 352 samples tested, 65 (18.5%) were identified as Campylobacter species using biochemical tests; with 52 (80%) as C. jejuni and 13 (20%) as C. coli. Of the 65 isolates, 63 (97%) were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of the 18 cattle herds tested, 12 (66.7%) were positive. The results of the study also showed that the prevalence was significantly (p<0.05) higher in calves (25%) than in adults (12.2%). Keywords: Prevalence, thermophilic Campylobacter, PCR, cattleNigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:32 (4) 349-35

Fusarium graminearum in a Papilloma Virus Infected Friesian Bull in Vom, Nigeria: Case Report

Importation of exotic cattle to improve the yield and productivityof the local 'White Fulani' breed of cattle has been on the rise inNigeria. The problem most farmers faces with the Friesian hasalways been the adaptation to the weather and endemic diseaseconditions in Nigeria. Fungal infections represent an importantcomplication for immunosuppressed animals and are associatedwith high morbidity and mortality (De Pauw and Meunier, 1999).Fusarium is one of the most important fungal genera, whichincludes many species that are pathogenic to plants and responsible for a broad range of diseases while others are highly mycotoxigenic (Viquez et al., ) and some cause opportunistic infections in humans and in farm animals. Fusarium graminearum (Gibberella zeae) is an importantpathogen of commercial crops such as wheat, maize, and rice.Infection with F. graminearum causes yield losses in grains anddegrades their nutritive, physical and chemical qualities, resultingin their being used for animal feed rather than for human consumption (Charmley et al., 1994). A contaminated crop can be salvaged by feeding it to livestock or poultry, but further losses may be incurred due to the negative effects of mycotoxins on animal performance. Potent toxins such as the estrogenic toxin zearalenone (F-2) have been reported by Vesonder and Hesseltine, (1980) but the most common mycotoxins produced byF. graminearum are deoxynivalenol (DON, also known as vomitoxin), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, and nivalenol belonging to a group of compounds known as trichothecenes (Homdork et al., 2000; Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, CAST, 2003). These mycotoxins are known to diminish feed consumption in domestic livestock, especially swine (CAST 2003). Because of their apparent tolerance for higher levels of dietary DON, Fusarium-infested grains are often fed to cattle or sheep asopportunity feeds. This may be due to little or insufficient information describing the pathogenesis and the ability of this plant pathogen to survive as they move through the gastrointestinal tract of cattle or on a compromised skin (Kedar and Gemerlyn, 2008)

The Occurence of Listeria monocytogenes in Faeces of Domesticated Poultry

No Abstract

Prevalence of Bovine Fasciolosis in Bauchi State, Nigeria

A total of 1600 faecal samples were collected from live cattle in five local government areas (LGAs) of Bauchi state, Nigeria, for a period of 12 months and analyzed using formol-ether sedimentation technique for the presence of Fasciola eggs. The study revealed an overall prevalence of 76.9 % in the state. Dass local government area (LGA) had the highest prevalence (83.6 %), while Ningi LGA had the least (74.2 %). Adult cattle had higher prevalence (64.1 %) than the young ones (35.9 %). This was statistically significant (