Parasitological identification and histological examination of Fasciola gigantica sequel to occurrence of bovine Billiary fasciolosis in cattle slaughtered at Bodija abattoir, Ibadan

Fasciola gigantica is the parasitic fluke causing tropical fasciolosis leading to greateconomic losses in cattle production in Nigeria. One hundred and five (105) flukes werecollected and identified after careful examination of the bile ducts from twenty one (21)infected slaughtered cattle out of a total of two hundred (200) cattle examined fromBodija Municipal Abattoir. Semichon’s Acetic-Carmine staining technique and histologicalexamination was carried out for parasitic identification while simple faecal floatation andsedimentation techniques was done for parasite egg examination. Postmortemexamination showed enlarged and friable liver covered with fibrin tags while bile ductswere thickened, distended and packed with adult flukes when sliced open. Microscopicand histological examination revealed greyish-brown leaf-shaped adult Fasciola giganticaflukes, bearing a cone shaped projection and a pair of broad shoulders with the intestinalceca branched as well as the testes and the ovary. The vitelline follicles fill the lateralfields of the worm and the common genital pore just anterior to the acetabulum. LargeFasciola gigantica eggs which are oval, yellowish to greenish in colour and bears a polaroperculum. Public enlightenment especially among the butchers and abattoir workersshould be periodical on the public health importance of the parasite and howunwholesome abattoir practices can lead to accidental human infection. This will greatlyreduce the practice of selling infected organ that have been deemed unfit for humanconsumption.Keywords: Fasciola gigantica, Cattle, Semichon’s Acetic-Carmine technique, Histology, Bile duc

Growth performance, blood profiles and egg production of Coturnix japonica (Temminck and Schlegel, 1849) fed diets supplemented with Tithonia diversifolia a. Gray leaves

This study investigated the growth performances, egg production and blood profiles of Coturnix japonica fed concentrate diets supplemented with Tithonia diversifolia leaf meal (TDLM). One hundred (two-week old) C. japonica chicks were allocated to five dietary treatments. The experimental birds were allowed to acclimatize for one week, before feeding trials lasted for twelve weeks. Diets were formulated with TDLM inclusions at 0 % (A), 2.5% (B), 5 % (C), 7.5 % (D) and 10 % (E) to the standard dietary formulations. Diets and water were provided for the chicks, ad-libitum. Data collected on growth performance, blood profiles, serum biochemistry and egg production, were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Inclusion of TDLM had a significant influence on growth performance, blood profiles, and egg production (P<0.05). After 12 weeks, Diet C had the highest body weight (148.37 ± 0.76 g), while control diet had least (144.93 ± 1.05 g). The control diet had 20% mortality, while Diet D had 5% mortality due to injuries from other birds’ attack. Egg weight varied from 9.60 ± 0.14 g (control) to 11.39 ± 0.12 g (Diet E).The blood profiles responded positively to TDLM inclusion with the birds developing stronger immunity when compared to those fed the control diet. Serum biochemistry did not significantly differ indicating that there were no negative effects due to TDLM inclusion. TDLM at 2.5 and 5.0 % inclusions had the highest positive effects on growth performance, haematological parameters, egg production and serum biochemistry of the quails. Keywords: Blood profiles, Coturnix japonica, Digestibility, Growth performance, Tithonia diversifoli

Parasitic contamination and public health risk of commonly consumed vegetables in Ibadan-Nigeria

Introduction: vegetables form a major component of the human diet. However, poor agronomic practices may put consumers at risk of parasitic infections. This study evaluated the parasitic contamination of vegetables grown in selected farms in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: Two hundred and eigthy vegetable species: African eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), cucumber (Brassica oleracea), spinach (Amaranthus cruentus), white jute (Corchorus olitorius), pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis), green pepper (Capsicum sp.), okro (Abelmoschus esculentus), quill grass (Celosia argenta L), tomato (Lycopersicum sativus) were collected from farms within Ibadan. Samples were washed in water, and the resulting washing solution was filtered and centrifuged to concentrate the parasitic stages. Sediments were examined by iodine and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stained smears technique. Results: parasites were detected in 14 (5.0%, 95% CI 32.6%-67.3%) of samples. The highest contaminated vegetable was white jute 32.1 (95% CI 17.9%-50.6%), followed by pumpkin 7.1(95% CI 1.9-22.6), quill grass 7.1 (95% CI 1.9-22.6) and lettuce 3.5 (95% CI 0.6-17.7). The commonest parasites were Strongyloides stercoralis larvae 42.9 (95% CI 21.3-67.4), Entamoeba histolytica/E.dipaar 21.4 (95% CI 7.5-47.5), Trichostrongylus spp 21.4 (95% CI 21.3-67.4), and Ascaris sp. 14.3 (95% CI 4.0-39.9). Conclusion: these findings provide evidence of contamination of vegetables from farms in Ibadan with parasites of public health importance. Information on best practices should be designed, packaged and disseminated through appropriate channels to enhance positive behavior change among farmers