Vaccination indices and concomitant serological status of Newcastle disease in chickens in Aba and Umuahia of Abia State

The vaccination indices of Newcastle disease (ND) in chickens in Aba and Umuahia towns of Abia state were studied alongside their corresponding antibody status. A total of 296 sera samples were collected from 74 chicken farms. A Haemagglution inhibition (HI) test was conducted to determine the ND virus serum antibody levels. Open and closed-ended questionnaires were administered to staff on the farms selected randomly in the study areas. Information on vaccine types, origin, administering personnel, revaccination interval, and records of ND outbreaks was collected. Whereas 68.9% of the farm carried out vaccination on their own, 27.0% and 4.1% of the vaccination were done by veterinarians and animal health scientists Farms in Aba and Umuahia had average geometric mean titres (GMT) of 166.32 and 100.33, respectively. Approximately 87% of the farms had protective immunity (GMT >8 or log23) against ND. Chickens aged 1-3, 4-8, 9-16, 17 weeks and above had average GMTs of 64.00, 76.99, 283.7 and 197, respectively. Post-vaccination antibody titres were 128.92, 110.63, 52.07 and 43.65, after 1 week, 2-3 weeks, 4 weeks, and above 4 weeks, respectively. Indigenous ND vaccines had an average GMT of 182.55, while foreign ND vaccines had a GMT of 120.82. The Result showed that 77% of farmers used foreign vaccines whereas 23% used indigenous vaccines. On vaccination interval, 40.5% revaccinated for ND every three weeks, 21.6% monthly, 8.1% bi-monthly and 29.7% revaccinated when necessary. About 54% of farmers reported previous ND occurrence. This study identified high seroprevalence of ND antibodies in the flock studied and indicated a high level of awareness and adherence to NDV vaccination among the farmers in the study area. The local vaccines elicited better immunogenic responses than their foreign counterparts. We, therefore, recommend that usage of the local vaccines be adopted, and revaccination is done before a month interval

The dynamics of anticoccidial drug usage in poultry within Umuahia, Abia state, Nigeria

Coccidiosis is one of the most important parasitic diseases of poultry worldwide. Chemotherapy remains the principal means to control this disease albeit the increasing problems of drug resistance. The aim of this study was to examine the drug usage of anticoccidials in the six communities of Umuahia, Abia state. Data such as type, class and composition of drugs used, level and frequency of usage, route ofadministration and anticoccidial program adopted by different farms were collected from 85 poultry farms within the study region. Results showed that the ionophores anticoccidials were not in use whereas the sulphonamides constituted the bulk of the drugs used (79.3%). Others were; thiamine analogue (21.1%), aminopyrimidine (33.7%), guanidine (14.4%), pyrimidine derivative (15.1%) and nitroimidazol (8.6%). Most of the drugs (>60) contained vitamin A and K. The most popular drug combinations were sulphaquinoxaline and diveradine with vitamin A and K (Embazine Forte) among thirteen trade-marked drugs under use. Close to 25.0% of farms practiced shuttle program and the rest continuous program of administration. Anticoccidials were administered through in-water medication for prophylactic and therapeutic use, and for both in the different farm applications in 43.5, 27.7 and 31.8 (%) respectively. The lack of usage of the ionophores and the massive use of sulphonamides coupled with low application of the right anticoccidial programs in this region presents a serious danger of anticoccidial resistance with consequent high prevalence of the disease. Keywords: Anticoccidials, Coccidiosis, Drug resistance, Ionophores, Poultry, Sulphonamide

The Pathology of Vaccination of Chickens with Varying Doses of Lentogenic LaSota Strain of Newcastle Disease Virus

Recently, it was demonstrated under laboratory conditions that increased doses of LaSota vaccine increased ND antibody response significantly in chickens. In this study, we have used the same model to investigate whether vaccination with increased doses of  lentogenic LaSota strain of Newcastle disease virus are associated with pathological changes in chickens. Four-week-old broiler chickens (n=100) were randomly assigned into four groups of 25 each: ZD, each drenched with phosphate-buffered saline, SD, DD and TD broilers were each drenched with single, double and triple dose of LaSota vaccine, respectively. The chickens were observed for clinical signs and lesions. Serum samples were collected from the chickens in all the groups at weekly intervals post inoculation (PV) and assayed for haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies. The vaccinated broilers showed no morbidity and mortality. Only the bursa of all the vaccinated groups appeared slightly reduced in size on day 10 PV. The histopathological changes were lymphoid  hyperplasia and formation of germinal centres in the spleen and caecal tonsils from days 3 to 6 PV and mild depletion of bursal lymphocytes on day 10 PV. Generally, the integrity of the lymphoid organs was intact. Groups DD and TD antibody titres were  significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the SD on day 21 PV. This suggests that increased doses of LaSota vaccine does not cause  pathologic impairment and may be considered in improving the performance of the vaccine in the control of velogenic ND. Key words: Newcastle disease, LaSota vaccine, pathology, broiler chicken