Blood biochemistry responses of chickens experimentally infected with a Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus (Kudu 113)

This study investigated the blood biochemistry responses of cockerels  experimentally infected with a velogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain,  KUDU 113. One hundred Isa white cockerels were used for the study. The cockerels were obtained at day-old and randomly divided into groups A- vaccinated and  infected, B - unvaccinated and infected and C- unvaccinated and uninfected  (control) consisting of 30, 30 and 40 birds respectively. Group A was vaccinated against NDV with La Sota vaccine at three weeks of age while Groups B and C were not vaccinated. After six weeks, each bird in groups A and B were inoculated  intramuscularly (im) with the velogenic NDV while the control group was not  inoculated. Blood samples were randomly collected through the jugular vein from five birds in each group, allowed to clot at room temperature, centrifuged and serum  harvested. Blood biochemistry determinations were carried out on days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 21 post-inoculation (pi). Parameters determined included serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, total serum proteins, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, blood glucose level, total  cholesterol, total calcium, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid. Data generated were analyzed using ANOVA and Student’s t-test. Results showed decreased (p<0.05) total protein, albumin, globulin and total calcium levels and increased (p<0.05) plasma glucose and total cholesterol levels in groups A and B when compared with the unvaccinated uninfected control. Hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and hypocalcemia together with increased globulin, blood glucose and total cholesterol levels may be early signs of velogenic NDV infection in chickens. The absence of any negative effects on total proteins and calcium concentration in vaccinated infected when compared to the unvaccinated infected birds underscores the importance of vaccination not only in prevention of mortality due to velogenic NDV but also reduction of pathologic effects on vaccinated infected birds.Key words: Chickens, Isa white, Velogenic NDV, KUDU 113, Blood biochemistry

Haematological and Blood Biochemistry values of cultured Heterobranchus longifilis in Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

This study investigated the haematological and blood biochemistry profile of apparently healthy catfish (Heterobranchus  longifilis) raised in concrete ponds in South East, Nigeria. A total of 20 fishes of two age ranges and equal sexes were used and determination of haematological and blood biochemical profile followed standard procedures. Results obtained for the parameters assessed for the young adults and adults respectively are summarized as follows: Packed cell volume - 29.67 ± 0.73% and 33.00 ± 0.87%, haemoglobin concentration - 10.26 ± 0.45 g/dl and 11.04 ± 0.32 g/dl, red blood cell count – 2.46 ± 0.04 x 106/μl and 2.39 ± 0.04 x 106/μl, mean corpuscular volume-120.68 ± 3.61 fl and 141.42 ± 2.83 fl, mean corpuscular haemoglobin – 41.97 ± 1.16 pg and 45.69 ± 1.15 pg, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration - 35.75 ± 1.63 g/dl and 32.93 ± 0.86 g/dl, white blood cell count - 17.94 ± 0.57 x 103/μl and 22.51 ± 0.95 x 103/μl, alanine amino transferase - 36.95 ± 0.09 IU and 38.86 ± 0.16 IU, aspartate amino transferase - 54.52 ± 0.10 IU and 49.55 ± 0.34 IU, alkaline phosphatase -5.04 ± 0.71 IU and 9.33 ± 0.55 IU, total proteins – 1.98 ± 0.09 g/dl and 3.86 ± 0.10 g/dl, albumin - 0.90 ± 0.01 g/dl and 1.53 ± 0.06 g/dl, globulin – 1.07 ± 0.09 g/dl and 2.40 ± 0.08 g/dl, plasma blood glucose – 136.25 ± 11.74 mg/dl and 171.67 ± 9.05 mg/dl, total cholesterol – 79.89 ± 2.72 mg/dl and 156.52 ± 5.69 mg/dl, calcium – 4.28 ± 0.32 mg/dl and 11.68 ± 0.71 mg/dl, blood urea nitrogen – 1.48 ± 0.24 mg/dl and 1.19 ± 0.12 mg/dl, body weight – 308.89 ± 22.26g and 666.67 ± 39.97g. Results obtained showed significant (p<0.05) changes due to age in all the parameters assessed except haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and blood urea nitrogen. There were no  significant changes (p>0.05) between the sexes in all the haematological and blood biochemistry parameters assessed. Data generated from this study was considered important as deviations in the normal haematology and serum biochemistry have a predictive value for general pathological and specific organ changes in the body.Keywords: Catfish, Heterobranchus longifilis, Haematology, Blood biochemistry, SoutheasternNigeri

Suspected case of rhabdomyosarcoma in a cultured Clarias gariepinus

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Comparative Efficacy of Toltrazuril, Amprolium and Embazine Fort® against Mixed Eimeria Species Infection in Broilers

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 214 - 21

Comparative Haematology of Chickens and Turkeys Experimentally Infected with a Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus

This study compared the haematological findings in cockerels and turkeys infected with a velogenic Newcastle disease virus. One hundred and twenty day-old birds each of cockerels and turkeys, making a total of two hundred and forty were used for the study. The bird types were randomly divided into four groups each making a total of eight groups. Two groups in each species were vaccinated against NDV with La Sota vaccine at three weeks of age via drinking water. The vaccinated and unvaccinated cockerels and turkeys were inoculated with the velogenic NDV at six weeks of age while the control groups were not vaccinated and not inoculated. Blood samples were randomly collected from five birds in each group for haematological analyses at days 0, 3, 6, 10, 15 and 21 post inoculation (pi). The results showed significant (p < 0.05) reductions in packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and total red blood cell count in unvaccinated infected turkeys, but showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in total white blood cell (WBC) and heterophil counts throughout the days of the experiment. The increase in the total white blood cell counts was observed three days pi in the cockerels. There was reduction of lymphocytes in unvaccinated but infected cockerels and turkeys three days pi. The erythrocyte and leukocyte values in unvaccinated but infected cockerels and turkeys were similar. The values were lower than those recorded in vaccinated and infected birds. Thus, vaccination against the disease can ameliorate the adverse effect of the virus on haematological parameters. Vaccination of the birds against velogenic Newcastle disease virus reduced morbidity and mortality.Keywords: Haematology, Velogenic NDV, Vaccination, Cockerels, Turkey

Antihyperglycemic, antidyslipidemic and antioxidant properties of hydromethanol extract of Eremomastax speciosa leaf in alloxan monohydrate-induced hyperglycemic rats

Purpose: To investigate the antihyperglycemic, anti-dyslipidemic and antioxidant properties of hydromethanol extract of Eremomastax speciosa leaf in alloxan monohydrate-induced hyperglycemic rats. Methods: Hydromethanol extract of Eremomastax speciosa leaf was tested at dose range of 25 to 100 mg/kg against vehicle (distilled water) and glibenclamide (2 mg/kg, reference standard) in alloxaninduced hyperglycemic rats. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed in the identification of phytoconstituents. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lipid profile, malondialdehyde, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels as well as the histopathology of the pancreas of the animals were evaluated. Results: The extract (25 mg/kg) significantly reduced FBG, lipid profile and malondialdehyde levels relative to vehicle treated group but increased the superoxide dismutase and catalase levels and reversed alloxan-induced pancreatic islet cell degeneration. GC-MS analysis showed the presence of 4,5-dimethylthiazole (4.38%), benzenesulfonic acid, methyl ester (15.62%), benzenesulfonyl chloride (40.62%), benzopyran-4-one, 5,7-dihydroxy-2-phenyl- (21.25%), 2(5H)-furanone, 4-methoxy-5-phenyl-(12.50%), and p-chlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride (5.62%) Conclusion: The hypoglycemic effect of the extract validates the folkloric uses of E. speciosa leaf in the ethnobotanical care of diabetes mellitus. Keywords: antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, anti-dyslipidemic, Eremomastax specios

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of the methanol leaf extract of Diaphananthe bidens in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Purpose: To investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of the methanol extract of Diaphananthe bidens leaf using acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity rat model. Methods: Thirty albino Wistar rats, randomly assigned into 6 groups (A - F, n = 5), were used for the study. Groups A and B received distilled water (10 ml/kg), group C received silymarin (0.10 g/kg) while groups D - F received D. bidens extract 0.15, 0.30 and 0.60 g/kg, respectively, for 7 days. On day 8, groups B - F rats received acetaminophen (2 g/kg) orally. About 48 h later, pentobarbitone sodium (0.035 g/kg) was injected intraperitoneally for sleeping time studies. The time of sleep, time of awake and the duration of sleep were recorded. On awakening, blood samples were collected for evaluation of serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant profile. Thereafter, the rats were humanely euthanized and the liver excised for histopathological evaluation. In vitro antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated using ferric reducing antioxidant power and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) scavenging assay. Results: Treatment of the rats with D. bidens decreased (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde values and activities of ALT, AST and ALP, but increased glutathione levels and catalase activities when compared to negative control group. The extract significantly (p < 0.05) decreased sodium pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time relative to the negative control group and produced concentration-dependent increase in antioxidant activities in vitro. The extract protected the hepatocyte against acetaminophen-induced damage. Conclusion: D. bidens extract elicits antioxidant activities in vitro and in vivo and thus, protects rat liver against acetaminophen-induced damage. Therefore, the extract can potentially be developed as a hepatoprotective agent for the clinical management of liver damage

Veterinary Medical Students’ Perceptions, Attitude and Knowledge about Antibiotic Resistance and Stewardship: How Prepared Are Our Future Prescribers?

A cross sectional, multicentre survey utilizing a questionnaire was used to assess 6th- (final-) year veterinary medical students’ perceptions, attitude and knowledge about antibiotic resistance (ABR) and stewardship (ABS) in 5 conveniently-selected veterinary schools in Nigeria. Data obtained were analyzed by Fischer’s exact and χ2 tests at a significance level of P < 0.05. Out of 175 final-year veterinary students, 95 (54.3% i.e., response rate) completed the survey. Of the 95, 17% have heard about ABS and 7% knew the meaning of ABS. Less than 10% knew the core principles and goals of ABS and less than 20% of the respondents knew the ideal members of an ABS team. All the respondents rightly knew that no antibiotic stewardship programme (ASP) exist in veterinary hospitals in Nigeria, nearly all of them (97%) reported that antibiograms are rarely used during antibiotic (AB) prescription in their institutional veterinary teaching hospital (VTH) and about two-third (65%) believed that ABs are overused in most veterinary hospitals in Nigeria. Most of the respondents believed that ABR is of greater concern at national level than in their institutional VTHs and majority of them (92%) believed that ABR is a global problem (P = 0.009). Minority of the respondents knew that inadequate personal hygiene, use of substandard ABs, prescription of ABs by non-veterinarians/professionals, poor infection control practices, treating self-limiting infections with ABs, suboptimal and incomplete AB doses (P = 0.017), are factors that promote ABR. Minority of the respondents knew that education on AB therapy (44%), development of antibiotic usage policies (35%), reduction of AB use (14%), establishment of national AB resistance surveillance (28%) and development of institutional guidelines for AB use (29%), are critical interventions to curb ABR. Only 17% of the respondents felt that their education on ABR is adequate for their veterinary career. Most of the respondents believed that strong knowledge of ABs is important for their future veterinary career and would like more education about ABR and ABS. Overall mean correct score of 29% on clinical knowledge vignettes with similar scores across the schools in all the areas, was recorded. This survey has shown that Nigerian veterinary students’ perception and knowledge about ABR and ABS are poor and therefore creates doubt about their preparedness to practice ABS. There is urgent need for improved ABS education in Nigerian veterinary schools

Molecular characterization of extended spectrum cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli isolated from livestock and in-contact humans in Southeast Nigeria

The rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is reducing therapeutic options for livestock and human health, with a paucity of information globally. To fill this gap, a One-Health approach was taken by sampling livestock on farms (n = 52), abattoir (n = 8), and animal markets (n = 10), and in-contact humans in Southeast Nigeria. Extended spectrum cephalosporin (ESC)-resistant (ESC-R) Escherichia coli was selectively cultured from 975 healthy livestock faecal swabs, and hand swabs from in-contact humans. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed on all ESC-R E. coli. For isolates showing a multi-drug resistance (MDR) phenotype (n = 196), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed for confirmation of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase genes. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on a subset (n = 157) for detailed molecular characterisation. The results showed ESC-R E. coli was present in 41.2% of samples, with AST results indicating 48.8% of isolates were phenotypically MDR. qPCR confirmed presence of ESBL genes, with bla(CTX-M) present in all but others in a subset [bla(TEM) (62.8%) and bla(SHV) (0.5%)] of isolates; none harboured transferable carbapenemase genes. Multi-locus sequence typing identified 34 Sequence Types (ST) distributed among different sampling levels; ST196 carrying bla(CTX-M-55) was predominant in chickens. Large numbers of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the core genome of isolates, even within the same clade by phylogenetic analysis, indicated high genetic diversity. AMR genotyping indicated the predominant bla(CTX-M) variant was bla(CTX-M-15) (87.9%), although bla(CTX-M-55), bla(CTX-M-64,) and bla(CTX-M-65) were present; it was notable that bla(CTX-M-1), common in livestock, was absent. Other predominant AMR genes included: sul2, qnrS1, strB, bla(TEM-1b), tetA-v2, and dfrA14, with prevalence varying according to host livestock species. A bla(CTX-M-15) harbouring plasmid from livestock isolates in Ebonyi showed high sequence identity to one from river/sewage water in India, indicating this ESBL plasmid to be globally disseminated, being present beyond the river environment. In conclusion, ESC-R E. coli was widespread in livestock and in-contact humans from Southeast Nigeria. WGS data indicated the isolates were genetically highly diverse, probably representing true diversity of wild type E. coli; they were likely to be MDR with several harbouring bla(CTX-M-15.) Surprisingly, human isolates had highest numbers of AMR genes and pigs the least

Molecular characterization of extended spectrum cephalosporin resistant Escherichia coli isolated from livestock and in-contact humans in Southeast Nigeria

The rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is reducing therapeutic options for livestock and human health, with a paucity of information globally. To fill this gap, a One-Health approach was taken by sampling livestock on farms (n = 52), abattoir (n = 8), and animal markets (n = 10), and in-contact humans in Southeast Nigeria. Extended spectrum cephalosporin (ESC)-resistant (ESC-R) Escherichia coli was selectively cultured from 975 healthy livestock faecal swabs, and hand swabs from in-contact humans. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed on all ESC-R E. coli. For isolates showing a multi-drug resistance (MDR) phenotype (n = 196), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed for confirmation of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase genes. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on a subset (n = 157) for detailed molecular characterisation. The results showed ESC-R E. coli was present in 41.2% of samples, with AST results indicating 48.8% of isolates were phenotypically MDR. qPCR confirmed presence of ESBL genes, with blaCTX-M present in all but others in a subset [blaTEM (62.8%) and blaSHV (0.5%)] of isolates; none harboured transferable carbapenemase genes. Multi-locus sequence typing identified 34 Sequence Types (ST) distributed among different sampling levels; ST196 carrying blaCTX-M-55 was predominant in chickens. Large numbers of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the core genome of isolates, even within the same clade by phylogenetic analysis, indicated high genetic diversity. AMR genotyping indicated the predominant blaCTX-M variant was blaCTX-M-15 (87.9%), although blaCTX-M-55, blaCTX-M-64, and blaCTX-M-65 were present; it was notable that blaCTX-M-1, common in livestock, was absent. Other predominant AMR genes included: sul2, qnrS1, strB, blaTEM-1b, tetA-v2, and dfrA14, with prevalence varying according to host livestock species. A blaCTX-M-15 harbouring plasmid from livestock isolates in Ebonyi showed high sequence identity to one from river/sewage water in India, indicating this ESBL plasmid to be globally disseminated, being present beyond the river environment. In conclusion, ESC-R E. coli was widespread in livestock and in-contact humans from Southeast Nigeria. WGS data indicated the isolates were genetically highly diverse, probably representing true diversity of wild type E. coli; they were likely to be MDR with several harbouring blaCTX-M-15. Surprisingly, human isolates had highest numbers of AMR genes and pigs the least