Emergence and spread of two SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest in Nigeria.

Identifying the dissemination patterns and impacts of a virus of economic or health importance during a pandemic is crucial, as it informs the public on policies for containment in order to reduce the spread of the virus. In this study, we integrated genomic and travel data to investigate the emergence and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.318 and B.1.525 (Eta) variants of interest in Nigeria and the wider Africa region. By integrating travel data and phylogeographic reconstructions, we find that these two variants that arose during the second wave in Nigeria emerged from within Africa, with the B.1.525 from Nigeria, and then spread to other parts of the world. Data from this study show how regional connectivity of Nigeria drove the spread of these variants of interest to surrounding countries and those connected by air-traffic. Our findings demonstrate the power of genomic analysis when combined with mobility and epidemiological data to identify the drivers of transmission, as bidirectional transmission within and between African nations are grossly underestimated as seen in our import risk index estimates

Effect of pawpaw leaf meal and multi-enzyme supplementation in the diet on performance, digestibility, and oxidative enzyme status of rabbits

Abstract Background This study aimed at determining the effect of pawpaw leaf meal (PLM 26.14% crude protein [CP] and 16.06% crude fiber [CF]) and multi-enzyme (m-E: amylase, beta-glucanase, phytase, cellulase, and xylanase, protease) supplementation in diets on performance, nutrient digestibility, and oxidative status of rabbits. Four experimental diets were formulated and designated as diet 1(0%PLM-m-E), diet 2(0%PLM + m-E), diet 3(10%PLM-m-E), and diet 4(10%PLM + m-E). One hundred and twenty (120), 5-week-old rabbits of cross breed rabbits (Chinchilla x New-Zealand white) of equal sexes; weighing 738.21 ± 33 g were randomly distributed to 4 dietary treatments (30 rabbits/treatment; 3 rabbits/replicate). Results Highest weight gain being recorded in rabbits fed diet 4 is similar to the weight gain recorded for rabbits fed diets 2 and 3 but higher (P < 0.05) than weight gain of rabbits fed diet 1. Best feed conversion ratio (FCR) recorded in rabbits fed diet 4 was comparable to the FCR of rabbits fed diets 2 and 3 but higher (P < 0.05) than FCR of rabbits fed diet 1. Higher CP digestibility recorded in rabbits fed diets 2 and 4 were similar to CP digestibility in rabbits fed diet 3 but higher (P = 0.01) than CP digestibility in rabbits fed with diet 1. The starch digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) in the rabbits fed m-E supplemented diets 2 and 4. Higher (P < 0.05) glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were recorded in rabbits fed with diets 3 and 4. Conclusion PLM inclusion and m-E supplementation improved performance, crude protein, and starch digestibility and antioxidant enzyme status of the rabbits