Retrospective studies on the prevalence, morphological pathology and aetiology of renal failure of dog in Lagos and Abeokuta, Nigeria

No AbstractKeywords: postmortem, renal failure, nephritis, pathology, do

Result of 2004 extended trypanosomosis survey of ruminants at Kachia Grazing Reserve, North Central Nigeria

Tsetse fly and trypanosome prevalence in ruminants were estimated in April and August, peak months of the dry and rainy seasons in the Kachia Grazing Reserve (KGR) of Kaduna State, North Central Nigeria. This study was subsequent to reports of seasonal outmigration of semi nomadic Fulani from the grazing reserve due to death of cattle from trypanosomosis. Result of blood samples showed an overall parasitological infection rate of 17.4%. Infection rates in cattle, sheep and goats were, 18.6%, 9.5% and 5.1% respectively. Over all higher infection rate in the rainy season was attributed to abundance of tsetse and other hematophagus flies. Infection rate in younger animals (21.9%) was higher compared to those of older animals (16.5%). Trypanosoma vivax was the dominant infecting trypanosome specie followed by T. congolense and T. brucei.It was concluded that tsetse fly and trypanosomosis constituted dual plagues limiting economic livestock production and settling of the pastoralists in the grazing reserve. This warrants application of sustainable integrated control measures to enhance utilization of abundant fodder at the reserve.Key words: Kachia grazing reserve, trypanosomosis, ruminants, infection rates, Nigeria. Resultat de l'enquete de trypanosomose extension de 2004 des ruminants a la reserve de piscine Kachia, Nigeria Centrale du NordLa prévalence de la mouche tsé-tsé et du trypanosome chez les ruminants a été estimée en avril et août, les mois de pointe des saisons secanes et pluvieuses dans la réserve de pâturage de Kachia (KGR) de l'État de Kaduna, dans le nord du centre du Nigeria. Cette étude a été postérieure à des rapports d'émigration saisonnière de Fulani semi-nomades provenant de la réserve de pâturage en raison de la mort de bovins de la trypanosomose. Le résultat des échantillons de sang a montré un taux global d'infection parasitaire de 17,4%. Les taux d'infection chez les bovins, les ovins et les chèvres étaient respectivement de 18,6%, 9,5% et 5,1%. Le taux d'infection plus élevé pendant la saison des pluies a été attribué à l'abondance de mouches tsé-tsé et d'autres mouches hématophobes. Le taux d'infection chez les animaux plus jeunes (21,9%) était plus élevé par rapport à ceux des animaux plus âgés (16,5%). Trypanosoma vivax était le trypanosome infectant dominant suivi de T. congolense et T. brucei.On a conclu que la mouche tsé-tsé et la trypanosomose constituaient des fléaux doubles limitant la production d'élevage économique et la colonisation des pasteurs dans la réserve de pâturage. Cela justifie l'application de mesures de contrôle intégrées durables pour améliorer l'utilisation de fourrages abondants dans la réserve.Mots clés: réserve de pâturage de Kachia, trypanosomose, ruminants, taux d'infection, Nigeri

A comparative study on the strength characteristics of Grade 25 and Grade 30 rice husk ash blended cement concrete

Rice husk ash (RHA) is an agricultural waste which is a pozzolanic material that can be blended with cement in producing concrete. This research presents investigation carried out on the comparative strength characteristics of concrete produced with grade 25 and grade 30 cement blended concrete using a replacement level of 10% rice husk ash as substitute. Two mix ratios (1:2:4 and 1:1.12:3.01) were used. A total of 60 cube size of 150mm were cast, tested and their mechanical properties determined. The RHA was made in the laboratory by burning the husk obtained from Ifo in Ogun State Nigeria using an Electric furnace, with the temperatures of the furnace at about 700°C. The results showed that the compressive strength at 28 days decreased as the percentage replacement of Portland Limestone cement (PLC) with RHA increased from 0% to 10% respectively with compressive strengths of 29.78 N/mm2 to 21.56 N/mm2 for grade 25 concrete and 32.12 N/mm2 to 26.82 N/mm2 for grade 30 concrete. It was concluded that RHA replacement in concrete can be used for the production of concrete for light structural works in the development of sustainable and green structures

Cytomorphological, histopathological and immunohistochemical observations on the histiocytic origin of canine transmissible venereal tumour

The cytogenic origin of canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) still remains unknown. Resulting from paucity of information on the histiocytic phenotypic features and behaviours of CTVT, this study was undertaken to show some uncommon cytomorphological features of CTVT and its immunoreactivity with S-100 protein. Nine cases of CTVT were investigated (6 females and 3 males) using nine fine needle aspirates for cytology and four biopsy samples for histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Cytology revealed CTVT cells with pale basophilic, fine granular cytoplasm and distinct intra-nuclear (3/9) and intra-cytoplasmic (9/9) vacuolations. Erythrophagocytosis by a giant binucleated CTVT cell in one dog and nuclear budding in 2 dogs were observed. Histopathology showed loose sheets and cords of uniformly round to ovoid cells with slight indistinct eosinophilic cytoplasm and a tendency towards glandular as well as syncytial formation. Nuclei were large and round with a single centrally placed nucleolus. The mitotic index was high. Immunohistochemistry of the four biopsy samples revealed negative immunoreactivity to  pan-cytokeratin, actin and desmin but positive immunoreactivity with vimetin and S-100 proteins. This is the first report in which CTVT showed erythrophagocytosis, nuclear budding and positive immunoreactivity to S-100 protein. Based on these cytomorphological and immunohistochemical features, we conclude that CTVT is of histiocytic/dendritic origin.Keywords: Cytology, histopathology, Histiocytic origin,   immunohistochemistry, Transmissible Venereal Tumou