Incidence of parasites of the African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris: Wagner, 1841) and its associated packed cell volume changes

Studies on the incidence of parasites of the African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) and its associated packed cell volume (PCV) changes were conducted in Maiduguri, North-eastern Nigeria. A total of fifteen (15) Hedgehogs comprising of 7 males and 8 females were examined for ecto and endo-parasites and their PCV evaluated for any association with infection. An incidence of 4(26.7%) was obtained for endoparasites mainly of Capillaria ova, with 3(37.5%) for female and 1(14.3%) for male (p<0.05). Ticks were the only ectoparasites obtained with an incidence of 6(40.0%) comprising of male hedgehogs with 2(28.6%) and females with 4(50.0%) (p<0.05). Rhipicephalus species was the only tick identified. The mean ± SD PCV of hedgehogs indicated that of males as 31.36 ± 1.38 and females as 30.88 ± 3.09, however no significant difference (p>0.05) was obtained but both values were lower than the normal reference values.Keywords: Incidence, Ticks, Capillaria, Parasites, Packed Cell Volume, Hedgehog

Retrospective study of epidermal parasitic skin diseases amongst out- patients of skin diseases hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

A ten year retrospective study (1997-2006) was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Epidermal Parasitic Skin Diseases (EPSD) among out-patients from the skin diseases hospital in Maiduguri, Borno state. Out of 10,000 out-patients examined during the study period, 3527(35.27%) where infected with EPSD. Of this number, 2819(79.9%) were infected with scabies and 708 (20.1%) with Cutaneous Larva Migrans (CLM). Retroprevalence among age revealed 1912(67.83%) for the young and 907 (32.17%) for adults infected with scabies and 418(59.04%) and 290 (40.96%) for adults infected with CLM. Similarly, sex wise prevalence reveals that the males had 2031 (72.05%) and 501 (70.76%) for scabies and CLM scabies (p<0.05), while females had 788 (27.95%) and 207 (29.24%) respectively for scabies and CLM (p<0.05). Based on cumulative monthly distribution, it was most prevalent between May and September for both scabies and CLM out- patients. Adequate attention should be accorded to the risk factors such as lack of adequate sanitation, poor hygiene and overcrowding which when eliminated or reduced will reduce the burden of the disease.Keywords: Epidermal, Parasitic, Skin diseases, Scabies, CLM,

Prevalence of Strongyle

Gastrointestinal parasitism is one of the major health problems affecting productivity of small ruminants worldwide. A dry season study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Strongyle ova in goats and their faecal egg counts, as well as to compare different faecal culture methods for larval counts and identification. Out of 200 faecal samples examined, 114 were from male and 86 from female goats. An overall prevalence of 42(21%) for Strongyle ova was observed with a mean EPG of 91.67 + 6.12. The prevalence was higher in the male 26(22.8%) than in female 16(18.6%) with mean EPG of 90.38 ± 7.35 and 93.75 ± 11.06 respectively (p > 0.05). It was also higher in adults 38(22.22%) compared with the young 4(13.79%). All positive goats were of the Sahelian breed. No significant difference (p > 0.05%) was observed between sexes and age but a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between breeds. The infection was higher from samples collected in the abattoir 36 (25.35%) compared with 6(18.75%) in Mairi Village and none was positive from the University of Maiduguri Farm. A significant difference (p<0.05) was thus observed between locations. Only Strongyle ova was seen throughout the study and on subjection of the positive samples to larval recovery, Oesophagostomum columbianum was the only larva recovered. The test tube method yielded the highest larval recovery with mean larval count of 9.14 + 0.72 (p<0.05), compared with bottle with no charcoal; bottle with charcoal and Baermann’s techniques.Keywords: Goats, Strongyle ova, Faecal Culture Techniques, Prevalenc