Effect of intranasal recombinant Mannheimia haemolytica vaccination on some haematological indices of goats infected with peste des petits ruminants virus

There is dearth of information on the haematological changes associated with Mannheimia haemolytica vaccination in goats, hence this report which describes some haematological changes observed following vaccination with intranasal Recombinant Mannheimia haemolytica vaccine in goats naturally infected with peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus. Twenty one (male, n=11; and female, n=10) goats were assigned to three vaccinated groups (A, B and D) with five goats per group (male: 3, female: 2), while the control group had 6 goats. Group A was vaccinated once intranasally, group B was vaccinated intranasally twice at one week interval and group D was vaccinated intranasally twice at two weeks interval . The control group (C) was not vaccinated. The vaccinated and control groups were challenged by comingling with pneumonic goats to simulate the field experience. PPR virus infection was later diagnosed in all the groups post vaccination. An average of four animals per treatment group in post-vaccination days were bled once weekly for six weeks (every week) to evaluate some haematological changes. The PCV values were within the normal range, while there was a decline in lymphocyte count at week 5, and a steady increase in neutrophil count in group A. In Group B, there was similar decline in lymphocyte count from the sixth week, while in groups C (Control) and D, the lymphocyte count declined at the 7th week, as the neutrophil counts increased. There were no significant changes in monocyte and eosinophil counts. The degree of changes in lymphocyte and neutrophil counts was mild in group B and marked in group D. This study revealed that intranasal vaccination of recombinant Mannheimia  haemolytica vaccine in the presence of PPR virus outbreak results in mild hematological derangement when the goats were vaccinated with  Mannheimia haemolytica bacterin at a week interval.Keywords: Goats, Haematology, Intranasal Recombinant Mannheimia haemolytica, Peste des Petits Ruminants, Vaccinatio

Pathological changes associated with an outbreak of colibacillosis in a commercial broiler flock

Escherichia coli infection was diagnosed in 5-week old broiler chickens raised intensively on a medium-sized commercial farm in Gaube-Kuje, Abuja, Nigeria. Signs of weakness, depression and inappetance with ruffled feathers and pasted vents were reportedly observed in affected birds within the flock. Detailed post mortem examinations revealed diffuse splenomegaly and hepatomegaly with multifocal greyish areas on their surfaces while the diffusely enlarged kidneys were congested with mottled pale appearance. Histopathologically, the liver of affected broilers showed diffuse congestion, multifocal coagulative necrosis and cellular infiltration. Generalized perivascular and inter-septal oedema and haemorrhage were observed in the lungs of affected broilers with generalized lymphocytic depletion within the spleen as well as locally extensive congestion and haemorrhage within the kidney, and cellular infiltration and necrosis within heart musculatures. Microbiological evaluation of liver samples yielded pure E. coli growth only. A diagnosis of colibacillosis, especially colisepticaemia, was made with appropriate treatment based on culture and sensitivity test result involving Levofloxacin(R). The client was consequently advised to guard against possible predisposing factors as control and preventive measures for the disease outbreak on the farm.Keywords: Broiler chickens, Colibacillosis, Gross pathology, Histopathology, Natural infectio