Seroprevalence of leptospirosis among presumptive malaria patients in a secondary health facility in Oyo state, Southwest Nigeria

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a neglected tropical zoonoses that presents with fever and can be misdiagnosed, with fatal outcomes. Its incidence has been on the increase in recent times with 1 million cases and over 60,000 deaths reported annually worldwide. We determined the seroprevalence of leptospirosis and associated risk factors among presumptive malaria patients in a secondary health facility in Ibadan. Methods: We used Leptospira Rapid Diagnostic Test kit to estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among 143 patients who presented at the study center between 27th April and 15th May 2019 whom a physician had seen and presumed they had malaria. We used one drop of blood for the test from blood collected by trained laboratory technicians for malaria diagnosis. Data on patients' demographics and risk factors were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. We calculated frequencies, means and proportion and also calculated odds ratios at 95% confidence interval (α=0.05). Results: The median age of the participants was 34 years (range: 6 months-80 years). Eighty-nine (62.2%) of them were females. Of the 143 tested, 12 (8.4%) were positive for Leptospira IgM/IgG antibodies. Eleven (7.7%) patients were positive for malaria. One (0.7%) was positive for both malaria and leptospirosis. Owning a backyard garden was significantly associated with leptospirosis (OR: 3.7, CI: 1.01-12.92). Conclusion: We confirmed Leptospirosis among febrile patients at the study center We found that the seroprevalence of leptospirosis is same as that of malaria among the sampled  population. However, leptospirosis/malaria co-infectionwas low. We recommend a review of the diagnostic protocol to include leptospirosis as a differential

Prevalence and correlates of influenza-a in piggery workers and pigs in two communities in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract Background: Worldwide, three Influenza-A virus subtypes (i.e., H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2) in swine are of major public health importance because of involvement in Influenza pandemics. In Nigeria, the existence of these subtypes in pigs has not been well studied. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and correlates of Influenza-A viruses circulating in piggery workers and pigs in Oke-aro and Goshen communities in Lagos, Nigeria to inform decision making in Influenza-A infection prevention and control. Methods: Nasal swabs and blood samples were taken from 197 consenting piggery workers and 281 randomly selected pigs to determine the prevalence of Influenza-A viruses using Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction test (RT-PCR) for Influenza antigens and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for Influenza antibodies. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information on demography, Influenza-A related symptoms experienced, personal hygiene and management practices from the piggery workers. We performed univariate and bivariate analyses to determine the prevalence of Influenza-A and its correlates. Results: The sero-prevalence of Influenza-A among the piggery workers and pigs by ELISA was 87% and 67% respectively. All piggery workers and pigs' nasal swabs tested negative for Influenza-A viruses by RT-PCR. The mean age of piggery workers was 41 (SD 13.6) years and 60% were females. Forty two percent were farm attendants, 38.0% were pig farmers and the rest butchers. Most (48.0%) had muscle pain at the time of data collection. Butchers had significantly (OR = 0.00, 95% CI 0.00 -0.59) higher odds of being sero-positive for Influenza-A than farmers. Piggery workers who used personal protective equipment (i.e., gloves and boots) were less likely to be sero-positive to Influenza-A. Conclusion: Piggery workers and pigs in Oke-aro and Goshen communities, Lagos had previous exposures to Influenza-A viruses; however, evidence of recent exposure could not be established. We encourage regular use of personal protective equipment among piggery workers

Sero-epidemiological survey and risk factors associated with bovine brucellosis among slaughtered cattle in Nigeria

Bovine brucellosis is endemic in Nigeria; however, limited data exist on nationwide studies and risk factors associated with the disease. Using a cross-sectional sero-epidemiological survey, we determined the prevalence of and risk factors for brucellosis in slaughtered cattle in three geographical regions of Nigeria. Serum samples from randomly selected unvaccinated cattle slaughtered over a period of 3 years (between December 2010 and September 2013) from northern, southern and south-western Nigeria were tested for antibodies to Brucella abortus using the Rose Bengal test. Data associated with risk factors of brucellosis were analysed by Stata Version 12. In all, 8105 cattle were screened. An overall seroprevalence of 3.9% (315/8105) was recorded by the Rose Bengal test, with 3.8%, 3.4% and 4.0% from the northern, southern and south-western regions, respectively. Bivariate analysis showed that cattle screened in northern Nigeria were less likely to be seropositive for antibodies to Brucella spp. than those from south-western Nigeria (odds ratio = 0.94; 95% confidence interval: 0.73–1.22). However, logistic regression analysis revealed that breed ( p = 0.04) and sex ( p £ 0.0001) of cattle were statistically significant for seropositivity to Brucella spp. The study found that brucellosis was endemic at a low prevalence among slaughtered cattle in Nigeria, with sex and breed of cattle being significant risk factors. Considering the public health implications of brucellosis, we advocate coordinated surveillance for the disease among diverse cattle populations in Nigeria, as is carried out in most developed countries. Keywords: Bovine brucellosis, RBT, Epidemiology, Public Health, Nigeri

Animal health care seeking behavior of pets or livestock owners and knowledge and awareness on zoonoses in a university community

Aim: We investigated the attitude of pets or livestock owning households in a university community to animal health care services and assessed the knowledge and awareness level of the residents on zoonoses. Materials and Methods: Structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on demography, pet or livestock ownership, animal health care seeking behavior, awareness and knowledge of zoonoses from 246 households. We did descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis to determine the level of association in discrete variables between owners and non-owners of pets or livestock at a significant level of p<0.05. Results: Of the 246 respondents, 80 (32.5%) were either pet or livestock owners. The animal health care seeking behavior of the 80 pets or livestock owners in terms of treatment and vaccination was 70%. Of the 56 (70%) who provided health care services for their animals, about 48 (85.7%) engaged the services of a veterinarian. Dog owning households (42) had the highest frequency of treating their pets against endoparasites (97.6%); ectoparasites (81%) and vaccination against diseases (73.8%). Of the 246 respondents, only 47 (19.1%) have heard of the term zoonoses. Of the considered zoonoses; their awareness of rabies (79.3%) was the highest, followed by Lassa fever (66.3%), the least was pasteurellosis with 18.7%. Having pets or livestock was significantly associated (p=0.04) with rabies awareness. However, there is no significant difference in the level of awareness of zoonoses; knowledge of zoonoses, knowledge of prevention of zoonoses and knowledge of risk of zoonoses between owners and non-owners of pets or livestock. Conclusion: The animal health care seeking behavior of households with pets or livestock is good and should be encouraged. Public education should be created for other zoonoses aside from rabies, Lassa fever, and avian influenza

Sero-prevalence and intrinsic factors associated with Brucella infection in food animals slaughtered at abattoirs in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract Background Brucellosis, a neglected tropical food-borne zoonotic disease, has a negative impact on both animal and human health as well as tremendous socio-economic impact in developing countries where rural income relies largely on livestock breeding and dairy products. It is endemic in the animal population in Nigeria and is a recognized occupational hazard. This work was done to establish the sero-prevalence and predisposing factors of food animals in Abuja, Nigeria to Brucella infection. Results Of 376 cattle, 203 sheep and 260 goats screened, 21 (5.6%); 19 (9.4%); 51 (19.6%) were positive, respectively for brucellosis with Rose Bengal Plate Test, and 2 (0.5%); 4 (2.0%); 10 (3.8%), respectively with c-ELISA. The likelihood of acquiring Brucella infection was higher among the Red Sokoto breed of goats compared to other breeds of goats (p = 0.05). Conclusion This study showed that the prevalence of Brucella infection was low in food animals slaughtered at abattoirs in Abuja. However, of all animals screened, seropositivity to Brucella infection was highest in goats with Red Sokoto breed of goats more likely to acquire the disease when compared to other breeds

Prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato in Owned Dogs in Lagos State, Nigeria

Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) infection in dogs poses risk of transmission to their owners and family members. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with E. granulosus s.l. infection among owned dogs presented at veterinary clinics or hospitals in Lagos State, Nigeria. Fecal samples from 217 dogs were screened for the presence of taeniid eggs using a sedimentation test in a cross sectional study. The taeniid eggs were identified at molecular level using a multiplex PCR. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on intrinsic and extrinsic factors from 133 dog owners. Out of the 217 dog fecal samples, 13 (6.0%) had taeniid eggs, of which 12 (92.3%) were identified as Echinococcus granulosus s.l. We found that Echinococcus granulosus infection is present among owned dogs in Lagos State with an overall prevalence of 5.5%. Location of the veterinary clinics or hospital and purpose for keeping dogs were significant factors associated with E. granulosus infection among owned dogs. Dogs living in suburban areas and kept for security purposes or guarding have higher probability of infection. Appropriate and regular treatment of dogs with praziquantel is highly recommended to reduce risk of E. granulosus transmission to humans

Nigeria's race to zero COVID-19 cases : True disease burden or testing failure?

Non peer reviewe

Seroprevalence of brucellosis and associated factors among livestock slaughtered in Oko-Oba abattoir, Lagos State, southwestern Nigeria

Introduction:&nbsp;Brucella&nbsp;infection, a neglected tropical zoonosis, poses public health threat to abattoir workers in developing countries including Nigeria. Oko-Oba abattoir is one of the largest abattoirs in the country that collects livestock from different parts of the country. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with seropositivity of brucellosis among livestock slaughtered at Oko-Oba abattoir. Methods:&nbsp;a cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2018. A total of 473 serum samples were collected from livestock at the abattoir and tested for antibodies to&nbsp;Brucella&nbsp;species using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (iELISA). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi square test (p &lt; 0.05). Results:&nbsp;overall seroprevalence values were 15.3% (RBPT) and 16.3% (iELISA) among the livestock slaughtered at the Oko-Oba abattoir. Seroprevalence of 17.2% (RBPT) and 15.8% (iELISA) in cattle; 15.1% (RBPT) and 14.5% (iELISA) in goat; and 8.3% (RBPT) and 23.3% (iELISA) in sheep were obtained. Higher seroprevalence were recorded among females in cattle (18.8% iELISA) and sheep (23.1% iELISA) while male goats had average value higher (14.7% iELISA) than the female (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusion:&nbsp;presence of&nbsp;Brucella&nbsp;infection among slaughtered livestock was confirmed at Oko-Oba abattoir, Lagos State, Nigeria and poses a threat to abattoir workers and public health. Control of the disease in livestock and use of personal protective gear is recommended