An Abattoir-Based Study on Serodiagnosis of Swine Brucellosis in Makurdi, Benue State, North-Central Nigeria

An abattoir serological survey of brucellosis in pigs was conducted in Makurdi, Benue State North Central Nigeria between October and November 2011. Blood-sera were collected from a total of 281 slaughtered pigs and their ages and sex were recorded. The sera were tested for brucellosis using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT). A total of 86 of the 281 (30.60%) pigs were serologically positive. The prevalence of positive pigs based on sex was 31.20% and 30.13% for male and female pigs, respectively. The age prevalence was 30.10% and 32.00% for young and adult pigs, respectively. There was no statistically significant association (p>0.05) between positivity of reactor pigs and their sex or age. This study concluded that brucellosis is a problem in the swine industry. Consequently, strict sanitary measures and control of swine brucellosis is urgently warranted to avoid spread of infection through pigs’ populations and their contacted persons as well as pork consumers

RABIES IN A SET OF EIGHT-WEEK OLD PUPPIES IN NIGERIA: THE NEED FOR REVIEW OF CURRENT DOG ANTIRABIES VACCINATION SCHEDULE

Background: Rabies is endemic in Nigeria with clinical cases reported mainly in dogs and occasionally in livestock from all the geo-ecological zones of the country. Detection of rabies virus antigen in puppies at the age of five to ten weeks and in apparently healthy dogs shedding the virus in their saliva have been reported in some parts of Nigeria. Material and Method: This report describes a clinical rabies in a set of eight weeks old puppies confirmed by antigen detection using the direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT), the direct rapid immunohistochemical test (DRIT), and RT-PCR. Results: it was positive for all test used including the RT-PCR which amplified at 750 bp from the gel electrophoresis. Conclusion: Occurrence of rabies in puppies of this age, within which they are acquired and owned by other unsuspecting members of the public, is of grave public health consequences. People that love puppies, especially children, who are fond of carrying and playing with them, are also faced with the risk of exposure to rabies. Consequently, review of the existing dog antirabies vaccination schedule at twelve weeks of age in Nigeria, is recommended to ensure effective immunization of this age group of dogs and for the overall safety of the vulnerable members of the public

DIAGNOSIS OF ORF IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS IN UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Background: Sixty (60) male West African Dwarf goats were reported with clinical signs of enlarged lymph nodes, scabs on the mouth, nose and ears. Two of the goats died and post mortem examination reveals enlarged submandibular lymph nodes and vesicular lesions on the tongue. Clinical diagnosis of Orf has been reported in Nigeria but this report is the confirmatory diagnosis of Orf in a suspected outbreak in an experimental farm in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria using molecular techniques. Materials and Methods: Scabs, spleen and lymph node samples from goats suspected to have died from Orf were collected, transported on ice to the laboratory and homogenized. The DNA was extracted using QIAmp DNA minikit (Qiagen) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Orf virus (ORFV) was amplified using published ORFV specific primers by PCR. Results: Morbidity and mortality were 100% and 3.3% respectively, while ORFV was detected by PCR. Diagnosis of Orf was confirmed based on clinical signs of enlarged lymph nodes, scabs on the mouth, nose and ears, necropsy findings of enlarged submandibular lymph nodes and vesicular lesions on the tongue and PCR results. Conclusion: This may be the first report of molecular diagnosis of Orf in Nigeria. The 100% morbidity and 3.3% mortality rate is higher than previously reported thus Orf is becoming of greater economic importance than previously thought. It is therefore recommended that routine laboratory diagnosis of Orf be carried nationwide to determine the prevalence of Orf in Nigeria

A survey of contagious ecthyma and molecular characterization of Orf virus in sheep and goats in Nigeria (2014–2016)

Background: Outbreaks of contagious ecthyma (CE) are frequently reported in sheep and goat flocks in Nigeriawith severe clinical outcomes. CE is a debilitating and economically important disease primarily affecting sheep and goats caused by the Orf virus (ORFV). Despite field reports of CE in the country, there is no concise country-wide epidemiological data on the disease and limited genetic data of circulating Nigerian ORFV are available in the public domain.Aim: An epidemiological survey of CE and molecular characterization of ORFV circulating in Nigeria from 2014 to 2016.Method: Data were collected using designed questionnaires, administered to veterinarians and farmers in selected States of Nigeria. Samples were collected during passive surveillance for CE from 2014 to 2016 which were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The A32L and B2L genes of circulating ORFV were also characterized.Results: Analysis of the questionnaire showed that 69.54% (n = 82/118) of the farmers claimed to have experienced CE in their flocks with average morbidity and mortality rates of 25% and 15%, respectively. A total of 113 veterinarians participated in the study, with 69.9% (n = 79) familiar with CE and claimed CE causes morbidity rates of 25%–37% and mortality rates of 10%–15% in sheep and goats. Laboratory results revealed that ORFV was detected in 72% (18/25) of outbreak samples analyzed by real-time PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of A32L and B2L genes revealed that Nigerian ORFV sequences belong to clusters I and II and are similar to viruses from India, Ethiopia, and China.Conclusions: This study is the first nationwide epidemiological data on the status of CE in sheep and goats in Nigeria. It is also the first report of molecular characterization of two genes of ORFV circulating and causing outbreaks in small ruminants in the country. This study showed that CE is under-reported, widespread and of economic importance to sheep and goat farmers in Nigeria