Occurrence of mastitis and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in goats in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

The objective of this study was to conduct a cross sectional study to assess the occurrence of mastitis and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in goats in Zaria, Kaduna State from May to July 2013. A total of 386 fresh goat milk samples from both right and left halves of 198 lactating goats from National Animal Production and Research Institute (NAPRI) and other locations within Zaria metropolis were examined for the occurrence of mastitis and MRSA. The observed prevalence of mastitis in goats, defined by positive (≥+1) California Mastitis Test (CMT) was 119 (60.1%). The prevalence of mastitis showed significant variation among goats of different breeds (p=0.048) but no significant variation between age groups (p=0.890), location and goats raised under the two different systems of management (p=0.438). Also, there was no significant difference as to which udder half was most sub clinically affected (left or right). From a total of 386 fresh goat milk samples examined, 60 strains of staphylococci were isolated and identified using the conventional biochemical tests and 32 of which were identified as Staphylococcus aureus using the MicrogenTM STAPH-ID system. Furthermore, 12 of these 32 showed agglutinations with the PBP-2a Latex agglutination test reagent. The susceptibilities of the isolates to 14 antimicrobial agents were evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and interpreted as sensitive, intermediate or resistant following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, 2017). Out of the 32 isolates of S. aureus ; 90.63% were resistant to cefoxitin, Penicillin G (93.75%), Ampicillin (100%), Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (34.38%), Ceftriaxone (71.88%), Vancomycin (31.25%), Gentamicin (31.25%), Kanamycin (46.88%), Erythromycin (43.75%), Tetracycline (40.63%), Ciprofloxacin (3.13%), Nitrofurantoin (15.63%), Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (25%) and Chloramphenicol (15.63%). All the isolates were resistant 2 or more antimicrobial agents, but none was simultaneously resistant to all. There were 28 antimicrobial resistant patterns in which resistance to Ampicillin, Penicillin G, Cefoxitin were the most frequent. Methicillin resistance was determined using Cefoxitin discs as a surrogate marker of mecA gene as recommended by Clinical Laboratory Standards International (CLSI). In conclusion, the findings of this study confirm the importance of S. aureus as a mastitis causing organism and the possible role of goats in the transmission of multiple drug resistant S. aureus.Keywords: mastitis, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, goats, Zari

An Evaluation of Village Chicken Management Practices in Bauchi State, Nigeria

A study to identify gaps in the management practices given to village chickens was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered on 72 farmers drawn from eight communities in Bauchi State, Nigeria for the purpose of obtaining information that could be used to improve the productivity of these chickens in the State. The demography of the respondents revealed that most of them were farmers 47/72 (65.3%) married 71/72 (98.6%), females 40/72 (55.6%) and over 20 years (77.8%) of age; many of them had received some formal education 37/72 (54.5%) and had kept village chickens for over 5 years 55/72 (77.8%). Income generation was the main reason why respondents reared village chickens 33/72 (45.8%). Breeding stock were mostly bought from the market 48/72 (66.7%) and reared under an extensive system of production 72/72 (100%) together with other rural poultry 41/72 (56.9%); with birds receiving feed supplementation 68/72 (94.4%) and water 72/72 (100%); and kept at night in some locally made housing 37/72 (51.4%). Respondent do not vaccinate chickens against diseases like Newcastle disease (ND) nor keep any production record 72/72 (100%). Poor biosecurity practices like permitting chickens to intermingle with those from other households 72 (100%); sales of sick chickens (80.6%); consumption of sick chickens and the disposal of its inedible parts on the garbage that is accessible to chickens from other households are common. The results seem to suggest the need for farmers to improve upon the existing management practices especially with regards to vaccination, record keeping, housing and biosecurity measures in order to increase the productivity of these chickens in Bauchi State.Key words: Village chickens, management practices, biosecurity, vaccination, Bauchi State, Nigeri

Retrospective study of dog bites and cases of rabies virus infected dogs in slaughter houses in Makurdi, Nigeria

This study was carried out to obtain a 16-year retrospective data on dog bites/suspected dog rabies cases and to determine the prevalence of rabies antigen in the brains of dogs slaughtered for human consumption in Makurdi, Benue State. Data for retrospective studies (2003 - 2018) of dog bite/suspected rabies cases was collected from both government and private veterinary clinics in Makurdi while dog brain samples were collected from the dog slaughter slab at the mammy market in Makurdi. A total of 139 dog bite/suspected rabies cases were reported between January, 2003 and December, 2018 in the veterinary clinics with majority (55.3%) of the victims being children less than 16-years old. Only 18 (12.2%) of the offending dogs were quarantined at the time of bite, 11 of which died in quarantine. Five samples from the dogs that died in quarantine were later confirmed positive for rabies at the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Nigeria. Of the 464 brain samples collected from the slaughter slab, 52 (11.2%) tested positive for rabies antigen through the direct fluorescent antibody technique. The presence of rabies antigen in apparently healthy dogs may serve as a source of spread of the virus to the public as most people do not regard bites from healthy dogs as possible exposures. There is need for public health awareness on the health challenges posed by dog bites especially on the possibility of developing rabies from such bites, and the need to promptly report every bite so that proper medical attention can be given. With the world looking at eliminating canine mediated rabies by the year 2030, mass enlightenment programmes regarding rabies and its prevention in Makurdi is strongly recommended to help achieve this goal. Keywords: Bites, Dogs, Rabies, Makurdi, Nigeria, Retrospectiv

Seroprevalence of Brucellosis in sheep in Maigana and Birnin Gwari agro-ecological zones of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Brucellosis is an ancient and one of the world’s most widespread zoonotic diseases affecting public health and animal production. A cross-sectional study using simple random sampling was conducted between May and December, 2016 in Maigana and Birnin Gwari Agro-ecological zones of Kaduna State to determine the sero-prevalence of brucellosis in sheep. In addition the risk factors associated with sero-positivity in sheep were also assessed. A total of 400 sera samples comprised of 141 from males and 259 from females sheep were collected and screened for the presence of Brucella antibodies using Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT) and competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Sera analysis revealed that, 16.5% and 10.8% were seropositive to Brucella infection by RBPT and cELISA, respectively. There was statistically significant association between sex of the sheep and seropositivity to Brucella infection using RBPT (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, no statistically significant association between the age and breed of sheep and seropositivity to Brucella infection using RBPT and cELISA, respectively (P > 0.05). This study shows evidence of Brucella infection with high prevalence mainly among female sheep and the disease can be considered as a potential risk for both susceptible animals and humans in the study area. Therefore, creating awareness about brucellosis, interdisciplinary partnership and complementary effort between veterinary and public health professionals is very important to control the transmission of brucellosis.Keywords: Brucellosis, Kaduna State, Sheep, Sero-prevalenc

Seroprevalence of coxiellosis (Q fever) in flocks of goat in Birnin Gwari and Maigana Agro-ecological zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria

The prolific and reproductive competences of animals. A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of coxiellosis (Q fever) in flocks of goats in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of coxiellosis in goats in Birnin Gwari and  Maigana agro-ecological zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 400 serum samples from goats of both sexes and of different age groups were collected and screened for Coxiella burnetii antibodies using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). Out of the 400 sera analysed, 8.8% were seropositive coxiellosis. Of the 253 female goats tested, 9.5% were seropositive, while 7.5% were seropositive out of the 147 male goats  tested. There was no statistically significant association between sex of goats and coxiellosis (Q fever). A significant association was detected between age of goats tested and sensitivity of iELISA, non-significant association was found between breed of goats with sensitivity of iELISA. The study indicates that coxiellosis exists with high prevalence predominantly among female goats and is major public health challenge calling for  awareness amongst interested party for organized surveillance for the diseases in goats in Nigeria. Keywords: Goat; Kaduna State; seroprevalence; Coxiella burnetti

Milk yield losses and cost of clinical mastitis in Friesian × Bunaji crossbred dairy cows in Zaria, Nigeria

Bovine mastitis is regarded as the most costly disease of dairy cows. Estimating its economic impact therefore gives farmers and veterinarians an insight into the costs of the disease at herd level and helps them make appropriate decisions regarding its control. The aim of this study was to determine the costs of clinical mastitis in Friesian × Bunaji crossbred dairy cows. Passive data collected between 2000 and 2015 was retrieved from the Dairy Research Programme of the National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria and this was used to determine the input parameters for a simulation model. The parameters included the lactation and seasonal prevalence of clinical mastitis, average daily milk yield of cows, average illness period and the proportion of cows in each parity. Stochastic (Monte Carlo) simulation modelling of milk yield losses due to clinical mastitis was done using Microsoft® Excel with @Risk 7 add-in. The cost of a case of clinical mastitis at a base risk incidence of 35.2% was ₦5,005.85 ($15.87). The costs increased by 7.5% in a herd with 10% higher milk yield, while revenue generated was higher by 10.2%. The cost was 1.64% higher in a herd with fifty per cent of it cows in first parity than a herd with fifty per cent of its cows in third parity. 1.01% higher net revenue was generated from herds with fifty per cent of it cows in third parity than the herd with fifty per cent of its cows in first parity. Improving milk production potential of cows resulted in more cases of clinical mastitis, although the increase in revenue overshadows the added costs of clinical mastitis, successful control of mastitis will also significantly reduce production costs and improve the farm revenue.Keywords: Clinical mastitis, Cost, Cows, Friesian x Bunaji, Losses, Milk yiel

Assessment of Tsetse situation in the Kachia grazing reserve, northwest, Nigeria

No Abstrac

Foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype SAT1 in cattle, Nigeria.

&lt;p&gt;The knowledge of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) dynamics and epidemiology in Nigeria and the West Africa subregion is important to support local and regional control plans and international risk assessment. Foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype South African territories (SAT)1 was isolated, identified and characterized from an FMD outbreak in cattle in Nigeria in 2015, 35 years after the last report of FMDV SAT1 in West Africa. The VP1 coding sequence of the Nigerian 2015 SAT1 isolates diverges from reported SAT1 topotypes resulting in a separate topotype. The reporting of a novel FMDV SAT1 strain in the virus pool 5 (West and Central Africa) highlights the dynamic and complex nature of FMDV in this region of Africa. Sustained surveillance is needed to understand the origin, the extent and distribution of this novel SAT1 topotype in the region as well as to detect and monitor the occurrence of (re-)emerging FMDV strains.&lt;/p&gt;</p

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Foot and Mouth Disease Viruses from Outbreaks in Some States of Northern Nigeria 2013-2015.

&lt;p&gt;Control measures for foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Nigeria have not been implemented due to the absence of locally produced vaccines and risk-based analysis resulting from insufficient data on the circulating FMD virus (FMDV) serotypes/strains. In 2013-2015, blood and epithelial samples were collected from reported FMD outbreaks in four states (Kaduna, Kwara, Plateau and Bauchi) in northern Nigeria. FMDV non-structural protein (NSP) seroprevalence for the outbreaks was estimated at 80% (72 of 90) and 70% (131 of 188) post-outbreak. Antibodies against FMDV serotypes O, A, SAT1, SAT2 and SAT3 were detected across the states using solid-phase competitive ELISA. FMDV genome was detected in 99% (73 of 74) of the samples from FMD-affected animals using rRT-PCR, and cytopathic effect was found in cell culture by 59% (44 of 74) of these samples. Three FMDV serotypes O, A and SAT2 were isolated and characterized. The phylogenetic assessments of the virus isolates showed that two topotypes of FMDV serotype O, East Africa-3 (EA-3) and West Africa (WA) topotypes were circulating, as well as FMDV strains belonging to the Africa genotype (G-IV) of serotype A and FMDV SAT2 topotype VII strains. While the serotype O (EA-3) strains from Nigeria were most closely related to a 1999 virus strain from Sudan, the WA strain in Nigeria shares genetic relationship with three 1988 viruses in Niger. The FMDV serotype A strains were closely related to a known virus from Cameroon, and the SAT2 strains were most closely related to virus subtypes in Libya. This study provides evidence of co-occurrence of FMDV serotypes and topotypes in West, Central, East and North Africa, and this has implication for control. The findings help filling the knowledge gap of FMDV dynamics in Nigeria and West Africa subregion to support local and regional development of vaccination-based control plans and international risk assessment.&lt;/p&gt;</p