Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Antiviral Potential of Methanol Stem Bark Extract of Enantia chlorantha Oliver (Annonaceae) and Boswellia dalzielii Hutch (Burseraceae) against Newcastle Disease In Ovo

Aim of the Study: To determine the phytochemicals and the antiviral activity of methanol stem bark extract of Enantia chlorantha and Boswellia dalzielii against Newcastle disease virus in embryonated eggs. Materials and Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out using standard methods. Investigation on the effect of stem bark of Enantia chlorantha and Boswellia dalzielii methanol extracts against Newcastle disease (ND) virus was carried out using an in ovo assay. Nine–day-old embryonated chicken eggs were used. 0.2ml New Castle Disease virus (NDV) pre-treated with methanol extract of Enantia chlorantha Oliver and Boswellia dalzielii Hutch (Stem bark) at final concentrations of 150, 100, 50, 25, 12.5 mg/ml were administered. Controls were included, embryos were observed daily for survival. Allantoic fluids from treated eggs were collected for spot test and haemagglutination test to detect NDV in the eggs. Results: Phytochemical analysis carried out on Enantia chlorantha Oliv. (stem bark), revealed the presence of alkaloids, reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides, steroid, triterpenes and glycosides, while tannin and flavonoids were found to be absent. Boswellia dalzielii Hutch revealed the presence of carbohydrates, steroids, triterpenes, cardiac glycosides, tannins and flavonoids and absence of alkaloid.The result of the antiviral assay showed that the minimum toxic concentration of both extracts is 150 mg/ml. Boswellia dalzielii showed the most significant activity against NDV with complete survival of the embryo at all concentration studied and complete clearance of the virus from the allantoic fluid, as compared to Enantia chlorantha where mortalities were seen at 150 and 25 mg/ml respectively. Conclusion: This finding has clearly demonstrated that Enantia chlorantha and Boswellia dalzielii stem bark extract has antiviral potential against NDV in ovo.

Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Salmonella Isolates from Commercial Poultry and Poultry Farm-handlers in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and antibiotic resistance profile of Salmonella serovars from poultry and poultry farm-handlers. Study Design: Investigative Place and Duration of Study: Samples were analyzed at the Central Diagnostic Laboratory, National Veterinary Research Institute Vom and Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. This work was carried out between August 2012 and April 2013. Methodology: Samples were pre-enriched in buffered peptone water followed by selective enrichment using Selenite Faeces Broth and Rappaport-Vassilidis Broth. Isolation and identification was made by inoculating the selectively enriched sample on to Salmonella-Shigella agar, Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar and Brilliant Green agar followed by confirmation of presumptive colonies using different biochemical tests and analytical profile index 20 E. Polyvalent (O) and (H) Salmonella antisera were used for serotyping the Salmonella isolates. The CLSI, 2010 method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing Results: A prevalence rate of 10.9% was observed from the 450 samples. Serovars of Salmonella detected were S. Gallinarum 57.2%, S. Typhimurium 8.2%, S. Typhi 20.4%, S. Pullorum 6.1%, S. Enteritidis 6.1% and S. Paratyphi A 2.0%. Statistically, significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between isolates and occurrence at different sample sites. The isolates were 100% resistant to oxacillin, 96.0% to ampicillin, 93.9% tylosin, 83.7 5 ceftazidime and 63.3% oxytetracycline. Five of the isolates were 100% resistant to more than five different antibiotics. There was statistical significant difference (p<0.01) in antimicrobial resistance patterns exhibited by the serovars. However, the isolates showed sensitivity to gentamycin 100%, gendox 83.7%, ciprofloxacin 81.6% and amoxicillinclavulanic acid 57.1%. Conclusion: The study revealed emergence of multiple-drug resistant Salmonella serovars from poultry and poultry farm handlers. We therefore suggest further epidemiological studies.

Prevalence of Schistosomiasis among Primary School Children in Gadabuke District, Toto LGA, North Central Nigeria.

Aim: This study was aimed at determining the number of children infected in relation to study population. Study Design: Cross sectional Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted among school children in Gadabuke and Garagwa LGEA Primary schools in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria between October-December, 2012. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 samples were collected comprising 192 urine and 58 faecal samples. Samples were investigated using standard World Health Organisation guidelines for identification of parasites. Samples were analysed macroscopically and microscopically. Results: Out of the 192 children screened. Gadabuke LGED primary school had a prevalence of 58.1% while Garagwa LGED primary school had a prevalence of 22.7% and the overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in the two schools is 44.3%. There was no significant difference in prevalence rate of urinary schistosomiasis between Gadabuke and Garagwa primary schools (P>0.05). On the other hand, Gadabuke had a prevalence of 5.3% for S.mansoni and 0% prevalence for Garagwa LGED. On the whole, the prevalence of S. mansoni was 3.4% in the study area. Children of age group (8 – 14) were more infected with urinary schistosomiasis. Male had higher prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis 50 (50%) than the female 35 (35%). Statistically there was significance difference in prevalence infection of Schistosoma haematobium among males and females investigated. Children whose parents are farmers and fishermen had the highest prevalence infections, followed by Artisan, civil servant and the businessmen. Conclusion: Urinary schistosomiasis in some selected primary schools in Gadabuke district of Toto LGA in Nasarawa State have been documented.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antiviral Potential of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Psidium guajava Against Newcastle Disease Virus in ovo.

Leaf extract of Psidium guajava were subjected to phytochemical screening and in ovo antiviral assay against Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of pharmacologically active and nutritionally relevant compounds. Nine-day-old embryonated chicken eggs were divided into ten groups of fives and received various treatments. Groups 1-6 received 100EID50/0.1ml NDV pre-treated with P. guajava leaf extracts at final concentrations of 250, 200, 100, 50, 25 and 10mg/ml in that order. Controls were included. Embryo survival was observed daily. Allantoic fluid from treated eggs and serum from hatched chicks were collected for spot hemagglutination (HA) and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests to detect NDV in the eggs and antibodies against NDV in the hatched chicks respectively. Results showed that embryo survival was higher with higher extract concentrations.. Just as increase in extract concentration was directly proportional to virus death and inversely proportional to production of antibody against NDV in hatched chicks. The current findings have clearly demonstrated that P. guajava leaf extract has nutritional value as well as great antiviral potential against NDV in ovo. In vivo trials are needed to validate the use of the tree in controlling Newcastle disease in chickens.