Abortion due to Brucella abortus in sheep in Nigeria.

This paper reports on a sporadic, naturally acquired infection of sheep with Brucella abortus on a privately owned farm in Toro near Bauchi, Nigeria. The abortions, which occurred in a flock of 28 Yankassa sheep, involved five ewes at the third month of gestation. Serum and milk samples from the flock were examined for Brucella antibodies by the Rose Bengal plate test, serum agglutination test (SAT) and milk ring test (MRT). The proportion shown as positive by SAT was 14.3%. All the five milk samples examined by MRT were positive. A total of seven isolates of Brucella were obtained from three milk samples and four vaginal swabs collected from aborting ewes. All isolates were identified and biotyped as B. abortus biovar 1. This biovar was also isolated from cattle maintained on the farm in association with the sheep. The infection was attributed to the animal husbandry practices employed on the farm.

Phenotypic characterization of Brucella strains isolated from livestock in Nigeria.

Isolation of brucellae from aborted fetuses, hygroma fluids, milk and vaginal swabs obtained from aborting cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and horses in Nigeria was carried out. A total of 25 isolates, obtained mainly from cattle, sheep and horses, were biotyped. All strains belonged to one species, Brucella abortus biovar 1. The epidemiological significance of this finding is discussed. Some preliminary observations on the zoonotic and public health implications of Brucella infection in Nigerian livestock are presented. A control programme involving improved management, animal movement restrictions, public health education and mass vaccination of animals is suggested.

Use of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for screening cattle for Brucella antibodies in Nigeria.

The prevalence of Brucella antibodies in settled Fulani cattle herds in Kaduna State, Nigeria, was determined by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Out of a total of 762 animals drawn randomly from 40 cattle herds in various areas of the state, 50 (6.6%) tested positive. There was no significant difference (P<0.01) in the number of reactors between male and female animals. Brucella antibodies were detected in animals in all areas of the state but prevalence was highest in Kaura area (26.8%) and was lowest in Zonkwa area (1.0%). Out of the 762 animals, 23 (3.0%) tested positive in the agglutination test (SAT) while 16 (2.1%) tested positive in the Rose-bengal plate test (RBTP). This study indicated that cattle in Nigeria have antibodies to Brucella tested by ELISA technique and that seropositive animals are located in distinct foci. The identification of these pockets of infection on a nation-wide basis will be crucial for future brucellosis control programmes.

Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxaemia in pigs: a report of five cases.

Enterotoxaemia caused by Clostridium perfringens type A in five intensively managed pigs is reported. The condition was precipitated by constipative digestive disturbance. Diarrhoea was not observed in the five animals before death.

Aeromonas hydrophila as cause of hemorrhagic septicemia in a ground-hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus).

An acute hemorrhagic septicemia in a captive ground-hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus) is reported. Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from lungs, liver, kidney, and intestines. Postmortem lesions were characterized by hemorrhages in the internal organs. Microscopically, necrotic lesions were found in the liver, lungs, and kidney. Factors that might have contributed to the clinical disease condition are discussed.

Isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila from a captive caracal lynx (Felis caracal).

Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from the internal organs of a captive caracal lynx (Felis caracal) which died of acute septicemia. Grossly, patchy areas of focal necrosis were found in the lungs, liver and kidney; there was ulceration in the stomach and intestines. Microscopically, lesions contained cellular debris, neutrophils, lymphocytes and gram-negative bacilli. This is the first report of isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila from a captive wild animal in Nigeria.

Concurrent infection of a Patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) by Citrobacter freundii and Trichuris trichiura.

Concurrent infection of Citrobacter freundii and Trichuris trichiura in a Patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) is reported. A synergistic effect of both organisms contributing to host mortality in this case is suggested.

An epizootic infection of Citrobacter freundii in a guineapig colony: short communication.

An epizootic infection of Citrobacter freundii in a guineapig colony is reported. From 1300 guineapigs maintained in a colony, a total of 115 guineapigs died. Lesions found postmortem were suggestive of acute pneumonia and enteritis. Citrobacter freundii was consistently isolated from necropsy specimens of lung, liver, spleen and intestines of the animals. The source of infection was not ascertained.

Klebsiella pneumoniae as a cause of pneumonia and septicemia in a civet kitten (Civettictis civetta) in the Jos Zoo, Nigeria.

A fatal case of acute pneumonia and septicemia that occurred in a captive civet kitten (Civettictis civetta) in the Jos Zoo, Nigeria is reported. Diagnosis was based on clinical signs, necropsy findings, and the isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae from the lung, intestine, liver and heart blood of the animal. This is the first report of clinical K. pneumoniae infection in a wild or captive animal in Nigeria.

Fatal case of salmonellosis (Salmonella pullorum) in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) in the Jos Zoo.

A case of salmonellosis in a captive chimpanzee (Pan troglydytes) is reported. Confirmatory diagnosis was based on clinical signs, necropsy and histopathological examination, and the isolation of Salmonella pullorum from the lung, liver, kidney and intestines of the animal. The source of infection was not ascertained.