The effect of a Local isolate and Houghton strain of Eimeria tenella on clinical and growth parameters following challenge in chickens vaccinated with IMMUCOX® and LIVACOX® vaccines.

Coccidiosis, a parasitic infection caused by one or more of the numerous species of Eimeria is recognised as the disease that has severe economic impact on poultry production. In an experiment to determine the effect of vaccination on the infection with a Local isolate and Houghton strain of Eimeria tenella (E. tenella). Ninety (90) day-old Dominant black cockerel chicks of D109 strain were randomly divided into nine groups (A-I). Two commercially available anti-coccidial vaccines-Livacox® (Biopharm, Czech Republic) and Immucox® (Vetech, Ontario, Canada) were used to immunize the chicks. Immunization was done at 5 days-old by oral gavage and infection was carried out with 1.7 × 104 E. tenella of either Houghton strain or a field (Local) isolate at 4-weeks old. Six (6) days post-challenge, generalized pallor, moderate bloody diarrhea, slight reduction in feed intake and weight gain characterized the infected groups. There is a significant difference (p < 0.05) in packed cell volume of group B, unvaccinated and infected with Houghton strain of E. tenella and group E vaccinated with Livacox® and infected with Houghton strain. The Immunogenicity of Livacox® and Immucox® was determined primarily on the ability of the vaccinated chickens to overcome the effect of the virulent challenge by E. tenella including blood loss, reduction in feed intake and feed conversion and weight loss. The two anticoccidial vaccines used in this experiment were effective in varying degrees especially with the local isolate.

Relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and testicular and hormonal parameters of sexually active male greater cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus).

The current upsurge in intensive farming practices of greater cane rat has not only lead to higher growth rate but is accompanied by increased fat deposition especially in the males. This study attempts to characterize one of the most commonly used fat estimation parameter, the body mass index (BMI) as well as evaluates its relationship with testicular and hormonal parameters in seventy-two sexually active male cane rats over a period of one year. Six animals, kidded and raised in a farm, with known ages were used each month. The experimental protocols entail body measurements of weight, height and length; histology; orchidometry; and hormonal immunoassay of testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, LH and FSH using their various kits. The mean values of the body mass (BMI) and Lee (LI) indices of male greater cane rats were 1.18±0.20g/cm2 and 0.30±0.02g/cm respectively with the testicular histology indicating normal spermatogenesis. BMI/LI, both of which followed the same pattern, neither correlate with testicular parameters nor with serum testosterone, progesterone, LH and FSH concentrations but had low correlations with serum estradiol concentration (r2 = 0. 2; p = 0.0023). So, these relationships may provide clue on obesity and its effect on reproductive performance and strengthened the possibility of the characterized BMI/LI as obesity marker for breeding selection in male cane rat.

Neuropathological lesions in the brains of goats in North-Western Nigeria: possible impact of artisanal mining.

Indiscriminate small-scale artisanal gold mining activities were reported to have caused anthropogenic heavy metal environmental pollution in Zamfara State, north-western Nigeria. There is little or no information on the neurotoxic effects and related neuropathological lesions due to environmental pollution in the animal population. Therefore, this work investigated the concentration of heavy metal and associated lesions in the brain of goats around an artisanal mining site in Zamfara. Brain samples were collected from 40 goats at slaughter slabs in Bagega (Zamfara State) while 15 goats with the same demography but without a history of environmental exposure at the time of this study served as controls. The concentration of lead and cadmium in brain tissue and histopathologic changes were assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, histology and immunohistochemistry. The metal concentrations were significantly higher in exposed goats than in the unexposed animals. Cresyl violet staining and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistry indicated chromatolysis and increased astrocytic activity respectively in the exposed goats. This study is of epidemiological importance as it shows a generalised increase of the metal concentrations in the brain of goats exposed to artisanal mining in Zamfara, north-western Nigeria. This could have health effects on the animals associated with nervous co-ordination, growth and development and as a good sentinel for pathogenesis of the heavy metal exposure.

Histochemical and immunohistochemical detection of pathogenic leptospires serovars in tissues of some captive wildlife from a University zoo in Nigeria.

The detection and documentation of pathogenic Leptospira serovars in wild captive and zoological garden animals are scarce in literature from Nigeria. The knowledge of the prevalence of prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira serovars in these animals as a zoonotic risk to workers, zoo visitors and the general public is essential. This investigation was carried out on archival kidney and liver samples of captive and Zoological Garden animals (66) of an institutional facility, submitted for necropsy to the Department of Veterinary Pathology between the periods of 2010-2015. The gross diagnosis reports were obtained from the necropsy records, detection of pathogenic Leptospira serovars was by Warthin Starry silver staining and immunohistochemistry techniques using standard methods. Six samples out of the sixty-six samples were positive for leptospira four samples were positive by silver stain method, while two samples were positive by immunohistochemistry. In this study, serovar Pomona and grippotyphosa were detected in the foxes while serovar Pomona was detected in the horse. This study has revealed the presence of pathogenic leptospires in some captive wild and zoological garden animals.

Cytokine profile in Nigerians with tubal infertility.

INTRODUCTION: Immune response to genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is involved in both immunity and pathology. The cytokine profile during infection has been implicated in the disease outcome, either resolution or severe sequelae. Serum cytokines of Chlamydia positive Nigerian women with tubal infertility were assessed to determine their possible relationship with tubal occlusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty age-matched consenting women (100 fertile and 50 with tubal infertility) were recruited based on C. trachomatis antibody positivity and grouped into infertile Chlamydia positive (CTpos) women (n = 50), fertile Chlamydia positive women (n = 50) and fertile Chlamydia negative (CTneg) women as controls (n = 50). High vaginal swabs and endo-cervical swabs were collected for microscopy, culture and gram staining. Cytokines [transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), interferon γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and IL-17A] were estimated by ELISA in sera. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, χ (2) and Spearman's correlation at p = 0.05. RESULTS: Lower IFN-γ levels were observed in infertile women compared to fertile women. Fertile CTneg women had significantly higher TNF-α, and TGF-ß1 compared to fertile and infertile CTpos women, respectively. Lower IL-10 levels were seen in fertile CTpos women compared to the infertile CTpos group. Vaginal discharge was negatively correlated with TNF-α and IFN-γ and positively with IL-4 in Chlamydia positive women. CONCLUSIONS: Chlamydia positive women with tubal infertility have higher IL-10 and lower IFN-γ levels than controls, which may contribute to their development of tubal pathology.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Dual M. tuberculosis/M. bovis Infection as the Cause of Tuberculosis in a Gorilla and a Lioness, Respectively, in Ibadan Zoo, Nigeria.

Tuberculosis (TB) in zoo animals is an important public health problem in places where it occurs. This is even very important in countries where there is little public health awareness about the disease; thus confined animals in the zoo can be infected directly or indirectly by infected humans and vice versa. In Nigeria, the problem of TB is a major concern among both humans and cattle. Here, we present cases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. tuberculosis/M. bovis infections in a female gorilla and a lioness, respectively, in a zoo in Ibadan, Nigeria. These cases were confirmed after bacteriological examinations and DNA from granulomatous lesions of the animals' carcasses were subjected to the Hain and spoligotyping techniques. Our findings reveal the first documented report of TB infections in a gorilla and a lioness in zoo animals in Nigeria. The public health risks of tuberculosis in zoological settings are therefore reemphasized.

Female reproductive hormones and biomarkers of oxidative stress in genital Chlamydia infection in tubal factor infertility.

BACKGROUND: Genital Chlamydia infection (GCI) and the associated pathologies have been implicated in tubal infertility. Though the actual pathologic mechanisms are still uncertain, oxidative stress and other factors have been implicated. The purpose of the study was to determine the possible contribution of female reproductive hormones and biomarkers of oxidative stress in genital Chlamydial infection to tubal occlusion. METHODS: This prospective case control study was carried out by recruiting 150 age matched women grouped into infertile Chlamydia positive women (n = 50), fertile Chlamydia positive women (n = 50) and fertile Chlamydia negative women as controls (n = 50). High vaginal swabs and endocervical swabs were collected for screening Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Treponema pallidum, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Sera were collected for estimation of Chlamydia trachomatis antibody, female reproductive hormones [Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Oestradiol (E2), Progesterone (P4), Prolactin (PRL)] and biomarkers of oxidative stress [Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and 8-hydroxyl-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)] by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Data were analyzed using chi square, analysis of variance and LSD Post hoc to determine mean differences at p = 0.05. RESULTS: Among women with GCI, higher levels of LH and 8-OHdG were observed in infertile Chlamydia positive women compared to fertile Chlamydia positive women (p < 0.05). Higher levels of LH and 8-OHdG and lower TAC levels were observed in infertile Chlamydia positive women compared to fertile Chlamydia negative controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Mechanisms including oxidative DNA damage and reduced antioxidant capacity may be involved in the pathology of Chlamydia induced tubal damage.

Mortality and Pathology Associated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Outbreaks in Commercial Poultry Production Systems in Nigeria.

Commercial layer-type, pullet, cockerel, and broiler chicken flocks infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Nigeria between 2006 and 2008 were investigated for morbidity, mortality, and pathology. Of the one hundred and fifty-three (153) farms confirmed with HPAI infection, one hundred and twenty-seven (127) were layer-type farms, nine (9) were pullet and broiler farms each, and eight (8) were cockerel rearing farms. This study revealed the morbidity and mortality of a total of 939,620 commercial layer chickens, 16,421 pullets, 3,109 cockerels, and 6,433 broilers. Mortality rates were 11.11% in commercial layers, 26.84% in pullets, 45.51% in cockerels, and 73.92% in broilers in a total of eighteen (18) states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A total of 316 carcasses were examined of which 248 were commercial layer, 25 were pullet, 14 were cockerel, and 29 were broiler. Main clinical and pathologic findings were observed in the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, integumentary, musculoskeletal, hemopoietic, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems and, occasionally, lesions were generally nonspecific and multisystemic. Lesions occurred more frequently, severely, and in most of the carcasses examined, irrespective of chicken type.