Helminthoses exerts negatively on the health and productivity of man and animals. This study was ... more Helminthoses exerts negatively on the health and productivity of man and animals. This study was conducted to investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with avian helminthoses in Osun state, Nigeria. Clinical information was retrieved from the record archives of the state veterinary clinics. Case records between January 2006 and December 2015 were examined and relevant data associated with avian helminth disease were extracted. Records on four thousand nine hundred and eighty bird types (2,088 turkeys; 1,476 layers; 384 cockerels; 12 ducks and 1,020 indigenous chickens) were used in the study. Faecal examination for the presence of helminth eggs was carried out by qualified veterinarians and laboratory scientist using the simple floatation method. An overall prevalence of 62.9% (3,132/4,980) was recorded. The year-specific rate for avian helminthoses was highest in 2011 (95.5%; 503/528) and lowest in 2007 (2.0%; 1/48), while the month-specific rate was highest in December (98.9%; 95/96) and lowest in October (15.2%; 84/552). There was a significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence in adult birds compared to young ones, in female compared to male and during the dry season compared to the wet season. Ducks (91.7%; 11/12) and turkeys (84.5%; 764/2088) were the bird types with the highest prevalence rate. The high prevalence of avian helminthoses in the study area proves that the disease is endemic. There is need to embark on a radical preventive measure to curtail the disease, for improved productivity in the poultry industry in Osun state and Nigeria.
Parasitism such as helminthoses, ectoparasitism and haemoparasitism is a major problem in the hea... more Parasitism such as helminthoses, ectoparasitism and haemoparasitism is a major problem in the health management of animals as it is worldwide in distribution. This study is aimed at investigating the prevalence and risk factors associated with the occurrence of parasitic diseases of horses diagnosed in Osun State Nigeria. From January 2006 to December 2015 a total of 864 horses were presented for treatment in the veterinary hospitals of the state, of which 720 (83.33%), 504 (58.33%), 152 (17.59%), 80 (9.26%) and 72 (8.33%) were diagnosed for tick infestation, babesiosis, helminthoses, trypanosomiasis and mange respectively. The diagnoses were carried out based on case history, physical examination, clinical signs and laboratory confirmation. There was no defined pattern in the yearly and monthly prevalences of parasitic diseases from this study. Age, sex and season were statistically (P>0.05) associated with the occurrence of equine parasitic diseases. This study showed that parasitic diseases are endemic in Osun State Nigeria, with tick infestation, babesiosis and helminthoses been of major concern. There is need for a radical preventive measure to curtail the disease condition so as to improve on the health, wellbeing and performance of horses.
Aim: Helminth infections inflict negatively on the production and well-being of animals including... more Aim: Helminth infections inflict negatively on the production and well-being of animals including poultry. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, species diversity, intensity, and risk factors associated with the gastrointestinal helminths of intensively raised poultry in Kwara Central senatorial district of Kwara State. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 502 poultry species from 15 farms. The samples were subjected to floatation and the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration techniques of examination. The intensity of infections was determined using McMaster counting technique. Results: Seven helminth species were detected with Heterakis gallinarum (10.2%) and Ascaridia galli (6.0%) been the most prevalent, while Capillaria species was the least prevalent (0.8%). Physiological status, bird type, production purpose, farm age (years), presence of other animals in the farm, flock size (birds), farm size (acres), housing type, farm type, frequency of anthelmintic use, distance to waste area (meters), level of biosecurity, and frequency of cleaning the pen were the risk factors significantly (p<0.05) associated with the presence of helminth infections. Conclusion: This study shows that helminth infections are endemic in the study area, as 66.7% of the sampled farms were infected with one or more helminth species. Findings from this study provide information that will assist in improving the poultry sector in Kwara State, Nigeria in general, for better production and profitability.
Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the most widely reported tick in the world. Molecular characterisatio... more Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the most widely reported tick in the world. Molecular characterisation is important to verify its taxonomic status in the different parts of the world. In this study, we provide information on the molecular characterisation of R. sanguineus tick of dogs collected from Nigeria. Ticks were collected from 62 of 93 sampled dogs. The collected ticks were subjected to morphological identification with the aid of appropriate entomological keys. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from the most prevalent tick species (R. sanguineus) and was subjected to further molecular characterisation protocols. The partial mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences (∼300 bp) were obtained from representative specimens. Data were statistically analysed using the chi‐square (χ 2) test. Phylogenetic analysis was performed including different lineages of R. sanguineus (sl) from Africa, Asia, Europe and America, and other species belonging to the R. sanguineus ‘tropical lineage’ (R. linnaei) as well as Rhipicephalus turanicus and Ixodes ricinus. Results of this study showed that R. sanguineus was the most abundant ticks of dogs with a prevalence of 61.8% (68/110; 95% CI = 52.5–70.54), followed by Amblyomma variegatum (20.0%) and Haemaphysalis leachi (18.2%). The molecular analysis shows that they are genetically different from the temperate strains but closely related to those from other West African countries. There is a need to establish the vector competence of this common Nigerian dog tick.
The persistent and highly transmissible Coxiella burnetii is a neglected infection that negativel... more The persistent and highly transmissible Coxiella burnetii is a neglected infection that negatively affects reproductive parameters of livestock. It is also of zoonotic importance and has been reported to cause devastating human infections globally. Domestic ruminants represent the most frequent source of human infection. Data from Nigeria are very few and outdated. There is a significant gap in up-to-date information on the exposure, spatial distribution and risk factors of infection of this important disease. The exposure to C. burnetii was determined using sensitive serological assays in cattle and small ruminants. A total of 538 animals made up of 268 cattle and 270 small ruminants were sampled from three northern Nigerian states. The proportion of cattle sampled that were seropositive from the study locations were: Kwara 14/90 (15.6%; 95% CI: 8.8-24.7); Plateau 10/106 (9.43%; 95% CI: 4.6-16.7) and Borno 4/72 (5.56%; 95% CI: 1.5-13.6) states. Lower seroprevalence was recorded among the small ruminants sampled, with positives recorded from sheep and goat sampled from only Kwara state 6/184 (3.3%; 95% CI: 1.2-7.0); while none of the small ruminants sampled from Plateau were seropositive. The results of the bivariate analysis showed that none of the tested independent variables (village, age group, sex, breed of cattle, presence of ticks, reproductive status, and management system) were statistically significant factors associated with seropositivity of cattle for antibodies to C. burnetii. Stakeholders involved in animal husbandry should be duly educated on proper disposal of birth products as well as bodily fluids in order to reduce environmental contamination, persistence and human infection.
Background and Aim: Helminth infections are one of the greatest causes of productive and reproduc... more Background and Aim: Helminth infections are one of the greatest causes of productive and reproductive loss in animals and man, and in some cases, it results in heavy mortalities. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, species diversity, patterns of infections and risk factors associated with helminth infections of cattle in Ilorin, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 478 fecal samples were collected from abattoirs and cattle farms over a year period (March, 2018-February, 2019). Fecal samples were visually examined then observed using simple flotation and formalinethyl acetate sedimentation techniques. Eggs and worms were identified according to standard procedures. The packed cell volume was determined using the hematocrit centrifugation technique. Results: A total of 79.92% of the cattle examined were found positive with one or more helminth species. Eighteen helminth species (cutting across all classes of helminths) were detected, with Haemonchus contortus (60.46%), Trichostrongylus spp. (46.44%), Ostertagia ostertagi (42.05%), Bunostomum phlebotomum (28.87%), Cooperia spp. (24.27%), Oesophagostomum radiatum (21.97%), Strongyloides papillosus (12.13%), and Fasciola gigantica (10.67%) been the most prevalent. Helminth infection was detected all through the year with the least prevalence recorded in February (55.00%). About 61% of the examined cattle harbored double/multiple helminth species. There was a significant difference between breed, sex, physiological status, and season with the prevalence rate of helminth infections (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our investigation demonstrated high prevalence and wide diversity of helminth species, which suggests that helminth infections are of great concern among cattle in Ilorin and Nigeria in general. There is a need for a radical veterinary intervention to curb the menace so as to have an economically robust cattle industry in Nigeria.
Anaplasmosis, a disease caused by various species of Anaplasma, poses important economic constrai... more Anaplasmosis, a disease caused by various species of Anaplasma, poses important economic constraints to animal breeders. In Zaria, molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens infecting cattle is very sketchy. Being hematophagous, ticks are capable of transmitting disease-causing agents such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa. In this investigation, a Polymerase Chain Reaction was employed to detect the presence of Anaplasma pathogen in the various species of tick infesting white Fulani breed of cattle in Zaria and environs. Three hundred and eighty-four (n=384) white Fulani breed of cattle of varying age and sex were sampled from 32 herds in 4 villages (Bomo, Tofu, Ungwan Dabosa and Majeru). The DNA was extracted using Qiagen commercial kit following manufacturer's instructions. Genomic DNA of the species of ticks was amplified in a semi-nested PCR targeting the 16S rRNA fragment of the Anaplasma spp at expected amplicon size of 711bp. Following manufacturer's directions, the amplicon was purified using a Gel Extraction Kit. To ascertain their identities and evaluate their homologues and similarity to those in the GenBank, all sequences were subject to a Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) to determine their identities and assess their homologues and similarities to those in the GenBank. Using the Molecular Engineering Genetic Analysis, a neighbor-joining tree was created to determine the close relationship between the isolates. The findings of this study imply that all five species of ticks infesting cattle in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria harbor Anaplasma phagocytophilum (MN044909), which poses a serious threat to both human and animal health.
Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 2022
ABSTRACTThis experiment was conducted at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma Livestock Teaching and ... more ABSTRACTThis experiment was conducted at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma Livestock Teaching and Research Farm in Dutsin-Ma Local Government area of Katsina State, Nigeria. The study was aimed at studying haematological tolerance level of Uda rams to a rumen fistulation protocol involving incision of skin and muscles separation along the direction of muscle fibers by divulsion. Blood samples were collected and evaluated at the intervals of 0, 24 and 48hours to assess blood line response to the protocol. A total of 3 rams were used and assigned T1, T2 and T3 in a completely randomized technique. A significant (P< 0.05) continuum of decreased packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration was observed from 0hrs through to 48hours connoting anaemia condition associated with the rumen fistulation protocol. However, significant (P < 0.01) tolerance levels were observed with the cell mediated immune response as evident in the increased lymphocyte counts (lymphocytosis) and an init...
Parasitism such as helminthoses, ectoparasitism and haemoparasitism is a major problem in the hea... more Parasitism such as helminthoses, ectoparasitism and haemoparasitism is a major problem in the health management of animals as it is worldwide in distribution. This study is aimed at investigating the prevalence and risk factors associated with the occurrence of parasitic diseases of horses diagnosed in Osun State Nigeria. From January 2006 to December 2015 a total of 864 horses were presented for treatment in the veterinary hospitals of the state, of which 720 (83.33%), 504 (58.33%), 152 (17.59%), 80 (9.26%) and 72 (8.33%) were diagnosed for tick infestation, babesiosis, helminthoses, trypanosomiasis and mange respectively. The diagnoses were carried out based on case history, physical examination, clinical signs and laboratory confirmation. There was no defined pattern in the yearly and monthly prevalences of parasitic diseases from this study. Age, sex and season were statistically (P>0.05) associated with the occurrence of equine parasitic diseases. This study showed that parasitic diseases are endemic in Osun State Nigeria, with tick infestation, babesiosis and helminthoses been of major concern. There is need for a radical preventive measure to curtail the disease condition so as to improve on the health, wellbeing and performance of horses.
Haemoparasitism is a great menace to the health, productivity, reproductivity, and workability of... more Haemoparasitism is a great menace to the health, productivity, reproductivity, and workability of animals and humans. This study was designed to determine the diversity, prevalence, and risk factors associated with the occurrence of haemoparasitic infections in chickens and guineafowls in Kwara Central, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from 345 birds (326 chickens and 19 guineafowls). The wet mount and thin blood smear techniques were used to detect blood parasites. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using proportions (prevalence) and Univariate analysis (Chi-square (χ2)). A total of 315 blood samples were positive for haemoparasite(s), representing 91.30% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 87.86, 93.84) of the study population. Leucocytozoon species (spp.) (42.90%) was the most prevalent blood parasite followed by Plasmodium spp. (33.62%). Haemoproteus spp. and Aegyptianella spp. were the least prevalent blood parasites representing 32.46% and 23.77% respectively. Multiple haemoparasitic infections (37.39%) were common among poultry. Species of poultry, chicken types, age, and sex were significantly associated with the occurrence of haemoparasitic infections of poultry in the study area. There is a need for a radical approach to the control and prevention of haemoparasitic infections of poultry, so as to improve the production of the poultry sector in the country.
Background and Aim: Helminth infections are one of the greatest causes of productive and reproduc... more Background and Aim: Helminth infections are one of the greatest causes of productive and reproductive loss in animals and man, and in some cases, it results in heavy mortalities. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, species diversity, patterns of infections and risk factors associated with helminth infections of cattle in Ilorin, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 478 fecal samples were collected from abattoirs and cattle farms over a year period (March, 2018-February, 2019). Fecal samples were visually examined then observed using simple flotation and formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation techniques. Eggs and worms were identified according to standard procedures. The packed cell volume was determined using the hematocrit centrifugation technique. Results: A total of 79.92% of the cattle examined were found positive with one or more helminth species. Eighteen helminth species (cutting across all classes of helminths) were detected, with Haemonchus contortus ...
The current study aimed to determine the prevalence, infection burden, and risk factors associate... more The current study aimed to determine the prevalence, infection burden, and risk factors associated with the occurrence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in different avian species in Ilorin, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Ilorin, involving 597 fecal samples and GI tracts from a variety of sold and slaughtered avian species. The study was conducted between September 2017 and February 2018. Fecal samples were examined using floatation technique, while the GI tracts were examined for gross helminths and its content were subjected to the direct wet mount examination. Data were analyzed using percentages (descriptive) and the Chi-square (χ 2) test (inferential). p < 0.05 was considered significant for all analysis. Results: Ten GI parasites were detected with Eimeria species (32.83%), Ascaridia galli (30.15%) and Heterakis gallinarum (24.79%) as the most prevalent ones. Multiple parasites co-infection was recorded in all the avian species: broilers (77.78%), layers (33.33%), cockerels (45.16%), indigenous chickens (17.91%), ducks (69.70%), pigeons (94.12%), turkeys (47.83%), and guinea fowls (77.36%). Pigeons (100.00%) and turkeys (95.65%) were the most infected avian species. Age, sex, and avian types were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the occurrence of GI parasites infection. Conclusion: This study gives a reflection of the GI parasites fauna of avian species in Nigeria. The GI parasites are endemic among different avian species in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria. Knowledge on the epidemiology of these parasites is important in instituting a good preventive and control measures against GI parasites, so as to have maximum production and reproduction effects in the poultry industry.
Coccidiosis remains a serious concern of great economic impact on domestic animals including rabb... more Coccidiosis remains a serious concern of great economic impact on domestic animals including rabbits. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, species diversity, and associated risk factors of rabbit coccidiosis in Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria. Fecal samples were examined using the floatation technique (positive samples were sporulated for identification of the different Eimeria species). 169 out of 215 (78.6%,) rabbits were found to be infected with Eimeria species. A total of seven Eimeria species (Eimeria coecicola, Eimeria irresidua, Eimeria perforans, Eimeria magna, Eimeria intestinalis, Eimeria stiedai and Eimeria flavescens) were identified. Of these, Eimeria coecicola was the most prevalent (48/215; 22.3%), while E. flavescens (8/215; 3.7%) was the least prevalent. Weaners (80.0%) were more infected than bunnies (79.1%) and adult (77.5%). Females had a higher infection rate (79.4%) than males (77.4%). Californian breed were more infected (84.9%) compared to Chinc...
The persistent and highly transmissible Coxiella burnetii is a neglected infection that negativel... more The persistent and highly transmissible Coxiella burnetii is a neglected infection that negatively affects reproductive parameters of livestock. It is also of zoonotic importance and has been reported to cause devastating human infections globally. Domestic ruminants represent the most frequent source of human infection. Data from Nigeria are very few and outdated. There is a significant gap in up-to-date information on the exposure, spatial distribution and risk factors of infection of this important disease. The exposure to C. burnetii was determined using sensitive serological assays in cattle and small ruminants. A total of 538 animals made up of 268 cattle and 270 small ruminants were sampled from three northern Nigerian states. The proportion of cattle sampled that were seropositive from the study locations were: Kwara 14/90 (15.6%; 95% CI: 8.8–24.7); Plateau 10/106 (9.43%; 95% CI: 4.6–16.7) and Borno 4/72 (5.56%; 95% CI: 1.5–13.6) states. Lower seroprevalence was recorded amo...
Coccidiosis is the most economically impactful enteric protozoan disease of animals including cat... more Coccidiosis is the most economically impactful enteric protozoan disease of animals including cattle. A year (March 2018 to February 2019) study was conducted on cattle in Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria with the objective of determining the prevalence, intensity of infection, diversity of Eimeria species, co-infection patterns and risk factors associated with the enteric protozoan infection in cattle. To address this, faecal samples from 478 cattle of different age groups, breeds and sex were subjected to the floatation technique, the McMaster counting technique and sporulation procedure. One hundred and eighty-six (38.91%) of the sampled cattle were positive, and 8 different species were identified (Eimeria bovis, E. zuernii, E. auburnensis, E. cylindrica, E. subspherica, E. canadensis, E. bukidnonensis and E. alabamensis) with E. bovis (25.94%) and E. zuernii (23.43%) been the most prevalent. Eimeria oocysts were detected all through the year. The intensity of Eimeria species among...
Helminthoses exerts negatively on the health and productivity of man and animals. This study was ... more Helminthoses exerts negatively on the health and productivity of man and animals. This study was conducted to investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with avian helminthoses in Osun state, Nigeria. Clinical information was retrieved from the record archives of the state veterinary clinics. Case records between January 2006 and December 2015 were examined and relevant data associated with avian helminth disease were extracted. Records on four thousand nine hundred and eighty bird types (2,088 turkeys; 1,476 layers; 384 cockerels; 12 ducks and 1,020 indigenous chickens) were used in the study. Faecal examination for the presence of helminth eggs was carried out by qualified veterinarians and laboratory scientist using the simple floatation method. An overall prevalence of 62.9% (3,132/4,980) was recorded. The year-specific rate for avian helminthoses was highest in 2011 (95.5%; 503/528) and lowest in 2007 (2.0%; 1/48), while the month-specific rate was highest in December (98.9%; 95/96) and lowest in October (15.2%; 84/552). There was a significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence in adult birds compared to young ones, in female compared to male and during the dry season compared to the wet season. Ducks (91.7%; 11/12) and turkeys (84.5%; 764/2088) were the bird types with the highest prevalence rate. The high prevalence of avian helminthoses in the study area proves that the disease is endemic. There is need to embark on a radical preventive measure to curtail the disease, for improved productivity in the poultry industry in Osun state and Nigeria.
About two-third of the parasitic infections in animals are believed to occur in the gastrointesti... more About two-third of the parasitic infections in animals are believed to occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Coccidiosis is an important disease of horses and it is responsible for a great economic setback worldwide. This study was designed to determine the species diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of horses and the risk factors associated with Eimeria infections in horses in Kwara and Niger States, North Central Nigeria. Faecal samples were collected from 105 horses in Kwara and Niger States. Simple floatation and formalin-ethyl acetate concentration techniques were used as diagnostic techniques. An overall prevalence of 62.86% (66/105) was recorded. Eleven gastrointestinal parasites comprising of 7 nematodes, 2 trematodes, 1 protozoan and 1 cestode were detected. Strongylus spp. (33.33%; 35/105) and Eimeria spp. (28.57%; 30/105) were the most prevalent. Fortysix (43.81%) of the sampled population had multiple gastrointestinal parasites infection. Body condition score, presence/ absence of diarrhoea and horse ownership were significantly association with the occurrence of Eimeria infection. This appears to be the first report on gastrointestinal parasites of horses in Kwara and Niger States of Nigeria. The high prevalence reported in this study calls for horse owners to improve on the veterinary medical attention given to their horses as gastrointestinal parasitism is a major cause of economic loss in equine husbandry. The curtailing of gastrointestinal parasitism will improve production, reproduction and performance of horses in the study areas.
Helminthoses exerts negatively on the health and productivity of man and animals. This study was ... more Helminthoses exerts negatively on the health and productivity of man and animals. This study was conducted to investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with avian helminthoses in Osun state, Nigeria. Clinical information was retrieved from the record archives of the state veterinary clinics. Case records between January 2006 and December 2015 were examined and relevant data associated with avian helminth disease were extracted. Records on four thousand nine hundred and eighty bird types (2,088 turkeys; 1,476 layers; 384 cockerels; 12 ducks and 1,020 indigenous chickens) were used in the study. Faecal examination for the presence of helminth eggs was carried out by qualified veterinarians and laboratory scientist using the simple floatation method. An overall prevalence of 62.9% (3,132/4,980) was recorded. The year-specific rate for avian helminthoses was highest in 2011 (95.5%; 503/528) and lowest in 2007 (2.0%; 1/48), while the month-specific rate was highest in December (98.9%; 95/96) and lowest in October (15.2%; 84/552). There was a significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence in adult birds compared to young ones, in female compared to male and during the dry season compared to the wet season. Ducks (91.7%; 11/12) and turkeys (84.5%; 764/2088) were the bird types with the highest prevalence rate. The high prevalence of avian helminthoses in the study area proves that the disease is endemic. There is need to embark on a radical preventive measure to curtail the disease, for improved productivity in the poultry industry in Osun state and Nigeria.
Parasitism such as helminthoses, ectoparasitism and haemoparasitism is a major problem in the hea... more Parasitism such as helminthoses, ectoparasitism and haemoparasitism is a major problem in the health management of animals as it is worldwide in distribution. This study is aimed at investigating the prevalence and risk factors associated with the occurrence of parasitic diseases of horses diagnosed in Osun State Nigeria. From January 2006 to December 2015 a total of 864 horses were presented for treatment in the veterinary hospitals of the state, of which 720 (83.33%), 504 (58.33%), 152 (17.59%), 80 (9.26%) and 72 (8.33%) were diagnosed for tick infestation, babesiosis, helminthoses, trypanosomiasis and mange respectively. The diagnoses were carried out based on case history, physical examination, clinical signs and laboratory confirmation. There was no defined pattern in the yearly and monthly prevalences of parasitic diseases from this study. Age, sex and season were statistically (P>0.05) associated with the occurrence of equine parasitic diseases. This study showed that parasitic diseases are endemic in Osun State Nigeria, with tick infestation, babesiosis and helminthoses been of major concern. There is need for a radical preventive measure to curtail the disease condition so as to improve on the health, wellbeing and performance of horses.
Aim: Helminth infections inflict negatively on the production and well-being of animals including... more Aim: Helminth infections inflict negatively on the production and well-being of animals including poultry. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, species diversity, intensity, and risk factors associated with the gastrointestinal helminths of intensively raised poultry in Kwara Central senatorial district of Kwara State. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 502 poultry species from 15 farms. The samples were subjected to floatation and the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration techniques of examination. The intensity of infections was determined using McMaster counting technique. Results: Seven helminth species were detected with Heterakis gallinarum (10.2%) and Ascaridia galli (6.0%) been the most prevalent, while Capillaria species was the least prevalent (0.8%). Physiological status, bird type, production purpose, farm age (years), presence of other animals in the farm, flock size (birds), farm size (acres), housing type, farm type, frequency of anthelmintic use, distance to waste area (meters), level of biosecurity, and frequency of cleaning the pen were the risk factors significantly (p<0.05) associated with the presence of helminth infections. Conclusion: This study shows that helminth infections are endemic in the study area, as 66.7% of the sampled farms were infected with one or more helminth species. Findings from this study provide information that will assist in improving the poultry sector in Kwara State, Nigeria in general, for better production and profitability.
Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the most widely reported tick in the world. Molecular characterisatio... more Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the most widely reported tick in the world. Molecular characterisation is important to verify its taxonomic status in the different parts of the world. In this study, we provide information on the molecular characterisation of R. sanguineus tick of dogs collected from Nigeria. Ticks were collected from 62 of 93 sampled dogs. The collected ticks were subjected to morphological identification with the aid of appropriate entomological keys. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from the most prevalent tick species (R. sanguineus) and was subjected to further molecular characterisation protocols. The partial mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences (∼300 bp) were obtained from representative specimens. Data were statistically analysed using the chi‐square (χ 2) test. Phylogenetic analysis was performed including different lineages of R. sanguineus (sl) from Africa, Asia, Europe and America, and other species belonging to the R. sanguineus ‘tropical lineage’ (R. linnaei) as well as Rhipicephalus turanicus and Ixodes ricinus. Results of this study showed that R. sanguineus was the most abundant ticks of dogs with a prevalence of 61.8% (68/110; 95% CI = 52.5–70.54), followed by Amblyomma variegatum (20.0%) and Haemaphysalis leachi (18.2%). The molecular analysis shows that they are genetically different from the temperate strains but closely related to those from other West African countries. There is a need to establish the vector competence of this common Nigerian dog tick.
The persistent and highly transmissible Coxiella burnetii is a neglected infection that negativel... more The persistent and highly transmissible Coxiella burnetii is a neglected infection that negatively affects reproductive parameters of livestock. It is also of zoonotic importance and has been reported to cause devastating human infections globally. Domestic ruminants represent the most frequent source of human infection. Data from Nigeria are very few and outdated. There is a significant gap in up-to-date information on the exposure, spatial distribution and risk factors of infection of this important disease. The exposure to C. burnetii was determined using sensitive serological assays in cattle and small ruminants. A total of 538 animals made up of 268 cattle and 270 small ruminants were sampled from three northern Nigerian states. The proportion of cattle sampled that were seropositive from the study locations were: Kwara 14/90 (15.6%; 95% CI: 8.8-24.7); Plateau 10/106 (9.43%; 95% CI: 4.6-16.7) and Borno 4/72 (5.56%; 95% CI: 1.5-13.6) states. Lower seroprevalence was recorded among the small ruminants sampled, with positives recorded from sheep and goat sampled from only Kwara state 6/184 (3.3%; 95% CI: 1.2-7.0); while none of the small ruminants sampled from Plateau were seropositive. The results of the bivariate analysis showed that none of the tested independent variables (village, age group, sex, breed of cattle, presence of ticks, reproductive status, and management system) were statistically significant factors associated with seropositivity of cattle for antibodies to C. burnetii. Stakeholders involved in animal husbandry should be duly educated on proper disposal of birth products as well as bodily fluids in order to reduce environmental contamination, persistence and human infection.
Background and Aim: Helminth infections are one of the greatest causes of productive and reproduc... more Background and Aim: Helminth infections are one of the greatest causes of productive and reproductive loss in animals and man, and in some cases, it results in heavy mortalities. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, species diversity, patterns of infections and risk factors associated with helminth infections of cattle in Ilorin, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 478 fecal samples were collected from abattoirs and cattle farms over a year period (March, 2018-February, 2019). Fecal samples were visually examined then observed using simple flotation and formalinethyl acetate sedimentation techniques. Eggs and worms were identified according to standard procedures. The packed cell volume was determined using the hematocrit centrifugation technique. Results: A total of 79.92% of the cattle examined were found positive with one or more helminth species. Eighteen helminth species (cutting across all classes of helminths) were detected, with Haemonchus contortus (60.46%), Trichostrongylus spp. (46.44%), Ostertagia ostertagi (42.05%), Bunostomum phlebotomum (28.87%), Cooperia spp. (24.27%), Oesophagostomum radiatum (21.97%), Strongyloides papillosus (12.13%), and Fasciola gigantica (10.67%) been the most prevalent. Helminth infection was detected all through the year with the least prevalence recorded in February (55.00%). About 61% of the examined cattle harbored double/multiple helminth species. There was a significant difference between breed, sex, physiological status, and season with the prevalence rate of helminth infections (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our investigation demonstrated high prevalence and wide diversity of helminth species, which suggests that helminth infections are of great concern among cattle in Ilorin and Nigeria in general. There is a need for a radical veterinary intervention to curb the menace so as to have an economically robust cattle industry in Nigeria.
Anaplasmosis, a disease caused by various species of Anaplasma, poses important economic constrai... more Anaplasmosis, a disease caused by various species of Anaplasma, poses important economic constraints to animal breeders. In Zaria, molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens infecting cattle is very sketchy. Being hematophagous, ticks are capable of transmitting disease-causing agents such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa. In this investigation, a Polymerase Chain Reaction was employed to detect the presence of Anaplasma pathogen in the various species of tick infesting white Fulani breed of cattle in Zaria and environs. Three hundred and eighty-four (n=384) white Fulani breed of cattle of varying age and sex were sampled from 32 herds in 4 villages (Bomo, Tofu, Ungwan Dabosa and Majeru). The DNA was extracted using Qiagen commercial kit following manufacturer's instructions. Genomic DNA of the species of ticks was amplified in a semi-nested PCR targeting the 16S rRNA fragment of the Anaplasma spp at expected amplicon size of 711bp. Following manufacturer's directions, the amplicon was purified using a Gel Extraction Kit. To ascertain their identities and evaluate their homologues and similarity to those in the GenBank, all sequences were subject to a Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) to determine their identities and assess their homologues and similarities to those in the GenBank. Using the Molecular Engineering Genetic Analysis, a neighbor-joining tree was created to determine the close relationship between the isolates. The findings of this study imply that all five species of ticks infesting cattle in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria harbor Anaplasma phagocytophilum (MN044909), which poses a serious threat to both human and animal health.
Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 2022
ABSTRACTThis experiment was conducted at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma Livestock Teaching and ... more ABSTRACTThis experiment was conducted at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma Livestock Teaching and Research Farm in Dutsin-Ma Local Government area of Katsina State, Nigeria. The study was aimed at studying haematological tolerance level of Uda rams to a rumen fistulation protocol involving incision of skin and muscles separation along the direction of muscle fibers by divulsion. Blood samples were collected and evaluated at the intervals of 0, 24 and 48hours to assess blood line response to the protocol. A total of 3 rams were used and assigned T1, T2 and T3 in a completely randomized technique. A significant (P< 0.05) continuum of decreased packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration was observed from 0hrs through to 48hours connoting anaemia condition associated with the rumen fistulation protocol. However, significant (P < 0.01) tolerance levels were observed with the cell mediated immune response as evident in the increased lymphocyte counts (lymphocytosis) and an init...
Parasitism such as helminthoses, ectoparasitism and haemoparasitism is a major problem in the hea... more Parasitism such as helminthoses, ectoparasitism and haemoparasitism is a major problem in the health management of animals as it is worldwide in distribution. This study is aimed at investigating the prevalence and risk factors associated with the occurrence of parasitic diseases of horses diagnosed in Osun State Nigeria. From January 2006 to December 2015 a total of 864 horses were presented for treatment in the veterinary hospitals of the state, of which 720 (83.33%), 504 (58.33%), 152 (17.59%), 80 (9.26%) and 72 (8.33%) were diagnosed for tick infestation, babesiosis, helminthoses, trypanosomiasis and mange respectively. The diagnoses were carried out based on case history, physical examination, clinical signs and laboratory confirmation. There was no defined pattern in the yearly and monthly prevalences of parasitic diseases from this study. Age, sex and season were statistically (P>0.05) associated with the occurrence of equine parasitic diseases. This study showed that parasitic diseases are endemic in Osun State Nigeria, with tick infestation, babesiosis and helminthoses been of major concern. There is need for a radical preventive measure to curtail the disease condition so as to improve on the health, wellbeing and performance of horses.
Haemoparasitism is a great menace to the health, productivity, reproductivity, and workability of... more Haemoparasitism is a great menace to the health, productivity, reproductivity, and workability of animals and humans. This study was designed to determine the diversity, prevalence, and risk factors associated with the occurrence of haemoparasitic infections in chickens and guineafowls in Kwara Central, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from 345 birds (326 chickens and 19 guineafowls). The wet mount and thin blood smear techniques were used to detect blood parasites. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using proportions (prevalence) and Univariate analysis (Chi-square (χ2)). A total of 315 blood samples were positive for haemoparasite(s), representing 91.30% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 87.86, 93.84) of the study population. Leucocytozoon species (spp.) (42.90%) was the most prevalent blood parasite followed by Plasmodium spp. (33.62%). Haemoproteus spp. and Aegyptianella spp. were the least prevalent blood parasites representing 32.46% and 23.77% respectively. Multiple haemoparasitic infections (37.39%) were common among poultry. Species of poultry, chicken types, age, and sex were significantly associated with the occurrence of haemoparasitic infections of poultry in the study area. There is a need for a radical approach to the control and prevention of haemoparasitic infections of poultry, so as to improve the production of the poultry sector in the country.
Background and Aim: Helminth infections are one of the greatest causes of productive and reproduc... more Background and Aim: Helminth infections are one of the greatest causes of productive and reproductive loss in animals and man, and in some cases, it results in heavy mortalities. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, species diversity, patterns of infections and risk factors associated with helminth infections of cattle in Ilorin, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 478 fecal samples were collected from abattoirs and cattle farms over a year period (March, 2018-February, 2019). Fecal samples were visually examined then observed using simple flotation and formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation techniques. Eggs and worms were identified according to standard procedures. The packed cell volume was determined using the hematocrit centrifugation technique. Results: A total of 79.92% of the cattle examined were found positive with one or more helminth species. Eighteen helminth species (cutting across all classes of helminths) were detected, with Haemonchus contortus ...
The current study aimed to determine the prevalence, infection burden, and risk factors associate... more The current study aimed to determine the prevalence, infection burden, and risk factors associated with the occurrence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in different avian species in Ilorin, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Ilorin, involving 597 fecal samples and GI tracts from a variety of sold and slaughtered avian species. The study was conducted between September 2017 and February 2018. Fecal samples were examined using floatation technique, while the GI tracts were examined for gross helminths and its content were subjected to the direct wet mount examination. Data were analyzed using percentages (descriptive) and the Chi-square (χ 2) test (inferential). p < 0.05 was considered significant for all analysis. Results: Ten GI parasites were detected with Eimeria species (32.83%), Ascaridia galli (30.15%) and Heterakis gallinarum (24.79%) as the most prevalent ones. Multiple parasites co-infection was recorded in all the avian species: broilers (77.78%), layers (33.33%), cockerels (45.16%), indigenous chickens (17.91%), ducks (69.70%), pigeons (94.12%), turkeys (47.83%), and guinea fowls (77.36%). Pigeons (100.00%) and turkeys (95.65%) were the most infected avian species. Age, sex, and avian types were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the occurrence of GI parasites infection. Conclusion: This study gives a reflection of the GI parasites fauna of avian species in Nigeria. The GI parasites are endemic among different avian species in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria. Knowledge on the epidemiology of these parasites is important in instituting a good preventive and control measures against GI parasites, so as to have maximum production and reproduction effects in the poultry industry.
Coccidiosis remains a serious concern of great economic impact on domestic animals including rabb... more Coccidiosis remains a serious concern of great economic impact on domestic animals including rabbits. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, species diversity, and associated risk factors of rabbit coccidiosis in Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria. Fecal samples were examined using the floatation technique (positive samples were sporulated for identification of the different Eimeria species). 169 out of 215 (78.6%,) rabbits were found to be infected with Eimeria species. A total of seven Eimeria species (Eimeria coecicola, Eimeria irresidua, Eimeria perforans, Eimeria magna, Eimeria intestinalis, Eimeria stiedai and Eimeria flavescens) were identified. Of these, Eimeria coecicola was the most prevalent (48/215; 22.3%), while E. flavescens (8/215; 3.7%) was the least prevalent. Weaners (80.0%) were more infected than bunnies (79.1%) and adult (77.5%). Females had a higher infection rate (79.4%) than males (77.4%). Californian breed were more infected (84.9%) compared to Chinc...
The persistent and highly transmissible Coxiella burnetii is a neglected infection that negativel... more The persistent and highly transmissible Coxiella burnetii is a neglected infection that negatively affects reproductive parameters of livestock. It is also of zoonotic importance and has been reported to cause devastating human infections globally. Domestic ruminants represent the most frequent source of human infection. Data from Nigeria are very few and outdated. There is a significant gap in up-to-date information on the exposure, spatial distribution and risk factors of infection of this important disease. The exposure to C. burnetii was determined using sensitive serological assays in cattle and small ruminants. A total of 538 animals made up of 268 cattle and 270 small ruminants were sampled from three northern Nigerian states. The proportion of cattle sampled that were seropositive from the study locations were: Kwara 14/90 (15.6%; 95% CI: 8.8–24.7); Plateau 10/106 (9.43%; 95% CI: 4.6–16.7) and Borno 4/72 (5.56%; 95% CI: 1.5–13.6) states. Lower seroprevalence was recorded amo...
Coccidiosis is the most economically impactful enteric protozoan disease of animals including cat... more Coccidiosis is the most economically impactful enteric protozoan disease of animals including cattle. A year (March 2018 to February 2019) study was conducted on cattle in Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria with the objective of determining the prevalence, intensity of infection, diversity of Eimeria species, co-infection patterns and risk factors associated with the enteric protozoan infection in cattle. To address this, faecal samples from 478 cattle of different age groups, breeds and sex were subjected to the floatation technique, the McMaster counting technique and sporulation procedure. One hundred and eighty-six (38.91%) of the sampled cattle were positive, and 8 different species were identified (Eimeria bovis, E. zuernii, E. auburnensis, E. cylindrica, E. subspherica, E. canadensis, E. bukidnonensis and E. alabamensis) with E. bovis (25.94%) and E. zuernii (23.43%) been the most prevalent. Eimeria oocysts were detected all through the year. The intensity of Eimeria species among...
Helminthoses exerts negatively on the health and productivity of man and animals. This study was ... more Helminthoses exerts negatively on the health and productivity of man and animals. This study was conducted to investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with avian helminthoses in Osun state, Nigeria. Clinical information was retrieved from the record archives of the state veterinary clinics. Case records between January 2006 and December 2015 were examined and relevant data associated with avian helminth disease were extracted. Records on four thousand nine hundred and eighty bird types (2,088 turkeys; 1,476 layers; 384 cockerels; 12 ducks and 1,020 indigenous chickens) were used in the study. Faecal examination for the presence of helminth eggs was carried out by qualified veterinarians and laboratory scientist using the simple floatation method. An overall prevalence of 62.9% (3,132/4,980) was recorded. The year-specific rate for avian helminthoses was highest in 2011 (95.5%; 503/528) and lowest in 2007 (2.0%; 1/48), while the month-specific rate was highest in December (98.9%; 95/96) and lowest in October (15.2%; 84/552). There was a significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence in adult birds compared to young ones, in female compared to male and during the dry season compared to the wet season. Ducks (91.7%; 11/12) and turkeys (84.5%; 764/2088) were the bird types with the highest prevalence rate. The high prevalence of avian helminthoses in the study area proves that the disease is endemic. There is need to embark on a radical preventive measure to curtail the disease, for improved productivity in the poultry industry in Osun state and Nigeria.
About two-third of the parasitic infections in animals are believed to occur in the gastrointesti... more About two-third of the parasitic infections in animals are believed to occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Coccidiosis is an important disease of horses and it is responsible for a great economic setback worldwide. This study was designed to determine the species diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of horses and the risk factors associated with Eimeria infections in horses in Kwara and Niger States, North Central Nigeria. Faecal samples were collected from 105 horses in Kwara and Niger States. Simple floatation and formalin-ethyl acetate concentration techniques were used as diagnostic techniques. An overall prevalence of 62.86% (66/105) was recorded. Eleven gastrointestinal parasites comprising of 7 nematodes, 2 trematodes, 1 protozoan and 1 cestode were detected. Strongylus spp. (33.33%; 35/105) and Eimeria spp. (28.57%; 30/105) were the most prevalent. Fortysix (43.81%) of the sampled population had multiple gastrointestinal parasites infection. Body condition score, presence/ absence of diarrhoea and horse ownership were significantly association with the occurrence of Eimeria infection. This appears to be the first report on gastrointestinal parasites of horses in Kwara and Niger States of Nigeria. The high prevalence reported in this study calls for horse owners to improve on the veterinary medical attention given to their horses as gastrointestinal parasitism is a major cause of economic loss in equine husbandry. The curtailing of gastrointestinal parasitism will improve production, reproduction and performance of horses in the study areas.
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