Understanding the awareness of antimicrobial resistance amongst commercial poultry farmers in northwestern Nigeria.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in both humans and animals is a growing health threat worldwide. Significant quantities of antibiotics are used in the livestock production sector, particularly in poultry farming to enhance growth and productivity. A cross-sectional study was conducted in three states of northwestern Nigeria to understand the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of commercial poultry farmers on antimicrobial resistance. A total of 247 poultry farmers enrolled in the study comprising 100 (40.5 %) from Sokoto, 68 from Kebbi (27.5 %) and 79 (32.0 %) from Zamfara States. A significant number of the farmers have good knowledge of antimicrobial use (94.74 %), and the potential emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria due to irrational administration of antibiotics (83.0 %). Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant difference in farmers' knowledge of AMR based on their educational qualification (p < 0.001) as farmers with bachelor's degree (BSc) being more knowledgeable than those with Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and those who only completed primary or secondary education. A statistically significant difference was also observed in the attitude of the participants based on State (p < 0.001) and educational qualification (p = 0.013). The study provided valuable insight into the understanding of antimicrobial resistance amongst commercial poultry farmers in the region. The findings necessitate the need for educational interventions and initiatives through enlightenment campaigns and deployment of extension workers to reach farmers with low level of education to further improve their attitudes and practice towards responsible use of antibiotics.

Molecular Characterization of Human Rotavirus from Children with Diarrhoeal Disease in Sokoto State, Nigeria.

This study was conducted to detect and characterize prevalent human group A rotavirus strains from 200 diarrheic children in Sokoto, Nigeria, by ELISA, monoclonal antibody (Mab) serotyping and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) techniques. Rotavirus was detected in 25.5% of the children. The G-serotypes observed in circulation were G4: 16 (59.3%), G1: 4 (14.8%), G2: 3 (11.1%), G3: 3 (11.1%), and G12: 1 (3.7%). The monoclonal antibody (Mab) serotyping detected G1 and G3 but did not detect G4 and G2 serotypes. The Mab typing of the G1 and G3 serotypes was consistent with the result of the RT-PCR. The VP4 genotypes detected were P[6] 3 (13%), P[8] 11 (47.8%), and the rare human P genotype (P[9]), found in 9 patients (39.1%). Nine strains identified with the common G and P combinations were G4 P[8] 5 (56%), G4 P[6] 1 (11%), G1 P[8] 2 (22%), and G3 P[8] 1 (11%), while seven strains with unusual combinations or rare G or P genotypes identified were G12 P[8] 1 (14%), G2 P[8] 2 (29%), and G4 P[9] 4 (57%). To our knowledge this is the first molecular study of human rotavirus and report of rare human G and P serotypes in Sokoto State.

Clinical Symptoms of Human Rotavirus Infection Observed in Children in Sokoto, Nigeria.

Rotavirus has been identified among the most important causes of infantile diarrhoea, especially in developing countries. The present study was undertaken to determine the occurrence and clinical symptoms of human rotavirus disease among children presenting with varying degree of diarrhoea in selected urban hospitals in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Diarrhoea samples were collected from 200 diarrheic children younger than 5 years of age and tested using a commercially available DAKO Rotavirus ELISA kit which detects the presence of human group A rotaviruses. A questionnaire, based on WHO generic protocol, was completed for each child to generate the primary data. Of the total number of samples collected, 51 were found to be positive for human group A rotavirus indicating 25.5% prevalence of the disease in Sokoto state. The symptoms associated with the disease were analyzed and discussed.

Cryptosporidium oocysts and Balantidium coli cysts in pigs reared semi-intensively in Zuru, Nigeria.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Balantidium coli cysts in fecal samples from semi-intensively managed pigs in Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria between November 2005 and July, 2006. A total of 632 households with human population of 5905 were identified in seven pig- rearing locations in the study area while 105 (16.6%) of these households with human population of 1105 (18.7%) reared a total number of 3895 pigs. Physical randomization was used to select 50% representative samples of pig-rearing households and pigs for this study. Out of the 402 pigs from 55 households, 207 (51.5%) pigs were positive for Balantidium coli cysts, 56 (13.9%) for Cryptosporidium oocysts while mixed infection was observed in 29 (7.2%). There is significance difference in the distribution of the two parasites in the pigs surveyed (p < 0.05). Young pigs were most affected with infection rates of 33 (58.9%) Cryptosporidium oocysts, 113 (54.6%) Balantidium coli cysts and 17(58.6%) mix infection. Human fecal samples collected from 53 individuals revealed 3 (5.7%) positive cases of Cryptosporidium oocysts all in young ones while a positive case of Balantidium coli cyst infection was found in an adult female. Water and soil samples from two areas were also found to contain both organisms. The semi-intensive system of pig rearing which allowed pigs to scavenge and defecate about, defective personal and environmental hygiene couple with the usage of untreated pig feaces as manure on vegetable farms in the study area can enhance the spread of these zoonotic diseases in human population.