Detection and genetic characterization of orf virus from sheep and goats in Nigeria.

Orf is a contagious, viral epitheliotropic disease of small ruminants. We investigated the molecular epidemiology of orf virus (ORFV) in breeds of small ruminants to determine the evolutionary diversity in Nigeria. Out of 54 small ruminants screened, the number of animals that were positive for ORFV in the three locations were 25. The distribution of positive animals by location were FCT 45.0% (n = 9/20), Oyo State 42.9% (6/14), and Plateau State 50.0% (n = 10/20). ORFV sequences from this study clustered with viruses detected in Taiwan, Iran, USA, and France. Our findings highlight the risk of transmission across geographic boundaries in Nigeria and West Africa, and reinforces the need for increased surveillance to prevent and control spread. Comprehensive characterization of ORFV in small ruminants as well as in humans in Nigeria is required to better elucidate the epidemiological dynamics and the virus evolution.

A risk assessment study of the occurrence and distribution of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin B1 in dairy cattle feeds in a central northern state, Nigeria.

Nigeria, being a tropical nation, characterized by favorable climatic conditions, may display high chances of feed contaminations due to aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus with the consequences of health risks associated with the consumption of dairy products. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the risks of occurrence and distribution of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination levels based on the European Union (EU) and United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) set limits. Feeds (n = 144) were collected from selected conventional and traditional dairy herds; prepared and analyzed using immuno-affinity column (IAC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) respectively. Forty eight (55.8%) isolates were identified as A. flavus of the isolated Aspergilli (n = 86). Of this proportion, 12 (25.0%) were aflatoxigenic strains. An outrageous number of the tested feeds (86.8%, n = 144) were positive for AFB1 contamination. Detectable AFB1 concentrations ranged between (0.5 and 24.8) µgKg-1 and were distributed variously according to many factors of distribution. Eighty three (66.4%, n = 125) of the AFB1 contaminated feed samples showed AFB1 concentrations between 5 and ≥20 µgKg-1. All-inclusive policies are key to reducing the health risks posed to the consumers of dairy products.

Bacteriological quality of abattoir effluents discharged into water bodies in abuja, Nigeria.

Bacteriological characteristics of abattoir effluents (wastewater), abattoir water source, and water bodies receiving abattoir wastewater were investigated in Abuja, Nigeria using the multiple-tube fermentation technique. Source of water to the abattoirs and the usage of water bodies receiving abattoir effluents were determined using questionnaires. Bacterial counts ranged from 4.8 × 10(6) to 5.8 × 10(5) /100 mL of total coliform (TC), 8.2 × 10(4) to 3.2 × 10(4)/100 mL of Fecal coliform (FC), 5.2 × 10(4) to 2.0 × 10(4)/100 mL of Fecal streptococcus and 1.2 × 10(4) to 2.0 × 10(3)/100 mL of Escherichia coli for abattoir effluents 6.6 × 10(5) to 6.0 × 10(5)/100 mL of TC, 6.2 × 10(4) to 1.8 × 10(4)/100 mL of FC, 1.8 × 10(4) to 6.0 × 10(3)/100 mL of F. streptococcus, and 4.8 × 10(3) to 6.6 × 10(2)/100 mL of E. coli for water bodies receiving abattoir effluents 100 m downstream. TC bacteria counts for abattoir effluents exceeded recommended limit for discharge into surface water in Nigeria. No significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between bacterial counts of abattoir effluents and receiving water bodies 100 m downstream: an indication of contamination of receiving water bodies by abattoir effluents and possible public and environmental health hazards.

Comparative studies on erythrocyte sialic acid levels in apparently healthy indigenous Nigerian poultry species.

The erythrocyte surface sialic acid levels of 200 apparently healthy indigenous Nigerian poultry species (pigeons, guinea fowls, ducks and chickens, n = 50 for each species) presented for slaughter at a poultry abattoir in Zaria, Nigeria was determined. Other parameters determined were packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma total protein (TP) concentration. The mean erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration of pigeons, guinea fowls, ducks and chickens were 7.88 +/- 2.51, 14.6 +/- 2.51, 17.6 +/- 2.51 and 14.2 +/- 2.51 mg mg(-1) respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration of all the species of poultry sampled (P < 0.05). The high erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration in the indigenous Nigerian poultry species could be responsible for their resistance to infectious diseases, whose aetiologic agents produce neuraminidases. The mean PCV of the pigeons, guinea fowls, ducks and chickens were 46.22 +/- 6.91, 38.24 +/- 6.91, 36.50 +/- 6.91 and 36.46 +/- 6.91% respectively. The difference between the mean PCV values of pigeons on the one hand and guinea fowls, ducks and chickens on the other was statistically significant (P < 0.05). A negative correlation (r = -0.36, P < 0.05) between mean erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentrations and PCV was observed, i.e. the birds with the highest mean PCV values had the lowest levels of erythrocyte surface sialic acid. There was no correlation between TP concentration and either erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentration or PCV values. It is suggested, based on this study, that erythrocyte sialic acid types in these species should be determined, as the results may be vital in selective breeding.