First incidence of ectoparasites in Abuja Zoological Parks, Abuja, Nigeria.

Ectoparasites are known for representing a considerable health risk to animals and humans when living close to each other. Little is known about the ectoparasites of Zoo animals in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. This research was conducted from December, 2017 to April, 2018. Thirty-three animals were examined from two Zoological Gardens in Abuja (The National Children's Park and Zoo, Asokoro and the Area 1 Zoo and Garden, Garki). Mites were collected from animals by two techniques; brushing and removal with forceps. All body parts were examined. Ticks were collected using tweezers and examined for morphological identification. Of the 33 examined animals, a hyena was positive for mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) and a male tortoise (over 90 years) was positive for African tortoise tick, Amblyomma marmoreum (Acari: Ixodidae) at the National Children's Park and Zoo, Asokoro. The prevalence of infections in all animals examined at the National Children's Park and Zoo, Asokoro was 8.3%. Only males (15.4%) were found to be infested. Animals < 2 years had a prevalence of 5.88% while animals > 2 years had a prevalence of 14.28%. Statistical analysis showed that there is no association in the prevalence in both sex and age as they are 0.174 and 0.540 respectively which are above Р < 0.05. No ectoparasite was found in Area 1 Zoo and Garden, Garki. Ectoparasites were identified in the FCT Abuja Zoological garden for the first time. This will improve the diagnosis and control strategies for ectoparasites in the FCT.

Haemo- and endoparasites of indigenous chickens reared in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria

Poultry production as one of the major sources of protein in Nigeria is constrained by parasitic diseases including haemo- and gastrointestinal (GI) parasites. The haemo- and endoparasites of indigenous chickens reared in Gwagwalada market, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria were studied. Blood and fecal samples were collected from 108 chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) between April­August, 2017. Thin blood smear, and floatation and sedimentation techniques were used for the blood and fecal samples, respectively. Of the 108 local chickens examined, 49 were males, while 59 were females. Overall, female chickens had higher infection rate with haemoparasites (53.1%) that males (46.9%). The blood parasites found mostly were Plasmodium spp., with a prevalence 54.6%, occurring in both male and female chickens examined. It was further revealed that endoparasites infected 60.8% of the female local chicken and 39.2% of the male. The mostly occured Ascaridia spp. with prevalence 35.2%; the least was Strongyloides avium (0.9%). Also, Eimeria spp. occysts were found in 8 (7.4%) of the chickens. This study provides basic information on the haemo- and endoparasites constantly infecting local breed of chickens reared in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT- Abuja.

Identification and characterization of sialidase-like activity in the developmental stages of Amblyomma variegatum.

Amblyomma variegatum F. are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites of livestock that serve as the vectors of Ehrlichia ruminantium (formerly known as Cowdria ruminantium), the causative agent of heartwater disease. In the light of the fact that they are blood-feeding, their salivary glands play prominent role in their acquisition of nutrients from the bloodmeal. Sialic acids are a major component of glycoprotein in mammalian blood fluid and cells. Sialome of hard ticks is still sparse. Here, for the first time, the possible expression of sialidase in A. variegatum was investigated. Our finding established the presence of type II sialidase-like activity in the three stages (larva, nymph, and adult) of the fed and unfed tick. There was no statistically significant difference in sialidase activity in the various stages of this ectoparasite (P > 0.05). The enzyme was purified by combination of salting out and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE--cellulose and hydroxylapatite columns. Characterization of the enzyme revealed that it is optimally active at 40 degrees C and pH 5.5, and is activated by bivalent cations Zn2+ or Fe2+. The enzyme has a Km of 0.023 mM and Vmax of 0.16 millimol/min with Fetuin as the substrate. To assess the susceptibility of some mammalian cells to the tick sialidase, we prepared erythrocyte ghost cells from different animals, which were incubated with the enzyme. Results revealed that the ruminant cells were better substrates. Our work and findings contribute to the preliminary characterization of the A. variegatum salivary proteome, and may pave way to the development of new acaricides.

Molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens in Nigerian ticks.

A molecular epidemiology investigation was undertaken in two Nigerian states (Plateau and Nassarawa) to determine the prevalence of pathogens of veterinary and public health importance associated with ticks collected from cattle and dogs using PCR, cloning and sequencing or reverse line blot techniques. A total of 218 tick samples, Amblyomma variegatum (N=153), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus (N=45), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (N=20) were sampled. Pathogens identified in ticks included piroplasmids (Babesia spp., Babesia bigemina and Babesia divergens), Anaplasma marginale and Rickettsia africae. Piroplasmids were identified in A. variegatum, A. marginale was found in R. decoloratus, while R. africae was detected in all tick species examined. Ehrlichia spp. and Theileria spp. were not identified in any of the ticks examined. Of the 218 ticks examined, 33 (15.1%) contained pathogen DNA, with the presence of B. divergens and R. africae that are zoonotic pathogens of public health and veterinary importance. The variety of tick-borne pathogens identified in this study suggests a risk for the emergence of tick-borne diseases in domestic animals and humans, especially amongst the Fulani pastoralists in Plateau and Nassarawa states of Nigeria.

Anthelmintic efficacy of extracts of Spigelia anthelmia Linn on experimental Nippostrongylus braziliensis in rats.

Spigelia anthelmia Linn is used as a herb and is a common annual weed of cultivation in open re-growths, on unused land in towns as well as on road sides. The plant can grow to approximately 30 cm in height. The aim of this study was to screen extracts of Spigelia anthelmia for their anthelmintic activity against an experimental Nippostrongylus braziliensis infection in rats. Acute oral toxicity occurred at a dose of 1,140 mg/kg, while anthelmintic trials against Nippostrongylus braziliensis in rats using the aqueous fraction showed a progressive decrease in worm count with increasing dose (10, 13, 16, 20 and 25 mg per kg body weight) (p < 0.05). At 25 mg per kg body weight, the worm count was significantly lower than that at 10 mg per kg body weight (p < 0.05).