Outbreaks of Virulent Infectious Bursal Disease in Flocks of Battery Cage Brooding System of Commercial Chickens.

Clinical and pathological investigations were conducted on outbreaks of infectious bursal disease (IBD) in pullets under brooding using the battery cage system in a commercial poultry farm in Kaduna, Nigeria. Two consecutive outbreaks of IBD on the same farm were studied. The onset of the disease and morbidity and mortality rates were recorded. Postmortem examinations were conducted and gross lesions recorded. Tissues were collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin and processed for histopathological examinations. In the first outbreak, 80 to 100% of the chicks were affected at the age of 4 to 5 weeks and mortality rate was 95.8% and lasted for 9 days. In the second outbreak, the mortality rate was 43.3% and it also lasted for 9 days. At the onset of the disease, the birds were also 4-week-old like in case 1. The disease was diagnosed based on clinical signs, pathology, and agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID). Clinical signs, gross lesions, and histopathological findings were characteristic of virulent infectious bursal disease. After the first outbreak (case 1) the house was disinfected using polidine® (iodophor compound), V-ox® (inorganic peroxygen compounds), CID20® (quaternary ammonium chloride, aldehydes, and alcohol), terminator III® (phenols), and glutasan® (aldehyde and quaternary ammonium chloride). But they failed to eliminate the IBD virus from the poultry pen.

Clinicopathological observations in experimental peste des petit ruminants virus and Mannheimia haemolytica A:2 co-infection in goats.

The experiment describes for the first time the clinicopathological features of the co-infection of Peste des petit Ruminants (PPR) virus and Mannheimia haemolytica,in goats. Twenty clinically healthy goats, six months of age were used. 15 goats were infected by intratracheal inoculation of 1ml of pure cultured 106.5 TCID50 PPR virus grown in Baby hamster kidney cell lines, and a week later,1 ml of pure culture (109 CFU) of Mannheimia haemolytica (MH)A2 to study its clinico-pathological features and five goats served as controls. The clinical signs were observed and two goats were euthanized at predetermined intervals for gross examinations, bacteriological, virological and histopathological investigations on tissues collected using standard techniques. The clinical signs were severe and the order of manifestation was anorexia, pyrexia, dyspnea, oculo-nasal discharge, recumbency and death. The lesions observed were severe fibrinous bronchointerstitial pneumonia and pleurisy with thickened alveolar septa, edema and neutrophilic infiltrations of the interstitium with giant cells. There was also marked erosive stomatitis and acute enteritis. The average percentage lung consolidation for the infection was 7.01% and the right lung was more affected (p<0.05) while the overall mortality was 33.3%. MHA:2 and PPR virus were re-isolated from the lungs. The clinicopathological features observed showed that goats were susceptible to co- infection of PPR and Mannheimiosis which was severe and fatal. The data should help veterinarians and other medical experts to recognize cases of bacterial complicated viral infection and be informed of the approach to the treatment of such conditions.

The pattern of distribution of pneumonic consolidation in experimental peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) and/or Mannheimia Hemolytica Infection in West African dwarf goats / Patrón de distribución de la consolidación pneumónica en infección experimental con virus peste des petits ruminants (PPRV) y/o mannheimia hemolítica en cabras enanas del Oeste Africano

The study into the pattern of distribution of the lung consolidation associated with common viral and bacterial pneumonia and their co-infection in subsaharan goats is scanty in literatures. Fifty apparently healthy West Africa Dwarf goats (WAD) six months of age were used for the experiment. The animals were divided into groups A, B, and C with 15 goats each while 5 goats served as control. Group A goats infected with 1ml of pure culture (1 X 109 CFU) of Mannheimia haemolytica MH A2, while group B with 1ml of pure cultured 106.5 TCID50 PPR virus grown in Baby hamster kidney cell lines and group C with 1 ml of PPRV and a week later 1ml of MH A2. The degree of consolidation or pneumonia as a percentage of the total lung volume was determined by visual observation, palpation and measurement of the lesion which is estimated as a percentage of each lobe. Student t-test were used to test for significant differences. The right lungs have a higher lung consolidation percentage than the left in all the treatment groups. The accessory lobe was affected in the PPRV group. The MH group has the highest lung consolidation percentage (10.1 percent). The PPRV 1-28dpi has the lowest consolidation percentage (1.06 percent). There is significant difference in the consolidation percentage and mortality between MH, PPR+MH, PPRV 28-45 dpi and PPRV 1-28dpi (P<0.05). This observation further show that the right lung and the anterior lobes were more affected in experimental viral and bacterial respiratory pathogen and their co-infection as the trachea birfucation is first to the right and the distance between the right and the left birfucation was 1.5 +/- 0.35cm. It is the first study that describes and compare the pattern of distribution and morphometry of pneumonia in experimental PPRV, MH and PPRV+MH infections in goats.

El estudio sobre el patrón de distribución de la consolidación pulmonar asociada con neumonía virales y bacterianas comunes y sus co-infección en cabras Subsaharianas, es escasa en la literatura. Cincuenta cabras enanas de África occidental (WAD) aparentemente sanas de seis meses de edad fueron utilizados para el experimento. Los animales se dividieron en grupos A, B y C con 15 cabras cada uno mientras que el 5 cabras sirvió como control. Grupo A cabras infectadas con 1 ml de cultivo puro (1 X 109 UFC) de Mannheimia haemolytica MH A2, mientras que el grupo B con 1 ml de cultivo puro 10 6,5 DICT50 PPR cultivado en líneas celulares de riñón de crías de hámsters y el grupo C con 1 ml de PPRV y un semana después de 1 ml de MH A2. El grado de consolidación o neumonía como porcentaje del volumen pulmonar total se determinó por observación visual, palpación y la medición de la lesión que se estima como un porcentaje de cada lóbulo. El test t de Student se utilizaron para probar las diferencias significativas. El pulmón derecho tiene un porcentaje de consolidación pulmonar superior a izquierdo en todos los grupos de tratamiento. El lóbulo accesorio se vio afectado en el grupo de PPRV. El grupo MH tiene el porcentaje más alto de consolidación pulmonar (10,1 por ciento). El PPRV 1-28dpi tiene el menor porcentaje de consolidación (1,06 por ciento). No hay diferencia significativa en el porcentaje de consolidación y la mortalidad entre MH, MH + PPR, PPRV 28-45 dpi y PPRV 1-28dpi (P <0,05). Esta observación muestra además que el pulmón derecho y los lóbulos anteriores se vieron más afectados en infecciones respiratorias patógenas experimentales con agentes virales y bacterianos y su co-infección como la bifurcación traqueal es primero a la derecha y la distancia entre la derecha y la bifurcación izquierda fue de 1,5 +/- 0,35 cm. Es el primer estudio que describe y compara el patrón de distribución y la morfometría de las neumonías en PPRV experimentales, MH y MH + PPRV...

Influence of minerals on the aetiology of geophagia in periurban dairy cattle in the derived savannah of Nigeria.

The aetiology of geophagia in periurban dairy cattle in Nigeria was assessed in relation to the mineral status of the serum, the herbage consumed, and the soil from where the herbage was consumed. The study was carried out using nine herds in the derived savannah zone during both the wet and dry seasons. Generally, the Na, Ca, Fe, Zn and Cu levels in the samples were adequate. However, the forages were low in Ca and the serum was deficient in P. Forage, soil and termite hill samples were also deficient in P. The low levels of P in the soil and termite hill samples showed that the consumption of sand by the cattle did not have any positive impact on their P intake. A seasonal effect was apparent (p < 0.05) on the serum Na+, PO4(3-), Cu2+ and Fe2+ concentrations but not on Ca2+ and Zn2+ concentrations. A seasonal effect was also significant (p < 0.05) on the minerals in the forage. There were also seasonal differences in most of the soil and termite hill minerals. Most samples had higher (p < 0.05) mineral levels in the dry season. Herd size and farming activity had no apparent influence on the aetiology of geophagia as they did not affect (p > 0.05) the concentration of P in the serum, the reported cause of geophagia. Geophagia is probably caused by a marginal level of P in the serum and low levels in the forage and soil. Experimental trials will be required to confirm these observations.

Clinical and pathological features of Nigerian equine encephalitis.

Thirteen cases of a disease with a low morbidity and very high mortality in horses in Nigeria are described; the disease is characterised by fever (rectal temperature > or = 40 degrees C), generalised muscle spasms, ataxia, increased respiratory and heart rates and terminal lateral recumbency. The illness generally lasts three to five days but durations of 12 to 30 hours have been observed. Laboratory investigations, including histopathology and serology suggest a viral aetiology, possibly an alphavirus of the equine encephalitis group.

Haematological changes in ewes experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei.

Changes in the haematological values were studied in West African Dwarf ewes infected with Trypanosoma brucei. This disease was characterized by a normocytic normochromic anaemia in the acute phase and a severe macrocytosis during the chronicity. The observed changes suggest inadequate erythropoiesis in the acute phase while the chronic phase had a superior but still inadequate erythropoietic response with persistent anaemia. Normal total leucocyte values were observed during the acute phase while leucocytosis was a permanent feature in the chronic phase.

A clinical note on Haemophilus aegyptius infection in sheep in Nigeria.

An outbreak of Haemophilus aegyptius infection in a livestock farm located in Maya, Oyo State, Nigeria is reported. Diagnosis was based on clinical signs of central nervous system disturbance, histopathological findings of meningoencephalomyelitis, acute multifocal necrotising purulent hepatitis and the isolation of Haemophilus aegyptius from the spinal cord. Other diseases that can cause nervous disturbance are discussed.

Serum biochemical changes in West African Dwarf sheep experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei.

Serum and plasma biochemical values were determined in female West African Dwarf sheep experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei. The results show an increase in the values of serum iron, chloride, bicarbonate, inorganic phosphate, creatinine, urea, total protein, globulin and plasma fibrinogen. The serum albumin, albumin/globulin ratio, potassium, copper and magnesium values are depressed. These findings suggest detective re-utilization of iron in erythropoiesis and probable paratathyroid gland, hepatic and/or renal malfunction.

Globule leukocytes and bovine parasitic bronchitis.

Globule leucocytes (GL) occur in the respiratory tract of cattle from foetuses to adult animals. Large numbers of this cell have been found in the lungs of cows both in normal lung and in the lungs of cows from various outbreaks of respiratory diseases, but the significance was not known. In the rat and in cattle, the occurrence of GL in the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts has been associated with parasitic infections. The relationship between the respiratory tract GL and Dictyocaulus viviparus infections in cattle was studied in three groups of parasite free calves experimentally infected with D. viviparus. Group 1 animals received single challenge infections. Group 2 had three subgroups (2a, 2b, 2c) which were either vaccinated and challenged (2a), given a single challenge (2b) or used as vaccinated controls (2c). Group 3 with four subgroups (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) were either used as environmental controls (3a), vaccinated and repeatedly challenged (3b), given normal larvae of D. viviparus and repeatedly challenged (3c) or as a trickled group 3d. Although GL were found in infected calves, it was not possible to demonstrate a clear cut correlation between their presence or density and the method of exposure.

Pathogenicity of two strains of Newcastle disease virus in the grey-breasted helmet guinea fowl.

Thirty-five 6-week-old guinea fowl keets, seronegative for maternal antibodies to Newcastle disease virus, were infected with Herts strain (33/56) and Kumarov strain of Newcastle disease virus intramucularly (IM) or intranasally (IN). Clinical signs were first noticed four days post infection (PI) in the group infected IM but five days PI in the group infected IN with Herts strain of Newcastle disease virus. These clinical signs were similar in both groups and included anorexia, droopiness, huddling together, greenish diarrhoea and marked cachexia. Prominent nervous signs, including spasms of the head and neck, were observed in groups infected with Herts strain. The major gross lesions observed were emaciation with prominent keel bone, empty intestinal tract and distended gall bladder in most keets. The histological lesions were characterised by meningoencephalitis, necrosis and loss of lymphocytes from splenic and lymphoid aggregates. There was muscular degeneration and necrosis in the gizzard and mild pulmonary congestion and oedema in some keets. Neither gross or microscopic lesions were observed in keets that had received the Kumarov strain.

An outbreak of listeriosis in cattle in Nigeria.

An outbreak of listeriosis in a herd of cattle associated with still birth, abortion, nervous signs and death is reported. Typical micro abscesses in the brain were not observed on histopathology but a marked purulent meningitis was seen and Listeria monocytogenes was isolated on culture.

Pathogenicity of Trypanosoma brucei brucei in experimentally infected pigs.

An experimental infection of 4-to 5-month old pigs with a stock of Trypanosoma brucei brucei resulted in a high parasitaemia, anorexia, pyrexia and a decline in the packed cell volume by one third. Nervous sign of circling and wobbling of the hind legs occurred in one of the pigs which at necropsy revealed a very severe meningo-encephalitis and the presence of trypanosomes in the brain. These results confirm that T. b. brucei might cause a severe disease in pigs.

Morphological, histochemical and ultrastructural features of the globule leukocyte of the bovine respiratory tract.

The histochemical and ultrastructural features of the globular leukocyte of the bovine respiratory tract is described and found to be similar to those localized in the abomasum and bile ducts of cattle. Histochemical analysis of these cells demonstrated low amounts of carboxylated mucin mixed with neutral mucin and large amounts of basic protein. Two types of globules were seen in the leucocytes; one with a homegeneous electron dense material and another with vesiculated, crastalloid containing bodies.

The globule leucocyte: morphology, origin, function and fate, a review.

A review of the literature concerning the origin, function and fate of the globular leukocyte is presented. The possible relationship of this cell to other cells such as erythrocytes, mast cells and lymphocytes in general is discussed with an aim toward delineating the probable functions of the cell. Although the globular leukocyte has been described in many species and in a variety of organs, its origin, fate and function remain to be clearly elucidated.

Reproductive disorders in African trypanosomiasis: a review.

Reproductive disorders are frequently seen in human beings and in animals infected with tsetse-transmitted (African)trypanosomiasis. The disorders include irregular menstrual (or oestrus) cycle, infertility, abortion and impotence. Intrauterine infections occasionally occur, resulting in still birth or neonatal mortality. The changes are essentially reversible after treatment, although recovery may take several months.

Ejaculate characteristics of sheep infected with Trypanosoma brucei and T vivax: changes caused by treatment with diminazene aceturate.

The effect of Trypanosoma brucei and T vivax on the ejaculate of sheep and the rate of recovery with diminazene aceturate treatment was investigated. Animals were made to ejaculate once a week before infection, during infection and after treatment. Parameters studied were semen volume, semen colour, sperm motility and concentration, percentage dead spermatozoa and sperm morphology. Both infections severely affected the quality of the ejaculate although in T vivax infection there was no appreciable change in semen volume and sperm concentration. There was a reduction in sperm motility and concentration, an increase in the percentage of dead spermatozoa and in abnormal sperm morphology. Treatment led to improvement in all parameters but recovery was faster in T vivax than in T brucei infection. Ejaculate with few primary abnormalities was not obtained until 19 weeks after treatment.

The prevalence, gross lesions and histopathology of aortic onchocerciasis in Nigerian cattle.

The incidence of aortic onchocerciasis due to Onchocerca armillata among slaughtered cattle in Ibadan, Nigeria, was about 2 per cent between 1979 and 1980. The average number of nodules per thoracic aorta was 7 and the mean size of each nodule was 9.7 +/- 2.6 mm. About 54 per cent of the nodules examined were calcified, and nodular calcification appeared to be related to the degree of infection or reinfection with the parasite. The histopathology of the aortic lesions is described.

Delay in resolution of trypanosome-induced genital lesions in male rabbits infected with Trypanosoma brucei and treated with diminazene aceturate.

The effects of drug therapy on the resolution of the genital lesions accompanying systemic Trypanosoma brucei infection was investigated using male California White rabbits. Infected animals were treated with diminazene aceturate two to 13 days after the onset of gross scrotal lesions; they were killed at different intervals after treatment to determine the histological evidence of healing of the genital lesions. It was found that, although parasites disappeared soon after treatment, regeneration of seminiferous epithelium depended on the severity of the initial lesions. Only mildly afflicted rabbits had fully recovered within 141 days.