Sequential Histopathological Changes and Cytokine Expressions in Dogs Naturally Infested with Sarcoptes scabiei Mites.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and treatment of canine scabies remain quite challenging as a result of the meddling of the invertebrate mite Sarcoptes scabiei var canis with the immunologic activity of its host. PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate and better understand the immunologic, histomorphometric, histopathologic changes as well as their relationship in scabies infestation. METHOD: Ten healthy dogs were housed with five sarcoptes-ridden dogs. Skin biopsies were then obtained afterwards for 7 weeks into buffered formalin. Sections of obtained biopsies were processed and incubated in IL-4, IL-13, IL-17A and IL-23A antibodies, while the other sections were stained for cellular alterations, quantifications and measurement of tunnel height and diameters. Pearson's product-moment correlation was used to establish the association between the cytokines and the measured tunnel heights and diameters, while Student's t test and one-way analysis of variance were used to test for weekly significant differences in cytokine expressions. RESULTS: Histopathologic changes and early expression of all studied cytokines, eosinophils and mast cells were pronounced from the second week of infestation. Quite notable was the consistent amount of IL-13 and IL-23A all through the study duration. A dissimilar association was also observed between anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17A and IL-23A). Also observed was the negative relationship between IL-13 and IL-23A as an increase in IL-13 was associated with a decrease in IL-23A. Tunnel height increase was also positively associated with pro-inflammation. CONCLUSION: Immunodiagnosis can possibly be achieved with IL-13 and IL-23A expressions, while immunotherapy seems possible with IL-13 cytokine therapy.

Seroprevalence of canine leishmaniasis in Kwara, Oyo and Ogun states of Nigeria.

Leishmaniasis is an important tropical disease that is gradually gaining attention in Nigeria. The canine species which include domestic dogs have been named the reservoir host for the zoonotic form of leishmaniasis. The present study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of canine leishmaniasis in three selected states of Nigeria using indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Two hundred and seventy-three canine sera were tested for Leishmania IgG antibodies. Dogs sampled were grouped into young (<1 year) and adult (>1 year). Total prevalence recorded was 4.40 % (12/273). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between sera of hunting (4.83 %) and companion dogs (3.03 %). Furthermore, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between young and adults dogs. There was no correlation between sex and prevalence of canine leishmaniasis. However, significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in the prevalence of each state with Kwara, Oyo and Ogun having 14.63, 3.33 and 1.32 % respectively. The result of this study established the presence of canine leishmaniasis in Oyo, Ogun and Kwara States of Nigeria making the zoonotic form of the disease a possibility.

Echinococcus granulosus Prevalence in Dogs in Southwest Nigeria.

Echinococcosis is a public health parasitic disease that is cosmopolitan (Echinococcus granulosus) in its distribution. Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) have been recognised as the definitive host of the parasite. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of canine echinococcosis in Southwest Nigeria using direct enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect sera antigen. Two hundred and seventy-three (273) canine sera were tested for the presence of Echinococcus antigen. Purpose of keeping (hunting or companion), age (young or adult), and sex of each dog were considered during sampling. Total prevalence recorded was 12.45% (34/273). There was significant difference (P < 0.05) between hunting (15.94%) and companion dogs (1.52%) but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between young and adult dogs. There was no association between sex and prevalence of canine echinococcosis. The result of this study established the presence of canine echinococcosis in Southwest Nigeria; thus there is the possibility of occurrence of zoonotic form of the disease (human cystic hydatid diseases) in the region.

Gastrointestinal Helminths in Slaughtered Cattle in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria.

As part of an ongoing project to investigate the epidemiology of gastrointestinal helminths of cattle in Nigeria, we carried out a systematic random sampling of cattle slaughtered in a major abattoir in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria. Using sedimentation and floatation methods, we analyzed fecal samples from 397 animals between March and May 2013. Overall, 163 (41.6%) of the animals had at least one gastrointestinal helminth egg, comprising a total of eight helminths from different genera (i.e., four nematodes, three trematodes, and one cestode), with nematode infection being the highest (71.54%). In addition, eggs of four helminths of zoonotic importance were also obtained. Among the cattle examined, the Bunaji breed was the most infected (46%; 69/150). Furthermore, female animals (OR = 1.1; 95% CI: 0.60-1.84) and animals with moderate body condition (OR = 1.2; 95% CI: 0.80-1.79) are more likely to be positive to helminth infection. Our findings reveal that there were helminth infections of both zoonotic and socioeconomic importance among the cattle screened. Considering the impact of the infections on animal production and public health, we advocate that effective prophylactic measures be adopted as a first step to curtail helminth infections of cattle in Nigeria.