Antimicrobial usage and presence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in animal-rearing households of selected rural and peri-urban communities.

This study examined socioeconomic and cultural factors relating to animal husbandry, antimicrobial usage and household hygiene in 320 animal-keeping households of 16 rural and peri-urban communities of Ogun State, Nigeria. The occurrence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in 457 samples from animal and environmental sources within the households was investigated. Chickens (41.6%), goats (35.3%), dogs (33.8%) and sheep (14.4%) were the most common household animals. Animals were reared mainly for income generation (73.9%) and for household consumption (18.3%). They were reared predominantly (60.2%-100%) under the extensive system with unrestricted access to human space, cooking utensils and foods. Households were assessed as having good (59.4%), fair (22.2%) and poor (18.4%) hygiene. The rate of household non-prescriptional antimicrobial usage was 69.4% in humans and 60.6% in animals. Overall, ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae were detected in 53 (11.6%) of 457 samples. The ESBL-producing isolates were identified as Escherichia coli (n = 49) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 4). They harboured the ESBL gene variants blaCTX-M-15 (n = 49), blaCTX-M-14 (n = 2), blaCTX-M-27 (n = 1) or blaCTX-M-55 (n = 1). Forty-eight ESBL-producing E. coli were assigned into phylogenetic groups A (n = 17), B1 (n = 14), D (n = 13) and F (n = 4). All ESBL-producing isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance to antimicrobial agents belonging to at least three different classes of antimicrobials. Poor regulation of antimicrobial marketing and inadequate access to veterinary care contributed to non-prescriptional use of antimicrobials in humans and animals. Free-range household animals harboured ESBL-producing bacteria and may facilitate the dispersal of the organisms within the community.

Prevalence of mange among West African Dwarf sheep and goats and associated haematological and biochemical parameters.

This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of mange in sheep and goats in five local government areas (LGAs) of Ogun State in South Western Nigeria. A total of 4,973 sheep and 7,902 goats of West African Dwarf breeds were sampled of which only 4 (0.08%) of sheep and 42 (0.53%) of goats were confirmed positive for mange infestation. In all the LGAs sampled, Odeda LGA had the highest concentration of sheep (39%) and goats (51%) while Abeokuta South had the least percentage of sheep (1%) and goats (1%). All the mange-infested cases in sheep were recorded in just one LGA (Ewekoro) which constituted 0.24% of the population within the location. For goats, three out of five LGAs namely: Obafemi Owode, Ewekoro and Abeokuta North had prevalence of 1.46%, 0.53% and 0.72% respectively. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference between non-infested and infested animals in terms of packed cell volume (31.79 ± 0.87% vs. 31.41 ± 1.13%), haemoglobin (10.51 ± 0.21 g/100 ml vs. 10.28 ± 0.37 g/100 ml) and red blood cells (8.71 ± 0.29 × 10(12)/l vs. 9.40 ± 0.37 × 10(12)/l). The infested group however showed significantly (P < 0.01) higher white blood cells count (7.60 ± 0.22 × 10(9)/l) than the non-infested animals (6.81 ± 0.17 × 10(9)/l). Neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil and monocyte as well as chloride were not significantly affected by the health status of the animals. There existed significant (P < 0.01) difference between non-infested and infested animals in terms of total protein (5.42 ± 0.16 vs. 4.75 ± 0.20 g/dl), sodium (137.98 ± 1.53 vs. 128.92 ± 1.92 mEq/l) and potassium (4.04 ± 0.14 vs. 3.46 ± 0.18 mEq/l). It can be concluded from this study that the prevalence of mange mite infestation varied with location and was generally low or absent in some of the LGAs considered. Goats were particularly more susceptible to mange infestation than sheep. More concerted effort is needed to control mange in order to avoid spread since it is a contagious disease.

Changing lifestyle and prevalence of malnutrition among settled pastoral Fulani children in Southwest Nigeria.

This paper reports the results of a cross-sectional study on the growth of Fulani children, aged 6 months-15 years, living in Kwara, Ogun and Oyo States, South western Nigeria. This population of Fulani are fully settled pastoralists whose economy and culture are now centred on cattle and farming. There is a dearth of information on the prevalence of malnutrition in this group. We measured the heights and weights of 164 girls and 167 boys and determined their anthropometric indices, height-for-age (HA), weight-for-height (WH), and weight-for-age (WA) Z-scores. The prevalence of stunting (HAZ < -2), wasting (WHZ < -2) and underweight (WAZ < - 2) was 38.7 % , 13.6 % , and 38.7 % , respectively, when compared to the reference NC HS WHO standard used for defining stunting, wasting and underweight. Boys were more malnourished than girls, but this was not statistically significant (stunting: chi(2)=0.36; df=1; p=0.54); (underweight: chi(2)=1.10; df=1; p=0.29); and (wasting: chi(2)=0.00; df=1; p=0.98) The mean of Z- scores of height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height in the study population were -1.502, -1.634 and - 0.931, respectively. The SD was 1.52, 1.09 and 1.20, respectively. Using WHO Malnutrition Classification systems, 38.7 % of the children were found to be malnourished. It was concluded that malnutrition among children in this population could be linked to changing food habits and lifestyle from nomadic to sedentary living.

Prevalence of malnutrition among settled pastoral Fulani children in Southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of information on the health of pastoral Fulani children living in southwestern Nigeria. These are fully settled pastoralists whose economy are centred on cattle and farming. In other to monitor and plan appropriate nutritional intervention for their children, a cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of malnutrition of pastoral Fulani children. FINDINGS: Fulani's children aged 6 months to 15 years, living in 61 settlements in Kwara, Ogun and Oyo States in Southwestern Nigeria participated in the study. Heights and weights of 164 girls and 167 boys were measured. Their anthropometric indices, height-for-age (HA), weight-for-height (WH), and weight-for-age (WA) Z-scores determined. The prevalence of stunting (HAZ < -2), wasting (WHZ < -2) and underweight (WAZ < -2) was 38.7%, 13.6%, and 38.7%, respectively when compared to the reference NCHS/WHO standard used for defining stunting, wasting and underweight. Boys were more malnourished than the girls were, but this was not significant (stunting: chi2 = 0.36; df = 1; P = 0.54); (underweight: chi2 = 1.10; df = 1; P = 0.29); and (wasting: chi2 = 0.00; df = 1; P = 0.98) The mean of Z-scores of Height-for-age, Weight-for-age and Weight-for-height in children were -1.502, -1.634 and -0.931 respectively. The SD was 1.52, 1.09 and 1.20 respectively. Using WHO Malnutrition Classification systems, 38.7% of the children were found to be malnourished. CONCLUSION: These results indicate high prevalence of malnutrition among settled pastoral Fulani children, possibly due to changes in food habits and lifestyle occasion by the transition from nomadic to sedentary living. We suggest the inclusion of Fulani's settlements in nutritional intervention for these areas.