Antinociceptive and smooth muscle contracting activities of the methanolic extract of Cassia tora leaf.

The leaves of Cassia tora Linn. (Family: Caesalpiniaceae) were soxhlet extracted with methanol. The spasmogenic effects of the extract were evaluated on guinea pig ileum, rabbit jejunum and mice intestinal transit. Antinociceptive activity of the extract was also evaluated in the mice. The LD(50) values of the extract in mice were >2000 mg/kg i.p. and p.o. The extract contracted smooth muscles of guinea pig ileum and rabbit jejunum in a concentration-dependent manner. Atropine reversibly blocked this activity. Mepyramine also reduced the contractile amplitude due to the extract in a concentration-dependent manner. The extract increased intestinal transit in mice dose dependently. C. tora extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced the number of acetic acid induced abdominal constrictions in mice and the effect was comparable to that of aspirin (150 mg/kg i.p.). The extract also significantly (P<0.05) reduced the nociceptive response of mice to increased force (g). The effects were dose-dependent. The studies suggest that the use of C. tora, traditionally, as a purgative and in the treatment of other ailments is justifiable.

Prevalence of bovine campylobacteriosis in indigenous cattle of three states in Nigeria.

A survey of bovine campylobacteriosis in breeding bulls and cows was carried out in the states of Kaduna, Kano and Borno. Six hundred and eighty nine cattle composed of 585 and 104 breeding bulls and cows respectively were sampled. Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis was isolated from 12 bulls while Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus was isolated from three of them. Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus was isolated from four cows while Campylobacter fetus subsp. veneralis was isolated from one cow. The overall prevalence of campylobacteriosis in the three states was 2.9% (20/689). The result of the study identifies Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis as the agent of enzootic infertility in Nigeria and suggests that it may be a significant problem.

Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni in poultry reared under different management systems in Nigeria.

Cloacal swabs from 487 live birds in 36 flocks and 70 poultry carcasses were cultured for Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni. It was isolated from 12.3% of the birds in 19 flocks. Chickens, turkeys, and guinea fowl differed from one another in isolation rates of the organism. Management system affected its occurrence, and only 7.1% of eviscerated carcasses yielded it. It was concluded that bird species, management system, and immersing slaughtered poultry in boiling water before dressing affect recovery of C. fetus subsp. jejuni from live birds and carcasses.

Sero-prevalence of agglutinins to Listeria monocytogenes in Nigerian domestic animals.

A survey using tube agglutination test was conducted to determine the antibody prevalence to Listeria monocytogenes serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, 3a and 4b in 1,190 serum samples of 8 animals species from various sources in Kano and Kaduna states of Nigeria. Following absorption with Staphylococcus aureus antigen to remove cross-reacting agglutinins, 52 (68.4 p. 100) of the horse samples were positive. Twenty-six (36.1 p. 100) pig, 52 (20.8 p. 100) cattle, 50 (20.0 p. 100) goat, 20 (20.0 p. 100) dog, serum samples were also positive. Free-ranging chickens had an antibody prevalence of 18 (32.1 p. 100) while those intensively managed had 3 (6.8 p. 100), a difference found to be statistically significant (P less than or equal to 0.01; X2). Sheep sera collected from Zaria abattoir had a prevalence of 30 (14.7 p. 100) while those from Ahmadu Bello University, Veterinary Teaching Hospital had 6 (13.0 p. 100) prevalence. The prevalence in camel was 4 (4.3 p. 100). Overall, of the 1,190 serum samples tested, 26 (21.9 p. 100) were sero-positive for L. monocytogenes agglutinins. Each species of animal tested for L. monocytogenes was positive for all five serotypes, except camel which was negative for serotype 3a. Fourty-four (53.0 p. 100) samples were positive at a titre of greater than or equal to 480 for serotypes 1/2a, 60 (58.3 p. 100) for 1/2b, 57 (52.3 p. 100) for 1/2c, 7 (13.7 p. 100) for 3a and 23 (39.0 p. 100) for 4b. It is concluded that L. monocytogenes infection is widespread in domestic animals in Nigeria.

Toxin-types of Clostridium perfringens strains isolated from sheep, cattle and paddock soils in Nigeria.

Two-hundred and forty-five strains of Clostridium perfringens isolated from the faeces of apparently healthy sheep and cattle and from their environments (paddock soils) in Kano and Kaduna States of Nigeria were studied. The isolates were examined by the toxin-antitoxin neutralisation tests performed intradermally in depilated albino guinea-pigs. One-hundred and twenty-seven (53.1%) of the isolates were type A, 17 (7.1%) were type B, 14 (4.9%) were type C, 44 (18.4%) were type D and 19 (7.9%) were type E. Eighteen (7.5%) were not typable while six were lost during storage. The significance of this distribution and the potential danger to animal health, especially as regards enterotoxaemias, cannot be over-emphasized.

Epidemiological features of an outbreak of gastroenteritis/cholera in Katsina, Northern Nigeria.

In April 1982, Katsina, in Northern Nigeria, was affected by an outbreak of gastroenteritis associated with Vibrio cholerae serotype 'Ogawa' and 662 patients were admitted to the Katsina General Hospital during a 16-week period. The outbreak affected all ages and both sexes and all parts of the town and its immediate surroundings except the Government Residential Area (GRA). The overall case fatality rate was 7.7%. Male specific case fatality and female specific case fatality rates were 9.7 and 6.2% respectively. 'Adults' and those in the 11-20 and 21-30 age groups accounted for most of the cases. The epidemic curve was of a propagated and protracted nature. About 51.7% of all the patients spent between 2 and 5 days in the hospital. A similar pattern was observed for all age groups regardless of sex. Cholera vibrio 'Ogawa', Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Proteus spp. and Escherichia coli were isolated from 16 patients. All well-water samples obtained from the compounds of the cases were contaminated with MPN/100 ml index ranging from 540 to greater than 2400. All samples were positive for faecal coliforms. Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Proteus spp. and non-O, group 1 (non-O 1) V. cholerae were isolated. Water sellers probably facilitated the spread of the outbreak.

Studies on well water and possible health risks in Katsina, Nigeria.

Well water was sampled from all four major wards in Katsina town. All 20 samples taken showed high coliform counts. Sixty-five per cent contained greater than or equal to 2400 coliforms per 100 ml while the remainder had counts ranging from 79 to 920. Faecal coliforms and non-cholera vibrios were detected in all samples. There was no significant relationship between the coliform counts and the distances of latrines to wells, water table to ground level, slope relationship between wells and latrines, the pH of water and whether the wells were left permanently open or not. Salmonella sp., Enterobacter sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were each isolated from about 10% of the samples, while Proteus sp. was isolated from 40%, Citrobacter sp. 15%, Alcaligenes sp. 5% and an unidentified Gram-negative rod from 5%. Only 2 (10%) of the sampled households, representing 23 (9.6%) of the 239 people exposed to well-water had pipeborne water in addition. It was concluded that well water in Katsina town could be a human health hazard.

The pathogenesis and microbiology of idiopathic cervicofacial abscesses.

Sixty-three cases of idiopathic cervicofacial abscesses were surveyed. Several debilitating conditions, probably responsible for diminished resistance to infection, were found in association with the abscesses. The condition mainly affected children under two years of age, and the submandibular and submental regions were the most common sites of occurrence. The predominant infecting organism was Staphylococcus aureus. The abscess cavity was a statistically significant source of S. aureus, but the nose, ear, mouth, and skin did not appear to be significant sources of the pathogen. Antibiotics such as Dalacin C and gentamicin were found to be active against all the strains of S. aureus. Although incision and drainage was the most effective method of treatment for the abscesses, appropriate antibiotics may be prescribed for those cases where suppuration has not yet taken place.

Cervicofacial abcesses of unknown origin. A survey of eighty-one cases.

A survey of eighty-one patients with cervicofacial abscesses of unknown origin is presented. The salient clinical features and the treatment of the abscesses are described. Mainly affected were children under 4 years of age, and the submandibular and submental regions were the most common sites of involvement. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogenic organism, and epidemic strains were implicated in some cases. A high incidence of resistance to penicillin was noted. The nasal vestibule is postulated to be reservoir of the organisms, and the possible relationship between infection, malnutrition, and a mild degree of anemia is examined.