Evaluation of immune response in challenged chickens vaccinated with Newcastle disease vaccine using gums from Cedrela odorata and Khaya senegalensis as delivery agents.

Immune response of challenged chickens following previous vaccinations with Newcastle disease vaccine using gums from Cedrela odorata and Khaya senegalensis as delivery agent were evaluated. Two hundred and fifty-two one-day old chickens were divided into vaccine-gum oral (GVOR), vaccine-gum ocular (GVOC), vaccine oral (VOR), vaccine ocular (VOC), gum oral (GOR), gum ocular (GOC), No-gum-no-vaccine/challenged (NGNV/C), and No-gum-no-vaccine/unchallenged (NGNV/U) groups. They were vaccinated at days 21 & 42 and challenged at day 84. Trachea and intestinal washings were collected at intervals as well as weekly serum samples. These were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test for mucosal and systemic IgG response (MA and SA). Statistical analysis was done using Omnibus one-way ANOVA. MA and SA were not different (P > 0.05) post first and second vaccination although gum-vaccine groups were marginally higher post second vaccination. Post Infection (PI), there was an early and sustained spike in both MA and SA for the GV groups especially GVOR (P < 0.05). MA and SA for the Gum alone (especially GOR) groups also spiked PI (P < 0.05). Therefore, phytogenic polymers used could be said to possess immunopotentiating property with a possible induction of immunologic memory mechanism.

Sizes and developmental viability of sequentially oviposited eggs of dog ticks: Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Haemaphysalis leachi leachi.

Sizes and developmental viability of sequentially oviposited eggs of up to 12th day oviposition by dog ticks Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Haemaphysalis leachi leachi were studied. The mean length and breadth of eggs oviposited on days 1 and 2 were greater (0.45 +/- 0.111 and 0.44 +/- 0.042) than those of subsequent ovipositions. The eclosion periods of eggs laid from 7th to 12th day of oviposition were progressively shorter (17, 16, 14 and 19, 17, 0 days) than those of eggs laid on days 1 and 2 (20 and 22 days) by R. sanguineus and H. leachi leachi, respectively. The percentage mortality of eggs of days 11 and 12 oviposition (70.3% and 100%) was significantly higher than that of earlier ovipositions (9.6% and 31.7%) for R. sanguineus and H. leachi leachi, respectively. The numbers of larvae which engorged on rabbits after hatching from eggs of 11th and 12th day oviposition (43 and 0) were significantly fewer than those which hatched from eggs of days 1 and 2 (79 and 63) for R. sanguineus and H. leachi leachi, respectively. A total of 383 larvae of R. sanguineus engorged on rabbits compared to 225 larvae of H. leachi leachi. It is concluded that eggs of early ovipositions of R. sanguineus and H. leachi leachi are longer and wider and more viable than those laid later in the oviposition cycle. The significance of these findings in terms of hatchability of eggs is discussed.

The response of pigs experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei to isometamidium chloride therapy and the relation to nutrition.

Growing pigs were placed on feeds with high (Group A), medium (B) and low (C) dietary energy and were infected with a virulent stock of T. brucei. Eight weeks later, the infected pigs were treated with isometamidium chloride at 1 mg/kg live weight and all pigs were subsequently placed on a high energy diet to investigate their response to therapy. Clearance of T. brucei from blood was completed 72h after treatment. There was no evidence of relapsed infection up to eight weeks after treatment. Red blood cell parameters returned to normal four to six weeks after treatment with responses being fastest in Group A, B and C had gained about two-thirds of the live weight gains of their non-infected pair-fed controls. It appears that the retarded weight gain as a result of the infection persisted after therapy since drug-treated pigs did not gain as much weight as their non-infected controls.

Studies on ticks of veterinary importance in Nigeria: intrinsic factors influencing oviposition and egg-hatch of Amblyomma variegatum under natural conditions.

During the peak of rains of 1983, 1984 and 1985 in the forest zone of Nigeria, female Amblyomma variegatum engorged to various weights were subjected to different experiments for the purpose of observing the intrinsic factors which influence oviposition and egg-hatch under natural conditions. Two types of oviposition patterns were observed. New terms were introduced to quantify the relationships between the daily weight loss and daily number of eggs oviposited by a tick. These terms are "actual mass", "convertible blood mass", "oviposition efficiency" and "mass conversion rate". A major advantage of adopting the "oviposition efficiency" and "mass conversion rate" is that they relate directly to the measure of the metabolic activity utilized by the tick for the process of oviposition. The entity "convertable blood mass" also enables recognition of individual capability in the utilization of blood mass for oviposition. Investigation on the relationship of weight of eggs with sequence of oviposition showed that eggs were heavier when few eggs were laid than when numerous eggs were oviposited. The heaviest eggs were laid towards the end of oviposition. Two types of relationship were found to exit between the sequence of oviposition and the eclosion period of eggs. Adult A. variegatum engorged to more than 2.49 x were affected by immersion in water for longer than 7 days. Such ticks died without ovipositing and the water in which they were submerged became dark-red. Eggs immersed in water for periods ranging from 1-7 days hatched in about the same number of days as control eggs and their viability in terms of percent-hatch was not affected.

The decline of a Glossina morsitans submorsitans belt in the Egbe area of the derived savanna zone, Kwara State, Nigeria.

In the the early 1970s the Egbe area of Nigeria was known to be one of high trypanosomiasis risk, with four Glossina species G. morsitans submorsitans Newstead, G.longipalpis Wiedemann, G.palpalis palpalis Robineau-Desvoidy and G.tachinoides Westwood present. Grazing by Fulani pastoralists used to be short-term and only in the dry season. In recent years these pastoralists have grazed their cattle in the area throughout the year and this has prompted a reappraisal of the tsetse situation. Tsetse populations were sampled for 3 years using hand-net catches from man or an ox and biconical traps. Resident livestock, slaughter cattle and some of the flies were examined for trypanosome infection. Of the four tsetse species previously reported from the area, only the riverine species, G.p.palpalis and G.tachinoides, were encountered during the investigation. None of the 152 G.p.palpalis and 52 G.tachinoides examined was infected with trypanosomes. No infection was detected in 101 slaughtered cattle, 65 live Muturu, twelve goats and two pigs by wet film examination. However, a 14.3% Trypanosoma vivax infection rate was detected by Haematocrit Centrifugation Technique (HCT) examination in twenty-one slaughtered cattle. Increased human activities over the years had destroyed much of the vegetation and depleted the wild-life population to an extent that resulted in the disappearance of G.m.submorsitans and G.longipalpis, resulting in turn in a greatly reduced trypanosomiasis risk. It is likely that a similar trend is occurring in other areas of the Derived Savanna and Forest zones of West Africa as the human population expands.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The relationship between dietary energy levels and the severity of Trypanosoma brucei infection in growing pigs.

Growing pigs were placed on high, medium and low planes of dietary energy and were infected with a virulent strain of Trypanosoma brucei. During an 8-week period post-infection (p.i.), the respective liveweight gains by infected pigs on high, medium and low energy levels were 52.1, 21.2 and 38.5%, respectively, of the corresponding gains by non-infected control pigs. There was a fall in red blood cell values p.i. which worsened with decreasing energy levels. Leucocytosis was observed in all infected pig groups and was mainly due to lymphocytosis. By 6 weeks p.i., the lymphocyte count had returned to near normal values in pigs on high and medium energy levels, but was persistently high in those on a low energy level. Neutropaenia was observed in all infected pig groups and persisted until 8 weeks p.i. The results indicated that nutrition modulates the host response to infection with trypanosomes.

Experimental transmission of Trichomonas vaginalis in laboratory animals and the chemistry of vaginal exudates.

Experimental transmission of Trichomonas vaginalis into laboratory was carried out. The protein and glucose levels of infected vaginal exudates were also investigated. Subcutaneous lesions were produced in the mice with influx of neutrophils and macrophages and sloughing of epidermal parts. Rats, seem to be refractory to this infection. Compared with normal persons, the protein and glucose levels were higher and richer in exudates of patients with T. vaginalis infection.

Human amoebiasis: cultivation and experimental transmission in animals.

In vitro cultivation was carried out on an initial strain of Entamoeba histolytica from human source. Dysphasic medium was used and concentrations of horse serum and antibiotic varied in response to developments. Experimental infection of dogs, rabbits and mice was carried. Except for the controls, all animals were orally infected and monitored until the experiment was terminated. Parasitaemia became evident as from the 6th day in dogs experimentally infected and until about the 20th day when lower parasitaemia were obtained. Characteristic erosions were observed at autopsy. The tests in rabbits and mice showed that the strain used in this experiment was virulent. This paper highlights both the virulent nature of this parasite on other animals and its zoonotic potential.

Epidemiological studies on human trichomoniasis in southwestern Nigeria.

Retrospective study was carried out on the incidence of Trichomoniasis vaginalis infection in Nigeria. Data were obtained from two main hospitals in Ibadan (Adeoyo State Hospital and the University Teaching Hospital) and compared the data were classified and analysed statistically using the chi-square test. The study showed a high yearly incidence of I. vaginalis infection in Nigeria and in particular with people of low socio-economic status. The incidence was also higher in females than males.

Human amoebiasis: epidemiological studies at two hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Investigations were conducted into the prevalence rates of Entamoeba histolytica over a five year period in Ibadan, Qyo State of Nigeria. Between 1979 and 1983, 1465 (17.23%) patients out of 8499 people examined at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital were positive for the infection. Within the same period only 37 (0.88%) out of 4196 people examined at the Adeoyo State Hospital were infected. Both male and female were affected. There is also no influence of age on the prevalence rates as both adult and children were infected with amoebiasis.

Anaplasmosis of small ruminants in Nigeria: incidence and parasite identification through blood smear and latex agglutination test (LAT).

A survey was carried out on the incidence of anaplasmosis in small ruminants at Bodija abattoir, Ibadan. 100 sheep and 200 goats were examined using and comparing two methods-the Giemsa stained blood smear and serodiagnosis by Latex Agglutination Technique. The sheep and goats examined were among those brought from various parts of northern states and some neighbouring countries like Chad, Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso. 27% of the sheep and 17.5% of goats were positive for Anaplasma bodies with blood smear method while 54% of sheep and 61% of goats were sero positive with latex agglutination test (LAT). There seems to be a high incidence of anaplasmosis among sheep and goats probably due to the abundance of its arthropod vectors. The serodiagnostic method showed a high degree of specificity and sensitivity and is useful in field diagnosis.

The developmental viability and sizes of sequentially oviposited eggs of Boophilus decoloratus and Boophilus geigyi.

The viability and sizes of eggs sequentially laid up to the 10th day of oviposition by engorged Boophilus decoloratus and Boophilus geigyi were studied. The average length and breadth of eggs laid on the 1st and 2nd days of oviposition were statistically greater than at subsequent ovipositions. The eclosion periods of eggs laid from 7th to 10th day of oviposition were shorter than those of eggs laid earlier by both Boophilus species. The percentage mortality of eggs of 9th and 10th day of oviposition was significantly higher than that of the earlier ovipositions. The numbers of larvae which engorged on rabbits after hatching from eggs of 7th-10th day ovipositions were significantly fewer than those which hatched from eggs of earlier ovipositions. It is concluded that eggs of early ovipositions of B. decoloratus and B. geigyi are more viable and survive longer than those of later ovipositions. It is also suggested that the shorter eclosion period of the eggs of later ovipositions is due to the process of embryogenesis which is gradual in the eggs of early ovipositions and faster in those of later ovipositions.

Public health importance of market meat exposed to refuse flies and air-borne microorganisms.

Abbatoir meats sold in the open at the Ibadan market stalls were swabbed to investigate the presence of any microorganism. Flies were caught on carcases being transported from the abbatoir in open vehicles to meat stalls and also at meat stalls and nearby refuse using fly catching nets. Major flies caught were Musca domestica; Culicoides species, Chrysomia and Fannia cannicularis. Stophylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Escherichia coli were the bacteria isolated from.

The prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites and bacteria in the game scouts at the Kainji Lake National Park of Nigeria.

The faeces of twenty scouts working at Borgu games were examined for the presence of parasites and bacteria. Cysts of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas hominis were found. Helminth ova encountered included those of Ancylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides, Stronglyloides stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura. Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri were isolated from one faecal sample each. In all, parasites were found in the faeces of only 9 scouts. The epidemiological significance of the infections in highlighted.

Studies on ticks of veterinary importance in Nigeria. XI. Observations on the biology of ticks detached from the red-flanked duiker (Cephamophys rufulatus) and parasites encountered in their blood.

Some aspects of the biology of Amblyomma variegatum and Boophilus decorolatus detached from red-flanked duikers were studied. Smears were also made from the blood of the duikers and examined for the presence of parasites. Anaplasma marginale was the only blood parasite found in the blood smears. Compared with ticks detached from cattle, duiker ticks produced a greater number of eggs. The lengths and breadths of eggs produced by duiker ticks were greater than those of cattle ticks and unlike A. variegatum detached from cattle, the lengths and breadths of eggs of earlier and later ovipositions of this species detached from duiker were similar. Whereas deformed eggs characterised by circular shape and small size constituted a small percentage of eggs of cattle ticks, none was found among eggs of duiker ticks. The pre oviposition, oviposition and eclosion periods, microscopic egg structure, embryonic development, hatching patterns and mortality rates of the eggs of ticks from both hosts were similar.

Comparison of blood smear and indirect fluorescent antibody techniques in detection of haemoparasite infections in trade cattle in Nigeria.

The incidence of blood parasites in trade cattle was surveyed with emphasis on tick-borne parasites, using blood smears and immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) techniques. With the blood smear method, about 9 and 8.9% of cattle examined were found positive for Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale, respectively. Percentage infections with other parasites were 3.33, 1.92, 0.75, 0.75 and 0.58, respectively, for Babesia bovis, Trypanosoma brucei, Anaplasma centrale, Eperythrozoon and Theileria species as well as Trypanosoma congolense. The incidence of A. marginale infection was at its peak during the rainy season while B. bigemina was most prevalent during the dry season. There were mixed infections of Anaplasma and Babesia (1.42%); Babesia and trypanosomes (1.00%); Babesia and Eperythrozoon (0.75%) and Babesia and Theileria (0.75%). Using the indirect fluorescent antibody test, 93, 55 and 68% of cattle sera examined were found to be positive for B. bigemina, B. bovis and A. marginale, respectively. Forty-nine percent of the positive sera of B. bigemina had highest titres. The importance of using serological means for determining the endemic levels of tick-borne diseases in cattle in Nigeria is discussed.

Enzyme and bilirubin reactions in bovine babesiosis.

Four white Fulani calves were splenectomized and experimentally infected with Babesia bigemina by allowing about 2000 freshly hatched infective larvae of Boophilus decoloratus to feed on them. Blood samples were collected to determine serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels. A significant rise in the level of alkaline phosphatase for up to two weeks was observed. There were also increases in the serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase levels although the level fell after about three weeks. A high increase in the total and unconjugated bilirubin was also observed. There appeared to be no significant increase in these enzymes and in bilirubin in intact cattle on which infected larvae fed and in splenectomised cattle without.

Studies on cysticercosis of small ruminants in Nigeria.

1,132 animals (720 goats and 412 sheep) brought to the Ibadan abbatoir within a six month-period were examined during necropsy for the presence of Cysticercus tenuicollis. C. tenuicollis was found in 20.97% and 23.30% of goats and sheep respectively. In both species, female animals were more predisposed to infection and it appears that adult animals were more susceptible. There was a low degree of infection during the dry season. The economic and public health importance of this disease are discussed.