Genetic characterization of parvoviruses identified in stray cats in Nigeria.

Parvoviruses are a major cause of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, leukopenia and high mortality in cats and dogs. In this study, the presence and genetic characteristics of parvoviruses circulating among cats in Nigeria are reported. Faecal samples of stray cats from live animal markets in southwestern (Oyo and Osun States) and north-central (Kwara State) Nigeria were screened for the presence of parvoviral DNA using a qPCR. Positive samples were further characterized using a qPCR based on minor groove binder probes. Overall, 85/102 (83.3 %) stray cats tested positive for feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) DNA and one cat was co-infected with canine parvovirus-2 type a. Sequence analysis of the complete capsid region of 15 Nigerian FPV strains revealed that they were up to 99.9 % similar to the American reference strain FPV-b at the nucleotide level, and three of them presented amino acid mutations in key capsid residues. This is the first report of identification and molecular characterization of FPV strains in cats in Nigeria. The high prevalence of the virus emphasizes the need for constant surveillance of the circulation of parvoviruses in Nigeria and underscores the need to deploy an effective vaccination strategy.

Seromolecular surveillance of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in Nigeria.

Following the first 2020 rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) outbreak in Nigeria which caused massive mortalities in several rabbitries, there was a need to know the spread and strains circulating in the affected states. Over 100 rabbitries still existing post-RHDV outbreak in Ogun and Kwara States were investigated. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to screen for RHDV immunoglobulin G in 192 rabbit sera, while RHDV VP60 gene was amplified in RNA extracted from these sera and tissues (liver and/or spleen harvested from 37 carcasses necrotized) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Sequences obtained from the amplicons were subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The results revealed a seroprevalence of 82.3% (158/192). RHDV VP60 gene was detected in 15/17 (88.2%) and 2/20 (10.0%) carcasses from Ogun and Kwara States, respectively, while none of the sera was positive. Sequences of the two positive amplicons selected (one from each states) shared 98.95% nucleotide identity and belonged to RHDV 2/GI.2 strain. Also, nBLAST of these sequences revealed 98.43-99.55% homology with the prototype Nigerian RHDV strain RHDV/NGR/ILN/001 (MT996357.1). Furthermore, these strains clustered with this prototype and a German RHDV strain (LR899166.1). Pathologic lesions affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, lymphatic, and digestive systems were observed in necropsied carcasses. This study indicated that RHDV 2/GI.2 strain was the cause of 2020 RHD outbreak in Nigeria. Thus, while continuous public sensitization about RHD especially among rabbit farmers in Nigeria is important, efforts aimed at design and implementation of RHD vaccination policy, preferably using indigenous seed, should be expedited.

Molecular detection of dugbe orthonairovirus in cattle and their infesting ticks (Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)) in Nigeria.

Dugbe orthonairovirus (DUGV), a tick-borne zoonotic arbovirus, was first isolated in 1964 in Nigeria. For over four decades, no active surveillance was conducted to monitor the spread and genetic variation of DUGV. This study detected and genetically characterized DUGV circulating in cattle and their infesting ticks (Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)) in Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria. Blood and or ticks were collected from 1051 cattle at 31 sampling sites (abattoirs and farms) across 10 local government areas of the State. DUGV detection was carried out by RT-qPCR, and positive samples sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. A total of 11824 ticks, mostly A. variegatum (36.0%) and R. (B.) microplus (63.9%), were obtained with mean tick burden of 12 ticks/cattle. Thirty-four (32 A. variegatum and two R. (B.) microplus) of 4644 examined ticks were DUGV-positive, whereas all of the cattle sera tested negative for DUGV genome. Whole genome sequence (S, M and L segments) and phylogenetic analyses indicate that the positive samples shared up to 99.88% nucleotide identity with and clustered around the Nigerian DUGV prototype strain IbAr 1792. Hence, DUGV with high similarity to the previously characterised strain has been detected in Nigeria. To our knowledge, this is the first report of DUGV in North-Central Nigeria and the most recent information after its last surveillance in 1974.

Awareness and antibody detection of Newcastle disease virus in a neglected society in Nigeria.

AIMS: This study aimed to assess the level of awareness of rural poultry farmers on vaccination and to detect Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antibody in local birds (LB) and eggs in Kwara State, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on farmers' attitude, knowledge, practices, and experiences on ND mortality were obtained through an interview using a structured cross-sectional checklist. NDV antibodies were detected in sera and egg yolks of local chickens (LC) and guinea fowls (GF) using hemagglutination inhibition test. RESULTS: A total of 83 interviewees, 287 sera and 121 egg yolk extracts, were examined. The study revealed that 98.8% (82/83) of the interviewee had never vaccinated their flock before. 90% of the interviewee had reported high mortality in birds within 1-6 months old, while the major clinical signs were cold (40.4%) and torticollis (30.8%). Evidences of LB exposure to wild-type NDV were confirmed by the detection of NDV antibodies in 20.8% and 0% of LC and GF, respectively. The mortality differences experiencedin <1 and 1-6 months old LB could be explained by the presence of maternally-derived NDV antibody (49.6%) in egg yolk. CONCLUSION: The study showed that LB suffers from NDV as a result of LB keepers' ignorance and neglect by the government. This has limited local investment and subsequent contribution to gross domestic product. This study suggests that the key factors to the prevention of ND remain awareness creation about poultry vaccination, production of affordable vaccines, and availability/accessibility to veterinarian (or trained personnel).

Assessment of antibody assay methods in determination of prevalence of infectious bursal disease among local chickens and guinea fowls in Kwara state, North Central Nigeria.

AIM: This study aimed to assess available assay methods for infectious bursal disease (IBD) diagnosis and seromonitoring in local birds. It also sought to know the prevalence of IBD antibodies among local chickens and guinea fowls in Kwara state, North Central Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sera were obtained from local chickens and guinea fowls and IBD virus (IBDV) antibodies were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test, and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test. RESULTS: A total of 265 sera were obtained from local birds during dry and wet seasons. ELISA recorded the highest prevalence of 81.1% (215/265) while IHA and AGID detected IBDV antibodies in 183 (69.1%) and 122 (46%) birds, respectively. Significant differences were established for IBD-positive sera based on the assay method used, bird species, and seasons. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that ELISA is the most sensitive and reliable assay method while AGID is the least. It also showed that there is a high prevalence of IBDV antibodies among local birds which were not vaccinated, and this implies a high IBDV activity among these bird species in the study area. This may have significant epidemiological implications on the spread of the virus to exotic bird reared in the rural areas on a commercial scale. Thus, this study suggests continuous surveillance, awareness campaign, and advocacy for vaccination of indigenous birds against IBD.

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PROFILING AND MICROBIOTA OF THE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY DOGS IN IBADAN, SOUTH WEST NIGERIA.

BACKGROUND: Rearing of dogs and other pets has become increasingly popular in modern society. Bacterial flora resides within the nasal and oral cavities of dogs and when chanced, can be pathogenic. Certain similarities between humans and dogs portends dangerous behavioral habits that could lead to zoonotic disease transmission. This study was aimed at isolation, identification and antibiotic profiling of bacteria from nasal swabs of apparently healthy dogs. The zoonotic risk was also considered. METHODOLOGY: A total of 173 nasal swabs were collected from 173 apparently healthy dogs. Structured questionnaires were administered to investigate human behavioral habits. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty two (222) bacterial isolates were obtained from the culture with ten (10) potentially pathogenic bacteria in the order of Escherichia coli (18.5%), Proteus species (17.1%), Staphylococcus aureus (14.0%), Klebsiella species (9.0%), Acinetobacter species (9.0%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus species (7.7%), Pseudomonas species (6.8%), Actinobacter species (6.8%), Citrobacter species (5.9%) and Streptococcus species (5.4%). Overall, the Gram negative isolates showed resistance to ciprofloxacin (9.3%), sparfloxacin (16.0%), perfloxacin (17.3%), ofloxacin (21.6%), chloramphenicol (34..6%), gentamycin (36.4%), streptomycin (37.%), septrin (49.4%), amoxillin (59.3%), augmentin (62.3%) while the Gram positive bacteria showed resistance to ciprofloxacin (3.3%), perfloxacin (6.7%), erythromycin (13.3%), streptomycin (21.7%), rocephin (28.3%), septrin (28.3%), gentamycin (36.7%), zinnacef (68.3%), ampiclox (81.7%) and amoxillin (85.0%). Multi-drug resistance (MDR) to three or more antimicrobials was observed in some of the isolates. Seventy - seven resistance patterns were observed, 16 in Gram positive and 61 in Gram negative bacteria. CONCLUSION: This study revealed MDR to two or more antimicrobials in all the isolates. These can pose antibiotic resistance challenges in situation of primary or secondary canine respiratory infections. Also, this study revealed that 82% of the dog owners/lovers had less than 50cm face-to-face contact with these dogs while playing with them, thus increasing their chances of acquiring MDR bacteria from apparently healthy dogs.