Analysis of Retrospective Laboratory Data on the Burden of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated at the National Veterinary Research Institute Nigeria, 2018-2021.

Farm animals harbour bacterial pathogens, which are often viewed as important indicators of animal health and determinants of food safety. To better understand the prevalence and inform treatment, we audited laboratory data at the Bacteriology Laboratory of the NVRI from 2018-2021. Antibiotics were classified into seven basic classes: quinolones, tetracyclines, beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, macrolides, nitrofuran, and cephalosporins. Trends were analysed using a generalised linear model with a log link function for the Poisson distribution, comparing proportions between years with an offset to account for the variability in the total number of organisms per year. Avian (73.18%) samples were higher than any other sample. The major isolates identified were Escherichia. coli, Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Proteus spp., and Pseudomonas spp. We found that antimicrobial resistance to baseline antibiotics increased over the years. Of particular concern was the increasing resistance of Klebsiella spp. to cephalosporins, an important second-generation antibiotic. This finding underscores the importance of farm animals as reservoirs of pathogens harbouring antimicrobial resistance. Effective biosecurity, surveillance, and frugal use of antibiotics in farms are needed because the health of humans and animals is intricately connected.

Salmonella enterica Newserovar Abeokuta Genome Sequence, Strain OG19FER4 Isolated from Poultry Feed in Nigeria.

This report announces the genome of a newly confirmed Salmonella serovar (Salmonella enterica serovar Abeokuta) that was isolated from a poultry feed sample collected on a farm in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State in Nigeria. Salmonella Abeokuta has not been identified outside Nigeria, nor does it appear to be a cause for concern for animal and human health.

Antibiotic prescription practices amongst veterinarians in Nigeria.

The high rate of antibiotic resistance constitutes a global threat to the continuous use of these drugs, because of increasing treatment failures. The aim of this study was to survey antibiotic prescription practices of veterinarians and the possible contribution to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in Nigeria during the COVID era. This was a cross-sectional study that used a 33-question survey questionnaire administered to registered veterinarians in Nigeria. The study was both online survey and hard copy administered during the annual meeting of the veterinarians from July to October 2021. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis using Chi-square test were also done to analyze the results, while a two-tailed P-value of <0.05 at 95% confidence level was considered statistically significant. IBM SPSS Version 26 was used to analyze the data. A total of 172 respondents completed the online and hard copy questionnaire. Majority of the respondents engaged majorly in mixed veterinary practice (72.1%). A total of 53.5% were aware of the country's policy concerning antibiotic prescription, while majority (64.5%) do not do culture and sensitivity before antibiotic prescription. Majority (34.3%) felt that the risk of potential adverse drug reaction could affect their decision when choosing to prescribe an antibiotic to the owner. Majority (51.2%) felt that some antibiotics were over prescribed, while 26.7% opined that all antibiotics were appropriately prescribed. To improve antibiotic use and practice amongst veterinarians in Nigeria, dependence on laboratory services for antibiotic prescription, enforcement of national guidelines and monitoring of antibiotic prescription amongst the veterinarians is essential to curb over-prescription and strengthen antimicrobial stewardship.

Investigation of potential risk factors associated with Salmonella presence in commercial laying hen farms in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: In 2012/13, the Federal government of Nigeria approved the surveillance of salmonellae in commercial poultry farms with the aim of generating baseline data for the development of a control programme. That baseline provided an opportunity to investigate potential risk factors in commercial layer farms. METHODS: Five hundred and twenty-three farms were evaluated for the presence of Salmonella. Each farmer was interviewed through a structured questionnaire. Univariate analysis identified 26 variables potentially associated with Salmonella presence on the farms, with different levels of significance. To simultaneously evaluate the effect of these variables, a multivariable logistic regression model was implemented. RESULTS: Farmers that are member of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) emerged as a risk factor, as well as being farmer as exclusive occupation. The risk of Salmonella increased in farms with a combined housing system as compared to farms with a single housing system. Moreover, in terms of farm management the use of plastic egg crates had a higher risk of Salmonella presence compared to paper crates. Higher risk of contamination was also identified in farms having regular contact with animal health workers, since this could be indicative of animal health problems requiring continuous assistance. Farms with no previous outbreak of salmonellosis were associated with an increase risk, since most of the farms in this category were newly established. With regard to feeding, the use of coccidiostats and commercial feeds were associated with the spread of Salmonella. Unexpectedly, the presence of other farms at distances further than 1 km away was associated with an increase in Salmonella presence as compared to farms which were in closer proximity. Close proximity among farms could favour the application of stricter biosecurity measures. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the survey can be considered a baseline for implementing effective measures aimed at reducing the Salmonella prevalence in Nigerian laying hen farms.

Salmonella serovars and their distribution in Nigerian commercial chicken layer farms.

Commercial poultry farms (n° 523), located in all the six regions of Nigeria were sampled with a view to generate baseline information about the distribution of Salmonella serovars in this country. Five different matrices (litter, dust, faeces, feed and water) were collected from each visited farm. Salmonella was isolated from at least one of the five matrices in 228 farms, with a farm prevalence of 43.6% (CI95[39.7-48.3%]). Altogether, 370 of 2615 samples collected (14.1%, CI95[12.8; 15.5%]) contained Salmonella. Considering the number of positive farms and the number of positive samples, it was evident that for the majority of the sampled farms, few samples were positive for Salmonella. With regard to the matrices, there was no difference in Salmonella prevalence among the five matrices considered. Of the 370 isolates serotyped, eighty-two different serotypes were identified and Salmonella Kentucky was identified as having the highest isolation rate in all the matrices sampled (16.2%), followed by S. Poona and S. Elisabethville. S. Kentucky was distributed across the country, whereas the other less frequent serovars had a more circumscribed diffusion. This is one of few comprehensive studies on the occurrence and distribution of Salmonella in commercial chicken layer farms from all the six regions of Nigeria. The relatively high prevalence rate documented in this study may be attributed to the generally poor infrastructure and low biosecurity measures in controlling stray animals, rodents and humans. Data collected could be valuable for instituting effective intervention strategies for Salmonella control in Nigeria and also in other developing countries with a similar poultry industry structure, with the final aim of reducing Salmonella spread in animals and ultimately in humans.