Vector-Borne Pathogens in Guard Dogs in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Canine vector-borne diseases are of great relevance not only regarding animal welfare but also in relation to the One Health concept. Knowledge concerning the most relevant vector-borne pathogens in dogs is scarce and limited to stray dogs in most western African regions, and there is virtually no information about the situation in kept dogs presenting (regularly) to vets. Therefore, the blood samples of 150 owned guard dogs in the Ibadan area-in the southwest of Nigeria-were collected and analyzed for the DNA of Piroplasmida (Babesia, Hepatozoon, Theileria), Filarioidea (e.g., Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens), Anaplasmataceae (e.g., Anaplasma, Ehrlichia), Trypanosomatidae (e.g., Leishmania, Trypanosoma), Rickettsia, Bartonella, Borrelia and hemotropic Mycoplasma using molecular methods. Overall, samples from 18 dogs (12%) tested positive for at least one pathogen. Hepatozoon canis (6%) was the most prevalent blood parasite, followed by Babesia rossi (4%). There was a single positive sample each for Babesia vogeli (0.6%) and Anaplasma platys (0.6%). Moreover, one mixed infection with Trypanosoma brucei/evansi and Trypanosoma congolense kilifi was confirmed (0.67%). Generally, the prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in this sample group of owned dogs in southwest Nigeria was lower than in prior studies from the country and in other parts of Africa in total. This leads to the assumption that, firstly, the exact geographical location has a major influence on the incidence of vector-borne diseases, and, secondly, it seems to make a difference if the dogs are owned and, therefore, regularly checked at a veterinary clinic. This study should raise awareness of the importance of routine health check-ups, tick and mosquito prophylaxis, and a well-managed infectious disease control program to prevent vector-borne diseases in canines.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in children in Oyo State, Nigeria: implications for infection sources.

A study was conducted to detect and identify Cryptosporidium spp. in 43 children from Oyo State, Nigeria. Using nested polymerase chain reaction, 11.6% of the children were identified as positive for Cryptosporidium spp. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing of the PCR products showed the presence of three subtype families of Cryptosporidium hominis (two isolates of Ia and one isolate of Ib) and Cryptosporidium parvum (two isolates of IIc), all anthroponotic in nature. This study identified a high diversity of Cryptosporidium subtypes and clearly suggested that anthroponotic rather than zoonotic transmission played a more important role in the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in the studied area.

Molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium isolates from rivers, water treatment plants and abattoirs in Ibadan, Nigeria.

To understand the molecular characteristics of Cryptosporidium species contaminating rivers, water treatment plants and abattoirs in Ibadan Nigeria, water samples were obtained from ten rivers used for household and agricultural purposes, three major functional water treatment plants and three major abattoirs located within Ibadan metropolis during dry and rainy seasons between November, 2016 to October, 2017. Obtained samples were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts using microscopy after using modified formalin-ether concentration method and modified acid-fast staining. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in samples from five rivers with mean oocyst count/field ranging from 7.70 ±â€¯0.57-1.34 ±â€¯0.57, oocysts were also detected in samples from two abattoirs with mean oocyst count/field ranging from 4.60 ±â€¯0.33-2.50 ±â€¯0.33. Genomic DNA were extracted from microscopy positive river and abattoir samples using sucrose gradient purification method and genotypes and subtypes of parasites were detected by nested PCR amplification and nucleotide sequence analysis of both 18S rRNA and 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) genes. Cryptosporidium parvum, C. muris and C. fragile were the only genotypes detected in some river samples, while gp60 gene sequence analysis showed that the C. parvum strain detected was subtype IIa. This study provides evidence that rivers used for household and agricultural purposes in studied area may be potential reservoirs and infection sources for Cryptosporidium species and zoonotic subtypes of public health importance.

Detection and molecular identification of Cryptosporidium species in laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Ibadan, Nigeria

To study the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection in laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) raised for experimental usage, 134 faecal samples were obtained from two rearing houses in Ibadan and examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocyst using the modified acid fast staining technique. Cryptosporidium species in 2 samples positive for microscopy were further characterized by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifying the 18S rRNA gene. Two of 134 samples were positive for the Cryptosporidium oocysts. Sequencing of the small-subunit rRNA amplicons identified the species in the two PCR positive samples as Cryptosporidium andersoni and Cryptosporidium rat genotype. These findings showed that laboratory rat is a potential reservoir for diverse Cryptosporidium species and suggests that laboratory rats should be screened for Cryptosporidium infection prior to experiments, especially where pathogen free animals are not available. This the first report to identify Cryptosporidium species infecting laboratory rats in Nigeria.

Molecular Identification of Enterocytozoon bieneusi Isolates from Nigerian Children.

A study was conducted to detect and identify enteric microsporidian species in 43 children from Oyo state, Nigeria. Using nested polymerase chain reaction, 9.3% of the children were identified as positive for Enterocytozoon bieneusi. DNA sequencing of the PCR products showed the presence of three known genotypes (two isolates of genotype D and one of genotype K) and one new genotype. This study suggests that either human or animal (or both) could be the infection source for the children, since identified genotypes D and K have been previously detected in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients and domestic animals. The identification of high diversity also suggests intensive transmission of microsporidiosis in the studied area.