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Diseases in captive wildlife constitute a major challenge to the function of zoological gardens only second to management. These diseases vary in etiology depending on susceptibility, the environment, and husbandry method used. Exposure to infectious diseases is known to be responsible for the declining figures in wild animal population especially wild felids. Sick or dead animals subjected to laboratory diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, and necropsy from three (3) zoological gardens in Nigeria between 2014 and 2018 were included in this study, while dead animals not subjected to any form of clinical, laboratory, and necropsy diagnosis were excluded. Between 2014 and 2018, carcass submission at the Jos, Kano, and Unilorin zoo comprised wild ungulates, non-human primates, small mammals, reptiles, felids, and aviary from the selected zoological gardens combined. In total, sixty-six (66) cases were studied, and this included a wide variety of animal species. All cases resulted in mortalities distributed across these zoological gardens. Non-infectious conditions accounted for 23% of total cases reported including fractures, nutritional deficiencies, toxicity, and dystocia, among others. Infectious diseases including bacterial, parasitic, and viral were the dominant groups of diseases of captive wild animals in these zoos. Bacterial infections were the most common infectious causes accounting for 41% of the cases. Isolates include Mannheimia haemolytica biotype A serotype 2 (A2), Salmonella spp, and Escherichia coli. While non-infectious causes were responsible for some mortalities either singly or as co-morbidities with bacterial agents, mixed causes accounted for 15% of all the cases. This study enumerates the common diseases, species affected, in wild captive animals in three zoological gardens in Nigeria, making the ation available to clinicians, biologists, pathologists, public health workers, and policy makers.

Intussusception is the invagination of one segment of the intestine into the part of the tract that either precedes or follows in the gastrointestinal tract of different species of animals. This report describes a case of fatal multiple intestinal intussusceptions and torsion associated with non-degradable foreign body gastrointestinal obstruction in a captive lion (Panthera leo) in a zoo in Nigeria. Parenchymatous tissues were aseptically collected during necropsy for bacteriological isolation and histopathology. Also, intestinal fecal material was collected and sent for parasitological examination. The main lesions were gastroduodenal, duodeduodenal, duodejejunal and jejunojenunal intussusceptions and duodenal torsion. A non-degradable towel-like fabric foreign body obstruction along the pyloric antrum/canal region of the stomach down to the jejunum was found. Microscopic lesion included ischemic necrosis of inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscles of the intestine with necrosis of other layers and vascular congestion. Parasitological examination revealed presence of Babesia spp. in blood smear examined before the death of the lion. While Escherichia coli was isolated from the liver on MacConkey agar. A diagnosis of intussusception and torsion associated with non-degradable foreign body (fabric) gastrointestinal obstruction was made. This first case of ingestion of a non-degradable fabric foreign body leading to gastrointestinal obstruction in captive lion in Nigeria has brought about the need for vigilance of zoo authority to prevent a recurrence during crowd influx to the garden.

The global terror instigated by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cannot be underestimated and the need for drastic measures towards its control cannot be overemphasized. Coronavirus disease 2019 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) following attachment of the virus to specific receptors in the body. The distribution of these specialized receptors in various organs and tissues of the body is responsible for the various clinical presentations associated with the disease after infection. Despite the higher risk of spread of the infection, autopsies have been carried out though with maximum precautionary measures and information provided to further elucidate the extent of damages caused by the disease. Pathologic mechanisms leading to death from COVID-19 include respiratory failure due to surfactant deficiency and consequent alveolar collapse, cardiac syncope from direct damage to cardiac muscles, peripheral paralysis, cytokine storm and excessive haemorrhage from impaired coagulation. In patients that recover, potential outcomes which could be short- and/or long-term have been recognized. As a means to develop effective control, eradication and prevention strategies, a proper understanding of the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection will fully ensure a positive breakthrough. Hence, in this article, the pathologic basis of COVID-19 are provided based on extensive literature searches, and proposed mechanisms of pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, autopsy findings and sequelae are being described.

Background The folkloric claim that Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Chaya) could ameliorate anaemia requires scientific revalidation in anaemic models. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-anaemic effect of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on cyclophosphamide-induced anaemia in rats. Methods The leaves of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius were collected, dried and extracted with ethanol. Twenty five Wistar Albino rats weighing 120–180 kg were used. Anaemia was induced in groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 with a single injection of cyclophosphamide, while group 1 served as a negative control without anemia and was treated with 0.5 mL of normal saline, Group 2 rats were treated with 100 mg/kg body weight of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius. Group 3 rats were treated with 500 mg/kg body weight of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius. Group 4 served as the positive control rats and was treated with 0.5 mL of normal saline. Group 5 which served as the standard control rats and were treated with 5 mg/kg body weight of standard drug Chemiron. The treated lasted for two weeks during which blood samples were collected from each rat for haematological analysis. Results The result shows that hematological parameters were elevated in groups 2, 3 and 5 rats treated with 100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius and chemiron respectively. Conclusions Ethanol leaf extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius at a graded dose of 500 mg/kg body weight had higher ameliorative effect on the haematological parameters of cyclophosphamide-induced anemia in rats.

The alterations in serum super oxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes activities in relation to sequential haematological changes were determined to assess the impacts of oxidative stress in Wistar rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Forty adult male rats allocated into infected and control groups, of 20 rats each based on their mean body weight were used. Rats in infected group were administered 1 ml of reconstituted infected blood containing 1 × 106 trypanosomes/ml obtained from T. b. brucei–infected donor rat. Blood sample in EDTA sample tubes was collected for haematological parameters determinations, and sera were also harvested for determination of SOD activities on day 0 post-infection (pi) (day of infection) and days 3, 5 and 7 pi. Results indicated pre-patent period of 3.75 ± 0.11 days and increase in levels of parasitaemia throughout the study. Packed cell volume (PCV) and total white blood cell count (TWBC) were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced with values of 33.00 ± 2.89% and 6.93 ± 0.48 × 109/L, respectively on day 7 pi compared with control and pre-infection values. Serum SOD activity had a significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation (г = − 0.9) with the levels of parasitaemia in the T. b. brucei–infected rats. In conclusion, infection of rats with T. b. brucei caused a decrease in the serum SOD activities proportional to the level of parasitaemia and duration of the infection, and this is suggested to be responsible for sequential development of anaemia and leucopenia.

Vibriosis is one of the common bacterial diseases plaguing the prawn and shrimp industry. However, the sequential histopathological changes associated with Vibrio alginolyticus-induced vibriosis is scanty in literature. This study investigated the histological alterations in groups of Macrobrachium rosenbergii experimentally injected intramuscularly between the second and third abdominal segment with 50 μL of 107 CFU of V. alginolyticus. Twenty-four hours post inoculation, the organism was isolated and molecularly characterized while infected giant freshwater prawns were observed for histological alterations and immunoreactivity in different tissues due to the experimental challenge. The lesions observed in the organs include incipient haemocytic infiltration into the interstitial space of the tubules of the hepatopancreas and loss of epithelial layer, muscular necrosis and disruption of muscular layer with haemocytic infiltration, hyperplasia of epithelial cells and degeneration of the epithelium, deformed and necrotizing lamellae, and enlargement of the lamellar sinus of the gill, and the heart is characterized by localized nodular haemocytic reaction and melanization. Organs such as the heart, gill, hepatopancreas and muscle following injection of the putative bacteria showed immunohistochemical activity. Hence, histology and immunohistochemistry still remain important tools for vibriosis disease diagnoses in giant freshwater prawns.

Factors that contribute to water loss in tropical animals are complex and constantly changing. To evaluate the haemato-biochemical parameters of dogs with haemorrhage-induced dehydration. A total of 12 dogs were used; haemorrhage was induced by daily removal of 10 ml of blood over a period of 28 days and analysed at the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U.), Zaria, Nigeria. Dehydration was clinically assessed. Age, sex, body weight and generalised body condition of the animals were determined. Whole blood was collected for determination of haematological parameters. Serum was prepared from whole blood to determine the concentrations of urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, glucose, sodium, calcium, chloride, phosphorus, potassium, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine ratio and anion gap (AG) as well as serum activities of liver enzymes. Reductions in body weight (1.67 kg, 2.17 kg and 3.17 kg) due to degrees of dehydration were observed on days 14, 21 and 28. Significantly higher values of packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration (P

Dehydration results in alterations in haematological and biochemical parameters of dogs. The aim of this study was to determine the haematological and biochemical parameters of clinically dehydrated and euhydrated dogs. A total of 109 samples obtained from different breeds of dogs were used for this study. The degrees/grades of dehydration of each dog were recorded and the dogs were grouped as follows based on their degrees of dehydration: A; euhydrated, B; mildly dehydrated, C; moderately dehydrated and D; severely dehydrated. Whole blood was collected via cephalic venipuncture for complete blood counts. The concentrations of urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, glucose, sodium, calcium, chloride, phosphorus, potassium, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine ratio and anion gap (AG) as well as serum activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were determined using serum prepared from whole blood. Urinalysis was done using fresh urine sample. Significantly higher packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin concentration (Hb) (P < 0.05) due to dehydration was observed in B, while significantly lower PCV and Hb (P > 0.05) were reported in C and D. The concentrations of urea, creatinine, BUN/creatinine ratio, total protein, albumin and urine specific gravity were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in B, C, D compared to A. However, the concentrations of glucose, calcium, sodium, chloride, potassium, phosphorus, bicarbonate and anion gap and the activities of liver enzymes were comparable (P > 0.05). It was concluded from this study that: the relative increases in PCV and Hb concentration observed in B was due to haemoconcentration (dehydration), the reported anaemia in C and D were in existence with certain degrees of dehydration and that the increases in serum urea, creatinine, total protein and albumin concentrations were consistent biochemical indicators of dehydration in dogs.Keywords: Biochemical, Dehydrated, Dog, Euhydrated, Haematological

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), one of the most widely used food additives worldwide, has been associated with harmful effects on different organs in animal models and human clinical volunteers. The present study evaluated the median lethal dose (LD 50 ) and the effect of sub-chronic MSG consumption on plasma markers of pancreatic function in adult male Wistar rats. Seventy-six adult Wistar rats weighing 200 ± 50 g were randomly assigned into three groups viz: LD 50 , n=12, MSG-treated, n=32 and non-MSG-treated control, n=32. At weekly intervals, blood was collected from four randomly selected rats in each group for plasma markers (glucose, insulin, lipase and amylase) assays. Morbidity and mortality were not observed in the LD 50 group. The glucose, insulin, lipase and amylase levels of MSG-treated group were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of non-MSG-treated control group. These findings suggest that MSG caused changes in the plasma activities of lipase and amylase, the absence of gross and microscopic lesions of congested blood vessel point to possible physiochemical alterations in the pancreatic acini with consequent enzyme leakage. Keywords : LD 50 , Monosodium glutamate, Pancreas, Plasma, Wistar rats