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Veterinary medicine is the medical science that is concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of diseases, disorders and injuries of animals. A questionnaire-based study was conducted to investigate the perception of Nigerians resident in Makurdi city about the veterinary profession. Makurdi city, located in Central Nigeria, was divided into 10 sub-study areas for the purpose of the survey. Exactly 965 questionnaires were administered randomly to respondents in the study areas and collected immediately they were completed. Data obtained from the study was collated and analyzed using Chi square (statistical package for social sciences, SPSS) and values of P

Background and Objective: Prisons are penal institutions, where most often human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing of inmates is neglected. The prison could serve as a source of HIV spread during reintegration of the inmates back into the society upon release. The study is designed to determine the seroprevalence of HIV infection among male inmates in Birnin Kebbi prison, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 290 counseled and consenting inmates aged 15–55 years were enrolled in a “cross-sectional” study. Serum samples prepared from venous whole blood obtained from inmates were screened for HIV infection by a parallel testing algorithm using two commercial HIV-1 and 2 antigen testing kits. Results and Analyses: The results from the study showed that 8 (2.76%) out of the 290 inmates enrolled in the study had detectable HIV antibodies. The prevalence rate among the age groups was as follows; 15–24 years (2.78%), 25–34 years (2.74%), 35–44 years (5%), and 4–55 years (0.00%). Among the ethnic groups, the prevalence rates recorded were Tiv (14.29%), Nigeriens (7.69%), Igbo (4.55%), Yoruba (2.7%), and Hausa/Fulani (1.92%). Conclusion: Our study observes a high prevalence rate of HIV, across age grades, and ethnicities among inmates. Considering the non-HIV testing of inmates in prisons, we recommend the establishment of preventive and management measures of HIV in penal institutions throughout the country.

A sero-prevalence study was conducted to determine the level of detectible protective antibody titre using the haemagglutination (HA) and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. Serum samples were collected from four hundred and eighty seven unvaccinated rural scavenging chickens from five selected rural communities, including Du, Chaha, Chakarum, Chele and Ngo’hong in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau state. The result revealed a very low mean titre ≤2 log2, which explained the unusually high morbidity and mortality rate experienced during seasonal outbreaks. There is an urgent need to initiate control measures in rural areas through the establishment of a strategic vaccination programme against new castle disease outbreaks. This will reduce the incidence of the disease to a large extent. Key word: Newcastle disease, detectible protective antibody, rural scavenging birds.

Colistin is a last resort drug used to treat infections caused by multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria that have developed resistance to carbapenem. The emergence and rapid dissemination of the nine plasmid-mediated mobile colistin resistance genes (mcr-1 to mcr-9) has led to fear of pan-drug resistant infections occurring worldwide. To date, there is only limited information on colistin resistance in African countries where the drug is widely used in agriculture. In this study from Nigeria, 583 non-duplicate bacterial strains were isolated from 1,119 samples collected from humans, camels, cattle, dogs, pigs and poultry by the use of colistin-supplemented MacConkey agar, and 17.0% of the isolates (99/583) were colistin resistant. PCRs (mcr-1 to mcr-9) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) identified mcr in 21.2% of the colistin-resistant isolates: mcr-1.1 (n=13), mcr-8.1 (n=5), both mcr-1.1 and mcr-8.1 (n=2), and mcr-1.1 and mcr-5 (n=1). Nine of the 21 mcr-positive strains were isolated from human samples, with eight being K. pneumoniae, and six of these human K. pneumoniae had a high colistin MIC of >64 µg/ml. In contrast, nine of the 12 mcr-positive animal isolates were E. coli of which only two had a colistin MIC of >64 µg/ml. Our study is the first to report mcr-1 in Alcaligenes faecalis, and emergence of mcr-5 and mcr-8 in Nigeria. WGS determined that mcr-1 was localized on IncX4 plasmid, and 95.2% of mcr-1 harboring isolates (20/21) transferred colistin resistance successfully in conjugation assay. Our findings highlight the global spread of colistin resistance, and emphasize the urgent need for coordinated global action to combat resistant bacteria.

Objectives: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of infectious diarrhea in North America and Europe. The risk of CDI increases significantly in the case where antimicrobial treatment reduces the number of competing bacteria in the gut, thus leading to the increased availability of nutrients and loss of colonization resistance. The objective of this study was to determine comprehensive nutritional utilization and the chemical sensitivity profile of historic and newer C. difficile isolates and to examine the possible role of the phenotype diversity in C. difficile virulence. Methods: Phenotype microarrays (PMs) were used to elucidate the complete nutritional and chemical sensitivity profile of six C. difficile isolates. Results: Of the 760 nutrient sources tested, 285 compounds were utilized by at least one strain. Among the C. difficile isolates compared, R20291, a recent hypervirulent outbreak-associated strain, appears to have an expanded nutrient utilization profile when compared to all other strains. Conclusions: The expanded nutritional utilization profile of some newer C. difficile strains could be one of the reasons for infections in patients who are not exposed to the hospital environment or not undergoing antibiotic treatment. This nutritional profile could be used to design tube feeding formulas that reduce the risk of CDI. Virginia Tech [62078/A001]; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; National Institutes of Health, and Department of Health and Human Services [HHSN272200900040C]; USDA Animal Health and Disease Research Program [NYCV-478820] Published version This work was supported in part by a subcontract from Virginia Tech (project No. 62078/A001), which has been funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. HHSN272200900040C, and a grant from the USDA Animal Health and Disease Research Program (NYCV-478820).

The genus Clostridium is made up of species that cause disease to both human beings and animals, with zoonotic species/strains playing critical roles in disease dynamics. Clostridial organisms posses pathogenic, therapeutic and industrial uses. Pathogenic clostridia cause lethal or life threatening infections that must be treated, while the industrial clostridia produce bio-fuels, to serve as alternative energy sources in the face of very high global prices of conventional fuels. Genetic engineering is currently developing novel strains by replacing or altering the gene configuration of pathogenic strains (gene knockout/down) to convert them to solvenogenic and non pathogenic strains for industrial uses. Therapeutic clostridia serve as vehicles for treatment of diseases, especially solid tumors. Because of the global problem of antibiotic resistance, which is a survival strategy by microbial pathogens, some of the well known chemotherapeutic protocols have failed and there is the need to evolve new treatment approaches, using novel agents that have superior mechanisms of action, compared to conventional antibiotics that are becoming inconsequential because of resistance. It is believed that natural products may be effective alternatives to resolving this puzzle, since they are cheaper, readily available and possibly effective against clostridial species. In this review article, the authors discussed some of the life threatening and solvenogenic clostridia and listed some natural products that may possibly be employed as drug targets for ameliorating the problem of resistance in the future, if their active principles are thoroughly researched. It is concluded that medical and veterinary research should be re-jigged to evolve active principles from natural products that are not so easily surmounted by the surge in drug resistant strains.

Aim: Cryptococcosis is azoonotic infection caused by fungal of the Cryptococcus neoformans complex comprising of C. neoformans and C. gattii.The disease affects humans and animals worldwide causing morbidity and mortality. This work was carried out to determine the occurrence of cryptococcal antigens and factors associated with presence of antigens in cattle in Zaria, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and ninety (390) serum samples from cattle of various ages were collected from 11 farms in Zaria, Nigeria. The samples were analysed using alatex agglutination test and lateral flow assay kit which detectsthe polysaccharide capsular antigens of Cryptococcus species. Results:Out of the 390 samples tested 28 (7.17%) were found to be positive using the latex agglutination test while only of these 22 (5.64%) were positive using the lateral flow assay. There was a strong correlation (r=0.939, p=0.0002) between the results of the latex agglutination test and the lateral flow assay. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.005) in positivity for cryptococcal antigens between sex, age and sex, though, there was a statistically significant difference (p

This study was carried out to investigate the presence of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) of cattle that may pose a risk to human beings. Two hundred and forty (240) faecal samples were obtained from 8 randomly selected commercial cattle farms in Kaduna state, Nigeria. E. coli colonies from 76 (31.2 %) faecal samples were confirmed by Gram staining reactions and biochemically using indole, methyl red, Voges Proskauer and citrate (IMViC), triple sugar iron and motility tests respectively. Characterization of the isolates revealed three heterogeneous serogroups (O111, O118 and O126) from apparently healthy cattle, while no E. coli serogroup was isolated from diarrhoeic cattle. The prevalence of non-O157 isolates was 4.5 %. Association between the serogroups and source of samples (farms) was significant (P

Objectives To determine the prevalence and to detect the presence of Escherichia coli O serogroup in commercial cattle farms in Kaduna State Nigeria Methods A total of faecal samples were obtained from eight randomly selected commercial cattle farms and then placed in tryptose soya broth TSB Thereafter the faeces were inoculated onto sorbitol MacConkey agar SMAC to identify non sorbitol fermenting NSF colonies and then sub cultured onto eosin methylene blue agar EMB Escherichia coli O agglutination test for the identification of E coli O antigen was carried out with O latex kit Oxoid This involved mixing the isolates with ml of saline solution separately followed by the addition of test antigens to observe for agglutination Results Colonies on SMAC appeared phenotypically colourless and were presumptive for E coli O while those on EMB gave the characteristic greenish metallic sheen for E coli Of the faecal samples E coli colonies of seventy six were confirmed by Gram staining and biochemical testing using Indole Methyl red Voges Proskauer and Citrate IMViC Characterization of the E coli isolates detected two O serogroups from two apparently healthy cattle The prevalence of E coli O was found to be Association between the serogroup and source of samples farms was significant P lt The study confirmed that cattle are important source of enterohaemorrhagic E coli and may pose a risk to humans who come in contact with cattle faeces in areas of Kaduna State Nigeria Conclusion Escherichia coli O serve as a threat to human health The differences in the dynamics of disease may contribute to disparity in prevalences Good hygienic measures on the farms are essential in limiting the transmission of E coli to in contact individuals

Here, we report the availability of draft genomes of several Salmonella serotypes, isolated from poultry sources from Nigeria. These genomes will help to further understand the biological diversity of S. enterica and will serve as references in microbial trace-back studies to improve food safety.

Johne's disease (JD) is prevalent worldwide and has a significant impact on the global agricultural economy. In the present study, we evaluated the protective efficacy of a leuD (Δ leud ) mutant and gained insight into differential immune responses after challenge with virulent M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in a caprine colonization model. The immune response and protective efficacy were compared with those of the killed vaccine Mycopar. In vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with johnin purified protein derivative showed that Mycopar and Δ leuD generated similar levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) but significantly higher levels than unvaccinated and challenged phosphate-buffered saline controls. However, only with Δ leuD was the IFN-γ response maintained. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the increase in IFN-γ correlated with proliferation and activation (increased expression of CD25) of CD4, CD8, and γδT cells, but this response was significantly higher in Δ leuD -vaccinated animals at some time points after challenge. Both Mycopar and Δ leuD vaccines upregulated Th1/proinflammatory and Th17 cytokines and downregulated Th2/anti-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines at similar levels at almost all time points. However, significantly higher levels of IFN-γ (at weeks 26 and 30), interleukin-2 (IL-2; week 18), IL-1b (weeks 14 and 22), IL-17 (weeks 18 and 22), and IL-23 (week 18) and a significantly lower level of IL-10 (weeks 14 and 18) and transforming growth factor β (week 18) were detected in the ΔleuD -vaccinated group. Most importantly, Δ leuD elicited an immune response that significantly limited colonization of tissues compared to Mycopar upon challenge with wild-type M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis . In conclusion, the Δ leuD mutant is a promising vaccine candidate for development of a live attenuated vaccine for JD in ruminants.

Haemoconcentration has been reported in blackleg, but the exact mechanisms by which it occurs are poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of Clostridium chauvoei neuraminidase (sialidase) in the pathogenesis of blackleg in Zebu cattle. Fourteen (14) Zebu bull-calves were either infected with C. chauvoei (n = 4), or administered toxins (n = 3) or neuraminidase (n = 4) produced by the bacteria, and comprised a control group (n = 3) respectively. It was observed that anaemia developed in the C. chauvoei-infected and neuraminidase-administered groups (P, Točan mehanizam nastanka hemokoncentracije kod pojave šuštavca slabo je istražen. U ovom je radu istražena uloga neuraminidaze (sijalidaze) koju tvori Clostridium chauvoei u patogenezi šuštavca u zebu goveda. U pokus je bilo uzeto 14 muške teladi zebu goveda od kojih je jedna skupina (n = 4) bila zaražena bakterijom C. chauvoei, druga skupina (n = 3) dobivala je bakterijske toksine, treća (n = 4) neuraminidazu, a četvrta (n = 3) je bila kontrolna skupina. Anemija se razvila u telića zaraženih bakterijom C. chauvoei i telića kojima je bila primijenjena neuraminidaza (P

Animal leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in the United States and around the world. In a previous study, we applied four recombinant antigens, rLipL21, rLoa22, rLipL32 and rLigACon4-8 of Leptospira interrogans (L. interrogans) for the serological diagnosis of equine leptospirosis (Ye et al, Serodiagnosis of equine leptospirosis by ELISA using four recombinant protein markers, Clin. Vaccine. Immunol. 21:478-483). In this study, the same four recombinant antigens were evaluated for their potential to diagnose canine leptospirosis by ELISA. A total of 305 canine sera that were Leptospira microscopic agglutination test (MAT)-negative (n = 102) and MAT-positive (n = 203) to 5 serovars (Pomona, Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola and Hardjo) were tested. When individual recombinant antigens were used, the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were 97.5% and 84.3% for rLigACon4-8; 89.7% and 81.4% for rLoa22; 92.6% and 84.3% for rLipL32 and 99.5% and 84.3% for rLipL21, respectively compared to the MAT. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were, 92.6% and 91.2% for rLigACon4-8 and rLipL32, 97.5% and 84.3% for rLigACon4-8 and rLipL21, 89.7% and 87.3% for rLigACon4-8 and rLoa22, 89.7% and 87.3% to rLipL21 and rLoa22, 92.6% and 91.2% for rLipL21 and rLipL32 and 89.2% and 94.1% for rLoa22 and rLipL32 when one of the two antigens was test positive. The use of all four antigens in the ELISA assay was found to be sensitive and specific, easy to perform, and agreed with the results of the standard Leptospira Microscopic Agglutination test (MAT) for the diagnosis of canine leptospirosis.

Johnes disease (JD), caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP), occurs worldwide as chronic granulomatous enteritis of domestic and wild ruminants. To develop a cost effective vaccine, in a previous study we constructed an attenuated Salmonella strain that expressed a fusion product made up of partial fragments of MAP antigens (Ag85A, Ag85B and SOD) that imparted protection against challenge in a mouse model. In the current study we evaluated the differential immune response and protective efficacy of the Sal-Ag vaccine against challenge in a goat model as compared to the live attenuated vaccine MAP316F. PBMCs from goats vaccinated with Sal-Ag and challenged with MAP generated significantly lower levels of IFN-γ, following in vitro stimulation with either Antigen-mix or PPD jhonin, than PBMC from MAP316F vaccinated animals. Flow cytometric analysis showed the increase in IFN-γ correlated with a significantly higher level of proliferation of CD4, CD8 and γδT cells and an increased expression of CD25 and CD45R0 in MAP316F vaccinated animals as compared to control animals. Evaluation of a range of cytokines involved in Th1, Th2, Treg, and Th17 immune responses by quantitative PCR showed low levels of expression of Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNF-α) in the Sal-Ag immunized group. Significant levels of Th2 and anti-inflammatory cytokines transcripts (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, TGF-β) were expressed but their level was low and with a pattern similar to the control group. Over all, Sal-Ag vaccine imparted partial protection that limited colonization in tissues of some animals upon challenge with wild type MAP but not to the level achieved with MAP316F. In conclusion, the data indicates that Sal-Ag vaccine induced only a low level of protective immunity that failed to limit the colonization of MAP in infected animals. Hence the Sal-Ag vaccine needs further refinement to increase its efficacy.