FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

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STUDIES ON THE ASCARIS-BACTERIA RELATIONSHIP IN MAN AND PIGLETS
(1983-11) ADEDEJI, S. O.
The paucity of knowledge of the inter-relationship of bacteria and Ascaris stimulated this study. Very little was known about the sources of Ascaris infection in man in Ibadan. Investigations conducted on the action of intestinal bacteria on the development of Ascaris eggs to the infective stages involved the growing of fertile eggs of Ascaris lumbricoidea and Ascaris suum in diluted and undiluted overnight broth cultures of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis. Streptococcus faecalis (Enterococci), Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium welchii and also in sterile nutrient browth. The bacterial species used in the experiments inhibited the cleavage and development of both the human and porcine scaris eggs beyond 2-cell stage. The ovostatic action of the bacterial species on the eggs was found out to be related to respiratory processes of the actively growing and multiplying bacteria which consumed all the available oxygen from the environment of the eggs. After the removal of bacteria from cultures, the eggs developed very well. The bacterial flora of Ascaris suum and its relationship to the host flora was also investigated. The body surface of the adult worms was cultured on selective media. The different parts of the adult wornfs gut were cultured for isolation of micro-organisms. The faeces collected from pigs were also cultured. E. coli, Streptococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans were isolated from the cultures but no anaerobic organism was isolated. The faeces cultures yielded the same genera of bacteria as in Ascaris suum adult worms, bat Clostridium welchii, an anaerobic organism was isolated from the faeces. The results showed that adult Ascaris suum can act as a vehicle of bacterial infections in ascariasis where the adult worm is active and migratory. In this case the pig bacteria which are limited in its ability to penetrate the intact epithelium of the animal can often be deposited on internal tissue by the migrating worms where untold problems could be set up. The effect of intestinal flora on the establishment, development and pathogenicity of Ascaris suum larvae in piglets was also investigated. The results have shown that development of Ascaris suum larvae to adult worms took place in the presence of a normal intestinal flora in piglets. Furthermore, the results have shown that the two agents (Ascaris suum larvae and bacterial species) worked together to produce a disease condition more severe than the sum total of effect produced by either the worm or the bacteria independently. Finally, investigations were conducted to find out sources of infection with human ascariasis in Ibadan. The results have shown that common food items like fruits, vegetables, gari and palm-wine are contaminated by Ascaris eggs and therefore could serve as sources of Ascaris infection to those people who eat these food items raw or uncooked. It was observed that the Ascaris infection could occur through contaminated fingers of egg-passers, through dust and through the activity of flies. Ascaris eggs were found on edible vegetables and fruits and this observation emphasises the need for strict observation of simple hygiene methods aimed at eliminating the Ascaris eggs before consumption of the uncooked food items.
CHARACTERIZATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCI ISOLATED FROM MAN AND ANIMALS IN NIGERIA
(1984-03) ADEGOKE, G. O.
A combination of physiological, biochemical and molecular characteristics was used in the study of 291 strains of staphylococci isolated from man, goats, sheep, poultry and other animals. Novobiocin-resistant strains were more prevalent amongst the coagulase-negative staphylococci examined. Of the 110 caprine strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci, 91 (87.7 per cent) were novobiocin-resistant. The strains identified to species level were found to be Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus lentus, Staphylococcus xylosus, Staphylococcus gallinarum, Staphylococcus cohnii and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Staphylococcus sciuri and Staphylococcus lentus were easily differentiated from other novobiocin-resistant staphylococci by a positive-oxidase reaction. Morphologically, Staphylococcus sciuri and Staphylococcus lentus appeared indistinguishable. Staphylococcus lentus appeared more biochemically active than Staphylococcus sciuri and indeed other coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from goats with the exception of Staphylococcus gallinarum. Differentiation of Staphylococcus sciuri from Staphylo coccus lentus was facilitated by the inability of several strains of Staphylococcus sciuri to produce acid from melibiose. Novobiocin-resistant staphylococcal species were the only ones isolated from sheep and they had almost identical physiological and biochemical characteristics with those of caprine origin. Staphylococcus gallinarum, a new species of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from animals was found amongst the present collection of coagulase-negative staphylococci. Staphylococcus gallinarum resembled Staphylococcus lentus in its acid production from several carbohydrates used but its oxidase-negative reaction was used in its differentiation from Staphylococcus lentus. Staphylococcus gallinarum strains commonly produced acid from fructose, maltose, D-(+)-mannose, D-(-)-ribose, sucrose and D-(+)-trehalose. Most of the novobiocin- resistant, coagulase-negative staphylococci from animals were physiologically active as they produced a variety of extracellular products. Weak desoxyribonuclease activities were commonly found amongst Staphylococcus sciuri and Staphylococcus lentus and the strong reaction produced by Staphylococcus hyicus was found to be of diagnostic use. One strain of Staphylococcus sciuri produced thermostable nuclease and another strain of Staphylococcus lentus produced staphylokinase. Whilst intense protease production was commonly associated with Staphylococcus sciuri and Staphylococcus lentus, none of these strains produced lipolytic effects on egg-yolk medium whilst lipolytic effects were seen in strains of Staphylococcus xylosus and Staphylococcus cohnii. The characteristics of the novobiocin-resistant, coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from humans did not differ from those of animal strains. The strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from humans and animals had similar physiological and biochemical characteristics. The production of hyaluroni-dase and acetoin from glucose was helpful in differentiating Staphylococcus aureus from other coagulase-positive Staphylococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus hyicus strains isolated from various hosts. The strains of Staphylococcus intermedius isolated from a man having a pet dog had similar characteristics as the other strains of Staphylococcus intermedius of canine origin. The human strain of Staphylococcus intermedius produced proteinase, phosphatase, desoxyribonuclease and thermostable nuclease but it failed to hydrolyze Tween 80 and did not produce hyaluronidase and acetoin from glucose. Acid production from a variety of carbohydrates by the human strain of Staphylococcus intermedius was however similar to that of Staphylococcus aureus of human origin but the strain did not produce acid from D-(+)-turanose. In the course of phage typing Staphylococcus aureus strains, a caprine phage was isolated from one strain (UI 150). Three caprine strains of Staphylococcus aureus that were untypable by using the International sets of phages for typing human strains of Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible to this caprine phage Gl. Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from humans and goats which were susceptible to the phage 80/81 complex had similar antibiograms. Whilst several of the human strains of Staphylococcus aureus were found to be of human biotype, the caprine strains of Staphylococcus aureus belonged to biotype C. Resistance to tetracycline was found in some strains of Staphylococcus aureus of caprine origin whilst a higher percentage of human strains of Staphylococcus aureus produced penicillinase. Sensitivity to the cephalosporins was commonly found amongst all the Staphylococcus aureus strains examined. With human factor sera, all the Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from humans were serotypable. Of the 14 caprine strains of Staphylococcus aureus examined, 10 were serotypable. Agglutinogens a5, b1, o and h2 were found amongst the Staphylococcus aureus strains of human and animal origins. Two Staphylococcus intermedius strains isolated from humans and dogs were serotypable and they had agglutinogen in common. All the 3 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus) were serotypable with a5 and p agglutinogens being common to them. Some isolates were obtained which could not be identified the application of chemotaxonomic and molecular characterization procedures however provided a relationship to some of the newly-described species of staphylococci. Some relatively uncommon teichoic acids were found amongst some strains. A caprine strain of coagulase-positive, staphylococcus had glycerol and glucosamine teichoic acids whilst a strain of coagulase- negative staphylococcus of caprine origin possessed glycerol, glucose, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine teichoic acids. The guanine plus cytosine (G + C) content of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of some of the strains tested ranged between 32.7 and 34.6 per cent. DNA-DNA hybridization values amongst some of the coagulase- negative staphylococci revealed some relationships to Staphylococcus gallinarum, Staphylococcus lentus and Staphylococcus sciuri.
TRANSMISSIBLE DRUG RESISTANCE, PLASMID CHARACTERIZATION IN SHIGELLA AND SALMONELLA, AND VIRULENCE OF SHIGELLA ISOLATED FROM DIARRHOEIC HUMANS AND PIGLETS
(1990-03) ADELEYE, I. A.
A total of 10,200 faecal samples including 10,000 from diarrhoeic human beings and 200 from diarrhoeic piglets were collected. The human faecal samples were collected from the three government hospitals in Ibadan, namely: The University College Hospital, State Hospitals at Adeoyo and Ring Road, while the piglets were on the Teaching and Research Farm, of the University of lbadan. Thirty Shigella and twenty-two Salmonella spp. were isolated from the human faecal samples while one Shigella isolate was obtained from the faecal samples of piglets. The Shigellae were sero1ogically identified as S. E1exneri (23 from humans and 1 from a piglet), s. dysenteriac (4 isolates from human) and S. boydii (3, all were isolated from human). Of the Salmonella isolates, 9 were identified as S.typhi while the remaining 13 were classified as Salmonella species. One microgram per ml potassium tellurite in MacConkey agar was used to enhance the isolation of Shigellae. Antimicrobial susceptibi1ity testing to eight antibiotics were performed on the fifty-three bacterial isolates. Twenty-one antibiotic resistance patterns were identified. The highest pattern T-CT-F-A-S-C-Te (Septemdrip1e) was found in eleven isolates, sextiple resistant pattern in thirteen; quintiple pattern in eight isolates; quadriple in four isolates; triple in eight isolates; double in four isolates while resistance to single antibiotic (Te and CT) was found in five bacterial isolates. The Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of 4 antibiotics (ampicillin, ch1oramphenico1, Streptomycin and tetracyc1ine) were determined for the bacterial isolates. Two of the Shigella isolates were sensitive to ampicillin, the MIC of ampicillin was 8 ug per ml for them, 1 to chloramphenicol; 4 to streptomycin while all isolates were resistant to tetracyc1ine. The MIC of ampicillin for 14 of the Salmonel1a isolates was 8 ug per ml while 11 and 9 isolates of the same organism: were resistant to chloramphenicol and Streptomycin respective1y. The following resistance patterns were observed: A-C-S-T, C-S-T, A-C-T and A-S-T. All the forty-two isolates screened transferred ampicillin resistance (100 percent). Twenty-one isolates (50.0 percent) transferred two determinants, either A-T or A-S or A-C. Seven (16.6 percent) transferred three determinants either A-T-S or A-S-C. None of the isolates transferred four determinants (A-T-S-C). Among the Shigela isolates the chloramphenicol determinant was transferred at a low frequency (only 3 of the 28 screened) whereas the Salmonella isolates transferred at a higher frequency (6 of the 14 screened). The R plasmids range in size between 2.2 to 38.0 Mdal. The chloramphenicol R plasmid has a molecular weight of 4.00 Mdal., streptomycine 38.0 Mdal. The plasmid profile of the isolates was also investigated using agarose gel lectophoresis method. The Shigella isolates exhibited a large number of small cryptic plasmids. In contrast, the Salmonella isolates exhibited fewer number of plasmids. All the plasmids range between 0.8 and 55.5 Mdal in size. The virulence of the Shigella isolates was investigated using Sereny Test and Rabbit ligated ileal loop test. Four of the fourteen Shigelle isolates including S. Flexneri (2), S. boydii (1), S. dysenteriae (1) produced Keraconjuctivities in guinea pigs. Six of the Shigella isolates including four S. flexneri, one S. dysenteriae and one S.boydii dilated ligated ligate rabbit ilea loop with accumulation of fluid. Histological ulterations foun in the ilea loops exposed to these enterotoxins included inflammation, general degeneration, submucosal oedema and neutrophilic infiltrations. Four of the Shigella isolates comprising of two S.flexneri, one S. dysenteriae and one S. boydii dilated the ligated intestinal loop of rabbit with accumulation of fluid when enterotoxin heated at 65 C for 30 min. were used. It was observed for the first time that the S. boydii produced heat labile and heat stable enterotoxin in ligated rabbit illeal loop. Oral inoculation of the invasive Shigella isolates into pretreated (starved and calcium carbonate treated) mice and guinea pigs failed to produce clinical manifestation of dysentery-like diarrhoea and febrile condition.
THE TOXIC EFFECT OF SIX COMMONLY OCCURRING PLANTS IN NIGERIAN PASTURES
(1992-11) ABATAN, M. O.
The toxicology of six suspected poisonous plants Leucaena leucocephala Benth, Tribulus terrestris Linn Eugenia uniflora Linn, Dichapetalum madagascasience Poir, Lantana camara Linn, and Solanum torvum Benth); were evaluated in Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 200-300 grams. Two of these plants, Lantana camara and D. madagascasience were re-evaluated in West African dwarf goats. Spectrophotometric and titrimetric methods were also used to determine some inorganic and metallic contents of the plant. The extracts of all the poisonous plants except S. torvum and D. madagascasiense produced dose dependent effects on rat serum proteins. The extracts of these plants which produced statistically significant changes (P< 0.05) in serum proteins of the rat include the 400 and 600mg/kg doses of the extrct of 1.. leucocephala; 400 mg/kg dose level for extract of T. terrestris; 200 mg/kg dose level for the extract of E. uniflora; , 400 and 600 mg/kg dose levels extract of L. camara. The globulin fraction did not show any significant changes in all the rats treated with the poisonous plants. No changes were also observed in the serum dectrolytes analYsed. T.terrestris, L. Camara and E. uniflora produced dose related increases in activities of serum enzymes, alanine aminotransferase ALT (EC 2:6.1.2), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (EC.2.6.1.1.), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (EC.3.1.3.1.) . All the plants produced significant increases in ALT except L. Leucocepha!a and torvum whereas E. uniflora, L. camara, and D. madagascasie use produced significant changes in AST (P<.0.05). An evaluation of the haematological parameters of the treated rats, revealed that only extracts of T. terrestris, and L. Camara produced dose dependent decreases in the total red cell blood count. These decreases were significant for, all the doses of the extracts of T. terrestris; the 400 and 600 mg/kg dose levels of L. camara (P < 0.05). The decreases in erythrocyte counts were associated with decreases in haemoglobin concentration. The piosonous plants did not cause changes in the blood coagulation time. Only the extract of T. terrestris produced decreases in total leucocyte count. Similarly, only the extract of T. terrestris caused clinical symptoms in the rats which included depression and inappetence. However, all the plant extracts except that of S. torvum produced gross pathologic lesions in the liver including pin point or ecchymotic hemorrhages. Histopathologic lesions include necrotic lesions of the hepatic tissues and vacuolation of some hepatic lobules. T. terrestris, L.camara, E. uniflora and L. Leucocephala produced gross lesions of the renal tissue. Histologically the affected renal parenchyma was hyperemic and the tubular epithelium showed degeneration. The extracts of D.madag-gascasience and L.-camara produced gastrointestinal lesions including superficial necrosis of intestinal epithelial lining and desquamation of patches of the gastric and ileal mucosa. In the West African Dwarf goats, L. camara and D. madagascasience produced increases in the serum activities of ALT, AST and ALP. Furthermore, these plants also produced increased total blood protein level and blood urea nitrogen. Lantana toxicity in the goats also produced decreased total RBC counts, decreases hematocrit and increased haemoglobin concentration. Animals with Lantana toxicity also showed anorexia and were emaciated. Q. madagascasience did not produce changes in haematological parameters. Phytochemical analysis showed different levels of cyanide, (CN-), nitrate (N03-) nitrite (N02-), oxalate and elements such as lead )Pb+), zinc+), iron (Fe++), manganese (Mn+), and copper (Cu++) in all the plants These studies therefore shows that T. terrestris E. unifora, L. leucocephala, L. camara but particularly L. camara and T. terrestris are hepatotoxic, produce renal lesions and also affect hemopoiesis. Thus these plants are toxic to livestock and their growth among normal pasture could post potential risk to livestock production in Nigeria.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON DRACUNCULIASIS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA
(1995-02) ADEYEBA, O. A.
The studies were designed to collect baseline information to form essential data base for effective planning and subsequent evaluation of guineaworm control programme in Oyo State. In order to establish the epidemiology of dracunculiasis and assess the impact of the disease on the economic life of the affected population, pretested questionnaire data sheets were administered to 2,415 individuals and 257 heads of household in eight different villages in Oyo State. The data analysis was done by using analysis of variance and coefficient of determination and multiple range tests, using the IBM computer, utilizing the SPSSH package. The survey of concurrent parasitic diseases was carried out in one village by examining faecal and blood samples of 287 individuals. The antibiogram and profile of bacteria associated with secondary infection was determined. Simple methods of chemical, biological and physical control of guineaworm vector under laboratory conditions were described. Of 2,415 individuals examined in eight villages of Oyo State in 1988, 76.9 per cent had history of dracunculiasis while the infection rate at the time of study was 47.9 per cent. There was no significant difference in the infection rate between the sexes. However, the risk of infection increased with age. Infection occurs at any age above 1 year and reinfection is common, indicating that on clinical grounds, no protective immunity is developed after infection. There was a general awareness by individuals that they were infected before the formation of the guineaworm bleb. Mean percentage of 18.9 ± 1 had the sympoms in 1 day. The sites of guineaworm emergence differ significantly for each victim (P < 0.05), and no anatomical part of the body was apparently exempted with regard to worm emergence. Majority of the affected people (a mean per cent of 54 ± 6.7) became clinically ill in the dry season; and also a mean per cent of 54.3 ± 2.3 suffered severe infection. 5 - 8 weeks was the most frequently occuring period of incapacitation. 54.5% of the victims had no form of assistance on the farm during the period of incapacitation. Majority of the heads of household held various wrong beliefs of causes and prevention of the diesease. 82 ± 3.6 per cent attributed the cause of guineaworm to the act of God and that there was no remedy for it. Only 6.53 per cent treated the drinking water before consumption. The disease has an adverse impact on agriculture, while an average of 20 - 41 per cent of the pupils were absent from school with attendant poor academic performances. Of 487 samples examined for concurrent parasitic disease 278 (57.1 per cent) were infected with one parasitic disease or the other: Ascariasis (43.7%), hook-worm disease (27.1%), strongyloidiasis (2.5%), trichuriasis (31%), Entamoeba histolvtical infection (3.9%) and plasmodiasis (43.7%). The haematocrit value of the individuals in the community was generally low (26 - 30%) whilst eosinophilia was a common feature. The health implication was discussed. Klebsiella sp., Streptococcus sp., Proteus sp. and Staphylococcus aureus were common bacterial agents isolated from guinea worm ulcers. The phage types of Staph, aureus (the commonest agents) isolated were resistant to both penicilline and tetracycline. The epidemiological importance of the various phage types was discussed. The ecology of the environment where the copepod intermediate hosts breed and transmit racunculiasis was described and discussed. Cyclopoid copepods died within 60 minutes when the ironment was manipulated to 24.6mg/l. oxidizable organic matter concentration from the natural average value of 12.5mg/l. It was shown that cyclopoid copepods became inactive at 4 - 6°C in 4 hours and later regained activity in 15 minutes at room temperature. The study showed that ponds in a study area had the highest density of cylops in November/December (1988) and lowest density in July/August (1988) with natural cyclops infection rate of 6.5% at the peak of transmission. It was also shown that the concentration of cyclops was greatest when water was drawn at the time the pond water was still and undisturbed, especially with the first caller at the pond, with attendant higher risk of infection. The study also revealed that population mobility occasioned by marriage, socio-cultural and economic life of the people contributed to the diffusion and control of the disease. A variety of chemicals found in natrual waters, or used in the treatment of water were added to pond water and their effects on the survival of the cyclopoid copepods were assessed. The possible use of such chemicals as calcium hypochlorite, potassium permanganate, lime, etc., in individual houses as a preventive measure against the transmission of the disease was discussed. Furthermore, the study revealed that indigenous fishes like Hemicromis fasciatus. Barbus occidentalis. Tilapia nilotica and T. galilea; were very useful biological control agents of the vector of Dracunculus. It is believed that provision of safe drinking water and good health education with active case search to monitor the intervention programme will reduce the disease prevalence.
MOLECULAR AND ANTIGENIC CHARACTERISATION OF INFLUENZA VIRUSES ISOLATED FROM HORSES IN NIGERIA
(1995-10) ADEYEFA, C. A. O.
A nationwide equine influenza virus surveillance was carried out between January 1989 and January 1995 during which nasopharyngeal swabs, tracheal washes and respiratory tract tissue homogenates were obtained from symptomatic and asymptomatic equine species in various parts of Nigeria for virus isolation and characterisation. Three equine influenza viruses were independently isolated in 10-11 day old embryonated hen eggs and Madin Darby canine kidney monolayer cells with TPCK-trypsin incorporated into the culture medium. The virus isolates were characterized antigenically, immunogenically and genetically which made them the first equine influenza viruses isolated and characterized in tropical Africa. Antigenic analyses with mono-specific antisera raised against a number of respiratory disease viruses including Paramyxoviruses, Adenoviruses, Herpes viruses, Alphavirus, Rhinoviruses, Equine arteritis viruses, African horse sickness viruses and Influenza viruses showed that the three virus isolates were influenza A viruses while haemagglutination and neuraminidase inhibition assays using influenza virus specific Mabs and polyclonal antisera showed the three viruses to be antigenically H3N8, members of equine-2 subtype of influenza A viruses. The three isolates were respectively named A/Equine/Ibadan/4/91, A/Equine/Ibadan/6/91 and A/Equine/Ibadan/9/91 in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation and the International Committee on Virus Taxonomy. Their antigenic cross-reactivity with panels of Mabs and polyclonal antisera indicated that the three viruses were antigenically divergent although they were all H3N8 viruses and were representatives of a homogenous population. They were reactive with Mabs and antisera directed against H3 equine viruses isolated in 1963, 1976, 1979, 1981 and 1986. This broad reactivity suggested that these isolates were similar to but not still different from those isolated in Europe and USA between 1963 and 1987. Virus protein synthesis and cleavability of the HA polypeptide in tissue culture were investigated by pulse-chase experiments. The results showed some heterogeneity in the non-glycosylated polypeptides particularly those of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex while the HA glycoproteins of the three viruses were not cleaved in any of the cell types used in contrast to equine H7 and pathogenic avian H5 and H7 HAs. The molecular weights of the polypeptides were within the range previously determined for influenza A viruses. The heterogeneity of the RNP complex and antigenic divergence of the viruses’ HAs were confirmed by sequence analysis carried out in molecular studies. Virus infectivity was investigated by plaque assay using chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) monolayer cells and virus titration in embryonated hen eggs. The results showed that the viruses were infectious with plaguing efficiency being comparable to efficiency of virus infectivity in embryonated hen eggs. Infectivity, antigenicity and immunogenicity of the three viruses were confirmed in-vitro using peripheral blood lymphocytes in lymphoproliferation assays and in-vivo in an equine model in which the viruses induced haemagglutination inhibiting and protective neutralising antibodies following experimental infections. The proliferating cells were also characterised and the immunoglobulin isotypes produced were determined. Molecular characterisation and genetic analyses of the three viruses were accomplished to determine the origin of the genes encoding the virus non-glycosylated polypeptides as well as those of the surface HA glycoprotein. Reverse transcription (RT) results showed the eight RNA segments of the three isolates and confirmed them as influenza A virus RNAs. No subgenomic RNAs or defective interfering particles were observed in the RNA transcripts. Nucleotide sequence analyses were carried out using three sequencing strategies of cDNA, vRNA and plasmid DNA sequencing with the dideoxy chain termination procedure. Partial nucleotide sequences were obtained from cDNAs, vRNAs and plasmid DNA clones of RNA segments 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 with the method of multiplex RT/PCR and cycle sequencing using radiolabelled segment specific oigonucleotides of 18, 24 or 25 mers. Complete nucleotide sequences of segment 4 (HA genes) were also determined on the same PCR products (cDNA) and vRNA using end-labelled oligonucleotides of both plus and minus sense. The partial nucleotide sequence data were analysed using a programme for "best-local-homology- rapid-search" on a digital array processor while the complete HA nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence analyses were carried out using the University of Wisconsin Genetics Computer Group (GCG) package of programmes. Phytogenetic analysis was done with the distances, neighbour joining and DNAPARS of the PHYLIP package. Analyses of the viruses’ gene sequences confirmed that their genomes were similar to each other and to those of other H3N8 influenza viruses isolated from equines and also revealed the origin, evolution and genetic relatedness of the genes. Comparison of the partial cDNA sequences with virus DNA sequences in the database (EMBL sequence library) showed that for segments 1, 2, 5, and 7, the closest related sequences were from equine H3 viruses isolated in 1986 in USA (Tennesse/5/86 for segments 2, 5 and 7, Kentucky/2/86 for segments 1 and 5. Segment 5 was equally related to both viruses). The nucleotide sequence for segment 3 was most closely related to an equine-1 virus isolated in U.K. in 1973 (London/1416/73, H7N7) probably due to genetic exchange while segment 8 sequence was most closely related to an equine H3N8 virus isolated in U.K. in 1976 (Newmarket/76). The complete nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences as well as phytogenetic analysis of the HA genes (RNA segment 4) showed a closer relationship albeit with nucleotide and amino acid substitutions between the three Ibadan viruses and those that were isolated in Europe in 1989 and 1991, the prototypic European strain, Suffolk/89 and Arundel/12369/91 isolated in U.K., Taby/91 isolated in Sweden, Hong Kong/92 isolated in the Far East in 1992 and Laplata/1/93 isolated in South America. These findings group the Ibadan viruses with those predominating and contemporarily causing disease in the Western Hemisphere rather than with viruses previously isolated from the north and south of African continent. Variation was observed in the nucleotide sequences of the Ibadan viruses HA genes. Some of the base changes resulted in amino acid changes which mapped to antigenic sites or within signal sequence in the HA1 domain as a result of a process of antigenic or genetic drift. The Ibadan viruses also showed some variation from the prototypic European virus (Suffolk/89) and these base changes also resulted in amino acid changes resulting in antigenic drift. Phytogenetic analysis showed the evolutionary lineages in equine H3 viruses isolated since 1963 along two paths one of which included the Ibadan viruses as well as viruses isolated in Europe between 1989 and 1991 and the Far East in 1992 and S. America in 1993 which form the 1989/93 cluster while the other lineage included viruses isolated in South America in 1987 and 1988 (Brazil/87, Laplata/88) and in the Far East in 1971 (Tokyo/3/71) all of which are very close to the original prototype equine-2 virus (Miami/63). These results demonstrate a faster evolutionary rate for recent equine H3 HA genes away from the original prototype virus. Overall, the results of these studies have (i) confirmed the occurrence of equine-2 H3N8 influenza viruses of distinct lineages in Nigerian equine populations in a tropical environment (ii) indicated antigenic drift among equine H3N8 viruses as earlier reported and confirmed that drift strains can co-circulate in equine populations, (iii) showed the origin, evolution and genetic relatedness of the viruses genes as well as their biological characteristics, (iv) provided the hitherto unavailable information on the status of equine influenza virus in this part of the world and (v) served to re-emphasise the potential of influenza virus for rapid global spread and the need for better control strategies.
Parasite snail-host relationship of fasciola gigantica and lymnaea natalensis
(The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, 1996) Guobadia, E. E.; Adedokun, A. O.; Fagbemi, B. O.
The snail-host parasite interaction between L natalensis and F. gigantica was studied with particular emphasis on the effect of the relationship on the reproduction of the snail-host. Snails were exposed to 4 F. giganticamiracidium each and maintained on blanched and dried lettuce in aquaria at a temperature of 28-30°C. Growth, production of egg and shedding of metacercariae were monitored. Growth rate was reduced by about 19% in the infected snails relative to the uninfected control. Eggs were produced by the infected and uninfected control snails. However, it was observed that some of the masses produced by the infected snails did not contain eggs. Metacercariae production was found to suppress egg production. A negative linear relationship was discovered to exist between growth rate and metacercariae production with the latter being responsible for a 7% reduction in the growth of snails. These findings confirmed the fact that the parasite has a negative effect on the snail-host. However contrary to earlier observations, infected snails produced eggs although at a reduced rate. The present findings have provideda new insight into the dynamics of F. gigantic snail-host interactions
The use of monoclonal antibody for the immunodiagnosis of Fasciola gigantica infection in cattle
(Elsevier Science, 1997) Fagbemi, B.O.; Aderibigbe, O.A.; Guobadia, E.E
Antigens that were specific to Fasciola gigantica were obtained from the whole worm homogenate of the parasite by immunoaffmity chromatography in cyanogen bromide-activated sepharose 4B columns and used for the production of monoclonal antibodies. The F. gigantica- specific monoclonal antibody was labelled with horseradish peroxidase and used for the detection of circulating antigen by the direct ELISA method in the sera of cattle experimentally infected with the parasite. Circulating antigens were detectable in the sera of the animals as from the third week after infection while negative absorbance values were obtained 2 weeks after the termination of the infection by chemotherapy with oxyclozanide. This immunodiagnostic method offers an attractive alternative as a supplement to the conventional. coprological diagnosis of fasciolosis
Actualization of strategies for privatized preventive veternary services to nomadic herdsmen in southern Nigeria.
(1997) Esuruoso, G. O.; Olugasa, B. O.
Studies on the serun electrolyte changes in trypanosome, congolense infected New Zealand white rabbits
(1998-09) Ola-Davies, O. E.; Saba, A. B.
Chorioptes bovis (Mite) isolation from chicken
(Tropical Veterinarian, 1999) Adedokun, A.O.; Owoade, A.A.
During routine visits to two poultry farms in Ibadan, Nigeria, heavy infestations of the birds with minute barely visible ectoparasites were encountered. These' parasites caused itching and depressed egg production in affeted flocks. Samples of the ectoparasites were collected from the two farms and idetified as Chorioptes bovis
Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease and EDS ’76 antibodies in indigenous Nigerian Local Chickens
(Tropical Veterinarian, 1999) Adedokun, O.A.; Durojaiye, O.A
A serological survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Newcastle disease (ND), infectious bursal disease (IBD) and egg drop syndrome ’76 (EDS ’76) antibodies in indigenous Nigerian local chickens. The survey was carried out in Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States in southwestern Nigeria. Out of 2010 serum samples assayed for ND, 1890 (94%) were positive. 720 (34%) out of 2090 samples were positive for IBD, while 500 (29%) out of 1740 samples were positive for EDS ’76. The prevalent rates are high enough to suggest that ND, IBD and EDS ’76 are still very active in these indigenous chickens. The implications of these findings in the control of ND, IBD and EDS ’76 in the commercial exotic poultry flocks are discussed.
Grazing reserves and development of traditional pastoralism in Nigeria: progress and prospects
(Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 1999) Babalobi, O. O.; Esuruoso, O. O.
The Nigerian beef industry is controlled by pastoralists for whom production strategies are primarily for stock survival rather than increased off-take. Their production system is in the traditional (extensive migratory) phase of development, which needs to be modernized (intensified) to bridge the increasing gap between supply and demand for beef in Nigeria while sustaining the pastoral lifestyle of the producers. In this paper, the most sustained effort at development of pastoralism - the grazing reserve scheme - is examined for its effectiveness Using the Dobi Grazing Reserve in Niger State. Nigeria as study area, its progress towards the settlement and economic development of pastoralism is evaluated. From the result, an unprecedented voluntary settlement of pastoralist and marginally improved production parameters are recorded. Possession of land rights, grazing security, presence of water and grazing resources, and the deliberate policy of encouraging transhumance activity out of the reserve during the dry season, were factors responsible for the voluntary settlement. The need for stricter stock control measures, provision of extension/veterinary services and socio-economic infrastructure and a greater involvement of settlers in the funding and administration of the reserve are highlighted as conditions for sustaining the programme.
Effects of trypanosomosis on some blood biochemical parameters in rabbits
(1999-10) Ola-Davies, O.; Saba, A. B.; Ariyibi, A.; Akinboade, O. A.
The effect of trypanosomosis on blood biochemical Parameters were studied in 20 New Zealand white rabbits of 6 to 7 months of age. Mean total protein and globulin levels in the infected rose significantly (P<0.05) while the mean albumin level decline in the same group simultaneously. Mean total plasma Cholesterol, trlglyceride concentration mean glutamate oxaloacelate transaminase (GOT) and the glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the infection group. The implications of these results are briefly discussed
Relevance of value and integrity to the ideals of the varf organization and in relation to the mandate of the veterinary council of Nigeria
(Animal care services Konsult NIG. LTD, 2000) Olugasa, B. O.; Esuruoso, G. O.; Oghre-Ikanone, E.
The toxic effects of the prolonged administration of chloramphenicol on the liver and kidney of rats
(Biomedical Communications Group, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2000) Saba, A. B.; Ola-Davies, O.; Oyeyemi, M. O.; Ajala, O.
The toxic effect of chloramphenicol on the liver and kidney was studied in laboratory Wistar rats. 16 adult rats of both sexes randomly divided into two groups were used. 10 animals in the test group were administered with chloramphenicol orally using rat cannula at human infant recommended dosage of 25mg/kg body weight given once daily for a period of 16 days. The 6 animals in the control group were only administered with 0.9% physiological saline orally over the same period of time. Serum enzymes and levels of serum bilirubin, urea, and creatinine were evaluated to establish any hepatic or renal dysfunction. There was statistically significant increase in aspartate aminotransferase (P<0.05) and alanine aminotransferase (P<0.001) serum levels in the test animals. The increase in serum alkaline phosphatase was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Hyperbilirubinaemia was observed in the rat administered with chloramphenicol, the difference in the mean value of the test and control animals were significant for total and conjugated bilirubin. (Total bilirubin P<0.01; Conjugated bilirubin P<0.05). The average time taken to establish anaesthesia was shorter in the test animals than in animals in the control group, the difference in the mean values was significant (P<0.05). Serum urea and creatinine levels were elevated in the test animals, the increase is only statistically significant for serum urea (P<0.05) but not significant for creatinine (P>0.05). Histopathology revealed vascular congestion and foamy cytoplasm of hepatocytes at the centrilobular region of the liver but did not reveal any damage done to the renal tissue. It was concluded that chloramphenicol may not be nephrotoxic but may have toxic effects on the liver.
Effects of melatonin on intestinal fluid absorption in the domestic chicken (gallus domesticus)
(Biomedical Communications Group, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2000) Sanni, A. A.; Oke, O. A.; Saba, A. B.; Ola-Davies, O. E.; Durotoye, L. A.
Effect of successive ejaculations on the spermiogram of West African dwarf goats (Capra hircus L.)
(Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 2000) Oyeyemi, M. O.; Akusu, M. O.; Ola-Davies, O. E.
Twenty healthy adult male (bucks) West African dwarf goats (WADG) aged between 2 to 4 years and with a mass of from 16 to 20 kg were used in this study. They were randomly assigned into four groups of five bucks per group. In group A, semen was collected once a week for a period of eight weeks, while in group B semen was collected twice a week for a period of eight weeks, once a day for 21 days in group C, and twice daily at an interval of five hours for 21 days in group D. Live body masses, height at withers, scrotal length and scrotal circumference were not affected by successive ejaculations. The ejaculate volume decreased as the frequency of ejaculations increased, although the decrease was not significant (Group A 0.44±0.07, B 0.41±0.08, C 0.38±0.07 and D 0.36±0.08 ml) while the ejaculate colour was either milky or creamy. Mass sperm movement showed swirling waves and scored 4 in all groups, while the percentage progressive motility ranged between 88.7±3.10 and 94.54±3.00%. Percentage of live spermatozoa (Group A 96.57±2.40, B 96.24±2.53, C 96.10±2.28 and D 96.10±2.50%) was not affected by successive ejaculations although a decrease in sperm concentration was observed as the number of successive ejaculations increased. There was a significant increase (P<0.05) in abnormal spermatozoa as frequency of ejaculation increased.
Mixed farming in a grazing reserve in Northern Nigeria
(2000) Babalobi, O. O.; Akinwumi, J. A.
Nigeria's main pastoral development strategy is the settlement of pastoralists in grazing reserves. The goal of the strategy is to turn such nomadic pastoralists into mixed farmers who will take up crop farming to supplement livestock farming. Using the Bobi Grazing Reserve, Niger Stale, Nigeria as case study, the attainment of this goal is evaluated by the use of structured questionnaire, interviews, field surveys, project site visitation and personal observation. From the results, ninety-five percent (95%) of settled pastoralists willingly adopted mixed farming as an economic survival strategy. This was in response to reduced herd size on settlement, in the face of declining land available for nomadism among other reasons. Average herd size of 41.5 cattle, 14.0 gnats and 7.5 sheep was insufficient to supply household income need hence settlers took up crop farming to supplement income. Annual income from livestock farming (N62,182.00) was 78.1% of total income per settler, while crop farming supplied 21.9% (N 17.400) of the income. Farmers farmed a mean 3.97 hectares out the maximum 4.00 hectares allowed in the reserve. Ninety-five percent of settlers expressed willingness to expand farm size in response to domestic needs. Thus hitherto nomadic pastoralists became mixed farmers on settling in the reserve. Mixed farming therefore appears to be an achievable goal in Nigeria’s pastoral development strategy.
Epizootiology of pastoralism in Nigeria
(2000) Babalobi, O. O.; Esuruoso, G. O.