http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/138 2026-04-08T21:20:29Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1335 FEED ADDITIVE POTENTIALS AND ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECTS OF ALLIUM SATIVUM, CHROMOLAENA ODORATA AND TALINUM TRIANGULARE AGAINST PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA INFECTION IN CLARIAS GARIEPINUS BURCHELL, 1822 TIAMIYU, Adebisi Musefiu Emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in fish is of public health concern. Assessment of the suitability and safety of medicinal plants as alternatives to antibiotics in aquaculture is imperative. However, there is limited information on the use of Allium sativum, Chromolaena odorata and Talinum triangulare as feed additives due to their antimicrobial potentials. This study was designed to investigate the use of these plants as feed additives, and their antibacterial effects on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in Clarias gariepinus (African catfish). African catfish fingerlings (n=360, 1.10±0.01g) and juveniles (n=210, 117.30±1.57 g) were randomised into 10 groups each and fed for 70 and 42 days, respectively. Formulated rations containing three concentrations (A=0.5%, B=1.0%, and C=3.0%) of different treatments: A. sativum (T1A, TIB, T1C), C. odorata (T2A, T2B, T2C), T. triangulare (T3A, T3B, T3C) and control (no additive, CC) were fed to fish at 5% body weight. Growth parameters of the fingerlings were monitored, while haematology and histopathology of gills, liver, kidney and intestine of the juveniles were carried out. In vitro antibacterial effects of 25.0, 50.0 and 100.0% aqueous extracts (60g of the chopped dried leaves extracted with 300mL of distilled water) of the plants against Pseudomonas aeruginosa were determined. Catfish fingerlings (n=150; 53.1±0.23g) randomised into four groups were fed with pre-tested effective rations T1A, T2B, T3B and CC. All fish were inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.2 mL culture containing 1.4 x106 cfu/mL) intraperitoneally and their survivability was evaluated by using mortality rate. Twenty four catfish juveniles (146.4±0.74g) divided into four paired sub-groups: Q1 and Q2, Q3 and Q4, Q5 and Q6, Q7 and Q8 were fed rations CC, T1A, T2B and T3B, respectively. Sterile incision of 45.0 mm by 1.0 mm was created on the dorso-lateral part of each fish and sub-groups Q2, Q4, Q6 and Q8 were inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while Q1, Q3, Q5 and Q7 were not inoculated. Percentage healing rates were measured on days 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 post incision. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Catfish on T3B and TIB had the least (4.70±0.11) and highest (6.32±1.01) feed conversion ratios, respectively. Values for red blood cell, packed cell volume, haemoglobin vii concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, lymphocytes and neutrophils were within normal limits across the groups. No lesions were observed in fish fed with T1A and T3B; however, other groups had mild gill lamellae hyperplasia and hepatic necrosis. The highest antibacterial effect (inhibitory zone 12.50±1.26 mm) was recorded in 100% aqueous extract of C. odorata. In the challenged groups, survival rates of 20% and 80% were obtained for CC and T2B, respectively. At day 15 post-incision, T3B had significantly highest healing rate in inoculated (86.7%) and uninoculated (100%) fish, with CC being 0.0% and 64.4%, respectively. The plants were established as growth promoters with antibacterial effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in Clarias gariepinus. Inclusion rates at 1.0% of Talinum triangulare or Chromolaena odorata is recommended to enhance growth, survival and wound healing in Clarias gariepinus. 2019-09-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1333 PREVALENCE AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERISATION OF HAEMOGREGARINES IN AFRICAN HINGE-BACK TORTOISES (KINIXYS BELLIANA AND KINIXYS HOMEANA) IN IBADAN, NIGERIA ADETUNJI, Veronica Eyihuri Kinixystortoises are one of the most vulnerable of all vertebrates, with about 61% reportedly threatened or becoming extinct. They represent a global biodiversity and therefore require urgent conservation attention.Kinixys tortoises are also sentinels of ecosystem degradation. They are an endangered speciesdue to human over-exploitation and infectious diseases including those caused by haemogregarines. Information on the prevalence, health indices, biodiversity and host-specificity of haemogregarines in African Hinge-back Tortoises (AHT) in Nigeria is scarce.This study was therefore designed to determine the prevalence of and characterise haemogregarines in AHT (Kinixys belliana and Kinixyshomeana) in Ibadan, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty AHT (K. belliana, n=70;K. homeana, n=50)captured from the wild were sourced from Bode Market in Ibadan, during the rainy (K. belliana, n=36;K. homeana, n=24) and dry (K. belliana, n=34;K. homeana, n=26) seasons between April, 2016 and December, 2017. Blood samples were collected to determine the prevalence of haemogregarines by light microscopy and confirmed using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)with 18S RNA-specific primers. Purified amplicons were sequenced bi-directionally using a genetic analyser. Sequences obtained were aligned and compared with those in the GenBank. Phylogenetic analyses of the sequenced genes were performed using software. Haematology, plasma proteins and enzyme activities were evaluated in haemogregarine-positive and negative tortoises. The tortoises were examined for the presenceand quantity of vectors using standard morphological keys. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Student's t-test and correlation coefficient test at α0.05. Overall, haemogregarine prevalence was 53.3% and 75.8% by light microcopy and PCR, respectively. Generally, higher prevalence of haemogregarine (82.9%) was recorded in K. belliana compared to K. homeana (66.0%). Seasonal prevalence in K. homeana was significantly higher during rainy (91.7%) than dry season (42.3%). However, higher prevalence was recorded during dry (85.3%) than rainy (80.6%) seasons in K.belliana. Sequences (590 bp) generated had 100% similarity with Hepatozoon fitzsimonsi ex zobensis (KR069084) isolated from South African hinge back tortoise (K. zobensis). There was a significant difference between the counts of white blood cells in haemogregarine-positive tortoises (7.26+0.99109/L) than haemogregarine-negative (5.58+1.18 109/L) as well as for eosinophils in haemogregarine-positive (40.41+2.22%) than haemogregarine-negative (29.79+3.76%). Haemogregarine-positive recorded lower values of haematocrits (22.75+2.56%), total protein (3.97+0.87 g/dL), Albumin (1.26+0.29 mg/dL) and globulin (2.71+0.58 mg/dL), when compared with 32.79+2.68%, 5.33+0.93g/dL, 1.67+0.51mg/dL and 3.66+0.42mg/dL, respectively for haemogregarine-negative. However, haemogregarine-positive had higher values for ALT (33.91+14.42U/L), ALP (179.27+92.52 U/L) than 8.21+2.21 U/L and 147.93+10.51 U/L, respectively in haemogregarine-negative. Ticks of the genus Amblyomma were the only vectors found on thehaemogregarine-positive tortoises. There was a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.3758) between tick infestation and parasitaemia in the haemogregarine-positive tortoises. A high prevalence of haemogregarines in African hinge-back tortoisesin Ibadan was established, with Amblyommaticks as possible vectors. The identifiedhaemogregarine, Hepatozoonfitzsimonsi was closely related to that of South African origin. Routine screening of Kinixys tortoises for haemogregarines and ticks vectors is therefore recommended to promote their conservation. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/344 SPATIO-TEMPORAL AND MOLECULAR EPIZOOTIOLOGY OF FOOTAND- MOUTH DISEASE IN CATTLE IN NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA, 2011-2014 WUNGAK, YILTAWE SIMWAL Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) caused by FMD Virus (FMDV) is an economic limitation to cattle production. The current epizootiological status of FMD and circulating serotypes of FMDV in north-central Nigeria is unknown. Spatio-temporal and molecular techniques are important to the study of FMD spread, ultimately leading to the prevention and control of the disease. This study was designed to determine the seroprevalence, associated risk factors of seropositivity, circulating serotypes and their spatial distribution, as well as isolate and characterise FMDV in cattle herds in North-Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was undertaken from February 2013 to April 2014; using three-step multistage sampling, 1,206 sera were collected from 150 herds in Plateau (n=589) and Niger (n=617) states. For molecular study, tongue epithelial specimens (n=40) from lesions of clinically sick animals were collected purposively between June 2011 and October 2014 from north-central states (Plateau 26; Kogi 4; Nassarawa 6; Benue 4). Seroprevalence was determined using FMD 3ABC ELISA kit and associated risk factors were determined using pre-tested questionnaire (n=150) administered to participating farmers. Circulating serotypes were determined using FMDV serotypes-specific ELISA and antigen-detection ELISA. Spatial distribution was done using purely spatial cluster analysis. The FMDVs were isolated using foetal goat tongue cell line and bovine thyroid glands cell line. Virus characterization was done using PCR, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of the VP1 gene. Sequence comparisons were made with other country reference strains in gene bank. Multiple sequence alignment was done. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chisquare and logistic regression at α0.05. Overall seroprevalence of 71.0% was recorded (Plateau 54.2%; Niger 85.4%). Risk factors associated with FMD seropositivity were management system (OR 9.31; CI 4.81-19.02), trans-boundary crossing (OR 5.12; CI 3.75-7.43), herd mixing at the watering point (OR 171.83; CI 23.82-1253.02) and age (OR 1.14; CI 0.83-1.48). The FMDV serotypes A, O, SAT 1 and SAT 2 were found to be diffusely distributed and co-circulating in north-central Nigeria. Sequence analysis of serotype A revealed that the virus was within Africa typotypes which belong to genotype G-IV. They were closely related with FMDV from Bauchi state (94.7%), Cameroon (93.0%) and Togo (90.0%). Serotype O isolates were iv within the West Africa (WA) topotypes and East Africa-3 topotypes (EA-3). Isolates from Plateau state revealed close genetic relationship with sequences from Adamawa state (98.1%) and Cameroon (87.0%); isolates from Kogi state had sequence similarity with those from Togo (94.7%), Ghana (93.9%) and Benin (92.8%). Benue state isolates clustered with FMDV isolates from Plateau state (98.6%) and Sudan (94.2%).The VP1 region of FMDV SAT 2 showed that it belonged to topotype VII. The isolates had a close genetic relationship with SAT 2 isolates from Liberia (93.5%), Niger (92.1%), Senegal (91.5%), Sudan (91.1%) and Cameroon (91.4%). The spatio-temporal pattern of Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus in north-central Nigeria indicated trans-boundary spread of serotype O East Africa-3 topotype. Use of Foot-and- Mouth Disease virus serotypes A, O, SAT 1 and SAT 2, with East Africa-3 topotype in vaccine production and animal movement restriction will enhance the control of this disease in the region. Keywords: Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Serotype O, Topotype, Transboundary spread, VP1 gene. 2016-02-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/324 EVALUATION OF THREE METHODS FOR ROUTINE DIAGNOSIS OF LEPTOSPIROSIS IN NIGERIA ADETOLA SANSI, JOLADE ADERONKE In Nigeria, the occurrence of leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease is not well known and is often suspected based on clinical signs, many of which are common to some febrile conditions such as babesiosis, malaria, typhoid fever and influenza. Due to poor availability of relevant laboratory facilities, the confirmation is always based on post mortem histology. Early and rapid diagnosis as well as update of information on occurrence of the disease, are essential for prevention, surveillance, good prognosis and control. Many techniques that combine sensitivity, rapidity and cost-revenue ratio assessment are not routinely used in Nigeria. However, many techniques are available in developed countries. Assessment of the morbidity and case fatality rates of leptospirosis in dogs and evaluation of three methods for use in Nigeria were carried out. A review of 5,250 cases of different ailments in dogs presenting in two referral veterinary hospitals in Ibadan between 2005 and 2010 was carried out to assess the occurrence of leptospirosis. In addition, an evaluation of the relative sensitivity, specificity, accuracy (according to standard formulae), rapidity and cost per unit test of Dark Field Microscopy (DFM) using hyper-spectral imaging, Fluorescent Antibody Staining (FAS) and conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was carried out using 90 urine samples from cattle and 16, 30, 5, 2, 7, 2, 10 and 5 kidney samples from cattle, dogs, bob cats, beavers, raccoons, coyotes, foxes and opossums respectively. The rapidity was calculated as the unit time taken for each technique. The operating cost per annum and the cost per unit test for each technique were calculated using standard methods. Data of the reviewed cases and agreement of the techniques were analysed using descriptive and Kappa statistics respectively. Leptospirosis morbidity and case fatality rates in dogs were 47.0%, and 37% respectively. The relative sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DFM compared with FAS were 88.0%, 96.0%, 94.7%, respectively and compared with PCR were 64.7%, 73.5%, 72.5% respectively. The relative sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of PCR compared with FAS were 34.3%, 99%, 83.2% respectively. The Kappa statistics showed perfect agreement (k=0.99) between DFM and FAS, DFM and PCR and between PCR and FAS. Rapidity of the tests were 26.1 minutes, 120.0 minutes and 305.0 minutes per test for DFM, FAS and PCR respectively. The cost per unit test for DFM, FAS and PCR were ₦744, ₦1,975 and ₦7,014 respectively. Leptospirosis morbidity and case fatality rates in dogs in this study were high and this poses a great health challenge. The Dark Field Microscopy using hyperspectral imaging technique which was the fastest and cheapest per unit test may be of benefit for routine use in Nigeria to improve diagnosis and subsequently reduce mortality. Key words: Leptospirosis, Morbidity rate, Diagnostic technique, Accuracy, Cost 2012-06-01T00:00:00Z