Animal Health and Production

Evaluation of Vaccination during Disease Outbreak as a Disease Control Option: Case Study on Newcastle Disease

2017-06-02T00:00:00Z

Evaluation of Vaccination during Disease Outbreak as a Disease Control Option: Case Study on Newcastle Disease Ozioko, Ikenna Emmanuel This study investigated the response to Newcastle disease vaccination in previously vaccinated and unvaccinated poultry flocks experimentally infected with Newcastle disease virus. A total of 90 day old cockerel chicks procured from a local hatchery were used for the study. They were brooded under deep litter system for 3 weeks after which they were divided into 2 groups, A and B of 45 birds per group. Members of group A were subsequently vaccinated against Newcastle disease using NDV-I2 intraocular. Members of group B received no vaccination. Five ml of blood was collected from 10 birds per group for serology. At 6weeks of age, members of group A were further divided into 3 equal groups A1, A2, and A3 while members of group B were divided into B1, B2 and B3 of 15 birds per group. All groups were housed differently but were fed and managed in similar approach. Five ml of blood were collected from 5 birds per subgroup for serology. Concurrently, 4 birds experimentally infected with kudu-113 strain of Newcastle disease virus were each introduced into pens housing groups A2, A3, B2 and B3 as source of infection, to simulate a natural infection. Groups A1 and B1 controlled their respective groups. Upon manifestation of clinical infections by the 4 exposed groups, all the group members had 5ml of blood collected for serology. Concurrently, members of groups A2 and B2 were vaccinated upon manifestation of clinical infections while A3 and B3 were not. All the groups were monitored till week 10 post hatch when observations were terminated with special attention paid to variables like incubation period, clinical signs, number and pattern of morbidity and mortality including the results of antibody titres of the groups on days 21, 42, 56, 63 and 70 post hatch. The results showed that clinical signs of patent infection were 6 days post infection in the previously unvaccinated groups B2 and B3. However, the period was extended to day 7 PI among the previously vaccinated groups A2 and A3. On day 11 PI, morbidity was 100% among members of groups B2 and 92.86% among groups B3. However, it was 42.86% and 64.29% respectively for members of groups A2 and A3. There were no morbidity nor mortality among members of groups A1 and B1. Mortality started on day 8 PI in the infected B groups and on day 14 PI, it was 100% among group B2 and 71.43% in group B3. However, mortality was first recorded among the infected group A members on day 11 PI. Total mortalities were 14.29% and 50% respectively for groups A2 and A3. The antibody titre among groups A and B members at week 3 of age was zero. On week 6 of age corresponding to 3 weeks post vaccination of group A members, the GMT among groups A1 to A3 was 4096 while among the B groups the value remained zero. On day 56, the mean titre among A1 members dropped to 3026, A3 128 while A2 remained 4096. Among B groups, B2 rose to 115.2, B3 1024 while B1 remained zero as they never received any vaccination/virus. At day 63 post hatch, the GMT among A1 had declined to 106, A3 115.2 while A2 remained 4096. B3 had GMT of 921.6, B2 had recorded 100% mortality while B1 remained zero. At day 70 post hatch, the GMT of A1 was zero, A2 4096 and A3 1945.6. B3 was 768 and B1 zero. This study showed that maternal immunity had waned completely in unvaccinated birds at 3 weeks of age. Also, vaccination of previously unvaccinated birds upon clinical infections showed exacerbated morbidity and mortality relative to those earlier vaccinated. Moreover, vaccination of previously vaccinated birds in the face of clinical Newcastle disease infection proved more beneficial than allowing the infection to run its course.

Effects of Pigeonpea Based Diet on Growth and Attainment of Puberty in Weanling Pigs

2017-03-15T00:00:00Z

Effects of Pigeonpea Based Diet on Growth and Attainment of Puberty in Weanling Pigs Uzuegbu, Oluchi M Eighteen weanling pigs aged between 9-10 weeks were used to study the effect of pigeonpea replacement of soyabean meal on the performance and attainment of puberty in weanling pigs. The pigs were randomly assigned into three groups (A, B and C) of 6 pigs each and housed in three different pens. The pigs in the three groups were fed for 10 weeks with the following ingredient as sole source of dietary protein; group A soyabean meal, group B toasted pigeonpea meal and group C untoasted pigeonpea meal. Pigs in each group were fed 2% of their live body weight daily at 9 am and 3 pm respectively. Before commencement of the dietary treatments (day 0), pigs in each group were weighed. Concurrently, blood samples were collected and subsequently weekly from each animal for the determination of packed cell volume (PCV), serum biochemistry assays for Luteunizing hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating hormone (FSH). Weekly body weights of the pigs were determined until the end of the study. Serum total protein was determined by Biuret method while serum albumin was determined by Bromocresol green method. The PCV was determined by microhaematocrit method while the hormonal assay (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and leutinizing hormone (LH)) was determined using Enzymes linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined following standard procedures. Data generated from the study was subjected to one way analysis of variance. Variant means were separated using the Duncan’s multiple range test. Significance was accepted at p<0.05. There were no significant variations (p>0.05) in the mean live body weights and PCV of all the groups throughout the study period. The mean total serum protein level of pigs in group C was significantly (p<0.05) lower than those of groups A and B in week two while group A was significantly (p<0.05) higher relative to group B and C in week four. There were no significant variations (p>0.05) in the mean serum albumins among all the groups. The globulin level in group A were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of groups B and C pigs, while those of group B were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of group C. Throughout the study period group A had significantly (p<0.05) higher mean serum LH and FSH concentrations than those of groups B and C. The mean cholesterol level of group C pigs was significantly (p<0.05) lower than those of groups A and B on week four while of group B were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of groups A and C in week five. There were no significant variations (p>0.05) in the mean HDL levels in groups A, B and C in weeks one and two. However, the mean HDL levels in groups A and C were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of group B between weeks three and four. Subsequently, at week five, the level in group A pigs rose significantly (p<0.05) higher than those in groups B and C. Groups A and B had significantly (p<0.05) higher mean LDL levels than those in groups C throughout the study. The results of the study showed that growth rate and weight gain, follicular waves were similar in all treatment groups. It was concluded from the study that pigeonpea meal can be a good replacement diet for soyabean meal in weanling pigs and that toasting of pigeonpea has no effects on the nutritive value of pigeonpea meal in weanling pigs

Prevealance of Salmonella, E. Coli O157 and Staphylococci in Stree Vended Ready-to-eat Meat in Nsukk and its Environs.O- EAT MEAT IN NSUKKA AND ITS ENVIRONS

2016-05-10T00:00:00Z

Prevealance of Salmonella, E. Coli O157 and Staphylococci in Stree Vended Ready-to-eat Meat in Nsukk and its Environs.O- EAT MEAT IN NSUKKA AND ITS ENVIRONS Okoli, Chinwe Elizabeth The possible health hazard associated with ready-to-eat (RTE) meat in Nsukka and its environ in Enugu State was evaluated by determining the prevalence of salmonellae, E. coli O157 and Staphylococcus species and investigating the toxigenic potential of E. coli O157 and Staphylococcus and antibiotics profiles of these zoonotic bacterial isolates. A total of 255 RTE meat samples were purchased based on the availability of the ready-to-eat (RTE) meat vended in the markets. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the four meat sampling spots. The samples collected were transported to the laboratory for microbiological analysis. Each ready-to-eat meat sample was pre-enriched in nutrient broth for 24 hours at 37oC and subsequently processed for E. coli O157, salmonellae and staphylococci isolation using cefixime-tellurite sorbitol MacConkey (CT-SMAC) agar, brilliance salmonella agar (BSA) and mannitol salt agar (MSA) respectively. Non-sorbitol fermenting colonies on CT-SMAC were subjected to E. coli O157 latex agglutination test and molecular detection of rbfO157 gene for confirmation. Purple colonies on BSA were subjected to biochemical tests for Salmonella identification. Suspected staphylococcal (yellow or white) colonies on MSA were Gram stained and Gram-positive cocci in bunches were tested for catalase production. Identification of the staphylococcal isolates to species level was done by a combination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of nuc and spa genes and sequencing of sodA and 16S rDNA genes. PCR amplification of genes coding for TSST-1 (tst), ETA (eta), ETB (etb), ETD (etd) were investigated by PCR. Phenotypic determination of resistance to 17 antimicrobial agents was carried out using the disc diffusion method, while genes coding for resistance to aminoglycosides (aph(2)-aac(6),ant(4), aph(3)-III), erythromycin (ermA, ermB, ermC, ermT, mphC, msrA, and msrB) and tetracyclines (tet(M), tet(O), tet(K),tet(L) lincomycins and streptogramins (linA, linB, vgaA, vgaC) and fusidic acid (fusA, fusB, fusC) were determined in the isolates by PCR amplification using their specific primers. None (0%) of the 255 street vended R-T-E meat samples analysed was contaminated with E. coli O157 or Salmonella organisms. Twenty-eight (11%) of the R-T-E meat samples contained staphylococci. Twenty-four of the Staphylococcus strains were identified to species level and they belonged to 6 species namely S. scuiri (54.1%), S. lentus (16.6%), S. saprophyticus (12.5%), S. carnosus (8.4%), S. piscifermentans (4.2%) and S. epidermidis (4.2%). Four (16.7%) of the identified Staphylococcus species haboured the virulence gene exfoliative toxin-A (eta). The staphylococci exhibited highest resistance to fusidic acid (79.2%) while lowest resistance was demonstrated against gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin and tobramycin; with 4.2% of the isolates resistant to each of the antimicrobial agents. None of the Staphylococcus isolates was resistant to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, linezolid and teicoplanin. Resistance genes detected in the Staphylococcus species were: mecA (25%), tetK (25%), mphC (12.5%), ermT (8.3%) and ermC (4.2%). The most contaminated R-T-E meat type the R-T-E meat vended in the study area were contaminated with staphylococci and is of public health importance, especially as the isolates contain mecA gene which could transfer their resistance to pathogenic strains. The implication is that infection from such resistant organism will be difficult to treat with commonly available and affordable antibiotics which may result to increase in morbidity, mortality and cost of treatment.

MORPHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF THE AFRICAN CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822)

2016-05-10T00:00:00Z

MORPHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF THE AFRICAN CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) MHOMGA, LINUS IORUNDU Twenty, 7-8 month- old worm free male West African Dwarf (WAD) goats, were used to study the effect of protein supplementation on susceptibility to mixed infections of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis. The objective of the study was to provide information on the effect of infection of WAD goats with the most prevalent native strain of gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes (Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis) and its interaction with dietary protein. The goats were assigned to four groups each containing five animals. Two groups were offered forages with concentrate supplement containing 17.06% crude protein, whereas the other two groups were offered forages alone. After an initial period of 4 weeks on the feeding regimen, two groups were selected for infection, one each from the supplemented and unsupplemented groups. An escalating infection of 500 infective larvae (L3), 1000L3, 2000L3 and 4000L3 was given consecutively for four weeks. The other two groups were used as non infected controls. Body weight, body condition scores (BCS) and packed cell volume (PCV), as well as serum biochemistry were determined for individual goats on the first day of infection (D0). These parameters were subsequently determined weekly throughout the duration of the experiment, which lasted for forty two days. Feed and water intakes were determined daily and the average weekly intakes were calculated. Patency and level of infection were monitored by carrying out faecal egg counts (FEC) twice weekly. At the end of the forty two day period (D42), all the animals were humanely sacrificed to recover both abomasal and intestinal worms. The carcasses were weighed and the dressing percentages calculated for each goat. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between protein supplementation and body weight gain and body condition score. However, protein supplementation had no significant (P> 0.05) effect on the PCV, total serum protein levels and serum albumin. Supplemented goats shed significantly fewer helminth eggs in faeces and harboured smaller burdens of the two worm species compared to unsupplemented goats. There was a negative but significant correlation between worm burden and body weight and BCS. The correlation between worm burden and PCV was also negative but not significant (P > 0.05), while that between worm burden and FEC was positive and significant (P < 0.05). Infection significantly (P < 0.05) affected feed intake but did not affect water intake. Dressing percentage was significantly affected by supplementation. These results therefore demonstrate that nutritional supplementation enhances the resistance of WAD goats to mixed infections of H. contortus and T. colubriformis and results in their improved performance.