A retrospective study (2015-2019) of avian salmonellosis diagnosed at the Central Diagnostic Laboratory of the National Veterinary Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria

Salmonella organisms are widely distributed in nature and survive well in a variety of food and contamination and can occur at multiple steps along the food chain. The study was conducted at the Central Diagnostic Laboratory of the National Veterinary Research Institute (N.V.R.I) located in Vom Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State Nigeria. Information was obtained via postmortem records and laboratory results that isolated Salmonella species were retrieved and analyzed retrospectively in the study area for five years. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data while tables were used for result proportions presented in percentages. A total of 2512 cases of poultry diseases were documented for a period of five years from 2015 to 2019 with an average of 502.4 cases annually. A total of 436 of salmonellosis was documented during the period under review and an average of 87.2 cases annually. 24.4% prevalence was recorded in 2018 and 12.4% in 2015. 2019 had the highest prevalence of 28.4 with an average avian salmonellosis prevalence of 19%. 24.6% avian salmonellosis was recorded in the age bracket of 5 to 8 weeks, 29.5% was documented in the age bracket of 9 to 12 weeks which was the second highest and 33.3% in the age bracket of 0 to 4 which was the highest. Avian salmonellosis affects all types of birds. Out of 436 positive avian salmonellosis cases recorded in the period under review, 251 were layers while 156 were broilers with 29 being local birds and cockerels. This study does explicitly indicate that avian salmonellosis is highly prevalence in the study area and this could play a great role in lowering poultry productivity in the study area, thereby highlighting the need for effective health programs like good biosecurity practices and vaccination in order to boost poultry production.

Unexpected Cross-Reaction with Honigbergiella-Like DNA in a PCR for Detection of Bovine Tritrichomonas foetus

The prevalence of bovine Tritrichomonas foetus infection has decreased almost to zero in most European countries, such as Poland, which has been Tritrichomonas foetus-free since 1997. However, tri-trichomonosis is a notifiable disease and there is a duty to examine samples from cattle. In this study, we present an unexpected cross-reaction with Honigbergiella-like DNA in a specimen from a bull. The bovine sample was submitted to the Department of Parasitology National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy (NVRI) for confirmatory testing after having been examined at the Regional Veterinary Laboratory, during a routine T. foetus diagnosis. Positive results from microscopic observation and cultures were confirmed. Noteworthily, parasites grew on Diamond’s medium only after seven days of incubation, while optimal growth of trichomonads is generally observed after two to four days for this medium. Moreover, by using PCR we obtained positive results for the presence of T. foetus. However, sequencing of the amplification product revealed 99.62% identity with Honigbergiella sp. Our data suggest that false-positive results may occur in commonly used PCR tests. Thus, unexpected results should be carefully interpreted.

A survey on the occurrence of Brachyspira pilosicoli and Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in growing-finishing pigs

Background: The major pathogenic intestinal spirochetes affecting pigs during the growing- finishing stage of production include Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and Brachyspira pilosicoli. The aim of this study was to assess the current occurrence of B. hyodysenteriae and B. pilosicoli in Polish pig herds. Moreover, associations between the presence of diarrhea or other intestinal pathogens and occurrence of B. hyodysenteriae and B. pilosicoli in pigs were investigated. Methods: Between January 2017 and August 2019, a total of 401 samples of pig feces from 95 different herds were submitted to the National Veterinary Research Institute of Poland. These samples were obtained from pigs older than 7 weeks. All the received fecal samples were examined for the presence of B. hyodysenteriae, B. pilosicoli and Lawsonia intracellularis by real-time PCR. Results: B. pilosicoli was detected in 4.5% (95% CI, 2.5–7.0%) (18/401) of pig fecal samples. At the herd level 13.7% (95% CI, 7.5–22.3%) (13/95) of herds were positive for B. pilosicoli. B. hyodysenteriae was detected in 7.0% (95% CI, 4.7–9.9%) (28/401) of pig fecal samples and 18.9% (95% CI, 11.6–28.3%) (18/95) of pig herds were positive. Out of 18 B. pilosicoli positive samples, this pathogen was detected alone in 5 samples; simultaneously with L. intracellularis in 9 samples; simultaneously with B. hyodysenteriae in 1 sample and in 3 samples was detected simultaneously with both of these bacteria. The presence of B. hyodysenteriae in fecal samples was associated with the presence of diarrhea in pigs. Conclusions: This study confirmed that B. pilosicoli infections occur in Polish pig herds, but the prevalence is at a low level and the presence of B. pilosicoli is not associated with the development of diarrhea in pigs. B. hyodysenteriae is still a common cause of diarrhea among pigs from Polish herds.

A STUDY OF LACTATION CURVES OF IMPORTED FRESIAN CATTLE IN A TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

In 586 .iortrial laciabons of 150 Friesian cattle maintained at the National Veterinary' Research institute, Vom, from 1968 to 1983. Maximum milk production ,was attained in the fifth week of lactation. The fourth and sixth lactation curves showed superiority over the first, second, third and fifth. The curves apparently indicate that culling of unproductive animals before the 6th lactation could be economically unreasonable.

Effects of storage period on the hatchability performance of Japanese Quail Eggs

Study on the effects of storage period on the hatchability of Japanese quail (coturnix coturnix iaponica) eggs was conducted at National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Hatchery Unit Vom. Three hundred and sixty (360) fertile quail eggs of normal weight (8-10g) from 4-month-old flock were divided into four groups (A, B, C, D). The first group (A) of ninety eggs were set immediately after collection (less than 24 hours), while groups B, C and D (90 eggs each) 7, 14 and 21 days respectively before incubation. Automatic cabinet electric incubator (WesternR) was used in incubating the eggs for 16-17 days at temperature of 99.7oF and relative humidity (RH) of 65%. All normal incubatory practices were observed. Average daily meteorological data was taken during the period of storage. Results showed that eggs incubated immediately after collection (group A) had the highest hatchability of 62% followed by 23% in those eggs incubated after 7 days of storage (group B). Eggs incubated after 14 and 21 days of storage (group C and D) had zero hatchability. Significant differences(P<0.001) exist between group D (21 days) and group C(14 days) with 23.3% and 11.1% respectively, while the least (6.7%) were in those eggs in group A. It was concluded that as in chicken eggs; Japanese quail eggs should not be stored for long periods.

Effect of Extended Transit and Temperature Variations on EID50 Values of Thermostable NDVI-2 Vaccines

Temperature alterations due to poor cold keeping condition have consistently posed a challenge to vaccines dose EID50 titre value. The sensitivity of Newcastle disease vaccine to temperature variations due to poor cold storage condition in rural settings, led to the development of the NDVI-2 thermostable vaccine, which is known to exhibit a thermostability of 3 hours at 56 °C. In this study, three Newcastle disease vaccines (NDVI-2) with EID50 titre per dose values of log10 EID50 7.7, 7.6 and 6.75 respectively from vaccine production facility at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom Nigeria, were sent for certification at African Union laboratory at Debre Zeit, Ethiopia under cold condition; using ice packs for cold chain maintenance. Tracking of the vaccine in the course of freight to the certifying laboratory revealed changes in the original transit route by the airline and delay by custom at the receiving country port. Thus, a 12 hours transit freight was delayed for over 7 days before arrival at the certifying laboratory. Though, the EID50 titre per dose values of these vaccines were originally well above recommended EID50 5.5 per dose value by log 2.2, log 2.1 and log 1.25 for NDVI-2 respectively. Comparing these vaccines EID50 values obtained from the certifying laboratory in relation to values initially obtained by the Quality Control Division of the producing Institute (NVRI), revealed loss of EID50 titre per dose value by log101.2, and log10 0.8 among two of the certified vaccine batches; with one of the certified vaccines retaining its original EID50 titre per dose value. This result attest that NDVI-2 thermostable vaccine produced at NVRI, Vom Nigeria are robust and of high quality. Thus, the findings of this study have further demonstrated that temperature variations, prolonged vaccine transportation under poor cold chain can affect the EID50 per dose value of a wholesome, field fit vaccine irrespective of the vaccine thermostability.

Fungal Infections in Plateau State, Nigeria

This paper describes a study carried out on people of different ages with various skin diseases who submitted themselves for examination and diagnoses at the Dermatophylosis Research Centre of the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria. Samples of skin scrapping were collected and cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) while some were examined under the microscope for possible morphological identification of the fungi. The results showed that out of the thirty samples analyzed, nine genera of fungi were isolated comprising of Trichophyton 10 (33.3%), Aspergillus 9 (30%), Penicillum 4 (13.32%), Microsporum 2 (6.70%), Epidermorphyton 1 (3.33%), Trichosporum 1 (3.33%), Cryptococcus 1 (3.33%), Mucor 1 (3.33%), and Cephalosporium 1 (3.33). The study revealed high incidence of human fungal diseases, a situation that calls for good hygiene practices in the study area to mitigate and possibly eradicate the prevalence of human skin diseases in the rural area of Plateau State.

A survey on the occurrence of Brachyspira pilosicoli and Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in growing-finishing pigs

Background: The major pathogenic intestinal spirochetes affecting pigs during the growing- finishing stage of production include Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and Brachyspira pilosicoli. The aim of this study was to assess the current occurrence of B. hyodysenteriae and B. pilosicoli in Polish pig herds. Moreover, associations between the presence of diarrhea or other intestinal pathogens and occurrence of B. hyodysenteriae and B. pilosicoli in pigs were investigated. Methods: Between January 2017 and August 2019, a total of 401 samples of pig feces from 95 different herds were submitted to the National Veterinary Research Institute of Poland. These samples were obtained from pigs older than 7 weeks. All the received fecal samples were examined for the presence of B. hyodysenteriae, B. pilosicoli and Lawsonia intracellularis by real-time PCR. Results: B. pilosicoli was detected in 4.5% (95% CI, 2.5–7.0%) (18/401) of pig fecal samples. At the herd level 13.7% (95% CI, 7.5–22.3%) (13/95) of herds were positive for B. pilosicoli. B. hyodysenteriae was detected in 7.0% (95% CI, 4.7–9.9%) (28/401) of pig fecal samples and 18.9% (95% CI, 11.6–28.3%) (18/95) of pig herds were positive. Out of 18 B. pilosicoli positive samples, this pathogen was detected alone in 5 samples; simultaneously with L. intracellularis in 9 samples; simultaneously with B. hyodysenteriae in 1 sample and in 3 samples was detected simultaneously with both of these bacteria. The presence of B. hyodysenteriae in fecal samples was associated with the presence of diarrhea in pigs. Conclusions: This study confirmed that B. pilosicoli infections occur in Polish pig herds, but the prevalence is at a low level and the presence of B. pilosicoli is not associated with the development of diarrhea in pigs. B. hyodysenteriae is still a common cause of diarrhea among pigs from Polish herds.

Phytochemical and Antibacterial Activities of Combined Leaves and Flower Extracts of English Camphor Basil (Ocimum canum) on Some Selected Bacteria Associated with Skin Infections

Phytochemical and antibacterial activities of combined leaves and flower extracts of English camphor basil (Ocimum canum) on some selected bacteria associated with skin infections was investigated. Plant samples were collected at Mista Ali, Bassa LGA of Plateau State. Phytochemical analysis was carried out in the Biochemistry Laboratory of National Veterinary Research Institute Vom (NVRI), located in Jos South LGA. The test organisms, S. aureus, S. pyogenes, P. aeruginosa, S. marcescens, E. faecalis were obtained from the microbial banks of bacteriology and dermatophilosis sections of NVRI, Vom and were standardized with a Nephelometer. Quantitatively, the leaves and flower ethanolic extracts were tested individually and in combination against bacteria associated with skin infections both extracts showed the presence of steroids, cardiac glycosides and flavonoids while tannins were detected in the leaves extract only. There was significant (p<0.05) variation in the quantity of inherent phytochemical components of the extracts. Cardiac glycoside had the highest concentrations (0.64±0.02 and 0.54±0.02) in the leaves and flower extracts respectively. Leaves extract showed activity against test bacteria except E. faecalis. Strains of S. pyogenes and S. aureus were only susceptible to flower extract. The MBC ranged from 50-100mg/ml for the sensitive bacterial isolates. Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) from the combined extracts varied from 1.89 to 3.97 on the test bacteria that showed lack of interaction (FICI<4). Thus, combination of leaves and flower of O. canum may not exhibit any advantage. However, the plant contain bioactive constituents of pharmacological significance and should be explore for more potentials.