Enterotoxigenicity of staphylococci isolated from raw milk obtained from settled and nomadic herds around Zaria, Nigeria

Staphylococcal isolates from 135 raw milk samples obtained from settled herds (42) and nomadic herds (93), were characterized and assayed for enterotoxin production. Of the 42 samples from settled herds, 13 (31%) were California Mastitis Test (CMT)-positive, but all the samples contained staphylococci. Only 3 (3.2%) of the 93 raw milk samples from nomadic herds were CMT-positive but 58 (62.4%) contained staphylococci. Of the 13 isolates from CMT-positive milk obtained from settled herds, one produced enterotoxin A, while amongst the 29 from CMT-positive milk, 4 elaborated enterotoxin A and 3 produced type D. None of the isolates from milk obtained from nomadic herds was enterotoxigenic.     

Prevalence of Sarcocystis species in sheep and goats in northern Nigeria.

Tissue samples comprising the oesophagus and diaphragm were collected from 400 sheep and 400 goats slaughtered at the abattoirs in the study area. Out of this number, 36 were positive for Sarcocystis cysts (sarcocysts) in sheep and 56 in goats. The sarcocysts in sheep measured 35.7 to 500 microns lengthwise and the cyst-wall 2.4 microns. They were identified to be Sarcocystis tenella. The cysts in goats measured 98 to 700 microns and the cyst-wall 2.7 microns. They were identified to be Sarcocystis capracanis. In both animals species, the sarcocysts were more frequent in the oesophagus than in the diaphragm. All sarcocysts seen were microscopic.     

The comparative pathogenicity of strains of eight serovars and untypable strains of Mannheimia haemolytica in experimental pneumonia of sheep

The experimental induction of pneumonic pasteurellosis in groups of conventionally reared lambs by 8 serovars (A1, A2, A6, A7, A8, A9, T10, and A11) and untypable (UT) strains of Mannheimia haemolytica (Mh) were examined and compared. The groups of lambs were inoculated intratracheally with 1.4 x 10(8) +/- 0.6 x 10(8) (mean +/- SD) colony-forming units of the Mh serovars or UT isolates in the 6-hour log phase of growth. The variables measured as indicators of disease severity were clinical score, percentage lung consolidation and microbiological re-isolation. The clinical parameters for each group were computed daily for 6 days post infection and the lambs which died were necropsied while the remaining lambs were killed on day 7 pi and the extent of lung consolidation was measured. Clinically, the mean scores for the M. haemolytica serovars were A1 (6.1), A2 (18.8), A6 (0.5), A7 (17.4) and A9 (8.5). The mean percent lung lesion scores for M. haemolytica serovars were A1 (12.5), A2 (66.3), A6 (5.0), A7 (51.3), A9 (33.8) and A11 (2.5). The percent mean pneumonic lung lesions recorded for groups inoculated with A2, A7 and A9 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the extent of lung lesions in the other groups. A statistically significant correlation was observed between clinical scores and the severity of the lung lesions (r = 0.96, P < 0.01). High titres of M. haemolytica were recovered from lung lesions, with 10 to 100 times the number of organisms inoculated being present in the lung lesions of lambs inoculated with serovars A2 and A7. These data indicate that although M. haemolytica serovars A1, A2, A6, A7, A9 and A11 are important primary lung pathogens of lambs, serovars A2, A7, and A9 are to be regarded as highly virulent strains that have a greater predilection than the other serovars for causing pneumonia in lambs.     

Identification of fox rabies by a monoclonal antibody directed against nucleocapsid of a street rabies virus

Hybridomas were prepared by fusion of spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with dog rabies isolates from Nigeria with P3x63Ag8 myeloma cells. More than 69 hybridomas secreted antinucleocapsid (antiNC) antibodies when tested with homologous viruses by indirect immunofluorescence. One hybridoma (Z144-88) was found which secreted antiNC antibody that reacted negatively with fox rabies isolates from the Federal Republic of Germany, Switzerland and France and with rabies-related viruses and European bat isolates. It reacted positively with other strains/isolates of rabies virus. It is possible to use this antiNC monoclonal antibody (mab) for the investigation of fox rabies outbreaks in Europe.     

Nutrient changes and antinutrient contents of beniseed and beniseed soup during cooking using a Nigerian traditional method

Evaluations of the effect of prolong cooking on the nutrient and antinutrient composition ofbeniseed and beniseed soup were carried out in this study. Proximate, mineral, vitamin A and C and antinutrient compositions of raw beniseed (BS-R), beniseed boiled (BSB) for 15, 30, 45 and 60 min and beniseed soup (BSS) cooked for the same intervals of time were assessed. Results of the proximate composition analyses showed that raw and boiled beniseed had lower moisture content (5.39-5.51%) than beniseed soups (10.06-15.20%). Nitrogen-free extract (total carbohydrates), fats and phosphorus contents were improved in both the boiled beniseed and beniseed soup while calcium and potassium were increased in the boiled seeds and soup samples respectively. Moisture (in the raw and boiled beniseed), ash, magnesium, zinc, iron contents in both the seed and soup were unchanged in all the samples. Vitamins A and C levels of both boiled beniseed and beniseed soup samples were reduced with increase in cooking time. Beniseed soup had higher protein contents than both the raw and boiled beniseed which decreased with increase in cooking time. Beniseed samples provided good sources of energy (572.97-666.05 kcal/100 g). Except for phytate, the levels of antinutrients tested were lower in the raw and boiled beniseed than in the soup samples which decreased with increase in cooking time. The results are discussed with reference to the effect of prolonged cooking on the nutrient requirements of consumers.     

Relative survival of calves in 16 traditionally managed herds in Bauchi, Nigeria

An actuarial life-table approach was used to study the mortality of 277 calves born alive in 16 traditionally managed herds in Bauchi, Nigeria from 1993 to 1995. The proportion of calves in the herds surviving for the first 12 months was 53.8%. The probability of dying was greatest during the first month of life and decreased with age. The proportion of calves surviving in the herds has been increasing for the last 2 years. We suspect that this is probably due to improvements in management practices. Septicaemia, malnutrition and injury were the common causes of calf mortality. We recommend that more attention be given to improving the management of calves early in life in order to reduce mortality of calves and hence reduce economic losses to the herd owner.     

Seroprevalence of brucellosis and Q fever (Coxiellosis) in cattle herds in Maigana and Birnin Gwari agro-ecological zone of Kaduna State,Nigeria

Tropical Animal Health and Production - A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis and Q fever in cattle in Maigana and Birnin Gwari...     

Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Jigawa State,northwestern Nigeria

We determined the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Jigawa State, northwestern Nigeria using the comparative intradermal tuberculin test in 22 herds consisting of 922 cattle with overall and individual prevalence of 1.08% (10/922) and 45.45% (10/22) obtained, respectively.     

THE INFLUENCE OF TYPE AND LEVEL OF SUPPLEMENTARY FEED ON INTAKE AND PERFORMANCE OF BEEF CATTLE ON PASTURE

Two experiments, each of 6 weeks dehydration, were conducted in 1972. In Expt 1, 24 cattle were grazed in individnal paddocks during July and August and received one of 4 treatments over a 6-weeks period: no supplements; straw ad lib; 3.3 kgj. day sugar-beet pulp; 4.0 kg/day molasses. Mean daily live weight gains were significantly increased by the sugar-beet pulp and molasses supplements; which also increased OM and DOM intake significantly. The increase in total OM intake per kg OM in the supplement was 0.48 for sugar-beet pulp and 0.67 for molasses. In Expt 2, 18 cattle grazed in groups of 3 during November and December. Two groups each received 0.5, 3.5 or 6.5 kg/day sugar-beet pulp over a 6–weeks period. There was no significant difference in live weight gain between treatments, and no significant difference in total intake. Intake from pasture declined with increasing level of supplement, so that the average increase in OM intake per kg OM in the supplement was 0.28. Hie results are discussed in relation to availability of pasture and the effects of the supplements on intake.