Godwin O. Egwu

Seroprevalence of human infection with Toxoplasma gondii and the associated risk factors, in Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria

Abstract The prevalence of antibodies (IgG) to Toxoplasma gondii among 180 adults from the Nigerian city of Maiduguri was determined as 23.9%, using a commercial ELISA. Although the men investigated were more likely to be seropositive than the women, the difference was not statistically significant (27.3% v. 19.8%; P>0.05). There was also no apparent association between educational level and seroprevalence. There was a positive correlation between the mean antibody titre and the age of the subjects, with seroprevalence highest among the subjects aged 51–60 years and lowest in the subjects aged <21 years. Worryingly, 10 (20%) of the 50 female subjects who were of child-bearing age (15–40 years) were among those found seropositive for anti-T. gondii IgG. The mean antibody titres of the seropositive subjects ranged between 16.5 IU/ml (the threshold for positivity being 16 IU/ml) and >1000 IU/ml. In addition to age, occupation and eating habits were also significantly associated with seropositivity. Compared with the subjects who had no pets, dog owners were twice as likely to be seropositive. The relative risks for cat and dog ownership were, however, only 0.79 and 0.69, respectively, indicating that these animals might not be the main sources of human infection with T. gondii in the study area.

Epidemiology of Bovine Venereal Campylobacteriosis: Geographic Distribution and Recent Advances in Molecular Diagnostic Techniques

Bovine venereal campylobacteriosis (BVC) is a major cause of economic loss to the cattle industries in different parts of the world. Camplylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv), the main causative agent of BVC, is highly adapted to the genital tract of cattle and is transmitted by carrier bulls. However, infertility and abortions can also be caused by the intestinal pathogens C. fetus subsp. fetus (Cff), and C. jenuni, which are not venereally transmitted. Bovine venereal campylobacteriosis, caused by Cfv associated with lowered fertility, embryo mortality and abortion, repeated returns to service, reduced pregnancy rates and extended calving intervals, has the highest prevalence in developing countries where natural breeding in cattle is widely practised. The epidemiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of the disease have been the subject of previous reviews. The main focus of this review is to highlight the epidemiology of this disease with particular reference to geographical distribution and recent advances in molecular diagnostic techniques. It is hoped that further research interest of scientists will be stimulated with a view to finding lasting solutions to the reproductive problems associated with the disease for better livestock productivity, particularly in developing endemic countries.

Comparative studies on genital infections and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolates from camels (Camelus dromedarius) and cows (Bos indicus) in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria

A total of 160 genitalia of Camels and cows were investigated in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria to compare bacterial isolates and the antibacterial susceptibilities of some of the isolates. Streptococcus (Str.) pyogenes (31%), Escherichia (E.) coli (24%) and Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (20%) were the most common vaginal bacterial isolates in camels; while E. coli (73%), Str. pyogenes (18%) and S. aureus (11%) were the most frequent isolates in the cows. Of the 78 uterine isolates recovered in this study, E. coli was the most prominent in camels (8%) and cows (54%). The overall weight of genital infection in all camels and cows examined was highest (P < 0.05) with E. coli (79%), but there was no difference (P > 0.05) between vaginal and uterine bacterial isolates from camels and cows in this study. The Relative Risk (RR) for an infection of the vagina with E coli (3.04, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 2.104 to 4.398, P < 0.0001) is more in cows compared to the camel, but the RR for vaginal infection with S. aureus and Str. pyogenes were lower in cows compared to Camels. The E. coli and S. aureus isolates were highly susceptible to the antimicrobial agents tested. Therefore effective management of reproductive disorders associated with these pathogens can be achieved with proper use of these antimicrobial agents in these animal species

The prevalence of bovine venereal campylobacteriosis in cattle herds in the Lake Chad basin of Nigeria

The prevalence of bovine venereal campylobacteriosis (BVC) was investigated in the Lake Chad basin of Nigeria. Preputial washings and cervico-vaginal mucus samples were obtained from 270 cattle presenting a history of abortion and lowered fertility, kept in traditional and institutional farms. All the samples investigated were cultured using standard bacteriological technique. Campylobacter fetus was isolated from six bulls and four cows. In all cattle sampled, the isolation rates were 2.2% for C. fetus subsp. venerealis and 1.5% for C. fetus subsp. fetus; the herd and within-herd prevalence rates for C. fetus were 22.2% and 3.4%, respectively, while the overall active infectivity rate was 3.7%. BVC probably contributes to lowered fertility and abortions found in cattle in the Lake Chad basin of Nigeria, associated more with C. fetus subsp. venerealis than C. fetus subsp. fetus.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in cats in maiduguri, northeastern nigeria

Cats play an important role in the spread of Toxoplasma gondii because they are the only animals that excrete resistant oocysts into the environment. Prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in cats in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria was determined using the latex agglutination test (LAT). Thirty eight cats (36.2%) were seropositive using a cut off point of 1:64 with antibody titer ranging from 1:64 to 1:1024. Seroprevalence was higher in older animals and stray cats. Age and ownership status of cats were identified as risk factors but not gender or area of capture.