Theophilus Aghogho Jarikre

Pattern and associated risk factors of caprine pneumonia complex in Nigeria

Abstract Objective To investigate the pattern of lung consolidation in natural infections and identify the risk factors associated with caprine pneumonia in Nigeria so as to elucidate and aid the understanding of caprine respiratory disease complex in Nigeria. Methods A total of 700 goats were examined before slaughtering between March 2014 and July 2015. Ante mortem evaluation for physical characteristics, body condition, breed and sex, gross morphometry for estimation of the percentage of lung consolidation and histopathology was performed according to standard techniques. Data were presented in percentages, mean ± SEM and subjected to non-parametric analysis. Results The results showed that 30.3% of goats belonged to the breed of West African Dwarf, 55.4% Red Sokoto (RS) and 14.3% Sahelan. As for the age distribution, 3.7% of them were one year old, 30.7% were two years old and 65.6% were above two years old. The overall prevalence of pneumonia was 59.7%. The mean lung consolidation score was 8.1 ± 0.5, consolidation for male was 7.8 ± 0.5 and 21.4 ± 7.7 for female ( P P Conclusions Sex, breed and body scores were observed to be risk factors associated with caprine pneumonia in Nigerian goats. In this study, transport stress may be responsible for the high consolidation in RS. This information will help to increase the knowledge on the pathogenesis and the risk factors that often aggravate the prevalence of pneumonia in goats.

First report of immunohistochemical detection of Peste des petit ruminants, parainfluenza 3 and respiratory syncytial viral antigens in lungs of Nigerian goats

ABSTRACT This study determined the of involvement of PPR, PI3, and RS viruses in the pathology of caprine pneumonia across Nigeria. 150 goats were selected randomly. PI3 and RSV monoclonal antibodies and PPR polyclonal antibody were used for the immunolocalization of the antigens. Histologically, 61 of the goats had broncho-interstitial pneumonia, 25 had interstitial pneumonia, 42 had bronchopneumonia, 12 had bronchiolitis, and 10 were normal. PPR, PI3, and RS viral antigens were demonstrated in: intact and desquamated bronchial, bronchiolar epithelial cells, macrophages, leukocytes, pneumocytes, and giant cells. 23% of the caprine lungs had positive immuno-staining to PI3 viral antigen, 10% were positive for RSV antigen while 34% were positive for PPR viral antigen. 8% showed immunostaining for the two and or three respiratory viral antigens in the goats. PI3 and RSV antigens were more in the young goats, red sokoto breed and during the dry season. This is the first report of immunohistochemical detection of PPR, PI3 and RS viral antigens in caprine lungs in Nigeria. These findings underscore the importance of PI3 and RSV viruses in the control of caprine pneumonia in Nigeria.

Prevalence, distribution and pattern of gastric lesions in slaughtered pigs in south-western Nigeria

Gastric lesions, especially ulceration, cause significant economic losses in the swine industry worldwide. The study was designed to assess its prevalence, distribution and pattern in pigs in south-western Nigeria. Slaughter house surveys were conducted on three government-established abattoirs in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states. Stomachs from 480 pigs were assessed for gross lesions, which were graded using a modification of a standard technique. Tissues from different regions of the stomach were routinely stained to assess histopathologic changes. Data were presented as frequency counts and analysed using analysis of variance and chi-square technique. Significance was determined at p ≤ 0.05. Gastric lesions were encountered across the four regions of the stomach with a point prevalence of 57.29%. The prevalence of lesions in the non-glandular region was 32.9%, with severe hyperkeratosis (13.13%) being most frequently observed (p < 0.05). Erosions were significantly higher in the cardia (8.54%) (p < 0.05), followed by fundus (8.33%). Gastric ulcers were significantly higher in the fundus (19.58%) (p < 0.05). Scars of healed ulcers and lacerations were also observed in the fundus (5.42%) (p < 0.05). The gastric lesion distribution across the four regions of the stomach and the occurrence of ulceration in the fundus showed an unusual pattern, which is rarely reported in other parts of the world. The reason for these findings in pigs in Nigeria is not fully understood; therefore, further studies are required to identify and manage these factors for increased productivity, improved animal welfare and enhanced food security.

Evaluation of oxidative stress in caprine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of pneumonic and normal lungs

Abstract Research in the area of oxidative stress in pneumonic pathology still requires attention in small ruminants especially with the use of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) which may be a more sensitive indicator of respiratory diseases than blood. This investigation evaluates the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of caprine pneumonia using BAL fluid (BALf) from healthy and pneumonic goats. A BALf from 192 goats (whose pneumonic histopathology had been characterized using standard techniques) was biochemically assayed for anti-oxidants and pro-oxidants. Malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide generation (H2O2), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents were measured to assess free radical activity in the BALf. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione transferase (GST) and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were also determined colourimetrically. There were significant increases in the BALf supernatant of MDA, H2O2 and MPO with decreases in GSH level and SOD activity in the pneumonic goats (P < 0.05). There was also significant correlation of BALf oxidative assay to the type and severity of pneumonia. The levels of MDA, H2O2, and MPO increased significantly (P < 0.05) in bronchopneumonia and bronchointerstitial pneumonia than other pneumonic conditions and normal lungs. The management of caprine pneumonia should often incorporate antioxidant supplementation to correct the imbalance in pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant levels.

Enhanced electroscalpel incisional wound healing potential of honey in wistar rats

Abstract Electrosurgery reduces surgical bleeding, and delayed wound healing. This study evaluated comparative incisional wound healing potential of honey in wound created with electroscalpel and cold scalpel. The study used twelve (12) adult male albino rats (130 ± 20 g), randomly grouped into Electro-cautery (n = 6) and Cold scalpel (n = 6). Each rat had three full thickness (6 mm diameter) skin wounds (a, b and c) created on its dorsum with either Electroscalpel (ES) or Cold blade scalpel (CS), and treated topically with Silver sulphadiazine (SSD, wound a), untreated (control, wound b) and Bee honey (H, wound c). The wounds were evaluated for gross (exudation, edema, hyperemia, contraction), histologic (granulation, angiogenesis, fibroplasia, epithelialization) and immunologic healing indices using standard techniques. Data were analyzed with Chi-square, Two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range tests (DMRT) at α = 0.05. Wound hyperemia and edge edema were prominent in the ES group from day 4 to 6 (P = .000). Percentage wound contraction was higher in the CS than ES group from days 5 to 7 (P = .006) and in the CS treated with honey than ES treated with honey from days 7 to 14 (P = .000). Granulation tissue reduced in ES group treated with SSD than in honey and control wounds. Fibroelastic tissue increased in SSD and honey treated wounds of ES group, and higher in honey treated wounds of CS group (P < .05). Fibroplasia was sustained in honey and SSD treated wounds than control. Honey can be applied to electroscalpel surgical wound to facilitate rapid healing during surgical management of tumours having vascular network.

Zoo animals' disease pattern in a university zoological garden, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract Objective To investigate wildlife diseases in Nigeria spanning across 20 years, highlighting various conditions diagnosed in zoo/wild animals using conventional and ancillary pathological techniques. Methods The animals were closely examined for signs of illness by the attending veterinarian and clinical samples were taken as appropriate. Carcasses were submitted for detailed necropsy by the experienced pathologists and diagnostic samples were taken for cytological, microbial isolation, parasitic identification and histopathology. Results Between 1991 and 2014 about 262 carcasses of zoo animals were presented for postmortem comprising ruminants (12.2%), primates (16.8%), carnivores (11.5%), reptiles (20.6%), Equidae (4.2%), rodents (5%) and aviary (29.7%). Pasteurellosis and other forms of respiratory diseases were common in ruminants; pneumonia, trichuriasis and dndocarditis were common in primates; tuberculosis and helminthiasis (ancylostomiasis) were common in carnivores; enteritis and impaction were common in reptiles; cholera, salmonellosis and Newcastle diseases were common in aviary. Conclusions It is important to know the causes of death in zoo animals and wildlife for purposes of preservation and conservation.