http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/26 Veterinary Medicine 2026-04-04T11:30:36Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2224 MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF CULICOIDES SPECIES, THEIR HOST PREFERENCE AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE TRANSMISSION OF FILARIAL PARASITES IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA OKE, PHILIP OLADELE Culicoides (biting midges) are small blood-sucking dipteran flies inhabiting various regions of the world. They are biological vectors of numerous economically important pathogens, especially filarial nematodes and a serious source of annoyance to humans and animals. Despite their importance and status as neglected vectors, there is limited information on morphology and molecular identification of Culicoides species in Nigeria, especially Benue State. Therefore, this study was aimed at identifying Culicoides species, their host preference and their possible involvement in filarial worm transmission in Benue State, Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was used for the collection of adult Culicoides species in thirty locations across the three geopolitical zones (Benue South, Benue Northeast, and Benue Northwest) in Benue State, Nigeria. In weekly overnight collections using two CDC black-light suction traps, Culicoides species were trapped between January and December, 2018 and corresponding environmental data recorded. The trapped Culicoides were morphologically identified using a stereomicroscope to determine their sex and parity status. Polymerase chain reactions were carried out and characterisation of dominant species was achieved using sequence analysis targeting the ITS1 gene. Their sources of blood meals were investigated using mitochondrial MT-cyt b gene and their role in the transmission of filarial parasites was probed using Cox-1 gene. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and correlation coefficient at α0.05. A total of 30,163 Culicoides species were trapped, with the highest collection of 13,700 (45.4%) recorded for Benue South geopolitical zone. There was positive association between rainfall and the number of Culicoides species trapped (r = 0.96), while the number of catches correlated negatively with wind speed and temperature (r = -0.1586 and r = - 0.4789) respectively. Twenty-one species were morphologically identified. Females represents 87.9% (n = 26,502) of the total collection of which 31.4% (n = 8,314) were parous. The two dominant species were Culicoides imicola (37.6%) and C. oxystoma (13.8%). Culicoides indistinctus (0.2%) identified in this study area is a new species reported in Nigeria. The Nigerian C. imicola and C. indistinctus strains were 95.8% and 97.3% related to French strains respectively, while C. oxystoma was (95.2%) related to Israeli strains. Cattle (60%), humans (37%) and dogs (3%) were their preferred hosts. The filaria, Onchocerca gutturosa was found in C. imicola and C. oxystoma that fed on cattle, while Mansonella perstans was obtained only from C. oxystoma that fed on humans. Culicoides imicola and Culicoides oxystoma were dominant species while Culicoides indistinctus was identified for the first time in Nigeria. The potential roles of Culicoides in the transmission of filarial parasites of humans and animals were confirmed. Hence, control of Culicoides is recommended. 2023-03-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2222 SEROPREVALENCE, MOLECULAR AND CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY OF AVIAN METAPNEUMOVIRUS INFECTION IN THREE SELECTED CLIMATIC ZONES IN NIGERIA BAKRE, Adetolase Azizat Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) causes an immunosuppressive disease of the upper respiratory tract of chickens and turkeys, leading to substantial economic loss in poultry production. Despite the significant global burden of this disease, little is known about its endemicity, distinguishing clinical features, circulating virus subtypes and the role of climate in its occurrence in Nigeria. This study was designed to investigate aMPV seroprevalence, circulating subtypes, clinical presentation and predisposing factors in Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional study design and simple random sampling technique, blood was collected from 480 apparently healthy commercial chickens from states within three climatic zones of Nigeria: near-temperate (Plateau, n=160), rainforest (Oyo, n=160) and semi-arid (Sokoto, n=160) during the dry and wet seasons between December 2018 and September 2019. Harvested sera were tested for aMPV antibodies using indirect ELISA. A total of 168 tissue samples including conjunctivae, turbinates, tracheae and lungs (n=42 each) were collected from carcasses from chicken flocks with signs of respiratory distress presented at Veterinary diagnostic facilities in the study areas between December 2019 and April 2020 for virus detection using RT-PCR to amplify the N- and G-genes of the virus. Amplicons were sequenced using Sanger’s method and phylogenetic analysis was performed with appropriate software. Pretested questionnaires were administered to 42 owners of the sampled flocks to access information on clinical presentations and antibiotic usage during respiratory disease outbreaks. Thereafter, RT-PCR-positive samples were processed for virus isolation in Specific-Antibody-Negative embryonated chicken eggs. Bacteria associated with aMPV-positive tissues were isolated and identified using standard methods. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. The aMPV seroprevalence rates were 100.0, 48.8 and 56.2% for Plateau, Oyo and Sokoto states, respectively, during the dry season and 52.5, 36.2 and 65.0%, in the wet season. Mean antibody titers were significantly higher in the dry season (4757.9±223.5, 1414.0±158.0 and 2800.9±313.1) than wet season (670.7±74.9, 499.4±55.8 and 548.8±61.4) for Plateau, Oyo and Sokoto states, respectively. Turbinate and conjunctiva samples from five flocks (11.9 %) of layer chickens of all age groups were positive for aMPV in Plateau State with significant association between near temperate zone and the occurrence of the disease. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Nigerian aMPV strain clustered with European and Asian subtype B strains with unique mutations (T12I, G223E and A238V) in the G-gene. Clinical signs presented by aMPV-positive flocks included rales, coughing, sneezing and dyspnoea while the commonly used antibiotics by farmers were tylosin (71.4%), doxycycline (66.7%) and enrofloxacin (59.5%), without prescription. Virus isolation from aMPV-positive tissues was unsuccessful while secondary bacteria isolated included Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Avian metapneumovirus infection associated with a more virulent Subtype B strain was widespread in commercial layers in the study areas, with the turbinate and conjunctivae being the predilection sites. Associations with Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae were established, while transmission was aided by low environmental temperature and humidity. Routine vaccination of commercial chickens using homologous virus strains is recommended. 2023-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2220 DENTAL ERUPTION PATTERNS AND PROFILE OF DENTAL ANOMALIES IN THE NIGERIAN INDIGENOUS PIG (Sus scrofa) OKANDEJI, Michael Efeturi Pigs are omnivores which possess two sets of teeth, the deciduous and permanent teeth. Patterns of dental eruptions have been deployed in age estimation, while variations in dental eruption reflect the influence of genetics and the environment. Dental anomalies are noticeable deviations from the normal dental architecture. Despite the advances in dental studies in exotic pigs, there is limited information on the eruption pattern and dental anomalies of the Nigerian Indigenous Pig (NIP), which are important indices in production. This study was therefore designed to investigate the pattern of dental eruption and profile of dental anomalies in the NIP. Adult NIPs (six females, one male), with history of extensive husbandry, were obtained, housed intensively, and fed compounded feed (calcium-2.45%, crude protein-16.06%, metabolisable energy- 2,659kcal/kg) supplemented with cassava peels. The pigs were allowed to mate naturally and pregnant sows were observed till farrowing. Piglets (24 males, 27 females) and subsequent adults (12 males, 14 females) were retrieved, from the initial total of 51 piglets, for deciduous and permanent teeth eruption investigations, respectively. Deciduous tooth eruption was monitored, by oral observation, thrice weekly, from day one to 24 weeks, while permanent tooth eruption was monitored from 18 to 148 weeks. The profile of dental anomalies was assessed, using 47 macerated skulls of randomly selected pigs from the eruption studies (21 males, 26 females), that were sacrificed at various time points, between 12 and 204 weeks. Data on eruption and dental anomalies were observed and data analysed using descriptive statistics and Student’s t-test at α0.05. All piglets had eight “needle” (third incisor and canine) teeth at birth. Females had earlier onset of eruption of deciduous teeth (3.19±0.24 weeks), compared to males (3.38±0.25 weeks), while males had earlier onset of eruption of permanent teeth (20.33±0.33 weeks), compared to females (20.64±0.25 weeks). The eruption time for the third maxillary incisor, the mandibular and maxillary canines, and the fourth mandibular premolar teeth were significantly earlier in the adult males (38.00±2.07, 41.73±1.65, 42.18±1.71 and 67.29±0.42 weeks, respectively) compared to the females (47.24±1.52, 48.75±1.61, 51.50±1.04 and 69.45±0.64 weeks, respectively). Adult pigs (69.2%) did not erupt the first mandibular premolar tooth, while the deciduous mandibular incisor tooth was persistent in 42.3%. The deciduous teeth eruption sequence in the NIPs, was i3/i3→c1/c1→i1→p3→p3→i1→i2→p4→p4→p2→i2→i2, while permanent teeth eruption sequence was M1→P1→M1→I3→I3→C1→P1→C1→M2→M2→I1→I1→P3/P3→P4/P4→P2→P2→I2→I2→M3/M3. Dental anomalies were significantly higher in females (96.2%) than males (66.7%). Most of the skulls had signs of dental attrition (97.8%), stained teeth (95.7%), at least a missing tooth (65.9%) and 48.9% had at least one persistent deciduous tooth. Dental calculus, tooth fracture, dental caries and tooth rotation occurred in 74.4, 46.8, 34.0 and 21.3% of the skulls, respectively. The occurrence of needle and first molar teeth, as the first set of deciduous and permanent teeth to erupt, respectively, were established in the Nigerian indigenous pig. This is the first template for ageing in the Nigerian indigenous pigs. The preponderance of dental anomalies in the pig underscores the importance of the maintenance of dental health, for good management in this species. 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1673 CARDIOPULMONARY AND STRESS RESPONSES OF XYLAZINE, ACEPROMAZINE OR MIDAZOLAM SEDATED WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS TO DIFFERENT BODY POSITIONING BOLAJI-ALABI, FOLUSO BOLAWAYE West African Dwarf (WAD) goats serve as an important source of animal protein, are ubiquitous in rural Nigerian households and often undergo surgical procedures. Induction of general anaesthesia in goats is associated with resultant severe systemic side effects depending on the drug and due to position-induced stress. Information on the responses of sedated WAD goats to different sedatives and varying body positioning is not yet reported. Therefore, the study was designed to investigate cardiopulmonary and stress responses of WAD goats to xylazine, acepromazine or midazolam sedation in different body positioning. Adult WAD bucks (n=6), mean body weight of 11±2.0 kg were randomly selected for three separate experiments using xylazine, acepromazine or midazolam in five clinical trials lasting five days each. Sedation was achieved by intramuscular administration of xylazine (0.05mg/kg), acepromazine (0.2 mg/kg) or midazolam (0.3 mg/kg). For each experiment, goats were restrained in standing (control), Right Lateral (RL), Left Lateral (LL), supine and prone positions. Venous blood (5 ml) via jugular venipuncture was collected before and after each trial to determine selected stress biomarkers [blood glucose (mg/dL), plasma cortisol (mmol/L) and lactate dehydrogenase LDH (U/L)] using specific kits and Autoanalyser®. Heart Rate -HR (beats/minute), Respiratory Rate -RR (breaths/minute), Mean Arterial Pressure -MAP (mmHg), Oxygen-haemoglobin Saturation -SpO2 (%) and Rectal Temperature -RT (°C) were measured at intervals of 10 minutes for one hour using multiparameter monitor®. The bucks were rested for 14 days in between clinical trials. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. In LL, supine and prone body positions, peak blood glucose levels and plasma cortisol, respectively were significantly increased with xylazine (210.8±55.5; 44.0±32.3), acepromazine (121.0±70.4; 137.5±80.2) and midazolam (90.5±40.8; 97.3±31.5) compared to control (78.5±15.4; 14.7±9.1). Plasma levels of LDH (213.7±36.7 to 358.2±96.6) were significantly decreased compared to control (282.3±48.5 to 706.2±711.9) for the RL, LL, supine and prone positions with xylazine and acepromazine sedation. Significant decreases in HR (59.5±8.2 to 65.0±5.8) were observed with xylazine in all the body positions except in prone compared to control (72.4±23.4 to 78.6±31.4), while acepromazine and midazolam had highest HR with supine position. Xylazine sedation increased RR for the LL (37.2±18.9) versus control (30.3±13.9). Acepromazine and midazolam did not show any significant changes in RR for all body positions. Xylazine and acepromazine sedation resulted in significant decrease in MAP for the RL (45.3±19.5 to 70.0±10.5), LL (50.7±5.8 to 64.2±17.8) and supine (42.0±10.6 to 62.5±22.3) positions compared to control (61.3±10.1 to 87.0±10.7). However, midazolam sedation did not show significant changes in MAP in other body positions. No significant decrease was observed for SpO2 and RT with any of the sedatives regardless of body positions. Xylazine sedation resulted in severe hypotension and hyperglycaemia with left lateral and supine body positions whereas acepromazine and midazolam sedation resulted in mild hypotension and increased heart rate with the left lateral and prone body positions. The left lateral and prone positioning should therefore be avoided in caprine sedation. Acepromazine and midazolam are considered safer alternatives to xylazine for sedation in West African Dwarf goats. 2021-07-01T00:00:00Z