Prevalence of Dermatophytic Fungal Infections in Children: A Recent Study in Anambra State,Nigeria

We conducted a recent survey of dermatological fungal infections amongst children in both urban and rural parts of Anambra State in the south-east geographical flank of Nigeria during the period January 2003 to December 2003. Samples were collected from 1624 children with clinically suggestive lesions and also between the ages of 4 and 16. Young children aged 7–11 and 4– 6 years had significantly higher incidences (P < 0.05) than their older colleagues aged 12–16 years among samples proved to be mycologically positive by microscopy, culture or both. There was a significant difference in the incidence of dermatophytoses amongst children in urban and rural areas investigated (P < 0.05). Tinea capitis was the predominant clinical type. Trichophyton tonsurans was the most prevalent etiological agent while Microsporum audouinii was the least in occurrence. We compared our result with a recent study in the northern geographical zone and observed that although incidence of dermatophytoses is higher in northern Nigeria, tinea capitis was the predominant clinical type in both regions. In addition, the etiological agents appear to vary from time to time in their occurrence and the reasons for these observations are discussed. A regular surveillance and assessment of the etiologic agent and its prevalence by medical mycologists is strongly recommended to facilitate monitoring, reduce/prevent transmission and spread of dermatophytes in countries like Nigeria where they constitute a public health problem.     

The concentrations of methaemoglogin, carboxyhaemoglobin and somehaematological parameters in tobacco snuff addicts in Igbo of Nigeria.

Methaemoglobin, carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations and some haematological parameters were studied in fifty tobacco snuff addicts (40 males and 10 females) in some villages of Anambra State, Nigeria. The aim was to investigate possible adverse effects of tobacco snuff in addicts in Igbos of Anambra State. Fifty apparently healthy persons (25 males and 25 females) who do not inhale snuff were used as controls. The age range of tests and control subjects was 25-65 years. The results showed no statistically significant difference when the tests group was compared with the control group. A comparison of the results on the basis of sex, age and period of exposure, showed no significant differences. Blood picture in test and control groups was normocytic and normochromic. The results suggest that tobacco snuff may not have any adverse effect on haemoglobin metabolism and erythropoiesis.     

The effectiveness of combined control measures on the prevalence of guinea worm disease in Anambra State, Nigeria.

The prevalence of guinea worm Dracunculus medinensis was determined in communities in Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria during the 1984-1985 guinea worm season. Thereafter combined intervention measures which included health education and community participation in pond treatment were introduced in one of the two communities. There was a decrease in disease prevalence from 88.7% to 33% in Group A (372 households) and from 88% to 53% in Group B (368 households), two years after control measures were introduced in Igbeagu community. However, in 345 households in Mpu community without control measures, any decrease was not significant (from 88.7% to 86.5%). Health Education combined with pond disinfection proved to be a much better intervention measure, contributing to the change in attitude and therefore decrease in disease prevalence, than pond disinfection alone.     

The asteroid body of lobomycosis

The epidemiology of histoplasmosis duboisii (African histoplasmosis) is not well understood. The present study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of skin sensitivity and to determine by immunodiffusion the presence of antibodies among humans to histoplasmin around a recently discovered natural focus of Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii in a bat cave in Ogbunike in the Anambra State of Nigeria. Out of the 40 subjects, all young adults aged 18–30 years, comprising cave guides, traders and farmers examined in the immediate vicinity of the cave, 14 (35.0%) gave a positive skin test. In another population of the same age group, comprising 620 persons, viz. traders, farmers, palm oil workers and some patients attending rural clinics, examined in other nearby areas in Anambra State, 55 (8.8%) reacted positively to histoplasmin. In the immunodiffusion tests, 2 (2.08%) of the 96 school children and 17 (9.4%) of the 181 young adults, including farmers, palm oil workers and traders tested amongst the population around the cave, demonstrated precipitating antibodies to histoplasmin in their sera. Only 5 (0.79%) of the 630 adults of the same age group with similar occupations examined from other areas in Anambra State had precipitating antibodies. Out of another 50 subjects examined, viz.; wood workers, traders, farmers, and school teachers in Nsukka in the Enugu State, two (4.0%) demonstrated antibodies. It is suggested that asymptomatic infections due to the duboisii variety of H. capsulatum may be common in the human population around the cave. A diligent search with the help of local hospitals and public health officials may reveal clinical cases of histoplasmosis duboisii with cutaneous and systemic lesions.     

Use of deltamethrin 'pour-on' insecticide for the control of cattle trypanosomosis in the presence of high tsetse invasion

A deltamethrin 'pour-on' insecticide was applied monthly to over 2000 cattle exposed to a high challenge of drug-resistant trypanosomes and high tsetse re-invasion pressure in the Ghibe valley, south-west Ethiopia. Blood samples were taken monthly from an average of 760 cattle for determination of PCV and presence of trypanosomes. The area of the valley is approximately 350 km2 and the cattle grazed in roughly four locations covering about a quarter to half of the area. Two years before the trial commenced, Glossina morsitans submorsitans Newstead (Diptera: Glossinidae) began to invade the valley. Despite the use of the pour-on the mean apparent density of G. m. submorsitans continued to rise, and, during the 4 years of tsetse control, was more than three-fold higher than that recorded during the previous 18 months. Over the same period there was little change in the apparent density of Glossina pallidipes Austen (Diptera: Glossinidae). By contrast, the mean monthly prevalence of trypanosome infections in cattle over 36 months of age decreased from 38.3 to 29.0%, the incidence of new infections decreased from 26.6 to 16.0% (a reduction of 40%), and packed cell volume in cattle increased from 21.7 to 24.1%. Evidence of a change in apparent parasite transmission rate was demonstrated by regression of infection incidence in cattle on the logarithm of apparent density of G. m. submorsitans. Before the trial started the regression coefficient was 45.8 +/- 6.3 and this reduced to 9.2 +/- 2.5% incidence per log(e) (flies/trap/day) during the period of tsetse control. It was concluded that this indicated reductions in tsetse numbers in the immediate vicinities of cattle in a way that was not reflected in overall tsetse catches. Nevertheless, the comparatively high levels of trypanosome prevalence that persisted in the cattle demonstrates that, where invasion prevalence is high, treatment of small pockets of cattle will not eradicate tsetse. To achieve more significant reduction in trypanosome prevalence in cattle, integrated methods of control utilizing target barriers in the major routes of invasion will be needed.     

Schistosoma curassoni Brumpt, 1931 and S. bovis (Sonsino, 1876) in cattle in northern Nigeria

Schistosoma curassoni has been recovered from cattle in northern Nigeria. Rectal scrapings of 90 cows slaughtered at the Kano abattoir, Kano, Nigeria during March and April 1986 revealed a prevalence of 7.8% S. bovis and 2.2% S. curassoni. Further examination of the mesenteric and rectal veins of 502 cows showed that the overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 31.1%. Local Bulinus globosus were infected successfully in the laboratory with s. bovis miracidia.     

Molecular detection of dugbe orthonairovirus in cattle and their infesting ticks (Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)) in Nigeria

Dugbe orthonairovirus (DUGV), a tick-borne zoonotic arbovirus, was first isolated in 1964 in Nigeria. For over four decades, no active surveillance was conducted to monitor the spread and genetic variation of DUGV. This study detected and genetically characterized DUGV circulating in cattle and their infesting ticks (Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)) in Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria. Blood and or ticks were collected from 1051 cattle at 31 sampling sites (abattoirs and farms) across 10 local government areas of the State. DUGV detection was carried out by RT-qPCR, and positive samples sequenced and phylogenetically analysed. A total of 11824 ticks, mostly A. variegatum (36.0%) and R. (B.) microplus (63.9%), were obtained with mean tick burden of 12 ticks/cattle. Thirty-four (32 A. variegatum and two R. (B.) microplus) of 4644 examined ticks were DUGV-positive, whereas all of the cattle sera tested negative for DUGV genome. Whole genome sequence (S, M and L segments) and phylogenetic analyses indicate that the positive samples shared up to 99.88% nucleotide identity with and clustered around the Nigerian DUGV prototype strain IbAr 1792. Hence, DUGV with high similarity to the previously characterised strain has been detected in Nigeria. To our knowledge, this is the first report of DUGV in North-Central Nigeria and the most recent information after its last surveillance in 1974.     

Coenzyme Q de quelques espèces du genre Pichia

A survey was carried out on the distribution of ringworm infections among school children in four primary schools in Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria. Out of a total population of 6 987, 237 (3.4%) were found to be infected by this disease. There was a high incidence of both scalp and foot ringworms among the infected children. Fourteen species of dermatophytes were isolated from the ringworm cases. The scalp ringworm had the highest number of fungal isolates. Trichophyton mentagrophyte and T. rubrum had the highest frequencies of occurrence. Some of the infected children were found to have nomadic parents who moved about with cattle.     

Seasonality of births in South-Eastern Nigeria.

A study of seasonal pattern of births in Nigeria was conducted using data on live births for the period 1971-76 from 4 climatically similar southeastern states (Anambra, Imo, Cross River and Rivers State). After pooling the data, the monthly distribution for different years was calculated. The resulting time series was graphically compared with temperature levels during time of conception, or nine months back. Data analysis revealed a seasonal pattern in the monthly distribution of births, with the peak period observed during April-June, and a trough during November-January. Counting 9 months back, the conceptions were calculated as occuring during July, August, or September of the previous year. In terms of the annual agricultural cycle of the southeastern states, July-September corresponded with the period of light farm work or relative idleness for men (main activity during this period is weeding and tending the crops, tasks primarily done by women and children); this is also a period of abundance of fruits, vegetables and palm wine, and rains after dusk, conditions conducive to mating.     

Potential Risk of Regional Disease Spread in West Africa through Cross-Border Cattle Trade

Background

Transboundary animal movements facilitate the spread of pathogens across large distances. Cross-border cattle trade is of economic and cultural importance in West Africa. This study explores the potential disease risk resulting from large-scale, cross-border cattle trade between Togo, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Benin, and Nigeria for the first time.

Methods and Principal Findings

A questionnaire-based survey of livestock movements of 226 cattle traders was conducted in the 9 biggest cattle markets of northern Togo in February-March 2012. More than half of the traders (53.5%) operated in at least one other country. Animal flows were stochastically simulated based on reported movements and the risk of regional disease spread assessed. More than three quarters (79.2%, range: 78.1–80.0%) of cattle flowing into the market system originated from other countries. Through the cattle market system of northern Togo, non-neighbouring countries were connected via potential routes for disease spread. Even for diseases with low transmissibility and low prevalence in a given country, there was a high risk of disease introduction into other countries.

Conclusions

By stochastically simulating data collected by interviewing cattle traders in northern Togo, this study identifies potential risks for regional disease spread in West Africa through cross-border cattle trade. The findings highlight that surveillance for emerging infectious diseases as well as control activities targeting endemic diseases in West Africa are likely to be ineffective if only conducted at a national level. A regional approach to disease surveillance, prevention and control is essential.     

Conditional economic incentives and motivational interviewing to improve adolescents’ retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy in Southeast Nigeria: study protocol for a cluster randomised trial

Background

Adolescent HIV patients face enormous difficulty in accessing HIV care services. Given their vulnerability to risk-taking behaviour, this group also have worse treatment outcomes compared to other age groups. Poor treatment outcomes will impact negatively on HIV/AIDS management and control particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as more than eight out of ten of the world’s HIV-infected adolescents live in this region of the world. Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of service delivery interventions to support adolescents’ retention on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and adherence to ART. This trial is designed to evaluate the impact of conditional economic incentive and motivational interviewing on adolescents’ retention in HIV care and adherence to ART in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria.

Methods/design

The study will be a cluster randomised controlled trial that will be conducted in selected HIV treatment hospitals in Anambra State, Nigeria. Based on sample size calculation, 12 HIV treatment hospitals from Anambra will be selected for the study. Six HIV treatment hospitals each will be randomised to either the intervention or the control arm. A structured adherence support scheme termed the ‘Incentive Scheme’ will be applied to the intervention arm while the control arm will receive routine HIV care (usual care). Additionally, patients in the intervention arm will receive motivational interviewing at baseline and following initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), they will receive a gift voucher of US$5.6 when HIV viral load (VL) is <?20 copies/mL at 12?weeks, a gift voucher of US$2.8 if the VL remains suppressed for the next 3?months, and the next 6?months, and finally a gift voucher of US$5.6 if the VL remains <?20 copies/mL at 1?year. All gift vouchers will be conditional not only on VL results but attending the motivational interviews. The primary outcome for the trial will be the difference between groups in the proportion with HIV VL suppression (≤?20 copies/mL) by 12?months and then 24?months after withdrawal of incentive.

Discussion

The findings of this proposed trial will provide evidence on the feasibility of applying conditional economic incentives combined with motivational interviewing to improve retention and adherence to antiretroviral therapy of adolescents living with HIV in Nigeria and possibly in other sub-Saharan African countries.

Trial registration

Registered in the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry, ID: PACTR201806003040425. Registered on 2 February 2018.

     

Sensitivity of an antigen detection enzyme immunoassay for diagnosis of Trypanosoma congolense infections in goats and cattle

The sensitivity of a monoclonal antibody-based antigen-detection enzyme immunoassay (antigen-ELISA) for the diagnosis of Trypanosoma congolense was evaluated using sera from experimentally infected goats and cattle. Ten goats (Galla x East African Masai) and 7 steers (Bos indicus) were infected with different clones of T. congolense and left to run a chronic course for 46 and 24 mo, respectively. During this period, monthly blood samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of trypanosomes and antigens in peripheral blood. Of 383 caprine blood samples, 361 (94.3%) were positive for circulating antigens whereas only 42 (10.9%) had demonstrable trypanosomes as revealed by the microhematocrit centrifugation technique. In cattle, 570 (82.5%) of 691 blood samples were antigen-ELISA positive compared to 136 (19.7%) samples with detectable trypanosomes. In an analysis of serum samples from goats in an area known to be endemic for trypanosomiasis, 106 (80.9%) of 131 were positive for T. congolense antigens whereas none of the corresponding blood samples had detectable trypanosomes. Control sera from 24 goats in a trypanosomiasis-free region were all antigen-ELISA negative. Hence, the antigen-ELISA was at least 4 times more sensitive than the microhematocrit centrifugation technique in monitoring T. congolense infections in goats and cattle.     

The contribution of symbiotic nitrogen fixation to the nitrogen economy of natural ecosystems

Summary Fourty four species of native wild herbaceous legumes belonging to 12 genera and associated with mature fallow lands of the derived savanna were collected from seven random locations encompassing an estimated area of 10,800 km² and containing the seven different geomorphological soil formations in Anambra State of Nigeria.The number of legume species found differed according to the dominant grass in the fallows sampled, more species being associated with Andropogon, Hyperrhenia and Pennisetum than with Imperata and Loudetia. Detailed vegetation analysis of one hectare of fallow land dominated by Loudetia in one of the locations revealed that legumes comprised about 3% of the species encountered.In greenhouse trials, all the 19 species studied nodulated. The correlation (r=0.646) between fresh weight of nodules and dry weight of tops was significant at 0.01 level. Leaf N in these species ranged from 4.27% to 1.88%.The study indicated that a large number of naturally occurring herbaceous leguminous species, some of which appear to have promising potentials for increasing the N economy of the ecosystem, exists in the fallow land of the derived savanna.     

A large seroprevalence survey of brucellosis in cattle herds under diverse production systems in northern Nigeria

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to investigate the status of brucellosis in cattle under various management systems in Adamawa, Kaduna and Kano states, northern Nigeria. Using multi-stage sampling, serum samples of 4,745 cattle from 271 herds were tested using the Rose-Bengal plate-agglutination test (RBPT) and positives were confirmed using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). RESULTS: Prevalence estimates were calculated by adjusting for sampling weights and where possible for test sensitivity and specificity. Thirty-seven percent of all animals were RBPT positive, and after confirmation with c-ELISA the overall animal-level prevalence, adjusted for sampling weights, was 26.3% (95% CI, 22.1%-31.0%). Of the herds sampled, 210 (77.5%; 95% CI, 68.6%-84.5%) had at least one animal positive to both tests; this did not differ significantly between states (P = 0.538). Mean within-herd seroprevalence in positive herds was 30.2% (95% CI, 25.3%-35.1%) and ranged from 3.1% to 85.7%. Overall animal-level seroprevalences of 29.2% (95% CI, 22.5%-36.9%) (n = 1827), 23.3% (95% CI, 18.9%-28.3%) (n = 1870) and 26.7% (95% CI, 18.8%-36.7%) (n = 1048) were observed in Adamawa, Kaduna and Kano states, respectively (P = 0.496). A significantly higher seroprevalence was found in males (38.2%; 95% CI, 31.7%-45.2%) than in females (24.7%; 95% CI, 20.4%-29.5%) (P < 0.001) and in non-pregnant females (27.8%; 95% CI, 22.9%-33.5%) than in pregnant females (17.2%; 95% CI, 13.6%-21.5%) (P < 0.001). Seroprevalence increased with increasing age (P < 0.001), from 13.5% (95% CI, 8.9%-19.9%) in cattle <4 years to 35.0% (95% CI, 28.5%-42.3%) in cattle >7 years. Seroprevalence also varied between management systems (P < 0.001): pastoral systems 45.1% (95% CI, 38.6%-51.9%), zero-grazing systems 23.8% (95% CI, 6.8%-59.2%), agro-pastoral systems 22.0% (95% CI, 17.3%-27.8%), and commercial farms 15.9% (95% CI, 9.5%-25.5%). Seroprevalence did not differ significantly between breeds or lactation status. CONCLUSION: This is the first large study to assess the prevalence of bovine brucellosis over a wide geographic area of northern Nigeria, in a variety of management systems and using accurate tests. The seroprevalence of brucellosis was high, and higher than results of previous studies in northern Nigeria. The pastoral management systems of the traditional Fulanis may be encouraging the dissemination of the disease. Public enlightenment of the farmers about the disease, vaccination and appropriate national control measures are recommended.     

Preparation of a flowable liquid bacterial insecticide based on Bacillus sphaericus

Fermenter-produced Bacillus sphaericus 2362 was formulated into a thick, dark flowable liquid concentrate containing 4.8×10⁹ c.f.u./ml and charcoal as protector against ultraviolet light. The potencies of the formulation against L₄ Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus before and after storage for 2 years were 5714 and 5862 International Toxic Units (ITU), respectively, when compared with a standardized B. sphaericus from the WHO at 1000 ITU. In field trials, treatment at 1.01/ha gave 96 to 100% control of mosquito larvae. B. sphaericus could be re-isolated in 5% of the samples 9 months after application.The authors are at the Department of Applied Microbiology & Brewing, Anambra State University of Technology, P.M.B. 5025, Awka, Nigeria.     

The diagnostic value of haematuria and proteinuria in Schistosoma haematobium infection in southern Nigeria.

Haematuria and proteinuria as detected by chemical reagent strips correlated moderately (r = 0.7) with prevalence and intensity of infection with Schistosoma haematobium in an area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Differences attributable to age and sex were also reflected in a similar pattern, all peaks occurring in the 5-14 year age group. The differences observed with varying levels of intensity and haematuria at both 10 and 50 erythrocytes/microliter (p < 0.001) and proteinuria at 0.3 g/dl (p < 0.01) were statistically significant. At a proteinuria level of 1 g/dl, the observed differences were however not statistically significant (p > 0.5). The percentage of specimens from children (0-14 years) positive for S. haematobium eggs and with at least traces of haematuria and proteinuria (63.4% and 95%, respectively) was higher than in adults (33.3% and 80.2%, respectively). All individuals with more than 50 eggs/10 ml of urine were correctly identified using both indices either separately or in combination. For egg counts of less than 50 eggs/10 ml of urine, false diagnosis occurred in only 5% of all specimens examined. The sensitivity and specificity of haematuria and proteinuria at trace quantities was very high, but haematuria had a higher predictive value for a positive test (PvPt) and was considered the overall better indicator. A combination of both indices did not significantly increase the PvPt. When trace haematuria and moderate proteinuria were combined, both the sensitivity, specificity and PvPt were all above 90%, giving the best overall values in all the combinations made.     

Trypanosoma congolense: Specific transformation in vitro of leukocytes from infected or immunized cattle

An assay to measure the specific proliferation in vitro of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) in response to ultrasonicated trypanosomes was adapted for use in cattle. The kinetics of mitosis exhibited by PBL from cattle which had been treated following infection with Trypanosoma congolense paralleled the development of a delayed-type skin reaction elicited with ultrasonicated and Formalin-fixed T. congolense. Responses in both tests were maximal on the fourth day after initiation. Specific proliferation of PBL harvested from cattle which had been immunized with intact, nonviable trypanosomes was also elicited in vitro by trypanosomal antigen. Peripheral blood leukocytes taken from cattle immunized with 50 μg of variant-specific surface antigen (VSSA) from T. brucei and from cattle infected with T. congolense were not stimulated to divide in vitro by ultrasonicated trypanosomes.     

The abundance and trophic biology of Clarias albopunctatus Nichols & LaMonte, 1953 (Osteichthyes: Clariidae) in a tropical floodriver basin

The abundance, food and feeding biology of Clarias albopunctatus was studied over a period of 17 months in the lower River Anambra, Nigeria. The catfish was more abundant in late dry season (January–March) and early rainy season (April–June) than in other periods of the year in the small-sized Akwu pond than in other habitats. Feeding intensity was higher at night and at dawn (20.00–05.00 h) than during the day (08.00–17.00 h) in the 151–200 mm TL size class and during the rainy season (April–September). There was no sex-dependent variation in feeding intensity. Insects were the predominant food, followed by crustaceans. Of primary importance were Chironomidae (mainly Chironomus spp. and Tanypus sp.), Odonata nymphs, Dytiscus sp., mosquito larvae and pupae, Gyrinus sp., Daphnia sp., Ostracoda and Tilapia fry. Qualitative food composition and food richness were size, but not sex – or season-dependent. Diet breadth increased with catfish size and during the rainy season. The feeding behaviour of the catfish include foraging, shovelling and surface feeding. Abundant food and ability to switch to more available items enable C. albopunctatus to maintain its abundance in the River Anambra. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The decline of a Glossina morsitans submorsitans belt in the Egbe area of the derived savanna zone, Kwara State, Nigeria

In the the early 1970s the Egbe area of Nigeria was known to be one of high trypanosomiasis risk, with four Glossina species G. morsitans submorsitans Newstead, G.longipalpis Wiedemann, G.palpalis palpalis Robineau-Desvoidy and G.tachinoides Westwood present. Grazing by Fulani pastoralists used to be short-term and only in the dry season. In recent years these pastoralists have grazed their cattle in the area throughout the year and this has prompted a reappraisal of the tsetse situation. Tsetse populations were sampled for 3 years using hand-net catches from man or an ox and biconical traps. Resident livestock, slaughter cattle and some of the flies were examined for trypanosome infection. Of the four tsetse species previously reported from the area, only the riverine species, G.p.palpalis and G.tachinoides, were encountered during the investigation. None of the 152 G.p.palpalis and 52 G.tachinoides examined was infected with trypanosomes. No infection was detected in 101 slaughtered cattle, 65 live Muturu, twelve goats and two pigs by wet film examination. However, a 14.3% Trypanosoma vivax infection rate was detected by Haematocrit Centrifugation Technique (HCT) examination in twenty-one slaughtered cattle. Increased human activities over the years had destroyed much of the vegetation and depleted the wild-life population to an extent that resulted in the disappearance of G.m.submorsitans and G.longipalpis, resulting in turn in a greatly reduced trypanosomiasis risk. It is likely that a similar trend is occurring in other areas of the Derived Savanna and Forest zones of West Africa as the human population expands.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Heartwater infection (cowdriosis) in a sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) in Nigeria

Cowdria ruminantium was isolated from a natural infection of heartwater in a captive sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) which died after a short illness in Jos Zoo, Nigeria. The isolate killed laboratory mice in a shorter period of time than did isolates of C. ruminantium recovered from natural cases in cattle. This is the first confirmed case of heartwater in a captive wild ruminant in Nigeria, where the disease is endemic.