Clinico-pathological studies on experimental cryptococcal mastitis in goats

Unilateral intramammary inoculation of 10 goats withCryptococcus neoformans (2×10⁶ yeast cells) resulted in the development of mastitis, with gross and microscopic lesions being restricted to the infected udder halves only and there was no dissemination of infection to the opposite uninfected udder halves as well as to other organs of the body. The experiment was continued for 40 days, with 2 animals each from the infected and control groups being killed on 5th, 10th, 20th, 30th and 40th day postinoculation (DPI). Initial enlargement of the infected udder halves was followed by marked decrease in size leading to very small, firm and nodular udder halves. After infection, there was also sharp fall in the milk yield. Cryptococcal organisms were demonstrated in the mastitic milk and udder impression smears with special stains.C. neoformans was reisolated from the milk of only infected udder halves up to 25th DPI. Microsopically, there was initially acute diffuse purulent mastitis which later on became chronic, characterised by marked infiltration of lymphocytes, macrophages, extensive fibrosis and development of multiple granulomas. The cryptococcal organisms could be demonstrated in the udder sections only up to 30th DPI. It is concluded that intramammary inoculation ofCryptococcus neoformans in goats leads to severe mastitis with sharp fall in milk yield.     

Biochemical and haematological changes in HIV subjects receiving winniecure antiretroviral drug in Nigeria

Background

Hematological and biochemical abnormalities are among the most common clinicopathological manifestations of HIV patients on ART. Consequently, the development and assessment of indigenous antiretroviral drugs with minimal abnormalities becomes a necessity. The objective of this investigation was to assess potential haematological and biochemical abnormalities that may be associated with the administration of Winniecure ART in HIV patients undergoing treatment in Nigeria. Fifty (50) confirmed HIV positive ART naïve patients aged 36 ± 10 were observed for haematological and biochemical responses for 12 weeks. Haematological responses were assessed thrice at 6 weeks interval using coulter Ac-T differential analyser and biochemical indicators (bilirubin, creatine, urea, amylase, ALT, ALP, AST, albumin) assayed spectrophotometrically.

Results

The biochemical parameters ALP (P < 0.05), ALT (P < 0.0001), AST (P < 0.001) and amylase (P < 0.05) slightly increased at the 12^th week, no significant change was observed in plasma creatinine and urea concentrations while albumin levels decreased non-significantly (P > 0.002). Haematological results showed consistent reduction of ESR, eosinophil, absolute and differential lymphocytes, granulocytes and total WBC in the test subjects throughout the assessment period. Conversely, haemoglobin, platelet and PCV increased significantly (P < 0.05). At the 12^th week thrombocytopenia (10.30%) and anaemia (76%) were reduced to 2% and 31% respectively while neutropenia (4.2 to 8%), leucopenia (26.8 to 30%) and lymphopenia (1 to 10%) increased. No cases of neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, eosinophilia and leukocytosis was observed.

Conclusion

The drug has a reduced haematological abnormalities and normal kidney function was unaffected though there were signs of possible abnormal levels of hepatic enzymes beyond 12 weeks of treatment.     

Experimental candidal mastitis in goats: Clinical,haematological, biochemical and sequential pathological studies

The present study, first of its kind, was conducted with the objectives to understand hitherto little known aspects of candidal mastitis, like its sequential pathology, pathogenesis and clinico-biochemical changes. For this purpose, unilateral intramammary inoculation of 10 goats with Candida albicans (1.2 × 10⁷ yeast cells) resulted in the development of mastitis, with gross and microscopic lesions being restricted to the infected udder halves only and without dissemination of infection to the opposite uninfected udder halves as well as other organs of the body. The experiment was continued for 40 days and after infection, there was sharp fall in milk yield and Candida albicans was directly demonstrated in the milk and re-isolated from the milk and udder tissues up to 30th day after inoculation. An increase in total immunoglobulins in the milk and plasma along with increase in total plasma proteins were also observed. Haematology revealed leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Microscopically, there was acute purulent mastitis, which later became chronic, nonpurulent and interstitial with formation of granulomas. It was concluded that Candida albicans was highly pathogenic to the lactating goat mammary gland even without immunosuppression or antibiotic treatment, resulting in severe irreversible tissue damage and nearly complete agalactia. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Study of Environmental Awareness and Attitudes in Ibadan,Nigeria

Biodiversity and the natural environment have suffered a huge negative impact around the world as a result of excessive exploitation by humans and the often short-sighted economic policies of national governments. Some scientists have asserted that the resolution of this problem may lie in a proper examination and understanding of human knowledge of, and attitudes toward, the environment. In this study, we examine the distribution of environmental awareness and attitudes in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria across sociodemographic categories. We found that contrary to a number of findings from studies in other parts of the world, older respondents were the most concerned about the environment and youths were not more knowledgeable than older individuals about environmental issues. Male respondents had more knowledge than females but gender did not affect other aspects of environmental attitudes. However, occupation and education both had marked effects on environmental knowledge and attitudes. Our study suggests that given the current socioeconomic situation in Nigeria, and limited knowledge of environmental issues, the most effective strategy for promoting environmentally responsible behavior and positive attitudes regarding less obvious issues such as biodiversity loss might simply be to increase exposure to straightforward messages emphasizing their relevance.     

Ameliorative effects of L-glutamine on haematological parameters in heat-stressed Red Sokoto goats

The aim of the study was to evaluate haematological responses in Red Sokoto goats (RSGs) administered with L-glutamine during the hot-dry season. Experimental animals included 28 clinically healthy RSGs divided into treated group (n = 14); each administered L-glutamine at 0.2 g/kg body weight, dissolved in 10 mL distilled water, and control group (n = 14); each administered 10 mL distilled water, per os once daily for 21 days. The ambient temperature and relative humidity recorded daily for 4 weeks were used to calculate the temperature-humidity index. Three millilitres of blood sample was collected from each goat by jugular venipuncture for haematology, while rectal temperature (RT), heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) were also measured once weekly at weeks 0 (before), 1, 2, 3 (during) and 4 (after L-glutamine administration). The haematological, RT, HR and RR data obtained weekly were analysed using repeated-measures one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's post-hoc test to evaluate differences between periods, and between treated and control groups. The PCV, haemoglobin concentration and RBC count were higher (P < 0.05) in the treated group compared to the control group during the period of L-glutamine administration. These differences were sustained till week 4. Beginning from week 1 of the study, the total leucocyte count in treated group (10.10 ± 0.25 × 10³/μL) was higher (P < 0.05) than the count in control group (7.23 ± 0.41 × 10³/μL), this trend was also maintained throughout the study. The neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio during weeks 3 and 4 of the experiment was lower (P < 0.05) in the treated compared to the control group. RT was lower (P < 0.05) in treated group than the control group. In conclusion, L-glutamine administration ameliorated the adverse effects of heat stress on the haematological parameters in RSGs during the hot-dry season.     

Insecticide susceptibility of Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in Ibadan,Southwest Nigeria

The emergence of insecticide resistance in Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes has great implications for malaria control in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the dynamics of insecticide susceptibility levels and the frequency of knock‐down resistance (kdr) mutations (L1014F) in wild Anopheles coluzzii Coetzee & Wilkerson sp. n. and Anopheles gambiae Giles from the Ojoo and Bodija areas of Ibadan, in southwest Nigeria. Insecticide susceptibility to pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates and organochlorines was assessed using World Health Organization (WHO) bioassays. A subset of the mosquitoes exposed to pyrethroids and DDT was used for species and molecular form identification; kdr genotyping was determined using the TaqMan real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay. The mosquitoes were resistant to pyrethroids and DDT but completely susceptible to organophosphates and carbamates. Bodija samples (n = 186) consisted of An. gambiae (91.4%) and An. coluzzii (8.1%) and included one An. coluzzii/An. gambiae hybrid specimen. All mosquitoes screened in Ojoo (n = 26) were An. gambiae. The 1014F kdr mutation was detected at frequencies of 24.5 and 5.8% in Bodija and Ojoo, respectively. No correlation was observed between kdr genotypes and resistance phenotypes. The results indicate that metabolic resistance probably plays an important role in the development of resistance and highlight the need to implement insecticide resistance management strategies.     

Salmonellae isolated from captive animals in Ibadan, Western State of Nigeria

Six serotypes of salmonellae, Salmonella offa, S. glostrup, S. wimborne, S. dublin, S. saint-paul and S. webridge were isolated from captive wild animals in Ibadan, Western State of Nigeria. S. wimborne and S. glostrup are reported for the first time in Nigeria. All strains were sensitive to nitrofurantoin (200 mcg) and chloramphenical (10 mcg) but there wasmarked resistance to sulphafurazole (100 mcg) and penicillin (1.5 units).     

Sequential pathological studies in the udder of goats intramammarily infected withAspergillus fumigatus

Intramammary inoculation of goats withAspergillus fumigatus spores resulted in the development of mastitis with characteristic gross and microscopic lesions. The mastitis and the lesions were restricted to the infected udder halves only and there was no dissemination of infection to other tissues of the body. The experiment was continued for 45 days. Gross changes in the infected udder were observed up to the 45th day post-infection. The lesions, in general, included variable sized abscesses in the first 15 days followed by development of varying sized greyish-white nodules in the infected udders. Microscopic changes consisted of granulomatous reaction with well developed granulomas in the infected udders. Hyphae and spores ofAspergillus fumigatus could be demonstrated in sections of the infected udders up to 45 days after infection. Reisolation of the fungus consistently was achieved up to 45 days. It is concluded that intramammary inoculation ofAspergillus fumigatus spores in goats leads to chronic granulomatous mastitis.     

Land snail species richness and diversity in Idanre hills,Ondo State,Nigeria

The land snail community of Idanre hills was studied using a combination of direct search and leaf litter‐sieving techniques. In total, 36 species and 2192 individuals in nine molluscan families were collected from 19 plots of 400 m² each. Species richness varied from 8 to 23 and the number of individuals from 21 to 566 per plot. Species richness was dominated by the carnivorous Streptaxidae, while numerical abundance was dominated by the Subulinidae, Streptaxidae and Urocyclidae, contributing to more than 95% of the total number of individuals. The single most abundant species was the urocyclid Trochozonites talcosus, contributing to almost 20% of the total number of individuals. The species richness and high abundance of land snails make Idanre hills a unique site for molluscan conservation in Nigeria.     

The cardiac biomarkers troponin I and CK-MB in nonpregnant and pregnant goats, goats with normal birth, goats with prolonged birth, and goats with pregnancy toxemia

This study was designed to establish the reference range for the cardiac biomarkers cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) in nonpregnant and pregnant goats, goats with normal birth, goats with prolonged birth associated with dystocia, and goats with pregnancy toxemia. Fifty-seven does, categorized into three groups (G1 to G3), were used. These groups were comprised of 20 healthy does (G1), 19 does with prolonged birth (G2), and 18 does with pregnancy toxemia (G3). Six blood samples (T0 to T5) were collected from G1. The first blood sample (T0) was taken before insemination, the second (T1) at the first trimester, the third (T2) at the second trimester, the fourth (T3) at the last trimester, the fifth (T4) within 12 h of parturition, and the sixth blood sample (T5) was taken 10 days after parturition. A sample of blood was obtained from G2 and G3 upon admission to the hospital. At T0 to T3, no cTnI was detected in any of the 20 does in G1. At parturition (T4), seven of the 20 goats (35%) exhibited slightly elevated cTnI concentrations (range, 0.01 to 0.04 ng/mL). Ten days after parturition (T5), cTnI was not detected in any of the 20 goats. In 10 of the 19 goats (53%) with prolonged birth (G2), the cTnI was significantly elevated to a mean value of 0.094 ± 0.155 ng/mL, with a maximum value of 0.61 ng/mL. In 16 of the 18 goats (89%) with pregnancy toxemia (G3), the cTnI was significantly elevated to a value of 0.852 ± 1.472 ng/mL, with a maximum value of 5.219 ng/mL. Comparing the values of CK-MB in G1 (T0 to T5), G2 and G3 revealed nonsignificant differences. Only a slight elevation in the CK-MB levels in goats with prolonged birth (G2) was noted. We concluded that in healthy does, the cardiac biomarker cTnI is not elevated during normal pregnancy. The serum cTnI concentration may be elevated in a number of goats at normal vaginal or cesarean delivery. Finally, cTnI is significantly elevated in does with pregnancy toxemia and could be used as a prognostic indicator in such cases. The cardiac biomarker CK-MB is not a good indicator of parturition stress in does. Serum cTnI is elevated in goats with pregnancy toxemia, indicating some degree of cardiac dysfunction.     

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.     

Malaria Endemicity in the Rural Communities of Ebonyi State,Nigeria

Malaria remains a global health threat. Approximately 97% of the population is at risk in sub-Saharan countries, particularly Nigeria. This study compared the performance of 2 diagnostic methods in assessing malaria endemicity in the rural communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A total of 1,140 study participants were screened for malaria parasite using Rapid Diagnostic Test kits (RDT) in the field, while thick and thin films for microscopy were examined in the laboratory. Our result showed that malaria prevalence was 56.8 by RDT and 38.6% by microscopic test. Age group under 10 years had the highest prevalence of 28.9% (RDT) and 23.6% (microscopy), respectively. The highest prevalence of 19.5% by RDT was recorded in Onicha Local Government Area, while the highest prevalence of 13.4% with microscopy was recorded in Ezza North Local Government Area. The sensitivity and specificity of microscopic examination were both 100%, while those of RDT were 95.5% and 75.9%, respectively.     

Relationships among somatic cell count, California mastitis test, impedance and bacteriological status of milk in goats and sheep in early lactation

The objectives of this trial were to evaluate and compare the test characteristics of a number of indirect tests of bacteriological status of the milk from goats and sheep and to assess the affect of varying levels of prevalence of infection on the performance of those tests.The somatic cell count, California mastitis test (CMT) score, electrical impedance and the bacteriological status of 220 and 262 milk samples from the glands of lactating dairy goats and sheep, respectively, were determined. The sensitivity and specificity of indirect tests in predicting the bacteriological status were compared by analyzing the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve and calculating the likelihood ratio at various cut-off values.Bacteria were isolated from 17.7 and 4.6% of glands from goats and sheep, respectively. Somatic cell count was a better predictor of bacteriological status than either the CMT score or impedance in both goats and sheep. However, knowledge of the CMT score in both sheep and goats and the impedance in goats increases the likelihood of predicting the presence of a bacterial pathogen compared to no testing at all (P<0.05). Knowledge of the age and days postpartum of the animals at the time of testing did not increase the probability that infection status could be predicted. Variation in cut-off levels to predict infection status reported in the literature may be due to variation in the prevalence of infection in the populations studied. Use of likelihood ratio allows comparison of tests over a range of prevalence’s as likelihood ratios are independent of prevalence. The prevalence of infection within a herd should be considered when selecting a cut-off value for indirect testing for the presence of bacteria in milk of small ruminants.     

Proteomics of inflammatory and oxidative stress response in cows with subclinical and clinical mastitis

Cow serum proteome was evaluated by three different complementary approaches in the control group, subclinical and clinical mastitis in order to possibly find differential protein expression useful for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of mastitis as well as for an early diagnosis of the disease. The systemic inflammatory and oxidative stress response in cows with subclinical and clinical mastitis were observed. The collected evidence shows a differential protein expression of serpin A3-1, vitronectin-like protein and complement factor H in subclinical mastitis in comparison with the control. It was also found a differential protein expression of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4, serpin A3-1, C4b-binding protein alpha chain, haptoglobin and apolipoprotein A-I in clinical mastitis compared to the control. Among the inflammatory proteins up-regulated in clinical mastitis, vitronectin is over-expressed in both subclinical and clinical mastitis indicating a strong bacterial infection. This suggests vitronectin as an important mediator in the pathogenesis of the onset of mastitis as well as a valuable marker for diagnosis of the subclinical form of the disease. Obtained data could be useful for the detection of mastitis during the subclinical phase and for a better comprehension of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the onset of the disease.     

Intramammary immunization with live-attenuated Staphylococcus aureus: microbiological and immunological studies in a mouse mastitis model

Abstract Mammary infection was induced in lactating mice by intramammary injection of Staphylococcus aureus . Histopathological analysis revealed infiltration and lesions of varying magnitude that were still apparent 21 days after the challenge. Concomitantly, viable S. aureus was recovered from infected mammary glands. Mice were immunized by the intramammary route with 5 × 10⁶ colony forming units of a temperature-sensitive mutant of S. aureus and subsequently received a boosting injection seven days later. On day 14 mice were challenged by the intramammary route with the wild-type strain. Intramammary immunization induced a significant increase in milk IgA ( P < 0.05), serum IgG ( P < 0.05) and serum IgA ( P < 0.05) on the day of the challenge, when compared with non-immunized mice. Immunization decreased significantly ( P < 0.01) the number of S. aureus colony forming units recovered 96 h after intramammary challenge. In conclusion, the feasibility of immunizing locally with temperature-sensitive S. aureus to induce immunity in the mouse mammary gland was demonstrated. The mouse model of mastitis is proposed as a useful system for screening temperature-sensitive S. aureus strains to be utilized in the development of a vaccine.     

Land snail diversity in post extraction secondary forest reserves in Edo State,Nigeria

Knowledge of the fauna of tropical lowland rainforest is urgently necessary because of the high rate of biodiversity loss and global extinction of species as a result of deforestation. We studied land molluscs species richness and diversity in four heavily degraded secondary forest reserves and one old‐growth forest reserve in Edo State, Nigeria using a combination of direct fixed‐time search and litter‐sieving techniques in twelve plots of 400 m² each per reserve. A total of 43 species and 2570 individuals were collected from all the reserves. Local species richness ranged from 19 to 39 species while number of specimens from 203 to 971. Molluscan species richness and diversity is significantly higher in the old‐growth forest than in the disturbed forest reserves. Land molluscs family composition was similar in all the forests with respect to the common and wide‐ranging species while rare and narrow‐range species are restricted to the old‐growth forest in Okomu. The carnivorous streptaxids and detritivorous subulinids dominate species richness and abundance respectively in all the sites. Species turnover is moderately high within and between the forest reserves indicating the uniqueness of the faunal composition of each forest and the need for adequate protection.     

Elevated Levels of Lead in Blood of Different Groups in the Urban Population of Enugu State,Nigeria

Two hundred and forty blood samples were collected from children, women, and men in urban areas of Enugu State, Nigeria. The samples were analyzed for lead by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results show the range and % detectable values were 3.9–88.1 μg/dl and 97.92%, respectively. The sample population was classified according to age groups (≤12, 13–25, and >25 years), sex, occupationally and non-occupationally exposed, pregnant women/nursing mothers and other women, and those exposed/or not exposed to some possible risk factors. This was done to find out if there is a trend within the different categories, which will help in identifying toxicity risk groups of lead in Nigeria. Children had the highest range of blood lead levels (12–88 μg/dl), with a mean level of 48.8 μg/dl. Males showed a higher mean concentration for lead than did the women in our study, while pregnant women/nursing mothers had a lower mean concentration (28.8 ± 19.8 μg/dl) of lead than the other women (32.8 ± 12 μg/dl). There was significant difference between the responses for some of the factors, showing that concentrations of lead are affected by these factors. The generally polluted environment probably has had significant impact on the lead blood burden of the Nigerian population.     

Insecticide susceptibility status in two medically important mosquito vectors,Anopheles gambiae,and Culex quinquefasciatus to three insecticides commonly used in Niger State,Nigeria

High resistance ability on insecticides among major mosquito vectors of diseases in Nigeria is of growing concern for severe control strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the susceptibility status of females Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus complexes mosquitoes to permethrin (21.5 μg/bottle-pyrethroids), propoxur(12.5 μg/bottle-carbamate) and malathion (50 μg/bottle organophosphate), in Niger State, North-Central, Nigeria. Anopheline and Culecine larvae were collected from the larval habitats of the studied sites (Bosso, Katcha, Lapai, and Shiroro) larvae and pupae were identified guided by standard keys and reared to adults in troughs. Insecticide susceptibility bioassays were performed according to the CDC bottle bioassay standard operating procedures on 3 days old, sugar-fed female Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes. Post-exposure mortality after 24hr and knockdown values for KDT₅₀ were calculated. Knock-down at 1-hour insecticide exposure ranged (84–96 %) permethrin, (94–100 %) propoxur and (100 %) malathion for An. gambiae and (86–97 %) permethrin, (92–100 %) propoxur and (96–100 %) malathion for Cx. quinquefasciatus. Mortality, after 24hr post-exposure was 100 % in malathion, indicating the high effect of the insecticide. Tested samples were found potentially resistant to permethrin recorded against mosquitoes collected from all study sites, in two locations of the study sites to propoxur and one location site to malathion. All the tested mosquitoes were found to be potentially resistant to permethrin, however, mosquitoes tested in Katcha and Shiroro resist potentially to propoxur. Except, Culex quinqufasciatus from Lapai that partially resist malathion, all the tested mosquitoes were found to be susceptible to malathion, across the study sites.     

Ethnobotanical studies on some pteridophytes of Southern Nigeria

Southern Nigeria represents one of the richest zones of vegetational wealth of Nigeria. The land surface is dominated by plants under 200 m.a.s 1. Folk utilization of pteridophytes by the southern Nigerians was studied. The results of this survey display an interesting diversity and distribution of ferns and fern-allied plants used as medicines, food, cosmetics, and manure in southern Nigeria. The data were compiled from frequent field trips conducted in 40 local government areas (LGAs). A total of 36 plant species belonging to 22 families were identified. Plant specimens and information were collected directly from the local inhabitants in villages and periurban towns. Our literature survey showed little or no documentation of ethnobotanical studies on pteridophytes of this region. Therefore, the present communication serves to bridge the gap. Thus, these pteridophytes could provide a vital source for healthcare and economic revenue after appropriate pharmacological analysis by patents.