Context: Neonatal colibacillosis, caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), is an important disease in pigs that leads to economic losses in commercial farming and threatens the development of the pig industry and food security. Aim: This study aimed to carry out the molecular characterization of the enterotoxin genes, particularly heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (STa and STb), of ETEC isolated from intestinal tissues of neonatal piglets that died of diarrhoea on a commercial pig farm estate in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: Biochemically confirmed isolates of E. coli were subjected to multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect enterotoxin genes. Three amplicons were sequenced and a phylogeny analysis was performed. Results: Of the 60 bacterial isolates, 34 (56%) were E. coli. The prevalence of ETEC strains was 26.5%, attributed solely to the heat-stable STa toxin gene. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Nigerian strain is genetically closest to European ETEC strains, especially from Belgium and the Netherlands, and is most likely responsible for the associated pathogenicity and neonatal piglet diarrhoea and mortality in Nigeria. Conclusions: This finding is important for understanding the cause of neonatal piglet deaths in the study area and for informing the development of vaccines to protect against ETEC diarrhoea for use in piglets and other farm animals in Nigeria.

Canine Babesiosis causes a fatal disease marked by haemolytic anaemia. Of the identified dog blood groups, some have been found to affect the host's susceptibility/resistance to certain infections. However, limited information exists on the influence of canine blood types on tolerance of dogs to babesiosis. This study assessed the prevalence of different Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) 1 blood group in Abeokuta, Nigeria, and evaluated potential relationship between DEA 1 blood types and susceptibility to babesiosis. 200 blood samples (1 mL each) were collected from client-owned dogs. Alvedia® test kit was used to identify DEA 1.1, DEA 1.2 and DEA 1.0 genotypes. Deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from each sample, and Babesia species detected using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Data were analyzed for relationship between blood types and Babesia infection using Chi-square. DEA 1 positive dogs accounted for 63.5

Marek's disease (MD) is caused by oncogenic MD virus serotype 1 (MDV1) and is characterized by lymphoproliferative lesions resulting in high morbidity and mortality in chickens. Despite being ubiquitous on poultry farms, there is a dearth of information on its molecular characteristics in Nigeria. This study aimed at characterizing three virulence genes (Meq, pp38, and vIL-8) of MDV1 from chickens in Ogun state, Nigeria. Blood, feather quill, and tumour samples of chickens from different commercial poultry farms in Ogun State were pooled, spotted on 107 FTA cards, and screened for MDV1 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Phylogenetic analysis was carried out to compare Nigerian MDV1 Meq, pp38, and vIL-8 genes sequences with the published references. Thirteen samples were MDV1-positive and the Meq, as well as pp38, and vIL-8 genes from the different samples were 100% identical. The Meq genes contained 339 amino acids (aa) with three PPPP motifs in the transactivation domain and two interruptions of the PPPP motifs due to proline-to-arginine substitutions at positions 176 and 217 resulting in a 20.88% proline composition. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Meq gene clustered with strains from Egypt and very virulent ATE2539 strain from Hungary. Mutations were observed in the pp38 protein (at positions 107 and 109) and vIL-8 protein (at positions 4 and 31). Based on the molecular analysis of the three genes, the results indicate the presence of MDV1 with virulence signatures; therefore, further studies on in vivo pathotyping of Nigerian MDV1 from all states should be performed.RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSMeq, pp38 and vIL-8 genes were 100% identical between Nigerian MDV strains.Proline content in Nigerian meq gene was 20.88% with two PPPP motifs interruptions.Meq, pp38 and vIL-8 genes of Nigerian MDV were similar to Egyptian and Indian strains.

Neonatal piglet mortality (NPM) up to seven days of life causes major pig production losses worldwide. A structured questionnaire survey was administered on 151 pig farmers in Lagos State, Nigeria, for information on NPM on their farms. Subsequently, Focus Group Discussions and In-depth interviews were carried out to clarify the points that appeared not to have been sufficiently addressed by questionnaire respondents. Accruing data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regressions. Of all the151 respondent farmers, 66.9% were males and 76.8% were above 45years of age, herd sizes were 1-100 pigs (50.3%), 101-200 pigs (32.5%), over 200 pigs (17.2%) representing small, medium, and large scale producers respectively. General management practices of the farmers were rated as good (42.5%) or poor (57.5%).The overall NPM was40.2%.Of this, 90.1% occurred during the rainy season months with the highest rate (62.9%) being recorded in the month with the lowest mean ambient temperature. Farmers’ identified the causes of NPM as diarrhoea (42.4%), starvation (27.2%), crushing (23.8%), congenital abnormalities (3.3%) and unknown cause (3.3%).The major clinical signs that farmers observed in neonatal piglets were diarrhoea (92.1%), respiratory distress (7.3%) and failure to suckle (9.4%). Care of new born (CNB) was rated as poor in 70.9%and good in 29.1% of the farms, while management of pregnant pigs (MPP) was adjudged poor on 66.2% and good on 33.8% of the farms. Significantly, CNB (p<0.001), MPP (p<0.001), feeding and watering (p<0.001) and production practice (p<0.007) were negatively correlated with NPM while Farmer’s experience (p<0.009) was positively correlated with NPM. The study highlighted the need for the institution of improved protocols for MPP, farrowing and CNB in order to minimise NPM on the farms.

Presumptive and inaccurate diagnosis of cattle trypanosomosis among field veterinarians has led to misuse of trypanocides, development of drug resistance, toxicities and huge economic losses. This study assessed the reliability, specificity and sensitivity of some identified trypanosomosis associated signalments (anaemia using FAMACHA® guide, body condition score (BCS), superficial lymph nodes enlargement and jugular pulsation) as field diagnostic parameters. Blood and faecal samples were collected from 273 subjectively selected cattle for the determination of packed cell volume (PCV) and screening for trypanosome, and for helminth egg using McMaster technique, respectively. Data obtained from assessment of packed cell volume based on BCS, FAMANCHA score, superficial lymph nodes enlargement and jugular pulsation were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi square, while comparison of data using independent student ttest and one-way ANOVA was similarly conducted. Of the screened cattle, 16.5% (45/273) were positive for trypanosome. Single infection due to Trypanosoma spp. was found in 13.5% (37/273) cattle, while 2.9% (8/273) had trypanosome concurrently with Babesia spp. or helminth infections. The prevalence of Trypanosoma infection was higher in animals with mild or moderately pale mucous membrane, slight emaciation, palpable superficial lymph nodes and pulsating jugular vein. The mean PCV of Trypanosoma infected cattle (27.65±0.056) was lower than in non-infected cattle (31.30±0.36) (p<0.05). Based on the jugular pulsation status, enlargement of the superficial lymph nodes, trypanosomosis state and Famancha category, there was no significant (p<0.05) variation in the PCV of the examined cattle. A negative and low correlation (r = -0.054) existed between BCS and FAMACHA® anaemia score. Each of the clinical diagnostic parameters showed poor sensitivity when employed separately, but the sensitivity improved when applied together and showed 80% specificity to Trypanosoma infection. The results of the present study showed that Trypanosoma infected cattle were associated with anaemia, emaciation, weight loss, jugular pulsation and lymphadenophathy. Key Words: Trypanosomosis, Diagnosis, Cattle, Anaemia, Treatment

Wildlife play significant roles in the dissemination and zoonotic transmission of pathogens. The enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are associated with complicated cases of food-borne illnesses. This study investigated the presence of EHEC serogroups (O26, O45, O103, O145, O91, O111, O128, O121 and O157) in wildlife species: cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus), royal antelope (Neotragus pygmaeus), African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus) and waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus). EHEC and non-EHEC isolates from these wildlife sources were tested for susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Overall, 127 (83.0 %) of 153 samples yielded E. coli. Nine (5.9%) samples were positive for EHEC belonging to three serogroups as follows; O26 (n=2), O111 (n=2) and O103 (n=5). The EHEC isolates were from cane rats (n=6) and royal antelope (n=3) and possessed virulence-associated genes stx1 (77.8%), stx2 (100.0%), eaeA (100.0%) and hlyA (100.0%). Overall, 127 E. coli isolates showed resistance to ampicillin (99.2%), ceftiofur (90.6%),  tetracycline (90.0%), cephalexin (87.4%), cefotaxime (50.4%), streptomycin 42.5%, ceftazidime (41.7%), nalidixic acid (37.0%),  ciprofloxacin (43.6%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (32.3%), gentamicin (27.6%), sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (25.2%), norfloxacin (17.3%) and chloramphenicol (11.0%). The roles of wildlife in the dissemination and transmission of antimicrobial resistant and zoonotic bacteria should not be neglected for effective preventive and control strategies.

This study was designed to assess the influence of disease-inducing agents other than Dermatophilus congolensis on the incidence of bovine dermatophilosis from cattle farms in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State and also from Akinyele cattle market in Oyo State. Skin scrapings collected from cattle with typical lesions of dermatophilosis were examined for the presence of bacteria, fungi and ectoparasites. Out of the 57 animals examined with typical skin lesions of dermatophilosis, Dermatophilus congolensis organism was cultured from 23 cases. Other bacterial organisms identified included Staphylococcus aureus (28 cases), Staphylococcus albus (35 cases), Bacillus mycoides (14 cases), Bacillus cereus (1 case), haemolytic Streptococcus (5 cases) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13 cases), Escherichia coli (16 cases), Proteus spp (4 cases) and Norcardia spp (5 cases). Ticks (mostly Amblyomma variegatum) were seen in all the 57 animals while Demodex bovis, Sarcoptes scabiei var bovis and lice were seen in 15, 4 and 8 cases respectively. It was inferred that secondary bacterial invasions are associated with the pathogenesis and severity of the infection and the presence of ticks and mange mites may serve as the portal of entry for dermatophilosis infection. The control of dermatophilosis should take into account of arthropod vectors and secondary bacterial complications.

Non-Human Primates are one of the most displayed exhibits in zoological facilities in Nigeria. They share phylogenetic similarities with humans and a high probability of pathogen transfer exists between humans and these species during zoo visit. The resident microbial flora plays a vital part in animal health. A total of 36 swab (18 oral and 18 rectal) samples were collected from anaesthetised apparently healthy NHPs of the family Cercopithecidae (sub family Cercopithecinae) from two urban wildlife facilities. Standard bacteriological procedures were used in the isolation and identification of the bacteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using disc diffusion method according to Bauer-Kirby technique. All the samples yielded at least one bacterial organism. The oral swabs had 69.7% Gram positive and 30.3% Gram negative organisms while the rectal samples had 38.8% and 61.2% of Gram positive and negative organism respectively. The bacteria included; Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Micrococcus luteus, Proteus spp, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Citrobacter braakii, Serratia odorifera and Aeromonas hydrophila. . Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high susceptibility of the isolates to ciprofloxacin (73.2%), sparfloxacin (70.7%), ofloxacin and pefloxacin (67.1%) and gentamycin (53.7%) while a high resistance was recorded against augmentin, amoxicillin, streptomycin and septrin. Some of the bacteria showed multidrug resistance to many of the antimicrobials. Isolation of cultivable bacteria with multidrug resistance from the oral and rectal orifices of NHPs strengthens the need for holistic sanitary and management regulations in zoological facilities housing these animals bearing in mind the probable routes of transmission of identified organisms.

Livestock production has been continually challenged with trypanosomes of which Trypanosoma vivax is the most pathogenic cause and the least studied in sub-Saharan Africa. Five sheep of each of the three Nigerian breeds, viz: West African Dwarf (WAD), Yankassa and Ouda were intravenously infected with 2.5 × 106 Trypanosoma vivax per milliliter and monitored until the Packed Cell Volume (PCV) declined to 15% when they were treated with diminazene aceturate. Three animals of each breed served as the uninfected control. The parameters monitored were parasitemia, clinical signs, bodyweight, and PCV. Levels of parasitemia were not significantly different across the breeds. Thirteen out of fifteen infected sheep had fever three days pi, followed by signs of pale mucous membranes, enlarged lymph nodes, serous nasal discharge, loss of weight, and dullness at various days pi in all the infected sheep. There were no significant (p>0.05) differences between the weight of all infected animals in the three breeds. The mean PCV of infected sheep was significantly (P

The efficacy of diminazene aceturate in three Nigerian breeds of sheep [West African Dwarf (WAD), Yankassa and Ouda] experimentally infected with Trypanosoma vivax was studied. Five rams of each breed were administered 0.5 ml of goat blood containing 2.5 × 106T. vivax per millilitre intravenously, while three rams of each breed served as uninfected controls. The treatment with diminazene aceturate was intramuscularly administered to the infected sheep, when their packed cell volume (PCV) fell to 15 %, at a dosage of 7 mg.kg−1 b. w. The parameters measured were parasitaemia, live weight gain and PCV. By 24 hours post treatment (pt.), no trypanosomes were detected by either the Haematocrit Concentration Technique (HCT) or the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in the blood of any of the treated sheep. However, a relapse of parasitaemia occurred 17 to 32 days pt. in 46.7 % of the treated rams and these were retreated with 14 mg.kg−1 b. w. diminazene aceturate. There were gradual increments in the live weight gain and the PCV of the treated rams until the resurgence of parasitaemia. Ouda had the highest cases of relapse (80 %), the least mean live weight gain and was the only breed in which mortality was recorded despite the treatment. In conclusion, diminazene aceturate administered at 7 mg.kg−1 b. w. cleared the trypanosomes in the blood of all the treated sheep within 24 hours and this was accompanied by the restoration of lost weight and the reversal of anaemia. However, the subsequent resurgence of parasitaemia indicated that a dosage of 7 mg.kg−1 b. w. was no longer reliable for complete elimination of trypanosomes from all the tissues of the host.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) associated diseases are a group of emerging devastating pig diseases worldwide. Due to a dearth of information on the virus in Nigeria, this study was carried out on 12 farms in Abeokuta Ogun State, Nigeria. Key production problems were identified through a questionnaire survey and direct field observations. The prevalence of the PCV2 was determined by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR); 207 sera of pigs were obtained from the farms, DNAs extracted and amplified by the PCR. Based on gel results, the prevalence of PCV2 types were recorded and the effects of age, sex and geographic area determined. The observed production problems (and the percentage of farms suffering from such problems) were: runting (91.7 %), high piglet mortality (83.3 %), late term abortion (50 %), stillbirth (50 %) and anoestrous (41.7 %). The overall prevalence of 8.7 % of the PCV2 viral DNA was obtained. A single infection of PCV2b and PCV2a accounted for a prevalence of 5.3 % and 2.4 %, respectively, while a concurrent infection of both was found in only 1 % of the pigs. The prevalence of PCV2 was not significantly (P > 0.05) influenced by age or sex; with the rates in adults, growers and piglets being 9.9 %, 8.1 % and 8.1 %, respectively, while in males and females, the rates were 9.4 % and 9.0 %, respectively. The prevalence of PCV2 in high-density areas (13.2 %) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in low-density areas (4.0 %). It was concluded that PCV2a and PCV2b were present in pigs in Abeokuta, Nigeria and PCV2b was more prevalent. It was recommended that large-scale epidemiological studies covering all geographical regions be carried out with sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to characterize the PCV2 genotypes present in Nigeria.

Piroplasmosis is a tick-borne haemolytic disease caused by different species of the Babesia and Theileria genera. Data on the prevalence of bovine piroplasms and their genetic diversity are scanty in Nigeria. Hence, this study reported the detection of some piroplasms in the blood of cattle in Abeokuta, Nigeria by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood samples were collected from 252 cattle and subjected to DNA extraction followed by PCR amplification of the partial region of 18S rRNA of the haemoprotozoans. Selected positive amplicons were unidirectionally sequenced and compared to the reference sequences from the Genbank. A total of 220 (87.3 %) cattle were positive for Theileria velifera and/or Babesia bigemina. The T. velifera was detected only in 163 (64.7 %) cattle, while 7 (2.8 %) cattle had a single infection with B. bigemina. Fifty cattle (19.8 %) had mixed infections with both parasites. There were no significant differences in piroplasm infections between the ages of cattle for both parasites. There were no significant differences in infection rates between the sexes for T. velifera, while the males had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) rate of infection for B. bigemina than the female cattle. The molecular detection of Babesia and Theileria species of cattle are reported for the first time in cattle in Abeokuta, Nigeria. This study, which confirmed the endemic nature of the parasites in cattle in the study area, stresses their importance in livestock health and production in Nigeria.

Early diagnosis of Ehrlichia ruminantium in cattle is a recipe for effective control of heartwater in ruminants. Hence, we assessed the presence of E. ruminantium in the blood of cattle and the engorged Amblyomma variegatum by nested PCR. The electrophoresed PCR products obtained after primary and secondary amplifications revealed amplicon sizes of about350 bp and 280 bp respectively, which corresponded with the partial region of pSC20 gene amplified. Sequences obtained had 95–99% homology with those sequences available in GenBank. The prevalence of the E. ruminantium in ticks (50%; 126/252) was significantly ( p < 0.05) higher than that in cattle blood 23.55% (61/259). The prevalence was significantly ( p < 0.05) higher in ticks from adult cattle 51.47% (133/259) than those from the young cattle 44.86% (116/259) and in tick from females 54.55% (141/259) than in ticks from the males 41.38% (107/259). Alignment of autochthonous sequences revealed that the three sequences were polymorphic with two sequences showing similar nucleotides deletion at points 87–91 and 107–108. The phylogenetic trees inferred by ML showed topologies with two autochthonous sequences, one each from cattle blood and tick, clustering together in one clade and the other clustering within those sequences from South Africa and Zimbabwe in another clade. In conclusion, this study revealed a higher prevalence of E. ruminantium in engorged A. variegatum than in the blood of infected cattle. Hence, it is suggested that the amplification that targets the pCS20 gene in engorged ticks may be more suitable to determine the E. ruminantium carrier status of cattle.

Giardiasis is a common gastrointestinal disease of humans and various animal species worldwide. In this study, 302 stool samples were collected from West African Dwarf and Sokoto Red breeds of goats in Ogun State, Nigeria, and screened for Giardia intestinalis coproantigens using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The genotypes of G. intestinalis in faecal samples collected from 152 goats raised on selected farms were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequence analyses of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssu rRNA), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) and β-giardin (bg) genes. Based on ELISA, an overall prevalence of 45.7% was recorded with the infection rates in pre-weaned (60.2%) and post-weaned goat kids (51.5%) being significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in adults (28.2%). Giardia intestinalis DNA was amplified in 31.6% and 29.6% of goat faeces at the ssu rRNA and gdh loci respectively. These were genotyped at the ssu rRNA locus as assemblages B (n = 13) and E (n = 36). Similar results were observed at the gdh locus except that eight isolates contained assemblage E mixed with either assemblage A or B. Additionally, sub-assemblages BI (n = 7) and BIII (n = 2) were identified with up to four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) occurring in these isolates. Multilocus genotypes (MLG) of all assemblage E isolates were identified using the ssu rRNA and gdh loci while MLG of all isolates containing assemblage B and mixed assemblages were determined after further typing at the tpi and bg loci. Forty-two MLG isolates were identified and these comprised 32, 8 and 2 (sub)-assemblage E, BI and BIII respectively. All isolates with mixed assemblages at the gdh locus were consequently designated as assemblage E by MLG. The assemblage E isolates from goats were genetically related to isolates from cattle, sheep and goats while the assemblage B isolates were related to isolates of human, pig and lemur origin. This suggests that G. intestinalis isolated from goats bred in Ogun State, Nigeria may be capable of cross-species transmission and may be of zoonotic importance.

An understanding of the susceptibility of different species and breeds of animals to trypanosomosis in sub-Sahara Africa would facilitate the formulation of effective control measures against the ravaging spread of African animal trypanosomosis. In this study, the prevalence of Trypanosoma species in apparently healthy Nigerian breeds of sheep was determined together with the evaluation of the Packed Cell Volume (PCV) as an indicator of the severity of infection. Blood samples of 243 sheep, including 97 West African Dwarf (WAD), 60 Yankassa, 62 Ouda, 19 Balami, and five Crossbred, were screened for trypanosomes by the Haematocrit Centrifugation Technique (HCT) and species-specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. In none of the blood samples were trypanosomes detected by the HCT whereas 35.4% of the samples were positive by the PCR technique. The overall prevalence of trypanosomes by the PCR technique was T. vivax (23.05%), T. congolense Savannah (13.38%), T. congolense Forest (7.82%) and T. brucei brucei (4.53%) while the breed specific prevalence was WAD (25.8%), Yankassa (36.7%), Ouda (43.5%), Balami (47.4%) and Crossbreeds (60%). Generally, the mean PCV of infected sheep was slightly (p > 0.05) lower than that for the non-infected except for the WAD breed. This study revealed that sub-clinical ovine trypanosomosis was endemic in the study area with Trypanosoma vivax being the most prevalent. The findings thus suggest that sheep may play a significant role as a reservoir of trypanosomes to other species of domestic animals and, as such, should be included in trypanosomosis control programmes.

Meat from wildlife contributes significantly to food security and income generation in many African communities. Salmonellae and yersiniae are important causes of foodborne infections. This study investigated the presence and antimicrobial resistance of salmonellae and yersiniae in the fecal contents of hunted wild rodents and ruminants at a wildlife meat-processing center in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Bacteria were isolated and identified by selective culture methods and biochemical characterization. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Salmonellae were isolated from 15 (9.8%) and yersiniae from 11 (7.2%) samples out of 153. Salmonellae were detected in nine cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus), five royal antelopes (Neotragus pygmaeus) and one African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus). Yersiniae were detected in eight cane rats, two royal antelopes and one waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus). The levels of resistance in Salmonella isolates were 100% for ampicillin and ceftiofur, 93.3% for tetracycline, 33.3% for cefotaxime, 26.7% for ceftazidime, 13.3% for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, nalidixic acid and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and 6.7% for gentamicin, streptomycin and norfloxacin. The levels of resistance in yersiniae isolates were 81.8% for ampicillin, 72.7% for ceftiofur, 63.6% for nalidixic acid, 54.5% for cefotaxime, ceftazidime and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, 36.4% for tetracycline, 27.3% for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and streptomycin, 18.2% for ciprofloxacin, and 9.1% for chloramphenicol and gentamicin. All the isolates showed multiresistance to antimicrobials from at least three different classes. The detection of antimicrobial resistant salmonellae and yersiniae in wildlife is of veterinary and public health significance as these organisms can be transmitted to domestic animals and humans.

Giardia duodenalis is an intestinal flagellated protozoan parasite that is infectious to humans and a wide range of animals worldwide. While varying prevalence rates have been reported in pigs worldwide, there are currently no published reports on the genotypes of Giardia infecting pigs in any African country. The present study is on the prevalence and genotypes of G. duodenalis in 209 pigs raised on four farms in Ogun State Nigeria. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, Giardia duodenalis coproantigens were detected on all farms and in 25.4% (53/209) of pigs sampled. However, there was no significant influence (p > 0.05) of age, sex and stool consistencies of the pigs on the distribution of the infection. Genotyping of Giardia duodenalis in all ELISA-positive samples, achieved by the amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssu rRNA), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) and beta giardin (bg) genes, identified 14 and 37 assemblage B and E isolates respectively while mixed infection by both assemblages was recorded in two isolates. Novel nucleotide substitutions were identified in four assemblage B isolates at the ssu rRNA locus. Genetic diversity was observed among the assemblage B isolates after multiple alignment analyses of the gdh, tpi and bg sequences whereby sub-assemblages BII (n = 2), BIII (n = 9) and BIV (n = 3) were identified. The assemblage B isolates from pigs in this study were phylogenetically related to isolates from humans, marmoset and cattle while the assemblage E isolates were related to isolates from sheep, goats and cattle. These findings suggest that pigs in southwest Nigeria predominantly harbour G. duodenalis isolates that could be infectious to other animal species and to a lesser extent, isolates that may be of zoonotic importance.

Summary: Inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) have been evaluated in humans with osteoarthritis (OA). However, there has been no record of evaluation of ESR during OA in dogs. Changes in erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) and leukogram functions were evaluated following experimental knee osteoarthritis (OA).Ten dogs of both sexes with (mean weight = 12.4 ± 1.8kg) were used. Experimental OA was induced in the right knee, using the groove model and confirmed radiographically using evidence of joint space narrowing and presence of osteophytes. Gait was assessed subjectively and scores (GAS) were assigned. Blood was obtained fortnightly for the determination of ESR, total white blood cell (tWBC), neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, while knee radiographs were obtained fortnightly for twelve weeks. Radiographic scores (RAS), GAS, ESR and leukocyte parameters between the different time points were compared with ANOVA. Correlation between parameters was evaluated using Pearson’s correlation. A “P” value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Both ESR and neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio increased from week 0 to week 12 of OA. However, tWBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts did not differ significantly. Both GAS and RAS increased up to week 4 and 6 of OA respectively. Erythrocyte sedimentation rates was significantly (p= 0.033) and positively correlated (r=0.793) with N/L ratio, but negatively and slightly correlated (r= -0.843) with GAS. There was no significant correlation between ESR and RAS. It was concluded that both ESR and N/L ratio might be useful in monitoring progression of OA in dogs. Keywords: Canine, Osteoarthritis, ESR, Neutrophils

Inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) have been evaluated in humans withosteoarthritis (OA). However, there has been no record of evaluation of ESR during OA in dogs. Changes in erythrocytesedimentation rates (ESR) and leukogram functions were evaluated following experimental knee osteoarthritis (OA).Tendogs of both sexes with (mean weight = 12.4 ± 1.8kg) were used. Experimental OA was induced in the right knee, using thegroove model and confirmed radiographically using evidence of joint space narrowing and presence of osteophytes. Gaitwas assessed subjectively and scores (GAS) were assigned. Blood was obtained fortnightly for the determination of ESR,total white blood cell (tWBC), neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, while knee radiographs were obtained fortnightly fortwelve weeks. Radiographic scores (RAS), GAS, ESR and leukocyte parameters between the different time points werecompared with ANOVA. Correlation between parameters was evaluated using Pearson's correlation. A "P" value less than0.05 was considered significant. Both ESR and neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio increased from week 0 to week 12 of OA.However, tWBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts did not differ significantly. Both GAS and RAS increased up to week 4and 6 of OA respectively. Erythrocyte sedimentation rates was significantly (p= 0.033) and positively correlated (r=0.793)with N/L ratio, but negatively and slightly correlated (r= -0.843) with GAS. There was no significant correlation betweenESR and RAS. It was concluded that both ESR and N/L ratio might be useful in monitoring progression of OA in dogs.