Volume 63 (2019): Issue 1 (March 2019)

An eleven month old male, juvenile lion brought for rehabilitation at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Wildlife Park was diagnosed with gastrointestinal foreign body and intussusception based on the history of persistent vomiting following ingestion of a cotton towel, and radiographic findings of a radiopaque gastric foreign body extending from the fundus to the pylorus and a cylindrical soft tissue mid-abdominal mass. The lion was premedicated with an intramuscular injections of ketamine (5 mg.kg⁻¹) and midazolam (0.25 mg.kg⁻¹), while anaesthesia was induced with an intravenous injection of propofol (2 mg.kg⁻¹). A celiotomy followed by gastrotomy and subsequent intestinal resection and anastomosis was performed to remove the gastrointestinal foreign bodies and correct the intussus ception. The lion recovered well without any complication and was gradually introduced back into the group housing three weeks later following successful alimentation process. This report is probably the first case of intussusception in a lion that was associated with a gastrointestinal foreign body.

The aim of our study was to examine the effects of passive and active cell seeding techniques on in vitro chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) isolated from rat bone marrow and seeded on porous biopolymer scaffolds based on polyhydroxybutyrate/chitosan (PCH) blends. This paper is focused on the distribution of the cells on and in the scaffolds, since it influences the uniformity of the created extracellular matrix (ECM), as well as the homogenity of the distribution of chondrogenic markers in vitro which ultimately affects the quality of the newly created tissue after in vivo implantation. The three types of cell-scaffold constructs were examined by: fluorescence microscopy, SEM, histology and quantitative analysis of the glycosaminoglycans after chondrogenic cultivation. The results demonstrated that the active cells seeded via the centrifugation of the cell suspension onto the scaffold guaranteed an even distribution of cells on the bulk of the scaffold and the uniform secretion of the ECM products by the differentiated cells.

Porcine rotaviruses are potential reservoirs for genetic exchange with human rotaviruses. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of porcine Rotavirus antigen and associated risk factors in pig-raising communities and institutional piggeries in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 376 faecal samples from pigs of all ages were collected from backyard and institutional piggeries by convenience sampling. The faecal samples collected were analysed using commercially available ELISA kit: BioK 343/2, for the antigenic diagnosis of rotavirus in porcine faeces. The overall prevalence of rotavirus antigen in pigs was 9.8 % (37/376). Piglets (10.4 %) had a higher prevalence than adults (9.1 %), while males (10.1 %) were more infected than females (9.6 %). Breed-specific prevalences revealed 5.9 %, 12 % and 15.5 % for local, exotic and cross-breeds, respectively. There was a significant association between breed (P < 0.05) (Odds Ratio OR = 2.927; 95 % Confidence Interval CI on OR = 1.288—6.653) and rotavirus infection. Management system revealed 14 % and 8.2 % prevalence for intensive and semi-intensive systems, respectively. There is evidence of Rotavirus infection (9.8 %) in pigs in Zaria, and the breed is a risk factor. This study provides the first data on the prevalence of rotavirus and risk factors of rotavirus infection among pigs in Zaria and environs, Kaduna state, Nigeria. There is a need to enlighten the public on the zoonotic implication and economic impacts of rotavirus infections.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of eggs stored with and without pre-incubation on chick embryos with emphasis on: embryo body, heart weight, malformations, and mortality. For this study, a total of 120 chick embryos were divided into three groups, based on the length of storage before hatching (3, 7 and 10 days). Observations of the weight of chick embryo bodies, chick embryo hearts, and the level of mortality and appearance of malformations were noted. With an increase in days stored, the chick embryo’s weight decreased. The pre-incubation period had a positive effect on the weight of chick embryo, and chick hearts. Malformations, including: hydrocephalus, open body cavity and underdeveloped wings, were observed in all three groups, with the highest proportion seen in the pre-incubated hatching eggs stored for 10 days; this group also displayed the highest level of mortality. Non-pre-incubated eggs showed the most promise with better results in all experimental groups. In conclusion, the research suggests the optimal storage for chick embryos to be 3 days, with lowest levels of mortality, malformations and limited effects on the body and heart weight.

The existence of bats is crucial for all ecosystem units as they fulfil numerous ecological roles. However, they are also considered to be natural reservoirs of a wide range of zoonotic microorganisms, especially viruses. In this review article we briefly summarize current knowledge about various ecological factors that facilitate bat pathogen dispersal and about the current approaches to monitoring viral communities present within bat populations. On the basis of the cited papers, we suggest that the increased focus on complex viral populations in bats and their interactions with other populations and the environment is necessary to fully comprehend the relationship between emerging infectious diseases, the environment and their toll on human health.

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is a zoonotic disease responsible for considerable economic losses; with consequent negative impact on both public health and the livestock industry. However, the burden of this disease and associated economic losses remain un-investigated among slaughtered cattle in Ibadan, the hub of livestock activities in south-western Nigeria. A cross sectional study was conducted over a three-month period to determine the prevalence and economic losses due to BTB among slaughtered cattle at the Bodija Municipal Abattoir, Ibadan, in south-western Nigeria. Individual slaughtered cattle were purposively inspected for the presence of tuberculous lesions, and representative sample of affected organs and associated lymph nodes from the BTB suspected animals were taken. The suspected lesions were processed based on Becton Dickinson digestion and decontamination procedure and the losses due to BTB were estimated mathematically, using a formula. The BTB prevalence of 9.3 % (38/408) was obtained with a significant statistical association (P ≤ 0.05) of the disease with the breeds of cattle slaughtered. Out of the 46 visceral organs condemned: 29 (63 %) were lungs, 12 (26.1 %) livers, 4 (8.7 %) hearts and 1 (2.2 %) kidney. The total estimated annual economic loss (direct and indirect) due to BTB was estimated as Nigerian naria NGN 703,980,070 (EUR 1,725,441.4). This study revealed BTB as endemic and a major cause of concern considering its ill-health and economic effects on both humans and the livestock industry. Efforts are therefore required: to control this disease along the beef value chain in order to safeguard human and livestock health; as well as to limit the economic losses associated with its prevalence.

In our study we investigated the ability of selected plant extracts to inhibit the formation of biofilms produced by Staphylococcus aureus. In the first phase, we focused on the optimisation of conditions for the correct method of an approach. For optimisation, we standardized the culture media and the bacterial culture in order to obtain interpretable results. The TSB (Tryptone Soya Broth) medium was used for the preparation of an inoculum from the bacterial suspension. For the in vitro tests of antibiofilm activity against the species Staphylococcus aureus CCM 3953, we used propylene glycol (PG) plant extracts from sage and rosemary, prepared in three different concentrations of 0.01 %, 0.05 % and 0.1 %. The tests were implemented in microtitre plates using crystal violet dye at 0.1 % concentration for visualization of the intensity of a biofilm. The results were obtained, by spectrophotometric measurements at a wavelength of 550 nm. Both rosemary and sage plant extracts had a significant effect on the formation of a biofilm by S. aureus. The antibiofilm activity was concentration-dependent as the formation of biofilm was reduced more effectively with increasing concentration of the extracts. The best antibiofilm activity was observed with 0.1 % rosemary extract resulting in 94 % inhibition of the biofilm formation.

Endoparasites have the potential to cause significant health problems in humans and other animals. Consequently, particularly the endoparasites of a zoonotic nature are of great interest to health authorities and scientists. This study investigated the prevalence of different intestinal parasite species of carnivores kept in captivity. Altogether 36 pooled samples of faeces obtained from individual animal enclosures from the Neunkircher Zoo and Wolfspark Werner Freund in Germany were examined. The samples were analysed by means of a flotation concentration method with the use of Faust and Kozák-Mágrová solution. Out of a total of 36 samples, 19 were positive for endoparasites (52.78 %). Furthermore, 13 out of 19 positive samples were protozoans (68.42 %).

The aim of this study was to monitor the occurrence of the propagative stages of intestinal endoparasites in dog excrements collected within the close proximity of sandpits in an urban environment (Košice, Slovakia) and to determine the level of sandpits contamination with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). A total of 201 dog faecal samples were examined for the presence of helminth eggs with 10.95 % of the samples being positive. In faeces the most prevalent eggs were those of Toxocara canis (7.46 %). The contamination of sand with STH eggs in 84 sandpits was also investigated. Toxocara spp. eggs were found in 21.43 % of the sandpits. The eggs from the family Ancylostomatidae and Toxascaris leonina were also present. Taenia type eggs and Trichuris sp. eggs occurred less frequently. In some samples, not only monoinfection but also co-infection with eggs of 2‒3 helminth species were detected. In conclusion, the environmental contamination of sandpits with STHs eggs might pose a significant threat to the public health.

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of the exposure to low doses of lead, mercury and cadmium dissolved in drinking water (200× above maximal permissible dosage) on the reproductive potency of 200 Wistar rats (100 males and 100 females of F1 generation) and their progeny. Ten groups of rats were formed according to their exposure to heavy metals, including one control group without exposure. The females gave births between weeks 13 and 78 of the experiments. Reproduction parameters, such as number of litters, total number of newborns, number of newborns per litter, and number of weanlings were assessed weekly. The results demonstrated that the number of litters and newborns were higher after exposure to mercury and lower after exposure to lead. The number of weanlings and their share from newborns were the highest after exposure to cadmium and the lowest after exposure to mercury. A sex-specific effect of metals was related to the reproductive success.