Background: Trypanosomiasis is a fatal disease that threatens the economy of at least 37 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly with regard to livestock farming. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of trypanosome infection in cattle, and molecularly identified the species of trypanosomes in infected cattle and the spatial distribution of trypanosome-infected herds along the Jebba axis of the River Niger.Methods: A randomized cross-sectional study was conducted along the Jebba axis of the River Niger by screening cattle from 36 herd clusters by nested PCR using ITS-1 generic primers. Data generated were analysed using the Chi-square test at a 95% confidence interval.Results: Microscopic examination revealed three infected cattle out of 398 examined, representing 0.8% prevalence. Twelve animals (3.0%) were positive by PCR. Our results showed a decline in the packed cell volume of infected animals (24.7%). The infection rates were categorized as single infection in 11/12 (91.7%) and mixed infection in 1/12 (8.3%). Animals were most frequently infected byTrypanosoma congolense(50.0%), withT. congolenseSavannah being the most prevalent subspecies (71.4%). Aside from the infection rate by age (10.0%) and relative distance of animals from the River Niger (56.2%), statistical differences in every other parameter tested were based on mere probabilistic chance. Spatial data showed that the disease was prevalent among herds located less than 3 km from the River Niger.Conclusions: Six species of trypanosomes were identified in cattle herds along the Jebba axis of the River Niger, withT. congolensebeing the most prevalent. Age and relative distance of herds from the River Niger may be risk factors for trypanosome infection in cattle herds in this area.Graphical

Phenotypic occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in camels slaughtered at Kano abattoir, Kano, Nigeria

The objective of this study was to conduct a cross sectional study to assess the occurrence of mastitis and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in goats in Zaria, Kaduna State from May to July 2013. A total of 386 fresh goat milk samples from both right and left halves of 198 lactating goats from National Animal Production and Research Institute (NAPRI) and other locations within Zaria metropolis were examined for the occurrence of mastitis and MRSA. The observed prevalence of mastitis in goats, defined by positive (≥+1) California Mastitis Test (CMT) was 119 (60.1%). The prevalence of mastitis showed significant variation among goats of different breeds (p=0.048) but no significant variation between age groups (p=0.890), location and goats raised under the two different systems of management (p=0.438). Also, there was no significant difference as to which udder half was most sub clinically affected (left or right). From a total of 386 fresh goat milk samples examined, 60 strains of staphylococci were isolated and identified using the conventional biochemical tests and 32 of which were identified as Staphylococcus aureus using the Microgen^TM STAPH-ID system. Furthermore, 12 of these 32 showed agglutinations with the PBP-2a Latex agglutination test reagent. The susceptibilities of the isolates to 14 antimicrobial agents were evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and interpreted as sensitive, intermediate or resistant following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, 2017). Out of the 32 isolates of S. aureus ; 90.63% were resistant to cefoxitin, Penicillin G (93.75%), Ampicillin (100%), Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (34.38%), Ceftriaxone (71.88%), Vancomycin (31.25%), Gentamicin (31.25%), Kanamycin (46.88%), Erythromycin (43.75%), Tetracycline (40.63%), Ciprofloxacin (3.13%), Nitrofurantoin (15.63%), Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (25%) and Chloramphenicol (15.63%). All the isolates were resistant 2 or more antimicrobial agents, but none was simultaneously resistant to all. There were 28 antimicrobial resistant patterns in which resistance to Ampicillin, Penicillin G, Cefoxitin were the most frequent. Methicillin resistance was determined using Cefoxitin discs as a surrogate marker of mecA gene as recommended by Clinical Laboratory Standards International (CLSI). In conclusion, the findings of this study confirm the importance of S. aureus as a mastitis causing organism and the possible role of goats in the transmission of multiple drug resistant S. aureus. Keywords: mastitis, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, goats, Zaria