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Livestock plays a significant role in the economy of a nation but its productivity can be hampered by numerous haemoparasites thereby leading to economic losses to the livestock industry. The prevalence of haemoparasite in cattle slaughtered at Jalingo abattoir was investigated. A total of four hundred blood samples were collected at the point of slaughter, processed, and screened for haemoparasites by examining Giemsa-stained thin blood smears. An overall prevalence of 12.25% was recorded. Four haemoparasites of cattle with prevalence rates of 5.0%, 6.75%, 0.25%, and 0.25% for Anaplasma, Babesia, Microfilaria and Trypanosoma respectively were observed. The prevalence of haemoparasite in relation to sex, revealed higher infection in females (13.75%) than in males (10.0%) which were not found statistically different (P > 0.05). All breeds encountered during the study were infected with haemoparasites with the highest prevalence of 13.91 % recorded in White Fulani, Red Bororo (10.94%), and Sokoto Gudali (10.00 %), while Adamawa Gudali had the least prevalence of 0.5%. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of haemoparasite in relation to breeds (P > 0.05). High prevalence was observed in the young (14.29%) more than the adult (11.59%) and older (12.14%). The current study has revealed the haemoparasites status in cattle slaughtered at Jalingo abattoir. Therefore, there is a need for effective preventive and control policy of these haemoparasites to enhance livestock productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is frequently seen as an invasive cutaneous tumour that can be fatal in animals. In this case series, the clinical management of histopathologically diagnosis of SCC in three different individuals of African pygmy hedgehogs is described. In two of the cases presented, the tumours were presented as an oral mass on the gingiva, which were ulcerative and septic. Lumpectomy was performed in both cases and histopathology revealed encapsulated mass composed of neoplastic cells showing squamous differentiation arranged in islands with presence of keratin pearls, intercellular bridges and frequent mitotic figures which are typical features of squamous cell carcinoma. Following lumpectomy, the two hedgehogs were discharged but were later found to developed ocular lesion and anorexia before they were found dead. In the third case, SCC was diagnosed on the phalanges of the 3rd and 4th digits and surgical resection was successfully performed in this case and post-surgical complications were not recorded. Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumours in African pygmy hedgehogs. In this case series, three cases of SCC were diagnosed using histopathology which two of the cases had predilections in the oral cavity while the third one only involved the digits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sero-prevalence study of Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) among some species of poultry (village chickens, broilers, layers, turkeys, ducks and geese) in Maiduguri Metropolis was conducted using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. An overall prevalence of 26.6% was observed in the study. The species distribution of the positive samples showed 5/18 (27.8%) broilers, 9/48 (18.8%) village chicken, 12/40 (30%) turkeys, 4/29 (13.8%) ducks, 6/23 (26.1%) geese and 14/30 (46.7%) layers were sero-positive to IBV antibodies. The sex distribution of the IBV positive samples revealed significant difference (p<0.05) between male and females. The sero-prevalence of IBV based on management system showed a significant difference (p<0.05) among those birds managed under intensive system (39.5%), semi-intensive (23.9%) and free range (18.7%) system. In conclusion, there is prevalence of IBV in the study area and the virus has a wide spread distribution amongst poultry species within the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of three hundred and fifty (350) samples of meat (Beef, Sheep, Goat, and Chicken) and vegetables (Cabbage, Carrot, Cucumber, Spinach and Lettuce) were purchased from retailers' in Central abattoir and markets with surface swabs taken from butchers tables in Maiduguri, Nigeria were analyzed for Listeria species. Listeria species were recovered from the entire samples examined with the highest isolates observed in surface swab (100%), cucumber (81.3%) and beef (74.0%) respectively, followed by lettuce (73.3%), carrot (70.0%) and cabbage (65.4%). The least isolates were observed in goat (36.0%). Listeria species isolates was found in (60.9%) of the Meat and surface swab and (69.2%) of the Vegetable samples analyzed. Gram stain and Biochemical characterization of the Listeria isolates showed that L. seeligeri as the highest distributed , followed by L. ivannovii, L.welshimeri and L.innocua, while the least Listeria specie isolates distribution was observed in L. monocytogenes. The study therefore confirmed that there is a high distribution rate of Listeria species in the meat and vegetables retailed in the markets and central abattoir ,including surface swab of butchers table which may have resulted from fecal contamination during slaughtering, unhygienic and unsanitary practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major goals of any high impact research and development is an overall improvement in the well-being and sustainable quality of life through innovations. As universities continuously disseminate innovations from R&D activities, many prototypes and lab-scale products, whether tangible or intangible, can be made available for public use. The success of bringing these innovations to the marketplace depends on the quality and capability of the technology transfer office to lead different types of activities, engagements, negotiation and inclusiveness towards fulfilling the needs of commercialisation partners and the market. This paper presented a general overview of transforming research output into commercialisation in the context of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Throughout this paper, different commercialization channels, the roles of technology transfer offices and multiple agencies are further discussed with a special focus on agricultural innovations and technologies. This review contributes to both academic and agricultural industry research, development and commercialization activities by illustrating current innovation produced by UPM and industry-university collaboration, conducted at a leading agriculture university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to report the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis and to estimate the direct economic losses (DEL) from condemnation of liver as a result of detection of lesions of fasciolosis in cattle slaughtered in Makurdi abattoirs. Retrospective data were collected from the abattoir records obtained from Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MANR) Makurdi, from 2008 to 2012. Direct economic losses were calculated based on a pilot study to determine the average price of liver per kilogram (AvP/kg) and using the formula: DEL = 𝑛w × AvP/kg, where 𝑛 is the number of livers condemned and 𝑊 is the average liver weight in kg. Between 2008 and 2012, 64,978 cattle were slaughtered at Makurdi abattoirs, out of which 9,478 cattle were infected with Fasciola species. This represents an overall prevalence of 14.56% (95%, C.I.: 12.99 - 16.85%). Annual prevalence of bovine fasciolosis was significantly (P <0.05) high in 2010 and decreased from 2011 to 2012. During the late dry season, the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis was significantly high (P <0.05). A total of 4220 liver were condemned during the study period. This amounted to 12660 kg and valued at ₦12,660,000.00 ($79251.60 USD). The highest prevalence was recorded during the late dry season. However, cattle acquire the infection during the wet season and early dry season. Pathological lesions were much obvious during the late dry season possibly when the animals were most stressed, hence we suggest that control measures should be targeted towards wet and early dry seasons. Bovine fasciolosis is prevalent in cattle slaughtered in Makurdi abattoirs and accounts for huge financial losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mastitis is an inflammatory condition of the udder that occurs as a result of the release of leucocytes into the udder in a response to bacterial invasion. The major causes of mastitis are an array of gram positive and negative bacteria, however, algae, virus, fungi, mechanical or thermal injury to the gland have also been identified as possible causes. Mastitis vaccines are yet to be developed using Malaysian local isolate of bacteria. The objective of the present experimental trial was to develop a monovalent vaccine against mastitis using S. aureus of Malaysian isolate and to evaluate the clinical responses such as temperature, respiratory rates and heart rates in vaccinated cows. S. aureus is a major causative bacteria in clinical and subclinical types of mastitis in cows. Four concentrations of the bacterin (10 6 , 10 7 , 10 8 and 10 9  cfu/ml of the local isolate of S. aureus) were prepared using Aluminium potassium sulfate adjuvant. Thirty cows were grouped into four treatment groups (B, C, D and E) with a fifth group as control (A). These groups were vaccinated intramuscularly(IM) with the prepared monovalent vaccine and its influence on the vital signs were intermittently measured. The mean of rectal temperature was significantly different (p˂ 0.05) at 0hr Post Vaccination [1]" in groups D and E (39.5 ± 0.15 °C and 39.4 ± 0.15 °C respectively) and at 3 h PV in groups C, D and E (39.8 ± 0.14 °C, 39.9 ± 0.14 °C and 40.3 ± 0.14 °C respectively) compared to the control group. This indicated a sharp increased rectal temperatures between 0hr and 3 h PV in groups C, D and E which later declined at 24 h PV. The mean of rectal temperature of group E was significantly different (p˂ 0.05) at weeks 1 and 2 PV (39.87 ± 0.19 °C and 39.80 ± 0.18 °C respectively) compared to the control group. The mean of heart rate was significantly different (p˂ 0.05) at week 1 PV in groups D and E (83.0 ± 3.8 beats/minute and 80.0 ± 3.8 °C respectively) compared to control. A trending decrease was however observed in heart rates of group E from weeks through 4 PV and in group D from weeks 1 through 3 PV. The mean of respiratory rates was significantly different (p˂ 0.05) at week 3 PV in group B and D (31.0 ± 1.2 breaths/minute and 28.0 ± 1.2 breaths/minute) compared to control. In conclusion, this study highlights responses of these vital signs due to vaccination against S. aureus causing mastitis in cows. To the best of our knowledge the findings of this study adds value to the shallow literature on vital signs alterations in cows vaccinated against mastitis as elevated levels of temperature and heart rates of group D and E indicated obvious response., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)