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This study evaluated the efficacy of vaccination of broiler chickens against coccidiosis using Eimeria tenella (EtAMA-1) DNA vaccine in comparison to vaccination using live polyvalent oocyst vaccine (Livacox®). Forty-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned into 4 groups; group 1 birds were unvaccinated uninfected control, group 2 were unvaccinated infected, group 3 were vaccinated with 0.1ml containing100μg EtAMA-1 vaccine plasmid on the thigh muscle at days 14 and a booster at days 21 of age, while at 10 days old, group 4 birds were administered 0.2ml of Livacox®. At 28 days of age, all chickens except group 1 were inoculated with 1 × 104 sporulated oocysts of the E. tenella and evaluated for weight gain(WG), oocysts production (OP), lesion scoring (LS) and anti coccidial index (ACI). Higher WG (116±43.89 g) were recorded in group 4 compared to group 3 (110±29.15 g), although, statistically insignificant but was significant (p

Phlebotomine sand flies are small tropical insects that have been implicated as vectors of several disease agents, including those responsible for the various forms of leishmaniasis. A study to determine the occurrence and monthly dynamics of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) was conducted in three Local Government Areas (Wamakko, Sokoto South and Kware) of Sokoto State, Nigeria between May-November, 2016. A total of 1260 flies were collected using modified sticky traps placed in the various biotope types (refuse dumps and sewage tanks). Two sand fly genera Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia were encountered. It was also observed that males account for 860(68.3%) while the total number of female specimens was 400(31.7%). More flies were captured in Wamakko LGA of the State with a total number of 757 samples (60.1%), followed by Sokoto South LGA with a total number of 503(39.9%). Refuse dumps harboured 1,149 flies (91.2%) more than sewage tanks with a total number of 111(8.8%). No flies were captured in Kware LGA. Sand flies were more abundant in the peak rainy season of August and September and less or absent in the dry months. It was observed that rainfall and relative humidity were essential meteorological factors that determined the occurrence of sand flies in the study area. This study confirmed the occurrence of phlebotomine sand flies and the possibility of Leishmania transmission in the study-area. Keywords: Occurrence; sand flies; Phlebotomus; Sergentomyia; Leishmania; Sokoto.

A survey of species composition and distribution of haematophagous flies as well as occurrence of Trypanosoma species of cattle was conducted between March and August, 2015, at Ikara and Kubau Local Government Areas, Kaduna State, using Biconical and Nzi traps. Twelve traps were placed for 48hrs along four districts in each of the local government areas and harvested every 24hrs. Blood samples from cattle were analyzed for the presence of Trpanosomes using thick, thin Blood smear and Hematocrit centrifugation method. A total of 232 haematophagous and non-haematophagous flies were caught during the study period. Ikara Local Government had a higher occurrence of flies 127(54.7%) than Kubau Local Government 105(45.3%). The occurrence of the haematophagous flies, Stomoxys calcitrans 107(85.3%) had the highest occurrence than Tabanus 9(7.1%) while Glossina had 0(0.0%). The rainy season had 212 flies trapped compared to the dry season with fewer flies. There was a significant association (p0.05) between the occurrence of Trypanosoma infection in the study area. It is very important to mention that plans should be put in place for the total eradication of these flies and parasite as they could act as vector for the transmission of pathogens that can cause significant health crises in human and animals.Keywords: Haematophagous; flies; trypanosome; Nzi, biconical; Ikara; Kubau; Kaduna State.