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Fruits and vegetables are sources of parasitic infections in humans. This study was designed to determine the epidemiology of parasitic contamination of fruits, vegetables, and water, as well as the perception of retailers, buyers, and consumers about its contamination in Kwara Central, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study design was employed for this study. A total of 160 fruits, 349 vegetables, and 51 water samples were randomly purchased/collected from thirty different markets. The samples were subjected to sedimentation and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining techniques. All the types of fruits and vegetables sampled were contaminated with one or more parasites. Eleven different species of zoonotic parasites (6 protozoans and 5 helminths) were detected. Entamoeba coli (39.8%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (9.6%) were the most prevalent protozoan and helminth respectively. The prevalence of other protozoan parasites ranged between 21.3% (Entamoeba histolytica) and 2.3% (Balantidium coli), while that of helminths was between 5.7% (Ascaris lumbricoides) and 2.1% (Trichuris trichiura). Source of fruits and vegetables, source of manure for cultivation, the source of water for washing/wetting purpose, market type, washing of fruits and vegetables before display, the presence of children at home and in the market, and knowledge of parasitic contamination were the risk factors associated (P0.05) with parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables among sellers. There is a need to educate the general public on the possibilities of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables and its public health implications.

Dogs are the most cosmopolitan pets of humans and as such a means of transmitting zoonotic parasites to their owners. This study was designed to investigate the diversity, prevalence, pattern of infection, intensity of infections, and the risk factors associated with gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in Kwara Central, North Central, Nigeria. Three hundred and five clinically healthy dogs were sampled. Faecal samples were subjected to the direct smear, simple faecal centrifugation flotation, formol-ether concentration, and the Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining techniques. Oocysts/eggs per gram of faeces were counted using the modified McMaster technique. Data were analysed using univariate logistic regression, multivariate logistic regression, and the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). p -value of 0.05 was considered significant for all analyses. One hundred and sixty-six dogs were positive for at least one species of gastrointestinal parasite, representing 54.43% (95% CI: 44.81 - 59.96) of the sampled population. The study identified Cystoisospora species (15.41%), Cryptosporidium species (25.25%), Ancylostoma species (25.25%), Toxocara canis (19.02%), Strongyloides stercoralis (7.54%), Uncinaria stenocephala (6.89%), and Dipylidium caninum (2.30%) as the gastrointestinal parasites infecting dogs in the study area. Coinfection with more than one species of gastrointestinal parasites was a common finding in dogs. The intensity of Cystoisospora spp. among infected dogs ranged between 40 and 980 oocysts per gram of faeces, while that of helminth parasites was 40 - 1560 eggs per gram of faeces. Age, sex, breeds, body condition score, presence of ticks on dogs, the purpose of keeping dog(s), types of housing, types of feed consumed, vaccination status, and treatment with antiparasitics were predators associated with the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasites infections. Due to the zoonotic nature of most of the encountered gastrointestinal parasites, there is need for regular antiparasitic treatment, proper dog management, and adequate personal hygiene to prevent zoonosis.

Coccidiosis is the most economically impactful enteric protozoan disease of animals including cattle. A year (March 2018 to February 2019) study was conducted on cattle in Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria with the objective of determining the prevalence, intensity of infection, diversity of Eimeria species, co-infection patterns and risk factors associated with the enteric protozoan infection in cattle. To address this, faecal samples from 478 cattle of different age groups, breeds and sex were subjected to the floatation technique, the McMaster counting technique and sporulation procedure. One hundred and eighty-six (38.91%) of the sampled cattle were positive, and 8 different species were identified (Eimeria bovis, E. zuernii, E. auburnensis, E. cylindrica, E. subspherica, E. canadensis, E. bukidnonensis and E. alabamensis) with E. bovis (25.94%) and E. zuernii (23.43%) been the most prevalent. Eimeria oocysts were detected all through the year. The intensity of Eimeria species among infected cattle ranged between 200-12900 oocyst per gram of faeces. Following univariate analysis, breed, age, sex, physiological status, faecal consistency and PCV were significantly (p0.05) associated with Eimeria infection. Multivariate analysis revealed that breed, age and physiological status were the significant risk factors associated with eimeriosis. The present study constitutes the first attempt to analyse the prevalence, intensity, diversity and epidemiological risk factors involved in bovine eimeriosis in North-Central Nigeria. It is envisaged that the data obtained will facilitate better control and prevention measures for Eimeria infection among cattle in the region.

Trypanosoma brucei is one of the most pathogenic species of the genus Trypanosoma, and T. brucei brucei is one of the subspecies that is of great economic concern to animals. A large range of labouratory animals are commonly used in Trypanosoma studies. This study is aimed at exploring the possibility of using guinea fowls as experimental models for future studies and preservation of T. b. brucei. In achieving our aim, we studied the infectivity and pathogenicity of T. b. brucei in guinea fowls in relation to rabbits. The level of parasitaemia, mean body weight, mean temperature, haematological and histopathological parameters were accessed. Ten each of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) (control model) and guinea fowls (Numidia meleagris) (study model) (5 in the uninfected groups and 5 in the infected groups) were used for this study. The infected rabbits were inoculated intraperitoneally, while the infected guinea fowls were inoculated through the wing veins. Both animals were inoculated with 0.20 ml of T. b. brucei-infected blood estimated to be 1× 106 parasites/ ml. The infected rabbits and guinea fowls were screened daily for the presence of T. b. brucei using the haematocrit centrifugation technique (HCT). The mean weight, mean temperature and haematological parameters were accessed weekly, while the histopathological parameters were accessed at the end of the study. Trypanosoma b. brucei was detected in the blood of infected rabbits about 8 days post-infection, while there was no parasitaemia in the infected guinea fowls. The haemoflagellate exerted a significant (p

Coccidiosis remains a serious concern of great economic impact on domestic animals including rabbits. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, species diversity, and associated risk factors of rabbit coccidiosis in Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria. Fecal samples were examined using the floatation technique (positive samples were sporulated for identification of the different Eimeria species). 169 out of 215 (78.6%,) rabbits were found to be infected with Eimeria species. A total of seven Eimeria species (Eimeria coecicola, Eimeria irresidua, Eimeria perforans, Eimeria magna, Eimeria intestinalis, Eimeria stiedai and Eimeria flavescens) were identified. Of these, Eimeria coecicola was the most prevalent (48/215; 22.3%), while E. flavescens (8/215; 3.7%) was the least prevalent. Weaners (80.0%) were more infected than bunnies (79.1%) and adult (77.5%). Females had a higher infection rate (79.4%) than males (77.4%). Californian breed were more infected (84.9%) compared to Chinchila (83.7%), Dutch breed (80.9%), and New Zealand White (63.6%). Rabbits kept in the deep litter housing system had higher prevalence rate (95.2%) compared to those raised in the battery cage system (71.9%). Coccidiosis was more prevalent during the wet season than the dry season. This study concludes that Eimeria infections of rabbit is endemic in Ilorin, Kwara State with breeds and housing type been significant risk factors associated with the infection. This study provides the baseline information as the first report on the different Eimeria species affecting rabbits in Nigeria.

Coccidiosis is one of the biggest challenges faced by the global poultry industry as the protozoan is found anywhere poultry are reared. Before now, there have been no documents on the intensity and diversity of Eimeria species of poultry in Kwara State. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of Eimeria species and its species diversity among poultry in Kwara Central, North-Central Nigeria. Five hundred and two fecal samples (from four hundred and seventy two chickens and thirty turkeys) were collected from chickens and turkeys from 15 farms from December 2017 to May 2018. The samples were subjected to floatation technique. Positive samples were further subjected to the McMaster counting technique for determining the intensity of infection. Sporulation of unsporulated oocysts was carried out using 2.5% potassium dichromate (K(2)Cr(2)O(7)), for the purpose of identifying the different Eimeria species. Ninety five (18.9%) of the sampled population, 10 (66.7%) of the 15 sampled farms were positive for Eimeria species. The total mean oocyst per gram was 6325.0. Eight Eimeria species were detected in the study: 7 in chickens and 1 in turkeys. Eimeria tenella was the most predominant among chickens, E. meleagrimitis was the only species detected in turkeys. Age, sex, bird type, physiological status, farm age, farm size (acres), management system, frequency of anthelmintic use, frequency of anticoccidial use, distance to dumping site (meters), level of biosecurity and frequency of cleaning the pen were significantly associated (P

Aim: Helminth infections inflict negatively on the production and well-being of animals including poultry. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, species diversity, intensity, and risk factors associated with the gastrointestinal helminths of intensively raised poultry in Kwara Central senatorial district of Kwara State. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 502 poultry species from 15 farms. The samples were subjected to floatation and the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration techniques of examination. The intensity of infections was determined using McMaster counting technique. Results: Seven helminth species were detected with Heterakis gallinarum (10.2%) and Ascaridia galli (6.0%) been the most prevalent, while Capillaria species was the least prevalent (0.8%). Physiological status, bird type, production purpose, farm age (years), presence of other animals in the farm, flock size (birds), farm size (acres), housing type, farm type, frequency of anthelmintic use, distance to waste area (meters), level of biosecurity, and frequency of cleaning the pen were the risk factors significantly (p

Parasitism such as helminthoses, ectoparasitism and haemoparasitism is a major problem in the health management of animals as it is worldwide in distributed. This study is aimed at investigating the prevalence and risk factors associated with the occurrence of parasitic diseases of horses diagnosed in Osun State Nigeria. From January 2006 to December 2015 a total of 864 horses were presented for treatment in the veterinary hospitals of the state, of which 720 (83.33%), 504 (58.33%), 152 (17.59%), 80 (9.26%) and 72 (8.33%) were diagnosed for tick infestation, babesiosis, helminthoses, trypanosomiasis and mange respectively. The diagnoses were carried out based on case history, physical examination, clinical signs and labouratory confirmation. There was no defined pattern in the yearly and monthly prevalences of parasitic diseases from this study. Age, sex and season were statistically (P>0.05) associated with the occurrence of equine parasitic diseases. This study showed that parasitic diseases are endemic in Osun State Nigeria, with tick infestation, babesiosis and helminthoses been of major concern. There is need for a radical preventive measure to curtail the disease condition so as to improve on the health, wellbeing and performance of horses.