Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important healthcare-associated pathogen that is also an emerging zoonosis. Objectives: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of MRSA in dairy cattle farms in Kebbi, North-Western Nigeria.Methods: A total of 200 milk samples, consisting of 50 samples each from lactating cows, were collected and used. The samples were analyzed using bacterial culture and isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Suspected MRSA isolates were identified via PCR detection of the mecA gene, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the isolates were assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.Results: Of the two hundred milk samples examined, the prevalence of MRSA was recorded at 18% (36/200) using phenotypic and genotypic characterization methods. The susceptibility to vancomycin was observed in all isolates, and they had a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of >0.4.Conclusion: This investigation showed the colonization of healthy dairy cows by multidrug-resistant MRSA.

Background: The close relationship between dogs and humans and the possibility of intestinal parasite transmission from dogs to humans calls for frequent assessment of these potential zoonotic intestinal parasites in dogs and the possibility of their transmission to humans. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the presence, intensity of infection, and public health perception of potentially zoonotic intestinal parasites in dogs of Kwara Central, Nigeria. Methods: The study was conducted in 28 locations in Kwara Central Senatorial District of Kwara State, Nigeria. Three hundred and five healthy dogs were sampled. Two hundred and thirty respondents (dog owners or handlers) were questioned using a well-structured questionnaire containing open-ended and closed-ended questions. Fecal samples from the sampled dogs were subjected to the direct fecal smear technique, simple fecal centrifugation flotation technique, formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique, and the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. Oocysts or eggs per gram of feces were counted using the modified McMaster technique. Results: Seven different intestinal parasites (Ancylostoma spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Dipylidium caninum, Isospora spp., Strongyloides stercoralis, Toxocara spp., and Uncinaria stenocephala) were detected, with a prevalence ranging from 2.30% to 25.25%. Of these parasites, 6 were zoonotic. The mean intensities of infection were 91.43 eggs per gram (EPG) for D. caninum¸ 96.52 EPG for S. stercoralis, 129.36 ±28.12 oocysts per gram (OPG) for Isospora spp., 165.17±19.88 for Toxocara spp., 240.00±44.42 for EPG for U. stenocephala, and 303.64±31.83 EPG for Ancylostoma spp. Some dog owners and handlers were not cautious about possible zoonotic parasite transmission from dogs. Conclusion: Zoonotic intestinal parasites of dogs are present and prevalent in Kwara Central, Nigeria. There is a need to educate the public on the possibility of zoonotic parasite transmission to humans.

BACKGROUND: Agama agama lizards are the most populous species of lizard in developing countries of African including Nigeria. These lizards are insectivores; they feed on insects and other arthropods, which may predispose them to different gastrointestinal parasitic infections, some of which are of zoonotic importance. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the gastrointestinal parasites in Agama agama lizards trapped in and around commercial poultry houses in Gombe State, Nigeria. METHODS: The study was carried out between the months of February and December, 2017. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 200 humanly euthanized Agama agama lizards from six Local Government Areas of Gombe State. Samples were examined microscopically for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites eggs or adult worms. RESULTS: Gastrointestinal parasites were detected in 154 (77.0%) Agama agama lizards examined, comprising of 58% gastrointestinal helminthes ova and 19% coccidian oocytes. Six species of helminthes were encountered viz: Strongyluris species (25.5%), Trichuris species (13.5%), Oxyuris species (8.0%), Ascaris species (5.5%), Heterakis species (4.0%) and Capillaria species (1.5%) all belonging to the class Nematoda. Two coccidian species comprised of Eimeria (1.5%) and Isospora species (1.5%) were also encountered. The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) higher in male (68.5%) compared to the female (45.7%) infected lizards. Coccidiosis was also higher (p> 0.05) in the male (19.4%) compared to the female (18.5%) infected lizards. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was found to be significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the rainy season compared to the dry season of the study period. CONCLUSIONS: This study discovered helminthosis and coccidiosis in Agama agama lizards roaming in and around poultry pens in Gombe State. The occurrence of six helminthes and two coccidian species were recovered from infected Agama agama lizards, and prevalence rates of both parasites were significantly higher during the rainy season. Similar genus of gastrointestinal parasites detected in this study have been previously documented in man and domesticated birds. This suggests the association of Agama agama lizards in gastrointestinal parasites transmissions between susceptible hosts. Therefore, it is recommended that further studies involving molecular characterization and comparative studies of these gastrointestinal parasites in Agama agama lizards and domesticated birds should be carried out. It is also recommended that strict biosecurity should be maintained in and around commercial poultry houses to curb disease transmission by lizards or wild reptiles to birds.