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Value of tests for evaluating udder health in dairy goats: Somatic cell counts, California Milk Cell Test and electrical conductivity 全文
2008
Petzer, I.M.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Production Animal Studies) | Donkin, E.F.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Department of Animal and Wildlife Sciences) | Du Preez, E.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Production Animal Studies) | Karzis, J.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Production Animal Studies) | Van der Schans, T.J.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Production Animal Studies) | Watermeyer, J.C.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Production Animal Studies) | van Reenen, R.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Production Animal Studies)
The value of electric conductivity (EC), California Milk Cell Test (CMCT) and somatic cell count (SCC) as diagnostic tools was investigated in dairy goats. Conductivity colour reading correlated with SCC. Milk samples with conductivity colour red had significantly higher SCC than those with conductivity colours green and orange (P < 0.001). There were moderate positive correlations between CMCT (R² = 0.470), and conductivity score and CMCT and conductivity colour readings (R² = 0.597). Conductivity scores were significantly (P < 0.001) higher during and after intra-mammary treatment with Cloxamast LC and conductivity colours were significantly different between treatment and control groups (P < 0.001). There was a weak positive correlation between conductivity colour and stage of lactation (R² = 0.317) and a moderately positive correlation between conductivity score and stage of lactation (R² = 0.523). A moderately negative correlation was shown between milk yield and conductivity score (R² = -0.426) and between milk yield and conductivity colour (R² = -0.433). Moderate positive correlations were present between CMCT and SCC (R² = 0.689) and between CMCT and stage of lactation (R² = 0.459). CMCT ratings were significantly different (P < 0.001) for the intra-mammary treatment groups. CMCT ratings for infected and non-infected udder halves (P = 0.008) were significantly different; as were those for infected and non-infected udder halves and for left and right udder halves separately (P = 0.010). CMCT ratings for milk samples with SCC above and below 750 x 10³ cells per ml were significantly different (P < 0.001) as well as for milk from treated and control udder halves with SCC below or above 750 x 10³ cells per ml(P < 0.001). CMCT was found to be more accurate for indicating the absence of mastitis than for diagnosing it. There were significant differences in log SCC between treatment and control groups, during and after treatment. Infected udder halves had significantly higher log SCC than non-infected udder halves before and after treatment, but not during treatment. There was a moderate positive correlation between stage of lactation and SCC (R² = 0.438).
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]Effect of Peganum harmala (wild rue) extract on experimental ovine malignant theileriosis: Pathological and parasitological findings 全文
2008
Derakhshanfar, A.(Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman School of Veterinary Medicine Department of Pathobiology) | Mirzaei, M.(Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman School of Veterinary Medicine Department of Pathobiology)
Malignant theileriosis of sheep is a highly fatal, acute or subacute disease is caused by the tick-borne protozoan parasite, Theileria hirci. In this investigation ten healthy male lambs aged 5-6 months were randomly divided into two groups, A and B and were kept in isolated tick-proof pens. They were treated for internal and external parasite before commencement of the experiment. The lambs were experimentally infected with T. hirci by placing ticks Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum infected with T. hirci on them. The ticks used in this survey had originally been isolated from sheep and colonies of them were established in an insectarium. Before and after infection rectal temperatures and clinical signs of the lambs were recorded, blood and prescapular lymph node smears were prepared and examined to determine the extent of the parasitaemia, and blood samples were analyzed to evaluate their haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) rates. Three days after the commencement of a febrile reaction and appearance of the schizonts in the lymph node smears, treatment of the lambs in Group A with an extract containing the alkaloids of Peganum harmala (wild rue) was commenced. Group B lambs were kept untreated controls. Before treatment there were no significant differences in the rectal temperature, parasitaemia rate, and the Hb and PCV values between animals in the two groups but after treatment significant differences in these values was detected (P < 0.05). After treatment, the clinical signs and parasites in the lymph node smears of the animals in Group A disappeared and they all animals recovered. These parameters in the animals of Group B progressed until their death. Pathological studies showed the characteristic lesions of theileriosis in lambs in Group B, but not in Group A. The results indicate a therapeutic effect of the alkaloids of P. harmala for treatment of ovine malignant theileriosis.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]Characterization of pigeon paramyxoviruses (Newcastle disease virus) isolated in South Africa from 2001 to 2006 全文
2008
Abolnik, C.(ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Gerdes, G.H.(ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Kitching, J.(Stellenbosch Provincial Veterinary Laboratory) | Swanepoel, S.(Deltammune Laboratorie) | Romito, M.(ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Bisschop, S.P.R.(University of Pretoria Poultry Reference Laboratory)
Characterization of pigeon paramyxoviruses (Newcastle disease virus) isolated in South Africa from 2001 to 2006 全文
2008
Abolnik, C.(ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Gerdes, G.H.(ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Kitching, J.(Stellenbosch Provincial Veterinary Laboratory) | Swanepoel, S.(Deltammune Laboratorie) | Romito, M.(ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Bisschop, S.P.R.(University of Pretoria Poultry Reference Laboratory)
Pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1), a variant of Newcastle disease virus that primarily affects doves and pigeons has been isolated in South Africa since the mid-1980s. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 viruses were introduced into South Africa on multiple occasions, based on the presence of two separate lineages, 4bi and 4bii, that have been circulating in Europe and the Far East since the early 1990s. During 2006, a PPMV-1 virus was isolated from an African ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) which became acutely infected with PPMV-1 and died, probably after scavenging off infected dove carcasses in the region, since a closely-related PPMV-1 strain was also isolated from doves collected nearby. The hornbill isolate had ICPI and MDT values characteristic of PPMV-1 strains. The threat of PPMV-1 to poultry production and biodiversity in southern Africa highlights the importance of monitoring the spread of this strain.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]Characterization of pigeon paramyxoviruses (Newcastle disease virus) isolated in South Africa from 2001 to 2006 全文
2008
Abolnik, C. | Gerdes, G. H. | Kitching, J. | Swanepoel, S. | Romito, M. | Bisshchop, S. P. R
Publisher's version | Pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1), a variant of Newcastle disease virus that primarily affects doves and pigeons has been isolated in South Africa since the mid-1980s. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 viruses were introduced into South Africa on multiple occasions, based on the presence of two separate lineages, 4bi and 4bii, that have been circulating in Europe and the Far East since the early 1990s. During 2006, a PPMV-1 virus was isolated from an African ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) which became acutely infected with PPMV-1 and died, probably after scavenging off infected dove carcasses in the region, since a closely-related PPMV-1 strain was also isolated from doves collected nearby. The hornbill isolate had ICPI and MDT values characteristic of PPMV-1 strains. The threat of PPMV-1 to poultry production and biodiversity in southern Africa highlights the importance of monitoring the spread of this strain. | Publisher's version
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]Characterization of pigeon paramyxoviruses (Newcastle disease virus) isolated in South Africa from 2001 to 2006 全文
2008
C. Abolnik | G. H. Gerders | J. Kitching | S. Swanepoel | M. Romito | S. P.R. Bisschop
Pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1), a variant of Newcastle disease virus that primarily affects doves and pigeons has been isolated in South Africa since the mid-1980s. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 viruses were introduced in to South Africa on multiple occasions, based on the presence of two separate lineages, 4bi and 4bii, that have been circulating in Europe and the Far East since the early 1990s. During 2006, a PPMV-1 virus was isolated from an African ground hornbil(l Bucorvus leadbeateri) which becamea cutely infected with PPMV-1 and died, probably after scavenging off infected dove carcasses in the region, since a closely-related PPMV-1 strain was also isolated from doves collected nearby. The hornbill isolate had lCPl and MDT values characteristic of PPMV-1s trains. The threat of PPMV-1 to poultry production and biodiversity in southern Africa highlights the importance of monitoring the spread of this strain.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]2-Phenoxyethanol as anaesthetic in removing and relocating 102 species of fishes representing 30 families from Sea World to uShaka Marine World, South Africa 全文
2008
Vaughan, D.B.(Two Oceans Aquarium Dock Road Victoria and Alfred Waterfront) | Penning, M.R.(South African Association for Marine Biological Research uShaka Marine World) | Christison, K.W.(University of the Western Cape Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology)
2-Phenoxyethanol as anaesthetic in removing and relocating 102 species of fishes representing 30 families from Sea World to uShaka Marine World, South Africa 全文
2008
Vaughan, D.B.(Two Oceans Aquarium Dock Road Victoria and Alfred Waterfront) | Penning, M.R.(South African Association for Marine Biological Research uShaka Marine World) | Christison, K.W.(University of the Western Cape Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology)
2-Phenoxyethanol was used as an anaesthetic to translocate 102 species of fishes representing 30 families from the Sea World aquarium on Durban's beachfront to uShaka Marine World. Most fishes responded well to a final anaesthetic concentration of 0,150 mí/í and there were no mortalities.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]2-Phenoxyethanol as anaesthetic in removing and relocating 102 species of fishes representing 30 families from Sea World to uShaka Marine World, South Africa 全文
2008
D.B. Vaughan | M.R. Penning | K.W. Christison
2-Phenoxyethanol was used as an anaesthetic to translocate 102 species of fishes representing 30 families from the Sea World aquarium on Durban's beachfront to uShaka Marine World. Most fishes responded well to a final anaesthetic concentration of 0,150 mℓ / ℓ and there were no mortalities.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]Relative economic benefits of tactical anthelmintic treatment and urea-molasses block supplementation of Boer goats raised under extensive grazing conditions at Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa 全文
2008
Vatta, A.F.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute ,University of KwaZulu-Natal) | Krecek, R.C.(University of Johannesburg) | Pearson, R.A.(University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Division of Veterinary Clinical Science (incorporating Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine)) | Smith, M.F.(Agricultural Research Council) | Stenson, M.O.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Van Wijk, E.F.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Harrison, L.J.S.(University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Division of Veterinary Clinical Science (incorporating Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine))
Relative economic benefits of tactical anthelmintic treatment and urea-molasses block supplementation of Boer goats raised under extensive grazing conditions at Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa 全文
2008
Vatta, A.F.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute ,University of KwaZulu-Natal) | Krecek, R.C.(University of Johannesburg) | Pearson, R.A.(University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Division of Veterinary Clinical Science (incorporating Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine)) | Smith, M.F.(Agricultural Research Council) | Stenson, M.O.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Van Wijk, E.F.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Harrison, L.J.S.(University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Division of Veterinary Clinical Science (incorporating Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine))
The potential economic benefits of combining tactical anthelmintic treatment for gastrointestinal nematodes and nutritional supplementation with urea-molasses blocks were examined in Boer goats raised under extensive grazing conditions in the summer rainfall area of South Africa. Eight groups of nine goats were monitored over a 12-month period from 1 October 2002 to 9 October 2003. Ad libitum nutritional supplementation with urea-molasses blocks was provided when the goats were housed at night, during the summer (wet season-December 2002 to February 2003), and/or the winter (dry season-June 2003 to August 2003). All the goats were treated symptomatically for Haemonchus contortus infection when deemed necessary by clinical examination of the conjunctiva for anaemia using the FAMACHA© system. Half the groups were tactically treated for gastrointestinal nematodes in mid-summer (28 January 2003). Under the symptomatic treatment, climatic and extensive grazing conditions encountered during the trial, feed supplementation in the winter dry season had the greatest economic benefit and is therefore recommended. Tactical anthelmintic treatment afforded no additional advantage, but the nematode challenge was low.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]Relative economic benefits of tactical anthelmintic treatment and urea-molasses block supplementation of Boer goats raised under extensive grazing conditions at Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa 全文
2008
A.F. Vatta | R.C. Krecek | R.A. Pearson | M.F. Smith | M.O. Stenson | E.F. Van Wijk | L.J.S. Harrison
The potential economic benefits of combining tactical anthelmintic treatment for gastrointestinal nematodes and nutritional supplementation with urea-molasses blocks were examined in Boer goats raised under extensive grazing conditions in the summer rainfall area of South Africa. Eight groups of nine goats were monitored over a 12-month period from 1 October 2002 to 9 October 2003. Ad libitum nutritional supplementation with urea-molasses blocks was provided when the goats were housed at night, during the summer (wet season -December 2002 to February 2003), and / or the winter (dry season -June 2003 to August 2003). All the goats were treated symptomatically for Haemonchus contortus infection when deemed necessary by clinical examination of the conjunctiva for anaemia using the FAMACHA© system. Half the groups were tactically treated for gastrointestinal nematodes in mid-summer (28 January 2003). Under the symptomatic treatment, climatic and extensive grazing conditions encountered during the trial, feed supplementation in the winter dry season had the greatest economic benefit and is therefore recommended. Tactical anthelmintic treatment afforded no additional advantage, but the nematode challenge was lo
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]Molecular characterization of SAT-2 foot-and-mouth disease virus isolates obtained from cattle during a four-month period in 2001 in Limpopo Province, South Africa 全文
2008
Phologane, B.S.(Agricultural Research Council Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute Exotic Diseases Division,Tshwane University of Technology Department of Biomedical Science) | Dwarka, R.M.(Agricultural Research Council Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute Exotic Diseases Division) | Haydon, D.T.(University of Glasgow Division of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology) | Gerber, L.J.(Tshwane University of Technology Department of Biomedical Science) | Vosloo, W.(Agricultural Research Council Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute Exotic Diseases Division,University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases)
Molecular characterization of SAT-2 foot-and-mouth disease virus isolates obtained from cattle during a four-month period in 2001 in Limpopo Province, South Africa 全文
2008
Phologane, B.S.(Agricultural Research Council Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute Exotic Diseases Division,Tshwane University of Technology Department of Biomedical Science) | Dwarka, R.M.(Agricultural Research Council Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute Exotic Diseases Division) | Haydon, D.T.(University of Glasgow Division of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology) | Gerber, L.J.(Tshwane University of Technology Department of Biomedical Science) | Vosloo, W.(Agricultural Research Council Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute Exotic Diseases Division,University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases)
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute, highly contagious viral infection of domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals. The virus is a single-stranded RNA virus that has a high rate of nucleotide mutation and amino acid substitution. In southern Africa the South African Territories (SAT) 1-3 serotypes of FMD virus are maintained by large numbers of African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer), which provide a potential source of infection for domestic livestock and wild animals. During February 2001, an outbreak of SAT-2 was recorded in cattle in the FMD control zone of South Africa, adjacent to the Kruger National Park (KNP). They had not been vaccinated against the disease since they form the buffer between the vaccination and free zones but in the face of the outbreak, they were vaccinated as part of the control measures to contain the disease. The virus was, however, isolated from some of them on several occasions up to May 2001. These isolates were characterized to determine the rate of genetic change in the main antigenic determinant, the 1D/2A gene. Nucleotide substitutions at 12 different sites were identified of which five led to amino acid changes. Three of these occurred in known antigenic sites, viz. the GH-loop and C-terminal part of the protein, and two of these have previously been shown to be subject to positive selection. Likelihood models indicated that the ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous changes among the outbreak sequences recovered from cattle was four times higher than among comparable sequences isolated from wildlife, suggesting that the virus may be under greater selective pressure during rapid transmission events.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]Molecular characterization of SAT-2 foot-and-mouth disease virus isolates obtained from cattle during a four-month period in 2001 in Limpopo Province, South Africa 全文
2008
B.S. Phologane | R.M. Dwarka | D.T. Haydon | L.J. Gerber | W. Vosloo
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute, highly contagious viral infection of domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals. The virus is a single-stranded RNA virus that has a high rate of nucleotide mutation and amino acid substitution. In southern Africa the South African Territories (SAT) 1-3 serotypes of FMD virus are maintained by large numbers of African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer), which provide a potential source of infection for domestic livestock and wild animals. During February 2001, an outbreak of SAT-2 was recorded in cattle in the FMD control zone of South Africa, adjacent to the Kruger National Park (KNP). They had not been vaccinated against the disease since they form the buffer between the vaccination and free zones but in the face of the outbreak, they were vaccinated as part of the control measures to contain the disease. The virus was, however, isolated from some of them on several occasions up to May 2001. These isolates were characterized to determine the rate of genetic change in the main antigenic determinant, the 1D/2A gene. Nucleotide substitutions at 12 different sites were identified of which five led to amino acid changes. Three of these occurred in known antigenic sites, viz. the GH-loop and C-terminal part of the protein, and two of these have previously been shown to be subject to positive selection. Likelihood models indicated that the ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous changes among the outbreak sequences recovered from cattle was four times higher than among comparable sequences isolated from wildlife, suggesting that the virus may be under greater selective pressure during rapid transmission events.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]Macroscopic features of the venous drainage of the reproductive system of the male ostrich (Struthio camelus) 全文
2008
Elias, M.Z.J.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Anatomy and Physiology) | Aire, T.A.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Anatomy and Physiology) | Soley, J.T.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Anatomy and Physiology)
Macroscopic features of the venous drainage of the reproductive system of the male ostrich (Struthio camelus) 全文
2008
Elias, M.Z.J.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Anatomy and Physiology) | Aire, T.A.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Anatomy and Physiology) | Soley, J.T.(University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science Department of Anatomy and Physiology)
The macroscopic features of the venous drainage of the reproductive system of the male ostrich were studied in six pre-pubertal and three sexually mature and active birds. Each testis was drained by one to four testicular veins. The right testicular veins drained the right testis and epididymis and its appendix to the caudal vena cava and to the right common iliac vein, whereas the left testicular veins drained the left testis and epididymis and its appendix exclusively to the left common iliac vein. A number of variations in the drainage pattern based on the point of entry and number of testicular veins were observed. The cranial aspect of the testis was also linked to the caudal vena cava or common iliac vein via the adrenal veins. The cranial, middle and caudal segments of the ductus deferens (and ureter) were drained by the cranial, middle and caudal ureterodeferential veins respectively, to the caudal testicular veins, the caudal renal veins and pudendal/caudal part of the internal iliac veins. In some specimens, the caudal ureterodeferential veins also drained into the caudal mesenteric vein. The surface of the phallus was drained by tributaries of the pudendal vein. The basic pattern of venous drainage of the reproductive organs of the male ostrich was generally similar to that described for the domestic fowl. However, important differences, including the partial fusion of the caudal renal veins, drainage of the cranial aspect of the testes via the adrenal veins, drainage of the caudal ureterodeferential veins into the caudal mesenteric vein and the presence of veins draining the surface of the phallus, were observed. Although significant, these differences may simply reflect variations in the normal pattern of venous drainage of the reproductive tract of birds which could be verified by studying more specimens and more species.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]Detection of <i>Anaplasma</i> antibodies in wildlife and domestic species in wildlife-livestock interface areas of Kenya by major surface protein 5 competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 全文
2008
J.J.N. Ngeranwa | S.P. Shompole | E.H. Venter | A. Wambugu | J.E. Crafford | B.L. Penzhorn
The seroprevalence of Anaplasma antibodies in wildlife (eland, blue wildebeest, kongoni, impala, Thomson's gazelle, Grant's gazelle, giraffe and plains zebra) and domestic animal (cattle, sheep and goat) populations was studied in wildlife / livestock interface areas of Kenya. Serum samples were analyzed by competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CI-ELISA), using a recombinant antigen (MSP-5) from Anaplasma marginale surface membrane. A monoclonal antibody, FC-16, was used as the primary antibody, while anti-mouse conjugated to horseradish peroxidase was used as the secondary antibody. The results indicate a high seroprevalence in both wildlife and livestock populations, in contrast to earlier reports from Kenya, which indicated a low seroprevalence. The differences are attributed to the accurate analytical method used (CI-ELISA), as compared with agglutination techniques, clinical signs and microscopy employed by the earlier workers.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]Prevalence of <i> Theileria equi </i> and <i> Babesia caballi </i> infections in horses belonging to resource-poor farmers in the north-eastern Free State Province, South Africa 全文
2008
M. Y. Motloang | O. M.M. Thekisoe | A. Alhassan | M. Bakheit | M. P. Motheo | F. E.S. Masangane | M. L. Thibedi | N. Inoue | I. Igarashi | C. Sugimoto | P. A. Mbati
The prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in the north-eastern Free State Province of South Africa was determined by examination of thin and thick Giemsa-stained blood smears, IFAT and PCR. No parasites were detected by microscopy from any blood samples collected at five study sites, Qwaqwa, Kestell, Harrismith, Vrede and Warden. Of the tested serum samples, 28/29 (96.5%), 20/21 (95.2%) nd 42/42( 100%) were positive by IFAT for T. equi infections in Harrismith, Kestell and Qwaqwa, respectively, and 5/29 (17.2%), 13/21 (61.9%) and 30/42 (71.4%) were sero-positive for B. caballi infections in Harrismith, Kestell and Qwaqwa, respectively A. ll DNA samples from the study sites were negative for B. caballi infections by PCR, but five samples, two from each of Kestell and Warden and one from Vrede, were PCR positive for T. equi infections. The high prevalence of antibodies against T. equi and B. caballiin the sampled horses indicates that the animals had been exposed to T. equi and B. caballi infections but the absence of parasitaemia and very low number of positive PCR samples, however, imply that T. equi and B. caballie are endemically stable in the north-eastern Free State Province.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]Seroprevalence of antibodies to <i>Encephalitozoon cuniculi</i> in domestic rabbits in Nigeria 全文
2008
E.A. Okewole
Serum samples from 237 randomized rabbits from the five ecological zones of Nigeria, i.e. Northwest (NW), Northeast (NE), Southeast (SE), Southwest (SW) and Northcentral (NC), were evaluated for the presence of antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi by the indirect immunofluorescent antibodies test. A titre of 10 or more was taken as positive. Thirty-nine (16.5 %) of the 237 samples were positive with 11, 10, 8, 6 and 4 seropositive rabbits occurring in the NW, NE, SE, SW and NC zones of Nigeria, respectively. Age, sex, live mass and access to grass as a feed supplement were not statistically (P > 0.05) associated with seropositivity, but cage type (single-versus multi-rabbit type), contact with free-range rats and previous illness were strongly (P < 0.05) associated with it. The practice of selling unscreened and untreated 5 to 10-week-old weaners to prospective buyers as foundation stock, use of multi-rabbit communal cages, occasional release of rabbits in runs and contact with free-range house rats should be discouraged. Regular prophylactic and curative treatments, occasional serological screening to remove carriers, and the practice of a high level of hygiene in rabbit colonies are effective control measures.
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