gastrointestinal – afrjcem.org

*Bamidele, T. A., Fowora, M. A., Raheem, T. Y., Ajayi, A., Adagbada, A., Yisau, J. I., Salau, O. Y., Shaibu, J. O., Amoo, O. S., Aiyedogbon, N., Fesobi, T. W., Akintunde, G., Iwalokun, B. A., Smith, S. I., and Salako, B. L. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, 6, Edmund Crescent, Yaba-Lagos, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: bamideletj@gmail.com; Tel: +2348038578093; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000 –0003 –2155 –8639

Abstract:

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), when disseminated to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), can cause alterations in the composition and diversity of the gastrointestinal tract microbiota. However, there is a paucity of data linking SARS-CoV-2 fecal negativity with the GI microbial balance. This study investigated the association between the GI bacterial composition and clinically defined asymptomatic, mild/moderate COVID-19 fecal-negative individuals.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional, comparative study of GI bacterial composition in COVID-19 nasopharyngeal (NP) -positive (n=7) and negative (n=5) participants at the testing facility of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research between 6^th July and 8^th August 2022. Faecal samples were collected from the 12 participants. The RNA extracted from the NP-positive samples was used for RT‒qPCR detection of the nucleocapsid and open reading frame (ORF1ab) genes, while DNA from all the faecal samples was used for 16S rRNA metataxonomic analysis. Continue reading “SARS-CoV-2 faecal negativity and gastrointestinal eubiosis in non-severe COVID-19 in Lagos, Nigeria”

*Omoruyi, Z., and Agbinone, I
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences,
University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: zainab.omoruyi@uniben.edu

Abstract:

Background: Swine production in Nigeria is encountering several constraints among which are diseases. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of swine with respect to sex, age, location and hygiene practices in the breeding sites in three piggery farms; University of Benin Animal Farm; Osasio Farm Uselu in Egor Local Government Area (LGA), and Ojemai Farm Ekehuanwa Road, Oredo LGA, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Methods: A total of 150 pigs were sampled from the 3 piggery farms. Faecal sample (10g each) was aseptically collected from the rectum of each selected pig and processed by concentration method to microscopically identify parasites in both saline and iodine preparations. A designed pre-tested structured questionnaire was interviewer-administered to each piggery owner to collect information on husbandry practices, animal health care issues and potential risk factors associated with parasitosis. Data was analysed using SPPSS version 20 software, while odd ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated on each potential risk factors.

Results: Of the 150 pigs examined, 130 (86.6%) were infected with five gastrointestinal parasitic agents. Strongyloides ransomi 81 (54%) was the most frequently identified parasite, followed by Ascaris suum 68 (45.3%), Giardia lamblia 31 (20.6%), Entamoeba polecki 10 (6.6%) and Trichuris suis 10 (6.6%). Single and mixed infections were not significantly associated with the observed prevalence (p>0.05). Similarly, the sex of pig was not significantly associated with the prevalence of parasites (p=0.8824). The prevalence of parasitosis among the grower (87.8%) was not significantly different from the adult swine (87.5%) (p>0.05). Osasio had the highest infection rate (90.0%) but this rate was not significantly different from the two other farms (p>0.05).

Conclusion: This study confirms high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in pigs bred in Edo State, Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that farmers improve on their biosecurity and adhere to routine de-worming regimen of pigs.

Keywords: age, gender, prevalence, gastrointestinal, parasite, swine Continue reading “Gastrointestinal parasites among swine bred in Edo State, Nigeria”