BackgroundMany bacteria among the Enterobacteria family are involved in infectious diseases and diarrhoea. Most of these bacteria become resistant to the most commonly used synthetic drugs in Cameroon. Natural substances seem to be an alternative to this problem. Thus the aim of this research was to investigate the in vitro antibacterial activity of the methanol and aqueous-methanol extracts of Sida rhombifolia Linn (Malvaceae) against seven pathogenic bacteria involved in diarrhoea. Acute toxicity of the most active extract was determined and major bioactive components were screened.MethodsThe agar disc diffusion and the agar dilution method were used for the determination of inhibition diameters and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MICs) respectively. The acute toxicity study was performed according WHO protocol.ResultsThe aqueous-methanol extract (1v:4v) was the most active with diameters of inhibition zones ranging from 8.7 - 23.6 mm, however at 200 μg/dic this activity was relatively weak compared to gentamycin. The MICs of the aqueous-methanol extract (1v:4v) varied from 49.40 to 78.30 μg/ml. Salmonella dysenteriae was the most sensitive (49.40 μg/ml). For the acute toxicity study, no deaths of rats were recorded. However, significant increase of some biochemical parameters such as aspartate amino-transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatinine (CRT) were found. The phytochemical analysis of the aqueous methanol extract indicated the presence of tannins, polyphenols, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids and saponinsConclusionThe results showed that the aqueous-methanol extract of S. rhombifolia exhibited moderate antibacterial activity. Some toxic effects were found when rats received more than 8 g/kg bw of extract.Antibacterial; Enterobacteria; Acute toxicity; Phytochemical analysis

Biosecurity is an integral part of any successful poultry production system. This study was conducted to assess the biosecurity practices in commercial poultry farms in four selected local government areas of Benue state, Nigeria. Twelve poultry farms were selected and assessed. The biosecurity practices in the poultry farms were assessed using a biosecurity checklist and structured questionnaires administered to commercial poultry farmers. Simple descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages were used to summarize and present results. The results revealed that 83.3% (10/12) of the farms kept birds on deep litter, 16.7% (2/12) kept birds on both deep litter and in cages. Higher proportion 66.7% (8/12) of farmers operated backyard poultry farms. Results showed that 25% (3/12) of the farms also had free range poultry within poultry house premises and none (0/11) kept birds of different ages within the same pen but 41.7 % (5/12) of the farms had several flocks of different ages on the same farm. Only 50% (6/12) of the farms had foot dips in front of each pen. Some farms 41.7% (5/12) had abandoned materials near poultry houses while 33.3% (4/12) had dense vegetation around their poultry farms. About 50% (6/12) of farms reported that rodents/wild birds had access to feed stores. The main source of drinking water for the birds in most of the farms was well water (66.7%) and 36.4 % (4/11) have a dam or pond within farm premises. In most of the farms, workers had no specific clothes 75% (9/12) and foot wear (91.7%) for farm operations. The study revealed that poor management had the highest biosecurity risk score (60.4%) in the commercial poultry farms studied in Benue state. There is need for qualified professionals to train poultry farmers, managers and attendants on proper biosecurity practices.

No abstract

No abstract

Aims: Wildbirds interaction with poultry increases the likelihood of exchange of parasites between wild birds and poultry highlighting the need to understand wild bird endoparasites to reduce cross-infection at the wild bird-poultry interface. This study investigates the prevalence and diversity of endoparasites among wild birds in Kaduna State to provide baseline data on the wild birds' endoparasites which could be a source of infection to poultry. Study Design: Wild birds in live wild bird markets, free-flying wild birds and semi-domesticated birds were the samples for endoparasites. Place and Duration of Study: Birds were sampled in Kaduna State, Nigeria and the samples were analyzed at the helminthology laboratory of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria between April 2012 and December 2012.  Methodology: Wild birds faecal samples were examined for endoparasites by the simple flotation method.  Results: Of the 357 birds sampled, 36.4% were infected with at least one species of endoparasite. Charadriidae (7.1%) and Meleagris gallopavo (23.5%) had the lowest family and species prevalence respectively. Free flying, live poultry markets (LPM) and live wild bird markets (LWBM) birds had a prevalence of 39.1%, 37.2% and 34% respectively. The endoparasites identified were coccidia (30.5%), Ascaridia (5.9%), nematode larvae (0.8%), Capillaria (0.6%); Syngamus, Raillietinia and Trichuris (0.3% for each). There was a significant difference between the prevalence (p = 0.00), mean intensities (p = 0.00) and abundance (p = 0.01) of coccidia and Ascaridia. The prevalence   of multiple infections was 2.0% representing 5.4% of infected birds. The study is first to report  in Kaduna State, Nigeria of Trichuris in Anas platyrhynchos and Raillietina in Laniarius  barbarous. Conclusion: Wild birds in Kaduna State, Nigeria harbours endoparasites of economic significance to poultry and there is the need for more study of these wild birds’ endoparasites at the wild bird–poultry interface.