The present study on prevalence of haemoparasites in village chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Maiduguri comprising the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere district of Borno State, Nigeria was done between November, 2015 and January, 2016. A total of 200 blood samples were collected from chickens of both sexes slaughtered in poultry market/dressing slabs located in Custom market and Monday market Maiduguri and transported to the teaching and research laboratory department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri Nigeria, for analysis. Giemsa-stained thin blood smears were prepared and screened for the presence of haemoparasites. Microscopic examination of the thin blood smears revealed that thirty-four (34) of the sampled chickens were infected with at least one genus of haemoparasites, with overall prevalence of 17.0% for Haemoproteus, and/or Plasmodium spp. Result also revealed that single infection with Haemoproteus spp. shows higher prevalence (50.9%) than Plasmoduim spp. (29.4%) or mixed infection with Plasmodium spp. + Haemoproteus spp. (17.6%). There was higher sex specific prevalent rate in cock (20.5%) than in Hen (11.5%). There was also a strong association between sex and presence of haemoparasite in village chicken (χ²= 3.09). However, the distribution of the haemoparasites among the sex of the host chickens was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Similarly the likelihood of getting more haemoparasite in male (cock) than in female (hen) is less (OR= 0.73, and 95% CI = 0.344 − 1.561).

Aim: This study investigated the occurrence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in chickens from small-scale (backyard) commercial poultry farms in Maiduguri. Materials and Methods: A total of 96 cloacal swab samples were collected. This comprised of 24 samples each from broiler chicks, pullets, layers, and broilers (adults). The samples were examined for the presence of E. coli using conventional microbiological culture and biochemical tests. The pure E. coli isolates were screened for ESBL production by culturing onto BrillianceTM ESBL agar. Isolates that showed positive reactions with production of bluish or pinkish colonies were tested for susceptibilities against some selected β-lactam antibiotics which include cefotaxime (30 μg), ceftriaxone (30 μg), cefpodoxime (10 μg), aztreonam (30 μg), and ceftazidime (30 μg). Isolates that exhibited resistance to any two or three of the antibiotics were selected and confirmed by combination disk diffusion method with ceftazidime (30 μg) and cefotaxime (30 μg) alone and in combination with clavulanic acid (30 μg/10 μg). Results: The total occurrence of E. coli was 67.6% (65/96) with the highest occurrence of 83.3% (20/24) from broiler chicks and least detection of 54.2% (13/24) from layers. Of this, 32.0% were ESBL-producing E. coli with the highest detection rate from layers (38.5%) and least occurrence from pullets (26.7%). Conclusion: This study revealed the presence of ESBL-producing E. coli in chickens from small-scale commercial poultry farms in Maiduguri, thus indicating that chickens may serve as important reservoirs for the transmission of antimicrobial resistant pathogens to humans through the food chain.

Diarrhea caused by multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) is an important and common problem in companion animals, especially dogs. Moreover, these dogs may serve as a reservoir of pathogenic strains of E. coli that may cause enteric and extra-intestinal infections in humans and other animals. This study was conducted to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of E. coli isolates from diarrheic dogs in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria. In fecal samples of 200 dogs with diarrhea, 147 E. coli strains (73.5%) were isolated and characterized by the standard bacteriological techniques (culture, biochemical tests, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing). Out of the 147 positive isolates, 45, 50, and 52 were from Elkanemi Park, Magaram, and Sabon gari wards respectively. The isolates show 100% resistance to chloramphenicol, cefuroxime, and ceftriaxone, 96.6% to amoxicillin, and 95.9% to gentamicin, while all (100%) were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. All the isolates showed multiple antimicrobial resistance. The result of the current study showed that dogs in Maiduguri are important reservoirs of multidrug-resistant E. coli. Therefore, it is important to adopt and apply guidelines for the correct use of antimicrobials in small animal practice to reduce the emergence of multidrug resistance among E. coli in companion animals.

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the prevalence, associated risk factors, and zoonotic implications of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in Maiduguri, Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 rectal fecal samples were collected from dogs in Maiduguri for coprological examination using the saturated sodium chloride floatation technique. Detection of eggs or oocyst was done on the basis of keys of identification of parasites based on the morphology and size of eggs or oocyst. Results: The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs was 31.5% (63/200) in Maiduguri. The prevalence of the infection was higher in young, male dogs kept outdoor in terms of age, sex, and management; the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The parasites detected in Maiduguri include Ancylostoma spp., Toxocara spp., Dipylidium spp., Isospora spp., and Taenia spp., with Ancylostoma spp. (16%) having the highest prevalence rate. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal parasites have high prevalence in Maiduguri and constitute potential risk to human health because all genera of parasites detected in the study area are of public health importance.

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