A survey study was conducted from June to December 2009 using standard parasitological procedures to determine the prevalence of tick infestation among cattle of different breeds in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria. The tick species identified were Boophilus microplus, Amblyomma variegatum, Hyalomma spp., Rhipicephalus sanguineous and Ornithodorus spp. Of the 205 cattle examined, 63.4% (95% CI: 56.8 -70.0) were tick infested. Males had a non -significantly (P > 0.05) higher infestation rate of 63.4% (56.7 -71.7) compared with the females 60.9% (46.8 -75.0). Younger animals aged ≤ 3 years had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher prevalence of 85.4% (74.6 -96.2) as compared with the adults aged > 3 -7 years 55.8% (46.3 -65.3) and older animals > 7 years 35.0% (22.9 -47.1). Among breeds, Wadara and Kuri had significantly (P < 0.05) higher infestation rates of 66.1% (57.9 -74.3) and 66.7% (13.4 -120.0) respectively. Gudali had 60.9% (41.0 -80.8), Rahaji 58.0% (44.3 -71.7) and Bunaji 50. 0% (19.3 -119.3). Based on the predilection sites, the udder and external genitalia, inner thigh and under the tail/perineum were the most tick-infested sites with 84.3% (78.3 -88.5), 79.0% (73.4 -84.6) and 69.8% (63.5 -76.1) respectively (P < 0.05). While the less preferred sites eyes, neck/dewlap, ears and all over the body each had prevalence of 26. 3% (20.3 -32.3), 14.6% (9.8 -1.4), 12.2% (7.7 -16.7) and 11.2% (6.9 -15.5) respectively. This study reveals high prevalence of tick infestation among indigenous cattle in Maiduguri. This might hamper cattle production and productivity in Nigeria. Thus, it is recommended that appropriate control strategies be instituted to control ticks in the study area.

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A study was carried out to survey the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria. A total of four hundred (400) fecal samples from cattle were randomly collected and examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) staining method. The results showed that the overall prevalence of infection was 22.3%, with an infection rate of23.4% in adult cattle and 19.1% in young cattle, respectively. There was no statistical significant difference (P<0.05) between the age groups, with (OR: 1.298; 95%CI: 0.7507-2.245). Out of 89 positive samples, 21.2% were male and 25.0% were female, respectively. There was no statistical significant difference (P>0.05) between the sex, with (OR: 0.8062; 95% CI: 0.4828-0.346). It was concluded that Cryptosporidium sp. infection is prevalent in Nigeria; and cattle could serve as reservoirs for the zoonotic infection in humans.

Background and Aim:Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) still remains a major zoonotic bacterial disease affecting livestock and humans worldwide. The disease remains a poorly managed tropical disease in most developing countries of the world; where in addition to productivity losses and significance in international trade, it posed a major public health threat to both humans and animals. A retrospective study was designed to investigate the occurrence of bTB lesions at Bauchi municipal abattoir.Materials and Methods:The study utilized abattoir records spanning a period of 10 years (2004-2013). The records indicated that a total of 1,08,638 heads of cattle comprising n = 56,070 males and n = 52,570 females were slaughtered at the municipal abattoir during the study period.Result:Of these heads, n = 1230 (1.13%) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07, 1.19) had tuberculous lesions. The annual occurrence during the study period varied significantly (p<0.001) from 0.53% (95% CI: 0.40, 0.67) to 1.87% (95% CI: 1.66, 2.10) in 2010 and 2012, respectively. Females had a significantly higher (p<0.001) prevalence of 2.10% (95% CI: 1.98, 2.23) compared with the males 0.23% (95% CI: 0.19, 0.27). The distribution of suspected gross bTB lesions in different organs showed 11.87% in the lungs, 5.93% in the liver, 1.14% in the heart, and 0.49% accounted for generalized bTB. However, none was observed on the lymph nodes and intestines.Conclusion:It can be concluded that bTB persists in Bauchi State with annual variations during the study period. This study highlights the importance of meat inspection as an important tool for detecting the presence of bTB lesions.