Adequate knowledge of the genetic diversity among Babesia species infecting dogs is necessary for a better understanding of the epidemiology and control of canine babesiosis. Hence, this study determined the genetic diversity among the Babesia rossi detected in dogs presented for routine examination in Veterinary Hospitals in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Blood were randomly collected from 209 dogs. Field-stained thin smears were made and DNA extracted from the blood. Partial region of the 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was amplified, sequenced and analysed. Babesia species was detected in 16 (7.7%) of the dogs by microscopy. Electrophoresed PCR products from 39 (18.66%) dogs revealed band size of 450 bp and 2 (0.95%) dogs had band size of 430 bp. The sequences obtained from 450 bp amplicon displayed homology of 99.74% (387/388) with partial sequences of 18S rRNA gene of Babesia rossi in the GeneBank. Of the two sequences that had 430 bp amplicon, one was identified as T. annulata and second as T. ovis. A significantly (p<0.05) higher prevalence of B. rossi was detected by PCR compared to microscopy. The mean PCV of Babesia infected dogs was significantly (p<0.05) lower than non-infected dogs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed minimal diversity among B. rossi with the exception of one sequence that was greatly divergent from the others. This study suggests that more than one genotype of B. rossi may be in circulation among the dog population in the study area and this may have potential implication on clinical outcome of canine babesiosis.

Water melon, citrullus lanatus is a common edible fruit belongs to the family of cucumber (Cucurbitacea). The outer part of citrullus lanatus known as the rind is always discarded. This study investigated the effects of ethanol extract of citrullus lanatus rinds orally administered on some liver function enzymes, kidney function markers, cardiac risk ratio, and the atherogenic coefficient indices in male wistar rats. Twenty-five male Wistar albino rats were randomly distributed into five groups (I, II, III, IV and V) of five rats each received 0mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds respectively for 35days. The result showed that the effects of ethanol extract of citrullus lanatus rinds was not significant difference (p > 0.05) in serum liver enzymes (Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase) in increasing dose dependent manner when compared with control group. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in serum levels of urea and creatinine with increasing dose of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds in rats when compared with control group. The extract showed significantly higher (p< 0.05) values in the serum HDL, cholesterol but there were significant reduction (p< 0.05) in the serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL and non-HDL values in rats at higher doses of the extract when compared with control group. While it was observed that the cardiac risk ratio, the atherogenic coefficient and indices decreased significantly (p< 0.05) in rats at increasing doses of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds when compared with control group. This may suggest a likely cardio-protective effects of ethanol extract of Citrullus lanatus rinds in increasing dose dependent manner in rats when compared with control group. In conclusion, it can be inferred that Citrullus lanatus rinds can be consumed by animals without detrimental effect.

African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) is one of the major constraints to the development of effective livestock production systems. Dogs are human companion and are believed to be sentinels for infection with the human species. This study was to detect subclinical and clinical infection of trypanosomes among hunting dogs in Abeokuta and its environs using molecular technique. A total of 87 dogs comprising of 49 males and 38 females were ramdomly screened for trypanosomes by polymerase chain reaction technique. Among 87 dogs screened, 17.2% were positive for Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei. Prevalence of trypanosomosis in males was 14.3% while the females accounted for 21.1%.Hematological examination revealed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in mean white blood cells (20.9 ± 2.11) and monocyte counts (5.9 ± 0.62) of the infected dogs compared to uninfected dogs. Packed Cell Volume (36.0 ± 3.73) and haemoglobin concentration (13.9 ± 2.10) decreased insignificantly, while, red blood cells (7.1 ± 0.87), lymphocyte (60.9 ± 9.63), neutrophil (33.3 ± 9.16) and eosinophil (1.4 ± 0.42) counts increased insignificantly (p > 0.05) in infected dogs compared to uninfected dogs. In conclusion, trypanosomosis is prevalent in hunting dogs, in Abeokuta.

Equine theileriosis, an apicomplexan debilitating tick-borne parasitic disease of horses has caused considerable havoc to equine production all over the world. There is a dearth of information on the molecular characteristic of the parasites, Theileria equi Laveran, 1901, in Nigeria. Thus, in this study microscopy techniques and PCR were used to detect the T. equi of horses in Ogun, Oyo and Lagos States of Nigeria. We also characterized the partial region of 18S ribosomal RNA gene by sequencing and sequences analysis. One hundred and two horses consisting of Argentine 34 (33.3 %), Sudanese 21 (20.6 %) and local breeds 47 (46.1 %) including 2 females and 100 males were randomly sampled from the Polo Clubs in Ibadan, Lagos and from privately owned horse stables in Abeokuta. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein, thin smears were prepared and stained with a field stain. The DNA was extracted from the blood and a partial region of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene was amplified. The amplified products were sequenced unidirectionally and subjected to phylogenetic analysis with those sequences obtained from the Gen-Bank. Of the 102 horses tested, 12 (11.7 %) were positive for T. equi by microscopy which included 9 (19.1 %) local breeds, 2 (5.8 %) Argentine breed and 1 (4.8 %) Sudanese breed. In contrast, 7 (6.8 %) were positive by the PCR method; out of which 5 (10.6 %) of these samples were from the local breed of horses while the remaining 2 (5.8 %) were from the Argentine breed. The Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of the infected and non-infected horses did not show any significant (P < 0.05) difference. The sequences lengths obtained were 311 bp and they had 97.43—98.07 % homologies with available sequences in the GenBank. The phylogenetic analysis of the sequences suggested that the strain of T. equi detected in the study area formed a new genotype different from the established genotypes around the world. In conclusion, the prevalence of T. equi was very low in the study area and one strain of the parasite may be in circulation among the studied horses.

An outbreak of coccidiosis was reported in a pig farm housing four boars, six sows, twenty one growers and eleven piglets. Eleven neonatal piglets in two litters of three and five days old were suspected to be involved. Three (27%) out of eleven piglets presented signs of profuse foul smelling diarrhoea and pyrexia, while there was haemorrhagic diarrhoea in one and mortality was 9%. A diagnosis of coccidiosis was made based on the clinical signs, post mortem findings of ulceration and fibrinonecrotic enteritis and laboratory identification of 4,600 coccidial oocysts per gramme of faeces by Mc Master counting technique which were identified as Isospora suis. The two herds were treated with Tripple sulfa-Trim® in drinking water for three days. This medication was effective as the diarrhoea resolved within four days of its onset