Salmonella infection in clinically healthy dogs in Makurdi, Benue State, North-central Nigeria: A potential source of infection to humans

Authors

  • Chinedu Adive Akwuobu
  • Joseph Odeh Agbo
  • Raphael Agbo-Peters Ofukwu

Abstract

Objective: The present study was initiated to ascertain the level of shedding of salmonellae by dogs in Makurdi area and to highlight the risk of infection for dog-owners.

Materials and Methods: Rectal swabs from 200 dogs from different locations in the study area were examined in the study. The samples were cultured for salmonellae using RappaportVassiliadis enrichment broth (Oxoid) and brilliant green agar (Oxoid). Suspected Salmonella isolates were serologically identified.

Results: Overall, Salmonellae organisms were isolated from 11 (5.5%) of the 200 dogs sampled. Prevalence rates of 5.6% and 4.5% were recorded for apparently healthy and clinically sick dogs, respectively. Salmonella was respectively isolated from 4.1% to 9.1% of male and female dogs. Dogs aged 4 years and above recorded the highest prevalence rate. The study revealed a low prevalence rate in Nigerian local breed (mongrels) and high prevalence rates in exotic breeds of dogs.

Conclusion: The isolation of salmonellae in apparently healthy and clinically sick dogs in this study indicates a carrier status which may constitute a serious problem in disease control in the study area. The lower prevalence rate of Salmonella infection in mongrels could be an indication of resistance to Salmonella in local breeds of dogs and should generate interest in research in the pathogenicity and pathogenesis of salmonellae in mongrels.

http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2018.e291

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
375
PDF
0

Author Biographies

Chinedu Adive Akwuobu

Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria

Joseph Odeh Agbo

Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria

Raphael Agbo-Peters Ofukwu

Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria

Downloads

Published

2018-12-29

How to Cite

Akwuobu, C., Agbo, J., & Ofukwu, R.-P. (2018). Salmonella infection in clinically healthy dogs in Makurdi, Benue State, North-central Nigeria: A potential source of infection to humans. Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research, 5(4), 405–409. Retrieved from https://www.banglajol.info/index.php/JAVAR/article/view/39504

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 4 (2018)

Section

Original Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).