OCCURRENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FAECAL SHEDDING OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM OOCYSTSIN AVIAN SPECIES IN KANO METROPOLIS, NIGERIA
OCCURRENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FAECAL SHEDDING OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM OOCYSTSIN AVIAN SPECIES IN KANO METROPOLIS, NIGERIA
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2016-03
Authors
MUSTAPHA, Mahmud Alhaji
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a coccidian parasite found infecting a wide range of mammals
including man, birds and lower vertebrates. The aim of this study was to determine the
occurrence and risk factors associated with faecal shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts
in avian species in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria. Faecal samples from three hundred and
thirty avian species were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts using Modified Ziehl
Neelsen staining technique. The overall prevalence was 6.4%. Live bird markets had
the highest prevalence rate of 10%, slaughter slabs and commercial farms had 4.55%
and 4.55% respectively. The difference in the prevalence rates between sampling points
was not significant (P>0.05). Based on species, turkeys had the highest prevalence rate
of 18.75%, followed by ducks (9.09%), chickens (6.61%), guinea fowls(0%) and
pigeons(0.0%).The prevalence of Cryptosporidiumamong the different avian species
was not significant (P>0.05). The occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in avian
species based on Local Government Areas (LGAs) were also studied. Flocks in Dala
LGA recorded the highest prevalence rate of 12.12%, while those in Kumbotso had the
lowest prevalence of 1.52%. The association between Cryptosporidium oocysts and
LGAs was not significant (P>0.05). Risk factors for the spread of Cryptosporidium
oocysts by avian species were also studied and analyzed; source of birds (interstate
OR=1.314; p=0.735), frequency of cleaning (not daily OR=1.859; p=6.756), source of
feeds (not commercial OR= 2.604; p=0.126), source of water (well water OR=1.770;
p=0.521) and types of cage (wooden cage OR=1.186, p=0.533) were found to have a
high risk estimate for the spread of the Cryptosporidium, though not significant
(p>0.05). This study has shown the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in poultry
sampled in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria, which is of veterinary and public health
significance. It is therefore imperative that public awareness should be embarked upon
vii
on the importance of biosecurity, so that the veterinary and public health significance of
the disease can be prevented.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA, NIGERIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AVIAN MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
FAECAL SHEDDING,, CRYPTOSPORIDIUM OOCYSTSIN,, AVIAN SPECIES,, KANO METROPOLIS,