PREVALENCE OF RABIES ANTIGEN IN THE SALIVA AND BRAINS OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY DOGS SLAUGHTERED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
PREVALENCE OF RABIES ANTIGEN IN THE SALIVA AND BRAINS OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY DOGS SLAUGHTERED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2014-05
Authors
MSHELBWALA, Philip Paul
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Abstract
The study was carried out in four Local Government Areas: Umuahia North, Isiala Ngwa North, Osisioma, Ekwauno of Abia State, to detect the presence of rabies antigen in the saliva and brain tissues of apparently healthy dogs slaughtered for human consumption. Two rapid diagnostic tests, Rapid immunochromatographic test (RICT) and Direct Rapid Immunohistochemistry Test (dRIT) and the gold standard test, Fluorescent Antibody Test (FAT) were used to detect the presence of rabies antigen in the saliva and brains of slaughtered dogs. A structured questionnaire was designed and administered to dog meat butchers and consumers in the selected areas to access their level of awareness of rabies infection and demonstration of exposure potentials. A total of 100 saliva samples were obtained from 64 females and 36 male dogs from the selected areas before slaughter. One hundred brain samples were also obtained from the dogs after they had been slaughtered. The saliva samples were subjected to RICT while the brain tissues were subjected to FAT and dRIT respectively. A total of 100 questionnaire were administered to respondents comprising of 81 dog consumers and 19 processors. Five (5%) of the saliva and brain tissues samples were each positive for all the tests. All the positive cases were detected in the female dogs. There was no statistical association (p>0.05) between sex and rabies status of the dogs sampled. Despite the fact that majority of the processors (73.7%) and consumers (71.6%) had prior knowledge of rabies, on exposure to dog bite , 72.8% and 70.4% respectively sought traditional methods of treatment. None of the butchers found out the vaccination status of the dogs before slaughter and all of them believed the business was lucrative. Dog meat butchers engaged in practices that further exposed them to dog bite and were not aware that post exposure prophylaxis exists for victims of dog bite. They also believed that
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dog meat had a curative effect on malaria and high blood pressure, enhances libido and provide spiritual protection. In this study, there was total agreement between the RICT, dRIT and the conventional, FAT, as all the samples tested positive with the use of all the tests. This study has established the presence of rabies antigen in apparently healthy dogs, there was a high level of awareness of rabies by consumers and processors in the study area. Rabid dogs were not seen as a public health concern but rather associated with medicinal and spiritual values. This belief may pose a health hazard and may militate against the control of rabies in the state
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADAUTE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLEDMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTERS DEGREE IN VETERINARY MEDICINE.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
MAY, 2014
Keywords
PREVALENCE,, RABIES,, ANTIGEN,, SALIVA,, BRAINS,, HEALTHY,, DOGS, SLAUGHTERED,, HUMAN,, CONSUMPTION,, ABIA STATE,, NIGERIA.