Yakubu Atuman | National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom (original) (raw)

Papers by Yakubu Atuman

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

Despite availability of safer and cost-effective treatments and vaccines, rabies is still conside... more Despite availability of safer and cost-effective treatments and vaccines, rabies is still considered among the most fatal viral zoonotic disease worldwide. The epidemiology of rabies is directly associated with the ecology of the reservoirs which needs better understanding to underpin appropriate control measures. There are only few reported attempts made towards understanding the ecology of dog and rabies cases in Nigeria. Although dogs are tolerated and kept in Bauchi State, the risk factors associated with dog ownership in the state, remain to be studied. This study is aimed at determining the risk factors associated with dog ownership in Bauchi state and to evaluate the degree with which the presence or absence of the identified factors can increase or decrease risk of rabies cases in the state. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted amongst dog owners across the state. Basic descriptive analyses were carried out in Microsoft Excel 2016 and IBM SPSS 21 was used to determine the relative risk (RR) of rabies occurrence in households across the state when exposed to each of the identified risk factors where P-value was set at 0.05. A total of 80 questionnaires were completed and received from the respondents. The calculated RR, revealed that the practice of extensive system of management increases the risk of canine rabies amongst dogs of the state by 80% and knowledge of dog owners about canine rabies reduces the risk of canine rabies by 27%. This study confirmed that dogs are owned and tolerated but poorly managed under extensive management system in Bauchi state with increasing risks of rabies spread due to low vaccination coverage and lack of practical application of knowledge on the dangers of rabies amongst the populace. The public health implication of this situation and the need for concerted efforts for sustainable control of rabies in the state is discussed.

Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii are considered to be a globally distributed parasites affecti... more Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii are considered to be a globally distributed parasites affecting wide range of warm-blooded animals. Neosporosis has caused clinical illness in horses and consumption of horse meat has been epidemiologically linked to clinical toxoplasmosis in humans. This study was conducted to determine Neospora spp. and T. gondii antibodies and risk factors of infection in horses and donkeys from three states of Nigeria. A total of 144 samples were collected from clinically healthy animals (120 horses and 24 donkeys). The sera were tested for antibodies to Neospora spp. and T. gondii by indirect fluorescence antibody test, a titer ≥ 50 was considered positive. Seroprevalence data were statistically analyzed, considering the variables of gender, age, use, state, origin of breed and type of management. Antibodies to Neospora spp. and T. gondii were detected in 8% horses with titers 50 and in 24% horses with titers 50-800, respectively. Co-infection of both parasites was proved in three horses (3%). Statistical differences were found only for T. gondii seroprevalence in horses with different use, locality, origin and management (p-value ≤ 0.05). Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in four (17%) of 24 donkeys with statistical difference (p-value ≤ 0.05) in animals of different use; antibodies to Neospora spp. were not proved in any of the donkeys. This is the first seroprevalence study of Neospora spp. and T. gondii in equids from Nigeria.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an important transboundary viral disease of both domestic and wil... more Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an important transboundary viral disease of both domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals characterized by high morbidity with devastating consequence on the livestock worldwide. Despite the endemic nature of FMD in Nigeria, little is known about the epidemiology of the disease at the wildlife-livestock interface level. To address this gap, blood samples were collected between 2013 and 2015 from some wildlife and cattle, respectively, within and around the Yankari Game Reserve and Sumu Wildlife Park in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Wild animals were immobilized using a combination of etorphine hydrochloride (M99 ® Krüger-Med South Africa) at 0.5-2 mg/kg and azaperone (Stresnil ® , Janssen Pharmaceuticals (Pty.) Ltd., South Africa) at 0.1 mg/kg using a Dan-Inject ® rifle (Dan-Inject APS, Sellerup Skovvej, Denmark) fitted with a 3 ml dart syringe and for reversal, naltrexone (Trexonil ® Kruger-Med South Africa) at 1.5 mg IM was used, and cattle were restrained by the owners for blood collection. Harvested sera from blood were screened for presence of antibodies against the foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) using the PrioCHECK ® 3ABC NSP ELISA kit, and positive samples were serotyped using solid-phase competitive ELISA, (IZSLER Brescia, Italy). Out of the 353 sera collected from cattle and wildlife 197 (65.7%) and 13 (24.5%) (P < 0.05), respectively, tested positive for antibodies to the highly conserved nonstructural 3ABC protein of FMDV by the FMDV-NS blocking ELISA. Classification of cattle into breed and sex showed that detectable antibodies to FMDV were higher (P < 0.05) in White Fulani 157 (72.8%) than in Red Bororo 23 (39.7%) and Sokoto Gudali 17 (33.3%) breeds of cattle, whereas in females, detectable FMDV antibodies were higher (P < 0.05) 150 (72.8%) than in males 47 (50.0%). In the wildlife species, antibodies to FMDV were detected in the waterbucks 2 (28.6%), elephant 1 (25.0%), wildebeests 4 (33.3%), and elands 6 (25.0%). Four serotypes of FMDV: O, A, SAT 1, and SAT 2 were detected from the 3ABC positive reactors in waterbucks, elephants, wildebeests, and elands. e results showed presence of antibodies to FMDV in some wildlife and cattle and suggested that wildlife could equally play an important role in the overall epidemiology of FMD in Nigeria. FMD surveillance system, control, and prevention program should be intensified in the study area.

Domestic dogs are by far the most important specie in the maintenance and transmission of rabies ... more Domestic dogs are by far the most important specie in the maintenance and transmission of rabies in Nigeria. For rabies to spill over from a domestic to wild population, three conditions must be satisfied: susceptibility of the wild species, presence of the disease agent in the domestic population, and contact between the two populations of interest. The study was carried to investigate the potential of rabies spill over from the domestic dog population to the wildlife population in the Yankari and Lame-bura game reserves, in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Demographic data of dogs including age, sex, breed, functions and health management were obtained using structured questionnaires and oral interview. A total of 202 heads of dog were collected from dog meat markets to determine the presence of rabies antigen using fluorescent antibody test. Majority of the dogs owned were local breeds (86.95%) used mainly for security (40.62%) and hunting (40.78%) purposes. Dog owners reported low vaccination coverage (9.53%), a level considered insufficient to prevent rabies transmission. There was high population turnover of dogs with frequent opportunities for contacts with humans, domestic animals and wildlife species with conflicts at the level of the interface. Forty-six (22.8%) of the brain samples tested were positive for rabies. In conclusion, rabies in dogs is a threat to wildlife conservation and of increasing public health risk in Bauchi State, Nigeria.

and sharing with colleagues.

One year survey of rabies was carried out among wildlife in villages surrounding yankari and Lame... more One year survey of rabies was carried out among wildlife in villages surrounding yankari and Lame-bura game reserves in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Brain samples from 76 Jackals and 18 mongooses were collected from markets, road killed, homestead and farm lands killed. A total prevalence of 9.6% was observed in which rabies antigens were detected in 7 (9.2%) jackals and 2 (11.1%) mongooses using Fluorescent Antibody Test (FAT). Wildlife could feature significantly in the epidemiology of rabies in the study area and the wide practice of wildlife meat consumption known as 'bush meat' have prompted farmers and poachers to rampant attacks on wildlife species to meet the market demand for the bush meat thereby increasing the potentials of rabies spread in the area. This is of immense public health concern and a challenge to conservation goals.

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

Despite availability of safer and cost-effective treatments and vaccines, rabies is still conside... more Despite availability of safer and cost-effective treatments and vaccines, rabies is still considered among the most fatal viral zoonotic disease worldwide. The epidemiology of rabies is directly associated with the ecology of the reservoirs which needs better understanding to underpin appropriate control measures. There are only few reported attempts made towards understanding the ecology of dog and rabies cases in Nigeria. Although dogs are tolerated and kept in Bauchi State, the risk factors associated with dog ownership in the state, remain to be studied. This study is aimed at determining the risk factors associated with dog ownership in Bauchi state and to evaluate the degree with which the presence or absence of the identified factors can increase or decrease risk of rabies cases in the state. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted amongst dog owners across the state. Basic descriptive analyses were carried out in Microsoft Excel 2016 and IBM SPSS 21 was used to determine the relative risk (RR) of rabies occurrence in households across the state when exposed to each of the identified risk factors where P-value was set at 0.05. A total of 80 questionnaires were completed and received from the respondents. The calculated RR, revealed that the practice of extensive system of management increases the risk of canine rabies amongst dogs of the state by 80% and knowledge of dog owners about canine rabies reduces the risk of canine rabies by 27%. This study confirmed that dogs are owned and tolerated but poorly managed under extensive management system in Bauchi state with increasing risks of rabies spread due to low vaccination coverage and lack of practical application of knowledge on the dangers of rabies amongst the populace. The public health implication of this situation and the need for concerted efforts for sustainable control of rabies in the state is discussed.

Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii are considered to be a globally distributed parasites affecti... more Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii are considered to be a globally distributed parasites affecting wide range of warm-blooded animals. Neosporosis has caused clinical illness in horses and consumption of horse meat has been epidemiologically linked to clinical toxoplasmosis in humans. This study was conducted to determine Neospora spp. and T. gondii antibodies and risk factors of infection in horses and donkeys from three states of Nigeria. A total of 144 samples were collected from clinically healthy animals (120 horses and 24 donkeys). The sera were tested for antibodies to Neospora spp. and T. gondii by indirect fluorescence antibody test, a titer ≥ 50 was considered positive. Seroprevalence data were statistically analyzed, considering the variables of gender, age, use, state, origin of breed and type of management. Antibodies to Neospora spp. and T. gondii were detected in 8% horses with titers 50 and in 24% horses with titers 50-800, respectively. Co-infection of both parasites was proved in three horses (3%). Statistical differences were found only for T. gondii seroprevalence in horses with different use, locality, origin and management (p-value ≤ 0.05). Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in four (17%) of 24 donkeys with statistical difference (p-value ≤ 0.05) in animals of different use; antibodies to Neospora spp. were not proved in any of the donkeys. This is the first seroprevalence study of Neospora spp. and T. gondii in equids from Nigeria.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an important transboundary viral disease of both domestic and wil... more Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an important transboundary viral disease of both domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals characterized by high morbidity with devastating consequence on the livestock worldwide. Despite the endemic nature of FMD in Nigeria, little is known about the epidemiology of the disease at the wildlife-livestock interface level. To address this gap, blood samples were collected between 2013 and 2015 from some wildlife and cattle, respectively, within and around the Yankari Game Reserve and Sumu Wildlife Park in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Wild animals were immobilized using a combination of etorphine hydrochloride (M99 ® Krüger-Med South Africa) at 0.5-2 mg/kg and azaperone (Stresnil ® , Janssen Pharmaceuticals (Pty.) Ltd., South Africa) at 0.1 mg/kg using a Dan-Inject ® rifle (Dan-Inject APS, Sellerup Skovvej, Denmark) fitted with a 3 ml dart syringe and for reversal, naltrexone (Trexonil ® Kruger-Med South Africa) at 1.5 mg IM was used, and cattle were restrained by the owners for blood collection. Harvested sera from blood were screened for presence of antibodies against the foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) using the PrioCHECK ® 3ABC NSP ELISA kit, and positive samples were serotyped using solid-phase competitive ELISA, (IZSLER Brescia, Italy). Out of the 353 sera collected from cattle and wildlife 197 (65.7%) and 13 (24.5%) (P < 0.05), respectively, tested positive for antibodies to the highly conserved nonstructural 3ABC protein of FMDV by the FMDV-NS blocking ELISA. Classification of cattle into breed and sex showed that detectable antibodies to FMDV were higher (P < 0.05) in White Fulani 157 (72.8%) than in Red Bororo 23 (39.7%) and Sokoto Gudali 17 (33.3%) breeds of cattle, whereas in females, detectable FMDV antibodies were higher (P < 0.05) 150 (72.8%) than in males 47 (50.0%). In the wildlife species, antibodies to FMDV were detected in the waterbucks 2 (28.6%), elephant 1 (25.0%), wildebeests 4 (33.3%), and elands 6 (25.0%). Four serotypes of FMDV: O, A, SAT 1, and SAT 2 were detected from the 3ABC positive reactors in waterbucks, elephants, wildebeests, and elands. e results showed presence of antibodies to FMDV in some wildlife and cattle and suggested that wildlife could equally play an important role in the overall epidemiology of FMD in Nigeria. FMD surveillance system, control, and prevention program should be intensified in the study area.

Domestic dogs are by far the most important specie in the maintenance and transmission of rabies ... more Domestic dogs are by far the most important specie in the maintenance and transmission of rabies in Nigeria. For rabies to spill over from a domestic to wild population, three conditions must be satisfied: susceptibility of the wild species, presence of the disease agent in the domestic population, and contact between the two populations of interest. The study was carried to investigate the potential of rabies spill over from the domestic dog population to the wildlife population in the Yankari and Lame-bura game reserves, in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Demographic data of dogs including age, sex, breed, functions and health management were obtained using structured questionnaires and oral interview. A total of 202 heads of dog were collected from dog meat markets to determine the presence of rabies antigen using fluorescent antibody test. Majority of the dogs owned were local breeds (86.95%) used mainly for security (40.62%) and hunting (40.78%) purposes. Dog owners reported low vaccination coverage (9.53%), a level considered insufficient to prevent rabies transmission. There was high population turnover of dogs with frequent opportunities for contacts with humans, domestic animals and wildlife species with conflicts at the level of the interface. Forty-six (22.8%) of the brain samples tested were positive for rabies. In conclusion, rabies in dogs is a threat to wildlife conservation and of increasing public health risk in Bauchi State, Nigeria.

and sharing with colleagues.

One year survey of rabies was carried out among wildlife in villages surrounding yankari and Lame... more One year survey of rabies was carried out among wildlife in villages surrounding yankari and Lame-bura game reserves in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Brain samples from 76 Jackals and 18 mongooses were collected from markets, road killed, homestead and farm lands killed. A total prevalence of 9.6% was observed in which rabies antigens were detected in 7 (9.2%) jackals and 2 (11.1%) mongooses using Fluorescent Antibody Test (FAT). Wildlife could feature significantly in the epidemiology of rabies in the study area and the wide practice of wildlife meat consumption known as 'bush meat' have prompted farmers and poachers to rampant attacks on wildlife species to meet the market demand for the bush meat thereby increasing the potentials of rabies spread in the area. This is of immense public health concern and a challenge to conservation goals.