Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic sheep and goats in Borno state,Nigeria     

Kamani  Joshua  Mani  Aliyu U.  Egwu  Godwin O. 《Tropical animal health and production》2010,42(4):793-797

Serum samples were collected from 372 sheep and same number of goats from the three geopolitical zones of Borno state, Nigeria. The samples were tested for the presences of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of these, 6.7% (25/372) and 4.6% (17/372) of sheep and goats, respectively, were found to be seropositive to T. gondii antibodies, both far less than the estimated global average of 31%. Results were statistically analyzed by chi-square (χ²) test. The results showed that age, environmental conditions, and farm location are the main determinants of prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii in the study area. Older animals (>3 years) are significantly more infected than younger animals (between 6 months and 1 year).The prevalence of anti T. gondii antibodies is significantly higher (P < 0.05) in both sheep and goats sampled from the southern zone than the northern zone. Animals from the southern zones are about four times more likely to be exposed to T. gondii infection than those in the northern zone, (sheep; odds ratio (OR) = 4.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.177–15.36, P = 0.018), (goats; OR = 4.38, 95% CI = 0.925–20.73, P = 0.04). Farm location in urban area was identified as a risk factor for sheep (OR = 6.06, 95% CI = 2.53–14.54, P = 0.000), and goats (OR = 4.99, 95% CI = 1.59–15.62, P = 0.004). Current data on prevalence of ovine and caprine T. gondii in Borno state are provided by the study as well as identifying the main risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in the area.  相似文献   

Copper distribution and ionic form effects for postharvest treatments of cut Acacia holosericea stems     

Kamani Ratnayake  Chuc L. Bui  Daryl C. Joyce 《Scientia Horticulturae》2011

A short postharvest life is the major constraint associated with cut Acacia flowers and foliage. Treatment with CuSO₄ (Cu²⁺) has previously been shown to improve the longevity of cut Acacia holosericea stems. Towards refining the treatments, a range of Cu²⁺ and Cu⁺ salts were assessed for relative efficacy in improving vase life and water relations of A. holosericea. Five hour pulses with the Cu²⁺ salts CuSO₄, CuCl₂, (CH₃COO)₂Cu and Cu(NO₃)₂ at 2.2 mM gave equally longer vase lives by ∼2.5-fold over deionised water (DIW) and standard tap water (STW) controls. The same Cu²⁺ salts at 0.5 mM in the vase solution also gave significantly (P < 0.05) improved vase life, relative fresh weight and water uptake compared to the DIW control. For Cu²⁺ versus Cu⁺, optimum concentrations with Cu²⁺ could not be directly compared due to the low solubility of the Cu⁺ salt CuCl. However, Cu⁺ from CuCl at 0.415 mM also had positive effects on vase life compared to the DIW control. Thus, both Cu²⁺ and Cu⁺ treatments can enhance vase life parameters for cut A. holosericea foliage. The benefits were irrespective of the counter ion and, thus, Cu²⁺ and Cu⁺per se were responsible. The most effective Cu²⁺ pulse treatment decreased stomatal conductance of phyllodes initially, but did not cause sustained stomatal closure. Cu accumulated to greater levels in basal stem and phyllode tissues than in upper stem and phyllode tissues of cut A. holosericea stems. Possible mechanisms of Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ action are discussed.  相似文献