Barineme Beke Fakae

Rivers State University of Science and Technology | RSUST · Department of Animal And Environmental Biology

The effect of dose and duration of immunizing infections of Heligmosomoides polygyrus on protection against homologous challenge was studied in female TO mice. Primary infections were terminated at various levels with pyrantel embonate (adult infections) or ivermectin (larval infections) and mice were then challenged with 500 infective larvae (L3)....

Sustenance of smallholder poultry production as an alternative source of food security and income is imperative in communities exposed to hydrocarbon pollution. Exposure to hydrocarbon pollutants causes disruption of homeostasis, thereby compromising the genetic potential of the birds. Oxidative stress-mediated dysfunction of the cellular membrane...

Increasing technological advancements are stretching the limits of human environmental exploration and exploitation. These activities are altering the delicate interactive equilibria in nature, creating attendant global health challenges. This has impacted on the interconnection with wild habitats thereby increasing the risk of exposure to emerging...

Immunization efficacy of a field isolate of unattenuated sporulated Eimeria oocysts in broiler and Nigerian indigenous chickens (NIC) was investigated. Both breeds of birds were grouped and inoculated with varying dose levels (750, 1500 and 3000) of the oocysts per bird. The immunizing infections were truncated with an anticoccidial drug following...

Ascaridia galli and Eimeria species constitute the aetiology of ascaridosis and coccidiosis respectively in chickens, and the two diseases are the most important internal parasitic infections that militate against the development of the poultry industry. Natural infections of both parasites are known to occur in chickens but it is not yet fully kno...

Little is known about fish diversity in the coastal streams south-eastern Nigeria in this world-renowned biodiversity hotspot. In these ecosystems, the combination of seasonal changes in hydrology as well as the presence of coastal forests provides a greater biotope diversity, food and shelter for many fish species. Currently, however, deforestatio...

The Guinean forests of West Africa (GFWA) region is of highest conservation value in Africa and worldwide. The aims of this review are to systematically identify and collate studies focusing on the environment in the region. We found that, after Google Scholar search, in over 112,000 results for 17 disciplines, three countries (Nigeria, Cameroon an...

The meat of wild animals (bushmeat) is consumed extensively in many tropical regions. Over the past few decades bushmeat consumption has greatly increased, threatening the survival of some hunted species and the supply of animal protein to countless numbers of people. Understanding patterns of bushmeat consumption is thus vital to ensure the sustai...

In large Sub-Saharan African cities bushmeat consumption is a major threat to many species. These sizeable urban populations generate an unprecedented demand for bushmeat. The study of the effect of age, sex and geographic location in bushmeat eating in African cities may offer valuable insights on which population groups to target in behaviour cha...

The educational sectors of many nations are beset with acts of corruption and moral decadence to the extent the certificates awarded to their candidates become very suspicious. One can hardly ascertain who actually qualifies to own such certificates, and who does not. In Nigeria for example, the situation is not totally different as everyday brings...

In large Sub-Saharan African cities bushmeat consumption is a major threat to many species. These sizeable urban populations generate an unprecedented demand for bushmeat. The study of the effect of age, sex and geographic location in bushmeat eating in African cities may offer valuable insights on which population groups to target in behaviour cha...

The bird fauna of West Africa region is of highest conservation value, including 1371 species, three primary Endemic Bird Areas (EBA), eight secondary EBAs and 331 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). The aims of this review are to systematically identify and collate studies focusing on the ornithology in the region. We carried out a Googl...

West African Dwarf (WAD) goats are extremely important in the rural village economy of West Africa, but still little is known about their biology, ecology and capacity to cope with gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections. Here, we summarise the history of this breed and explain its economic importance in rural West Africa. We review recent work...

The effects of single and/or concurrent H. bakeri and T. brucei infections on water consumption of lactating and non-lactating mice were investigated. Pregnant mice were grouped into four (A, B, C and D) comprising of six animals per group. Groups A, B and C were either infected with H. bakeri or T. brucei alone or with both parasites together. Gro...

The computer is an information and communication technology tool that has become a social change agent and changed the way the business of education is conducted. It has in so many ways transformed the way we communicate, transact business, an9 work. It has brought about radical changes in the communication, commercial/banking industry and corporat...

To elucidate the pharmacological bases of oral administration of Securidaca longepedunculata (S. longepedunculata) root extract as an anthelmintic in folkloric medicine. Albino mice were infected with infective third (L3) larval stage of Heligmosomoides polygyrus (H. polygyrus) by esophageal intubation. Following establishment of the adult worms in...

Environmental Assessment projects range from very simple local projects involving the investigation of a single site to large and more complex international projects involving multiple locations; investigating multiple environmental media; and executed by a multi-cultural project management team. In the case of a post impact assessment survey, the...

Influence of pregnancy and lactation on the parasitological and some clinico-pathological responses of out-bred albino mice to single doses of Heligmosomoides bakeri (H.b) were studied. Fifty six pregnant and ten non-pregnant mice were used for the study. The pregnant mice were either infected in the first, second or third trimester depending on th...

The need for adequate knowledge of climate change and its management in the present day volatile and hazardous environment cannot be over-emphasized. Researchers have warned that environmental changes that emanate from increasing temperature which leads to health related issues, emission from ozone layers, land degradation, etc., require adequate e...

This report presents a detailed account of the project support services rendered by the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu Orowurukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria (RSUST) to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in the UNEP led, “Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland” Project. It is presented on behalf of the University,...

Cestode infections are known to be common in man and rodents all over the world. Cestodes of rodents (Hymenolepis spp) are also known to infect man. The number of mice and rats used for experimental studies are on the increase. The prevalence of cestode infections in albino mice and rats in Michael Okpara University of agriculture, Umudike and Univ...

A short term preliminary method to examine the possibility of selecting resistant animals for the benefit of small-scale small ruminant keepers was examined. 104 male outbred albino mice were used for the study. All the mice were each infected with 200L3 Heligmosomoides bakeri by single pulse infection. Faecal egg counts (FEC), packed cell volume (...

In order to combat the increasing problems of anthelmintic resistance, alternative methods of control of gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infections are being sought. Thirty 8-9 weeks old outbred albino mice were placed in 5 groups of six mice each. Mice in four groups were infected with 150 Heligmosomoides bakeri infective larvae (L3) per mouse whil...

The anthelmintic potential of quebracho extract due to its condense tannin content has been reported. The present study investigated the efficacy of quebracho tannin (QT) on Heligmosomoides bakeri infection in outbred albino mice. Thirty male mice, 7-8 weeks old, weighing 20-23g each were used in the study. They were randomly placed into five group...

A short term preliminary method to examine the possibility of selecting resistant animals for the benefit of small-scale small ruminant keepers was examined. 104 male outbred albino mice were used for the study. All the mice were each infected with 200L3 Heligmosomoides bakeri by single pulse infection. Faecal egg counts (FEC), packed cell volume (...

Cestode infections are known to be common in man and rodents all over the world. Cestodes of rodents (Hymenolepis spp) are also known to infect man. The number of mice and rats used for experimental studies are on the increase. The prevalence of cestode infections in albino mice and rats in Michael Okpara University of agriculture, Umudike and Univ...

A survey was conducted of gastrointestinal nematode infections and trypanosomosis in Nigerian West African Dwarf (WAD) goats from the savanna region of the country. Animals were screened at two markets, Gboko and Akpagher, from the beginning of April until the end of September, coinciding with the end of the dry season and the first 5 months of the...

In order to determine the quality of condensed tannins in some plant extracts, PVPP was reacted with the various proanthocyanidins (condensed tannins). Condensed tannins whose binding with PVPP is irreversible are desirable as anthelmintic agents because their helminth enzyme inhibitory effect cannot be reversed. The condensed tannins of the plants...

Research has suggested that certain animal fodders may contain anthelmintic agents such as condensed tannins. In this study some 33 forages used by farmers were screened for the presence of condensed tannins. Methanolic extracts of the plant were scanned and extracts with peaks about 550nm suggestive of the presence of condensed tannins. Cassia sie...

The influence of castration on H. bakeri infection on outbred albino mice was investigated. Twenty four adult outbred albino mice were used for the experiment. Six mice were castrated 6 weeks prior to the start of the experiment while the others were left intact. All the mice were 10 weeks old by the time of castration. Mice were placed in four gro...

Studies on responses of outbred albino mice, concurrently infected with Heligmosomoides bakeri and Trypanosoma brucei with respect to water consumption and their survivability

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) simply described, is the provision of education at all levels from a sustainability standpoint. Sustainable development (SD) has been defined severally to include concern for the environment; acknowledgement of climate change and its implications; equity and justice; poverty reduction; pro-poor land tenur...

West African Dwarf (WAD) goats of the Nigerian subhumid zone generally show strong resistance and resilience to Haemonchus contortus in laboratory experiments, although a relatively small proportion are susceptible to infection. Little is known about these extremes of response phenotype in nature. Therefore, a survey was carried out of gastrointest...

Although Nigerian West African Dwarf (WAD) goats are relatively resistant to infection with Haemonchus contortus and are also trypanotolerant, natural outbreaks of both infections are known to occur. Despite their relative resistance to H. contortus WAD goats nevertheless show variability in response phenotype and it was of interest to examine the...

Clinical, parasitological and pathological responses of a tropical out-bred domestic rabbit to experimental Trichostrongylus colubriformis infection were used to evaluate its suitability as a laboratory host and model for studying the host98% of worms were recovered from the first 60 cm of the small intestine. Worm fecundity was also significantly...

The West African Dwarf (WAD) goat is known to be relatively resistant to infection with Haemonchus contortus. An experiment was carried out to assess variability in resistance under escalating trickle and single pulse challenge infection protocols. Thirty two 7–8 month old goats were subjected to trickle infection beginning with a thrice weekly dos...

The West African Dwarf (WAD) goat is known to be relatively resistant to infection with Haemonchus contortus. An experiment was carried out to assess variability in resistance under escalating trickle and single pulse challenge infection protocols. Thirty two 7-8 month old goats were subjected to trickle infection beginning with a thrice weekly dos...

Eighty (80) gastrointestinal tracts of adult (>6 month old) domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) were examined for gastrointestinal helminths during the rainy season (April to August) in Nsukka, Nigeria. Monthly incidence of helminths in the chickens ranged from 94 to 100%. 96.3% of the birds were infected with at least one genus of helminth. Helminths ob...

The prospects of genetic selection for breeding for resistance to Haemonchus contortus were investigated by establishing West African Dwarf (WAD) goat responder classes through faecal egg count during a primary infection. 48 out of 57 male goat kids aged 7-8 months were infected with a cumulative dose of 9,500L3 over a six-week period. The faecal w...

Effect of desiccation and storage temperature on the survival of infective larvae (L3) of the common stomach worm of ruminants, Haemonchus contortus, was studied under tropical storage conditions. Observations were made at 0 °C, 13 °C and 27 °C, which corresponded to freezer, fridge and room temperatures respectively as these are the common storage...

A simple method was devised for the isolation of a pure culture of a Nigerian field strain of Haemonchus contortus and its maintenance in the West African Dwarf (WAD) goat, in order to provide a ready source of infective larvae (L3) for laboratory studies. The project was necessitated by the current scarcity of a reliable source of pure culture of...

There is a dearth of relevant information in general about certain production parameters of domestic rabbits in general in eastern Nigeria. Thus some basic hematological parameters of young and adult out bred domestic rabbits, from villages in eastern Nigeria, were determined using standard methods in hematology. Individual values of Hb and PCV wer...

The capacity of young Nigerian West African Dwarf (WAD) goats to express good acquired immunity to their native geographic strain of Haemonchus contortus and the correlates of this responsiveness were studied in a laboratory experiment involving forty 7-8 month old kids. A primary immunising infection with 2000 L3 (equivalent to 260-450 L3/kg body...

For the purpose of establishing a cheap laboratory model for studying animal nematode infections, 40 female TO mice, aged six to eight weeks weighing 20-25g were used. Five groups, each of eight mice were infected orally with 0, 60. 125, 250 and 500 Heligmosomoides polygyrus third stage larvae (L3) respectively. Packed cell volume (PCV) and live we...

Piliostigma thonningii bark is one of folklore medicines for treatment of gastrointestinal helminth infections in Nigeria. The extract was biologically active in the brine shrimp toxicity test with LD50 of 100ppm. The activity of P. thonningii bark extract against the infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus in vitro compared favourably with that o...

Piliostigma thonningii, Ocimum gratissimum, Nauclea latifolia and Alstonia boonei are used in Nigerian traditional medicines against gastrointestinal helminths of animals and man. Proanthocyanidins were detected in Piliostigma and Nauclea, but not Alstonia or Ocimum. Extracts of these plants killed 50% of brine shrimp nauplii at <10 ppm (Nauclea),...

Piliostigma thonningii, Ocimum gratissimum, Nauclea latifolia and Alstonia boonei are used in Nigerian traditional medicines against gastrointestinal helminths of animals and man. Proanthocyanidins were detected in Piliostigma and Nauclea, but not Alstonia or Ocimum. Extracts of these plants killed 50% of brine shrimp nauplii at <10?ppm (Nauclea),...

The effect of dose and duration of immunizing infections of Heligmosomoides polygyrus on protection against homologous challenge was studied in female TO mice. Primary infections were terminated at various levels with pyrantel embonate (adult infections) or ivermectin (larval infections) and mice were then challenged with 500 infective larvae (L3)....

Eighty gastrointestinal tracts of adult (>6 month old) domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) were examined for gastrointestinal helminths during the rainy season (April to August) in eastern Nigeria. Monthly incidence of helminths in the chickens ranged from 94 to 100%. 96.3% of the birds were infected with at least one genera of helminth. Helminths observ...

Concurrent African trypanosome and gastrointestinal helminth infections are prevalent in sub-humid savannah where they are endemic. However, acquired resistance in animals varies with their responder status and exposure. As a guide to study in the definitive hosts, the effects of Trypanosoma congolense infection on the development and maintenance o...

Examination of livers of 131 (103 young and 28 adult) rabbits purchased directly from local keepers and village markets in Eastern Nigeria revealed that hepatic coccidiosis due to Eimeria stiedai is endemic in this region. Forty one (37.4%) of them were infected. The liver-to-body weight ratio, which was used as an index of gross pathology in infec...

One option for controlling haemonchosis in warm pastoral regions is improvement of resistance by selective breeding. Variation in acquired immunity to H. contortus and immunological correlates of infection were studied in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Following exposure to 5000 L3, 63 per cent of the inoculum established but 77 per cent of establ...

L’examen de foies de 131 lapins (103 jeunes et 28 adultes) achetés directement auprès d’éleveurs locaux et dans des marchés ruraux du Nigeria oriental a montré que la coccidiose hépatique causée par Eimeria stiedai est endémique dans cette région. Quarante et un de ces lapins (37,4 p. 100) étaient infectés. Le rapport entre le foie et le poids corp...

The effects of concurrent Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Trypanosoma congolense infection on the expression of acquired resistance to homologous nematode challenge were studied in female outbred TO mice. Mice were infected with 500 infective larvae (L3) of H. polygyrus and the infection was terminated by anthelminthic treatment on Day 12, when the w...

An overview and analysis of the current status of information technology (IT) and its role in animal health research and development (R & D) projects in developing countries have been undertaken. This study is based mainly, but not exclusively, on the Nigerian situation and experience, which are considered to be typical of those in the majority of...

The anthelmintic activity of the aqueous extract of P. bicarpellata leaves was investigated in vitro using the larvae (L3) of T. colubriformis and in vivo against the adult worms of H. polygyrus in mice. The LD50 of the extract in mice was 118 mg/kg, p.o. and the mice were depressed and drowsy prior to death. The extract induced a concentration-dep...

A murine model using Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Trypanosoma congolense has been developed for studying the effects of concurrent chronic gastrointestinal nematode and trypanosome infections. Female outbred mice were infected either with 500 infective larvae (L3) of H. polygyrus or with 10(4) bloodstream forms of T. congolense or both. In concurr...

The prevalence of concurrent nematode-trypanosome infections in traditionally reared West African Dwarf sheep and goats in eastern Nigeria was monitored over a 12-month period during 1987-1988. The most prevalent nematodes were Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis, which usually occurred together in all nematode infected animals....

Conjoint nematode and trypanosome infections are common in sub‐Saharan Africa. As a preliminary step to studying aspects of such conjoint infections in the ruminants, a mouse model was developed in which it was possible to investigate the effect of conjoint Trypanosoma congolense and Heligmosomoides polygyrus infection on the ability of the mice to...

The economic importance of gastro-intestinal nematodes and African trypanosome infections of farm animals in the tropics has been presented as the rationale for research into the aspects of these infections with the hope of devising control measures which will increase animal productivity. The scientific literature on the development, immunology an...

During the 1988/89 dry season (November to April) 200 domestic fowls (Gallus gallus) reared under the traditional husbandry in eastern Nigeria were screened for gastrointestinal helminth infection. 184 (92 %) of the bin:ls were infected with at least one or molt'! genera of gastrointestinal helminths. The infections were observed to be due to Raill...

A survey was conducted in the Nigerian derived savanna (from August 1987 to July 1988) on the seasonal fluctuations in the composition of Haemonchus contortus burden of naturally infected West African Dwarf sheep and goats. During this period 117 abomasa collected from locally slaughtered animals were processed. Male, female as well as immature wor...

The epidemiology of helminth infections in West African dwarf sheep and goats under the traditional husbandry system prevailing in the derived savanna area of eastern Nigeria was studied for 12 months. The infections observed were due to Haemonchus contortus (87.1%), Trichostrongylus spp. (63.8%), metacestodes of Taenia hydatigena (30.2%), Oesophag...

Five experimental grass paddocks were sequentially contaminated with fresh bovine faeces containing known numbers of eggs of predominantly Haemonchus and Cooperia spp. during the 1984/85 dry season (November to March). Faecal, herbage and soil samples were examined at regular intervals between November and June in order to determine the rate of dev...

Four grass plots were sequentially contaminated with goat faeces containing known numbers of unembryonated eggs of predominantly Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus spp. between October 1982 and April 1983. Four other plots were similarly contaminated with sheep faeces between February and May 1987. An additional plot was repeatedly contamina...

Arrested development of Haemonchus, Cooperia and Trichostrongylus spp. was studied in (1) 14 naturally infected and eight experimentally infected West African Dwarf (WAD) goats reared in the derived savanna zone of eastern Nigeria and (2) 55 naturally infected slaughter goats obtained from the savanna and sahel regions of northern Nigeria. Six of t...

Two worm-free grass paddocks, P1 and P2, were artificially contaminated in March and April-May, respectively, with bovine faeces containing known numbers of trichostrongyle (mainly Cooperia, Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus spp.) eggs in order to determine the relative contributions of late dry-season and early rains pasture contaminations to the we...

The dynamics of pasture populations of infective larvae (L3) of Cooperia, Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus species were studied at Nsukka, eastern Nigeria, during April to November 1984. Six paddocks were contaminated artificially and one was contaminated naturally. Five of the paddocks, P1-P5, were sequentially contaminated with faeces of naturally...

Soil samples taken from playgrounds in the eleven Nursery schools in Nsukka were examined for the prevalence of Toxocara canis ova. T. canis ova were identified from 6 out of the 11 schools samples, a prevalence of 54.5%. The public health risk of this finding to the children in these schools with regards to visceral larva migrans in highlighted an...

A study of pasture populations of infective larvae (L3) of the common bovine trichostrongylids at Nsukka was carried out. Six grass paddocks were artificially contaminated sequentially, and one was contaminated repeatedly, with infected bovine faeces during March to November 1984. One naturally contaminated paddock was also studied. Fortnightly her...

A study of the development and survival of the infective larvae of the common strongylate nematodes of cattle at Nsukka, eastern Nigeria, from September 1981 to March 1982 showed that the dry season (November to March) was generally unfavourable for preparasitic development and survival of Cooperia, Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus species. However...

The dry season development and survival of trichostrongylid larvae on cattle pastures was studied at Nsukka using artificially contaminated grass paddocks. Cattle faeces containing known numbers of strongylate eggs wore spread on four helminthologically sterile pastures in September/October 1981, December/ January, February and March 1982. Large n...