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Research Article
Sero-epidemiological Survey of Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Antibodies in Japanese Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica)
Osanyintuyi Shola Gabriel*
,
Adebayo Isaac Abayomi,
Arogbodo Joseph Olowo
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
175-178
Received:
16 May 2025
Accepted:
5 June 2025
Published:
28 November 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.avs.20251306.11
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Abstract: The search for alternative and cheaper sources of animal protein has led to the introduction of quails to Nigeria. However, disease outbreaks constitute a limiting factor to the achievement of this goal. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in the sustenance of the circulating strains of avian influenza virus (AIV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in the Nigerian domestic chicken population. One hundred and twenty-two weeks-old unvaccinated Japanese quails and 210 twelve (12) day-old embryonated eggs of these birds were purchased from a reputable research center in Nigeria. Antibody was extracted from the egg yolk for maternal antibody evaluation and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) determination following standard procedures. The serum samples obtained were screened for avian influenza virus (AIV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antibodies. Out of the 203 quail egg yolk extracts tested for the presence of HI antibodies, 3 (1.5%) and 136 (66.9%) were positive for AI and ND respectively. None of the serum samples was positive for antibodies against the two viruses. The positive egg yolk extracts yielded a minimum HI antibody titre of log23 (≥1:8). The results obtained from this investigation showed that AI (H5N2) and ND maternal antibodies were present in Japanese quails, thus establishing the potential of these birds in the epidemiology of these two viral diseases. There is the need to routinely vaccinate local chickens and Japanese quails against ND. The national herd health programme should incorporate regular flock profiling as a way of routine sero-surveillance to forestall outbreak of these two viral diseases.
Abstract: The search for alternative and cheaper sources of animal protein has led to the introduction of quails to Nigeria. However, disease outbreaks constitute a limiting factor to the achievement of this goal. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in the sustenance of the circulating strain...
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Research Article
Understanding Attitude, Practice and Knowledge of Infectious Bronchitis Disease Among Poultry Farmers in Federal Capital Territory - Nigeria
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
179-185
Received:
5 August 2025
Accepted:
16 September 2025
Published:
28 November 2025
Abstract: This study, involving 120 poultry farmers (82.00% male, 18.00% female) raising layers (63.00%), broilers (35.00%), and mixed flocks (2.00%) with sizes from 200 to 100,000 birds, investigated the interplay between knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and the occurrence of Infectious Bronchitis (IB) in poultry. A critical observation was that vaccine administration, a key preventive measure, was often entrusted to farm attendants (45.00%) who may lack adequate understanding of biological material handling, potentially leading to vaccine failure and disease spread. While 45.00% of respondents limited their IB vaccination knowledge to laying birds, 55.00% understood its relevance to all bird types. Despite 95.00% acknowledging the economic impact of IB, 48.30% did not vaccinate against IB after 3-in-1 administration, and 23.30% had no vaccination history. Although all farmers kept medication records, only 25.00% consistently screened for maternal derived antibodies, a practice crucial for effective vaccination scheduling. Furthermore, a notable portion of farmers (15.00% strongly disagreed, 5.00% disagreed) lacked knowledge regarding the importance of priming birds before 3-in-1 vaccination. The findings show a critical need for increased awareness among poultry farmers, particularly concerning comprehensive vaccination protocols for all bird types, accurate disease recognition beyond clinical signs, and the significance of practices like maternal derived antibody screening to effectively mitigate IB and its economic consequences.
Abstract: This study, involving 120 poultry farmers (82.00% male, 18.00% female) raising layers (63.00%), broilers (35.00%), and mixed flocks (2.00%) with sizes from 200 to 100,000 birds, investigated the interplay between knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and the occurrence of Infectious Bronchitis (IB) in poultry. A critical observation was that va...
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Research Article
Research on the Differences in Muscle Microstructure of Yak, Buffalo and Yellow Cattle
Yilin Li*,
Xiaoming Xue,
Ping Lin,
Guanheng Wang,
Yuxin Chen
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
186-191
Received:
25 October 2025
Accepted:
6 November 2025
Published:
6 December 2025
Abstract: Yak meat is rich in trace elements such as calcium and phosphorus, which can enhance human immunity and is highly favored by consumers. Some illegal elements, in order to obtain high profits, produce counterfeit and inferior beef products, disrupt market order, and harm public health. During the process of adapting to high-altitude environments, yaks have developed microstructures in their muscle cells that are distinct from those of other species. This is of great significance for identifying the species source of beef products. In this experiment, yellow cattle meat, buffalo meat, yak meat and their products were cut into 3mm ³ samples and soaked in 25%, 50%, and 75% defatting solutions for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes respectively for gradient defatting. According to SEM observation, there are differences in muscle filament width, sarcomere length, and sarcomere spacing among yellow cattle meat, buffalo meat, and yak meat. Yak meat has thick muscle filaments and short muscle segment spacing, yellow cattle has slender muscle filaments with slightly longer muscle segment spacing, and buffalo meat has slender muscle filaments with larger muscle segment spacing. High concentration ethanol solution can affect the extensibility of muscle filament width and sarcomere spacing. The structural differences in muscle fibers provide a convenient operating method for species identification work and provide basic data support for public security organs to crack down on meat counterfeiting cases.
Abstract: Yak meat is rich in trace elements such as calcium and phosphorus, which can enhance human immunity and is highly favored by consumers. Some illegal elements, in order to obtain high profits, produce counterfeit and inferior beef products, disrupt market order, and harm public health. During the process of adapting to high-altitude environments, ya...
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Research Article
Epidemiological Studies on Sarcocystis in Benue State, Nigeria: Animal Infections, Abattoir Practices, Human Risk Factors and Perceptions of Butchers and Meat Sellers
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
192-210
Received:
1 November 2025
Accepted:
13 November 2025
Published:
24 December 2025
Abstract: Meat-borne zoonotic diseases are becoming an increasing public health concern as a result of unprecedented interaction between animals and humans and deteriorating sanitation and hygiene around meat processing facilities. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and morphology of sarcocysts isolates found in various tissues meat animals and investigate practices by butchers and meat sellers that are potential risk for human infection. A total of 75 carcasses of ruminant animals comprised of 15 Cattles, 15 Goats and 45 pigs were sampled from abattoirs in Adikpo, Otukpo and Makurdi. Animal parts were examined macroscopically, for gross pathological lesions. Organs were thoroughly inspected for the presence of Sarcocystis species macrocysts and histologically examined using Haematoxylin and Eosin Technique. Structured questionnaire was designed and administered to investigate butchers and meat sellers’ meat safety-related knowledge and practices. An abattoir checklist was used to evaluate abattoirs based on the presence and functionality meat handling processes and infrastructures. The overall prevalence of sarcocystis was 52.0% with pigs accounting for the highest infection of 73.3% (χ2=4.77 P=0.092). In all the animal tissues sampled, sarcocystis cysts were most predominant in the heart 49.33% and muscles 36.00%. Animals slaughtered in Makurdi and Adikpo abattoirs had higher sarcocystis prevalence though the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Abattoir slaughter slabs are inadequate with 47.5% of butchers slaughtering and portioning their animals on slabs while 43.1% do same on the floor inside or outside the abattoirs. While 33.5% of butchers self-reported the capacity to identify diseased and infected meat, in contrast 67.5% indicated inability to identify diseased animals or infected portions of meat. There was no significant association between the ability to identify meat- or animal-borne diseases and location (χ2=6.31 P=0.177). Furthermore, 76.3% of respondents have never undergone any formal training in safe meat handling procedures, 85.2% reported that such training is essential to reduce associated risks of contamination (χ²=6.86; p=0.032). A significant 65.7% of respondents merely cut off and discard perceived infected portion of meat while only 1.7% self-reported reported ever discarding whole carcass (χ2=51.52; P=0.000). The study underscores the urgent need for targeted health education, improved abattoir management, and routine veterinary inspections to mitigate public health risks posed by Sarcocystis infection in this region.
Abstract: Meat-borne zoonotic diseases are becoming an increasing public health concern as a result of unprecedented interaction between animals and humans and deteriorating sanitation and hygiene around meat processing facilities. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and morphology of sarcocysts isolates found in various tissues meat animal...
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