Bacteriological Studies of Bovine Granulomatous Lesions in Cross River State Abattoirs

Abstract

Abattoir survey was conducted on cattle slaughtered in three major abattoirs (Ogoja, Ikom and Calabar) in Cross River State within a 12-month study period April, 2002 – March, 2003. Mycobacteriological study of bovine granulomatous lesions obtained from these abattoirs was carried out. The diagnostic tools used for this study are gross pathology, acid fast microscopy and culture. By systematic (1 in 2) random sampling, 60 out of 120 laboratory confirmed organ specimens were cultured. The results of growth in Lowestein Jensen (LJ) media and reaction to antimycobacterial agents are summarized. Of the 60 organ specimens cultured, 38 (63.3%) produced growth. Biochemical characterization revealed that 26 (68.4%) of the isolates were Mycobacterium bovis, 2 (5.3%) M. tuberculosis and 10 (26.3%) other uncertain species of acid-fast bacilli.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, slaughter cattle. Cross River State, Nigeria

Sahel Journal of Veterinary Science Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 35-38