Prevalence and Public Health Potentials of Mycobacterium bovis in Excretions of Slaughter Cattle in Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of Mycobacterium bovis in excretions of 255 randomly selected trade cattle in Makurdi, Nigeria, was determined from October 2003 to September 2004. The standard methods of acid-fast microscopy, culture, and biochemical tests were used. Mycobacterium bovis was present in 13 (5.1%) nasal secretions, 5 (2.0%) faeces and 2 (0.8%) urine samples. Generally, higher number of cattle were M. bovis positive during the dry season than in rainy season. Sex specific prevalence was significantly (p<0.05) higher in females than in males, even though 61.2% of the examined cattle were male. Age specific prevalence increases with increasing age, with more than 60.0% of the positive cattle aged above 6 years. Breed specific prevalence also varied significantly (p<0.05) amongst the breeds of cattle screened. Mycobacteria laden excretions present serious public health problems as it contaminates the environment.

Key words: Epidemiology, Mycobacterium bovis, slaughter cattle, excretions, Makurdi, Nigeria