Occurrence and distribution of bovine TB pathology by age, sex, and breed of cattle slaughtered in Gusau Abattoir, Zamfara State Nigeria

• Published in: Tropical animal health and production 2017-03, Vol.49 (3), p.583-589
• Main Authors: Ahmad, Ibrahim, Kudi, Caleb Ayuba, Abdulkadir, Alhaji Idris, Saidu, S. N. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abattoirs; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Life Sciences; Regular Articles; Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Science; Zoology
• ISSN: 0049-4747; 1573-7438
• DOI: 10.1007/s11250-017-1232-9

This study was aimed to record gross lesions suggestive of bovine tuberculosis amongst cattle slaughtered in Gusau abattoir Zamfara State, Nigeria. A total of 3690 bovine carcasses were inspected from April to June, 2014. The results of the postmortem inspection detected tuberculosis-like lesions in 226 (6.1%) carcasses; 126 (56%) of the lesions observed were restricted to the organs/tissues of thoracic cavity and its associated lymph nodes, while 100 (44%) were seen in the organs/tissues of the abdominal cavity and reproductive tract of the carcasses. The organ encountered with most lesions was lungs; 90 (39.82%) out of the 226 lungs from carcasses observed with lesions. The individual animal prevalence was significantly affected by both age (χ2 = 4.723, p = 0.000) and sex (χ2 = 4.457, p = 0.000). For animal level risk, a strong statistically significant association was recorded between age (OR = 2.614, C.I. = 1.223 – 3.831) and sex (OR = 2.164, C.I. = 1.223 – 3.831); age and sex were predictive of bovine TB pathology. Breed prevalence was found to be 129 (57.1%) for White Fulani, 78 (34.5%) for Sokoto Gudali, and 19 (8.4%) for Red Bororo respectively. This study has for the first time recorded macroscopic lesions compatible with bovine TB; which suggests its possible prevalence in the study area. Postmortem inspection could be applied in the control and eradication of bovine TB and prevent its transmission to humans; in depth study is needed to better ascertain the true cause(s) of TB-like lesions in the area.