Ojo DT, Olugasa BO and Mshelbwala PP
Retrospective records of suspected cases of rabies were retrieved from Veterinary Hospitals in Osun, Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo states in south-west Nigeria; to establish the number of clinically suspected cases reported between January 2009 to December 2013. Preserved brain specimens from dogs suspected of rabies submitted to the Veterinary Hospitals in Ogun and Oyo states were collected for rabies antigen test using the Direct Rapid Immuohistochemistry Test (DRIT). Key informant interview (KII) was conducted in these hospitals on the routine performance of case confirmation through laboratory methods which involve sample collection, preservation and transport to nearby laboratories. Veterinary Hospitals in Osun, Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo states respectively had six, two, five and four cases of rabies reported within the period under study. Retrieved records revealed that only 5.9% (1/17) of diagnosis made were based on a confirmatory laboratory test. Of all the 47 brain specimens that were subjected to DRIT, 12.8% (6) of the specimens were indeterminable while 10.6% (5) of the specimen tested positive for rabies antigen. The KII revealed that 86.7% (13/15) of the interviewee claimed the Veterinary hospital where they work diagnosed rabies based on the history and presentations of clinical signs. Specimens for diagnostic purposes were reportedly not collected from suspected cases at respective Veterinary hospitals. Only 33.3% (2/15) of the interviewee claimed the Veterinary hospital where they work were involved in habitual specimen collection but were usually restrained by inadequate power, transport and facilities for preserving specimens in their respective Veterinary hospitals. Findings in this study clearly show that rabies is still prevalent in the south-west Nigeria. The findings also show that methods of storage of specimens from suspected rabies cases are poor.
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