Prevalence and Pathology of Bovine Tuberculosis among Cattle Population Slaughtered in Abeokuta Abattoir

Abstract

The prevalence of bovine tuberculosis among cattle population slaughtered in Lafenwa, Abeokuta, abattoir was determined and the pathology associated with the disease was described in the present study. The ages, sexes and total number of cattle slaughtered and examined was recorded over a period of six months (October, 2015 to March, 2016), out of which suspected cases of tuberculosis were sorted out. The prevalence of bovine tuberculosis was calculated as percentage of occurrence as overall, age and sex-specific; and gross lesions were described. Tissue samples of the lungs, liver, Intestine, lymph nodes were collected from the affected animals in two parts; one for Ziehl Nelson staining and the other was fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histopathology. Among the 25,875 cattle examined, an overall prevalence of 8.72% was recorded. Monthly prevalence varied from 5.28% in October to 11.33% in December, 2015. Sex-specific prevalence was higher in females (89.94%) than in males (1.0.06%). Gross lesions observed were severe and diffused necrosis in the lung parenchyma with marked creamy caseous yellowish nodules of variables sizes in 100% of the cases. In some cases, similar lesions were observed in the liver, intestine, heart, kidneys and lymph node. Histopathological lesions in the lung and extra-pulmonary organs were severe necrosis with calcified centers; and there were granulomatous inflammation. Ziehl Neelsen stain demonstrated reddish bacilli suggestive of Mycobacterium organisms. There was an increase in the cases of tuberculosis among cattle population slaughtered in Lafenwa abattoir when compared with those reported in previous studies.