Sero-prevalence of agglutinins to Listeria monocytogenes in Nigerian domestic animals

Abstract

A survey using tube agglutination test was conducted to determine the antibody prevalence to Listeria monocytogenes serotypes 1/2a, l/Zb, 1/2c, 3a and 4b in 1,190 serum samples of 8 animal species from various sources in Kano and Kaduna states of Nigeria. Following absorption with Staphyhcoccus aureus antigen to remove crossreacting agglutinins, 52 (68.4 p. 100) of the herse samples were
positive. Twenty-six (36.1 p. 100) pig, 52 (20.8 p. 100) cattle, 50 (241.0 p. 100) goat, 20 (20.0 p. 100) dog, serum samples were also positive. Free-ranging chickens had an antibody prevalence of 18 (32.1 p. 100) while those intensively managed had 3 (6.8 p. lOO), a difference found to be statistically signiflcant (P < 0.01 ; X2). Sheep sera collected from Zaria abattoir had a prevalence of 30 (14.7 p. 100)
while those from Ahmadu Bello University, Veterinary Teaching Hospital had 6 (13.0 p. 100) prevalence. The prevalence in camel was 4 (4.3 II. 100). Overall, of the 1.190 serum samales tested, 26 (21.9 p. 100) were sero-positive for L. monocytogenes agglutinins. Each specie of animal tested for L. monocytogenes was positive for all five serotypes, except camel which was negative for serotype 3a. Fourty-four (53.0 u. 100) samples were positive at a titre of  480 for serotypes 1/2a, 60-(58.3 p. 1OÔ) for 1/2b, 57 (52.3 p. 100) for 1/2c, 7 (13.7 p. 100) for 3a and 23 (39.0 p. 100) for 4b. It is concluded that L. monocytogenes infection is widesbread in domestic animals in Nigeria.