Sero-diagnostic studies on the occurrence and prevalence of bovine spongiform encephalopathies in Nasarawa state, Nigeria

The study was conducted to determine the occurrence and prevalence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy among cattle herds in Nasarawa State, Nigeria using targeted sampling approach. procedure adapted a “double” method for survey. First, BSE risk group ‘emergency or casualty slaughter’ within this Group, animals with signs indicative were sub-targeted. Two locations chosen; Akwanga central abattoir Lafia abattoir, both located North south senatorial district. Immediately suspected slaughtered, caudal brain stem harvested examined disease specific form prion protein, PrPSc, Western Blot technique after proteinase K digestion. A total 2000 local breeds, aged ≥ 24 months above clinically examined. 147 (7.4 %) sampled suspicious BSE. No sample positive Fluorescent antibody test rabies H&E staining on samples carried out observe differential diagnosis. These showed no pathological lesions neurological disease. While our findings do not exclude presence we demonstrate that ruminants neuroinfectious is possible developing countries, pointing possibility implementing such monitoring scheme prevent economic losses ruminant livestock as caveats from endemic countries have shown.