Genital Infection and Associated Pathology in Red Sokoto and West African Dwarf Does in Makurdi

Abstract

An abattoir survey of 84 genitalia of Sokoto (RS) and West African Dwarf (WAD) does was undertaken to investigate and compare bacterial isolates and associated genital disorders and conduct antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. Bacteriological examination showed that seven bacterial genera were identified from genital organs of RS and WAD does, respectively: Escherichia coli (64%, 63.2%), Pseudomonas spp (43.2%, 24.1%), Klebsiella spp (11.4%, 13.2%), Proteus spp (5.0%, 1.0%), Staphylococcus spp (5.0%, 8.0%) and Citrobacter spp (1.0%, 5.3%) and Enterobacter spp (in RS only) (2.0%). Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas spp were the dominant isolates. The rate of genital infection of RS and WAD does examined was highest with Escherichia coli (63.4%) and the pattern of bacterial isolation was high with Escherichia coli. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the bacteria species colonizing the genital tracts of RS and WAD does. The relative risk (RR) for an infection of the uterus with Escherichia coli (1.08, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.6588 to 1.769, P > 0.7606) was not significantly different in RS compared to WAD does. Bacteria were isolated from cases of endometritis, pyometra, postparturient metritis, mucometra, uterine congestion, melanosis, caruncular atrophy, salphingitis and cervicitis. Sensitivity test showed bacterial isolates were highly susceptible to Levofloxacin, Pefloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin and Amoxyl. It was concluded that there was no difference in bacterial isolates in genital tracts of RS and WAD does and genital disorders could be associated with bacterial infections in does. The potentials of these bacterial isolates for producing genital pathology in does are likely to be high in Makurdi, north-central Nigeria. Therefore, management of genital disorders associated with these pathogens can be achieved with proper use of these antimicrobial agents in does.