Phenotypic and molecular characterization of aerobic bacteria from the vagina of apparently healthy and infertile Bitches in Zaria, Nigeria | ||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 14 January 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.320466.2212 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Paul Habila Mamman* 1; Bala Ningi Umar1; Abubakar Nafiu Kakudi1; Akeem O. Ahmed2; Kennedy Chah3; Haruna Makanjuola Kazeem1 | ||
| 1Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria | ||
| 2Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Ilorin, Nigeria | ||
| 3Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsuka | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Infertility is a major constraint to successful dog breeding in many developing countries including Nigeria. The aim of this study was to establish the aerobic bacterial microflora of the vagina of both apparently healthy and clinically infertile Nigerian bitches in a bit to inferring the likely bacterial causes of infertility in the dogs examined. Methods: Bacteria were culturally isolated and characterized using conventional biochemical tests and sequencing of their 16S rRNA; then antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using commonly available antimicrobial agents that were also implicated in the treatment of dogs in the area. Results: A total of 169 bacteria were isolated; of which 103 (60.9 %) were from apparently healthy bitches and 66 (39.1%) from bitches with reproductive anomalies. These include Staphylococcus saprophyticus (27.2 %), Streptococcus species (14.8 %), and Corynebacterium species (13.6 %). Also, Gemella palaticanis (1.8%), and Schaalia canis (1.3%) which are new to the study area were isolated for the first time in Nigeria. Nearly all the infertile bitches (90.1%) had mixed infections which might be responsible for their illness. Conclusion: Gentamicin was the most effective drug in vitro. Micrococcus species and Escherichia coli exhibited the highest multiple drug resistance. The authors recommend thorough screening of dogs for pathogenic bacteria before breeding. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Aerobic bacteria; Gemella palaticanis; Schaalia canis; 16S rRNA sequencing | ||
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