title: Bovine tuberculosis: a retrospective study at Jos abattoir, Plateau State, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nigeria has the thirteenth highest burden of human tuberculosis. The current increasing incidence of tuberculosis in humans, particularly in immune-compromised persons, has given interest in the zoonotic importance of Mycobacterium bovis in developing countries like Nigeria. This study determined the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis as a background information for effective control measures in Plateau State in cattle population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed surveillance records on cattle slaughtered and suggestive tuberculosis lesions from cattle slaughtered annually from 2007-2012 in Jos abattoir, Plateau State. Bovine tuberculosis cases at post mortem were based on examination of characteristics TB lesion on organs by Veterinary officers. We performed descriptive analysis using Epi info version 3.5.3 and Microsoft Excel 2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 52, 262 cattle were slaughtered from 2007-2012, out of which 4, 658 (11.2%) had evidence of tuberculosis lesion at post mortem. The average yearly prevalence was 9.1% but varied from a high of 16.3% in 2007 to a low of 3.1% in 2012. Trend analysis showed that bovine tuberculosis had a seasonal variation and peaked mostly in July and August. The number of suggestive Tb lesion cases was highest in the month of August and lowest in the month of January, 2007-2012.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that bovine tuberculosis is endemic in Plateau State. Trend analysis showed that bovine tuberculosis is seasonal and peaked mostly in July and August. Continuous surveillance through meat inspection is required to prevent zoonotic transmission of bovine tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Lilian Akudo
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Okeke
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olufunmilayo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fawole
authors.affiliation: National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muhammad
authors.affiliation: Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, NVRI, Plateau state, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ikenna Osemeka
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Okeke
authors.affiliation: Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nguku
authors.affiliation: African Field Epidemiology Network, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wasswa
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dairo
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Simeon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cadmus
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D014380:Tuberculosis, Bovine / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: Bovine tuberculosis; Nigeria; Plateau State; abattoir; cattle; retrospective; zoonotic