Authors : O.G. Ohore , B.O. Emikpe , O.O. Oke and D.O. Oluwayelu
Abstract: This study evaluates the immune status of companion dogs in an urban setting in Nigeria using ELISA technique. A total of 630 companion dogs made up of six major breeds were sampled for rabies virus antibodies by the indirect ELISA method. An overall prevalence of 71.4% (52.9±39.5 EU) was observed, with the males having a prevalence of 69.1% compared to 74.0% for females. The mongrels were observed to have the highest prevalence during the Post-Vaccination (PV) periods while the highest antibody titre was obtained 6-9 months PV and the lowest between 9-12 months PV. The comparative prevalence and antibody titres of dogs vaccinated with different commercial vaccines showed no remarkable difference. There was no significance in the mean SP ratio of dogs of different breeds, sexes and commercial antirabies vaccines also in the PV periods. The prevalence indicates a relatively good protection against rabies outbreak and uniform potency of the common antirabies vaccines in use in Nigeria. It also showed that annual booster vaccination should further be enforced as it enhances immune response in the dogs.
O.G. Ohore , B.O. Emikpe , O.O. Oke and D.O. Oluwayelu , 2007. The Seroprofile of Rabies Antibodies in Companion Urban Dogs in Ibadan, Nigeria. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 53-56.