Journal of Veterinary Science最新文献

Importance: Ischemic stroke leads to neuronal cell death due to a lack of oxygen and glucose. Baicalin is a flavonoid that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Objective: The aim of this study is to elucidate the anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of baicalin in animal models of stroke.

Methods: Vehicle or baicalin (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally immediately after the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery. Neurobehavioral tests were conducted 24 h post-MCAO and brain tissue was isolated to assess histopathological changes and apoptosis-associated protein expression. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) assays were performed to evaluate oxidative stress.

Results: MCAO animals exhibited severe neurological deficits, which were significantly alleviated by baicalin treatment. Baicalin mitigated the up-regulation in ROS and LPO levels induced by surgery. MCAO damage led to severe histopathological lesions and an increase in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling-positive reactions, these alterations were alleviated by baicalin treatment. MCAO damage decreases the expression of Bcl-2 and increases the expression of Bax, baicalin alleviates these changes. Baicalin also attenuated the upregulation of caspase-3 expression caused by MCAO injury.

Conclusions and relevance: These results can suggest evidence that baicalin exerts neuroprotective effects by preventing apoptosis during cerebral ischemia. In conclusion, baicalin acts as a potent neuroprotective agent through its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects on neuronal cell damage.

This corrects the article on p. e20 in vol. 26, PMID: 40183907.

Importance: Clostridium perfringens is a significant enteropathogen affecting both humans and animals, causing gastrointestinal symptoms of varying severity, including diarrhea in dogs and cats. Understanding the distribution of toxinotypes is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment strategies.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and toxin gene profiles of C. perfringens strains isolated from dogs and cats with diarrhea in the Republic of Korea, providing insights regarding the predominant toxinotypes in C. perfringens-associated diarrhea.

Methods: Fecal specimens from dogs and cats with diarrhea were analyzed using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect various C. perfringens toxin genes. The isolates were categorized into established toxinotype groups based on their toxin gene profiles.

Results: Of the 110 fecal samples (from 50 dogs and 60 cats), a majority of the C. perfringens isolates were classified as type A, with a small percentage identified as type F. Type B, C, D, and E isolates were not found. Additionally, a significant portion of the isolates carried the β2 toxin gene, which is associated with pathogenicity but not considered for toxinotype classification. Type A was the predominant C. perfringens toxinotype in both dogs and cats, while type F was detected in a few cases.

Conclusions and relevance: These findings may aid in predicting toxinotypes in future diarrhea outbreaks and support the development of targeted control measures. Further research is required to clarify the clinical relevance of these toxinotypes in C. perfringens-associated diarrhea.

Importance: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects small domestic ruminants. The disease has a significant socioeconomic impact, causing substantial economic losses and adversely affecting international trade.

Objective: This study examined the prevalence of antibodies against the PPR virus (PPRV) in sheep and goats and assessed the risk factors influencing the epidemiology of the disease in the Savannah district of northern Ivory Coast.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September to December 2023, collecting serum samples from sheep (n = 510) and goats (n = 412) aged six months or older. The samples were tested for antibodies against the PPRV using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: The overall seroprevalence in small ruminants was 42.62% (95% confidence interval [CI], 39.47-45.84). Females had a significantly higher seroprevalence (47.81% [95% CI, 44.26-51.38]) than males (19.53% [95% CI, 14.23-26.20]). In addition, small ruminants aged over two years had a seroprevalence of 60.80% (95% CI, 56.34-65.08), which was significantly higher than in those aged between one and two years (26.62% [95% CI, 21.62-33.25]) and those aged under one year (18.13% [95% CI, 13.19-24.41]). The highest local seroprevalence in small ruminants was recorded in Tengréla (50.84% [95% CI, 43.55-58.09]) and Boundiali (45.19% [95% CI, 35.91-54.82]).

Conclusions and relevance: The presence of anti-PPRV antibodies in sheep and goats in the Savannah district suggests that PPR is prevalent. Therefore, strategic control measures are needed to eradicate the disease by 2030.

Importance: Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a significant global health concern, often progressing to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in both humans and animals. Despite substantial research efforts, effective CLD treatments remain scarce. Casein kinase 1 epsilon (CK1ε), a serine/threonine kinase, plays a pivotal role in several critical signaling pathways, including the Wingless/Integrated (Wnt)/β-catenin, HIPPO, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, all of which contribute to liver disease progression.

Observations: CK1ε regulates key pathways that drive liver fibrosis, inflammation, and cancer. Its involvement in lipid metabolism and adipogenesis links CK1ε to metabolic dysfunctional-associated steatotic liver disease. Elevated CK1ε levels are observed in disease models beyond CLD, underscoring its broad role in pathological conditions. Moreover, CK1ε phosphorylates critical proteins such as Wnt/β-catenin, RAS/MAPK, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B, transcription coactivators yes-associated protein 1 and the PDZ-binding motif, and Sprouty homolog 2, suggesting potential influence on liver cell function and fibrosis development. Preclinical models demonstrate that CK1ε inhibitors, including PF-4800567, PF-670462, and IC261, effectively reduce tumor growth and fibrosis of variable etiologies.

Conclusions and relevance: CK1ε's central role in liver disease progression makes it a compelling target for therapeutic strategies. Targeting CK1ε with small molecules or gene therapies could offer novel treatment avenues for CLD. However, challenges related to target specificity and safety must be addressed. Further research and translational studies could pave the way for precision medicine approaches, enhancing treatment outcomes for both animals and humans with CLD.

Importance: Cystic masses in the abdominal cavity near the vaginal area can have a range of origins, including urothelial cysts, which have never been reported in dogs. This paper reports the first known occurrence of a urothelial cyst in a dog.

Case presentation: An 18-year-old, 2.05 kg intact female Maltese dog presented with a mammary nodule with no systemic clinical signs. The radiographs and ultrasound revealed a large cystic mass in the abdominal cavity. Computed tomography imaging showed that the mass was in contact with the bladder, urethra, and vagina but had no direct connections to these organs. Surgical removal was performed. Histopathology analysis confirmed a urothelial cyst lined with transitional and stratified squamous epithelium.

Conclusions and relevance: This case highlights the need to include urothelial cysts in a differential diagnosis of cystic masses near the vaginal region in dogs. Early imaging-based detection is crucial to preventing misdiagnoses and ensuring appropriate surgical intervention. Veterinarians must carefully differentiate this condition from other reproductive disorders, including pyometra and uterine tumors, to avoid complications and ensure appropriate management.

Importance: Cryptosporidiosis is a ubiquitous gastrointestinal zoonotic disease of young calves and children under 5 years of age, but it is relatively unknown in Cameroon.

Objective: This study examined the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors of cryptosporidiosis in calves of the Far North Region of Cameroon.

Methods: Fecal samples were collected and examined using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts.

Results: A total of 261/629 calves tested positive for infection, giving an overall 41.5% prevalence. The prevalence was significantly higher in calves younger than 3 months (59.68%) (p < 0.000), with a body condition score (BCS) 2 (69.56%) (p<0.000), with diarrheic stools (74.72%), during the rainy season (74.72%) (p < 0.000), and in large herds (48.16%) (p = 0.046). This disease was distributed widely in all divisions and localities of the study. The risk of infection was higher in calves aged < 3 months (p < 0.000), with diarrheic stools (p < 0.000), BCS 2 (p < 0.000), during the rainy season (p < 0.000), and in large herds (p < 0.000). The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was distributed widely in diarrhoeic calves (p < 0.000).

Conclusions and relevance: This study provides the first evidence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection of calves in the Far North region of Cameroon with the associated risk factors such as age, BCS, season, herd size, diarrheal status, feed source, barn hygiene, and water sources. Further molecular investigation in this region will be needed to implement control strategies to limit zoonotic transmission to humans.

Importance: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), the causative agent of Johne's disease (JD) in ruminants, is a potential zoogenic pathogen. At the asymptomatic subclinical stage, infected animals periodically shed the pathogen through feces and milk, serving as silent carriers for disease transmission. In Republic of Korea, where treatment for JD is not pursued and culling is the primary management strategy for infected animals, early detection is crucial for effective disease control.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to develop a new primer set for the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for facilitating visual-based detection of MAP.

Methods: We designed LAMP primers for the MAP-specific gene IS1311 and optimized the reaction conditions to enhance diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Practical application was evaluated using 170 field samples of feces and intestinal tissues from cattle and goats.

Results: The LAMP method demonstrated sensitivity superior to that of the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and equal to that of real-time-PCR targeting the F57 gene, detecting as low as 0.1 pg MAP DNA per reaction. Notably, we integrated a mixed dye composed of calcein and hydroxynaphthol blue at an optimal ratio, enabling clear visual distinction of results under natural light. In practical application, the LAMP assay demonstrated a true positive rate of 100% and true-negative rate of 92.22%.

Conclusions and relevance: The developed mixed dye-LAMP method facilitates immediate, sensitive diagnosis by providing a user-friendly readout. By reducing diagnostic time and enhancing visual clarity without specialized equipment, it significantly improves JD control in the livestock industry.

Importance: Few studies have examined the interactions of the chicken anemia virus (CAV) with the immune system of embryos.

Objective: To study the pathogenicity of the CAV in chicken embryos with respect to its tissue tropism and viral load in different tissues.

Method: The pathogenicity of the CAV was examined in about-to-hatch embryos through cytology, histopathological examinations, molecular detection, immunocytochemistry (ICC), immunofluorescent test, and immunohistochemistry techniques.

Results: The experimental study using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay revealed the presence of CAV in the liver, bone marrow, and thymus tissues of embryos where embryos were inoculated with CAV-positive bone marrow specimens obtained from chicken anemia-suspect cases. Intracytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusion bodies were detected cytologically in the bone marrow of the embryos, whereas no inclusion body was detected in the thymus. On the other hand, both kinds of inclusion bodies were observed in bone marrow and thymus in the histopathology. In addition, various organs of PCR-positive CAV embryos revealed the depletion of lymphocytes and hematopoietic cells in the thymus and bone marrow, respectively. The CAV antigen was confirmed in the bone marrow and thymus cytological smears using ICC and immunofluorescence techniques.

Conclusions and relevance: Viral antigen exhibited more tropism towards the bone marrow of embryos than the thymus in ICC and immunofluorescence techniques. The presence of CD44, a marker for progenitor cells and an antigen in the serial sections of bone marrow, confirmed the relevance of viral tropism for the hemocytoblasts of the bone marrow as the main target cells in embryos and subsequently in chicks for viral replication.

Importance: Baicalin is a flavonoid compound with various functions, including neuroprotective effects. Glutamate is an essential excitatory neurotransmitter involved in synaptic transmission, but it can also induce neuronal damage through excitotoxicity.

Objective: To analyze the anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of baicalin on glutamate-exposed neuronal cells.

Methods: Mouse neuronal hippocampal HT-22 cells were cultured and treated with glutamate (5 mM) and/or baicalin (10, 30, 50 µM). Baicalin was administered 1 h before glutamate treatment, and cells were collected 24 h following glutamate exposure. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) analyses were performed to determine the oxidative stress. Western blot and immunocytochemical staining were performed to investigate the expressions of bcl-2, bax, and caspase-3.

Results: Glutamate induced severe neuronal damage, including cell morphological condensation, which was attenuated by baicalin treatment. Baicalin treatment ameliorated the decrease in cell viability due to glutamate toxicity. Baicalin mitigated glutamate-induced increase of ROS and LPO in a dose-dependent manner. Glutamate exposure induced the downregulation of bcl-2 and the upregulation of bax, thereby reducing the bcl-2 to bax ratio, while administration of baicalin prevented these changes. Baicalin treatment ameliorated the glutamate toxicity-induced increase in caspase-3.

Conclusions and relevance: Baicalin exerts antioxidant and anti-apoptotic functions against glutamate toxicity in neurons by preventing oxidative stress and inhibiting the apoptotic pathway.