Journal of Veterinary Research最新文献

Introduction: Pour-on eprinomectin (EPN) is the only anthelmintic currently available that is approved for use in lactating goats with a zero-day milk withdrawal period. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the pour-on form of EPN with the efficacy of the injectable version of ivermectin (IVM) on goat farms in Slovakia.

Material and methods: The study was conducted from September to December 2023 on eight dairy-goat farms. The goats on six farms were divided into two groups of 10 animals each. The first group was administered pour-on EPN at the recommended dose for sheep and goats, and the second group was treated with injectable IVM at a dose 1.5-fold higher than the recommended dose for sheep. The goats on the remaining two farms were treated only with EPN. Efficacy was determined using the in vivo faecal egg count reduction test and the in vitro larval development test (LDT). Infectious third-stage (L3) larvae were harvested before and 14 days after treatment and were assigned to species/genus based on morphology.

Results: The percent reductions for IVM and EPN ranged from 80.8 to 93.6 and 51.0 to 96.6, respectively. A substantially higher egg reduction on the 14^th day post treatment of 20 to 30% was noted in the groups on three farms treated with injectable IVM. The reduction differed little between the drugs on the other three farms (1-3%). Infectious L3 larvae in the LDT were observed at concentrations equal to or higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration of 21.6 ng/mL on all farms. Haemonchus contortus dominated on the 14^th day post treatment with both drugs on all farms.

Conclusion: This study is the first to report reduced efficacy of the pour-on form of EPN in goat herds in Slovakia.

Introduction: Fasciola hepatica is a trematode that infects ruminants worldwide. It is also the infectious agent of a zoonosis, fasciolosis, which is considered to be a re-emerging disease. There is no data about F. hepatica seroprevalence in European bison (Bison bonasus); however, complex population health monitoring is particularly important in protected species such as this. Addressing the need for this surveillance, the aim of this study was to assess for the first time the seroprevalence of F. hepatica in Polish free-living European bison populations and identify risk factors for infection.

Material and methods: Between 2020 and 2024, serum samples were collected from 119 free-ranging European bison from mountains and lowland areas. Serum samples were tested with a commercial ELISA to detect antibodies to Fasciola hepatica, and the data yielded were statistically analysed.

Results: The study revealed F. hepatica seropositivity in 20/119 animals (16.8%), with higher herd seroprevalence in lowland groups, and higher individual seroprevalence in females and animals from lowland areas.

Conclusion: Our study shows that a serological examination may be a useful and convenient diagnostic tool in assessing the F. hepatica exposure of the European bison population, especially when performing epizootic and retrospective studies.

Introduction: Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a numerous group of synthetic organic compounds used in various industries. They pollute the natural environment and negatively affect humans and animals. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the exposure of sheep bred in the Kyrgyz Republic to six selected PFASs.

Material and methods: Six selected PFASs were assessed in 50 sheep (39 females and 11 males) of Kyrgyz and Arashan breeds ranging in age from 1 to 8 years (mean 2.1 ± 1.1), recruited equally from the Alamedin and Sokuluk regions. The substances were five perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (perfluorobutanoic acid - PFBuA, perfluoropentanoic acid - PFPeA, perfluorohexanoic acid - PFHxA, perfluoroheptanoic acid - PFHpA and perfluorooctanoic acid - PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulphonic acid (PFOS), and were determined through the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry of hair samples.

Results: All the listed PFASs were found in the studied hair samples. The highest concentrations were noted for PFPeA and PFBuA. The concentration of PFPeA ranged from 0.99 ng/g to 27.90 ng/g (mean 5.55 ± 4.54 ng/g) and that of PFBuA from 0.95ng/g to 14.18 ng/g (mean 2.24 ± 2.34 ng/g). The mean concentration levels of other PFASs were as follows: 1.06 ± 0.78 ng/g for PFHxA, 1.02 ± 0.76 ng/g for PFHpA, 0.87 ± 0.68 ng/g for PFOA and below the method quantification limit for PFOS. Clear differences in PFASs levels were noted between the two regions.

Conclusion: Sheep are exposed to various PFASs, and sheep wool and items made of it may be the source of human exposure to these compounds. Hair samples may be used for biomonitoring of sheep exposure to PFASs.

Introduction: Interest is increasing in natural feed additives that improve animal health, raise farming productivity and enhance the quality of animal products. These additives, especially polyphenols, are biologically active chemical compounds found in plants.

Material and methods: Sixty dairy goats were randomly assigned to five feeding groups of 12 animals each. Over 16 weeks, the animals received a polyherbal supplement containing seven or nine herb species at 20 or 40 g/animal/day, along with pelleted concentrate feed. The health status of the animals was assessed based on the concentration of acute phase haptoglobin proteins and serum amyloid A in blood serum.

Results: A statistically significant positive effect of the herbal mixtures was found on the percentage of milk fat and fat : protein ratio (P-value < 0.05). The time of test-day milking and milk sampling had a significant impact on the level of all examined milk parameters (P-value < 0.001). Moreover, milk yield and fat-corrected milk yield were significantly affected by a feeding group × time of test-day milking and milk sampling interaction, influencing the level of examined parameters.

Conclusion: The use of herbal supplements in the diet of dairy goats did not negatively affect the goats' milk production - neither the yield nor composition. A positive effect of the administered multi-herbal mixtures was found on % fat concentration and fat : protein ratio in milk.

Introduction: Wild European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) can carry various pathogens potentially harmful to humans. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of selected zoonotic pathogens in European hedgehogs from urban areas of central-western Poland.

Material and methods: Sixty-nine samples (43 of sera and 26 spleens) were collected from 54 hedgehogs brought to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Poznań, Poland, between June 2020 and September 2023. Antibodies against Coxiella burnetii, hepatitis E virus genotype 3, Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. in serum samples were determined using commercial ELISA tests. A PCR was used to evaluate the prevalence of Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp. and Leptospira spp. genetic material in spleens.

Results: The genetic material of Anaplasma phagocytophilum was found in 18 out of 26 spleens (69.23%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 50.01-83.50), and the genetic material of Rickettsia helvetica in 4 out of these 26 (15.38 %; 95% CI: 6.15-33.53). All Rickettsia-positive spleens were also positive for Anaplasma spp. None of the other pathogens or antibodies against them were detected.

Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of some zoonotic pathogens in urban hedgehog populations and their potential impact on public health and urban biodiversity.

Introduction: Citrobacter freundii strains, like other representatives of the same genus, are often described as aetiological factors of diseases in humans and animals, including farmed and ornamental fish. The aim of the study was the isolation and identification of C. freundii from ornamental fish in Poland and investigation of the virulence factors and antibiotic resistance among the isolates.

Material and methods: Twenty C. freundii isolates were isolated from swab samples obtained from diseased ornamental fish of 16 different species in Poland. The bacteria were initially identified to the species level by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and the results were confirmed based on sequencing of a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene and biochemical profile analysis using the API-20E system. The antibiotic susceptibility profile was evaluated by the disc-diffusion method.

Results: Most isolates were resistant to tetracycline (65%), ciprofloxacin (65%), nalidixic acid (60%) and doxycycline (50%). All of them were resistant to ampicillin. As many as 13/20 isolates (65%) carried the viaB gene encoding the Vi antigen and 9/20 (45%) carried the class 1 integron-encoding gene. The hlyA gene encoding the ability to produce α-haemolysins was not detected in any of the isolates tested.

Conclusion: This is the first study to describe in detail the identification and occurrence of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance among C. freundii isolates of ornamental fish in Poland. The results indicate the need for further monitoring of the bacterium's presence.

Introduction: The vaccination against bacterial respiratory diseases in calves has been generally recognised as useful for the prevention of infections. Inducing an immunological response after vaccination is important for obtaining protection from infections. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of probiotics on the immunological response to vaccination against bacterial respiratory diseases in young Japanese Black calves.

Material and methods: Twenty-four Japanese Black calves were randomly divided into two groups (12 calves for the research group and 12 calves for the control group) on the seventh day of life (dol). The research group received 30 g per day of live bacteria mix consisting of Streptococcus faecalis, Clostridium butyricum and Bacillus mesentericus until the 63^rd dol. The control group did not receive the bacteria mix. All calves were vaccinated against bacterial respiratory diseases twice, at 21 and 42 dol. Blood samples were obtained from all calves at 7, 21, 42 (prior to the second vaccination), 45, 49 and 63 dol for determination of antibody titres, leukocyte numbers and cytokine genes.

Results: Lymphocyte counts, T cell (CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cell) counts and relative expressions of cytokine genes (interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17A) at 45, 49 and 63 dol were significantly higher in the research group compared than in the control group.

Conclusion: The addition of probiotics to young Japanese Black calves' feed promoted an immunological reaction to vaccination against bacterial respiratory diseases.

Introduction: Neuropeptide nesfatin-1, a nucleobindin-2 derivative, plays a role in regulating food intake, energy metabolism and body weight. It also interacts with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and has functions in the reproductive system. However, its impact on the canine reproductive tract has not been well documented. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of nesfatin-1 in canine ovarian activity and uterine function.

Material and methods: Tissue and peripheral blood samples were collected from 60 bitches of various ages and body condition scores (BCS). Analyses included real-time PCR, immunofluorescence examinations and ELISA tests.

Results: Higher level of nucleobindin-2 mRNA were found in the ovarian tissue of both younger and elderly overweight dogs (BCS > 5/9). The elevated expression of nesfatin-1 was observed in the uterine tissues of overweight dogs (BCS > 5/9) compared to its expression in animals in optimal body condition (BCS = 4/9). This finding was consistent with higher nesfatin-1 levels in the peripheral blood of overweight dogs.

Conclusion: The distribution and expression of nesfatin-1 in canine reproductive organs vary depending on the animal's age and body weight. The role of nesfatin-1 in the reproductive system is influenced by the animal's body condition and the extent of surplus adipose tissue, which may have significant implications for reproductive functions.

Introduction: Staphylococci are still a challenge in veterinary medicine, as they are one of the aetiological factors causing clinical and subclinical mastitis in small ruminants. The aim of the study was to analyse the occurrence of staphylococci in milk obtained from Świniarka (SW) and Uhruska (UHR) sheep and to characterise their drug resistance and virulence.

Material and methods: In total, 50 milk samples were collected from ewes seven days after parturition. Drug susceptibility analysis was performed based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute standards and demonstration of the presence of resistance genes was attempted.

Results: Staphylococcus spp. strains were identified in 70% of the samples, and 57.2% of the strains were S. aureus. Most of the tested strains (88.6%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, and resistance to tetracycline and erythromycin was the dominant type in S. aureus strains. Coagulase-negative species (CoNS) exhibited resistance predominantly to penicillin, cefoxitin and tetracycline (86.6%, 73.3% and 46.6%, respectively).The presence of the mecC gene was detected in four cefoxitin resistant strains. In tetracycline- and chloramphenicol-resistant strains, phenotypic and genotypic resistance was statistically significantly more common among strains isolated from UHR than SW.

Conclusion: The present study highlights the problem of potential subclinical mastitis caused by drug-resistant strains of S. aureus and other CoNS species in lambed ewes. However, the occurrence of virulence factors in these strains is very rare.

Introduction: Oestrosis is a type of nasal myiasis that is caused by larvae of flies from the Oestrus genus and is a disease of economic significance in small ruminants. The research aimed to investigate the prevalence of oestrosis and detect differences in the COX1 gene among haplotypes found in Sulaymaniyah, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Material and methods: The research was conducted in a Sulaymaniyah abattoir from September 2023 to August 2024. The heads of 328 sheep were carefully incised and inspected to record the larvae of Oestrus ovis. A conventional polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the COX1 gene were used for diagnosis and genetic analysis of O. ovis.

Results: The rate of oestrosis was 22.25% and the disease was significantly (P-value < 0.05) higher in imported breeds (26.50%) than the local breed (15.65%), in adults (26.88%) than in young animals (16.19%), in females (27.05%) than in males (17.08%), and in the summer (34.09%) than in other seasons of the year. Comparison of the sequences of the conservative COX1 gene of the parasite led to identification of five different haplotypes in the research area. Two of the haplotypes were previously recorded internationally, while three new haplotypes associated with five novel mutations were recorded for the first time in the study region.

Conclusion: A phylogenetic analysis revealed a strong relationship among O. ovis populations from various countries. The current research offered valuable molecular data for O. ovis species, essential for evaluating phylogenetic relationships and identifying these parasites at a molecular level.