Open Veterinary Journal最新文献

Background: Ticks are important vectors for a wide range of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, that impact both humans and animals. Recent advances in metagenomic sequencing have established it as a powerful tool for uncovering the microbial diversity within ticks, enabling the discovery of previously unrecognized pathogens.

Aim: This study aimed to enrich the pathogen database for Tarim red deer in southern Xinjiang and provide experimental data to aid in the diagnosis, prevention, control, and treatment of viral diseases in Tarim red deer.

Methods: Metagenomic sequencing was employed to analyze the viral species carried by ticks parasitizing the red tarim deer. Additionally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based antibody testing was conducted on 195 red deer samples from four farms M01, M02, M03, and M04 to detect antibodies against the Orf virus.

Results: Next-generation sequencing was used to obtain partial sequences of viruses and bacteria, with further analysis focusing on viruses with higher abundance, such as mule deer pox virus and Orf virus. Serological testing for Orf virus antibodies in 195 red deer samples identified 7 positive cases, resulting in a positivity rate of 3.59% (7/195). Positivity rates were 5.26% (4/76) and 6.12% (3/49) for farms M02 and M04, respectively, whereas no seropositive individuals were identified at farms M01 and M03.

Conclusion: This study expands the current knowledge of tick-borne pathogens in southern Xinjiang by identifying diverse viral species associated with tick-infested Tarim red deer. The findings confirm the presence of Orf virus in red deer populations, particularly on farms M02 and M04. These results underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance efforts and offer valuable insights into the diversity and geographical distribution of tick-associated viruses within the arid and semi-arid ecosystems of southern Xinjiang.

Background: Atherosclerosis is often associated with inflammation and non-alcoholic liver disease due to high-cholesterol diet and the side effects of conventional treatment.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of Blumea balsamifera extract (BBLE) and Sargassum aquifolium extract (SAE) in controlling atherosclerosis, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects in rats induced by a high cholesterol diet.

Methods: Hypercholesterolemia induction was achieved by oral administration of feed with lard for 21 days in male Wistar rats. Next, the animals were treated with 4 mg/kg BW of BBLE (single dose) and 4 mg/kg BW of BBLE+SAE (combined dose) for 3 months, and continued to be given a high cholesterol diet. The negative control was a high cholesterol diet, and the positive control was simvastatin. Blood samples were taken to determine total cholesterol, apolipoprotein-E (Apo-E), interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. Meanwhile, the weight of the liver and histopathology preparations were weighed.

Results: Giving BBLE+SAE was able to reduce body weight, liver weight, and cholesterol levels significantly compared to negative controls (p ≤ 0.05). There was a significant increase in Apo-E levels in the BBLE+SAE group, as well as a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. A decrease in AST and ALT levels was shown by administering BBLE+SAE, and a higher mean hepatocyte cell count was observed compared to the other groups.

Conclusion: Administration of BBLE+SAE acts as an anti-atherosclerotic and hepatoprotective agent for the liver through reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and its use was promising for clinical studies.

Background: Spermatogenesis is a complex process of cell differentiation preceded and accompanied by distinct gene expressions that lead to a variety of cellular and physiological changes. By degrading cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP), some phosphodiesterases contribute to spermatogenesis by modulating signal transduction across various physiological processes. Although phosphodiesterase 7A (PDE7A) degrades cAMP; its function in the testis as a regulator remains unclear. Furthermore, the exact cell types that express PDE7A at different stages of testicular development remain unknown.

Aim: This study aimed to study the immunohistochemical localization of the PDE7A protein throughout normal testicular morphogenesis in immature and mature stages in mice, rats, and camels.

Methods: Testes from immature and pubertal animals were examined to evaluate testicular morphology and the cellular distribution of PDE7A. Immunohistochemistry was performed using a monoclonal antibody directed against the C-terminal portion of PDE7A, and routine hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to assess overall testicular histology.

Results: In all species, PDE7A protein is successively expressed in specific spermatogenic stages of the immature testis, such as spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes, as well as in the interstitial tissue: Leydig cells, blood vessels, and myoid cells. In mature testes, the PDE7A localization was noted specifically within the round and elongated spermatids of seminiferous tubules, as well as in the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels and peripheral nerve fibers.

Conclusion: PDE7A expression in the postnatal testis is supported by new evidence in this paper, including the first description of it in camels and its first expression in peripheral nerves. Following meiosis, the enzyme is mostly expressed in germ cells and exhibits stage-specific localization. These findings may point to PDE7A's regulatory function in spermatogenesis.

Canine osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent, progressive, and debilitating joint disorder characterized by cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation, and subchondral bone remodeling. This multifactorial disease leads to chronic pain and significant impairment of quality of life. As OA remains incurable, therapeutic strategies have shifted toward comprehensive multimodal management aimed at addressing the disease's complex pathophysiology. This review presents an evidence-based overview of current approaches, including weight management, rehabilitation, pharmacologic therapies (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, anti-Nerve Growth Factor monoclonal antibodies), disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs, regenerative treatments, and nutraceuticals. This study also highlights practical challenges and future directions, emphasizing individualized treatment plans to optimize outcomes in canine OA.

Background: Precise identification of items originating from animals is required for monitoring the authenticity of livestock commodities. Nucleic acid-based detection methods, including polymerase chain reaction, are highly accurate tests for detecting meat fraud. However, these tests require costly devices and highly skilled personnel.

Aim: This study aims to develop a precise and rapid test based on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) for detecting meat from donkeys.

Methods: The assay was developed by combining Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat /Cas12 with RPA and a lateral flow device. A conserved sequence of the mitochondrial D-loop gene was used as the target gene. The assessment of the assay focused on its sensitivity, specificity, and completion time.

Results: The results show that the assay can detect donkey meat in the tested samples with 100% specificity with no cross-reactivity with other species, and no false-positive results were recorded. Furthermore, the assay has shown high sensitivity and to detect as little as 5 ng of input DNA. Moreover, the results, including DNA extraction, were obtained in less than 40 minutes and did not require any specialized equipment.

Conclusion: The assay is a good option for the rapid and precise detection of donkey meat. Further optimization and studies are needed to enable the direct detection of donkey meat without DNA extraction.

Background: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in poultry pose a serious health threat. Enterococcus spp. and Pasteurella spp. are common in broiler chickens and can resist antibiotics. Cobalt nanoparticles (CoNPs) offer a new, natural antimicrobial alternative.

Aim: To assess the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of cobalt nanoparticles synthesized using Matricaria chamomilla extract. The focus was on their effect against multidrug-resistant Enterococcus and Pasteurella isolates from broiler chickens.

Methods: One hundred samples were collected from the lungs and ceca of diseased broilers. The isolates were identified by biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction. Cobalt nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using UV-Vis, scanning electron microscopy, FTIR, and X-ray diffraction. The antibacterial activity was tested via agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) assays. The antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH assay.

Results: CoNPs showed clear inhibition zones against both pathogens. For Pasteurella, inhibition increased significantly at 40-80 mg/ml (p < 0.05). Enterococcus showed weaker but still significant responses. The MIC and MBC for Pasteurella were 27.08 µg/ml and 66.66 µg/ml, respectively. The values for Enterococcus were higher (80.33 µg/ml and 116.6 µg/ml). Gene expression assays revealed significant downregulation of virulence genes in both the aforementioned organisms (p < 0.05). The antioxidant activity of CoNPs increased with concentration, reaching 59.48% at 160 µg/ml.

Conclusion: Co nanoparticles exhibited strong antibacterial and moderate antioxidant effects. They offer a promising alternative for managing MDR infections in poultry. Further in vivo trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of the drug.

Background: Insulin resistance is a recognized risk factor for significant health issues, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease, and ischemic stroke. Dexa can directly impede insulin-mediated glucose absorption in hepatic cells, leading to hyperglycemia. The serine/threonine kinase AKT (protein kinase B) has been recognized as a vital regulator of insulin action over the past two decades, substantiated by considerable evidence. Lithium (Li) enhances glucose homeostasis by promoting glycogen synthesis and glucose uptake.

Aim: This study investigated the effect of lithium on glucose homeostasis using dexamethasone as a positive control for diabetes induction in an experimental trial. The role of AKT was also examined in conjunction with Li.

Methods: The experimental rats were divided into 8 groups, each containing 10-rats/groups. Group 1 was assigned as the control. Group 2 rats received Dexa. Group 3 rats received an Akt inhibitor. Group 4: rats that received Li. Group 5 rats received a combination of Dexa and Li. Group 6 rats received a combination of Dexa and AKTi. Rats in Group 7 received a combination of Li and AKTi, while Group 8: rats received a combination of Dexa, AKTi, and Li. Various experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of the different treatments on the survival rates, body weight, glycogen content, and hepatic levels of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-bisphosphate (PIP3), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Ser-473AKT), and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-Ser9 GSK3β) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Liver glycogen content was significantly reduced upon dexamethasone, AKTi, or their combination administration compared with the control. Interestingly, Li administration alone caused a significant increase in the glycogen content. Co-exposure of rats to Li + Dexa, Li + AKTi, or Li + Dexa + AKTi caused a restoration of the glycogen content to levels comparable with the control. Phosphatidyl inositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PIP2) and phosphatidyl inositol 1,4,5 bisphosphate (PIP3) contents in the experimental groups showed the same trend. The activity and the expression of P-β-Arrestin II in the experimental groups were similar.

Conclusion: This study revealed that Li provides protective effects against Dexa-induced disruptions in glucose homeostasis through AKT-dependent mechanisms. Specifically, through the activation of β-arrestin-2 and the inhibition of PIP2 and PIP3.

Background: In the northwest of Morocco, coccidiosis, caused by a protozoan of the genus Eimeria sp., poses a threat to the health of livestock, particularly sheep, and can sometimes lead to the death of animals, thus damaging meat production in the kingdom of Morocco. The research on this disease will allow livestock farmers to identify the most important and widespread species in the region, as well as the risk factors that influence the spread of this epidemic, so that precautionary measures can be taken to protect livestock.

Aim: The objectives of this study were as follows:to inventory the species of Eimeria (coccidiosis agent) infecting sheep reared in the northwest region of Morocco; to determine the rates of infection and excretion of oocysts; and to identify the risk factors influencing the dynamics of coccidia (genus Eimeria sp.).

Methods: A qualitative and quantitative coproscopic study was carried out on fecal samples collected directly from the rectum of 256 animals over a period of 1 year. Sex, age, date, and season of sampling were recorded.

Results: Four species of Eimeria were detected in the 256 sheep examined: Eimeria ovinoidalis, Eimeria prava, Eimeria ashata, and Eimeria intricata, with an infection rate of 40.63% and an average number of eggs per gram of feces of 4,887. The study showed an association between the disease and age and seasonal climatic changes (p < 0.05), while the sex of the animal did not influence the spread of the disease (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Our study revealed important results concerning coccidiosis in sheep in the northwestern region of Morocco. There was a strong association of infection with age and climatic changes, but no association with sex.

Background: Emotional contagion in human-horse interactions has been widely studied; however, the role of body language in stress transfer remains insufficiently explored.

Aim: This study examines whether human emotional states, particularly stress and anxiety, influence horses and whether the transmission occurs primarily through body language.

Methods: A repeated-measures within-subjects design was used. The order of interaction styles was randomized across subjects during 33 HCIs. Participants were categorized as high-anxiety (HA) or low-anxiety (LA) based on State Anxiety Scale scores and heart rate (HR) measurements. HA was defined as a score >40 and HR > 20 bim above resting; LA was defined as a score of 40 and HR 2 bim of resting values. Two interaction conditions were tested: free-style, where participants moved naturally, and constrained-style (CS), where movement and expression were restricted. Heart rate variability and ethogram scores were recorded at baseline, during contact, and after recovery. To evaluate the influence of handler anxiety level and approach style on physiological and behavioral responses in horses, a series of two-way analyses of variances was performed.

Results: Horses exhibited significantly higher HRV and ethogram scores for High-Anxiety Free Style interactions than High-Anxiety Constrained Style (p < 0.05), showing an increased physiological and behavioral response when human emotions were freely expressed. However, interactions in the CS condition showed no significant HRV or behavioral differences between the HA and LA groups, implying that CSBL mitigates emotional contagion.

Conclusion: Horses do not inherently detect human stress but rather respond to body language cues associated with anxiety. This study highlights the importance of structured handling techniques to minimize stress transfer, with implications for equestrian training and equine-assisted interventions. By adopting controlled, neutral body language, handlers can create a more stable environment, enhancing horse welfare and optimizing human-horse interactions. This research contributes to the broader understanding of interspecies emotional dynamics and the need for mindful equine management practices.

Background: Leptospirosis remains one of the most significant zoonotic diseases in tropical regions such as Indonesia. It is characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, with case fatality rates ranging from 5% to 15%, and frequent underreporting due to nonspecific clinical symptoms, which contributes to underdiagnosis in up to 40%-60% of suspected cases. Surveillance at the Public Health Care Center (PHC) level is crucial for early case detection and outbreak control in endemic areas.

Aim: This study aimed to develop and implement a leptospirosis surveillance model at primary health care facilities in two endemic regencies in Central Java, Indonesia, Banyumas and Demak districts, to improve early detection, reporting, and response capacity.

Methods: The research on leptospirosis surveillance by the PHC was conducted from January 2018 to December 2019 in Banyumas and Demak Regencies, Central Java. This research is a time-series study that encompasses case findings, diagnosis, and laboratory detection of leptospirosis. Case findings were carried out both passively (at health centers) and actively (within the community) using the WHO-SEARO clinical symptom criteria.

Results: In Banyumas Regency, 121 suspects, 106 probable, and 44 confirmed cases of leptospirosis and in Demak Regency between 2018 and 2021, 73 cases of leptospirosis were reported, with 22 deaths, resulting in a case fatality rate of 30.1%. A total of 51 patients recovered from the disease. While the hospital reported 63 leptospirosis cases and 9 related deaths, surveillance in Demak Regency identified 72 suspected, 67 probable, and 23 confirmed cases with no reported deaths. However, a Demak hospital recorded 172 cases and 19 deaths. Negative binomial regression revealed a significant negative relationship between cases reported by PHCs and hospitals (coef = -0.050; p = 0.012), along with a decreasing trend in hospital cases over time (coef = -0.010; p = 0.046).

Conclusion: Leptospirosis surveillance data can be used to identify focal areas of leptospirosis endemicity. The application of the WHO-SEARO (2009) clinical criteria and rapid diagnostic tests supports the identification of suspected and probable cases of leptospirosis at the PHC level.