Open Veterinary Journal最新文献

Background: Chlamydiae are obligate generally Gram-negative intracellular parasites with bacterial characteristics, including a cell wall, DNA, and RNA, and the main characteristics of infections are ocular conjunctivitis and upper respiratory disease.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Chlamydophila infection in a population of shelter cats in Baghdad.

Methods: Molecular detection was done using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach. Fifty shelter cats of various ages, sexes, and breeds participated in the study from 1/11/2023 to 1/4/2024. DNA was extracted and amplified using PCR.

Results: The study's findings revealed that the PCR technique showed that 22/44% of positive cats from a total of 50 cats were assured for the 23S rRNA gene and yielded a band at 400 bp, and for 41/27.3%, these findings are regarded as distinctive for the genus Chlamydophila and positive sample 30/20% from a total of 150 samples was assured for Chlamydophila felis, a band at 680 bp. The findings revealed that the prevalence of Chlamydophila in upper respiratory tract infections in female cats older than 1 year was between 14/50 (28%) and 13/50 (26%) conversely, and the infections exhibited greater prevalence and a higher rate of detection in male under 1 year of age. The present investigation highlighted a significant prevalence of Chlamydophila in respiratory swabs obtained from Persian and Himalayan cats, but Scottish and British cats exhibited a comparatively lower rate of positive Chlamydophila.

Conclusion: In conclusion of this study, a significant number of cats are infected with C. felis, and PCR provided rapid and sensitive detection of Chlamydophila species in different samples and detected Chlamydophila that did not grow in culture. It was considered the first study for the detection of C. felis from conjunctivitis in shelter cats in Baghdad.

Background: Leaf ethanolic extract of Etlingera hemisphaerica (LE3H) has the potential to restore glucose, triglyceride, and uric acid disorders and reduce mercury toxicity. High levels of glucose (hyperglycemia), urine (uremia), and creatinine (hypercreatininemia) in the blood cause real health problems. Meanwhile, the phytochemical content in fruit ethanolic extract of E. hemisphaerica (FE3H) is higher than that of LE3H.

Aim: This study evaluated the potential of FE3H as a solution for hyperglycemia, uremia, and hypercreatininemia in mice.

Methods: Quercetin levels in FE3H were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The first (A) stage used 25 male mice divided into five groups. On day (d)1, the body weight (BW) of the mice was weighed. On d2-11, 5-mg/gBW sucrose was given by gavage, and then, on d12, BW and blood glucose level of mice were determined. On d13, 0.52-mg/gBW glibenclamide was given in A2, 0.39-mg/gBW FE3H was given in A3, and 0.52-mg/g BW FE3H was given in A4 by gavage. Control, A0, was only given double-distilled water (DDW). On d14, BW and blood glucose levels of the mice were determined. The second (B) stage used 24 male mice divided into six groups. On d1, B1-B5 were injected intraperitoneally 5-mg/kg BW HgCl₂; then, on d3-5, they were given by gavage 0.2-mg/g BW Immunos^® in B2, 0.39-mg/gBW FE3H in B3, 0.52-mg/gBW FE3H in B4, and 0.65-mg/gBW FE3H in B5. Controls, B0 and B1, were only given DDW. On d6, the mice were killed by cervical dislocation. The weight of the kidney was determined, and then, the urea and creatinine levels were measured in blood samples from the heart.

Results: FE3H contains 98.92 ± 12.88 µg/g quercetin. Sucrose tends to increase BW, and then, 0.39-mg/g BW FE3H treatment tends to restore BW close to control. Sucrose significantly increased blood glucose, and then, 0.39- and 0.52-mg/gBW FE3H treatment restored significantly blood glucose similar to control. HgCl₂ increases kidney weight, and then, 0.65-mg/gBW FE3H treatment tends to restore kidney weight close to control. HgCl₂ significantly increased urea and creatinine, and then, 0.52- and 0.65-mg/gBW FE3H treatment significantly restored urea and creatinine similar to the control.

Conclusion: FE3H, which is high in flavonoid quercetin, has the potential to restore hyperglycemia by 47.38%-48.18%, uremia by 29.04%-33.06%, and hypercreatininemia by 49.52%-54.28% in mice.

Background: Hemotrophic Mycoplasmas (HMs) are uncultivable, pleomorphic, very small epicellular, and like other Mycoplasma species lacking a cell wall. These pathogens damage and alter the erythrocytes by invading or parasitizing their surface, which can lead to persistent infections and complications. The most common HMs species in dogs are Candidatus Mycoplasmas haematoparvum (CMhp), and Mycoplasma haemocanis (Mhc).

Aim: The study aimed to detect infectious rates of hemotrophic Mycoplasma infections in dogs by molecular assay from Baghdad province for the first time.

Methods: The study included 155 dogs consisting vary breeds, ages, and both sexes from October 2023 to March 2024. The target gene for identified HMs in dogs was the 16s rRNA gene, where used two primers to amplify a fragment of approximately 618 bp of the target gene.

Results: The PCR results indicated a 618 bp band of positive 16s rRNA gene of HMs. Six out of 155 dogs tested were positive by PCR, producing a 4% infection rate of HMs in dogs in Baghdad/Iraq (2% of each CMhp and uncultured Mycoplasma spp.), which had 100% matching with Mhc based on the 16S rRNA sequences. The highest infection rates were reported non-significantly in January in dogs older than 1 year, males, and significantly in the Malinois dogs. The main hematological values exhibited significant changes in the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, RDW, and PDWS; also, normocytic normochromic and microcytic normochromic anemia were observed in two dogs infected with hemotropic mycoplasmosis. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that sequence alignment on the NCBI-BLAST site had a high identity with M. hacmocanis recorded by NCBI uncultured Mycoplasma spp. and candidatus Mycoplasma hemtoparvum. The relationship between geographical regions and uncultured Mycoplasma spp. and CMhp of the present study in the phylogenic trees revealed that sequences were grouped in the same branch of the several countries in the phylogenic tree, especially neighboring countries (Iran and Turkey).

Conclusion: This study is the first molecularly and phylogenetically detected of hemotropic Mycoplasma in Baghdad/Iraq. The results of phylogenetic analysis indicated that there was no specific substitution of sequences or genetic diversity of the hemotropic Mycoplasma in dogs from Iraq with other countries.

Background: Bovine subclinical mastitis (SCM) is a significant cause of economic losses in dairy farms, primarily due to its asymptomatic nature and difficulty in early detection. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a widely used diagnostic tool in bioscience, facilitating antigen detection through antibody binding.

Aim: The present study designed a gold nanoparticle (AuNPs)-based ELISA, to enhance the sensitivity of conventional ELISA by improving the binding efficiency of capture antibodies to purified antigens. This modified ELISA could enable more accurate detection of bovine SCM.

Methods: A total of 200 milk samples from apparently healthy cows were screened for SCM using the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Positive samples were then subjected to bacteriological culture, biochemical testing, and polymerase chain reaction targeting the Nuc2 gene for confirmation of S. aureus. The purified fraction antigen of all 78 confirmed S. aureus isolates was extracted using sepharose 4B affinity column chromatography, described by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and assessed for its sensitivity in S. aureus mastitis diagnosis compared with crude antigen and purified fraction antigen-conjugated gold nanoparticles within an indirect ELISA. Immunoglobulins (IGs) from positive cow serum were extracted and purified from all confirmed S. aureus. Gold nanoparticle-based indirect ELISA was used on 400 samples (200 milk and 200 serum) from the same cows.

Results: Using CMT, out of 200 examined milk samples from apparently normal cows, 65% (130/200) were sub-clinically infected. Out of these 130 positive milk samples, 60% (78/130) were confirmed to be infected with S. aureus. Purified fraction antigen-conjugated gold nanoparticles achieved the highest sensitivity to ELISA at 97%, 94%, and 92% immediately before storage, 6 months at -20°C, and 1 year at -20°C, respectively. Gold nanoparticle-based indirect ELISA detected specific IgG antibodies in 97% (76/78) sera and milk samples related to confirmed S. aureus isolates.

Conclusion: The utilization of purified fraction antigen with gold nanoparticles enhances the sensitivity of ELISA, increasing it from 83.3% to 97% (p < 0.01; CI: 99%). The current study establishes a valuable way for S. aureus mastitis diagnosis within the use of purified fraction antigen-conjugated gold nanoparticles instead of the classical way to improve the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA.

Background: While veterinarians have practiced telemedicine in various forms for years, the arrival of reliable, synchronous videoconferencing has increased the use of telemedicine for care delivery, a trend accelerated by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. However, data are sparse on antimicrobial drug (AMD) prescription practices in this setting.

Aim: This assessment looked at AMD prescription practices among veterinarians using a telemedicine platform for care delivery in the United States.

Methods: We surveyed U.S. veterinarians online about their most recent telemedicine appointments using association and veterinary college mailing lists and social media veterinary groups. Demographic information was collected along with information on the species of the animal, the chief complaint, treatment recommendations, the type of telemedicine platform used, and if the pet owner discussed AMDs during the appointment before a recommendation was made.

Results: A total of 88 veterinarians from 25 U.S. states responded to the survey. Of the 88 telemedicine appointments, 15% (13) resulted in a prescription for an oral antibiotic. AMDs were prescribed for 5% (2/37) of canines and 25% (5/20) of felines; and for a variety of complaints including ear/nose/throat, dermatologic, ophthalmic, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal complaints. Veterinarians with <15 years in practice prescribed AMDs more frequently than those practicing for ≥15 years (23%; 10/44 vs. 8%; 2/25). No veterinarian prescribed oral AMDs during email or text only or telephone-only appointments. Most (54%; 46/85) veterinarians reported the pet owner requesting or raising antibiotic therapy before any recommendation by the veterinarian. Of these, 22% (10/46) were prescribed an oral AMD compared to 8% (3/39) of those who did not (p = 0.07).

Conclusion: AMD prescribing rates in this assessment of telemedicine appointments were comparable to those reported for in-person visits in the United States. Veterinarians with fewer years of experience were more likely to prescribe AMDs during a telemedicine visit, suggesting a higher level of comfort with prescribing among younger veterinarians and highlighting the need for continued education around telemedicine and antimicrobial stewardship.

Degenerative spine disease is a significant health concern in animals due to its impact on daily activities such as movement, balance, and thermoregulation. Early diagnosis is essential for effective management and treatment, with MRI playing a crucial role in identifying degenerative changes. Advanced MRI sequences, particularly diffusion-weighted imaging and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) have determined an important tool for detecting early microstructural changes. This review evaluates the efficacy of DKI parameters for the early diagnosis of degenerative spine disease in animal models. Following the scale for the assessment of narrative review articles guidelines, a systematic literature review was conducted to assess the association between specific DKI metrics and early stage spinal degeneration. Two relevant studies were identified that compared DKI parameters with conventional T2-weighted fast spin echo sequences for disc grading, analyzed gender differences, and performed ROC analysis. The relationship between DKI parameters and post-puncture procedures was also explored. The findings suggest that DKI is more sensitive than conventional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging in detecting subtle microstructural changes in the intervertebral disc space and spinal cord. This highlights DKI's potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and inform targeted treatments, reducing mortality and life expectancy in affected animals. Further research is warranted to explore the broader applications of DKI in diagnosing degenerative spine conditions.

Background: Due to its deadly toxins and ability to produce enzymes, the commensal bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is found in animals, birds, and people. It may also be linked to certain medical disorders.

Aim: This study was aimed at the prevalence and molecular detection of mecA and lukD genes from livestock-associated methicilin-resistant S. aureus (LA-MRSA) in raw chicken meats sold in Abakaliki.

Methods: The butchers in the slaughterhouses provided 150 fresh raw chicken meat samples, which were then cultured and purified using mannitol salt agar. The LA-MRSA was determined using oxacillin and cefoxitin by a disk diffusion method. A polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate the presence of mecA and lukD genes in the isolates that were resistant to cefoxitin and oxacillin.

Results: Exactly, 61 (40.7%) out of the 150 samples analyzed were positive for S. aureus, and 39 (52.0%) and 22 (29.3%) were isolated from broiler and layer chicken meats, respectively. Out of the 61 (40.7%) samples colonized by S. aureus, 7 (11.5%) were identified to be LA-MRSA positive using the phenotypic method. Thus, 5 (12.8%) and 2 (9.1%) were recovered as LA-MRSA positive from broiler and layer chicken meats, respectively. All the LA-MRSA was reported to present three major multidrug resistance index patterns. The overall prevalence of mecA and lukD genes was reported as 2 (28.6%) and 3 (42.9%), respectively.

Conclusion: This study confirmed the presence of mecA and lukD in LA-MRSA isolated from chicken in Abakaliki, Nigeria, and is a serious public health threat.

Background: Alternative feeds for ruminants that can be explored are sugarcane tops as a source of crude fiber and tithonia as a source of protein. Long droughts and direct use of these components may not meet nutritional standards. Processing technologies such as wafer production, using tapioca starch as an adhesive, can improve feed durability, storage, and nutritional consistency. The addition of tapioca starch in ruminants' feed should be considered, as its high starch content may affect overall feed digestibility.

Aim: This research aims to assess at knowing the impact of the use of tapioca starch as an adhesive on complete feed wafers based on fermented sugarcane tops and tithonia to produce sturdy physical quality of wafers and increase in vitro digestibility of nutrients.

Methods: The experiment used a group randomized design with four treatments, consisting of 5% tapioca starch in the ration (T1), 10% tapioca starch in the ration (T2), 15% tapioca starch in the ration (T3), 20% tapioca starch in the ration (T4), and five groups as replicates. The parameters included the physical properties of wafers (aroma, texture, color, water binding capacity, and density), in vitro digestibility of nutrients, volatile fatty acids production, NH₃, pH, methane gas production, and total gas production.

Results: The results indicated that the use of tapioca starch had a non-significant effect (p > 0.05) on color and a significant effect (p < 0.05) on aroma and texture. Digestibility of nutrients, rumen fluid characteristics, and total gas and methane gas production were significant (p < 0.05). Has a firm, dense texture (not easily broken), a distinctive aroma of wafers, and a stable rumen pH of 6.96 in the T2 treatment made effective rumen conditions indicated by dry matter digestibility of 62.41%, organic matter digestibility of 62.52%, and protein digestibility of 64.40%.

Conclusion: The research concludes that in the T2 treatment, the addition of 10% tapioca flour as an adhesive and energy source in a complete feed wafer ration based on fermented sugarcane tops and tithonia being the best treatment for physical quality, and nutrient digestibility.

Myostatin (MSTN) is an essential gene that regulates muscle growth and development in livestock animals, influencing meat production and carcass quality. This review looks at MSTN genetic diversity in a variety of animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry, focusing on correlations between particular mutations and phenotypic parameters such as muscle mass and growth rate. Mutations in the MSTN gene have been linked to desirable features such as greater body weight and higher meat quality, making it an ideal candidate for genetic selection in breeding programs. Animals carrying this mutation frequently transform feed into muscle more efficiently, resulting in faster growth with less feed input. This is advantageous for growers seeking to cut feed costs while raising yields. MSTN-mutated animals convert feed into muscle more efficiently, lowering production costs over time and making them more appealing for commercial breeding operations. Advances in molecular genetics, especially CRISPR-Cas9 technology, have made it possible to precisely manipulate the MSTN gene, allowing for the development of calves with enhanced muscle mass. This article also examines the effects of MSTN variation on meat production efficiency, as well as current issues in animal genetics. This research synthesis emphasizes the significance of MSTN in cattle breeding, specifically its potential as a genetic marker to improve production and meat quality in commercial farming.

Background: Reproductive efficiency is a critical factor in the productivity and profitability of cattle farming, especially within smallholder systems prevalent in regions like South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Bali cattle (Bos javanicus domesticus) are a local beef cattle breed originating from Indonesia, specifically from the island of Bali Indonesia. These cattle are known for their high adaptability to tropical environmental conditions and minimal feed requirements, making them ideal for small-scale farming systems. In terms of usage, Bali cattle are primarily utilized to produce high-quality beef. Reproductive disorders can lead to substantial economic losses due to reduced fertility, increased calving intervals, and higher veterinary costs. Identifying the prevalence and causes of these disorders is crucial for developing effective management strategies.

Aim: The study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the incidence of reproductive disorders in Bali cows kept under smallholder farms in South Sulawesi.

Methods: The study was conducted on Bali cows aged over 2 years that were raised traditionally on smallholder farms in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. A total of 283 Bali cows were selected as sampling randomly. The location selection was carried out purposively with the consideration that there were Bali cows at that location.

Results: The results of this study showed that 70.3% of Bali cows had normal reproductive status and the remaining 29.7% of cows suffered from reproduction disorders. A trend is observed in the proportion of Bali cows experiencing reproductive disorders compared to normal Bali cows in relation to age, parity, and body condition score (BCS). For age and parity, there is a tendency for similar proportions between reproductive disorders and normal Bali cows. Thus, there is no significant relationship between these two factors and the occurrence of reproductive disorders. On the other hand, for BCS, a different trend is observed between Bali cows experiencing reproductive disorders and normal Bali cows. Therefore, BCS influences the occurrence of reproductive disorders in these Bali cows.

Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of reproductive disorders within a sample population. The results underscore the importance of continued study in this area to enhance our understanding of reproductive health issues.