Open Veterinary Journal最新文献

Background: Acetaminophen has an antipyretic activity by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis found in the brain, and this action is responsible for its analgesic effect, but overdose can cause hepatic and renal toxicity. Coenzyme Q10 has cytoprotective properties through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, it plays a role in energy production in the mitochondria, making it important in reducing cellular damage by toxic agents.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the potential protective effect of CoQ10 against acetaminophen toxicity on liver and kidney functions.

Methods: Thirty adult male albino rats were randomly subdivided into three groups: control group, acetaminophen group, acetaminophen + CoQ10 group, acetaminophen in toxic dose (500 mg/kg) orally, and acetaminophen + CoQ10 group, drenched with coenzymeQ10 (10 mg/kg) orally, then acetaminophen in toxic dose (500 mg/kg). Dosing continued for 30 days. Blood was collected for biochemical analysis of hepatic and renal biochemical parameters.

Results: Acetaminophen induced hepatic injury as measured by increased hepatic biochemical parameters "Total serum bilirubin (TSB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)" (p ≤ 0.05). The third group, which received acetaminophen plus CoQ10, had a significant decrease in hepatic biochemical markers(p ≤ 0.05). The drenched of acetaminophen increased (creatinine and albumin), whereas the treatment with CoQ10 reduced their levels.

Conclusion: Coenzyme Q10 can reduce the toxicity of acetaminophen overdose by acting as an antioxidant agent that reduces tissue and organ damage.

Background: Feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection, which can lead to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), poses significant risks to domestic and wild felids. Although FIP has been documented in various non-domestic species, no cases have been reported in the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana). This study presents the first confirmed case of FIP in a captive Persian leopard, highlighting the implications for the conservation of wildlife and One Health.

Case description: A 3-year-old female Persian leopard exhibited lethargy, watery diarrhea, hematochezia, and anorexia. The initial treatment with gentamicin resolved the gastrointestinal symptoms, but the systemic signs persisted. Molecular diagnostics (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction targeting the FCoV M gene) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) confirmed the presence of FCoV Postmortem examination revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation, vasculitis, and effusive fluid accumulation, consistent with FIP. Treatment with GS-441524, polyprenyl immunostimulant, and glucocorticoids was unsuccessful.

Conclusion: This case represents the first documented occurrence of FIP in a Persian leopard, highlighting the threat of FCoV to endangered felids. Enhanced surveillance and preventive measures in captive populations are urgently required.

Background: Augmentin is a common antibiotic used to treat infections. However, it may cause liver damage. Toxicity often involves oxidative stress and inflammation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and may help protect the liver.

Aim: This study aimed to assess whether NAC could reduce Augmentin-induced liver and bile duct injury.

Methods: Forty adult male rats were divided into four groups (T1, T2, T3, and T4). Group 1 was the control group. Group 2 received Augmentin (30 mg/kg/day). Group 3 received 150 mg/kg/day NAC. Group 4 received both NAC and Augmentin. Treatments lasted for 35 days. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and CYP7A1 were measured. Histopathology was also performed.

Results: Augmentin alone caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in TNF-α (13.82 ± 0.31), MDA (407.25 ± 10.65), and CYP7A1 (7.69 ± 0.48). GSH dropped to (9.10 ± 0.43). Liver tissues showed inflammation, sinusoidal venostasis, and bile duct damage. NAC-treated rats had significantly (p < 0.05) lower TNF-α (4.88-4.97), MDA (253.05-258.15), and CYP7A1 (4.30-4.38). GSH levels significantly (p < 0.05) increased to (15.58-17.02). Histology improved with NAC. Livers exhibited fewer cell injuries and a more normal architecture.

Conclusion: NAC reduced the oxidative stress and inflammation caused by Augmentin. It also protected the liver structure. These findings suggest that NAC is a useful supplement for preventing drug-induced liver injury.

Background: The microbiota of the external ear of cats comprises different types of bacteria that can change due to intrinsic or extrinsic factors. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) is predominant in the external ear of cats. Antibiotic-resistant CoNS associated with infectious pathologies has been reported in humans. The presence of antibiotic-resistant CoNS acting as reservoirs in the ears of healthy cats could represent a zoonotic risk. This has not yet been studied in Talca, Chile.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of CoNS strains obtained from the external ear of healthy cats in Talca, Chile, as a possible zoonotic risk.

Methods: Ear swabs were obtained from 31 healthy cats. Bacterial culture and morphological analysis were performed on the samples. MALDI-TOF was used to identify CoNS strains, which were tested against a panel of 11 antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Fisher's exact test was used to determine the association between the epidemiological variables of the patients and the antimicrobial susceptibility of CoNS strains.

Results: Nine CoNS strains were isolated from the ear of seven healthy cats (prevalence 22.58%). Staphylococcus simulans and Staphylococcus felis were the main species identified. Antimicrobial resistance was observed in 55.5% of the strains, mainly to oxacillin. Resistance to more than two antibiotics was observed in 22.2% of the strains. No association was found between the epidemiological variables of the patients and the antimicrobial susceptibility of the CoNS strains.

Conclusion: The ears of healthy cats can act as a reservoir for antibiotic-resistant CoNS, with a potential risk of transmission to humans. These preliminary results are the first to be reported in Talca, Chile.

The development and spread of superbugs, which are bacterial strains resistant to several types of antibiotics, threatening the lives of myriad people and animals worldwide, is one of the most concerning issues facing both global and animal health. Dairy animals are considered to be key reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which are closely correlated with the widespread and inappropriate application of antibiotics in agriculture and veterinary medicine, particularly for mastitis treatment. Although antimicrobial agents are administered in dairy farming for various conditions beyond mastitis, such as respiratory infections and digestive disorders, as well as prophylaxis and growth promotion, the most common reason for antimicrobial use in this industry is mastitis treatment. Since raw milk can be contaminated with opportunistic pathogens carrying antimicrobial resistance genes, these pathogens increase the gene pool from which pathogenic bacteria can acquire resistance traits. Indeed, these resistance genes may be horizontally transferred from livestock to human pathogens through mobile genetic elements through the consumption of raw milk. This phenomenon poses a global health threat, emphasizing the necessity of applying the "One Health" approach in global health and medicine to safeguard animal health and public health. Given the high prevalence and economic impact of mastitis and the evidence supporting mastitis as a major driver of antimicrobial use in dairy farming, this review summarizes recent genomic and metagenomic studies on major mastitis-causing pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., and Pseudomonas spp.) in dairy animals, detailing their primary resistance mechanisms. We highlight advanced surveillance tools, such as metagenomics, whole-genome sequencing, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, for the rapid detection of resistance genes and mobile elements in the dairy chain.

Background: Accurate measurement of plasma phenobarbital concentration is essential to optimize seizure control while minimizing the risk of toxicity. Although both on-site point-of-care (POC) and off-site reference laboratory analyzers are commonly used in clinical practice, notable discrepancies between their results have been observed.

Aim: The primary objective was to assess the agreement between an on-site POC analyzer (Catalyst One, IDEXX Laboratories) and an off-site reference laboratory analyzer (Cobas 6000 c501, Roche Diagnostics) for quantifying plasma phenobarbital concentrations in dogs and cats. A secondary objective was to investigate whether clinical or biological variables were associated with measurement discrepancies between the two analyzers.

Methods: This dual-institutional retrospective study included dogs and cats with plasma phenobarbital concentrations measured concomitantly from the same blood sample, both on-site using a POC analyzer and off-site using a reference laboratory analyzer. Data were collected between September 2023 and December 2024. Agreement between analyzers was assessed using Passing-Bablok regression, Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and Bland-Altman analysis. Associations between clinical or biological variables and measurement discrepancies were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation and Student's t-tests.

Results: Thirty-three paired phenobarbital concentrations were measured using both analyzers. Passing-Bablok regression and Lin's CCC showed that the two analyzers were not equivalent (systematic proportional bias) and demonstrated poor agreement (CCC = 0.74). Bland-Altman analysis revealed a mean positive bias of +22.50 µmol/l (p < 0.0001) between the POC and reference laboratory analyzers, with limits of agreement ranging from -13.5 to +58.5 µmol/l. Discrepancies in medical interpretation occurred in 30.3% of cases when using manufacturer-specific thresholds. No significant association was found between measurement differences and any assessed clinical or biological variable.

Conclusion: This study suggests that caution should be exercised when using both analyzers interchangeably in clinical practice. In most cases from this study's population, the POC analyzer yielded higher phenobarbital concentrations. Clinicians should consider these discrepancies and interpret phenobarbital levels with caution, especially when switching analyzers during therapeutic drug monitoring. Further research is warranted to explore the causes of these differences and assess their clinical relevance in a broader population.

Background: Enrofloxacin is one of the most used antibiotics for the treatment of respiratory and gastrointestinal tract diseases in poultry farming worldwide. Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) modeling is a strategy that allows dose optimization for antibiotic therapy by considering relevant bacteria's microbiological aspects.

Aim: This study aimed to establish a pharmacokinetic model of enrofloxacin in broilers using a nonlinear mixed-effects Model and predict the effectiveness of various oral dosing regimens across a distribution of E. coli minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for two PK/PD targets (fAUC₂₄/MIC ≥ 125 and fAUC₂₄/MIC = 28.32).

Methods: A PK model was constructed using the Monolix 2024R1 software based on previously published data, which involved 12 clinically healthy male Cobb broilers (38-40 days old, 2.27 ± 0.95 kg). This model served as the basis for Monte Carlo simulations (single oral dose of 10, 20, 30, and 50 mg/kg) and the probability of target attainment (PTA) analysis. The PTA for each protocol was evaluated according to the distribution of MICs considering two PK/PD targets to ensure a comprehensive assessment of treatment efficacy.

Results: The best-fit PK model that evaluated the PK of enrofloxacin following intravenous and oral administration was a two-compartment model with first-order absorption and linear elimination. Given the calculated epidemiological cutoff value of 0.125 μg/ml, a dose of 10 mg/kg is adequate for the fAUC₂₄/MIC ≥ 28.32 target, but insufficient for the fAUC₂₄/MIC ≥ 125 target, which requires a higher dose of 20 mg/kg.

Conclusion: The PK/PD approach applied in Cobb broiler chickens demonstrates the potential for dose optimization based on MIC distribution, supporting Antimicrobial Stewardship efforts. However, further complementary studies are required to evaluate the predictive capabilities of these indices and to establish the optimal PK/PD targets for in vivo efficacy.

Background: Olive oil and Nigella sativa oil are recognized for their lipid-lowering effects and antioxidant properties. Limited comparative data are available on their effects in mice without any dietary intervention.

Aim: This study assesses the impact of olive oil and N. sativa oil on the serum lipid profiles of mice without any other dietary intervention or hyperlipidemia induction.

Methods: Fifteen male Swiss mice were randomly divided into three groups of 5 each. The control group was orally administered with 5 ml/kg of body weight/day of sunflower oil for 60 consecutive days. The doses of olive oil and N. sativa oil were at 0.4 ml/kg of body weight/day for 60 consecutive days, orally, after mixing them separately with the vehicle, sunflower oil, up to 5 ml/kg. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, blood samples were obtained from the heart of each mouse, and the serum was used for lipid profile analyses using analytical kits.

Results: Both olive oil and N. sativa oil significantly (p < 0.05) decreased serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL in comparison with those of control values. Treatments significantly increased serum HDL levels compared with the control value. Changes in lipid profiles were not significantly different between the olive oil and N. sativa oil groups. The ratios of cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL versus HDL of mice treated with olive oil and N. sativa oil were all significantly below the respective control values as a result of reducing lipid profiles and increasing HDL levels.

Conclusion: Olive oil and N. sativa oil can significantly improve blood lipid levels in mice, particularly by lowering atherogenic lipids and increasing HDL. These changes result in favorable cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratios, which play an important role in lowering cardiovascular disease risk and highlight the potential therapeutic and possibly protective benefits of these oils in managing lipid disorders.

Background: Thermosensory receptors in cutaneous tissues regulate body temperature. The mouse tail contains a dense network of sensory neurons that participate in temperature detection. Histological mapping of these receptors remains limited.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the histological features, neural pathways, and gene activity related to thermosensory function in the dorsal tail skin of mice.

Methods: Eighteen male Bagg Albino (BALB)/c mice were used. The tail skin was exposed to cold or warm stimulation. Samples were collected from the skin, spinal cord, and hypothalamus. Hematoxylin and eosin and silver staining were performed. Immunofluorescence was used to identify TRPM8- and TRPV1-positive neurons. ChIP-qPCR was used to assess histone modifications. Gene expression for TRPM8 and TRPV1 was analyzed by RT-qPCR. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure neuropeptides.

Results: Histology revealed thicker dermal layers and visible vascular and nerve changes in both cold- and heat-treated skin compared with controls. Silver staining revealed increased nerve fiber (NF) density in stimulated groups. Immunofluorescence confirmed significant TRPM8 expression after cold exposure and TRPV1 expression after heat exposure, localized along dermal NFs. RT-qPCR showed a clear, significant upregulation of TRPM8 and TRPV1 genes. ChIP-qPCR revealed significantly increased histone acetylation (H3K27ac) and decreased methylation (H3K9me3) in the hypothalamus after stimulation, indicating chromatin activation. HPLC results showed elevated levels of Substance P and β-Endorphin in stimulated tissues.

Conclusion: Thermal stimulation activates both peripheral and central pathways involving thermoreceptors, neuropeptides, and gene regulation. This study also shows how simple thermal exposure can alter nerve density and neurochemical signals. Thermal stimuli activate clear histological, molecular, and epigenetic responses in BALB/c mice that link the skin and brain.

Background: Giardia is the most prevalent flagellated protozoan in humans and other mammals. It causes significant economic losses in livestock, including water buffaloes.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence rate of Giardia intestinalis in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) using microscopic and molecular techniques and to detect the genotypes of Giardia isolates from water buffaloes in Iraq.

Methods: A total of 180 fecal samples (82 males, 98 females) were collected from water buffaloes in the Babylon province. The microscopic method was used to determine the infection rate of G. intestinalis in water buffalo in the Babylon province. DNA was extracted using the fecal lysis procedure and proteinase K, nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify the prevalence of Giardia assemblages in water buffalo, targeting the triose phosphate isomerase (TPI) gene. Ten PCR-positive samples were sent for sequence analysis.

Results: The infection rate of G. intestinalis was 13.88% using the conventional microscopic method and 30.55% using nested PCR in water buffalo. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of Giardia between males (29.26%) and females (31.63%). The largest infection rate was observed in buffaloes aged 1 year (34.24%), while the lowest was observed in those aged 3 years (26.66%). Phylogenetic analysis identified two genotypes of G. intestinalis, assemblages A and B, in Iraqi water buffaloes.

Conclusion: The identification of G. intestinalis assemblages A and B in buffalo indicated that buffalo acts as a reservoir host and may be a source of zoonotic transmission.