Open Veterinary Journal最新文献

Background: Antibiotics are widely used in veterinary medicine; consequently, drug residues may remain in animal-based foods and cause adverse health effects in consumers. Thus, this study aimed to establish a screening method for residual investigation in different types of meat.

Aim: This study aimed to develop and validate a high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet method for the simultaneous determination of ciprofloxacin (CI), enrofloxacin (EN), doxycycline (DOX), and chloramphenicol (CAM) in poultry, red meat, and fish products and to investigate their residues in different meat samples.

Methods: The targeted analytes with ondansetron as an internal standard were extracted from various meat matrices using acetonitrile in a single process step. Separation was achieved using an ACE^®️ C₁₈ column (10 cm, 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm) with a mobile phase of 0.2% formic acid: acetonitrile (22:78, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.7 ml/minute. Detection was performed at a fixed wavelength of 280 nm with a runtime of 10 minutes. The developed method was validated for selectivity, linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, and recovery following the European guideline EMA 2012. To evaluate the presence of the targeted antibiotic residues, 13 poultry, 25 red meat, and 3 fish samples were randomly collected from the local market.

Results: The validation results for each analyte met the acceptable criteria. The targeted analytes exhibited a linear curve over the dynamic range of 10-1,000 ng/g for CI and EN, 80-8,000 ng/g for DOX, and 50-500 ng/g for CAM. Most of the randomly collected poultry and red meat samples contained CI residues. A few samples contained EN and DOX residues, whereas no CAM was detected in any of the collected samples.

Conclusion: The developed method was successfully validated and applied to investigate antibiotic residues in various meat types.

Background: The overuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents contribute to the development of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial drugs, complicating the treatment of common infectious diseases. Antimicrobial resistance is recognized as a serious threat to human and animal health and economic well-being worldwide. A comprehensive approach is proposed to minimize the spread of antibiotic resistance, including understanding of the characteristics of antibiotic use by veterinarians.

Aim: This study aimed to determine Russian veterinarians' level of knowledge and attitudes toward the problem of antibiotic resistance and to identify factors influencing the choice of antimicrobials as a therapeutic agent.

Methods: A total of 250 people were interviewed. Respondents filled out online Google questionnaires. The data were stored electronically in a Microsoft Excel database, where statistical analysis was also performed.

Results: In total, 93.2% of veterinarians use antibiotics in their veterinary practice. The results of laboratory tests (41.2%) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (40.0%) are the most important factors influencing the choice of antibiotic. Moreover, 76.0% of veterinarians agreed that inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance, and 81.6% agreed that many infections are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotic treatment. The respondents considered the following measures to control antibiotic resistance to be very important: limiting unnecessary treatment (64.8%), providing postgraduate education for veterinarians (62.0%), educating farmers/animal owners (58.8%), and forbidding the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in farm animals (57.2%). 52.4% of veterinarians answered that the veterinary clinic where they work has a protocol for the use of antibiotics.

Conclusion: This research is aimed at identifying areas for improvement in the rationalization of antibiotic use in Russian veterinary practice, including previously adopted measures. The following areas can be suggested for improvement: insufficient level of knowledge of veterinarians about the problem of antibiotic resistance; insufficient availability of information for veterinarians about the profile of bacteria in various infectious diseases of animals, measures for the rational use of antibiotics, and the availability of alternative treatment methods (without the use of antibiotics); and reliable, inexpensive, and rapid methods for determining the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics.

Background: Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) pose a global threat to avian and human health, with wild migratory birds being recognized as major natural reservoirs and vectors of viral dissemination. Libya, with its diverse wetlands and geographic positioning along key migratory routes, serves as a critical stopover for numerous bird species, presenting a potential hotspot for AIV transmission.

Aim: This study aimed to detect the presence of type A influenza virus in wild migratory birds in eastern Libya using reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and evaluate the role of AIV in the ecology and surveillance of the region.

Methods: From June to October 2024, 72 nasopharyngeal, cloacal, and fresh fecal swabs were collected from various species of wild migratory birds across key wetlands and lakes in eastern Libya. The morphological identification and characterization of the bird were performed. Detection of the matrix gene of AIV was conducted using the SVIP-MPv2 assay for the detection of type A influenza virus with primers and probe for H5 subtype detection adapted from validated protocols.

Results: Among the 72 tested samples, one cloacal swab collected from a Eurasian teal (Anas crecca) tested positive for type A influenza virus, whereas the remaining 71 samples were negative. The positive case highlights the silent circulation of AIV among asymptomatic wild birds in the region. Clinical examinations during sampling confirmed no visible signs of illness, such as respiratory distress, lethargy, or neurological symptoms in the positive teal, consistent with typical LPAI reservoir behavior in waterfowl. However, follow-up RT-qPCR testing for the H5 subtype was negative, indicating a non-H5 influenza A strain.

Conclusion: The detection of AIV in a migratory bird in Libya highlights the importance of continued surveillance in wild avian populations, especially in ecologically sensitive areas along migratory pathways. Early detection through molecular diagnostics is essential for informing public health strategies and mitigating the transmission risk to domestic poultry populations. Future efforts should prioritize the continued monitoring of AIV, with particular emphasis on the detection of H7 and H9 subtypes, using a larger sample size to enhance surveillance efforts.

Background: In congestive heart failure (CHF), the heart cannot deliver sufficient blood for the metabolic needs of the tissues, leading to vascular changes and organ dysfunction (e.g., kidney and liver).

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the current standard therapy on kidney and liver hemodynamic changes in dogs with congestive heart failure.

Methods: Renal and hepatic Doppler ultrasonography was performed in 15 dogs diagnosed with stage C and D heart failure according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine classification. As a current standard therapy, pimobendan, enalapril, and furosemide were administered to dogs for 4 weeks. Doppler ultrasound findings and serum biochemistry values of the patients were evaluated before and at weeks 1, 2, or 4 of treatment. The control group consisted of 10 healthy dogs.

Results: Heart failure was diagnosed in the dogs by an echocardiographic evaluation. The values of hepatic and renal resistive index, renal pulsatility index, and hepatic vein systole-diastole ratio were deteriorated in the dogs with CHF compared with those in the healthy control group (p < 0.05). Hemodynamic abnormalities in the kidney and liver started to recover after a 2-week treatment period.

Conclusion: Doppler ultrasonography findings demonstrated that heart failure worsens the vascular hemodynamics of the kidney and liver in dogs. Congestive heart failure treatment may improve the cardiorenal and cardiohepatic changes due to CHF.

Background: Canine thymoma (CT) is the most common neoplastic disease of the cranial intrathoracic cavity. Reports of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery-thymectomy (VATS-T) in dogs are increasing, but the surgical indication criteria remain unclear. This report highlights the value of a new criterion called the thymoma volume to cranial intrathoracic volume ratio (T/CI ratio) for evaluating the feasibility of VATS-T.

Case description: A neutered 9-year-old Papillon weighing 3.5 kg had a mass of approximately 20 mm in the cranial intrathoracic cavity. The dog was in good general condition and had no clinical symptoms. Computed tomography revealed a solitary mass with clear boundaries and weak contrast enhancement. The T/CI ratio obtained from CT examination was 2.4%. The dog underwent thoracoscopic tumor resection. Pathological examination revealed that the tumor was a thymoma. The dog was discharged without any postoperative complications. The T/CI ratios obtained from CT data of dogs of the same breed and weight, which ranged from 1.1% to 4.1%, were calculated based on previous reports that measured the volume of thymomas.

Conclusion: The T/CI ratio may serve as a new objective criterion for evaluating the relationship between cranial intrathoracic volume and thymoma volume for VATS-T, regardless of dog body size. Although this case demonstrates a promising correlation between the CT-based T/CI ratio and the feasibility of VATS-T, the findings are limited to a single case. Further studies involving a larger number of patients are necessary to validate this observation.

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes several infections, particularly in hospitals and food-borne settings.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the presence of K. pneumoniae in human clinical samples and raw meat from local markets. It also focused on evaluating the antimicrobial resistance patterns, resistance genes, and virulence-related markers.

Methods: A total of 198 samples, including 96 from human burns and 102 from raw lamb meat, were analyzed. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated and identified using cultural and biochemical tests, followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmation of the 16S rRNA gene. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed using the disk diffusion method, and conventional PCR was used to detect nine resistance genes and six virulence genes. Genetic similarity among isolates was determined using Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus Polymerase Chain Reaction (ERIC-PCR).

Results: Of the total samples, 73 were positive for K. pneumoniae, including 37 human isolates and 36 meat isolates. All isolates exhibited high resistance to ampicillin (100%), cefotaxime (94.52%), and erythromycin (89.04%). Common resistance genes included blaTEM (91.78%), sul1 (72.60%), and tetA (57.53%). Virulence genes, such as fimH and use, were also found to be widespread. ERIC-PCR revealed several clusters that contained both human and meat isolates, indicating genetic similarity.

Conclusion: These findings confirm the circulation of multidrug-resistant and virulent K. pneumoniae strains across food and human sources. The genetic overlap between sources suggests that food is a potential transmission route. Continuous surveillance and responsible antibiotic use are essential for minimizing public health risks and improving health procedures.

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a highly contagious disease of the upper respiratory tract in chickens. The Gallid alpha herpesvirus type 1, also commonly known as ILT virus (ILTV), causes ILT. Although ILT was first reported in the United States in 1925, it has also been reported in other countries/regions of the world, including Australia, Asia, and Europe. The outcome of infection can be influenced by several factors, including the host's age, exposure route, pathogenicity of the challenging virus, and initial viral load. In infected chickens, rough lesions are detected on the conjunctiva and throughout the respiratory system, but they are most commonly seen in the trachea and larynx. Other typical signs of the illness in poultry birds are expectoration of bloody mucus, severe dyspnea, coughing, gasping, and rales. Avian cell lines and embryodized chicken eggs are commonly used to isolate ILTV. Three types of ILT are associated with this infection: acute, chronic, and peracute. Chickens contract ILTV through the eyes and upper respiratory tracts. The main pathway by which ILTV is spread in poultry is through direct or indirect contact with sick/infected poultry birds, such as chickens and turkeys. No medication has been proven to be successful in curtailing clinical signs or lesion severity. Vaccination can prevent ILTV infection. Several biological and ecological characteristics of ILTV make its eradication from intensive poultry production locations quite likely. ILT is deemed a serious concern for poultry health, including its significant economic impact on the poultry industry. Therefore, this review highlights important comprehensive information regarding the impact of ILT in poultry, a major source of protein. In addition, a deeper understanding of the causes, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ILT in poultry birds was comprehensively discussed.

Background: The metabolism of toxins after ingestion by animals involves transformation into various metabolites with different levels of toxicity. Aflatoxin B1 undergoes biotransformation into various compounds in the mitochondria that are closely related to its toxic effects. Capsicum annuum L. or chili is a plant that produces a spicy taste and sharp aroma produced by capsaicinoid compounds. Capsaicin in vitro has been shown to have effects on various cell types, including prostate cells, cells that undergo proliferation in the stomach, and hepatocytes, without causing significant side effects on normal cells.

Aim: This study aimed to determine whether capsaicin inhibits the expression of alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase 1(AKT1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) target proteins in vivo by scoring using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and histopathological hepatic staining hematoxylin-eosin (HE).

Methods: IHC was performed by counting the number of transformed cells using monoclonal antibodies and liver pathogenicity was assessed by scoring hepatic lesions (congestion, degeneration, and necrosis) using HE staining preparations.

Results: Capsaicin treatment significantly reduced liver damage and aflatoxin B1-induced protein expression. Histopathological scores for degeneration, congestion, and necrosis were significantly lower in the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) + capsaicin group (P3: 15.42 ± 0.65, 15.50 ± 0.50, 15.50 ± 0.58) than in the AFB1-only group (P2: 21.50 ± 0.57 for all variables; p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that capsaicin co-treatment decreased AKT1 (P3: 16.33 ± 0.69 vs. P2: 19.75 ± 0.56) and MAPK1 expression (P3: 13.83 ± 0.61 vs. P2: 20.00 ± 0.34), with a statistically significant reduction in MAPK1 expression (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Capsaicin demonstrated a protective effect by reducing liver damage and downregulating AKT1 and MAPK1 expression in mice with aflatoxin B1-induced hepatotoxicity.

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic disease that is widespread worldwide and considered one of the most common tropical diseases in some countries. Accurate serological distribution and risk factors for animal and human parasite infection in Baghdad city/Iraq have not been adequately studied despite the importance of such studies.

Aim: This study aimed to identify the Toxoplasma hemoparasite and potential risk factors of Toxoplasma parasite infection in sheep, goats, cattle, and buffaloes in the Abu Guraib area west of Baghdad city using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Methods: In total, 110 serum samples were randomly collected from 15 sheep, 46 goats, 27 cattle, and 22 buffalos of different ages during December 1, 2023 to December 1, 2024 in the Abu Guraib area west of Baghdad city. For identification using an indirect ELISA test.

Results: The results presented 94 (85.45%) positive serum samples for Toxoplasma gondii in all animals included in this study were in sheep 15 (93.33%), goats 46 (86.95%), cattle 27 (81.48%), and buffalos 22 (81.18%). The highest prevalence rate was observed in sheep, and there was no significant difference between different animals, whereas there was high significant difference at (p ≤ 0.05) between females and males in all animals.

Conclusion: This study concluded that the infection rate was high with T. gondii in sheep, goats, cattle, and buffaloes, indicating contamination with the parasite in livestock in the Abu Guraib area west of Baghdad city and may be a risk factor for infection in humans by consumption of meat from these animals.

Background: Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), particularly those encoded by the cefotaxime (CTX-M) gene family, represent a significant threat to antimicrobial resistance. Ducks sold in traditional markets have been identified as active reservoirs of ESBL-producing bacteria, including those harboring CTX-M genes.

Aim: This study aimed to molecularly detect the CTX-M gene, which encodes ESBL-producing bacteria, in ducks sold in traditional markets in Surabaya, Indonesia.

Methods: A total of 144 samples were used. The isolation and identification of Escherichia coli bacteria were 83.33% (120/144) using eosin methylene blue agar media (Oxoid, England), biochemical tests, including triple sugar iron agar, Simmons citrate agar, and Indole, Methyl Red, Voges-Proskauer, and Citrate utilization tests media, such as sulfide indole motility, methyl red, and Voges-Proskauer. Isolates were positive for multidrug resistance and then subjected to the double disk synergy test. Strains that were ESBL in the double disc synergy test (DDST) test were then subjected to molecular testing of the CTX-M gene.

Results: The multidrug resistant (MDR) test obtained results from 14 MDR isolates from 144 tested samples. ESBL detection was performed using the DDST, which showed that 50% (7/14) of the samples were positive for ESBL. Polymerase chain reaction test confirmation showed that 71.4% (5/7) of the samples were positive for the CTX-M gene. The resistance profile indicates high resistance to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and erythromycin.

Conclusion: This study confirmed the presence of the CTX-M gene encoding ESBL-producing bacteria in duck cloacal swabs from traditional markets in Surabaya, highlighting the actual role of these ducks as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance.