Veterinary Medicine International最新文献

Background: Informal livestock slaughter is a common and legal practice in South Africa. It is performed by untrained community members permitted for cultural and religious purposes and for weddings, funerals, and subsistence. It is exempted from official meat inspection.

Objective: To investigate the practice of informal livestock slaughter in small-scale farmers in south and eastern Gauteng Province with regard to the frequency and the associated zoonotic risk factors with an emphasis on brucellosis.

Methodology: During the period 2017-2018, structured interviews were conducted in one-on-one sessions during which a pre-tested questionnaire was completed. The questionnaire covered demographics, livestock information, informal slaughter practices, and veterinary public health and was delivered in one of the locally spoken languages.

Results: A total of 108 participants were enrolled in the study but not all questions were answered by each respondent. Informal livestock slaughter, predominantly of cattle, was commonly practiced by 64.0% of respondents at least once per year, with higher frequencies reported among younger individuals (< 36 years). In most cases (86.2%), the slaughter was performed by the farmers themselves or a family member. Cultural and religious events, weddings, or funerals were the most common purposes (59.0%), followed by home consumption (26.0%) and sale of products (9.1%). Personal protective equipment was used by 59.1% of participants overall, with the lowest usage observed among younger individuals (18-35 years; 38.5%).Offal, including lymph nodes, is consumed regularly and mostly cooked, but occasionally raw. Some respondents reported slaughtering sick animals and consuming abnormally appearing organ parts.

Conclusions: This first structured survey of informal slaughter risk factors in Gauteng identified multiple practices that pose risks for the zoonotic transmission of Brucella and other food-borne pathogens associated with informal livestock slaughter. The findings highlight the need for education of livestock owners on the disease prevention and transmission as well as the development of relevant national guidelines alongside the Meat Safety Act.

Treating various wounds is one of the challenges that researchers are working on to find innovative ways to shorten and accelerate healing. Various materials have been used for this purpose, including those from the submucosal layer of certain animals, such as the calf bladder used in this study. Since extracellular matrix (ECM) contains many components that are important for the healing process, such as collagen, laminin, and hyaluronic acid, it has the potential to accelerate wound healing. The study used twelve adult rabbits. After surgical preparation, a 2 × 2 cm square wound was made on each side of the animal's body behind the costal arch in the upper abdomen. The wound on the right side was washed with normal saline only as a control group, and the wound on the left side was treated with a dry decellularized ECM. Fresh urinary bladders were collected from slaughtered calves and prepared through mechanical and chemical processes for decellularization. Excess collagenous connective and adipose tissues were removed from the bladder's external surfaces. The submucosal layer, tunica serosa, and tunica muscular were carefully removed using a knife. The resulting sheet of submucosal bladder was then soaked in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at a pH of 7.4, which contained penicillin (100 IU/mL), streptomycin (100 μg/mL), and amphotericin (100 μg/mL). The decellularized bladder matrix (UBM) was treated with a mixture of 0.1% peracetic acid (PAA) and 4% ethanol, shaking the solution for 2 h at room temperature. The wound was covered with a sterile gauze until the seventh postwounding day (PWD), when the wound was measured, and samples were collected for histopathological examination. Additional samples were collected for histopathological examination at the 14th and 21st PWDs. Visual inspection, wound size measurement, and histopathological examination of both groups revealed that the ECM scaffold had a significant effect on accelerating healing compared with the control group starting from the seventh PWD. The percentage of wound contraction was clearly in favor of the treatment group compared to that of the control group. At the end of the experiment, the epidermal layer and rete ridge were completely thick, with fibroplasia of the dermal layer in the treated group, while in the control group, there was fibrosis in the subcutaneous tissue, and granulation tissue consisting of blood vessels, fibroblasts, and collagen fibers infiltrated with mononuclear cells, but there was no rete bridge. In conclusion, the use of ECM scaffolds plays an important role in accelerating wound healing, making its use advantageous in open wounds.

Mycotoxins cause significant economic losses in poultry. This study evaluates the ability of a commercial mycotoxin adsorbent to bind toxins in vitro and its effects at different concentrations on broiler chickens exposed to low levels of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and fumonisin B₁ (FB₁). In vitro study: standard solutions of AFB₁ and FB₁ were prepared in buffer solutions at pH 2 and 5. Two concentrations were used: AFB₁ (20 and 50 μg/kg) and FB₁ (5 and 20 mg/kg). An artificial intestinal fluid was used; pH was adjusted to 5 to simulate the intestinal environment. The adsorbent (1%) was incubated with 1 mL of the artificial intestinal fluid containing each toxin. After being centrifuged, they were analyzed by HPLC. In vivo study with the following four treatments (35 broiler chickens each) was included: G1 negative group: basal diet (BD) without mycotoxins or any adsorbent; G2 positive group: BD + AFB₁ (37.88 μg/kg) + FB₁ (7.3 mg/kg); G3 adsorbent group A1: BD + AFB₁ (54.85 μg/kg) + FB₁ (8.1 mg/kg) + 1 kg/t adsorbent; and G4 adsorbent group A2: BD + AFB₁ (40.9 μg/kg) + FB₁ (8.1 mg/kg) + 2 kg/t adsorbent. Over 42 days, productive parameters, carcass yield, intestinal histomorphometry, liver histopathology, liver fat content, volatile fatty acid concentration (VFA), and genotoxicity were evaluated. In vitro, the mycotoxin adsorbent shows a higher percentage of adsorption for AFB₁, followed by FB₁. In vivo, there were no significant differences in productive parameters overall (p ≥ 0.001), but G3 showed improved growth and feed conversion compared to G2. G2 exhibited liver damage, increased liver fat, and reduced intestinal villus length and crypt depth, which was moderated in G3/G4. G3 showed elevated VFA levels. Mycotoxins induced DNA damage, whereas A1/A2 provided protective effects. According to our results, we observed that the commercial adsorbent effectively adsorbs mycotoxins in vitro and improves the parameters evaluated in the chronic co-occurrence of AFB₁ and FB₁, depending on the dose used.

The aim of this study was to provide a descriptive three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT)-based visualization of the spatial relationships between the brain and the skull in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius), using virtual anatomical sections. The study was conducted on the head of a single 18-month-old male dromedary obtained postmortem following slaughter for human consumption. CT images were acquired and processed using 3D reconstruction techniques to generate axial, sagittal, and dorsal virtual sections. These reconstructions illustrate the organization of cranial bones, paranasal sinuses, major brain regions, and intracranial spaces, highlighting their spatial integration. Rather than aiming at morphometric or population-based analysis, this atlas-style approach focuses on anatomical topography and educational value. Although limited to a single specimen, the study provides a useful visual reference for veterinary anatomy teaching, comparative neuroanatomy, and clinical imaging interpretation in camelids.

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) constitutes one of the most significant poxvirus infections impacting livestock and has a high morbidity rate and a comparatively low mortality rate. This study was designed to elucidate the epidemiology and the molecular analysis of LSDV using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the extracellular enveloped viral (EEV) glycoprotein gene. Out of 470, 167 cows from 10 herds exhibited typical signs of LSD in four governorates in Egypt (Al-Sharkia, Al-Ismailia, Al-Menofia, and Al-Beheira) during recent outbreak in summer 2025. The morbidity, mortality rate, and case fatality rates were 35.53% (167/470), 5.32% (25/470), and 14.97% (25/167), respectively. The univariable logistic regression result demonstrated that age of the animal, grazing system, water source, and introduction of new animals without quarantine were significant predictors for the outbreak of LSD. Vaccination of the animals with using fly repellent was recommended to control the disease. Sixty-nine out of 82 (84.1%) developed pock lesions on chorioallantoic membrane, while 75 out of 82 (91.46%) had cytopathic effects on Madin-Darby Bovine Kidney cell line. Twenty-two out of 23 (95.65%) samples tested positive for PCR at 958 base pair. The partial sequence of 3 samples and ARRIAH LSD VAC was translated into amino acids revealing a distinct 27-nucleotide insertion with substitution of 11 nucleotides when compared to ARRIAH LSD VAC; consequently, there was a variation in more than 10 amino acids. The field isolates presented single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at position 54 G (ZAG-LSD3)/A (ISM-LSD1 and MNF-LSD2), exhibiting a high degree of nucleotide similarity with a virulent strain from Egypt, India, and Austria. Furthermore, the partial sequence of the EEV glycoprotein gene possesses the capacity to implement the differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA) strategy when utilized alongside the ARRIAH LSD VAC, which has recently been employed in Egypt.

Gallibacterium anatis (G. anatis) is associated with decreased egg production and respiratory disorders in chickens. The presence of G. anatis in Indonesia has not been reported. This study aimed to identify G. anatis both phenotypically and genotypically in layer, broiler, and breeder chicken from farms in West Java. A total of 23 suspected gallibacteriosis cases were collected from chickens exhibiting respiratory and reproductive disorders between May 2020 and October 2023. Phenotypic characterization was conducted using blood agar culture, Gram staining, and biochemical tests (catalase, oxidase, and TSIA). Genotypic identification of G. anatis was performed using PCR targeting the 16S-23S rRNA gene, followed by detection of virulence genes (gtxA, flfA, and gyrB). Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were carried out using BLAST program and MEGA 7. Among the 23 collected samples, 17 samples showed phenotypic characteristics of G. anatis, and 14 of these isolates (73.9%) were confirmed molecularly. Virulence genes profiling revealed the presence of gyrB (100%), gtxA (93.3%), and flfA (71.4%). Sequence analysis demonstrated more than 98.65% similarity between all isolates and reference G. anatis strains in GenBank, supporting accurate species identification. This study provides the molecular evidence of G. anatis in layer, breeder, and broiler chickens from farms in West Java, Indonesia. The detection of key virulence genes further indicates the pathogen's potential role in reduced production and respiratory disease in Indonesian poultry. These findings highlight the importance of routine surveillance and molecular diagnostics to support early detection and control strategies for gallibacteriosis in commercial poultry populations.

Ticks are major ectoparasites of cattle and vectors of zoonotic and livestock diseases. Reliance on synthetic acaricides like diazinon has led to environmental concerns and rising resistance, prompting the search for ecofriendly alternatives. This in vitro study evaluated the acaricidal activity of Croton macrostachyus, Ricinus communis, and their combined extracts against Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma ticks. Adult ticks were exposed to serially diluted concentrations (125, 250, 500, and 1000 μg/mL) of plant extracts. Dimethyl sulfoxide and 0.1% diazinon served as negative and positive controls, respectively. Triplicate independent replication sets were performed. Both plant extracts exhibited significant (p < 0.05), dose- and time-dependent mortality. Croton macrostachyus showed higher activity against Amblyomma (66.7 ± 1.53%) than Rhipicephalus (63.3 ± 1.16%) at 1000 μg/mL, while Ricinus communis conferred higher activity, achieving 80.0 ± 1.00% (Amblyomma) and 73.3 ± 0.58% (Rhipicephalus) mortality-outperforming diazinon (70.0 ± 1.0%). Notably, the combined extract demonstrated synergistic effects with the highest mortality (83.3 ± 0.58%), indicating enhanced activity over the commercial acaricide. The moderate performance of diazinon supports concerns over acaricide resistance in the study area. Further in vivo trials and toxicity evaluations are essential before declaring the extracts as antitick.

Periodontal disease is a highly prevalent condition in dogs; however, information on subgingival bacterial composition and antimicrobial susceptibility remains limited, particularly in South America. This study evaluated the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of subgingival bacteria isolated from dogs with periodontitis. Samples were collected from 49 dogs with clinical signs of periodontal disease attending veterinary clinics in Piura, northern Peru. Aerobic, facultative anaerobic, and strict anaerobic bacteria were isolated and identified using culture-based methods, and antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method against clindamycin, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, and cephalexin. A total of 305 pure colonies were isolated, of which 55% corresponded to aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria and 45% to strict anaerobes. Eighteen genera of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria and thirteen genera of strict anaerobes were identified, with Staphylococcus aureus and Porphyromonas gingivalis being the most frequently isolated species. High levels of antimicrobial resistance were observed, particularly to metronidazole (87.9%), while resistance to ciprofloxacin was low (10.49%). Resistance to clindamycin, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, doxycycline, and cephalexin ranged between 50% and 70%. These findings highlight the limited effectiveness of commonly prescribed antimicrobials for canine periodontal disease and underscore the risks associated with empirical antibiotic use in veterinary dentistry. The study provides the first regional evidence of antimicrobial resistance patterns in subgingival bacteria from dogs with periodontitis. The results support the need for culture-guided therapy, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship strategies in routine veterinary dental practice.

This study describes the clinical and radiographical findings of hypertrophic osteopathy in 5 female mature adult dogs with pulmonary and mediastinal masses. Besides, the literature review from the past to today provides information about the disease.

In Ethiopia, the reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle utilizing artificial insemination (AI) is low, and implementing estrus and ovulation synchronization protocols could enhance the efficiency. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of progesterone (P4) supplementation during Co-Synch on estrus response (ER) and pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in crossbred dairy cattle breed in Southwestern Ethiopia. In the trial, heifers and cows (n = 120) were enrolled in the study. All animals received 100 μg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and had a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID) inserted intravaginally on Day 0. On Day 7, they received 25 mg of prostaglandin (PGF2α), followed by the removal of the PRID. On Day 9, animals received 100 μg of GnRH concurrent with insemination. Estrus signs were monitored to assess heat response during morning and evening for at least 30 min at approximately 12-h intervals from PRID removal on Days 7 through 9. Trans-rectal ultrasonography was used to diagnose pregnancy 60 days after AI. The P/AI was recorded as the total number of pregnant females from the total number of animals involved in the synchronization program. A logistic regression analysis was performed to test the effectiveness of the treatment on ER and PR. 80% of animals showed ER to the treatment. A greater percentage of primiparous cows (93.33%) responded to the treatment, followed by heifers (83.33%), while the lowest response was seen in cows with a parity of 3 (66.67%). A total of 59.17% of the overall P/AI was achieved. The P/AI was affected by parity; a higher P/AI was obtained from the primiparous group. Statistically, no bull or BCS effect on P/AI was observed in the current study. Supplementation of P4 improved pregnancy outcomes, surpassing the national average, suggesting the protocol's success in synchronizing estrus and ovulation among crossbred cows and heifers.