Veterinary Medicine International最新文献

Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) is a high-protein insect species with a favorable amino acid and fatty acid profile, widely recognized as an alternative to soybean meal in nonruminant diets. However, research on its use in ruminant nutrition remains limited, particularly regarding its effects on feed efficiency and performance. This study evaluated the impact of completely replacing soybean meal with cricket meal on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, microbial populations, and growth performance in Thai native beef cattle. Eight male Thai native beef cattle (150 ± 15 kg; ∼2 years old) were used in a completely randomized design with two dietary treatments (n = 4 per group). One group received a conventional soybean meal-based diet, while the other received a diet in which 100% of the soybean meal was replaced with cricket meal at an inclusion level of 12% of dry matter. Both diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Feed intake was similar between treatments. Crude protein digestibility was higher in the cricket meal group (67.5%) compared to the soybean meal group (63.7%; p = 0.04), while other digestibility parameters showed no differences. Blood metabolites, rumen fermentation characteristics, and microbial populations were unaffected by dietary treatment. Cattle fed the cricket meal-based diet showed greater average daily gain (+55.7%; p = 0.02) and a 32.9% improvement in feed conversion ratio (p = 0.02) compared to cattle fed the soybean meal-based diet. These results suggest that cricket meal can serve as a complete replacement for soybean meal in beef cattle diets, enhancing protein digestibility and growth performance without compromising rumen function.

Giraffe skin disease (GSD) is an emerging skin condition mainly affecting adult and subadult populations of free-ranging giraffe, including Masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi) in the southern and northern protected areas (PAs) in Tanzania. Even though GSD has been described in Tanzania, the specific involvement of the spirurid nematode as the underlying cause of the lesions has been suggested but not definitively established. This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize spirurid nematodes associated with GSD lesions by analyzing 10 skin biopsies collected between October and November 2022. Histopathological examination revealed spirurid larvae in 6 out of 10 skin biopsies, with variable numbers found within the dermis, alongside the presence of clear vacuoles, eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and fibrous connective tissue. Three biopsies tested positive for the 28S rDNA using a conventional polymerase chain reaction and provided a sequence of Thelazia spp. submitted in GenBank (accession no. 0R466406). The phylogenetic tree showed close similarity to T. callipaeda (99.11%, accession no. MF953480, and 99.38% accession no. MK214873, respectively). This study has shown the presence of the Spirurida, Thelaziidae worm in skin lesions of Masai giraffes affected by GSD. Specifically, this research documents the occurrence of T. callipaeda in the skin lesions providing valuable insight into parasitic involvement. Despite these findings, the mechanisms by which the nematode is transmitted to the giraffe's skin remain unknown. Further study is required to understand the impact of Thelazia callipaeda on both GSD and non-GSD giraffes to better understand the potential cause of GSD.

The present study explores alternatives to antibiotics for poultry farms. The aims of this study were to isolate and characterize bacteriophages for selection of the appropriate phage, reduce Salmonella in the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens, and observe gut microbiota alterations after bacteriophage treatments. In this study, bacteriophages were isolated from two broiler chicken farms, two poultry processing plants, a goat farm, and a pig farm in the central region of Thailand. Out of the 33 samples analyzed, 25 (75.5%) tested positive for the presence of Salmonella bacteriophages. Among the 63 isolates examined, SEpBS-1 was selected for its ability to infect five Salmonella serovars: S. Enteritidis, S. Hadar, S. Typhimurium, S. Dublin, and S. Poona. Thermal stability test of phages showed that phages were stable at -6.5°C-50°C for 30 min, and significantly decreased (p < 0.05) at 60°C, and drastically decreased at 70°C. Furthermore, pH stability test of phages showed that phages were stable at pH 5-9. Phage SEpBS-1 was stable in acidic conditions. Phage titers decreased with increased salinity. The morphological characterization of the phage using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed icosahedral heads and thin, long, noncontractile, flexible tails. The phage SEpBS-1 was classified as a member of the Siphoviridae family. The growth curve of the bacteriophage revealed that phage SEpBS-1 for SE had a latent period of 2 h, burst time of 2-3.5 h, and burst size of 166 PFU/infected cell. Phage SEpBS-1 for S. Typhimurium had a latent period of 2.5 h, burst time of 2.5-4 h, and burst size of 973 PFU/infected cell. Studying the effects of phage SEpBS-1 against Salmonella infection in broiler chickens found that Salmonella counts were slightly increased at 7 and 14 days after phage treatment. However, there was no statistically significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). Salmonella counts decreased by 40% at 14 days, while the positive control found the highest number of Salmonella in ceca. The application of lytic bacteriophages in the biocontrol of foodborne pathogens presents a promising approach for targeting Salmonella. Bacteriophage therapy offers an effective alternative to antibiotics for pathogen control.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered the second major causative agent of otitis externa in dogs, after Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance profiles and to detect the extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Precisely, seventeen P. aeruginosa strains, recovered from auricular specimens of dogs affected by otitis externa, were identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out against eleven clinically relevant antimicrobials using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar plates. The PCR assay was performed to detect ESBL bla _CTX-M ,  bla _TEM ,  bla _SHV ,  bla _PER , and MBL bla _IMP ,  bla _OXA-48,  bla _VIM ,  bla _NDM ,  bla _GES genes. The results showed that P. aeruginosa isolates had a phenotypic resistance value of 100% to ceftazidime, imipenem, and meropenem, followed by piperacillin-tazobactam, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (94%), and aztreonam (88%). An alarming result was represented by the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains with 100% of the total isolates. The most common ESBL-genotype combination was bla _PER  + bla _SHV (29.4%). Thirteen isolates (76.5%) carried together bla _VIM  + bla _GES genes, which resulted to be the most common MBL-genotype combination. All the isolates harboring ESBL and MBL genes were biofilm producers, evaluated by the crystal violet-based assay and PCR. Precisely, 76.5% were strong biofilm producers, and 23.5% resulted in being moderate producers. No relationship was observed between strong or moderate biofilm producers and numerical variability of ESBL and MBL genes. This study revealed worrying antimicrobial resistance profiles of P. aeruginosa-associated canine otitis externa, considering also the zoonotic potential of this pathogen.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an oncogenic immunosuppressive virus belonging to the Retroviridae family and one of the most common causes of a major infectious disorder in cats that can lead to potentially fatal associated diseases with a worse prognosis. FeLV infects and replicates in hematopoietic and lymphatic cells causing anemia, lymphoma, and leukemia. Diagnosis is usually performed by clinicians using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or lateral flow tests that detect the p27 FeLV antigen. The aim of this work was the development of the FeLVCHECK Ag ELISA, a new rapid direct sandwich ELISA assay that detects the p27 antigen of FeLV. Assay cut-off was estimated by multiple approaches, including the Youden index and the ROC curve, to obtain the optimal test performance. The new test was validated by using 112 feline sera (42 positives and 70 negatives for FeLV) against the ViraCHEK/FeLV ELISA (Zoetis) as a reference, which agreed at 97.3%, with 97.6% sensitivity (95% confidence interval (CI): 86.0%-99.9%) and 97.1% specificity (95% CI: 89.1%-99.5%). Compared with another rapid and direct ELISA, the INgezim FeLV DAS (Gold Standard Diagnostics), the agreement was 90.2%. The new ELISA is both accurate and precise, with intra and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CV) below 10%. Accelerated and real-time stability studies set the shelf life of the kit at 18 months. This study clearly suggests that the FeLVCHECK Ag ELISA can be a valuable tool in clinical practice, as it provides very rapid and reliable results without the need for sample preparation or particular laboratory equipment since all incubations are performed at room temperature.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD), also known as shipping fever, is an economically significant disease affecting cattle in Ethiopia and is caused by the Pasteurella species. There is limited information on the serological prevalence of these species in Ethiopia. This study aimed to identify serotype A2 and estimate the seroprevalence of Pasteurella multocida in cattle in the Asayita, Dubti, and Chifra districts of Afar Region, Northeastern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on randomly selected cattle from November 2023 to June 2024. Blood samples were collected from nonvaccinated bovine species, recording sex, age, and body condition. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to summarize the results, with data managed using Microsoft Excel and analyzed with SPSS Version 20. Descriptive statistics were employed to determine the occurrence of the serotype. The chi-square test was employed to determine the association between variables. 93.8% of tested blood samples were found positive for Pasteurella multocida serotype A2. Among the factors tested, body condition scores showed a significant association (x ² (2, N = 384) = 34.07, p ≤ 0.001) with the prevalence of the serotype. This study provides valuable insights into the seroprevalence and serotype distribution of Pasteurella multocida in the study area, highlighting the need for targeted control measures.

Bovine papillomatosis virus (BPV) is a prevalent cutaneous oncogenic viral disease in cattle, causing economic losses due to reduced milk production, poor carcass quality, and hide damage. Despite BPV's economic significance, molecular information on current strains, genetic relationships, and origins in Egypt is limited, with most studies focusing on electron microscopy and histopathological analysis. The study aimed to genetically analyze BPV-1 circulation in Al-Sharkia, Egypt, and characterize viral strains compared with local and global papillomaviruses isolates. A total of 27 crossbred cattle with clinical symptoms of papillomatosis, such as wart-like lesions on various body parts, were examined. The collected tissue samples underwent histological analysis, revealing typical benign neoplasms such as hyperkeratosis and koilocytes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the presence of BPV-1 in all samples, with partial amplification of the L1 gene. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of three representative samples indicated high similarity to BPV-1 strains from Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, and Belgium, suggesting livestock trading may play a role in disease transmission. The isolates were found to be linked to equine Delta papillomavirus 4 (DPV4) strains, indicating cross-species transmission between cattle and equines. The study marks one of the first reports of BPV-1 infection in cattle in Al-Sharkia, providing crucial molecular insights into Egypt's circulating strains and emphasizing the need for stronger biosecurity protocols in animal trading.

This study aimed to evaluate the pregnancy rate achieved with sexed semen (SS) in Horro and Holstein-Horro cross-breed cattle under a smallholder farming system in Central Ethiopia. 120 cows and heifers (60 Horro and 60 Holstein-Horro cross-breed) were enrolled in the study. Selection criteria included parity, body condition score (BCS), and pregnancy status of the animals. To synchronize estrus, all selected animals received a single injection of prostaglandin (PGF2α). Estrus signs were monitored to assess heat response and the time to estrus induction in the treated animals. The responded animals were then randomly inseminated with either SS or conventional semen (CS). The conception rate was calculated based on the number of animals that exhibited estrus, were inseminated, and subsequently conceived. Data analysis was conducted using SAS (Version 9.4). Estrus response and conception rate data were analyzed using logistic regression while the interval to estrus was analyzed using a general linear model. Out of the 120 synchronized animals, 44 Horro and 52 Holstein-Horro cross-breed cows and heifers responded to PGF2α, resulting in an estrus response rate of 80%. Body condition and parity significantly influenced estrus response (p < 0.05). The breed had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the interval from PGF2α injection to the onset of estrus, while parity and BCS did not show significant effects. Upon pregnancy detection, 56.8% of Horro and 63.5% of Holstein-Horro cross-breed cows and heifers were found to be pregnant; among these, 65.1% were cows and 56.6% were heifers across both semen types. The type of semen used had a significant impact on the pregnancy rate (p < 0.05), with a pregnancy rate of 72.9% for CS compared to 47.9% for SS. Overall, the pregnancy rate of 47.9% achieved with SS is promising and exceeds the national pregnancy rate for first inseminations using CS, which ranges from 7.14% to 40.23%.

The most commonly used techniques in the field are the pulmonary auscultation, Wisconsin score (WI), California score (CA), and pulmonary ultrasonography. However, with the exception of the latter, no studies have compared thoracic radiography with other possible techniques in calves. Therefore, the objective of the study was to compare and verify the agreement between clinical score techniques, pulmonary auscultation, and ultrasonographic and radiographic evaluations, considering the latter as reference test. Thirty-three calves were evaluated from 17 to 60 days of age using pulmonary auscultation, Wisconsin score (WI), California score (CA), thoracic radiography, and pulmonary ultrasonography at five preestablished moments and at any time when presenting clinical respiratory disease. Of the 160 evaluations, 21% were positive for thoracic radiography, 21% for ultrasonography, 10% for pulmonary auscultation, 16% for CA score, and 14% for WI score. In the concordance analysis, there was a moderate correlation between thoracic radiography and ultrasonography (k = 0.6035) and between pulmonary auscultation and WI score (k = 0.5833) and CA score (k = 0.5277), and substantial between the WI and CA score methods (k = 0.7258). All techniques used in the study were useful for the diagnosis of pneumonia; however, due to high accuracy and practicality, ultrasonography proved to be an interesting method to be implemented on farms.

This review aims to define the best prescription options for the treatment and diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in dogs. BPH has become the most common disease in older dogs. While it rarely poses life-threatening risks, it can significantly impact a patient's quality of life, as changes in prostate size can lead to various clinical signs, including tenesmus, constipation, and hematuria. An accurate initial evaluation and diagnostic method are essential for distinguishing BPH from other conditions and differential diagnoses. Treatment modalities include both medical and surgical options. In recent years, medical therapy for BPH has expanded and improved. The focus of medical treatment is to reduce prostatic volume, alleviate bothersome clinical sign, and prevent the need for surgical intervention, especially for dogs that are still used for breeding. The pharmacological effects, efficacy, and safety of these treatments must be thoroughly analyzed to ensure good drug adherence and persistence.