Veterinary Medicine International最新文献

It is necessary to produce basic anatomical information for clinical examinations and necessary surgeries owing to the presence of the red fox in the wild and the health risks for these animals. In addition to being important in diagnosing animal injuries, imaging techniques provide the usual anatomical view of different body structures used in many studies. This study investigated the typical morphological and morphometric characteristics of normal, immature, and healthy male fox cervical vertebrae using a CT scan. A CT scanner with two detectors was used in the study. Several parameters were measured in five normal immature male and healthy foxes, and the results were evaluated. Some parameters, including vertebral body height (VBH) and vertebral body length (VBL), did not show any significant difference (p > 0.05) in the cervical site, but some parameters, including spinous process height (SPH), transverse process length (TPL), and transverse process width (TPW), had significant differences (p < 0.05) in the cervical site. VBH had a constant measure from the second cervical vertebra to the seventh vertebra. The value of TPL varied from the first to the seventh cervical vertebra, and the highest measure was observed in the first vertebra. This study presents a complete and precise description and morphometric evaluation of cervical vertebrae in immature male red foxes using a CT scan. No specimen was killed, and anatomical studies were conducted through a CT scan technique as an essential feature of this study.

Objective: To investigate the current status of ophthalmic examinations, referral practices to specialized veterinary eye hospitals, and the associated challenges faced by veterinarians in South Korea.

Procedures: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in South Korea from April 23 to May 6, 2024. A total of 114 veterinarians participated in the study.

Results: Over 80% of respondents (n = 101) reported providing general ocular examinations, including vision testing and anterior segment examination. However, only about one-third (n = 35) performed fundus examinations. The main barriers to performing fundus exams were the high cost of equipment (70.3%), lack of diagnostic confidence (48.3%), and perceived low clinical need (28.1%).

Conclusion: While general ophthalmic services are widely available, the provision of fundic examinations remains limited. Addressing this gap may require increasing awareness of affordable diagnostic tools, enhancing veterinarians' diagnostic confidence through education and training, and emphasizing the clinical importance of fundic examinations.

This study determined the prevalence, characteristics and factors associated with isolating L. monocytogenes and other Listeria species (Listeria spp.) from samples collected from cattle farms in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. A total of 475 samples comprising fresh faeces, pooled environmental faeces, silage, feeds and water were collected from 25 farms (feedlot, cow-calf operations and communal) in three districts (Bronkhorstspruit, Emalahleni and Middleburg). Standard bacteriological and molecular assays were used to isolate, identify and characterize Listeria isolates. The prevalence of L. monocytogenes and other Listeria spp. in farm samples was 2.5% (12/475) and 9.2% (44/475) (p < 0.05), respectively. The highest prevalence of isolation of L. monocytogenes and Listeria spp. was 5.9% (5/85) and 16.7% (5/30) in faeces and silage, respectively. Farm size was the only factor significantly (p < 0.05) associated with detecting L. monocytogenes; the only serotype detected was 1/2a, and all the isolates were positive for virulence genes hlyA and inlJ. The overall prevalence of L. monocytogenes in samples collected from cattle farms (2.5%) across the province, the detection of serotype 1/2a associated with human listeriosis and the positivity of all strains for one or more virulent genes all pose significant public health and food safety risks from the sources assessed. There is a need to implement measures to reduce or eliminate carriage or contamination by L. monocytogenes on cattle farms to avoid the entry of the pathogen into the human food chain in South Africa.

The Raid Hípico Uruguayo (RHU) is the oldest equestrian endurance sport in Uruguay. A high percentage of horses fail to complete RHU rides. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether weather conditions (comfort index [CI]), horse experience, and ride distance affect horse performance (finishing ride [FR] or nonfinishing ride [NFR]) in the RHU. An additional objective was to determine whether finishing the ride affects the hematological and biochemical parameters of the horses. This study involved 17 RHU rides over distances of 60-90 km and 284 horses. Blood samples were taken before and after the competition or upon withdrawal (retired or eliminated). The nonfinishing group consisted of 169 horses. Horse performance was associated with CI (P < 0.05), but not with ride distance (P = 0.33). Horse experience tended to be associated with finishing the ride (P = 0.09). Hematocrit, creatine kinase activity, urea, and uric acid concentrations were greater in FR than in NFR horses (P < 0.05) and all parameters were affected by the time of sampling (P < 0.001), being higher in the postride sample. Weather conditions significantly affected horse performance during RHU competitions, whereas ride distance showed no effect. We observed changes in hematological and biochemical parameters regardless of the horse's performance. Most changes seemed to be caused by a decrease in blood volume, an increase in energy expenditure, and muscle damage that were not the result of metabolic disease but were related to a physiological response to the intensity and duration of exercise.

Anxiety and depression are psychiatric disorders strongly associated with insomnia. This study aimed to examine the sedative and anxiolytic activities of a 70% ethanol leaf extract of Cassia spectabilis DC (CS70EE) in a mouse model with electric foot shock (EFS)-induced stress. Male BALB/c mice were subjected to mild EFS (1 mA) for 15 × 1 s for five consecutive days. The stressed mice were administered various doses of CS70EE, diazepam, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (0.5%) for comparison. The hole cross (HC) and thiopental sodium (TS)-induced sleep time method was used to assess sedative activity, while the elevated plus maze (EPM) test was used to assess anxiolytic activity. An in silico study was performed to predict the potential of active compounds in the extracts against sedative/anxiolytic target protein. The protein used is γ-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein (PDB code: 3D32). CS70EE at a dose of 500 mg/kg showed sedative activity in mice by significantly decreasing the number of passages through the hole in the HC test and increasing the TS-induced sleep duration (p  <  0.05). In the EPM test, stressed mice that were administered the extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) showed a significant increase in the time spent in the open arm (p  >  0.05). Meanwhile, molecular docking study in silico showed that spectaline compounds may play a crucial role in this activity. In conclusion, CS70EE exhibited sedative and anxiolytic effects in mice subjected to EFS-induced stress.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is the primary cause of colibacillosis, a significant bacterial disease in poultry associated with high mortality rates and substantial economic losses. In Bangladesh, the poultry sector is crucial in ensuring food security and supporting livelihoods, yet APEC poses a significant challenge. The extensive use of antibiotics has heightened antimicrobial resistance (AMR), undermining the efficacy of therapeutic alternatives and raising public health issues. The present study assessed the prevalence, AMR, and virulence gene profiles of APEC and their environs (environmental E. coli [EEC]) in Bangladesh. All isolates demonstrated significant resistance, with more than 90% resistant to the most frequently used antibiotics (tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, and levofloxacin). The EEC isolates demonstrated a notably higher level of resistance compared to APEC (p < 0.05), indicating a greater exposure to antimicrobials in the environment. The prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR) was also notably high (98.94%). The study also profiled virulence-associated genes (VAGs), with the iron acquisition gene iroN being the most prevalent (69.5%), followed by ompT (58.8%) and hlyF (53.7%), indicating strong pathogenic potential in both APEC and EEC. However, the VAGs' distribution showed no significant difference between APEC and EEC, suggesting possible environmental reservoirs for the pathogenic strains. The existence of multiple VAGs, along with elevated resistance levels, emphasizes the dual threat posed by these isolates to both poultry and public health. Overall, the findings underscore the urgent need for improved biosecurity practices, prudent antibiotic use, and ongoing surveillance to mitigate the risks posed by resistant and virulent bacterial strains.

Porcine cysticercosis (PCC) is a food-borne zoonotic disease prevalent in resource-poor rural communities with free-range pig management systems and low sanitation practices. Various prevention and control strategies have been implemented in Tanzania, with this study highlighting the importance of community-based health education in controlling the Taenia solium parasite. The study evaluated the effectiveness of community-based health education using a cocreated health education package (HEP) on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of smallholder farmers, as well as on the prevalence of PCC in Kongwa and Songwe Districts, Tanzania. A cluster-randomized health education intervention was conducted between June 2019 and December 2021, with pre- and postintervention evaluations of PCC prevalence and smallholder farmers' KAP. A baseline cross-sectional study was followed by health education training utilizing the HEP, which included brochures, booklets, and posters. The training was provided to trainers (TOT) who, in turn, trained the community. A commercial Ag-ELISA kit (apDia, Belgium) was used to identify circulating antigens in pig serum and determine the PCC prevalence both before and after the intervention. A total of 692 and 486 respondents participated in face-to-face interviews during the baseline and postintervention periods, respectively. Concurrently, 692 and 317 pigs were sampled during these periods. At baseline, the seroprevalence of PCC was 10.2% in the intervention group and 9.1% in the control group. Twelve months following the health education intervention, the study observed significant improvements in knowledge (β = 1.779, p=0.004), attitudes (β = 1.024, p=0.038), and practices (β = 0.719, p=0.023) among participants. Additionally, a reduction in PCC prevalence was observed-3.9% in the intervention group and 0.9% in the control group-though this difference was not statistically significant (OR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.27-1.83; p=0.47). The reduction in PCC is a gradual process that likely requires a longer observation period to yield a measurable impact. The limited duration of follow-up may have constrained the study's ability to conclusively attribute the observed decline in PCC seroprevalence to the intervention. Evidence suggests that a comprehensive strategy targeting both intermediate and definitive hosts is essential. Therefore, future health education interventions should integrate mass drug administration for pigs and treatment of human taeniosis-an approach that could be effective in disrupting the lifecycle of Taenia solium.

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is an omnipresent environmental toxicant with significant potential for human exposure. It primarily escapes from plastic packaging used for food and water. DEHP exposure has been linked to several health hazards, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and organ toxicity, disrupting the endocrine system as well as affecting biological processes. The present study investigates the protective effects of Vitamin E and selenium against DEHP-induced toxicity in adult female mice. In this study, adult female mice (Swiss Albino) were randomly categorized into five groups: control, DEHP, DEHP + Vitamin E, DEHP + Na₂SeO₃, and DEHP + Vitamin E + Na₂SeO₃. From Day 49 to Day 61 of the treatment period, the animals were administered orally 600 mg/kg body weight of DEHP, 200 mg/kg body weight of Vitamin E, and 1 mg/kg body weight of Na₂SeO₃. After treatment, body weight, organ-to-body weight ratio, and hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed. DEHP exposure caused a significant decrease in final body weight, body weight gain, and rate of body weight gain, but DEHP + Vitamin E, DEHP + Na₂SeO₃, and DEHP + Vitamin E + Na₂SeO₃ groups lessened it. While considering blood parameters, the group exposed to DEHP showed a notable rise in white blood cells (WBCs). Furthermore, the DEHP group significantly increased random blood sugar (RBS), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), and alkaline phosphatase serum levels. Nevertheless, these levels were notably decreased in the groups who received treatment with Vitamin E and sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃). Phthalate exposure also led to a significant increase in the organ-to-body weight ratio in the spleen and slight discoloration with necrotic foci present in the liver compared to the control group. It is remarkable that Vitamin E and Na₂SeO₃ separately or synergistically mitigated all the changes. The present investigation provides evidence that Vitamin E and sodium selenite can minimize phthalate-induced damage in adult female mice.

Background and aims: There is increasing interest in the clinical use and experimental evaluation of mesenchymal stem cells in animal models of osteoarthritis (OA); however, no bibliometric analysis has been published on this topic.

Methods: A bibliometric analysis was performed using the bibliometrix R package by analyzing the documents registered in the WOS database from 2015 to 2024. The registers were evaluated according to overview, sources, authors, documents, words, trend topics, clustering, and conceptual intellectual and social structures.

Results: The articles were mainly published in Stem Cell Research and Therapy, OA and Cartilage, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Scientific Reports, American Journal of Sports Medicine, Journal of Orthopedic Research, Stem Cells International, Arthritis Research and Therapy, and Biomaterials. The most productive institutions were Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Peking University, and the most productive countries were China, the USA, and Korea. The most frequently used keywords were OA, mesenchymal stem cells, and cartilage. The trending topics in this area are cartilage repair, exosomes, and extracellular vesicles. The collaborative network of authors, institutions, and countries is led by Chinese authors and institutions.

Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis reveals a significant increase in research on mesenchymal stem cells for OA, primarily led by Chinese institutions. Key topics include cartilage repair and exosomes, highlighting a collaborative global network that is shaping the future of therapeutic strategies in this field.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) remains a significant and highly contagious pathogen that markedly impacts production and reproductive performances of different animals worldwide. This review represents the global epidemiology of BVDV, emphasizing its genetic diversity, prevalence, host range, associated risk factors, diagnostic advancements, and control strategies. A systematic electronic search was performed to retrieve relevant published articles. A total of 248 studies published over the past 26 years (from January 2000 to March 2025) across 69 countries were included. Data showed that BVDV-1 has been detected across all the continents and comprises 25 subgenotypes (1a-1x and Chinese ZM-95), of which the predominant subgenotypes are 1a, 1b, and 1c. Multiple subgenotypes, such as BVDV-1f, 1g, 1h, 1k, 1l, 1r, 1s, 1t, 1u, and 1x, were distinct and circulating in European countries. Additionally, five subgenotypes (2a-2e) of BVDV-2 have been identified, with BVDV-2a being the most frequently reported in different geographical locations. Notably, the emergence of HoBi-like pestivirus subgenotypes (BVDV-3a-3d) has been detected in Russia, Italy, Thailand, India, and Bangladesh. Overall, the high prevalence of BVDV has been reported in various European (2.9%-87.1%) and Asian countries (0.2%-89.49%). Although cattle are the primary host, BVDV infections have been documented across a wide range of domestic and wild species, including buffalo, sheep, goats, deer, bison, yak, camelids (camels, alpacas, and llamas), pigs, and wild boar. While Ag/Ab-ELISA remains a widely used diagnostic method, advanced techniques, such as RT-qPCR, CRISPR-Cas12a, RT-LAMP, and genome sequencing, are utilized for confirmatory identification and genotyping of BVDV. Introduction of persistently infected (PI) animals into herds, grazing on common pasture, animal movements, mixed farming practices, and unhygienic breeding practices were frequently documented as potential risk factors. Key measures for controlling and eradicating BVDV include culling of PI animals, prophylactic vaccination, and avoiding mixed farming practices.