Veterinary Medicine International最新文献

Study background: Rabbits are commonly used in experimental research; however, their sensitivity to handling-induced stress and cardiovascular instability poses considerable challenges. These complications are not fully prevented by standard preanesthetic medication, making them less reliable, particularly in studies involving hemorrhagic shock.

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify enhanced anesthetic protocols that effectively maintain physiological stability and prevent respiratory or cardiac failure during the induction of hemorrhagic shock.

Methods: Fifteen adult female New Zealand White rabbits were divided into three equal groups: one received dexmedetomidine and ketamine; the other received the same induction followed by isoflurane maintenance; while the third, in addition to the medication of the second group, received a constant rate ketamine infusion. Vital parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, end-tidal CO₂, reflexes, and core body temperature were continuously monitored. Hemorrhagic shock was induced by withdrawing 40% of the total blood volume through a surgically cannulated carotid artery.

Results: Among the three, the third protocol provided the most consistent anesthesia depth in conjunction with stable vital signs, ensuring animal safety and effective modeling of hemorrhagic shock.

Conclusions: These results support the use of a combined inhalant anesthetic with continuous ketamine infusion to enhance physiological stability in rabbits during complex procedures, ultimately improving both the reliability of experimental data and animal welfare.

Members of the family Enterobacteriaceae are often linked to foodborne outbreaks, including acute diarrhea, with diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) as the most common cause of this disease in low- and middle-income countries. A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the sanitary conditions of ready-to-consume milk, involving 750 pasteurized milk samples. These samples were analyzed for the Enterobacteriaceae count, the presence of Salmonella spp., and the enumeration of E. coli, as well as checking for the presence of DEC-specific virulence genes. Two molecular assays were used to detect DEC-specific virulence genes (eae, bfpA, aggR, ipaH, est, elt, stx1, and stx2). Overall, a significant noncompliance rate (5%) was identified in the Enterobacteriaceae counts, indicating postpasteurization contamination. Two genes (ipaH and elt) were detected in 14.28% of E. coli-positive samples, highlighting the need for improved methods to minimize postpasteurization contamination in dairy plants. This improvement could contribute to better food safety standards internationally. Additionally, further studies are necessary to understand the actual risk posed by these strains circulating in milk for immunocompromised individuals or those with immature immune systems. This underscores a global concern for vulnerable populations worldwide.

Parafilaria bovicola infection poses a significant health threat to cattle and leads to considerable economic losses due to the condemnation or downgrading of hides. Despite its impact, there is limited information on the prevalence, and associated risk factors regarding the disease in the current study area. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to December 2024 in Ebinat District, Northwest Ethiopia. The objectives were to estimate the prevalence of P. bovicola infection and identify its associated risk factors. A total of 422 cattle were selected using a simple random lottery method. Following clinical examination, exudate samples from the actively bleeding subcutaneous nodules were collected during the early hours of the day. Sedimentation parasitological method, Chi-square(X ²) and univariable logistic regression statistic were used. Overall prevalence of P. bovicola infection was found to be 22.04% (93/422; 95% CI: 18.2-26.3). An association between agro-ecology, sex, season, and body condition score and the prevalence of P. bovicola infection was shown to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Increased prevalence of the infection with P. bovicola was more prevalent in the lowland agro-ecological zone (56.15%) than in the district's midland (6.85%). Infection with P. bovicola was significantly more prevalent at the end of the rainy season (31.49%) compared to the dry season (14.94%) (χ ² = 16.487; p < 0.001). Compared to male cattle (14.2%), female cattle had a 2.57-fold increased chance of contracting P. bovicola infection (29.9%) (COR = 2.57; 95% CI: 1.58-4.18). In addition, cattle with a poor body condition had a significantly higher prevalence of P. bovicola infection (26.8%) compared to those with medium (18.4%) and good (13.8%) body condition (p < 0.05). In conclusion, P. bovicola infection is prevalent in the study area, particularly in lowland regions. Therefore, location-specific control methods that consider local ecology and seasonal changes should be used.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex public health problem that is caused mainly by the inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents. The rational use of antimicrobial agents, which is the main strategy for preventing AMR, can be achieved through farmers' knowledge and behaviour. Hence, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of fish farmers regarding antimicrobial use (AMU), AMR and their perceptions (KAPP) of the risk of the emergence of AMR in Cameroon. A cross-sectional study of 364 fish farmers was performed in the Adamawa, Centre, Littoral, South and West Regions using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. To compare group differences, the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests were run at a significance level of 0.05. Pearson correlation and linear regression were used to determine the directionality, magnitude and nature of the relationships among variables. Overall, the survey revealed poor knowledge of AMU (0.47 ± 0.19) and AMR (0.30 ± 0.29). The attitudes towards and practices of AMU were also poor (0.40 ± 0.28 and 0.47 ± 0.11, respectively). However, the level of risk perception of the emergence of AMR by the fish farmers was fair (0.50 ± 0.29). Locality, age, professional experience, educational level of the fish farmer, training in fish farming and presence of health agents on the farm were associated (p < 0.05) with KAPP measures. Thus, training and updating fish farmers on modern fish farming practices with an emphasis on knowledge of the rational use of antimicrobials will have a positive impact on appropriate attitudes, best AMU practices and, consequently, a better perception of the risk of AMR emergence and the risk to public health.

The present study investigated the molecular detection and genetic characteristics of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and EHV-4 circulating within Egyptian horse populations during 2019-2022. A total of 79 animals were sampled (54 nasal swabs and 25 aborted fetal tissues). PCR assays revealed that 24 (30.3%) and 7 (8.8%) samples were positive for EHV-1 and EHV-4, respectively. Additionally, 5 (6.3%) samples were concurrently infected with both viruses. Four EHV-1 and three EHV-4 isolates were genetically characterized based on partial sequencing of gB gene. The four EHV-1 strains displayed 100% nucleotide identity to one another and to EHV-1 reference strains reported in Egypt and other countries. The three EHV-4 strains were phylogenetically classified into two distinct clusters based on their nucleotide sequences (76%-100% identity). Meanwhile, their deduced amino acid sequences differed by only one amino acid substitution. Our results underscore the critical importance of EHV-1 and EHV-4 as primary contributors of abortion and respiratory illness in horses and highlight the need for further large-scale surveillance and in-depth characterization studies to improve our understanding of these viruses' epidemiology in Egypt and to develop a robust control strategy.

Postweaning diarrhoea (PWD) poses a significant threat to the swine industry by causing notable declines in productivity and mortality. Gut health diagnosis in pigs typically involves complex methods such as gut microbiome analysis, which can be costly and can require specialised skills. This study aimed to assess gut health in postweaning piglets by measuring and comparing gut microbiome profiles and levels of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IALP) in faecal samples from pigs with and without PWD. This study revealed significant differences between the nondiarrhoea and diarrhoea groups of piglets in terms of IALP levels and gut microbiome composition. Nondiarrhoeal piglets had greater IALP levels than did diarrhoeal piglets (p=0.003). Additionally, faecal flora richness (observed (p=0.0007) and Chao1 (p=0.0007)) indices of the faecal microflora in the nondiarrhoeal pigs. At the phylum level, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were predominantly abundant in both groups, while Firmicutes (p=0.0008) and Patescibacteria (p=0.0334) showed significantly lower abundances in the nondiarrhoea group and Bacteroidetes (p=0.0003) exhibited greater abundance. The Clostridia class was significantly more abundant in the diarrhoea group than the nondiarrhoea group (p=0.0159). The diarrhoea group had a significantly greater relative abundance of the Clostridiaceae family than did the nondiarrhoea group (p=0.0007). At the genus level, the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae NK3B31 was significantly greater in the nondiarrhoea group than the diarrhoea group (p=0.0032). Moreover, the relative abundances of some pathogenic bacteria, including Clostridium sensu stricto (Clostridiaceae) 1, were significantly greater in the diarrhoea group than in the nondiarrhoea group (p=0.0007). IALP levels and gut microbiome diversity in faecal samples can be used to assess the gut health of nursery pigs. These results contribute to the understanding and manipulation of postweaning piglet gut health.

Sialoradiography is an imaging technique that assesses the ducal macroanatomy and function of the major salivary glands (MSGs). Despite reports of salivary diseases in donkeys, no studies have documented detailed information on sialoradiography of the ductal structures. Therefore, this investigation aimed at describing the technique and ductal macroanatomy of the MSGs using sialoradiography, as well as the in situ macroanatomy of the salivary ductal structures in donkeys. Survey radiology and sialoradiography were conducted in lateral and dorsoventral oblique views, followed by cadaver dissection with colored latex injection to outline the MSGs' topographic macroanatomy in fourteen half-heads and the proximal cervical region of seven donkeys. The technique of cannulation, contrast media injection, and positioning for the sialoradiography in the donkey was thoroughly described. The extra- and intraglandular salivary ductal structures of the parotid and mandibular glands were clearly outlined only in lateral sialograms. Key macoanatomical findings included the rostral situation of the mandibular gland, a straight caudal edge of the parotid salivary gland (PSG), the absence of perforation of the PSG lateral aspect and its substance by the maxillary vein, and the superficial situation of the parotid duct (PD) on the body of the lower jaw rostral to in front of the masseter muscle, situation of the PD opening against the crowns of the third and fourth premolar teeth, and the formation of the single major PD at the rostrolateral aspect of the dorsal portion of PSG. The images and data reported in the current investigation may be utilized as basic information for veterinary clinicians, surgeons, and radiologists for (1) diagnosis of the MSGs pathologies and (2) aiding in performing sialography in live donkeys.

Objective: Umbilical infections are a prevalent worldwide health concern in calves. The prevalence and surgical management of umbilical infections in calves were investigated in this study.

Animals: A total of 238 calves with umbilical infections.

Methods: Medical records of 238 cases of umbilical infections in calves managed under either range conditions or in smallholder semi-industrial systems in West Azerbaijan, Iran, between March 1998 and July 2020 were analyzed. Data on husbandry type, breed, sex, age, and surgical outcomes were collected in this clinical retrospective study.

Results: The prevalence of umbilical infections among calves was 8.66%. The frequency of infections in the external portion of the umbilicus was comparable to that of infections involving the intra-abdominal portion. Umbilical abscess was the most common infection in the external portion, while urachus infection predominated in the intra-abdominal portion of the umbilical remnants. Omphalitis was the least frequent infection observed in the newborns and omphaloarteritis was the least common pathology of the umbilical remnants. Calves under the range system had a significantly higher prevalence of umbilical infections compared to those in the semi-industrial system. The frequency of the infection was not affected by gender or breeds.

Conclusion: Umbilical infection occurred with higher prevalence in calves under 13 weeks of age. The calves managed under range condition exhibited a higher prevalence of the infections with no breed- or gender-related differences. Surgical management was highly successful in treating the affected calves.

African swine fever (ASF), a highly lethal viral disease with no effective vaccines or treatments, poses a significant threat to the global pig industry. Since its first report in China in August 2018, it has spread rapidly, severely impacting China's pig industry. This study developed a Bayesian spatiotemporal model to explore ASF's spatiotemporal patterns, assess relative risk (RR), and identify key factors, aiming to inform targeted prevention strategies. Data (disease-related deaths, pig inventory, GDP, temperature, and 6 other factors) were collected from 31 mainland Chinese provinces from August 2018 to December 2019. The INLA algorithm estimated parameters, with the optimal model selected via DIC and WAIC. Multicollinearity was addressed using VIF and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Univariate and multivariate models quantified factor effects, with risk classified by natural breaks. Significant spatiotemporal patterns emerged: high-risk clusters in Liaoning, Heilongjiang, and Beijing, lower risk in Yunnan and Chongqing. Economic factors and veterinary resources were crucial: GDP per capita correlated positively (RR = 1.8814, 95% CI: 1.1264, 3.1362), while veterinarian numbers correlated inversely (RR = 0.7233, 95% CI: 0.4776, 0.9637). This study clarifies ASF dynamics and influencing factors in China, highlighting the need to strengthen veterinary services and balance economic development with biosecurity, offering a global reference for infectious disease management.

Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) is a tick-borne, obligate intracellular bacterium that causes canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), a widely distributed infectious disease in dogs with variable clinical severity. While the 16S rRNA gene has been commonly used for detection, limited data are available on the genetic diversity of the immunogenic p28 outer membrane protein gene, particularly in Southeast Asia. Eighty-three canine blood samples were collected from various districts in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and screened using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting the 16S rRNA and p28 genes. Ten representative p28-positive samples were selected for Sanger sequencing. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using the maximum likelihood method. Genetic variability was assessed through nucleotide and amino acid entropy analysis. Of the 83 samples, 40 (48.19%) were positive for both 16S rRNA and p28 genes. Phylogenetic analysis of p28 sequences revealed three major clades, with all Vietnamese strains clustering within clade 3 and showing a 97%-100% nucleotide identity with global references. Entropy analysis identified 50 high-variability nucleotide sites H(x): 0.206-1.013 and 20 amino acid positions H(x): 0.206-1.264, including a prominent substitution at position 145 (S ⟶ D/T), suggesting a potential immunogenic variability. This study provides the first detailed molecular characterization of the p28 gene in E. canis from Vietnam, demonstrating both high genetic conservation and localized variation within clade 3. These findings enhance the understanding of regional strain diversity and may inform future diagnostic or vaccine development efforts targeting the p28 protein.