Veterinary Medicine International最新文献

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.

Our world has been threatened by numerous emerging and reemerging pathogenic diseases; these diseases are seriously affecting the well-being of human, animal health, and animal production. Most of them are zoonotic diseases and have great veterinary and public health impact, particularly in developing countries where people are having daily frequent contact with livestock and animal products. Brucellosis is one of them. A cross-sectional study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of swine brucellosis was carried out at Batu, Alage, and Naka village using serological tests. Accordingly, a total of 196 pigs were included in the study. Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) prepared from the smooth strain B. abortus antigen was used as a screening test, whereas Complement Fixation Test (CFT) was the confirmatory test for swine brucellosis. The results of the present study indicated that, of the total 196 serum samples from pigs, 10 (5.1%) were found to be positive by RBPT and 7 (3.6%) of them were further confirmed by CFT. On the other hand, age and history of obstetrical problems were the major risk factors for overall swine brucellosis seropositivity (p < 0.05). Thus, the present study suggests that swine brucellosis is prevalent in the study areas and the seropositivity could give an insight that brucellosis could pose public health hazard. Hence, this warrants public education and awareness, and further extensive epidemiological and molecular investigation is recommended.

Feline blood-borne pathogens are important infectious agents of cats that can cause subclinical to severe disease. Awareness of the risks associated with transfusing contaminated blood can reduce morbidity in recipients. Understanding the prevalence and risk factors of these infections is crucial for identifying pathogens that should be screened in feline blood donors. A total of 410 blood samples from client-owned cats were collected between 2018 and 2021 across veterinary hospitals in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. Conventional PCR was used to detect hemotropic mycoplasmas, Bartonella spp., Anaplasmataceae, and piroplasms. Overall, 20.5% of samples were tested positive for at least one pathogen. Hemotropic mycoplasmas were the most detected agents (16.3%), with "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum" being predominant, followed by Mycoplasma haemofelis. DNA of Bartonella spp. was identified in 5.4% of samples, specifically Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae. No samples tested positive for Anaplasmataceae or piroplasms. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that male sex, Domestic Shorthair breed, anemia, clinical illness, and increasing age were significant risk factors for hemotropic mycoplasma infection, but kittens were less likely to be infected. Additionally, infection with feline immunodeficiency virus was associated with a higher likelihood of hemotropic mycoplasma positivity in samples collected during 2020-2021. No significant risk factors were identified for Bartonella spp. infection. In conclusion, the findings underscore the necessity of screening feline blood donors for hemotropic mycoplasma and Bartonella spp. Clinically healthy, female, purebred cats without outdoor access cats are recommended as preferred blood donor candidates, given their lower risk of hemotropic mycoplasma infection.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most common diseases in livestock that causes great losses to industrial livestock production. FMD may spread through animal movements. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the patterns of domestic livestock movements susceptible to FMD using social network analysis and exponential random graph models (ERGMs). Three years of secondary data on animal movements from January 2017 to December 2019 were analyzed and simulated. We found that pig movements account for the largest proportion of FMD each year. Central Thailand was seemingly prominent for animal movements. For ERGMs, the microstructures: edges, mutual, TwoPath, and triangle, were tested and appeared in the movement networks for all the years. The results of our data analysis would help relevant authorities better understand animal movement patterns resulting in superior planning and surveillance for disease control. Moreover, this study's findings can be applied to analyze animal movement patterns globally, aiding in the development of effective disease prevention and control policies. Understanding these patterns enhances planning and surveillance for disease control across various regions.

The proliferation of Enterobacteriaceae with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), including Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, poses a significant threat to public health due to their resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. This study focuses on the risk factors of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in the wastewater of dairy farms in East Java, Indonesia, a major milk-producing region. Utilizing an observational cross-sectional design, data were collected from 342 wastewater samples across six regions with high dairy cattle populations in East Java. Risk factors were assessed through questionnaires addressing variables related to farmers and farm management. Univariate analysis by regency/city identified several significant risk factors for the occurrence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in dairy farm wastewater in East Java, and it differed between regencies/cities. Multivariate analysis of risk factors that significantly correlated with ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae showed a distance of ≤ 10 m between septic tanks and wells that significantly increased the risk of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae occurrence (OR 3.24, 95% CI: 1.07-9.80), as did not using detergent for barn cleaning (OR 2.67, 95% CI: 1.23-5.67). Conversely, the use of water storage tanks and a distance of ≤ 500 m from other dairy farms appeared to reduce the risk. This study provides critical insights for developing strategies to control and prevent antibiotic resistance in the dairy farming sector, such as improved wastewater management, stricter regulations on antibiotic usage, and enhanced farmer education programs. Implementing these strategies is crucial to mitigating the spread of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, thereby improving public and environmental health in East Java.

Animal diseases pose a significant threat to both animal welfare and productivity, making veterinary drugs essential for their prevention, treatment, and control. In developing countries including Ethiopia, several challenges such as limited drug availability, inadequate storage facilities, improper handling, and insufficient knowledge among veterinary professionals impede the delivery of effective veterinary health services. This study aimed to assess the availability of veterinary drugs, storage conditions, and the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of veterinary professionals regarding the safe management of these drugs. A cross-sectional study was conducted across 46 veterinary facilities (34 government clinics and 12 private pharmacies), involving 170 veterinary professionals who participated through structured questionnaires and observational checklists. Data were analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. The study revealed suboptimal drug availability, with multivitamins being the most commonly available (84.8%), followed by anthelmintic (72.8%) and antibacterial (69.6%), while antifungals were the least available (18.3%). Storage conditions were inadequate in both government clinics (64.5%) and private retailers (65.6%), falling below the acceptable threshold of over 80% for good storage practice. In terms of KAP, 52.4% of professionals demonstrated low knowledge, 77.6% held negative attitudes, and 50.6% exhibited poor practices related to the safe handling and storage of veterinary drugs. These results indicate critical gaps in drug availability, storage standards, and professional competence. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action from the Regional Livestock and Agricultural Bureau and the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA), with emphasis on strengthening supply chains, upgrading storage infrastructure, and implementing targeted training programs for veterinary professionals.