Veterinary Medicine and Science最新文献

A 3-year-old Connemara X filly was referred to a UK equine hospital for further investigation of unilateral nasal discharge and facial swelling. Diagnostic imaging documented the presence of a heterogenous, soft tissue opacity with areas of focal mineralisation within the right paranasal sinuses, completely obliterating the nasal cavity, in addition to endodontic disease and significant periapical pathology associated with the right permanent fourth premolar (Triadan 108). Subsequent histopathologic examination confirmed the mass as a fibro-inflammatory polyp.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a vector-transmitted viral disease that affects cattle and water buffaloes. The LSD virus (LSDV) is a double-stranded DNA virus and is a member of the Poxviridae family. The first documented cases of LSD were reported in Zambia in 1929, from which it spread to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as to countries in Europe and Asia. The present study documents the first occurrence of LSD in the North African region. Different samples were collected from infected cattle in Algeria and Tunisia, and morbidity data were recorded. To confirm the occurrence of LSDV, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing were performed on the basis of the p32 gene. The symptoms associated with LSD infection in both countries include lymph node enlargement, the presence of lumps in several parts of the body and the occurrence of high fever. The PCR detected the p32 gene of the LSDV in 77.9% (60/77) of the collected samples, and cattle skin, nasal and buccal swabs were identified as the most virulent materials. Phylogenetic analysis employing the p32 gene sequence from two amplicons revealed 100% sequence identity to GenBank-published LSDV sequences and grouped with amplicons predominantly isolated from Egypt (MZ665552.1), Zimbabwe (KX033500.1), various Asian countries and Russia. It is important to note that the phylogenetic analysis based on the p32 gene sequence is limited and poorly discriminative in comparison to whole genome sequencing, which is better at identifying the cluster to which a circulating virus belongs. The implementation of the Neethling strain vaccine in Algeria and Tunisia, in conjunction with the unfavourable climatic conditions conducive to vector multiplication, resulted in a substantial decline in clinical cases.

Background: Tick infestation and tick-borne diseases remain a major threat to small ruminant production in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Ethiopia, favourable ecological and climatic conditions promote the survival of ixodid ticks, yet no systematic evidence has summarized their overall prevalence in sheep and goats.

Methods: Following the PRISMA 2020 guideline, a systematic search was conducted in databases (ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Wiley Online Library and African Journals Online) and other sources (Google Scholar and Google Engine). Studies published between January 2012 and August 2023 were included. A random-effects model was applied to estimate pooled prevalence with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was quantified using the I² statistic, and sources of heterogeneity were explored via subgroup analyses and a Galbraith plot. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger's test.

Results: Seventeen studies involving 11,284 small ruminants (4787 sheep and 6497 goats) from seven regions of Ethiopia were included. The pooled prevalence of ixodid tick infestation was 49.95% (95% CI: 37.67-62.22). Infestation was slightly higher in sheep (50.88%; 95% CI: 38.99-62.77) than in goats (46.59%; 95% CI: 30.18-63.00), although the difference was not statistically significant. Among 21,429 ticks identified, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) was the most prevalent genus (52.8%), followed by Amblyomma (34.9%) and Hyalomma (12.2%), while Haemaphysalis was the least common (0.02%). Regional variation was considerable, with the highest prevalence in the Somali region (81.9%) and the lowest in Afar (36.6%).

Conclusion: Ixodid ticks are highly prevalent among small ruminants in Ethiopia and pose a continuing risk to productivity and health. Control strategies should prioritize Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) and target high-prevalence regions such as Somali and Dire Dawa. Future research should investigate breed susceptibility, disease associations and integrated control options.

The prevention and management of livestock diseases require a holistic approach. Among these, the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of livestock owners play a central role. KAP surveys provide valuable insights into how individuals perceive livestock health challenges, what preventive measures they implement and how they respond to disease outbreaks. This study, therefore, aims to assess the KAP related to livestock diseases and their determinants among the residents of East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, to provide evidence-based insights for policymakers, extension workers and other stakeholders working to improve animal health in the region. A cross-sectional study design was employed based on a questionnaire survey of 412 participants from five selected districts of the East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region. A multistage cluster sampling procedure was used to select participants. Quantitative score was generated for KAP, and the scores were dichotomized as adequate and inadequate knowledge, desirable and undesirable attitude and good and poor practice. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were used to see the association of predictor variables towards adequate knowledge, desirable attitude and good practice. About 57%, 69% and 49% of the respondents have adequate knowledge, desirable attitude and good practice scores, respectively. About 96% of participants explained that feed and free grazing land was the livestock production constraint followed by disease (92%). Majority of the participants (83%) agree that livestock is an important economic and zoonotic disease that can threaten the lives of humans and animals. Only 32% and 21% of respondents used personal protective equipment during the sick animal approach and disposed of their dead animal through burial and burning. Illiterate level participants were less likely to have adequate knowledge than college and above level (AOR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.06-0.87), and in the same way, respondents of illiterate individuals were less likely to have good practice than college and above level participants (AOR = 0.04, CI = 0.009-0.19). The study showed that participants have good knowledge and attitude towards livestock disease but poor disease prevention and control practices. The community public health education should focus on translation of these good knowledge and favourable attitude into practices that effectively reduces livestock disease burden of the community.

Antimicrobial resistance in various infectious agents represents a public health threat. Therefore, the use of antimicrobials reveals new resistance mechanisms, and these resistance mechanisms are spreading globally. In this study, the aim was to isolate Escherichia coli from samples by conventional culture method and to identify the E. coli isolates obtained by PCR analysis. As a result of the culture method, 120 of 300 samples (40%) were isolated as suspected E. coli. However, the detection of the trpA gene only in 90 (75%) of the isolates allowed for the confirmation that it was, in fact, E. coli. According to PCR results, a total of 10 (11%) isolates were identified as E. coli subgroups. Eight (80%) of these isolates were found to be E. coli O157:H7 positive, while two (20%) were found to be E. coli O157 positive. In addition, five (50%) isolates were found to be H7 positive. Antimicrobial effect (Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay) was determined using the ELISA method. The results show that the CuONPs at 0.085 µg/mL had antibacterial properties against all strains. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested using the disc diffusion method. Nine (10%), 6 (6%), 28 (31%), 24 (26%), 5 (5%), 8 (8.8%), 4 (4%) and 6 (6%) tetracyclines, erythromycin, gentamicin, azithromycin, imipenem, ampicillin and nalidixic acid were found to be resistant, respectively. According to the results of the analysis, 1 and mcr 5 gene levels were found in 10 (11%) and 2 (2.2%) isolates, respectively. Also, in the isolates, E. coli O157:H7 had mcr 1 and mcr 5 genes in levels 3 (37.5) and 2 (25%). Nonetheless, 2 (100%) E. coli O157 isolates carried the mcr 1 gene, while 4 (80%) H7 isolates carried the mcr 1 gene. In this study, virulence genes were detected in all E. coli O157:H7 isolates. According to Congo red agar, two E. coli isolates were found to have strong biofilm formation ability, while three E. coli isolates were found to have moderate biofilm formation ability. The results of this study, due to the antimicrobial resistance, virulence genes and biofilm formation abilities of the strains, emphasize that these strains pose a significant risk to public health because they are associated with foodborne diseases and that this situation poses a danger of spreading the resistance gene in the environment.

Background: Pneumonic pasteurellosis leads to substantial economic losses in the small ruminant Production because of high mortality and reduced productivity. A cross-sectional study was employed with the objective to isolate and identify Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida from outbreak cases of small ruminants in selected districts of Afar region, Ethiopia from December 2021 to June 2023. A total of 192 nasal swab samples were collected using purposive sampling technique and bacterial isolation and identification was carried out as per the standard bacteriological methods. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-square (χ2) were employed to check the association between occurrence of the disease and associated risk factors and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: In the current study, the overall bacterial isolation rate from clinical cases of ovine and caprine pneumonic pasteurellosis was found to be 24.48% (n = 47/192), of which M. haemolytica accounted for 17.19% (n = 33/192) of bacterial isolates, while P. multocida accounted for 7.29% (n = 14/192) from isolates recovered from nasal swabs. Moreover, the present study also indicated that goats were more affected by this disease with the bacterial occurrence rate of 32.86% (n = 23/70) as compared to sheep with 19.67% (n = 24/122) in the study districts. There was statistically significant difference across species (p = 0.041) of the study animals with occurrence of the ovine and caprine pasteurellosis in nasal swabs. The study further revealed significant variation in the incidence rates of presumptive Pasteurella isolates across the study areas with Asayita recording the highest rate at 19.70% (n = 13/66), followed by Dubti at 17.46% (n = 11/63), and Mille at 14.29% (n = 9/63) even though no statistical association was observed.

Conclusions: The present study finding indicated that M. haemolytica is the predominant bacterium associated with pneumonic pasteurellosis in ovine and caprine in the study areas. This could highlights the need for developing a polyvalent vaccine incorporating M. haemolytica strains.

Background: Haemoplasma (haemotropic Mycoplasma sp.) is an aetiological agent of infectious anaemia in several mammals, including cats and pigs. Blood cytology lacks sensitivity for detecting this infection, and information regarding its accuracy in Thailand is lacking. Thus, PCR has emerged as the test of choice. Recently, a new conventional PCR (cPCR) assay targeting the 16S rRNA gene (approximately 1000 bp) was established and used in various studies, but its diagnostic accuracy has not been verified.

Objectives: This study compared the accuracy of blood cytology and 16S rRNA-based cPCR with the previously described cPCR assay targeting a partial fragment of the 16S rRNA gene (approximately 600 bp).

Methods: In total, 216 cat and 569 pig samples were tested for haemoplasma infection using blood cytology, 1000-bp cPCR, and 600-bp cPCR. The diagnostic properties and predictive utility of blood cytology and 1000-bp cPCR were assessed using 600-bp cPCR as the reference.

Results: In cats, blood cytology exhibited 23.68% sensitivity, 74.72% specificity and a poor level of agreement with 600-bp cPCR, whereas 1000-bp cPCR displayed 100.00% sensitivity and specificity and an almost perfect level of agreement with 600-bp cPCR. In pigs, blood cytology displayed 34.23% sensitivity, 92.22% specificity and a fair level of agreement with 600-bp cPCR, whereas the 1000-bp cPCR assay displayed 94.14% sensitivity, 100% specificity and an almost perfect level of agreement with 600-bp PCR.

Conclusions: Blood cytology exhibited little utility in diagnosing haemoplasma infection in cats and pigs, indicating that molecular assays, such as 1000-bp cPCR with almost perfect agreement and high diagnostic performances, should be used for diagnosing haemoplasma infection. Two cPCR assays used in this study have their own advantages. Therefore, the selection of a preferred assay depends on each researcher.

The objective of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of betaine on the performance, blood biochemistry, intestinal lesion score and nutrient utilization of broiler chickens exposed to coccidian challenge. A total of 600 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 708) were randomly assigned to five groups (six replicates). The negative control group (NC) remained unchallenged and received non-supplemented feed, while the positive control group (PC) received non-supplemented feed and was challenged with oocysts. The other three groups (B2, B4 and B6) were challenged with oocysts and received feed supplemented with 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg betaine, respectively. Results indicated a significant decrease in growth performance, nutrient digestibility and altered blood lipid profiles in the PC group, with the most significant restoration observed in the B6 group. Caecal lesion scores were also notably restored in the B4 and B6 groups among the infected broilers. In conclusion, betaine supplementation at a rate of 600 mg/kg demonstrated improvements in growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemistry and caecal lesion scores in broilers experimentally exposed to coccidiosis. However, the findings cannot be considered 100% conclusive, as variations in breed, management practices and infection severity may influence outcomes. The major limitation of this study is that it was conducted under controlled experimental conditions, which may not fully reflect field circumstances. Future research should explore different genetic strains, longer trial durations and combinations of betaine with other anticoccidial alternatives to better validate and extend these results.

Background: Methionine (Met) and cystine (Cys) play a critical role in protein synthesis, and overall health of laying hens. The source and concentration of Met and Cys in diets can significantly influence productive performance.

Objectives: This experiment aimed to compare the effects of DL-methionine (DL-Met) with methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA) and to evaluate the impact of dietary level of digestible Met + Cys on productive performance, egg quality traits, blood metabolites and immune response of laying hens.

Methods: A total of 324 Shaver White laying hens were used in a randomized complete block design as a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, comprising six treatments, six replicates and nine birds per replicate, during 34-46 weeks of age. The main effects included two Met sources: MHA and DL-Met, along with three dietary levels of Met + Cys: lower (0.555%), recommended (0.742%) and higher than the strain recommendation (0.929%).

Results: Hens fed diets with Met + Cys levels equal to or exceeding the strain recommendation exhibited higher egg production compared to 0.555% Met + Cys level, which was below the strain recommendation (p < 0.05). Increased levels of Met + Cys enhanced egg mass, egg weight and daily feed intake, while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was decreased. The levels of triglycerides and creatinine in the blood of hens with lower or equal Met + Cys levels were higher than those at the recommended level, while blood albumin level was lower at high Met + Cys levels (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The level of 0.929% Met + Cys in the diet increased egg size and egg mass while improving FCR. MHA can serve as a suitable substitute for DL-Met without negatively affecting performance in the diets of laying hens.