Veterinary World最新文献

Background and aim: Cryptosporidiosis is a major waterborne disease affecting ruminants and humans worldwide. It causes diarrhea and neonatal mortality in buffalo calves, and watery diarrhea and mortality in children and immunodeficient patients. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Myristica fragrans methanolic extract in treatment of C. parvum infection in comparison with nitazoxanide (NZX) (a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug control) in immunosuppressed and immunocompetent mice.

Materials and methods: One hundred laboratory-bred male Swiss albino mice were equally divided into immunocompetent and immunosuppressed groups. Each group was further divided into five subgroups: (1) non-infected and non-treated control, (2) infected and non-treated control (infected with Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts 3 × 10³), (3) NZX-treated (100 mg/kg, 200 μL/mouse), (4) M. fragrans Houtt. methanol extract-treated (500 mg/kg), and (5) combination-treated (NZX + M. fragrans extract). Number of oocysts/g of feces, serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G level, and interferon (IFN)-γ, and interleukin (IL)-4 levels were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect.

Results: C. parvum oocyst shedding in stool samples was significantly decreased in all treatment groups, with 79.7%, 81.2 %, and 85.5 % reduction in immunocompetent mice treated with NZX, M. fragrans, and their combination, respectively. In immunosuppressed mice, oocyst shedding was reduced by 77.7%, 80.5 %, and 83.7 % upon NZX, M. fragrans, and their combination treatments, respectively. The serum IgG level was lowest in mice treated with a mixture of M. fragrans and NZX, followed by those treated with NZX, and was highest in mice treated with M. fragrans alone. Regarding cytokine levels, all groups treated with M. fragrans had low levels of IFN-γ and IL4 on day 21 post-infection.

Conclusion: Collectively, the treatment of cryptosporidiosis with M. fragrans extract was successful in mice, as demonstrated by the measured parameters. M. fragrans reduced C. parvum oocyst shedding and serum IgG, IFN-γ, and IL-4 levels in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice.

Background and aim: Cholangiocarcinomas are malignant neoplasms that originate from any part of the bile duct epithelium. It is one of the most common liver tumors in dogs. This study described the clinical, cytological, hematological, biochemical, and pathomorphological findings of five cholangiocarcinoma cases in exotic breed dogs aged 2-5 years to aid in clinical diagnosis.

Materials and methods: This study used dogs presented at different times from 2012 to 2021 at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. History, clinical signs, and vital parameters were recorded. Blood samples were collected for hematology and serum chemistry. Abdominocentesis was performed for cytological diagnosis. All dogs died during treatment, and postmortem examinations were performed. At postmortem, fine needle aspirates were collected from the liver and mesenteric lymph nodes and liver and kidney samples were fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin.

Results: The dogs showed signs of severe malnutrition, jaundice, and bloating. The hematological analysis indicated anemia, neutrophilia without band neutrophils, and lymphopenia, indicative of a stress hemogram. The serum biochemistry test revealed lower levels of total proteins, albumin, and globulin and higher levels of serum enzymes. Abdominal fluid and mesenteric lymph node cytology revealed clusters of epithelial neoplastic cells. A postmortem examination revealed the liver's nodular enlargement with the presence of button-like ulcers. Neoplastic epithelial cells are solid masses with hyperchromatic nuclei surrounded by fibrous connective tissues.

Conclusion: Cholangiocarcinoma, diagnosed over a period of time in five exotic breeds of dog, consistently presents with the same clinical and postmortem findings, aiding in clinical diagnosis. However, the diagnosis of the disease is not possible in the early stage because of the absence of specific clinical signs. In dogs and possibly other animal species presenting with emaciation, lethargy, icterus, and distended abdomen, cholangiocarcinoma should be suspected, and cytological examination of the abdominal fluid and lymph node aspirates should be performed despite the absence of advanced equipment.

Background and aim: Postpartum uterine disease, such as endometritis, is widespread in highly productive dairy cows, leading to fertility problems and economic losses. Despite existing diagnostic methods, early and effective detection of uterine infections remains problematic due to the subclinical nature of some conditions. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a rapid diagnostic test for endometritis in cows on different days postpartum (PP).

Materials and methods: The study was carried out on dairy Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 121) kept on farms in northern Kazakhstan. The study included both clinically normal cows and those diagnosed with endometritis, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the diagnostic methods across different stages of uterine health. The following laboratory tests were performed to diagnose and evaluate the presence and severity of endometritis in the cows: Nagorny-Kalinovsky test, Whiteside test, Katerinov test, Gavrish silver nitrate test, peroxide test, and clinical tests (rectal and vaginal examination). These tests were specifically chosen to identify inflammatory processes in the uterus, particularly focusing on detecting endometritis.

Results: From day 21 to 30 PP, rectal and vaginal examinations were 32% and 28% more effective than the Nagorny-Kalinovsky test and the Whiteside test. From day 61 postpartum, the Whiteside test was 37.5% more effective than the Nagorny-Kalinovsky test. Comparatively, among laboratory diagnostic methods from days 10 to 110 PP, the peroxide test showed the greatest effectiveness in identifying 80.9% of sick animals. In sick animals from day 10 to 20 PP, during the interaction of the cervicovaginal mucus with 10%, 20%, and 30% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), an 8.1 ± 1.9-8.8 ± 1.6 cm foam column was formed within 4-5 min.

Conclusion: The experiment showed that a 10% H₂O₂ solution yielded better results. Using H₂O₂ as a diagnostic agent for endometritis in cows has several advantages, including ease of use, it does not require special laboratory conditions and provides a visual reading of the reaction within 4-5 min. A limitation of this study is the focus on H₂O₂ without exploring other potential reagents that may enhance diagnostic accuracy. Future research could explore the long-term stability of cervicovaginal mucus samples and investigate the integration of additional substances that may expedite the detection of subclinical endometritis and improve the clarity of diagnostic results.

Background and aim: Fracture healing can cause serious complications, both preoperatively and postoperatively, including malunion or non-union. Biomaterials can enhance the fracture healing process. This study aimed to compare platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-chitosan and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF)-chitosan on the basis of biochemical parameters for fracture treatment in rabbits.

Materials and methods: This study involved 12 clinically healthy rabbits. After preparing PRP and PRF, a 3-mm bone defect was created in the tibia of each rabbit. The animals were divided randomly into two groups (A and B). Group A received PRP-Chitosan, and Group B received PRF-Chitosan. Bone healing was assessed using biochemical parameters (calcium [Ca], phosphorus [P], serum alkaline phosphatase [ALP], and osteocalcin [Ocn]) at 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-week postoperatively. The data were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance (p < 0.05) with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences statistical software.

Results: Group-wise comparison showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the groups, except for ALP levels, which were significantly higher in Group B than in Group A (p < 0.05). In the week-wise comparison, there was a significant difference between both groups, as Ca and ALP levels showed significant differences at all weeks postoperatively, whereas Ocn showed a significant difference at 2- and 4-week postoperatively (p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in P levels between the groups at any post-operative week (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Both combinations enhanced bone regeneration. However, PRF-Chitosan is a better combination for bone repair than PRP-Chitosan. There were some limitations of this study, such as a small sample size, only male rabbits were used, and a lack of mechanical testing; these limitations should be addressed in future studies. The insights gained from the present study may open a new approach to the use of a combination of biomaterials for bone healing, which should be further investigated clinically and in other animal models as a future scope.

Background and aim: Ducks worldwide are infected with duck circovirus (DuCV), which causes feather abnormality, emaciation, and poor growth performance. DuCV is similar to other circoviruses that induce immunosuppression due to the occurrence of the bursae of Fabricius (BF) and spleen atrophies. In Thailand, retarded ducks with feather losses were submitted for disease investigation. The ducks presented low body weight gain, had small BF and spleens, and were consistent with duck-infected DuCV. Our study investigated the possibility of DuCV infection in duck flocks in Thailand. We also analyzed the genetic characteristics of the virus.

Materials and methods: BF and spleen samples were collected from affected meat and layer ducks from six farms thought to have been infected with DuCV. These tissues were then subjected to histopathological examination and molecular identification using conventional polymerase chain reaction and nucleotide sequencing. To identify DuCV, phylogenetic trees were generated using MEGA version X software. Samples of tissues or swabs were collected to determine whether coinfections with bacteria and viruses existed.

Results: Phylogenetic analysis using the entire genome (1995-1996 bp) and cap gene (762 bp) revealed that the DuCV isolates circulating in Thailand belonged to DuCV genotype I, which was further subdivided into two sub-genotypes: sub-genotype I b and an unclassified sub-genotype based on reference sub-genotypes. Thai isolates have variations in 10 amino acid residues in the capsid protein. Ducks infected with Thai DuCV were also coinfected with Riemerella anatipestifer, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida, duck viral enteritis, and duck Tembusu virus, which is consistent with previous DuCV infection studies.

Conclusion: Six DuCVs from ducks who were previously found to have feather loss, were underweight, had growth retardation, and had poor body condition were identified in this study as belonging to genotype I and constituting at least two sub-genotypes. Due to the immunosuppressive effects of DuCV, coinfection of bacterial and viral pathogens was typically observed in Thai DuCV-infected ducks.

Background and aim: Pig industries are currently facing a crisis in terms of protein and energy costs. Proteases were used to increase protein digestibility and metabolizable energy (ME) in diets. This study evaluated the effects of protease supplementation on in vitro protein digestibility and productive performance in starter-to-finisher pigs.

Materials and methods: A total of 691 starter pigs were randomly allocated into three dietary treatments using a randomized complete block design. Diets were provided in three phases according to body weight (BW): Starter, grower, and finisher phases. Each phase was fed for 30, 60, and 24 days of treatment diets as T1: basal diet and T2 and T3: the basal diet supplemented with 240 ppm protease reduced by 50 kcal/kg ME plus 1% crude protein (CP) and by 100 kcal/kg ME plus 2% CP, respectively. Protease and in vitro protein digestibility were measured. BW and feed intake were recorded to calculate the average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed-to-gain (F:G), and gain-to-feed (G:F) ratios.

Results: There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the percentage of in vitro protein digestibility between the groups with and without protease supplementation. In the finisher phase, T2 had lower (p < 0.05) ADFI and F:G than T1 and T3. Overall, T3 had lower (p < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and F:G than T1 and T2.

Conclusion: Protease supplementation significantly affects protein digestibility. Supplementing basal diets with 240 ppm protease reduced ME by 50 kcal/kg and CP by 1% without affecting ADG, ADFI, F:G, and G:F ratios for starter-to-finisher pigs.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) are β-lactamase enzymes produced by Gram-negative bacterial pathogens that harbor the ESBL genes. In addition, most ESBL genes are plasmid-mediated and usually encode a broader spectrum of antimicrobial resistance, especially to penicillins, first-generation, second-generation, and third-generation cephalosporins, as well as monobactam, such as aztreonam. Escherichia coli has become an opportunistic pathogen, especially in poultry, and has been implicated in zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted to humans, resulting in public health problems. Poultry can act as carriers of ESBL-producing E. coli (ESBL-EC) bacteria to humans through poultry meat that is contaminated by waste products, feces, and excretions. The ESBL gene CTX-M type was identified as the main cause of infection in humans and was detected in poultry as a cause of infection accompanied by clinical symptoms. Several studies have also shown a link between E. coli and ESBL gene transfer from birds to humans. Controlling the spread of ESBL-EC involves maintaining the cleanliness of poultry products, especially meat, and eliminating contaminant sources from poultry. Likewise, maintaining the environmental cleanliness of poultry slaughterhouses and poultry farms must be taken as a precautionary measure to curtail the increasing spread of ESBL-EC into the environment. This review aimed to explain the spread of ESBL-producing E. coli in poultry.

Background and aim: Aluminum (Al)-induced neurotoxicity is known to play a pivotal role in the development of various neurodegenerative diseases, and this is alleged to occur through neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. This study aimed to determine the effect of Ficus religiosa (FR) leaf extract on oxidative stress and neuroinflammation induced by Al exposure in the rat brain by estimating malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL6), and total antioxidant (TAO) levels along with the degree of neurodegeneration in the brain of AlCl₃-administered and FR leaf extract-treated rats.

Materials and methods: Two- to three-month-old male albino Wistar rats weighing 250-280 g were used in the present study. The animals were randomly divided into seven groups, with 12 rats in each group. The groups were categorized as control, Al-intoxicated, FR treatment groups of two dosages, FR control rats of two dosages, and FR pre-treatment group.

Results: We observed a substantial increase in the levels of MDA and IL6 along with a decline in the TAO level in Al-intoxicated rats, suggesting increased lipid peroxidation (LPO), neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress, respectively. In the FR-treated animals, MDA as well as IL6 levels was decreased, and TAO was enhanced in addition to improved neuronal architecture, demonstrating the ameliorative effect of FR.

Conclusion: The present study observed a decline in LPO and neuroinflammation in FR-treated rats, demonstrating the protective effect of FR leaves against Al-induced neurotoxicity. The level of TAO also improved along with improvement in neuronal mass in FR-treated rats, adding to its ameliorative effect. However, further elaborate research is needed to confirm its therapeutic potential against inflammation-driven neurodegenerative diseases.

Background and aim: Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant health-care challenge, often linked to cognitive decline caused by oxidative stress. This study investigated the potential neuroprotective effects of the Paederia foetida leaf extract (PFE) in rats that exhibited scopolamine-induced dementia mimicking AD.

Materials and methods: Forty-two male rats were treated with either donepezil (0.5 mg/kg) or PFE at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg for 14 days before and 14 days after the beginning of Alzheimer's-like symptoms after 14 consecutive days of scopolamine administration. Behavioral tests, including the open-field test for locomotor activity and the Morris water maze task for learning and memory assessment, were conducted. Neuronal cell counts and biochemical assays were performed to further analyze outcomes.

Results: All groups exhibited normal locomotor activity. The scopolamine group displayed longer escape latency times, reduced time in the target quadrant, decreased number of surviving neurons, and increased malondialdehyde and decreased glutathione levels compared with the control group. However, pre-treatment with 1000 mg/kg PFE notably mitigated the neurotoxic effects of scopolamine.

Conclusion: The neuroprotective properties of PFE are highlighted, suggesting its potential as a promising treatment strategy for AD.