Veterinary World最新文献

Background and aim: A total of 10% of the global population succumbs to amoebiasis yearly, equating to 50,000-100,000 recorded fatalities. It is closely associated with contaminated food and water supplies due to human feces. The disease's pathophysiology remains a subject of ongoing debate among experts. Some experts attribute the role of the host's conditions, parasite species and strain, and infection intensity in eliciting clinical symptoms. The aim of this study was to perform molecular identification of Entamoeba species isolated from humans and cattle.

Materials and methods: Stool samples from three hundred patients and one hundred cattle were collected from different regions, age groups, and sexes in Baghdad for microscopic examination. One hundred randomly chosen patient and cattle stool samples underwent microscopic examination and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Phylogenetic tree analyses were performed for Entamoeba species identification.

Results: The infection rate in humans differed significantly (p < 0.05) between age groups and genders, totaling 38%. The infection rate in cattle, determined by conventional PCR, differed significantly (p < 0.05) between age groups and genders, amounting to 58%. Ten PCR products with positive results were sequenced and deposited in GenBank database. Sequence analysis detected that Eight sequences belong to E. histolytica (OM268853.1, OM268854.1, OM268855.1, OM268857.1, OM268858.1, OM268860.1, OM268861.1, and OM268862.1) and two sequences belong to E. dispar (OM268856.1 and OM268859.1) in humans, while 10 sequences (ON724165.1 to ON724174.1) belongs to E. histolytica in cattle.

Conclusion: The increased susceptibility of cattle to E. histolytica suggests a considerable role in human infection and substantial public health risks. Further research should be conducted on the many virulence factors such as HM1:IMSS strain, cysteinprotease (Cp1), Gal/lectin, etc. of E. histolytica and E. dispar.

Background and aim: These three parks in North-east Thailand, Kosamphi Forest Park, Kumphawapi Monkey Garden, and Dong Ling Don Chao Pu Park, are internationally recognized for sheltering long-tailed macaques. Overfeeding by tourists and locals significantly increases the frequency of human-macaque encounters. Being close to each other raises the chances of contracting gastrointestinal (GI) parasites. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence and range of GI parasite infections in long-tailed macaques among the three major natural habitats.

Materials and methods: Three hundred fecal samples were collected from long-tailed macaques, with 100 samples from each of the three study sites. The samples underwent Formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique examination. Parasites were identified based on their morphology and size as observed under a light microscope.

Results: About 66.67% of the population had GI parasitic infection. Balantidium coli had the highest occurrence (41.66%), whereas Strongyloides spp. (24.33%), Trichuris spp. (18.33%), Entamoeba coli (10.33%), and Endolimax nana (2.33%) followed next in prevalence. A higher rate of single infections (41%) was reported compared to mixed infections (25.66%). At Dong Ling Don Chao Pu Park, the prevalence rate of B. coli in long-tailed macaques was 70%, markedly higher than those reported at the other two study sites. In these areas, the first known case of B. coli infection occurred in long-tailed macaques. In the Kumphawapi Monkey Garden, the prevalence of Strongyloides spp. and Trichuris spp. infections was significantly greater (45% and 28%, respectively) compared to the other two areas.

Conclusion: In northeast Thailand, long-tailed macaques are predominantly infected with B. coli, causing GI protozoal infections. In this primate population of the region, Strongyloides and Trichuris species are common helminths. This study offers new knowledge on parasitic loads in Thai long-tailed macaques, essential for devising effective One Health approaches to prevent and manage zoonotic diseases.

Background and aim: Artemisia annua (AA), used as a growth promoter in poultry, lowers feed costs and enhances economic efficiency. This study aimed to assess the impact of varying AA concentrations on broiler chicken growth, gene expression, and profitability.

Materials and methods: Two hundred 1-day-old male Cobb chicks were randomly allocated into four treatment groups, each containing five replicates and 10 birds. The experimental groups consisted of G1 (basal diet), G2 (basal diet with 0.3% AA), G3 (basal diet with 0.6% AA), and G4 (basal diet with 0.9% AA). The birds had continuous access to feed and water throughout the study. The experiment lasted for 42 days. We measured the growth performance (Feed intake, Life weight), carcass traits (weight after slaughter, dressed carcass, heart, gizzard, spleen, giblet and thymus weight), liver and spleen antioxidants (CAT, GSH, SOD), and gene expression of anti-inflammatory and immune- related genes.

Results: The primary findings revealed that the addition of 0.6% AA had a positive impact (p < 0.05) on all investigated variables compared with the control and other groups. Dietary supplementation with 0.6% AA led to increased breast, giblet, skeleton, and total yield, and net return compared with the control group. Supplementation with AA exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunological effects through improved levels of antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in tissue homogenates of the liver and spleen. It also upregulated the relative messenger RNA levels of anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px, whereas IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were downregulated.

Conclusion: The study found that AA is a promising replacement for antibiotics in poultry farming as a growth promoter for chickens. 0.6% AA in the broiler diet yielded the best results, striking a balance between superior performance and robust economic benefits.

Background and aim: In urban environments, dogs serve as the primary reservoir for visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Rapidly diagnosing canine VL through tests enables early treatment and a favorable prognosis. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of the SensPERT® Leishmania test kit (Dechra®), Alere® Leishmaniasis Ac test kit, and the rapid test dual path platform (TR-DPP®) Bio-Manguinhos in detecting VL.

Materials and methods: 30 serum samples from reactive VL dogs and 30 serum samples from healthy dogs were employed for assessing the sensitivity and specificity variation between SensPERT® Leishmania test kit, Alere® Leishmaniasis Ac test kit, and rapid test dual platform - TR-DPP®.

Results: The SensPERT® Leishmania test outperformed Alere® and TR-DPP® in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and demonstrated near-perfect concordance with Alere® and substantial concurrence with TR-DPP®.

Conclusion: The SensPERT® Leishmania rapid test proved to be a promising test in the detection of VL in dogs.

Background and aim: Vasovagal tonus index (VVTI) serves as a straightforward assessment tool for autonomic function during both physiological and pathological conditions, including pregnancy, in horses. Obtaining VVTI through a modified base apex lead system could be a practical and comfortable solution. In this study, we assessed VVTI in horses with respect to training status and electrocardiographic measurements utilizing a novel modified base apex lead technique.

Materials and methods: A total of 12 Thai native crossbred horses and 12 Arabian horses, all free of cardiac abnormalities, were enrolled in the study. Animals underwent electrocardiogram (ECG) and VVTI using both the base-apex lead method and its modified version. 25 mm/s and 10 mm/mV ECG recordings provided standard bipolar limb leads. The amplitudes and durations of P waves, QRS complexes, PR interval, QT interval, and T duration were assessed. The T wave's shape was examined. Each recording's R-R interval was utilized to assess heart rate. Twenty consecutive beats were used to compute the variability of heart rate (VVTI).

Results: The P wave amplitude was the only significant difference (p < 0.05) between the base apex lead method and the modified base apex lead method, with no variations in heart rate, P duration, PR interval, T duration, and QRS duration and amplitude. Both methods showed mainly biphasic T wave patterns. The VVTI values of all horses did not differ significantly between the base apex and modified base apex methods. There was no significant difference in VVTI between Thai crossbred horses and Arabian horses in either method.

Conclusion: This study provided the first evidence that VVTI can be evaluated using the modified base apex lead system and may be useful for cardiovascular function monitoring in horses.

Background and aim: Producing and transferring embryos in vitro are profitable for enhancing premium beef genetics. Reducing costs and enhancing the effectiveness of hormone protocols before ovum pick-up (OPU) yield advantages. This study aimed to confirm that estradiol benzoate (EB) treatment resulted in more medium- and large-sized follicles before OPU and of higher oocyte quality after OPU than non-hormonal treatments, comparable to those undergoing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plus prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) and progesterone-releasing controlled internal drug release (CIDR) or EB with progesterone-releasing CIDR hormonal treatments.

Materials and methods: 30 crossbred Japanese black cows were divided into five equal groups, which were either untreated or treated with different hormone protocols before OPU. Group 1 (cows in estrus) and group 2 (cows in diestrus) were the untreated controls. Cows in group 3 were treated with GnRH + FSH + CIDR + PGF_2α. Cows in group 4 received EB, and those in group 5 received EB + CIDR + PGF_2α. After administering the protocols, all cow follicles were examined through ultrasonography and categorized by size. Subsequently, all cows underwent OPU, and the oocytes were collected and graded from A to D according to standard criteria.

Results: Group 3 presented the highest large follicle numbers, and groups 3-5 had more medium follicle numbers, not different among groups but they had this parameter more than those of control groups 1 and 2. Moreover, groups 3-5 did not differ in combined grades A + B oocytes (good-quality oocytes). Groups 3 and 4 had more A + B oocytes than control groups 1 and 2, whereas group 5 was not different in this parameter from group 1.

Conclusion: Among the three hormone protocols, EB treatment proved the most cost-effective and efficient, yielding more high-quality oocytes compared to the non-treatment protocols. To reduce the limitations of EB use in the future, this study suggests researching natural EB phytoestrogens as alternative treatments for improving ovarian function before OPU in other cattle breeds.

Background and aim: Schima wallichii Korth., commonly known as the needlewood tree (family Theaceae) has therapeutic uses in traditional Mizo medicine for human helminthiasis and serves as a balm against ectoparasites in animals. Although the medicinal properties have been studied experimentally, its use as a traditional anthelmintic remains unexplored. This study aimed to analyze the chemical components and antiparasitic activity of S. wallichii.

Materials and methods: The chemical analysis of S. wallichi bark extracts was conducted focusing on the secondary metabolites using petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the specific compounds. An anthelmintic susceptibility test was carried out against Raillietina tetragona, intestinal cestode parasite of fowl.

Results: The methanol extract yielded the highest concentrations of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, sterols, saponins, and tannins among all the extracts. Sterols were the most abundant compounds in all extracts, with flavonoids being absent. Secondary metabolites were largely absent in the petroleum ether and chloroform extracts. The GC-MS data identified cholest-22-ene-21-ol as the major steroid component. The cestode parasite was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the plant extract. The plant extract's anthelmintic activity was evident through observable damage to the parasite's outer structure.

Conclusion: Phytosterols in S. wallichii bark are responsible for its anthelmintic properties. The mechanism and pharmaceutical properties of the anthelmintic molecule require further exploration.

Background and aim: Edible bird's nest (EBN) is known as the "Caviar of the East" because of its high nutritional and medicinal values. Nevertheless, its effect on human immunity is yet to be explored. This study examined the effects of EBN's aqueous extract (EBNE) on human immunity through the modular immune in vitro construct (MIMIC) model consisting of peripheral tissue equivalent (PTE) and lymphoid tissue equivalent (LTE) modules.

Materials and methods: One hundred twenty mL of full blood was obtained from four healthy human volunteers. The human immune system was simulated using an in vitro model, called MIMIC. Under EBNE treatment, monocyte transendothelial migration through reversed endothelial layers was observed. Using PTE and LTE modules, monocytes were differentiated into dendritic cells with lipopolysaccharide, then co-cultured with T- and B-cells for cytokine and immunoglobulin (Ig) production. The human cytokine array G2000 and quantitative human Ig isotyping array were used to identify the cytokine profile and Ig isotypes, respectively.

Results: IgE, IgA, and IgG3 levels were significantly raised by EBNE. These cytokines, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor, ciliary neurotrophic factor, glial cell line-derivative neurotrophic factor, insulin-like growth factor 1, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4, were generated.

Conclusion: For the first time, this work uses a MIMIC model to illustrate the impact of EBNE on human immune response. This new understanding of EBN's immunoregulatory effect allows for further exploration of how EBN interacts with the human immune system.

Background and aim: The potential of plants as anthelmintics is very large, but there is still very little research conducted in the search for effective, safe, easily obtained, and affordable anthelmintic candidates. Palem putri (Veitchia merrillii) is an ornamental plant that is interesting to study because it is included in the areca nut group which is reported to have strong abilities as anthelmintics. The study aims to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of Veitchia merrillii against trematode worms such as Paramphistomum spp. and Fasciola hepatica.

Materials and methods: This research employs both in vitro and computational techniques. An anthelmintic in vitro test was carried out on Paramphistomum spp. worms at concentrations of 10%, 25%, and 40% (gr/v), assessing mortality index as the observable outcome, followed by a histopathological investigation of the deceased worms for tissue and cellular damage evaluation. Seventeen compounds from V. merrillii seeds were studied in silico for their anthelmintic activity against F. hepatica worms using the quantitative structure-activity relationship technique, molecular docking, and Lipinski's rule analysis for orally administered medication.

Results: About 25% and 40% extracts of V. merrillii damaged the tegument organs in the worms. Seventeen compounds in V. merrillii seed extract, on average, yielded a higher anthelmintic index on F. hepatica than praziquantel. Eleven of the 17 compounds exhibit stronger affinity than praziquantel, with routine and gallic acid being the top two ligands (∆Gbinding values: -11.65 kcal/mol and -11.07 kcal/mol, respectively). According to Lipinski's rule analysis, only routine compounds cannot be orally administered.

Conclusion: The seeds of V. merrilli have potential as an anthelmintic agent for Paramphistomum spp. at concentrations of 25%-40% (gr/v).