Veterinary Research Communications最新文献

Amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is a progressive disease caused by the deposition of AA, an abnormally folded protein derived from serum amyloid A (SAA), in organs throughout the body. AA amyloidosis occurs in various mammals and birds but is extremely rare in commercial pigs. A possible reason for this is that a variant SAA is crucial for the onset of AA amyloidosis in pigs. However, AA amyloidosis with wild-type SAA was recently reported in microminipigs, which are the smallest laboratory pigs, leaving the importance of this variant unclear. This is a report of the involvement of wild-type SAA in AA amyloidosis in 4-month-old three-way crossed pigs (Landrace, Large White, and Duroc: LWD). Using immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, and DNA sequencing, we determined that the amyloid fibrils were derived from wild-type SAA without detectable variant, which is a rare finding in commercial pigs. This finding suggests that AA amyloidosis can occur in commercial pigs regardless of the presence of the SAA variant.

This study investigates sequential changes in serum protein fractions during gestation in 31 pregnant Spanish Purebred mares compared to 15 non-pregnant control. Total serum proteins (TSP) were measured using the Biuret method, while albumin (ALB), total globulins (tGLOB), and their subfractions (α₁, α₂, β₁, β₂, γ-GLOB) were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Pregnant mares showed significant changes in serum protein profiles throughout gestation. TSP and tGLOB concentrations increased from mid to late pregnancy (months 6-11), while ALB concentrations declined between months 6-8 and rose again from months 9-11 (p ≤ 0.05). The ALB/GLOB ratio was lower in pregnant mares during months 6-9. α₁- and α₂-GLOB concentrations remained consistently elevated across all gestational stages (p ≤ 0.05). β₁-GLOBs exhibited stage-specific fluctuations, whereas β₂-GLOBs remained stable. γ-GLOB followed a triphasic pattern: an early increase (months 1-4), a mid-gestation decline (months 5-6), and a late gestation rise (months 7-11) (p ≤ 0.05). These results underscore dynamic, stage-dependent shifts in serum protein fractions during equine pregnancy. The progressive increase in α₁-, α₂-, and γ-GLOBs suggests heightened immune activity and preparation for passive immunity transfer. Changes in ALB and β₁-GLOBs likely reflect metabolic and transport adaptations. Electrophoretic profiling of serum proteins may offer a valuable approach for monitoring maternal and fetal health throughout gestation.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease of public health concern. Dogs are hosts that can carry and eliminate diverse serovars of Leptospira for long periods. Available vaccines can protect against only two to four serovars of Leptospira, and some additional virulent serovars not included in the vaccines may circulate in the environment. The objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of circulating Leptospiras in owned vaccinated, owned unvaccinated, and stray dogs, and to assess the risk factors associated with the presence of antibodies. Owned vaccinated, and owned unvaccinated dogs were selected, which were randomly recruited from different veterinary clinics, and a questionnaire was given to their owners to obtain their background; samples from stray dogs were obtained from the animal control center of the municipality of Merida. The MAT test against 11 serovars was used. A total of 335 samples were obtained, 215 from domiciled dogs and 120 from stray dogs. The seroprevalence was 34.02% (33/97) in vaccinated domiciled dogs, 38.98% (46/118) in nonvaccinated domiciled dogs and 39.16% (47/120) in stray dogs. The main serovars found were Australis, Bratislava, Autumnalis, and Pyrogenes in the three groups of dogs. A high seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. was detected in all groups of evaluated dogs including pathogenic serovars not serovars not contained in the commercial vaccines; since no relevant risk factors were detected all pet and stray dogs are at the same risk to become in contact with pathogenic leptospiras.

Zoonotic parasites are among the most prevalent agents that impair health and form networks of interdependencies between wildlife, domestic animals, and human populations. Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that causes one of the most common zoonotic diseases worldwide - toxoplasmosis. It can be transmitted horizontally through contaminated food or water, or vertically through the placenta. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and distribution of T. gondii seropositivity using an in-house ELISA in free-living and captive European bison from two populations in north-eastern Poland. A long-term survey spanning more than 20 years revealed that IgG antibodies to T. gondii were present in 4.1% (15 of 367 tested European bison). All individuals seropositive for T. gondii originated from the Białowieża Forest. They were found in supplementary-fed herds on the forest's edge, near human settlements, and in captivity. No European bison seropositive for T. gondii were found in the Knyszyn Forest. Our study revealed that European bison, the largest European herbivore, have been exposed to T. gondii for a long time, since 1996. It also showed that management practices, including supplementary feeding, can increase the risk of T. gondii transmission both in free-ranging and captive European bison. Therefore, feeding sites with stored hay, used by both European bison and cats, may serve as a source of toxoplasmosis. Epidemiological studies of toxoplasmosis in European bison are important, as this parasite poses a potential health risk to this rare species and may impact its conservation and management.

Staphylococcus aureus is a globally prevalent zoonotic pathogen frequently associated with pyoderma in humans; however, molecular data on primary staphylococcal pyoderma in Indian goats are meagre. This report presents the first molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of S. aureus from a goat with primary pyoderma, along with clinical management. A four-month-old Malabari crossbred goat kid was presented to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Mannuthy, with pustules and scab-like lesions on perianal and abdominal skin. Dermatological evaluation indicated primary pyoderma, and impression smears revealed Gram-positive cocci and neutrophils. The isolate was catalase positive and exhibited sensitivity to tetracycline, gentamicin, amoxicillin-sulbactam, ceftriaxone-tazobactam, and streptomycin, but showed resistance to multiple antibiotics. The isolate was identified as S. aureus by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. BLAST analysis revealed 99.48% sequence identity with S. aureus strains isolated from human cases of sepsis and pyoderma in Uzbekistan, India, and the USA, as well as with a complete genome sequence of a human blood isolate from Brazil. Phylogenetic analysis further demonstrated clustering with human isolates reported from multiple continents. A combination therapy of ceftriaxone-tazobactam and gentamicin for seven days based on culture and sensitivity test led to complete recovery. The genetic proximity to human pathogenic strains across diverse regions highlighted the broad host range of the bacterium. The findings of present study underscore the need for molecular surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and integrated One Health strategies to mitigate emerging zoonotic threats, particularly in regions with frequent human-livestock contact.

Coxiellosis is an important zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. In most animals, the disease is subclinical, whereas in humans, more pronounced clinical manifestations are observed. Domestic ruminants, especially goats, act as an important reservoir of the agent. In animals, it causes reproductive disorders and is excreted in high numbers along with abortion contents. Molecular characterization of C. burnetii strains is very important in epidemiological investigations and is useful in outbreak investigations and identification of probable source of the agent. To date, no such studies have been carried out on C. burnetii strains of Indian origin. In this study, we report the plasmid typing and MLVA typing of 17 strains of C. burnetii strains obtained from cases of reproductive disorders in cattle, sheep, and goat. Two different plasmid types QpH1 and QpRS, were detected among the 17 samples, and in MLVA typing, ms23 locus could not be typed for all 17 strains, hence, they were classified as partial. A total of three novel allelic combinations were observed among the 17 samples in MLVA typing. The results indicate that novel genotypes are involved in causing reproductive disorders in domestic ruminants, and further studies are warranted to understand the implications of these strains in humans.

Encapsulating natural antioxidants presents a robust strategy to neutralize oxidative stress, thereby improving semen preservation. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of butylated hydroxytoluene nanoparticles (BHT-NPs) in improving stallion semen preservation by investigating sperm quality, redox balance, semen bacteriology, apoptosis, ultrastructure, and acrosome status of chilled stallion semen preserved at 4 °C for 72 h. This in vitro experiment was evidenced by molecular docking analysis. Twenty-five ejaculates from five stallions were collected and extended with 0 (BHT-NP0), 0.5 (BHT-NP0.5), and 1.0 (BHT-NP1.0) mM of butylated hydroxytoluene nanoparticles. Stallions' extender fortified with 0.5 or 1 mM of BHT-NPs significantly improved progressive motility, viability, and membrane integrity while significantly reducing abnormalities after 72 h of cooling (p < 0.05). BHT-NP significantly reduced the apoptotic sperm and increased the viable sperm in cooled stallion semen (p < 0.01). Supplementation chilled stallion spermatozoa extender with 0.5 or 1 mM BHT-NPs significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and catalase activity compared to the control extender (p < 0.001). Conversely, the levels of oxidative markers (MDA, H₂O₂, and NO) were significantly lower in all BHT-NPs -supplemented groups compared to the control extender (p < 0.001). The BHT-NP1.0 group resulted in significantly lower total bacterial count (p < 0.001), coliform bacteria count (p < 0.01), and spore-forming bacteria counts (p < 0.01) compared to other groups. The docking simulation results show that the energy of binding BHT to antioxidant-apoptosis pathways such as HSP90A, PrdX1, caspase 3, and AKAP3 were - 8.45, - 7.1, - 6.42, and - 5.99 Kcal/mol, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that BHT-NPs significantly reduced head damage, midpiece damage, and coiled tails in stallion semen after 72 h of preservation at 4 °C. This research confirms that BHT-NPs offer a promising strategy for enhancing cooled stallion sperm quality, due to their combined antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-apoptotic properties. Our findings enhance semen preservation in stallions using nanotechnology molecules to promote the efficiency of assisted reproductive technology protocols.

Brucellosis in camels is mainly caused by Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus and poses significant economic and public health challenges. Brucellosis is a disease of economic and public health concern, not only because of human infections but also because of its pervasive effects on livestock species, especially in rural areas in semi-arid and arid zones. In such places, camels are crucial to various livelihoods and serve many roles. Camels are a source of milk (which is often the mainstay of family nutrition), meat, wool, and even leather; they are pack animals; and they form part of the small-scale and large-scale caravan trade that is one of the more impressive parts of the historical and prehistorical landscape. Despite its importance, camel brucellosis remains under-studied compared to other livestock diseases, and information on its epidemiology, diagnosis, and control is scattered. This review was undertaken to consolidate existing knowledge, identify gaps in current understanding, and provide a comprehensive overview of epidemiological trends, diagnostic challenges, and control strategies. We emphasize the difficulties in identification, monitoring, and containment of the disease in endemic regions and suggest comprehensive measures for its effective control.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of magnesium sulfate on propofol requirements and perioperative analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Fourteen female dogs (2 ± 1 years, 17 ± 5 kg) were enrolled in this randomized and blinded clinical trial. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with continuous rate infusion (CRI) of propofol, titrated to achieve an adequate depth of anesthesia. After anesthetic induction, dogs were randomly assigned to receive either magnesium sulfate (GM; bolus 50 mg/kg IV over 15 min followed by CRI at 80 mg/kg/h) or an equal volume of 0.9% saline (GS). A nociceptive response was defined as a ≥ 20% increase in systolic arterial pressure, treated with fentanyl (2 µg/kg IV). Cardiopulmonary variables, propofol infusion rates, intraoperative fentanyl requirements, and postoperative pain scores were measured. Propofol CRI did not differ significantly between groups (GM: 0.43 ± 0.07 mg/kg/min; GS: 0.38 ± 0.07 mg/kg/min; p = 0.1907). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a longer time to analgesic rescue and a higher proportion of dogs remaining without intraoperative fentanyl rescue in GM compared with GS (log-rank test, p = 0.0308). No differences were observed in cardiopulmonary parameters, surgery duration or time to extubation. Postoperative pain scores remained below analgesic rescue thresholds in both groups. Magnesium sulfate CRI did not reduce propofol requirements in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy but was associated with a reduction in intraoperative analgesic rescues. Magnesium sulfate may therefore provide some intraoperative analgesic benefits, such as reducing opioid consumption, without influencing anesthetic requirements or postoperative analgesia.

Sialolithiasis is a rare condition in cats. An 8-year-old neutered female European domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for halitosis, reduced appetite and weight loss. General physical examination was unremarkable, except for a low body condition score. A complete oral examination revealed generalized periodontal disease and tooth resorption. Full-mouth radiographs confirmed the presence of multiple teeth affected by tooth resorption. Additionally, dental radiographs also identified a radiopaque calcified structure adjacent to the caudal part of the body of the left mandibular bone. Differential diagnoses included a floating radicular rest, a sialolith, ectopic dental tissue or a mineralised foreign body. On detailed examination of this region, the hard structure was palpated in the lower lip, vestibular to the mandibular molar area. The structure was surgically excised and submitted for histopathological analysis, which confirmed a sialolith involving the minor salivary glands. Follow-up oral examination showed complete healing, resolution of clinical signs, and no evidence of recurrence. This case highlights the importance of dental radiography and histopathological confirmation in the diagnosis of oral calcified deposits in cats. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report in the peer reviewed literature describing sialolithiasis originating from a minor salivary gland in a cat.