Veterinary Research Forum最新文献

The pet snake industry in Thailand has seen a significant rise in popularity, with the ball python (Python regius) becoming a frequently kept species. However, respiratory disease poses a notable health concern, and various viral pathogens, including serpentoviruses (formerly classified as nidoviruses), have been implicated. While serpentovirus infections have been reported globally in diverse snake species, no documented cases had previously been identified in Thailand. This case report describes a 9-month-old ball python presenting to the Reptile Science Clinic at the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute in Bangkok, Thailand, with respiratory distress and emaciation. Despite veterinary intervention, the snake succumbed to the infection within two weeks. Post-mortem examination revealed marked mucus accumulation within the oral cavity and necrotic oral mucosa. Histopathological analysis demonstrated severe catarrhal pneumonia. Molecular investigations confirmed the presence of serpentovirus in the lung tissue of the affected python, with subsequent sequence analysis revealing close homology to known serpentoviruses in ball pythons. This report documents the first confirmed case of serpentovirus infection in a pet snake in Thailand.

This study aimed to evaluate malondialdehyde (MDA) expressions using the immunohisto-chemical method in order to reveal the role of lipid peroxidation in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in male Wistar albino rats. Avidin-biotin-peroxidase method was used for immunohistochemical evaluation. Histopathological examinations revealed that DEN caused a mixed pattern (trabecular and acinar formations) of HCC in the majority of rats. The MDA positive stainings were significantly increased in rats in the HCC group compared to the healthy rats in the control group. In conclusion, this study data contain three important findings. The first one is that DEN triggers the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), excessively produced ROS cause oxidative stress, and as a result, oxidative stress strongly causes lipid peroxidation. Secondly, it is clear that there is an important relationship between oxidative stress-induced lipid peroxidation and HCC progression. At the same time, MDA is an useful biomarker in determining the prognosis of patients with HCC. The third and final finding is that intra-peritoneal DEN injection once a week for 20 weeks, but not in combination with other promoting chemical agents, appears to be very effective in inducing experimental HCC.

To improve the structure of the heart muscle after myocardial infarction, methods of regenerative medicine are used. One of the promising areas is the intra-myocardial administration of acellular allogeneic biomaterial (AB). The AB stimulates the regeneration of organs and tissues. But, the effect of AB on the myocardium after its fibrous ischemic degeneration has not been assessed. The aim of the study was to assess the morphological structure of the heart after cryodestruction in the late period and the use of AB. Chronic myocardial infarction was modeled in 80 male rats. To simulate chronic myocardial infarction and fibrosis formation, contact cryodestruction was performed. After 45 days, during repeated thoracotomy in the main group, AB suspension was injected into the area of the cryogenic myocardial scar. Six injections of 0.50 mg of dry substance were administered. In the control group, physiological solution was injected. After AB administration, following 7, 14, 30, and 45 days, the animals were withdrawn from the experiment, and the hearts were excised for histological and immunohistochemical studies. The AB underwent gradual phagocytosis by macrophages and gradually replaced by loose fibrous connective tissue with the presence of cardiac troponin I⁺ labeled muscle cells, which over time underwent hypertrophy. Cardiomyocytes were grouped in the AB implantation zone as separate clusters. The heart mass did not change in both experimental groups. The use of AB in the area of the formed cryogenic myocardial scar promoted the transformation of dense fibrous connective tissue into loose tissue and its replacement with cardiac muscle tissue.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in the demise of neural and glial cells, as well as extensive neuro- inflammation. Hydrogel formulation for prolonged release of melatonin (Mel) has demonstrated enhanced effectiveness and safety. In this study, SCI was induced in rats by contusion at the T₉ vertebrae. Chitosan (CH) /Mel hydrogel was fabricated and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infra-red to examine its specific effects on the apoptotic and histopathological markers of SCI. The scanning electron microscopy images revealed the presence of porosity in the CH/Mel hydrogel. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8), including sham, control (SCI-induced treated locally with 100 µL CH hydrogel), and groups 3, 4, and 5 (treated locally immediately after SCI induction with 100 µL CH hydrogel containing 50.00, 100, and 200 mg kg^-1 Mel, respectively). The CH/Mel hydrogel at a dose of 25.00 mg mL^-1 significantly increased cell viability in the U87 cell line after 24 hr of exposure. However, at 48 and 72 hr after exposure, Bax and Bcl2 expressions were significantly increased and reduced in the SCI group, respectively, and CH/Mel hydrogel could alleviate their expressions, especially in higher doses. In addition, S100 protein expression was up-regulated in the SCI group. However, CH/Mel hydrogel down-regulated it in a dose-dependent manner. The histopathological findings demonstrated that CH/Mel hydrogel dramatically improved SCI outcomes, like vacuolar degeneration, necrosis, and severe cystic and axonal degenerations. In conclusion, CH/Mel hydrogel induced neuroprotection and it had the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of SCI.

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious and severe disease that affects birds, including domestic poultry, causing significant economic losses to the poultry industry. The disease is caused by the ND virus (NDV). Despite extensive vaccination efforts against NDV, controlling the disease remains challenging, primarily due to the emergence of new genotypes. Recent attention has focused on calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP NPs) as promising adjuvants for vaccines. This study aimed to design and construct CaP NPs containing inactivated NDV genotype VII and evaluate their safety and humoral immunogenicity in chickens. Following virus propagation in specific-pathogen-free eggs and inactivation with formalin, CaP NPs containing inactivated NDV were prepared using in situ and adsorption methods. The NPs were characterized for shape, size, polydispersity index and surface charge. Chickens were immunized subcutaneously with CaP NPs containing inactivated NDV and the humoral immune response against NDV was assessed using HI and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results showed a significant increase in the mean antibody titer against NDV in chickens treated with both NP structures compared to control groups. No significant difference was observed between the two NP preparation methods. The safety of CaP NPs containing inactivated NDV was confirmed. However, mucosal immunization with these NPs did not yield satisfactory results indicating the need for further research. Overall, this study confirmed the positive role of CaP as an adjuvant in enhancing the humoral immune response against NDV via injection and highlighted the need for continued research on mucosal immunization with the NPs.

A 4.5-year-old, nulliparous female New Zealand White Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was presented for evaluation of a mammary mass located in right axillary mammary gland. The surgically excised mammary mass was submitted for histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation. Histopathologically, neoplastic cells were arranged in sheets and nests of irregular sizes. The tissue was composed of amorphous eosinophilic material and necrotic cells. The neoplastic cells had round to oval nuclei with prominent nucleoli, scant basophilic cytoplasm and high mitotic activity. Cytokeratin and vimentin expressions of neoplastic cells were observed in immunohistochemical findings. Based on the microscopic characteristics and immunohisto-chemical staining, a diagnosis of a non-invasive comedocarcinoma was established. In this case, cytokeratin positivity confirmed the epithelial origin, whereas the vimentin positivity supported the presence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and/or increased malignancy.

Fowl adenovirus (FAdV) is a DNA virus causing significant diseases, like inclusion body hepatitis, hydropericardium-hepatitis syndrome (HHS), and gizzard erosion. These diseases lead to severe economic losses in the poultry industry. Recent increases in HHS outbreaks in Iran, particularly among broilers, prompted this study to analyze FAdV isolates in Kashan, Iran. In December 2021, a high-mortality HHS outbreak in a Kashan broiler flock led to liver and heart samples being sent for analysis. Histopathological investigations revealed mononuclear hepatitis and intra-nuclear viral inclusion bodies in hepatocytes. Polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of FAdV-4 (accession number: PP856395), showing 99.99% identity with strains from Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and the United States. These findings highlight the genetic similarity and potential common origin of FAdV-4 strains. This study emphasizes the need for heightened biosecurity measures and effective vaccination strategies to mitigate the spread of FAdV-4. The confirmed presence of FAdV-4 in central Iran poses a significant threat to the poultry industry, necessitating prompt action to prevent substantial economic losses.

Cell-surface proteins of Clostridium chauvoei were purified using a simple method. Bacterial cultures were centrifuged and agitated vigorously in phosphate buffered saline with or without further glycine treatment and ammonium sulfate precipitation. Rabbits were immunized subcutaneously with a blackleg disease vaccine twice with a two-week interval. Immunized sera were collected one week after the second injection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed using the proteins purified by the second method as the coating antigen. Bradford assay results showed a higher protein concentration in the second than the first method. Sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed multiple bands for the cell-surface proteins of C. chauvoei in the first method and a sharp band equivalent to flagellin protein in the second method. The ELISA results indicated that the purified proteins were capable of detecting antibodies against Blackleg disease vaccine. The purified protein would be an alternative antigen for indirect ELISA in order to monitor the immune response in vaccinated farm animals.

The transmission of Escherichia coli (E. coli) containing virulent genes from animals to humans and the environment poses significant public health challenges. This study aimed to detect the virulence factor of the E. coli heme-utilization gene A (chuA) in E. coli isolated from the feces of apparently healthy horses in the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. The study utilized 52 fecal samples from a total horse population of 283, calculated using the disease detection formula. Fresh feces were collected immediately after excretion and placed in buffered peptone water for subsequent analysis. The samples were then isolated on eosin methylene blue media and identified using biochemical tests. Identified E. coli strains were further examined for detecting the chuA gene using polymerase chain reaction techniques. The E. coli was successfully isolated and identified in 11 (21.15%) of the 52 collected fecal samples. Polymerase chain reaction analysis detected the chuA gene in 8 (15.38%) E. coli isolates at 279 bp on gel electrophoresis. The close interaction between horses and humans in the island of Sumbawa, Indonesia, may facilitate the spread of E. coli. Thus, surveillance is needed to employ a One Health approach to monitor E. coli strains encoding the chuA gene and other virulence factors to control their dissemination.

The current research was carried out to evaluate in vitro anti-microbial properties of the cell-free supernatants (CFSs) derived from Pediococcus acidilactici (PA) and Latilactobacillus sakei/ Staphylococcus xylosus (LS) against Escherichia coli O157:H7 American Type Culture Collection strains (35150, 43894, and 43985). For this purpose, the diameters of zone of inhibition of the CFSs against E. coli O157:H7 strains were measured. In addition, a time-kill assay was conducted to determine the inhibitory effect of the CFSs alone or in combination with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) during incubation at 37.00 ˚C for 24 hr. In the time-kill assay, E. coli O157:H7 was subjected to three concentrations of CFSs (1.00, 5.00, and 10.00%) and EDTA (0.02 M) in tryptic soy broth and the E. coli O157:H7 count was determined at 0, 6, and 24 hr intervals. The CFS of LS had a lower pH and higher titratable acidity compared to the PA. The CFS of LS displayed higher zones of inhibition than the CFS of PA against E. coli O157:H7 American Type Culture Collection 35150 and 43894 strains. The concentrations of 5.00 and 10.00% CFSs in combination with EDTA provided a 5.00 log₁₀ decline in E. coli O157:H7 count over a 24-hr period. The results of this study indicated that the combination of CFSs (5.00 and 10.00%) and EDTA (0.02 M) exhibited an enhanced anti-bacterial effect against E. coli O157:H7 strains, which are substantial foodborne pathogenic bacteria.