Veterinary Research Forum最新文献

Pneumonia remains a significant economic burden on the small ruminant industry. Excessive inflammation, oxidative stress, and alterations in copper and zinc can accompany pneumonia. As these micro-nutrients play crucial roles in immune function and anti-oxidant defence, modulating their levels may influence the disease progression. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different therapeutic regimens on copper and zinc status in lambs with pneumonia. Twenty lambs with pneumonia were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: oxytetracycline and tylosin (OT), OT plus vitamin B1 (OTVB1), OT plus vitamin C (OTVC), and OT plus vitamin B1 and vitamin C (OTVB1C). A control group received only distilled water. Blood samples were collected on days 1, 3, 6, and 14 for subsequent assessment of plasma copper and zinc concentrations. While the control group maintained stable levels, the pneumonic groups exhibited varying degrees of changes. Plasma copper concentrations increased significantly in all pneumonic groups compared to the control group throughout the study. The OT and OTVB1C groups had the highest number of lambs with increased copper level. Plasma zinc concentrations decreased significantly in the OT and OTVB1 groups, with the lowest levels in the OTVB1 group on day 3. The OTVC group mirrored the control group with stable levels. The OTVB1C group, compared to the other groups, showed a more persistent reduction. These findings suggest that the effects of the various treatment regimens on plasma copper and zinc levels may be complex and time-dependent.

This study investigated the antioxidant and apoptotic systems of blue swimmer crabs at various reproductive stages, providing valuable insights into their potential as biological markers, particularly in the polluted Persian Gulf. Our research along the coasts of Hendijan County, Iran, involved capturing live crabs (167 ± 52.07 g), examining their morphological traits and determining their reproductive stages through dissection and histological analysis. Apoptosis was detected using the TUNEL assay (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling), and enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were measured using colorimetric methods. Variations were observed in the abundance of apoptotic cells within the hepatopancreas across reproductive stages. The second stage exhibited the lowest values and the first stage displayed the highest indicating a potential link between reproductive activity and apoptosis. Furthermore, enzymes representing the antioxidant system demonstrated various activities during ovarian development. Notably, the second ovarian stage demonstrated the highest catalase (5.63 mM per g protein) and malondialdehyde (12.14 mM per g protein) activities indicating an elevated response to oxidative stress. Our findings demonstrated that apoptotic cell numbers were fluctuated throughout the reproductive stages in the crabs, with the highest levels observed during the first stage and the lowest during the second stage. Understanding these fluctuations not only aids in distinguishing between reproductive and non-reproductive phases but also offers valuable insights into the broader physiological changes occurring throughout the cycle.

The Q fever is a zoonotic bacterial infection caused by an obligate intra-cellular bacterium, Coxiella burnetii. Members of the Canidae family (Mammalia), including dogs and foxes, are potential reservoirs of C. burnetii, which has a wide host range from mammals and birds to arthropods (primarily ticks). Infected dogs can transmit the disease to other animals and humans. This study aimed to investigate the presence of C. burnetii in dogs and ticks collected from infested dogs in the Kars, Ardahan, and Iğdir provinces of Türkiye by serological and molecular methods. Three hundred canine serum samples were analyzed for phase I and phase II C. burnetii antibodies using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Whole blood samples (n = 300) from the dogs sampled for sera and 184 ticks randomly collected from these dogs were also analyzed for C. burnetii with touch-down polymerase chain reaction. The ticks were classified according to the taxonomic characteristics. In result, 107 tick DNA samples collected from individual females and pooled males were evaluated. The C. burnetii was detected in 3.73% (of the tick samples. However, C. burnetii was not detected in any of the canine blood samples by polymerase chain reaction. Out of the 300 dogs, 18.33% presented antibodies against C. burnetii in their blood serum. When assessed for location, C. burnetii seropositivity was found to be significantly high especially in the Northeastern Anatolia region (18.33%). Study data highlighted the zoonotic risk of ticks, demonstrating that ticks on dogs can carry C. burnetii.

While severe shortage of feed has presented livestock industry with a major challenge, millions of tons of fruit by-products (FBPs) are discarded annually, as valuable sources of energy and numerous nutrients. However, some of FBPs contain high tannins that must be treated for use in animal feeding. This study was investigated the effect of tannin-degrading bacteria isolated from the rumen of some ruminants on the in vitro digestibility and gas production of FBPs silage. The FBPs, including pomegranate peel (PP), and the pulps of lemon (LP), grape (GP), and orange (OP) were ensilaged with tannin-degrading bacteria (enzyme activity: 10.46 - 8.60 U mL^-1) isolated from the rumen of male goat (Escherichia coli GHMGHE41), deer (Escherichia fergusonii GHMGHE44), ram (E. fergusonii GHMGHE30), and camel (Klebsiella aerogenes GHMGHE38). After anaerobic incubation (30 days; 39.00 ˚C), PP + camel strain silage showed the highest dry matter, and the lowest natural acid detergent fiber and pH. The camel strain increased crude protein content of LP silage to the highest level, and decreased acid detergent fiber of GP silage to the lowest level. The highest digestibility was observed for LP + goat strain silage (50.37%) compared to the uninoculated OP silage (42.73%). The maximum ammonia (N-NH₃) and minimum level of pH were recorded for the silages of LP + goat strain and PP + CR strain, respectively. Overall, the current results showed that tannin-degrading E. coli GHMGHE41 and K. aerogenes GHMGHE38 were able to improve the digestibility of LP and PP silages as ingredients in ruminants' diets.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone predominantly produced in the kidneys, primarily stimulating erythroid cell proliferation in the bone marrow. The present study investigated the impact of EPO combined with swimming exercise on cardiac morphometry in adolescent male and female rats. The 4-week study involved 48 rats (24 males and 24 females), which were divided into four main groups of six males and six females each. The control group was administered intraperitoneal saline four times a week. The swimming exercise group also received intraperitoneal saline, followed by 30 min of swimming exercise, four times a week. The drug control group was given 50.00 IU kg^-1 epoetin alfa intraperitoneally, four times a week. Lastly, the Swimming + Drug group received 50.00 IU kg^-1 epoetin alfa intraperitoneally, four times a week, followed by 30 min of swimming exercise. The post-study measurements demonstrated that EPO administration did not result in notable alterations in crucial parameters, including the left ventricular mass index, left ventricular mass, and left ventricular posterior wall in the context of left ventricular hypertrophy in both genders. However, in female rats, EPO-only group and the combined EPO and exercise group showed significant thinning of the right ventricular wall and interventricular septum indicating potential cardiac dilatation. The results highlight the necessity of considering gender-specific responses when evaluating EPO's cardiovascular effects, particularly concerning the right ventricle, and suggest further investigation into the long-term consequences of these observed changes.

Osteomyelitis is caused by the local spread of an infected source adjacent to the infection following trauma, bone surgery or joint replacement. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of vancomycin (Van)/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanocomposite in comparison with curcumin (Cur)/PCL on the healing of experimental osteomyelitis in tibia in rabbits. After induction of osteomyelitis forty adult male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. Control group: The animals were considered as controls and no scaffolds were used. In PCL/Van group, the created bone defects were filled with the combination of PCL and Van. In PCL/Cur, the created bone defects were filled with the combination of PCL and Cur. Polycaprolactone/Cur/Van group: The created bone defects were filled with the combination of PCL, Cur and Van. Bone samples were taken for histopathological evaluation on the 30^th and 60^th days. For radiological evaluations of the osteomyelitis, radiographs were prepared at time intervals zero (day of surgery), 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after surgery. In order to evaluate hematology, blood was taken on days 0 (day of surgery), 15, 30, 45, and 60. The results of the present study showed that Cur nanocomposite significantly improved the healing process of the rabbit tibia experimental osteomyelitis model compared to the control group. Also, the PCL/Cur/Van group showed the best healing results. In conclusion, PCL/Cur/Van nanocomposite scaffold showed positive effects on the healing process.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS) bacteria, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP), pose a significant threat in veterinary medicine, given their potential for zoonotic transmission and their implications for companion animals and humans' health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of MRS and anti-microbial resistance patterns at a university clinical hospital in Madrid, Spain. Samples were collected from both the environment and hospital staff at Veterinary Clinical Hospital of Alfonso X el Sabio University. Anti-microbial susceptibility assays, molecular detection of mecA gene and genetic relationships among the identified bacterial strains were performed. The study revealed an MRS prevalence of 1.50% in environmental samples, with MRSP accounting for 0.75% of the cases. Genetically related MRSP strains were found in different hospital areas. Among hospital staff, there was a MRS prevalence of 14.03%, including S. pseudintermedius and S. epidermidis strains. Antibiogram tests revealed multi-drug resistance among MRSP strains. Additionally, methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci were isolated, suggesting potential cross-species transmission. This study underscores the presence of MRS in a veterinary clinical hospital, highlighting the significance of infection control through the implementation of protective measures, stringent hygiene practices among personnel and in the environment and responsible use of antibiotics. Further research is necessary to assess MRS incidence in animal patients and explore geographical variations, enhancing our understanding of MRS in veterinary medicine and addressing its challenges.

Glanders caused by Burkholderia mallei is one of the most dangerous zoonotic diseases in solipeds. Clinical diagnosis of this disease in its early stages in horses, is difficult. This study investigated serological and molecular identification of B. mallei in East Azerbaijan province. In the third and fourth quarters of 2020, throughout 2021, and in the first and second quarters of 2022, the complement fixation test (CFT) was performed on 350 horses. The malleination was used to confirm the positive CFT cases. Blood samples were taken for culture and for preparing serums to perform the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Deep eye discharge, nostril, cutaneous ulcers and lymph fluid swabs were cultured, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out. Eleven horses were CFT-positive. Based on the malleination on the 11 horses, six were affected by glanders, five were not affected (false positive), and one horse was CFT-negative despite exhibiting clinical signs. It was positive by malleination, ELISA and PCR. A total number of seven positive cases of glanders were diagnosed. The B. mallei could not be isolated, but the Burkholderia cepacia complex was isolated in one case. Except for three cases, the results of the CFT, mallein and ELISA tests were consistent. The amount of confidence interval was 95.00%. It is suggested that ELISA could be used as a complement to CFT in screening and, if positive results are observed in one of the tests, the entire herd must be examined more accurately using the mallein and western blot confirmatory tests.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of mastitis worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of S. aureus in mastitic milk samples collected from camel farms in Matrouh Governorate, Egypt. A total of 200 mastitic camel milk samples were evaluated for S. aureus using both conventional culture-based and molecular-based methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of S. aureus isolates was conducted using disc diffusion and agar dilution methods, with antibiotic resistance genes identified through polymerase chain reaction with specific primers. Out of samples tested, 60 (30.00%) were positive for S. aureus. The isolates displayed the highest of resistance against piperacillin-tazobactam (55.00%) followed by trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole (45.00%) and amoxicillin (40.00%). Half of the isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). The AMR genes included methicillin-resistant gene (mecA), β-lactamase gene (blaZ), tetracycline resistance gene (tetK), erythromycin resistance gene (ermB) and vancomycin resistant gene (vanA) were detected in 100%, 100%, 95.00%, 90.00% and 20.00% of the isolates, respectively. In conclusion, the presence of MDRS aureus as a cause of clinical camel mastitis is a significant veterinary and public health concern. These findings highlight the importance of proper antibiotic use in Egyptian camel farms and the need for molecular techniques to fully understand the genetic profile of antimicrobial-resistant S. aureus isolates.

Aminoglycoside antibiotics (AGs) can cause neuromuscular blockade and paralysis of skeletal muscles. To compare the paralytic effects of selected AGs on some motor behaviors in mice, 24 male mice were divided into four groups. Each group was given one of AGs (gentamicin, dihydro-streptomycin, apramycin and amikacin) at incremental doses that increased half-logarithmically compared to the therapeutic dose (16.00 mg kg^-1). Motor behavioral tests included open field test, inclined plane, horizontal bars, static rods, parallel bars and rotarod. Finally, the data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Gentamicin and dihydrostreptomycin at 32.00 times of the therapeutic dose produced complete paralysis of the limbs, respiratory arrest, and even death in some animals. However, apramycin and amikacin did not show significant effects on skeletal muscle and motor behaviors at 32.00 times of the therapeutic dose. After administration of apramycin at 100 times of the therapeutic dose, four out of six mice (66.67%) died from respiratory depression. Amikacin at this dose did not cause animal death, although it caused some changes in motor behaviors with a significant difference in comparison with control values. Gentamicin demonstrated significantly more potent effects on motor behaviors compared to the other AGs. Overall, the order of potency was gentamicin > dihydrostreptomycin > apramycin > amikacin. High doses of AGs could impair the skeletal muscle function and disrupt motor behaviors in mice. Furthermore, the paralytic potency of selected AGs on skeletal muscle was significantly different.