First Report of Rickettsia Asembonensis in Small Ruminants

Abstract Rickettsioses is an emerging infectious disease in Southeast Asia caused by different organisms in the Rickettsiae bacterial tribe, a gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium. There is limited information regarding the vertebrate hosts of Rickettsia spp. This study aims to detect and identify Rickettsia agents present in wildlife and domesticated animals in Malaysia using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing approach with phylogenetic analysis. Rickettsia sp. was detected in 2 (0.67%) of 300 animal blood samples. The positive samples were derived from a goat (5.56% of 18) and a sheep (2.22% of 45). Based on the analysis of the Rickettsia citrate synthase gene (gltA), both sequences demonstrated 99.64% sequence similarity to Rickettsia asembonensis, a species that is known to infect humans and macaques. This study reported for the first time the detection of R. asembonensis in sheep and goats in Malaysian farms, suggesting this species may be adapting in a wider range of animals, specifically farm animals, therefore, poses a zoonotic threat to the local populace particularly to the farm workers or animal handlers. The low infection rate of this pathogen yet is of public health importance highlighted the needs of continuous surveillance of emerging and reemerging pathogens among animal reservoirs.

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Rickettsia lusitaniae in Ornithodoros Porcinus Ticks, Zambia

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10101306 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1306

Author(s):

Simbarashe Chitanga ◽

Herman M. Chambaro ◽

Lavel C. Moonga ◽

Kyoko Hayashida ◽

Junya Yamagishi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

National Parks ◽

Citrate Synthase ◽

Sequence Similarity ◽

Ixodid Ticks ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Rickettsia Species ◽

Ornithodoros Moubata

Rickettsial pathogens are amongst the emerging and re-emerging vector-borne zoonoses of public health importance. Though traditionally considered to be transmitted by ixodid ticks, the role of argasid ticks as vectors of these pathogens is increasingly being recognized. While bat-feeding (Ornithodoros faini) and chicken-feeding (Argas walkerae) argasid ticks have been shown to harbor Rickettsia pathogens in Zambia, there are currently no reports of Rickettsia infection in southern Africa from warthog-feeding (Phacochoerus africanus) soft ticks, particularly Ornithodoros moubata and Ornithodoros porcinus. Our study sought to expand on the existing knowledge on the role of soft ticks in the epidemiology of Rickettsia species through screening for Rickettsia pathogens in warthog burrow-dwelling soft ticks from two national parks in Zambia. The tick species from which Rickettsia were detected in this study were identified as Ornithodoros porcinus, and an overall minimal Rickettsia infection rate of 19.8% (32/162) was observed. All of the sequenced Rickettsia were identified as Rickettsia lusitaniae based on nucleotide sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis of the citrate synthase (gltA) and 17kDa common antigen (htrA) genes. Utilizing all of the gltA (n = 10) and htrA (n = 12) nucleotide sequences obtained in this study, BLAST analysis showed 100% nucleotide similarity to Rickettsia lusitaniae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all of the Zambian gltA and htrA gene sequences could be grouped with those of Rickettsia lusitaniae obtained in various parts of the world. Our data suggest that Rickettsia lusitaniae has a wider geographic and vector range, enhancing to our understanding of Rickettsia lusitaniae epidemiology in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Molecular Detection and Phylogeny of Anaplasmaphagocytophilum and Related Variants in Small Ruminants from Turkey

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11030814 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 814

Author(s):

Münir Aktaş ◽

Sezayi Özübek ◽

Mehmet Can Uluçeşme

Keyword(s):

16S Rrna ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Pcr Rflp ◽

First Time ◽

Japan And China ◽

Apparently Healthy

Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes tick-borne fever in small ruminants. Recently, novel Anaplasma variants related to A. phagocytophilum have been reported in ruminants from Tunisia, Italy, South Korea, Japan, and China. Based on 16S rRNA and groEL genes and sequencing, we screened the frequency of A. phagocytophilum and related variants in 433 apparently healthy small ruminants in Turkey. Anaplasma spp. overall infection rates were 27.9% (121/433 analyzed samples). The frequency of A. phagocytophilum and A. phagocytophilum-like 1 infections was 1.4% and 26.5%, respectively. No A. phagocytophilum-like 2 was detected in the tested animals. The prevalence of Anaplasma spp. was comparable in species, and no significant difference was detected between sheep and goats, whereas the prevalence significantly increased with tick infestation. Sequencing confirmed PCR-RFLP data and showed the presence of A. phagocytophilum and A. phagocytophilum-like-1 variant in the sampled animals. Phylogeny-based on 16S rRNA gene revealed the A. phagocytophilum-like 1 in a separate clade together with the previous isolates detected in small ruminants and ticks. In this work, A. phagocytophilum-like 1 has been detected for the first time in sheep and goats from Turkey. This finding revealed that the variant should be considered in the diagnosis of caprine and ovine anaplasmosis.

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Leptospirosis in Ruminants in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: A Serological Survey with Mixed Methods to Identify Risk Factors

Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease ◽

10.3390/tropicalmed6020084 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 84

Author(s):

Dyah Ayu Widiasih ◽

Johanna Frida Lindahl ◽

Wayan T. Artama ◽

Adi Heru Sutomo ◽

Pande Made Kutanegara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Management Practices ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Case Fatality ◽

Open Water ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Group Discussions ◽

The Individual ◽

And Behavior

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease occurring worldwide with reproductive symptoms and production losses in livestock, while humans can suffer fatal renal failure. In Yogyakarta Special Province, Indonesia, there have been several outbreaks with high case fatality, demonstrating the public health importance, but there is limited understanding of the epidemiology. This study used an EcoHealth approach to ensure transdisciplinarity and community participation. Seroprevalence of Leptospira in animals was studied between October 2011 and May 2013 in 15 villages. Serum samples from 1404 cattle and 60 small ruminants were screened by a Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), first in pools, and then the individual positive samples were identified. Focus group discussions including farmers, village officials, and official stakeholders were used to explore knowledge and behavior of zoonotic diseases, particularly leptospirosis. Two small ruminants were seropositive for Leptospira icterohemorrhagiae. From the cattle, 3.7% were seropositive, and the most common serovars were Leptospira hardjo, followed by L. icterohemorrhagiae. Out of all farms, 5.6% had at least one positive cattle. Risk factor analyses showed that the risk of the farm being seropositive increased if the farmer used water from an open source, or if farming was not the main occupation. This study showed the presence of Leptospira spp. in ruminants in Yogyakarta and identified use of open water as a risk factor for the livestock. We also observed that the knowledge related to leptospirosis was low, and risky farm management practices were commonly employed.

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Enzootic Activity of Chlamydia in Farms Located in a Hotspot Area for Zoonosis Emergence

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1014196/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ezequiel Andres Vanderhoeven ◽

Jessica P. Mosmann ◽

Adrián Díaz ◽

Cecilia G. Cuffini

Keyword(s):

Bird Species ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Wild Mammals ◽

Specific Pcr ◽

Chlamydial Species ◽

Zoonotic Risk ◽

Two Samples ◽

In The Wild ◽

First Time

Abstract Chlamydias are obligated intracellular Gram-negative bacteria, considered important zoonotic pathogens, broadly present in several bird species and responsible for economic losses in animal production. We analyzed the presence of Chlamydial species with zoonotic risk in farm animals in a highly biodiverse area and with great human circulation, the Argentine, Brazil and Paraguay tri-border area. We surveyed nine farms in an area and nasally swabbed a total of 62 animals. DNA was extracted and specific PCR was performed to identify chlamydial species. We detected Chlamydia spp . in 6.5% (4/62) of the animals tested, positive samples belonged to cattle and none of them showed symptoms of respiratory disease nor had been diagnose with reproductive diseases. Specific nested PCR confirmed two samples belonged to C. pecorum and two to C. psittaci . We report for the first time Chlamydia circulation with zoonotic risk in the region. Surveys in birds and wild mammals could give a better understanding to know what Chlamydial species are circulating in the wild interface. The zoonotic potential should be taking into account as farm workers and the surrounding population could be silent carriers or have respiratory diseases being underdiagnosed, and therefore should be considered in the differential diagnoses.

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Estimating population and livestock density of mobile pastoralists and sedentary settlements in the south-eastern Lake Chad area

Geospatial health ◽

10.4081/gh.2015.307 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Vreni Jean-Richard ◽

Lisa Crump ◽

Abbani Alhadj Abicho ◽

Ali Abba Abakar ◽

Abdraman Mahamat II ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Population Density ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Dry Season ◽

Land Use Management ◽

Lake Chad ◽

Mobile Pastoralists ◽

Livestock Density ◽

Density Dynamics ◽

First Time

Mobile pastoralists provide major contributions to the gross domestic product in Chad, but little information is available regarding their demography. The Lake Chad area population is increasing, resulting in competition for scarce land and water resources. For the first time, the density of people and animals from mobile and sedentary populations was assessed using randomly defined sampling areas. Four sampling rounds were conducted over two years in the same areas to show population density dynamics. We identified 42 villages of sedentary communities in the sampling zones; 11 (in 2010) and 16 (in 2011) mobile pastoralist camps at the beginning of the dry season and 34 (in 2011) and 30 (in 2012) camps at the end of the dry season. A mean of 64.0 people per km2 (95% confidence interval, 20.3-107.8) were estimated to live in sedentary villages. In the mobile communities, we found 5.9 people per km2 at the beginning and 17.5 people per km2 at the end of the dry season. We recorded per km2 on average 21.0 cattle and 31.6 small ruminants in the sedentary villages and 66.1 cattle and 102.5 small ruminants in the mobile communities, which amounts to a mean of 86.6 tropical livestock units during the dry season. These numbers exceed, by up to five times, the published carrying capacities for similar Sahelian zones. Our results underline the need for a new institutional framework. Improved land use management must equally consider the needs of mobile communities and sedentary populations.

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Development of polyvalent toxoid Clostridium perfringens against anaerobic enterotoxaemia in young cattle and small ruminants

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202128204009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 282 ◽

pp. 04009

Author(s):

F.Kh. Pulotov ◽

O.D. Nazarova ◽

N.A. Akhmadov ◽

A.I. Karimzoda

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Medium ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Drug Preparation ◽

Type D ◽

Industrial Strains ◽

Type C ◽

Young Cattle ◽

C 30 ◽

Selection Of

The authors of the article presents the results of the development of a polyvalent toxoid from C.perfringens strains against anaerobic enterotoxaemia of young cattle and small ruminants and an assessment of its effectiveness. It is presented the data on the selection of the recipe composition of the nutrient medium, the cultivation of industrial strains, the process of drug preparation, the selection of the optimal ratio of components and the method of controlling the effectiveness. Sequential cultivation of industrial strains of C.perfringens was carried out by cultivating them in flasks, bottles and bioreactors in the nutrient medium developed by the authors, consisting of: 12.0 g/l - liver extract; 25.0 g/l - casein-peptone; 3.2g/l –K2HPO4; 1.8 g/l – KH2PO4; 0.5 g/l – MgSO4. The development of the drug included the selection of optimal and balanced ratios of C. perfringens type A toxoids - 15 IU/ml, C.perfringens type B - 20 IU/ml, C.perfringens type C - 30 IU/ml, C. perfringens type D - 30 IU/ml, which ensured 100% protection of the immunized animals. Studies on laboratory and farm animals revealed the harmlessness, areactogenicity of the drug, which stimulated the development of immunity and resistance to the toxic effects of all strains of C.perfringens.

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Blastocystis ratti Contains Cysteine Proteases That Mediate Interleukin-8 Response from Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells in an NF-κB-Dependent Manner

Eukaryotic Cell ◽

10.1128/ec.00371-07 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 435-443 ◽

Cited By ~ 65

Author(s):

Manoj K. Puthia ◽

Jia Lu ◽

Kevin S. W. Tan

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Intestinal Inflammation ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Cysteine Proteases ◽

Interleukin 8 ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Public Health Importance ◽

Wide Range ◽

First Time

ABSTRACT Blastocystis is a ubiquitous enteric protozoan found in the intestinal tracts of humans and a wide range of animals. Evidence accumulated over the last decade suggests association of Blastocystis with gastrointestinal disorders involving diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, and fatigue. Clinical and experimental studies have associated Blastocystis with intestinal inflammation, and it has been shown that Blastocystis has potential to modulate the host immune response. Blastocystis is also reported to be an opportunistic pathogen in immunosuppressed patients, especially those suffering from AIDS. However, nothing is known about the parasitic virulence factors and early events following host-parasite interactions. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanism by which Blastocystis activates interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene expression in human colonic epithelial T84 cells. We demonstrate for the first time that cysteine proteases of Blastocystis ratti WR1, a zoonotic isolate, can activate IL-8 gene expression in human colonic epithelial cells. Furthermore, we show that NF-κB activation is involved in the production of IL-8. In addition, our findings show that treatment with the antiprotozoal drug metronidazole can avert IL-8 production induced by B. ratti WR1. We also show for the first time that the central vacuole of Blastocystis may function as a reservoir for cysteine proteases. Our findings will contribute to an understanding of the pathobiology of a poorly studied parasite whose public health importance is increasingly recognized.

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Influence of the feed additive Biovitel on the morphological and biochemical parameters of the blood of steers when intensive fattening technology

Kormlenie sel'skohozjajstvennyh zhivotnyh i kormoproizvodstvo (Feeding of agricultural animals and feed production) ◽

10.33920/sel-05-2109-06 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 58-65

Author(s):

I. A. Kaluga ◽

R. R. Fatkullin

Keyword(s):

Biochemical Parameters ◽

Hematological Parameters ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Live Weight ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Physiological Status ◽

Animal Blood ◽

Feed Protein ◽

Experimental Group

One of the most important factors for increasing efficiency is the organization of complete ration feeding is to provide farm animals with all the necessary micro- and macroelements. In this regard, rations should be developed on the basis of detailed norms, taking into account the actual chemical composition and nutritional value of the feed used. The purpose of the research was to study the influence of the feed additive Biovitel on the morphological and biochemical parameters of the blood of steers of Hereford breed under intensive fattening technology. On the base of laboratory blood tests it was possible to trace the effect of the feed protein additive Biovitel on the morphological and biochemical parameters of the blood of experimental animals. The correlation of hematological parameters and productivity of animals when using the feed protein additive Biovitel has been evaluated. It has been found that the use of the protein feed additive Biovitel for steers during the fattening period is an effective means to reduce production losses and has a positive effect on the morphological and biochemical parameters of animal blood. The obtained data indicate that the blood parameters were higher in the animals of the experimental group throughout the entire period of research, which contributes to the increase in the physiological status of the animal organism. The revealed correlation coefficients of the live weight of steers with the biochemical parameters of the blood of animals have shown the presence of closer correlation coefficients in the experimental group of steers have been received the feed additive Biovitel.

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Investigations and Concerns about the Fate of Transgenic DNA and Protein in Livestock

10.52460/issc.2021.011 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jacob Matovu ◽

Ahmet Alçiçek

Keyword(s):

Genetically Modified Organisms ◽

Rumen Fluid ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Farm Animals ◽

Animal Cells ◽

Feed Processing ◽

Gm Plants ◽

Reported Data ◽

Gastro Intestinal Tract

The fate of transgenic DNA (tDNA) and protein from feed derived from Genetically Modified organisms (GMOs) in animals has been a major issue since their commercialization in 1996. Several studies have investigated the risks of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of tDNA and protein to bacteria or animal cells/tissues, but some of the reported data are controversial. Previous reports showed that tDNA fragments or proteins derived from GM plants could not be detected in tissues, fluids, or edible products from livestock. Other researchers have shown that there is a possibility of small fragments entering animal tissues, fluids and organs. This motivated us to update our knowledge about these concerns. Therefore, this review aimed to evaluate the probable transfer and accumulation of tDNA/proteins from transgenic feeds in animal samples (ruminant and non-ruminant) by evaluating the available experimental studies published scientifically. This study found that the tDNA/protein is not completely degraded during feed processing and digestion in Gastro-Intestinal Tract (GIT). In large ruminants (cattle), tDNA fragments/proteins were detected in GIT digesta, rumen fluid, and faeces. In small ruminants (goats), traces of tDNA/proteins were detected in GIT digesta, blood, milk, liver, kidney, heart and muscle. In pigs, they were detected in blood, spleen, liver, kidney, and GIT digesta. In poultry, traces were detected in blood, liver and GIT digesta but not in meat and eggs. Notwithstanding some studies that have shown transfer of tDNA/protein fragments in animal samples, we cannot rely on these few studies to give general evidence for transfer into tissues/fluids and organs of farm animals. However, this study clearly shows that transfer is possible. Therefore, intensive and authentic research should be conducted on GM plants before they are approved for commercial use, investigating issues such as the fate of tDNA or proteins and the effects of feeding GM feed to livestock.

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