A Paper-Based Colorimetric Aptasensor for the Detection of Gentamicin

Antibiotics are classes of antimicrobial substances that are administered widely in the field of veterinary science to promote animal health and feed efficiency. Cattle-administered antibiotics hold a risk of passing active residues to milk, during the milking process. This becomes a public health concern as these residues can cause severe allergic reactions to sensitive groups and considerable economic losses to the farmer. Hence, to ensure that the produced milk is safe to consume and adheres to permissible limits, an on-farm quick and reliable test is essential. This study illustrates the design and development of a microfluidic paper biosensor as a proof-of-concept detection system for gentamicin in milk. Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties of gold nanoparticles have been explored to provide the user a visual feedback on the test, which was also corroborated by RGB analysis performed using Image J. The assay involves the use of a short stretch of single stranded DNA, called aptamer, which is very specific to the gentamicin present in the milk sample. The camera-based LOD for the fabricated paper device for milk samples spiked with gentamicin was calculated to be 300 nM, with a reaction time of 2 min.

Download Full-text

Treating Minor Species: A Major Animal Health Concern

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e542612006-007 ◽

2002 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Linda Bren

Keyword(s):

Animal Health ◽

Health Concern

Download Full-text

High Heritabilities for Antibiotic Usage Show Potential to Breed for Disease Resistance in Finishing Pigs

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10070829 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 829

Author(s):

Wim Gorssen ◽

Dominiek Maes ◽

Roel Meyermans ◽

Jürgen Depuydt ◽

Steven Janssens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Animal Health ◽

Molecular Genetic ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Genetic Selection ◽

Antibiotic Usage ◽

Finishing Pigs ◽

Production Traits ◽

Parenteral Antibiotic ◽

On Farm

The use of antimicrobials in animal production is under public debate, mainly due to the risk of transfer of resistance to pathogenic bacteria in humans. Therefore, measures have been taken during the last few decades to reduce antibiotic usage in animals, for instance, by national monitoring programmes and by improving animal health management. Although some initiatives exist in molecular genetic selection, quantitative genetic selection of animals towards decreased antibiotic usage is an underexplored area to reduce antibiotic usage. However, this strategy could yield cumulative effects. In this study, we derived new phenotypes from on-farm parenteral antibiotic records from commercially grown crossbred finishing pigs used in the progeny test of Piétrain terminal sires to investigate the heritability of antibiotics usage. Parenteral antibiotic records, production parameters and pedigree records of 2238 full-sib pens from two experimental farms in Belgium between 2014 and 2020 were analysed. Heritability estimates were moderate (18–44%) for phenotypes derived from all antibiotic treatments, and low (1–15%) for phenotypes derived from treatments against respiratory diseases only. Moreover, genetic correlations between these new phenotypes and mortality were low to moderate (0.08–0.60) and no strong adverse genetic correlations with production traits were found. The high heritabilities and favourable genetic correlations suggest these new phenotypes, derived from on-farm antibiotics records, to be promising for inclusion in future pig breeding programs to breed for a decrease in antibiotics usage.

Download Full-text

A Synthetic Biology Approach Using Engineered Bacteria to Detect Perfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Contamination in Water

Military Medicine ◽

10.1093/milmed/usaa367 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 186 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 801-807

Author(s):

Nathaniel A Young ◽

Ryan L Lambert ◽

Angela M Buch ◽

Christen L Dahl ◽

Jackson D Harris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Synthetic Biology ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

Detection System ◽

The United States ◽

Detection Methods ◽

Health Concern ◽

Contaminated Water ◽

Engineered Bacteria ◽

Synthetic Biology Approach ◽

Rhodococcus Jostii

ABSTRACT Introduction Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic compounds used industrially for a wide variety of applications. These PFAS compounds are very stable and persist in the environment. The PFAS contamination is a growing health issue as these compounds have been reported to impact human health and have been detected in both domestic and global water sources. Contaminated water found on military bases poses a potentially serious health concern for active duty military, their families, and the surrounding communities. Previous detection methods for PFAS in contaminated water samples require expensive and time-consuming testing protocols that limit the ability to detect this important global pollutant. The main objective of this work was to develop a novel detection system that utilizes a biological reporter and engineered bacteria as a way to rapidly and efficiently detect PFAS contamination. Materials and Methods The United States Air Force Academy International Genetically Engineered Machine team is genetically engineering Rhodococcus jostii strain RHA1 to contain novel DNA sequences composed of a propane 2-monooxygenase alpha (prmA) promoter and monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP). The prmA promoter is activated in the presence of PFAS and transcribes the mRFP reporter. Results The recombinant R. jostii containing the prmA promoter and mRFP reporter respond to exposure of PFAS by activating gene expression of the mRFP. At 100 µM of perfluorooctanoic acid, the mRFP expression was increased 3-fold (qRT-PCR). Rhodococcus jostii without exposure to PFAS compounds had no mRFP expression. Conclusions This novel detection system represents a synthetic biology approach to more efficiently detect PFAS in contaminated samples. With further refinement and modifications, a similar system could be readily deployed in the field around the world to detect this critical pollutant.

Download Full-text

Agro-Environmental Determinants of Leptospirosis: A Retrospective Spatiotemporal Analysis (2004−2014) in Mahasarakham Province (Thailand)

Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease ◽

10.3390/tropicalmed6030115 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 115

Author(s):

Jaruwan Viroj ◽

Julien Claude ◽

Claire Lajaunie ◽

Julien Cappelle ◽

Anamika Kritiyakan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Animal Health ◽

Spatiotemporal Analysis ◽

Health Concern ◽

Intersectoral Collaboration ◽

The Public ◽

Additive Modeling ◽

The One ◽

And Control ◽

Northeastern Thailand

Leptospirosis has been recognized as a major public health concern in Thailand following dramatic outbreaks. We analyzed human leptospirosis incidence between 2004 and 2014 in Mahasarakham province, Northeastern Thailand, in order to identify the agronomical and environmental factors likely to explain incidence at the level of 133 sub-districts and 1,982 villages of the province. We performed general additive modeling (GAM) in order to take the spatial-temporal epidemiological dynamics into account. The results of GAM analyses showed that the average slope, population size, pig density, cow density and flood cover were significantly associated with leptospirosis occurrence in a district. Our results stress the importance of livestock favoring leptospirosis transmission to humans and suggest that prevention and control of leptospirosis need strong intersectoral collaboration between the public health, the livestock department and local communities. More specifically, such collaboration should integrate leptospirosis surveillance in both public and animal health for a better control of diseases in livestock while promoting public health prevention as encouraged by the One Health approach.

Download Full-text

Sero-epidemiological survey of bluetongue disease in one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan

Irish Veterinary Journal ◽

10.1186/s13620-021-00186-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 74 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Molhima M. Elmahi ◽

Mohammed O. Hussien ◽

Abdel Rahim E. Karrar ◽

Amira M. Elhassan ◽

Abdel Rahim M. El Hussein

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Animal Health ◽

Water Source ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Eastern Sudan

Abstract Background Bluetongue (BT) is a vector-borne viral disease of ruminant and camelid species which is transmitted by Culicoides spp. The causative agent of BT is bluetongue virus (BTV) that belongs to genus Orbivirus of the family Reoviridae. The clinical disease is seen mainly in sheep but mostly sub-clinical infections of BT are seen in cattle, goats and camelids. The clinical reaction of camels to infection is usually not apparent. The disease is notifiable to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), causing great economic losses due to decreased trade and high mortality and morbidity rates associated with bluetongue outbreaks. The objective of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of BTV in camels in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan and to identify the potential risk factors associated with the infection. A cross sectional study using a structured questionnaire survey was conducted during 2015–2016. A total of 210 serum samples were collected randomly from camels from 8 localities of Kassala State. The serum samples were screened for the presence of BTV specific immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Results Seropositivity to BTV IgG was detected in 165 of 210 camels’ sera accounting for a prevalence of 78.6%. Potential risk factors to BTV infection were associated with sex (OR = 0.061, p-value = 0.001) and seasonal river as water source for drinking (OR = 32.257, p-value = 0.0108). Conclusions Sex and seasonal river as water source for drinking were considered as potential risk factors for seropositivity to BTV in camels. The high prevalence of BTV in camels in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan, necessitates further epidemiological studies of BTV infection in camels and other ruminant species to better be able to control BT disease in this region.

Download Full-text

Salmonella spp. in wild boar (Sus scrofa): a public and animal health concern

Game meat hygiene in focus ◽

10.3920/978-90-8686-723-3_10 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 131-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Madalena Vieira-Pinto ◽

Luísa Morais ◽

Cristina Caleja ◽

Patrícia Themudo ◽

José Aranha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wild Boar ◽

Sus Scrofa ◽

Animal Health ◽

Health Concern ◽

Salmonella Spp

Download Full-text

Risk factors associated with Ctenocephalides felis flea infestation of peri-urban goats: a neglected parasite in an under-appreciated host

Tropical Animal Health and Production ◽

10.1007/s11250-021-02620-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Julia Rose Dahm ◽

Jordana Burdon Bailey ◽

Robert F. Kelly ◽

Patrick Chikungwa ◽

Julius Chulu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Urban Communities ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Animal Health ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Ctenocephalides Felis ◽

Disease Spread ◽

Health Concern ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Flea Infestation

AbstractGoats are critical in mixed smallholder agricultural systems in lower and middle-income countries, while fleas are important human and animal health concerns around the world. Convenience sampling was used to describe and consider risk factors for flea infestations of peri-urban goats, with the aim of informing the iterative development of animal husbandry and management based control strategies. Seven hundred and ninety-two goats were examined in 228 households across 10 peri-urban communities surrounding Blantyre in southern Malawi. The prevalence of Ctenocephalides felis fleas was 18.3, 37.1 and 100% at the levels of individual goats, households and communities, respectively, highlighting a neglected human and animal health concern. Constant introduction of new livestock coupled to a lack of biosecurity within communities, the ubiquitous presence of dog and cat hosts for C. felis, the frequency and thoroughness of cleaning overnight goat accommodation, and goat age less than 12 months old were identified as risk factors for flea infestation. This focal cross-sectional study highlights the significance of fleas in peri-urban communities and uncovers trends and commonalities that are needed to inform sustainable disease management. The majority of the peri-urban goat keepers were female, had resided in the same community throughout their whole life and had primary level education. Advice on the planned management of fleas in livestock needs to be tailored towards this demographic group. This approach affords an opportunity to promote public health measures to address household flea infestations and zoonotic disease spread.

Download Full-text

Otitis and meningoencephalitis associated with infectious coryza (Avibacterium paragallinarum) in commercial broiler chickens

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation ◽

10.1177/1040638718792964 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (5) ◽

pp. 784-788 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Manuela Crispo ◽

C. Gabriel Sentíes-Cué ◽

George L. Cooper ◽

Grace Mountainspring ◽

Charles Corsiglia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Broiler Chickens ◽

Animal Health ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Laboratory System ◽

Sequencing Analysis ◽

Contributing Factors ◽

Infectious Coryza ◽

Avibacterium Paragallinarum ◽

Commercial Broiler

Infectious coryza, caused by Avibacterium paragallinarum, is an acute respiratory disease of poultry that can result in substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic losses. In March 2017, the Turlock branch of the California Animal Health and Food Safety laboratory system encountered an unusual clinical and pathologic presentation of infectious coryza in 6 live, 29-d-old, commercial broiler chickens that were submitted for diagnostic investigation. Antemortem evaluation revealed severe neurologic signs, including disorientation, torticollis, and opisthotonos. Swollen head–like syndrome and sinusitis were also present. Histologically, severe sinusitis, cranial osteomyelitis, otitis media and interna, and meningoencephalitis were noted, explaining the clinical signs described. A. paragallinarum was readily isolated from the upper and lower respiratory tract, brain, and cranial bones. Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) was also detected by PCR, and IBV was isolated in embryonated chicken eggs. Based on sequencing analysis, the IBV appeared 99% homologous to strain CA1737. A synergistic effect between A. paragallinarum and IBV, resulting in exacerbation of clinical signs and increased mortality, may have occurred in this case. A. paragallinarum should be considered among the possible causes of neurologic signs in chickens. Appropriate media should be used for bacterial isolation, and the role of additional contributing factors and/or complicating agents should be investigated in cases of infectious coryza.

Download Full-text

Vis/NIR hyperspectral imaging for detection of hidden bruises on kiwifruits

Czech Journal of Food Sciences ◽

10.17221/69/2010-cjfs ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (No. 6) ◽

pp. 595-602 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Q. Lü ◽

M.-j. Tang ◽

J.-r. Cai ◽

J.-w. Zhao ◽

S. Vittayapadung

Keyword(s):

Hyperspectral Imaging ◽

Hyperspectral Image ◽

Detection System ◽

Image Data ◽

Principal Component ◽

Quality Analysis ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Hyperspectral Image Data ◽

Multispectral Detection ◽

Non Destructive

It is necessary to develop a non-destructive technique for kiwifruit quality analysis because the machine injury could lower the quality of fruit and incur economic losses. Bruises are not visible externally owing to the special physical properties of kiwifruit peel.We proposed the hyperspectral imaging technique to inspect the hidden bruises on kiwifruit. The Vis/NIR (408–1117 nm) hyperspectral image data was collected. Multiple optimal wavelength (682, 723, 744, 810, and 852 nm) images were obtained using principal component analysis on the high dimension spectral image data (wavelength range from 600 nm to 900 nm). The bruise regions were extracted from the component images of the five waveband images using RBF-SVM classification. The experimental results showed that the error of hidden bruises detection on fruits by means of hyperspectral imaging was 12.5%. It was concluded that the multiple optimal waveband images could be used to constructs a multispectral detection system for hidden bruises on kiwifruits.

Download Full-text

A Preliminary Study on the Relationship between Parasitaemia and Cytokine Expression of Peripheral Blood Cells in Trypanosoma vivax-Experimentally Infected Cattle

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11113191 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 3191

Author(s):

Otavio Luiz Fidelis Junior ◽

Paulo Henrique Sampaio ◽

Luiz Ricardo Gonçalves ◽

Rosangela Zacarias Machado ◽

Marcos Rogério André ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Peripheral Blood ◽

Blood Cells ◽

Animal Health ◽

Cytokine Expression ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Peripheral Blood Cells ◽

Trypanosoma Vivax ◽

Th2 Cytokine ◽

Bovine Trypanosomosis ◽

Th1 Cytokine

Trypanosoma vivax outbreaks have been reported with increasing frequency worldwide, causing significant economic losses in livestock. Though several studies have suggested that cytokine responses may influence infection caused by Trypanosoma sp., their exact role remains unclear and may vary according to the animal species and parasite strain. The present study aimed to evaluate cytokine expression of peripheral blood cells from three Girolando dairy cows experimentally infected with T. vivax. For this purpose, blood samples were collected prior to the inoculation on the day of inoculation (D0), the day after inoculation (D1), and then every seven days up to 119 days after infection (DAI). Each animal presented a unique pattern of cytokine expression. While a tendency of a Th1 cytokine response was observed during the patent phase (presence of circulating parasites), an increase of Th2 cytokine expression was found at the beginning of the sub-patent phase (low parasitaemia or aparasitaemic periods). In animals that presented a better control of parasitaemia, IL-6 and IFNγ increased during most of the trial period. On the other hand, the cow that presented reduction of IL-1β, IL-2, and TNFα during the entire period did not control parasitaemia properly. A balance between the Th1 and Th2 profile is beneficial for parasite control and animal health. The results found in the present study are a first step towards elucidating the dynamics of cattle’s inflammatory response against T. vivax, requiring future studies focusing on the role of key cytokines on the controlling of parasitaemia in different stages of bovine trypanosomosis.

Download Full-text