Ineffective humoral anti-tick IgY-response in birds: reaction against pathogen constituents?

Background: Variation in parasite burdens among hosts is typically related to differences in adaptive immunity. Comprehension of underlying mechanisms is hence necessary to gain better insights into endemic transmission cycles. Here we investigate whether wild songbirds that have never been exposed to ticks develop adaptive humoral immunity against endemic Ixodes ricinus ticks. Methods: Blue tits were exposed three times in succession to wild Ixodes ricinus ticks. For each infestation, serum samples were obtained. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed, using tick salivary antigens, in order to quantify the bird’s IgY response against ticks. In addition, at every sampling occasion the birds’ body weight (corrected for body size) and haematocrit level was determined. Results: Individual IgY levels against the ticks’ salivary proteins increased over three consecutive tick infestations, and large among-individual variation was observed. The responses were specifically directed against I. ricinus; cross-reactivity against the congeneric tree-hole tick Ixodes arboricola was negligibly low. IgY responses did not impinge on tick feeding success (engorgement weight and attachment success). Yet, those birds with the highest immune responses were more capable to reduce the acute harm (blood depletions) by compensating erythrocyte loss. Furthermore, at the end of the experiment, these birds had gained more body weight than birds with lower IgY levels. Conclusions: Latter observations can be considered as an effect of host quality and/or tolerance mechanisms. Birds anticipate the (future) costs of the activation of the immune system by ticks and/or ongoing tick-borne pathogen infections. Furthermore, although unsuccessful against tick feeding, the IgY responses may indirectly protect birds against tick-borne disease by acting against salivary protein secretions on which pathogens rely for transmission.

Predictive Value of Maternal Anemia in Cases of Fetal Growth Restriction

Anemia can be defined as a state of inadequate O2 delivery to tissues due to reduction of the O2 carrying capacity of blood practically, anemia is diagnosed when there is reduction in the hemoglobin concentration or haematocrit level below normal values. Iron deficiency anemia is a major public health problem among women of reproductive age in most of developing countries approximately 50% of pregnant women and 35% of non pregnant women are anemic. These nutritional disorders, has profound negative effects on pregnancy outcome, health of mothers and babies. The objective of this study: Is to evaluate the maternal anemia during pregnancy as a risk factor for fetal growth restriction. The study was done this study conducted on 120 pregnant women. Pregnant women with inclusion criteria: Singleton pregnancy, Gestational age more than 28 week and Hb level less than 10mg/dl. We exclude multiple pregnancy, Gestational age less than 28 week, Hb level more than 10 mg/dl and other medical disorder with pregnancy. The results of this study reveal the following: There was significant difference between group 1, 2, 3, 4 as regard to Hb level, (PCV), (MCV), (MCH), (MCHC), (Ht) and (CBC). The restriction of fatal growth was significant lower in sever anemic patient rather than mild or moderate anemic patient In conclusions: The result of this study shows that there was restriction of fatal growth was significantly high in sever anemic group than mild or moderate group also, incidence of low birth weight and risk of fatal morbidity or mortality was significantly high in sever anemic group than mild or moderate group.

Effect of Ethanol Extracts of Musa paradisiaca Fruit Pulp and Peels on Haematological Indices and Liver Enzymes of Experimental Rats

Medicinal plants usage in traditional medicine has risen over the years. Musa paradisiaca has been reported that it possesses various therapeutic efficacies. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of parts of the ethanol fruit extracts of Musa paradisiaca on haematological indices and serum liver enzymes. Thirty Wistar rats were grouped into five groups of six animals each which were administered 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of Musa paradisiac fruit (MPF) pulp extract or peel extract. Haematological indices and liver enzymes were assayed for at the end of the 14-days experimental period. MPF pulp and MPF peel at 400 mg/kg showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in red cell count and haematocrit level as compared to the control. There was a non-significant (P>0.05) increase in haemoglobin concentration in the treated rats as compared to the control. There was also a non-significant (P>0.05) change in AST, ALT, and ALP level of the treated rats as compared to the control. Fruit pulp and peel of Musa paradisiaca improve erythrocytes count and haematocrit level, and they may not be associated with liver toxicity.

Maternal Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight Babies Delivered in Selected Primary Health Care Centres in Abuja Municipal Area Council, FCT, Nigeria

Introduction: Globally, low birth weight remains a public health challenge and is a major risk factor for infant mortality. Therefore, this study investigated the factors associated with low birth weight babies delivered in health facilities within Abuja, Nigeria. Methodology: Secondary data from January 2017 to December 2020 was extracted from 330 delivery records in ten (10) Primary Health Care centres to assess the determinants of low birth weight babies born in Abuja. Findings: The results showed that the mean age of mothers was 27.8 ± 5.1. Majority of the mothers (93.6%) were between 16 and 35 years of age, 93.6% were married, 67% were Christians, 23.3% had no formal education, 31.5% were housewives and 75.8% lived in rural communities. The mean birth weight of babies was 3.05 ± 0.55 kg and 20.3% of the babies had low birth weight compared to 79.7% with normal weights at birth. Maternal age, p=0.02; marital status, p=0.02; religion, p=001; occupation, p=0.001; and weight, p=0.000 were found to be significantly associated with having LBW babies. Maternal obstetric characteristics such as birth spacing, p=0.00; haematocrit level, p=0.001; pregnancy termination, p=0.001; and medical conditions, p=0.00 were also significantly associated with birth weight. Conclusion: The study reported a high prevalence of low birth weight; it also revealed the protective effects of being married on LBW. However, being a housewife significantly increased the risk for having a low birth weight baby.

An unusual large polythene bezoar in the rumen of a fallow deer (Dama dama)

Ingestion of indigestible foreign bodies in both domestic and wild ruminants are very common. Indigestible foreign materials can be ingested during free range grazing or under captivity in zoos or game parks. There are different types of bezoars in literature. The most common in animals are phytobezoars, trichobezoars, lactobezoars, phytotrichobezoars, lithobezoars or pharmacobezoars. This is a case study of an adult (4 years old), 40 kg body weight female Fallow Deer (Dama dama) which was reared with other four more Fallow Deer does at Riyadh Zoological Garden. The doe was found sluggish and weak. On presentation the veterinarian of the zoo noticed the anorexia, pale mucous membranes and dullness. There was Normocytic Normochromic anaemia, low RBCs and Haematocrit level, high neutrophil count and leucocytosis. The doe was subjected to medicinal and supportive therapy but she could not recover and found dead on very next day. On post-mortem examination, an unusual large polythene bezoar along with calcified stony mass recovered from the rumen. The results suggested that the rumen impaction in the Fallow Deer might be due scavenging on refused Plastic dumps in the premises left over by visitors to the zoo and that the blood biochemical alterations, alongside clinical signs, might be of some diagnostic assistance.

Ineffective humoral anti-tick IgY-response in birds: reaction against pathogen constituents?

Background: Variation in parasite burdens among hosts is typically related to differences in adaptive immunity. Comprehension of underlying mechanisms is hence necessary to gain better insights into endemic transmission cycles. Here we investigate whether wild songbirds that have never been exposed to ticks develop adaptive humoral immunity against endemic Ixodes ricinus ticks. Methods: Blue tits were exposed three times in succession to wild Ixodes ricinus ticks. For each infestation, serum samples were obtained. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed, using tick salivary antigens, in order to quantify the bird’s IgY response against ticks. In addition, at every sampling occasion the birds’ body weight (corrected for body size) and haematocrit level was determined. Results: Individual IgY levels against the ticks’ salivary proteins increased over three consecutive tick infestations, and large among-individual variation was observed. The responses were specifically directed against I. ricinus; cross-reactivity against the congeneric tree-hole tick Ixodes arboricola was negligibly low. IgY responses did not impinge on tick feeding success (engorgement weight and attachment success). Yet, those birds with the highest immune responses were more capable to reduce the acute harm (blood depletions) by compensating erythrocyte loss. Furthermore, at the end of the experiment, these birds had gained more body weight than birds with lower IgY levels. Conclusions: Latter observations can be considered as an effect of host quality and/or tolerance mechanisms. Birds anticipate the (future) costs of the activation of the immune system by ticks and/or ongoing tick-borne pathogen infections. Furthermore, although unsuccessful against tick feeding, the IgY responses may indirectly protect birds against tick-borne disease by acting against salivary protein secretions on which pathogens rely for transmission.

Effectivity of Erythropoietin Alpha Compared to Erythropoietin Beta in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease-Anemia on Hemodialysis

Anemia in patient with chronic kidney disease could cause a lot of complication. The first line therapy of this condition is by treating with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) or called erythropoietin. The erythropoietin alpha and beta were two types of the human recombinant erythropoietin that are usually used in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to determine the effectivity of erythropoietin alpha compared to erythropoietin beta especially in haemoglobin and haematocrit level. This prospective observational study was conducted in March – September 2016. The inclusion criteria were CKD stage 5 patients with a minimum of 3 months of regular hemodialysis, Hb <10 g/dL with enough iron status ST > 20% and FS > 200ng/mL. The methology of this study had been approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee of the Bhayangkara H.S. Samsoeri Mertojoso Hospital, Surabaya. Patients received 2000 IU subcutaneous erythropoietin twice a week on both groups. Blood sample was withdrawn in pre-treatment and after 4 weeks of post erythropoietin therapy treatment for measurement of haemoglobin and haematocrit. Target for this erythropoietin therapy are increase of Hb 0.5 – 1.5 g/dL (not to exceed 12 g/dL) and increase of Hct level 2 – 4 % in 4 weeks. Based on the inclusion criteria, there were 20 patients in this study (10 patient each of both erythropoietin alpha either beta group) that consist of 7 women and 13 men. After the treatment, the mean of increased haemoglobin level for erythropoietin alpha group was 1.28 ± 0.80 g/dL (p=0.001) and erythropoietin beta was 0.37 ± 0.95 g/dL (p=0.254). The mean of increased haematocrit level for erytropoietin alpha group was 3.56 ± 3.46 % (p=0.010) and erythropoietin beta was 1.34 ± 2.71 % (p=0.152). In comparison of haemoglobin and haematocrit achievement in both groups showed that erythropoietin alpha gave better achievement in haemoglobin parameter (p=0.033), but there were no differences in both groups on haematocrit parameters (p=0.127).

Blood typing and haematological analysis of domestic feline donors

Blood typing is critical to avoid adverse reactions to transfusions. Felines have three blood-types: A, B, and AB and have natural alloantibodies the opposite blood type, in addition to the Mik type described recently. The presence of alloantibodies is important in the selection of blood donors in order to minimize the occurrence of transfusion reactions, and blood typing is essential in this context. This study aimed to identify blood types and perform a haematological analysis of feline blood donor candidates. Sixty clinically healthy felines of different races, weighing more than four kilograms, and ranging from one to eight years old, were evaluated. After clinical evaluation, blood samples were collected for hemogram and blood typing with the LabTest A+B® immunochromatographic test. All cats had a haematocrit level within normal range (mean: 34.12%), six (10%) presented with leucocytosis and 24 (40%) with thrombocytopenia, reinforcing the importance of haematological monitoring of blood donor animals. Regarding blood typing, all domestic felines selected as blood donors had type A blood. This is the first study on frequencies of feline blood types performed in the region.