Pathogenic Organisms in Varanidae and Their Potential as Zoonotic Diseases

<p class="00-6Abstrak2Wtz">Monitor lizards have various body sizes, belong to the Varanidae and it is reported that there were various kinds of pathogenic organisms in their bodies. This review aims to describe various information on pathogenic organisms and their potential as zoonotic diseases and can be used as a reference in the prevention of zoonotic diseases originating from Varanidae. The results of this review discuss two types of viruses, three types of bacteria, five types of protozoa, two types of arthropods, and seven types of endoparasites that are pathogenic in Varanidae. Based on this information it is known that potentially zoonotic pathogens include bacteria group is <em>Salmonella </em>spp. and <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</em>; groups of protozoa was <em>Giardia </em>sp<em>p</em>. and <em>Cryptosporidium </em>sp.; Arthropod group namely <em>Amblyomma </em>sp<em>.</em> which carries the bacteria <em>Rickettsia </em>sp<em>.</em>, <em>Borrelia </em>spp<em>.</em> and <em>Anaplasma </em>spp<em>.</em> and the endoparasite group consisting of <em>Ascaris </em>sp<em>.</em>, <em>Strongyloides </em>sp<em>.</em>, Pentastomida, and <em>Angiostrongylus cantonensis</em>, while for the virus group, there were no pathogenic organisms with zoonotic potential. The extensive use of Varanidae by humans as exotic pets, as well as for consumption and medicine has great potential in the transmission of zoonotic diseases. Those are possible because the varanids non-aseptically environment. The proper handling and maintenance of monitor lizards are necessary to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases. Unhygienic and less aseptic way of handling food products of animal origin can lead to the potential for transmission of pathogenic organisms (foodborne disease). Efforts to prevent the transmission of foodborne diseases can apply Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) with the process of cooking reptile meat for consumption. Besides, disease transmission can be prevented by implementing the One Health concept.</p>

Do ectoparasites of the slow loris Nycticebus pygmaeus, pose a danger to humans?

Staff working with nocturnal mammals at Poznań Zoo, noticed erythematous bite marks on their hands and parts of their necks. No perpetrators were immediately obvious, but the bite marks were experienced mainly by persons caring for the slow loris Nycticebus pygmaeus. The purpose of this study was to collect ectoparasites from four N. pygmaeus, to identify the species involved and to ascertain whether they carry any pathogenic organisms that might pose a health risk to people who have been bitten. A total of 51 Ornithonyssus bacoti (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) mites were collected from the coats of four slow loris, 37 of which were used for molecular analysis to determine if the mites were carrying any disease-causing organisms. DNA was extracted and screened for candidate pathogens including Babesia spp. and Rickettsia spp., but none were identified. The authors suspect that because the zoo differs in its sanitary and veterinary conditions from those found in nature, the results obtained here may differ markedly from those existing in the natural environment. Although we cannot be certain at this stage that the mites did not carry other pathogens in addition to those that were detectable by the primers that were used, the erythematous reaction to bite marks likely reflects a response to secretions of the mites rather than to transmitted pathogens.

The Effect of Reynoutria × Bohemica on the Condition of Capreolus Capreolus and Cervus Elaphus

The objective of the work is to evaluate the effects of a granulated feeding mixture enriched with knotweed (Reynoutria × bohemica) on roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) bred at a closed farm and red deer (Cervus elaphus) bred at a farm. Based on both biochemical and haematological blood analysis, the knotweed is expected to have an influence on the microbiome in the digestive system as well as allowing better utilisation of fodder and lower manifestation of pathogenic organisms. The results are of practical use mainly on farms and in hobby breeding but also in deer parks. Furthermore, the results may be used for feeding deer in open hunting grounds.

CONTROLLING COCKROACH POPULATIONS IN HUMAN AND ANIMAL HABITATIONS BY REDUCING FOOD AVAILABILITY

BackgroundCockroaches, carriers of pathogenic organisms that cause human and animal disease, typically have access to human or pet food in bowls, allowing cockroaches to expand their colonies and infestations.HypothesisWe hypothesized that existing anti-ant technology could be converted to anti-cockroach technology by simple design changes.MethodsA base of various heights was affixed to the bottom of an anti-ant bowl to increase the distance of the anti-ant shield from the native height “x” to the hypothesized cockroach-resistant height “z”. The effects of z =0, 12.7, 15.9, 19.1, 25.4, 44.5, and 57.2 mm were studied. 118.3 cc (4 oz) of dry cat food was used as cockroach bait. The modified anti-ant bowls were placed in a high-intensity cockroach environment during summer nights where the temperatures varied between 23.9-29.4 degrees Celsius for 3 hours and then cockroach counts were performed. Ten runs at each height z were performed.ResultsMean numbers of infesting cockroaches ± SD at each height z were 21.3±2.9 at 0 mm, 22.0±2.9 at 12.7 mm, 11.2±2.6 at 15.9 mm, 0.9±0.8 at 19.1mm, 0.4±0.5 at 25.4 mm, 0±0 at 44.5 mm, and 0±0 at 57.2 mm (p<0.001 with z≥15.9 mm for all). Cockroach numbers began declining when z = 15.9 mm and declined to only large cockroaches at z = 25.4 mm. The cockroaches that were able to overcome the z =25.4 mm were the larger American cockroaches that can exceed 76.2 mm (3 inch) in length. However, at z = 44.5 mm and 57.2 mm no cockroaches penetrated the modified bowl.ConclusionsTo defeat the majority of species of cockroaches the anti-insect shield should be at a height of at least 25.4 mm and to defeat the larger American cockroaches preferably greater than 25.4 mm with 44.5 mm and 57.2 mm defeating all tested cockroaches

Evaluation of the hepato-renal functions and antimicrobial activity of fatty amido benzoic acid synthesised from Citrullus colocynthis seed oil

Rapid progression in resistance to antimicrobial agents by pathogenic organisms is a serious concern. This study aimed to synthesize fatty amido benzoic acid (FBA) from Citrullus colocynthis seed oil (CCO) and evaluate its safety profile as an alternative bioactive agent for combating drug-resistant pathogens. FBA was synthesised through simple chemical reaction route and examined for its antioxidant activity and antimicrobial capacity against selected drug-resistant microorganisms. Effect of FBA on hepato-renal function makers and oxidative stress was also examined using Wistar rats. Density functional theory (DFT) approach was employed to understand the action of FBA with the aid of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). Gas Chromatography (GC) revealed the most abundant fatty acid in CCO to be C18:2 (55.88%). Results from Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR) confirmed the synthesis of FBA with a yield of 97.10%. FBA exhibited antioxidant potential (IC50 of 1.96 µg mL−1) as well as antimicrobial potency. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of FBA was 0.026 mg mL−1. Biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, hydrogen peroxide, and lipid peroxidation were significantly elevated in rats administered high dose FBA (100 mg kg−1). Histology of the liver and kidney confirmed the biochemical results. Furthermore, mechanism of action of FBA could be described by quantum chemical analysis to be via nucleophilic interaction, which may be viewed electronically as donor–acceptor interaction. The study presents FBA as a promising antimicrobial agent for combating drug-resistant pathogenic organisms.