Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites on Beef Cattle in Jombang District

The disease that is quite detrimental to cattle is gastrointestinal parasitic infection. Gastrointestinal parasites infect the cattle by taking host nutrients that would caused emaciation, lethargy, and decreased productivity. This study aims to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in cattle in Jombang District. This research was conducted in July to August 2019 with 100 samples of cattle feces. Sample examinations were carried out in the laboratory of the Division of Veterinary Parasitology, Universitas Airlangga using the sedimentation and floating methods. Detection of parasites in all samples using microscope with magnification of 100x and 400x. On examination, several types of parasites were found included Strongyloides papillosus, Toxocara vitulorum, Oesophagostomum spp., Moniezia expansa, Blastocystis spp. and Eimeria spp. The results of this study were found the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites on beef cattle in Jombang district was 35% with a worm infection prevalence of 15% and protozoan infections of 20%.

Development of a Rapid Fluorescent Diagnostic System to Detect Subtype H9 Influenza A Virus in Chicken Feces

The circulation of the H9N2 virus results in significant economic losses in the poultry industry, and its zoonotic transmission highlights the need for a highly sensitive and rapid diagnostic and detection system for this virus. In this study, the performance of lateral flow test strips for a fluorescent immunochromatographic test (FICT) was optimized for the diagnosis of H9N2 virus-infected animal samples. The novel monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) against influenza A H9 viruses were developed, and two categories of McAbs with linear and conformational epitopes were compared for the performance of rapid diagnostic performance in the presence of feces sample at different time points (2, 4, and 6 days) post-infection (dpi). The limit of detection (LOD) of FICT and Kd values were comparable between linear and conformational epitope McAbs. However, superior performance of linear epitope McAbs pairs were confirmed by two animal studies, showing the better diagnostic performance showing 100% relative sensitivity in fecal samples at 6 dpi although it showed less than 80% sensitivity in early infection. Our results imply that the comparable performance of the linear epitope McAbs can potentially improve the diagnostic performance of FICT for H9N2 detection in feces samples. This highly sensitive rapid diagnostic method can be utilized in field studies of broiler poultry and wild birds.

Assessment of Biolog EcoplateTM method for functional metabolic diversity of aerotolerant pig fecal microbiota

In the last decades, gut microbiota and its role in mammal host development and health have been increasingly investigated. Metabolites produced by gut microbiota can affect intestinal homeostasis and immune system maturity and activation, and in turn, they can influence the health and growth performance of livestock. Therefore, a better understanding of the functional metabolic capability of the gut microbiota would be appreciated by the scientific community. In this study, the BiologTM Ecoplates technology was applied for studying the metabolic potential of the aerotolerant microbial community of pig fecal samples, evaluating the interference of different storage conditions and cell concentrations. The length of time for which a fecal sample maintained detectable and unchanged microbial metabolic activity was also investigated. Two assays aimed to evaluate differences in the metabolic activities between fresh and snap-frozen fecal samples at different dilutions and at different lengths of times of preservation at −80°C were carried out. The biodiversity and the predicted functionality of the entire bacterial community through a targeted metagenomic approach were also explored. The results highlighted that snap freezing of fecal samples preserved the metabolic activity of the microbial community when compared to fresh feces. Sample storage at −80 °C did not significantly affect the metabolic activity of the microbial community, which was stable for 150 days. Furthermore, the highest metabolic activity was detected with 1:2 to 1:5 dilutions of the stock suspension. BiologTM Ecoplates technology is a rapid and useful method to explore microbial communities’ metabolism in animal fecal samples contributing to investigate host animal physiology. Key points • Freezing of samples can preserve the functional activity of the aerotolerant microbial community for 150 days. • The concentration of microbial cells strongly influences metabolic activity detection. • Sequencing coupled with the BiologTMEcoplates could be a strategy to evaluate the metabolic potential of the microbiota of the fecal sample. Graphical abstract

Complete Genome Sequence of Longicatena caecimuris Strain 3BBH23, Isolated from Healthy Japanese Feces

ABSTRACT Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the Longicatena caecimuris strain 3BBH23, isolated from a healthy human Japanese feces sample. The genome is composed of a circular chromosome 3,103,757 bp long with a 38.3% GC content.

MO598COMPARISON OF GUT MICROBIOTA COMPOSITION BETWEEN PERITONEAL DIALYSIS PATIENTS AND HEALTHY HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS

Background and Aims According to some studies, it seems that advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) has the potential to cause alterations in the composition of patients gut microbiota. Most of these data have been provided by comparing the microbiota profile between patients and healthy individuals. However, well-known factors that influence the microbiota composition such as age, environment and diet were not considered in the majority of these comparative studies. In the present study, we aimed to compare the gut microbiota composition between patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and age-paired healthy household contacts. Method This is a cross-sectional study. Patients undergoing automated PD for at least 3 months, aged 18 to 75 years and clinically stable were enrolled. Those who were using prebiotics, probiotics, symbiotics and antibiotics within a period of 30 days before the study, were not included. A healthy control group was composed by individuals living in the same home and with similar age of the patients. Participants received sterile materials to collect the feces sample and were instructed to keep it refrigerated and bring to the clinic within a period of 12h. To evaluate the microbial profile, 16S ribosomal DNA was PCR-amplified and sequenced on an IlluminaMiSeq platform. Diet was evaluated using a 3-day food record and the diet quality was analyzed by a Brazilian Diet Quality Index. Rome IV questionnaire was applied to diagnose constipation. Nutritional status was assessed by 7-point subjective global assessment (SGA) and body mass index (BMI). Fasting blood samples were collected and clinical data were obtained from interviewing the participants and from the patient’s charts. Data are presented in percentage, mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range). Results Twenty patients (PD group) and 20 healthy household contacts (control group) were studied. In PD group: 70% were men, 53.5 (48.2 - 66) years old, 50% had diabetes, BMI 25.9 ± 4.8 kg/m², 95% well-nourished, 40% constipated, 14 (5.2 – 43.5) months on dialysis and 80% had residual diuresis. In control group: 30% were men, 51.5 (46.2 - 59.7) years old, BMI 28.7 ± 3.5 kg/m² and 20% constipated. Except of sex (p = 0.01) and BMI (p = 0.04), there were no other differences between groups. Comparing dietary intake between groups, no difference was found in daily energy [PD: 20.8 ± 5.4 kcal/kg/d vs. control: 22.0 ± 5.6 kcal/kg/d, p = 0.51], protein (PD: 0.8 ± 0.2 g/kg/d vs. control: 0.9 ± 0.2 g/kg/d, p = 0.23) and fiber [PD: 14.1 (10.7 – 21.1) g/d vs. 13.7 (10.4 – 18.0) g/d, p = 0.85]. In addition, the Diet Quality Index was also not different between groups (PD: 52.3 ± 15.6 vs. control: 54.5 ± 14.8, p = 0.65). Regarding microbiota composition, no difference was found between groups in alfa diversity (Figure 1), beta diversity (p>0.05), and genera differential abundance (Figure 2). Conclusion In the present study, no difference in the gut microbiota composition was found between patients on PD and healthy household contacts sharing a similar environment and diet. This result suggests that CKD and PD seem not to alter significantly gut microbiota composition.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Molecular Detection of Campylobacter in Farmed Cattle of Selected Districts in Bangladesh

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in selected districts of Bangladesh to estimate prevalence, risk factors, and molecular detection of Campylobacter isolates from 540 farmed cattle of 90 herds. As an individual sample, 540 feces, and as a pooled sample, 180 milk samples, 90 feed samples, 90 water samples, 90 manure samples, and 90 animal attendants’ hand-rinse water were collected and tested via culture, biochemical, and molecular assays. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect herd-level data on risk factors with the herd owners. The herd-level data on risk factors were analyzed through univariate and multivariate analyses, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. Overall, farm-level prevalence of bovine Campylobacter was enumerated to be 53.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 42.5–63.9%). The feces sample was found to be a high level of contamination of 30.9% (95% CI: 27–35%) followed by the manure swab (pooled) at 15.6% (95% CI: 8.8–24.7%). Campylobacter jejuni was documented as an abundant species (12.6%), followed by Campylobacter coli (5.1%), and Campylobacter fetus (0.3%). Older farms (>5 years of age), no/minimum cleaning and disinfection practices, along with animal roaming outside of the farm, were documented as significant risk factors for farm-level Campylobacter occurrence. Evidence-based control measures need to be taken through stringent biosecurity and hygienic measurement to lessen the load of the Campylobacter pathogen in the farm environment and prevent further transmission to animals and humans.

Potential of bacteria in sheep feces as biogas formation starter on lignite coal media

Sheep farms produce waste in the form of feces and urine that are organic materials and the source of bacteria. This study aims to determine the potential of bacteria in sheep feces when used as a starter for biogas formation (the number of anaerobic bacteria and biogas production) on lignite coal media. The method used in this study was experimental in the laboratory using a completely randomized design with four treatments and four replications. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance, and Duncan test was performed to find out the differences between treatments. The research procedure was divided into two stages. The first stage was in vitro method to select the feces sample with the largest biogas production. The second stage was utilizing enriched media (media 98-5) liquid for observing the growth of bacteria originating from selected sheep feces, and then the bacteria consortium was used as starters on lignite coal media. The treatments were based on the concentration of bacteria consortium used, T1=0%, T2=1.5%, T3=3%, and T4=4.5%. The number of anaerobic bacteria was observed in Hungate tubes, and biogas production was observed in serum bottles. The results showed that the highest number of anaerobic bacteria (1012 CFU/ml) and the highest biogas production (105 mL) were achieved at T2=1.5%. Bacteria in sheep feces can be potentially used as a biogas forming agent on lignite coal media, which is proved by the growth of anaerobic bacteria and the biogas production from present study.

Novel viruses detected in bats in the Republic of Korea

Bats are natural reservoirs for potential zoonotic viruses. In this study, next-generation sequencing was performed to obtain entire genome sequences of picornavirus from a picornavirus-positive bat feces sample (16BF77) and to explore novel viruses in a pooled bat sample (16BP) from samples collected in South Korea, 2016. Fourteen mammalian viral sequences were identified from 16BF77 and 29 from 16BP, and verified by RT-PCR. The most abundant virus in 16BF77 was picornavirus. Highly variable picornavirus sequences encoding 3Dpol were classified into genera Kobuvirus, Shanbavirus, and an unassigned group within the family Picornaviridae. Amino acid differences between these partial 3Dpol sequences were ≥ 65.7%. Results showed that one bat was co-infected by picornaviruses of more than two genera. Retrovirus, coronavirus, and rotavirus A sequences also were found in the BP sample. The retrovirus and coronavirus genomes were identified in nine and eight bats, respectively. Korean bat retroviruses and coronavirus demonstrated strong genetic relationships with a Chinese bat retrovirus (RfRV) and coronavirus (HKU5-1), respectively. A co-infection was identified in one bat with a retrovirus and a coronavirus. Our results indicate that Korean bats were multiply infected by several mammal viruses.

The effect of various heat-treatment methods on colostrum quality, health and performance of dairy calves

To investigate the effect of feeding heat-treated colostrum at different duration on the health and performance, 48 Holstein calves were enrolled randomly into four treatment groups before first feeding and consumed untreated colostrum (H0, n = 12), heat-treated colostrum at 60ºC for 30 min. (H30, n = 12), heat-treated colostrum at 60ºC for 60 min. (H60, n = 12) and heat-treated colostrum at 60ºC for 90 min. (H90, n = 12). Blood samples were collected for analyses of IgG and protein profile at 0, 6, and 24h of age. The colostrum sample from treated and untreated batches and feces sample from each calf also were taken. The results showed heat-treatment of colostrum at 60ºC for 60 (p = 0.03) and 90 min. (p = 0.01) reduced total bacterial count, while colostral IgG concentration maintained up to 60 min. Serum total protein (p = 0.02), IgG concentrations (p = 0.03), and apparent efficiency of IgG absorption (p = 0.02) were significantly greater at 6 and 24h in calves that were fed heat-treated colostrum (H90) compared to calves fed unheated colostrum (H0). General health status of calves that were received heat-treated colostrum was better and the prevalence of diarrhea-induced pathogens was lower than calves were fed unheated colostrum. In conclusion, the consumption of heat-treated colostrum had a positive effect on health, growth characteristics, and performance of calves during the suckling period.