ETIOLOGICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF EPIDEDE/lY'I‘IS IN GOATS IN BAGHDAD CITY

Testes from 700 male goats aged l - 3 years , slaughtered at Baghdad abatteir, were examined during 6 months period. Histological and bacteriological examinations were done when gross lesions were observed. The results revealed that epidedimytis was observed in 21 (3%) of the examined animals ; 16 (2.3%) cases were unilaterally affected and S (0.7%) cases were bilaterally affected. Bacteriological isolations from infected organs included : Corynebacterium ovis (6 isolates) and Actinomyces pyogenes (3 isolates) both constituted the majonty of isolates ; as well as E. coli (4 iso-lates), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Staphylococcus epidermidis, Cory. bovis., Staph. aureus, Cory , ulcerams &. Yersinia pseuclotuberculosis ( 2 isolates of each ) and Campylobacter fetus (1 isolate). Histopathological examination showed 6 pathological patterns of epididmytis including acute epididymitis (14.2% of infected cases ) , subacute nomsuppurative epididymilis (9.5% od cases ) , chronic suppurative epididymitisd (28.5% of cases ), chronic non—suppurative epididymitis (19% of cases) and spermatic granuloma (14.2% of cases ).

PREVENTATIVE EFFECTS OF PROBIOTIC (MIACLOST) ON EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED HYPOCALCEMIC RICKETS IN BROILER CHICKS.

A trial was conducted to study the effects of probiotic (Miaclost) supplement on experimentally induced hypocalcemic rickets in broiler chicks, a total of 180 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly divided into three equal groups 60 chicks per group with 3 replicates (20 birds /replicate) the dietary treatments consisted of a normal ration for G1, calcium-deficient ration 5% for G2 and calcium-deficient ration with addition of probiotics in drinking water for G3.Initial signs of rickets have been observed at 35-day of age in G2.while, in G1 and G3 no clinical signs observed, the gross lesions appeared enlargement of parathyroid gland, costochondral junction and increase in the width of growth plate of tibial bone of G2 whereas no gross lesions recorded in G1 and G3, the histopathological examination of parathyroid gland in G2 there were a focal parathyroid hyperplasia and increasing in numbers of syncytial cells and normal in G1 and G3, no intestinal histopathological changes in G1 and G2 and increase in height and width of the intestinal villi in probiotic group G3. Marked increase in the thickness of proliferation zone within growth plate of tibia bone in G2 and normal thickness in G1 and G3. the serum biochemical analysis of calcium of G2 recorded significantly low level in G2 and high level in G3 comparatively with G1, finally the serum alkaline phosphatase values were high significantly in G2 and normal in G3, it is concluded that probiotic (MiaClost) can be used as prophylaxis to prevent hypocalcemic rickets in broiler chicks

Immunization with Brucella abortus S19Δper Conferred Protection in Water Buffaloes against Virulent Challenge with B. abortus Strain S544

Vaccination of cattle and buffaloes with Brucella abortus strain 19 has been the mainstay for control of bovine brucellosis. However, vaccination with S19 suffers major drawbacks in terms of its safety and interference with serodiagnosis of clinical infection. Brucella abortus S19∆per, a perosamine synthetase wbkB gene deletion mutant, overcomes the drawbacks of the S19 vaccine strain. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of Brucella abortus S19Δper vaccine candidate in the natural host, buffaloes. Safety of S19∆per, for animals use, was assessed in guinea pigs. Protective efficacy of vaccine was assessed in buffaloes by immunizing with normal dose (4 × 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/animal) and reduced dose (2 × 109 CFU/animal) of S19Δper and challenged with virulent strain of B. abortus S544 on 300 days post immunization. Bacterial persistency of S19∆per was assessed in buffalo calves after 42 days of inoculation. Different serological, biochemical and pathological studies were performed to evaluate the S19∆per vaccine. The S19Δper immunized animals showed significantly low levels of anti-lipopolysaccharides (LPS) antibodies. All the immunized animals were protected against challenge infection with B. abortus S544. Sera from the majority of S19Δper immunized buffalo calves showed moderate to weak agglutination to RBPT antigen and thereby, could apparently be differentiated from S19 vaccinated and clinically-infected animals. The S19Δper was more sensitive to buffalo serum complement mediated lysis than its parent strain, S19. Animals culled at 6-weeks-post vaccination showed no gross lesions in organs and there was comparatively lower burden of infection in the lymph nodes of S19Δper immunized animals. With attributes of higher safety, strong protective efficacy and potential of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA), S19Δper would be a prospective alternate to conventional S19 vaccines for control of bovine brucellosis as proven in buffaloes.

Different virulence levels of Enterococcus cecorum strains in experimentally infected meat-type chickens

In recent years, pathogenic strains of Enterococcus cecorum (EC) have emerged as a causing agent of septicemia and skeletal infection in broiler chickens with a high economic impact worldwide. Although research has been conducted, many aspects of the pathogenesis of the EC-associated disease are still unknown. In the present study, an experimental infection model was established in broiler chickens. Two different EC strains (EC14 and EC15) were compared in two different concentrations of each strain (2 × 106 and 2 × 108 colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL)) after oral infection of one-day-old chicks. Clinical signs and gross lesions of the EC-associated disease were monitored in the following seven weeks. Although both EC strains were originally isolated from clinical disease outbreaks and had a high embryonic lethality, only EC14 successfully induced the typical course of the EC-associated disease with characteristic clinical signs and gross lesions. In total, 23% of the birds in the two EC14-groups were EC-positive in extraintestinal organs on culture, and no differences were found between the two infectious doses. EC14 was frequently detected via real-time PCR in the free thoracic vertebra (FTV) and femoral heads without any detectable gross lesions. The number of EC positive spleens from infected broilers was comparable using bacterial isolation and a specific real-time PCR. Interestingly, EC15 was not detected in extraintestinal organs, although birds in the EC15 groups were colonized by EC in the ceca after experimental infection. The present study represents first proof that virulence differs among EC strains in experimentally infected chickens, and emphasizes the need to further characterize virulence factors and pathogenic mechanisms of EC. The strain EC14 at a dose of 106 CFU is suitable for reproduction of the EC-associated disease. The experimental infection model reported here provides the basis for further research on the EC pathogenesis and possible prevention and intervention strategies.

Detection of Swine Dysentery (SD) caused by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae via PCR in Northern Vietnam

This study aimed to diagnose swine dysentery (SD) caused by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in pigs by the PCR method in Vietnam. Of the 250 samples, 29 isolates of B. hyodysenteriae (11.60%) were identified by PCR in seven provinces of Northern Vietnam, and the infection rate differed from region to region. From the positive cases of B. hyodysenteriae, we analyzed B. hyodysenteriae infected cases according to the ages of the pigs, farm sizes, and veterinary hygiene practices to get more information about the disease in Vietnam. The results showed that the positive B. hyodysenteriae samples were commonly seen in post-weaning pigs (32.14%) in households (20.73%) with poor hygiene (24.69%). Clinical signs of SD included high fever (100%); anorexia (100%); watery, bloody diarrhea, usually gray to brown in color (100%); and weight loss (86.42%). Gross lesions of SD were limited to the large intestine were described as having a fibrinous, blood-flecked membrane covering the mucosa (93.75%), swollen with hemorrhaged colon and cecum (75.00%), and mesenteric lymph nodes (81.25%).

Pathology of Fowl Paratyphoid and Molecular Detection of Its Pathogen in Layer Chickens

The study was aimed to ascertain the pathology of fowl paratyphoid and molecular detection of its causal agent (Salmonella spp) in chickens. Pathological and swab samples were collected from layers in Gazipur district, Bangladesh. For observing the gross and microscopic lesions of different organs necropsy and histopathology were done, and to isolate and identify the Salmonella spp, different bacteriological tests and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were performed. Swabs from 150 chickens showed 66% of salmonellosis. Gram’s staining of isolated bacteria showed pink colored rod shaped bacilli. In biochemical tests, Salmonella fermented dextrose, maltose, xylose, arabinose, dulcitol, mannitol except lactose and sucrose. Investigation of gross lesions at necropsy revealed hemorrhage and congestion in intestine, liver, spleen and ovaries. Necrotic foci were found in liver and spleen, and button like ulceration in cecal tonsils as well. Microscopic lesions included hemorrhage and focal necrosis in liver and spleen. Congestion and infiltrations of inflammatory cells were observed in small intestine. Ovary was hemorrhagic and there was infiltration of heterophils. Biochemically positive and isolated Salmonella organisms were confirmed by PCR method using invA and IE1 primers. The final results showed that a total of 91.7% Salmonella suspected cultures were confirmed as Salmonella Enteritidis. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2020) 24(2) : 47-57

ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) protects Syrian hamsters against SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 and B.1.1.7

We investigated ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in Syrian hamsters. We previously showed protection against SARS-CoV-2 disease and pneumonia in hamsters vaccinated with a single dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. Here, we observe a 9.5-fold reduction of virus neutralizing antibody titer in vaccinated hamster sera against B.1.351 compared to B.1.1.7. Vaccinated hamsters challenged with B.1.1.7 or B.1.351 do not lose weight compared to control animals. In contrast to control animals, the lungs of vaccinated animals do not show any gross lesions. Minimal to no viral subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) and no infectious virus can be detected in lungs of vaccinated animals. Histopathological evaluation shows extensive pulmonary pathology caused by B.1.1.7 or B.1.351 replication in the control animals, but none in the vaccinated animals. These data demonstrate the effectiveness of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine against clinical disease caused by B.1.1.7 or B.1.351 VOCs.

Histopathological effects of the nematode Amidostomum acutum on the small intestines of two aquatic birds: Fulica atra and Gallinula chloropus

The small intestine of two rallid aquatic birds (Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758 and Gallinula chloropus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Bahr Al-Najaf depression, southwest of Al-Najaf city, mid-Iraq), were infected with the nematode Amidostomum acutum Seurat, 1918 with a prevalence of 25% and 50%, respectively, and a mean intensity of 24.5 and 30, respectively. The infected birds showed several gross pathological and microscopic lesions in their small intestine due to the infection with this nematode. The gross lesions included hypertrophy in the anterior part of the duodenum and small rough nodules on the small intestine wall. Microscopic lesions included necrosis and shortening of villi with their fullness with inflammatory cells, degeneration of villi, and an increased number of acini at the base of the intestinal villi.

Parasitic infection of livers and lungs in cattle and sheep in Constantine slaughterhouses, Algeria, in 2009-2018

A retrospective study was carried out from registers of the slaughterhouses of Constantine, Algeria, on 145,919 cattle and 345,282 sheep apparently healthy, slaughtered between 2009 and 2018. The objective was to estimate the prevalence of the two dominant parasitic infections which cause gross lesions in liver and lungs, i.e. cystic echinococcosis (CE) and Fasciola hepatica infection. The postmortem examination consisted in a visual inspection of the organs, palpation of lungs and livers, and systematic incision of livers, performed according to FAO procedures. The prevalence of F. hepatica infection was significantly higher in cattle (2.7%) than in sheep (0.2%). There was a non-significant decrease from 4.5 to 2.0% (p > 0.05) in the prevalence of F. hepatica in cattle during the 10-year period. The prevalence of CE in the livers and lungs was significantly higher in cattle (3.3% and 9.7%, respectively) than in sheep (0.6% and 1.1%, respectively). The prevalence of CE was significantly higher in lungs than in livers. These results showed the importance of these parasitic infections in the province of Constantine and its surroundings, which requires the implementation of control programs against these infections in both sheep and cattle.

First record of Mothocya arrosor Bruce, 1986 parasitizing Euleptorhamphus viridis (van Hasselt, 1823) from India

The first record of Mothocya arrosor Bruce, 1986 parasitizing ribbon halfbeak fish Euleptorhamphus viridis is here reported from the southeast coast of India. The important characters distinguishing M. arrosor from other species in the genus include the body slightly twisted to one side, dorsum weakly convex, coxae of pereonites 6 and 7 distinctly rounded, pleon more completely overlapped by pereonite 7, pleonite 1 scarcely visible in dorsal view, uropod peduncle longer than rami, lacking strongly convex medial and lateral margins. The damage of gill rakers and erosion of gill lamellae were the acute gross lesions observed as a result of isopod infestation.