Isolation and phylogenetic analysis of Avian orthoavulavirus 1 sub-genotypes VII.2 and XXI.1.2 from caged birds in the Lahore district, Pakistan – Short communication

In this study, the prevalence of Avian orthoavulavirus-1 (AOAV-1) (also commonly known as Newcastle disease virus) was investigated in caged birds kept in bird markets in the Lahore district of Pakistan. A total of 354 swab samples were obtained from 14 different species of clinically healthy birds. The overall virus prevalence was 12.7% in 9 out of the 14 species. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete fusion protein (F) gene showed that 23 isolates from different avian species belonged to sub-genotype VII.2 while three isolates of pigeon origin clustered with sub-genotype XXI.1.2. The VII.2 viruses isolated had a high nucleotide identity to viruses repeatedly isolated from poultry in Pakistan from 2011 to 2018. To date, sub-genotype XXI.1.2 viruses have only been identified in Pakistan. These findings suggest that the Newcastle disease (ND) outbreaks occurring in Pakistan involve multiple hosts and environments. The study emphasises the importance of continuing to monitor multiple avian species for the presence of AOAV-1s and implementing effective ND control strategies.

Testicular effects of a postnatal GnRH antagonist in domestic cats

The aim of this study was to describe the histological effects of two high postnatal doses of the potent third-generation GnRH antagonist, acyline in the domestic cat testicle. Secondly, the physical, endocrine, and steroidogenic findings of this pharmaceutical protocol are also reported. Twelve postnatal littermate male kittens were administered acyline in a dose of 2.2 mg/100 g SC weekly for 2 weeks (ACY; n = 6), or placebo (PL; n = 6). All the animals were followed up until puberty when they were castrated. Serial faecal samples were collected until the age of 10 weeks for testosterone (T) measurement. The kittens achieved puberty without either age (236.5 ± 19.7 vs. 221.7 ± 23.7 days) or body weight (3.05 ± 0.15 vs. 2.78 ± 0.28 kg, P > 0.05) differences between ACY and PL, respectively. Acyline suppressed faecal T concentrations for 3 weeks (P < 0.01). From the fourth week on, both groups had low concentrations up to the end of the follow-up period (P > 0.05). Histological assessment of the testes showed that ACY cats presented a reduced height of the epithelium (P < 0.01) due to the diminished number of germinal cells accompanied by an enlarged luminal area (P < 0.01) with cellular debris (P < 0.01). The immunostaining of P450c17 also appeared partially diminished in ACY testes.

A serosurvey of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection of goats in the North of Portugal

To better understand the epizootiology of caprine paratuberculosis in the North of Portugal, a cross-sectional study was conducted from 2014 to 2015. The seroprevalence and risk factors for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) seropositivity were evaluated. Antibodies against Map were determined by a commercial ELISA. In 936 sera tested from 56 goat herds, 120 (12.8%, 95% CI: 10.8–15.1%) goats and 34 (60.7%, 95% CI: 47.6–72.4%) herds were positive. Risk factors for seropositivity were investigated by logistic regression models. The odds of Map seropositivity were found to be higher for animals with clinical signs, OR = 5.1 (95% CI: 2.7–9.6%), animals belonging to herds with previous wasting disease, OR = 2.3 (95% CI: 1.1–4.8%), and accumulation of manure in the herd, OR = 3.1 (95% CI: 1.7–5.7%). The potential risk factors identified in this study support the current recommendations for the control of paratuberculosis in these and other animals.

Reproductive toxicological changes in avian embryos due to a pesticide and an environmental contaminant

Single and simultaneous toxic effects of glyphosate (Amega Up, 360 g L−1, 4%) and copper sulphate (0.01%) were studied in avian embryos treated either with injection directly into the air chamber or by immersion application for 30 min on day 0 of incubation. Alterations of the chicken embryos were evaluated during necropsy performed on day 19 of incubation, together with mortality, body weight and the type of developmental abnormalities. Based on the results, the injection application appeared to be more toxic than the immersion method, as it induced increased mortality and reduced the average body weight, and resulted in a higher incidence of congenital anomalies. Supposedly, a toxicodynamic interaction occurs between copper sulphate and glyphosate, which may reduce the vitality of embryos and thus decrease the number of offspring in wild birds.

Characteristics of diluted-stored and post-thawed semen of Hutsul stallions

The use of frozen semen lowers the risk of disease transmission, eliminates geographical limitations and supports the implementation of genetic resource protection programs. However, due to the very rare use of frozen semen from Hutsul stallions, their genetic material is not secured in sperm banks, and very little information is available about their semen, including its suitability for cryopreservation, and sperm survival rates after thawing. The aim of this study was to analyse basic parameters such as sperm motility, vitality and morphology in diluted-stored and post-thawed Hutsul semen, using a CASA system. There were no differences in sperm motility (P = 0.3372) or morphology between the groups, although the progressive motility was higher in thawed semen (P = 0.0151), while the sperm vitality was higher in diluted-stored semen (P = 0.00517). This study demonstrates that semen from Hutsul horses is suitable for cryopreservation, thus supporting the creation of a sperm bank as a genetic reserve for representatives of this breed.

Metabolic and production parameters of dairy cows with different dry period lengths and parities

To assess the effects of dry period (DP) length on metabolic, reproductive, and productive parameters, second- (SP) and third- (TP) parity cows were assigned to a traditional (9 weeks, T) or short (5 weeks, S) DP, obtaining four subgroups: second-parity cows with traditional (SPT = 8) and short (SPS = 8) DP, third-parity cows with traditional (TPT = 8) and short (TPS = 10) DP. Plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels were assessed from 5 weeks before to 14 weeks after parturition. IGF-I concentrations were affected by parity (P < 0.05) and by the interaction of time and DP length (P < 0.01). NEFA levels were affected only by time (P < 0.01). S DP cows showed a shorter interval between calving and ovarian cyclicity resumption (P < 0.01) and a higher milk yield (P < 0.01) and fat and protein corrected milk (P < 0.01) compared with T DP cows. Decreased milk protein content was found in the SPS group compared to the SPT (P < 0.05) and the TPS (P < 0.05) group. In conclusion, a short DP length does not affect reproductive performances, except for hastening the resumption of ovarian cyclicity. A short DP appears to increase milk production and is associated with higher IGF-I levels both in the prepartum and the postpartum period.

Single nucleotide polymorphism in STAT5A could not endorse variation in milk production traits in Indian bovine population

The Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 5A (STAT5A) gene involved in activating the transcription of milk protein genes was predicted to be influencing milk production traits. The present study was undertaken to investigate the suitability of the polymorphism of STAT5A as a marker for milk traits in Ongole, crossbred cattle and Murrah buffaloes from Southern India. Blood samples (n = 502) for DNA isolation and milk samples (n = 222) from different genetic groups were collected from various farms. The gene variants upon polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) on the exon 7 region of STAT5A were subjected to GLM analysis to evaluate their association with milk production traits. The frequencies of C and T alleles at the STAT5A/AvaI locus were 0.98 and 0.02 (Jersey crossbred), 0.94 and 0.06 [Holstein-Friesian (HF) crossbred], 0.97 and 0.03 (Ongole). T allele was not observed in Murrah buffaloes. The least squares mean lactation milk yield of CC and CT genotypes of STAT5A were 2,096.90 ± 48.63 and 2,294.41 ± 215.85 kg in Jersey crossbred, 2,312.92 ± 91.01 and 2,392.82 ± 207.66 kg in HF crossbred and 528.40 ± 22.10 and 396.37 ± 76.17 kg in Ongole cattle, respectively. The milk fat content of the CC genotype was higher (P > 0.05) in Jersey crossbred cattle. The CT genotypes of Ongole and HF crossbred cattle recorded a higher fat per cent than the CC genotypes. Significant associations were not observed in support of STAT5A as a marker for milk production traits in either Ongole or crossbred cattle of indicine admixture and no reason could be found to consider this locus as universal markers for milk production traits in indicine cattle and buffaloes. Considering the monomorphic nature of the gene in buffaloes and their higher milk fat content as compared to bovine milk, much remains to be explored regarding the underlying differences across the bovine and the bubaline species.

Co-infection with Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni in a dog

A four-year-old intact male Boxer, that had a history of travelling to Serbia, was referred for lethargy and anaemia. Shortly before the dog was referred, it was diagnosed twice with an infection with Babesia canis and was treated with imidocarb both times. A blood smear evaluation was indicative of the presence of intraerythrocytic piroplasms. After receiving inconclusive results regarding the type of piroplasm, the dog was diagnosed with simultaneous infections with B. canis and Babesia gibsoni via real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) testing. The dog was treated with imidocarb, atovaquone and azithromycin, and in a follow-up examination, the PCR results were negative for B. canis and B. gibsoni. Several weeks later, the dog was presented again, and a PCR was positive for B. gibsoni. After atovaquone and azithromycin failed to eliminate the parasites, a therapy attempt using metronidazole, clindamycin and doxycycline was initiated. Six months after diagnosis, the treatment appeared successful in eliminating B. gibsoni. This case report describes the clinical findings of the co-infection and the initiated diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Low-level pathogen transmission from wild to farmed salmonids in a flow-through fish farm

While the potential effects of pathogens spread from farmed fish to wild populations have frequently been studied, evidence for the transmission of parasites from wild to farmed fish is scarce. In the present study, we evaluated natural bacterial and parasitic infections in brown trout (Salmo trutta m. fario) collected from the Černá Opava river (Czech Republic) as a potential source of infections for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reared in a flow-through farm system fed by the same river. The prevalence of bacterial and protozoan infections in farmed fish was comparable, or higher, than for riverine fish. Despite this, none of the infected farmed fish showed any signs of severe diseases. Substantial differences in metazoan parasite infections were observed between wild and farmed fish regarding monogeneans, adult trematodes, nematodes, the myxozoan Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae found in riverine fish only, and larval eye-fluke trematodes sporadically found in farmed fish. The different distribution of metazoan parasites between brown and rainbow trout most probably reflects the availability of infected intermediate hosts in the two habitats. Despite the river being the main water source for the farm, there was no significant threat of parasite infection to the farmed fish from naturally infected riverine fish.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of peripheral blood leucocyte ratios in sick cats

The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic utility of feline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratios (LMR) in a variety of underlying diseases. Five-year medical records from cats presenting to the internal medicine unit of a veterinary teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Cats were considered for inclusion based on complete medical records. ADVIA 120 was used for the complete blood counts; the NLR and LMR were calculated by dividing the absolute numbers of the respective leucocytes. Two hundred and nineteen sick and 20 healthy cats were included in the study. The median NLR and LMR were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated and decreased, respectively, in cats with infectious, neoplastic and chronic kidney diseases compared to controls. Additionally, cats with neoplasia had significantly higher median NLR compared to cats with urinary tract and gastrointestinal diseases. Non-survivors had significantly higher NLR and lower LMR compared to survivors. Both ratios had suboptimal prognostic performance for the outcome of sick cats (NLR sensitivity: 37.9%, specificity: 86.4%; LMR sensitivity: 69.0%, specificity: 61.0%). Many different disease categories were associated with increased NLR and decreased LMR compared to controls, but the overall prognostic performance of the two leucocyte ratios was suboptimal.