Epidemiosurveillance of Brucella infection in humans, non-ruminants and wildlife from Pakistan perspective (2000-2020)

This review aimed at providing an overview of the prevalence and epidemiosurveillance of brucellosis in non-ruminants and humans in Pakistan during 2000-2020. Sero-prevalence of brucellosis has been reported in non-ruminants such as camels, equines, dogs and humans with the range of 0.5-21%, 16.23-62.6%, 9.2-63.8% and 2.0-70% respectively. Non-target species like Avian, reptiles and amphibians were also reported with the prevalence of 2.5%, 24.9% and 25% respectively. Ignorance and indifference make it endemic in ruminants and much-neglected disease in non-ruminants with less or no studies reported in canines. Vaccines are available and being used for ruminants while none is available for non-ruminants, which may serve as an important source of spreading disease in animals and humans. In Pakistan, it is considered as ignored disease in non-ruminants lacking effective policies for control and eradication. This review guides policymakers to draw guidelines regarding brucellosis control and eradication using one health approach.

Age related changes in testicular histomorphometry and spermatogenic activity of bulls

The aim of the present study was to evaluate age related changes in testicular histomorphometry and spermatogenic activity of bulls during their sexual development. A total of 36 bulls were selected and divided into four groups (n=9 in each) according to their age. Bulls included in Groups I, II, III and IV were 10, 12, 14 and 16 months old respectively. Left testes of bulls were subjected to histomorphometry after slaughter. Statistical analysis revealed that the secondary spermatocytes, round and elongated spermatids increased significantly (P˂0.05) with the age of bulls. Likewise, both sertoli and leydig cell numbers increased significantly (P˂0.05) with the age of bulls. However, the number of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes did not change (P>0.05) due to age. The mean tubular diameter increased from 200.70±5.45 μm (10 months of age) to 227.30±9.16 μm (16 months of age) and the total volume of seminiferous tubule per testis from 69.63±1.50 % (10 months of age) to 84.64±2.53 % (16 months of age). A positive linear relationship (P<0.05) was found between meiotic index (Y) and the age (X, in month), which was characterized by the equation 0.048X+3.135 and a coefficient of correlation (R) of 0.396. The correlation between age and sertoli cell efficiency was 0.482 with a regression equation Y= 0.141X+7.696. It is concluded that histomorphometric parameters of the bulls’ testes and spermatogenic activity are correlated with the age, so these parameters provide a reliable tool for the assessment of the reproductive state and sperm production capacity of a bull in a breeding program.

Screening of AmpC-/ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolates from livestock for STEC/EHEC virulence genes

Livestock is an important reservoir of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (STEC/EHEC) strains and acts as a significant source of transmission to humans. In addition to the virulence of STEC/EHEC isolates, antibiotic resistance is also an escalating problem in these bacteria and increases the risk to public health. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore E. coli O157:H7 serotype and STEC/EHEC virulence genes in AmpC- and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli isolates from cattle, chicken and sheep. A total of 61 confirmed AmpC- or ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were screened for the virulence genes (stx1, stx2, eae, ehxA, espP, katP and saa) and E. coli O157 (rfbO157) and H7 (fliCH7) genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). None of the ESBL-producing E. coli was positive for these genes, but six multidrug-resistant AmpC-producing E. coli were positive for the fliCH7 gene only. When considering the function of the H7 flagellar antigen of E. coli, it may be concluded that the development of ESBL/AmpC beta-lactamase production in the E. coli isolates with H7 flagella, which reside in the chicken intestine, may be potentially important for public health regarding both virulence and antimicrobial resistance.

A New Outbreak in Sea Bass Farming in Turkey: Aeromonas veronii

Turkey produces most of the European sea bassin Europe and bacterial diseases are the main cause of economic loss during the production cycle. This research presents the first extended study of the Aeromonas veronii infection in sea bass on the Turkish coast of the Aegean Sea. An outbreak was observed in three different sea bass farms and diseased fish with clinical symptoms were sampled. Abdominal distention, hemorrhages on the body and anus, enlarged spleen and liver, and hemorrhages in the internal organs were detected from clinical and pathological examinations. Biochemical and molecular identification confirmed the pathogen to be A.veronii.The histopathological observations demonstrated that the pathogen caused bacterial colonies in the fibrous connective tissue, granuloma, and vacuolar degeneration.The primary causes of the disease were proved through an infection experiment. 80% and 90% mortality were calculated in 0.85 x 108 CFU ml-1 and 1.28 x 108 CFU ml-1 experimentally infected groups with clinical and pathological signs of the disease respectively. Recently, the pathological symptoms of the disease had been confused with pasteurellosis infection in cage farms but the presence of A.veronii has been confirmed in the current study. A detailed study is needed to investigate the overall status of the disease in the Aegean Sea in order to design an appropriate preventive strategy.

Association of the caprine calpastatin MspI polymorphism with growth and reproduction traits in Saanen goats

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of calpastatin (CAST) MspI polymorphism on some growth and reproduction traits, including birth weight, first breeding weight, litter size, and average daily weight gain in Saanen goats. In this sense, blood samples obtained from 73 purebred female Saanen goats were used for genotyping. Genomic DNA was isolated by the phenol-chloroform method and used to determine CAST genotypes, including MM, MN, and NN, by means of the PCR-RFLP method. The population genetic parameters were estimated based on allelic distribution and the data were statistically analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) using a general linear model (GLM). Results revealed that N allele frequency was remarkably high (0.64) and the MM genotype was not present. The frequency of the heterozygous genotype was 59.62%. Concerning ANOVA results, significant differences were found between genotypes of the CAST locus concerning birth weight (P<0.05). In this respect, animals with the NN genotype were associated with higher birth weight means (2.85±0.29 kg) compared to heterozygous animals (2.53±0.24 kg). There was no significant association between the CAST marker and any of the remaining phenotypic traits evaluated. The present results suggest that focusing on this genomic region may be particularly useful in improving birth weight in goats which can be considered as an early indicator of post-weaning animal growth and survival.

Dim blue light colour reduces the activities and improves the performance of Indian River broilers under Egyptian conditions

Poultry producers accustomed to use light colours in broiler production as atrial to increase their productivity, especially in the developing countries to cover the animal protein gap. This experiment was planned to study the effect of different blue light colour intensities (high, medium and dim) on a recently imported Indian River (IR) broilers to Egypt. In this study, 270 one-day old Indian River broiler chicks were used. The birds were exposed to high blue light intensity (HBLI), medium blue light intensity (MBLI) and dim blue light intensity (DBLI), through a monochromatic lighting system that was installed in different rooms for 24 hours daily. The birds were randomly divided and housed into three well controlled pens of 5.46 m2 with three replicates of 30 each using a density of 17 birds/m2 in the room. The results showed that the broilers reared under DBLI had a significantly (p< 0.05) higher body weight, body weight gain, Newcastle disease virus antibody titer and foot pad dermatitis with obviously, economic Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and low activities and heterophyil/lymphocyte ratio in comparing with (MBLI) and (HBLI). In conclusion, poultry producer can use dim blue light in their farms to reduce the activities and increase the productivity of the birds.

Neosporosis: a neglected abortifacient disease in Egypt, seroprevalence and farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices

Neosporosis has emerged as a serious disease of cattle and dogs worldwide, causing abortions, neonatal mortalities and massive economic losses in dairy herds. The current study aimed to investigate the burden of Neospora (N.) caninum infection among cows that aborted and to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of farmers toward neosporosis in Kafrelsheikh governorate, Egypt. A total of 92 cows that aborted and 25 heifers born from cows that aborted and seropositive for N. caninum infection from 15 dairy herds in different districts of Kafrelsheikh governorate were examined serologically against N. caninum infection using ELISA. A structured questionnaire was built and distributed to 41 farmers in the study area. The overall seroprevalence of N. caninum infection among the examined cows that aborted was 38.04% (35/92). On the other hand, the prevalence of N. caninum infection among the 25 examined heifers born from seropositive cows that aborted was 28% (7/25). The KAPs analysis showed that farmers lack the required information on N. caninum infection and its consequences on dairy farms. The farmers performed risky practices which are responsible for disease entrance and spread on the farm; buy and keeping animals after abortion as well as their heifers. In addition, risk management practices were widespread in dairy farms such as: free movement of dogs, especially stray ones, in 100% of the farms, dogs were able to access and defecate in cattle feed and drinking water sources and had the chance to eat placentas and abortion materials. The current study points out neosporosis as a neglected cause of abortion among cattle in Kafrelsheikh governorate, as well as there is a lack of knowledge and risky practices by the local farmers. These findings may be extrapolated to nearby areas and countries of the same cattle husbandry practices, and veterinary services in such countries should consider neosporosis in their surveillance and control programs.

Replacement of Beef Fat in Meatball with Oleogels (Black Cumin Seed Oil/Sunflower Oil)

Meat products contain fatty acids, especially saturated fatty acids, which cause adverse health effects. The effect of fats on meat products isnot only concerned with health, but also about the product’s sensorial or textural properties. The research aimed to develop a new, healthier meatball formula in which the fat is substituted by oleogel gelled by carnauba wax and made with sunflower oil and black seed oil mixture. The effect of substituting animal fat with oleogel on color values, cooking parameters, lipid oxidation, and the textural properties of meatballs were determined. The effect of oleogel type on the TBA values of 50 and 75% substituted samples was statistically significant (p < 0. 05), and TBA values of the samples with oleogel substituted were higher than others at the end of the storage. The effect of substitution rates on the texture profile of meatball samples was found to be statistically significant (p <0. 05). The oleogel (25%) added group scored significantly (p < 0. 05)higher than the control group in appearance, flavor, texture, juiciness, oiliness, and overall acceptability, and was not found difference between the treatment groups.

First study on oxyuriosis in horses from Algeria: Prevalence and clinical aspects

The present study was carried out the Tiaret region, on horses belonging to the Chaouchaoua National Haras, ONDEEC and on two private farms during the period from February 05th to April 17th, 2019. It aims to assess the overall prevalence of equine oxyuriosis in the area and to describe the most dominant clinical signs of this parasite infection. Scotch tape test was applied on 176 horses randomly selected and the microscopic observation of slides was carried out at the parasitology laboratory of the Veterinary institute of Tiaret. The overall prevalence of Oxyuris equi was 38.64% with females being more infected (37.04%) than males (20.45%). The prevalence of oxyuriosis was higher in fillies (70%) than in foals (48.39%).The high prevalence of Oxyuris equi was recorded in the private farms with a percentage of 85% and 44% in farm 1 and 2, respectively. The more commonly clinical signs were tail rubbing in 42% and scratching in 32% of positive horses.Equine oxyuriosis is a common infection in the study area and requires the application of hygienic measures with more therapeutic and preventive care.

Serological and immuno-histopathological detection of Paramphistomum epiclitum infection in large ruminant population in Punjab, Pakistan

Recent molecular identification of Paramphistomum epiclitum in Pakistan raises concerns about its epidemiology and pathologies in infected tissues of ruminants. The present study aimed to find the seroepidemiological and histopathological record of Paramphistomum epiclitum from cattle and buffaloes. Indirect ELISA on animal sera and histology of infected rumen with hematological and biochemical analyses were performed. The overall prevalence of P. epiclitum was noted as 15.3% in the abattoir survey and 37.6% in the serological examination. The sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic test were 100% and 83.3% respectively. The paramphistomosis was significantly (p= 0.001) higher during August (6.4%) followed by September (5.4%), whereas the lowest prevalence was recorded during April (0.4%). The hematological and biochemical variations showed significant increase in total leukocyte count (p= 0.002), alanine aminotransferase (p= 0.05), glucose (p= 0.01) and cholesterol (p = 0.024) levels. However, significant decrease in the level of erythrocyte (p= 0.019), hemoglobin (p= 0.001), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (p= 0.05), mean corpuscular volume (p= 0.038) and platelets count (p= 0.048) was observed. The histopathology of rumen tissue showed haemorrhages, atrophy of ruminal papillae, sloughed mucosa, cellular vacuolation, and infiltration of lymphocytes inflammatory cells. The present study provides the prevalence and histopathological record of P. epiclitum in Pakistan for the first time in order to take control measures in the country.