Teaching One Health: Animal husbandry in a post-graduate interdisciplinary curriculum

Research (Published online: 09-06-2020)

12. Teaching One Health: Animal husbandry in a post-graduate interdisciplinary curriculum

Djibo Idrissa Sidikou, Yannick Caron, Catherine Delguste, Abdoulkarim Issa Ibrahim, Maman Laminou Ibrahim, Hassane Adakal, Jean-Luc Hornick and Nicolas Antoine-Moussiaux

International Journal of One Health, 6(1): 69-75

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: This work presents the implementation of a course on animal husbandry in an interdisciplinary curriculum based on the One Health concept. The study describes learners' viewpoints about the course and its insertion in the curriculum. The study aimed at identifying avenues for improvement.

Materials and Methods: Fourteen learners (health professionals) participated to individual semi-structured interviews lasting for 25-35 min each. Learners' opinions were extracted from the transcribed interviews and analysis themes were identified from recurrent narratives.

Results: The learners perceived animal husbandry as relevant for One Health and potentially useful for their future practice. More precisely, learners were considering a future use of the newly acquired knowledge and skills in the advising of communities facing malnutrition and for the strategic planning at wider levels. Teaching methods were appreciated thanks to the active learning style. Unmet expectations concerned the coverage of impacts and relationships to other disciplines, the inclusion of viewpoints from other disciplines into the teaching, and the degree of contextualization of contents, e.g. through case studies. Accordingly, the main avenues for improvement, as identified by learners, were to give a prior focus on impacts (especially on human health) for all contents and to increase the number of case studies, but also to better address the questions of the usefulness of animal products in the management of malnutrition.

Conclusion: The analysis of learners' expectations (met and unmet) and their recommendations regarding the future of the course helped identifying both successes and important challenges for teachers. Two main challenges are highlighted. First, increased interdisciplinarity is needed within the course to better cover the notion of impact of animal husbandry on health, society and environment. Second, the complexity of the domain under consideration will call for important efforts of clarification of the course structure and objectives in terms of skills acquisition.

Keywords: animal husbandry, curriculum, interdisciplinarity, one health.

Evaluation of some food additives and heavy metals in Egyptian meat products

Research (Published online: 09-06-2020)

11. Evaluation of some food additives and heavy metals in Egyptian meat products

Mohamed Abdelfattah Maky, Mohamed A. A. Abd-ElRasoul and Mohammed Salah

International Journal of One Health, 6(1): 61-68

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Contamination of processed meat by chemicals, either by their addition for enhancing the product quality or as a result of contamination during the manufacturing process, is a crucial food safety issue that threatens human health. This research was conducted to estimate the contamination levels by harmful chemical contaminants, including nitrite, lead, cadmium, and phosphate in the Egyptian processed meats.

Materials and Methods: In our study, 20 samples of each frozen sausage, pastirma, and luncheon were collected and prepared for the detection of chemical contaminants, including nitrite, lead, cadmium, phosphorus, and phosphate.

Results: Pastirma showed the highest nitrite and lead levels (163.65±22.633 and 0.805±0.173 ppm) and the lowest levels in phosphorus and phosphate (2.294±0.19 and 9.084±0.755 g/kg) whereas sausage recorded the highest concentration of cadmium (0.073±0.008 ppm), phosphorus and phosphate (13.268±1.129 and 52.54±4.472 g/kg, respectively). However, the estimation of nitrite, lead, cadmium, and phosphate levels in sausage, pastirma, and luncheon was considered within the acceptable daily intake. Moreover, target hazard quotient and hazard index of all analyzed chemical contaminants in different processed meat were below one, indicating the safety of these meat products without any danger to human health. The probability of developing cancer was measured using carcinogenic risk (CR) where pastirma and luncheon recorded satisfactory levels away from developing cancer because of lead (4.59E-04 and 1.87E-04, respectively) and cadmium (7.60E-04 and 3.80E-04, respectively) contamination. Surprisingly, the cadmium level in sausage samples represented a relevant CR for consumers (1.90E-03).

Conclusion: Periodical surveillance of meat chemical contaminants is a vital issue for human health maintenance.

Keywords: carcinogenic risk, chemical contaminants, hazard index, meat products, target hazard quotient.

Effects of farnesol and lyticase on the formation of Candida albicans biofilm

Research (Published online: 08-06-2020)

3. Effects of farnesol and lyticase on the formation of Candida albicans biofilm

Nadezhda Sachivkina, Ekaterina Lenchenko, Dmitri Blumenkrants, Alfia Ibragimova and Olga Bazarkina

Veterinary World, 13(6): 1030-1036

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Candida albicans is a dimorphic fungus that has both yeast and filamentous forms. It is part of the normal flora in the oral and genital areas of mammals. One factor for the pathogenicity of C. albicans is its ability to switch from yeast to hyphae. The hyphal form adheres and penetrates tissues more readily than the yeast form and produces biofilms that are associated with chronic infection. Biofilms are protective niches that enable microorganisms to be more resistant to antibiotic treatment, thus allowing for persistent infection. The first stage in the transition from yeast to hyphae involves the formation of a germ tube, and this transition is triggered by interactions with host cells. Germ tube formation is dependent on serum, pH, temperature, and quorum-sensing molecules (QSMs). Farnesol, which is a QSM in C. albicans, can prevent yeast to hyphae conversion and inhibits the growth of fungal biofilm. Lyticase is a synergistic enzyme complex that catalyzes yeast cell lysis by β-1,3-glucanase and is a highly specific alkaline protease that produces protoplasts or spheroplasts. This study investigated the effect of farnesol and lyticase on the formation of C. albicans biofilms.

Materials and Methods: C. albicans ATCC 2091 was cultivated on liquid and solid Sabouraud media. The presence of C. albicans was confirmed using HiCrome Candida Agar chromogenic medium. Enzyme activities were assayed using a HiCandida Identification Kit. The morphology and densitometry parameters of C. albicans biofilms were considered in the presence of farnesol (Sigma-Aldrich, Germany), lyticase (from Arthrobacter luteus; Sigma-Aldrich, Germany), and farnesol–lyticase.

Results: This study shows that both farnesol and lyticase possess antifungal activity against C. albicans biofilms. A significant difference among treatment groups (p<0.05) was observed from strong biofilm production to medium and weak.

Conclusion: Many studies have been devoted to the antimicrobial action of farnesol. Bacterial enzyme lyticase is also used to degrade fungal cell walls. Both molecules show substantial antifungal properties that are similar to the properties of modern antimycotics. The current study demonstrates that farnesol and lyticase can disrupt biofilm formation in C. albicans ATCC 2091, which is an effective biofilm producer.

Keywords: antimycotic activity, biofilms, Candida albicans, enzyme activities, farnesol, hemolytic activity, HiCrome Candida Agar, lyticase, optical density, quorum sensing.

Changes in plasma biochemical parameters and hormones during transition period in Beetal goats carrying single and twin fetus

Research (Published online: 05-06-2020)

2. Changes in plasma biochemical parameters and hormones during transition period in Beetal goats carrying single and twin fetus

Jyotsana Madan, Sonia Sindhu and Manoj Kumar Rose

Veterinary World, 13(6): 1025-1029

ABSTRACT

Aim: The study was undertaken to find out the changes in biochemical and hormonal profile during transition period in single- and twin-bearing Beetal goats.

Materials and Methods: Beetal goats are reared in North India for milk and meat purposes, popularly called poor man's cow, serving as a source of livelihood. The present study was conducted on Beetal goats, maintained at a goat farm, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, for characterization of plasma biochemical and hormonal changes during transitional phase in pregnant goats carrying single and twin fetus. The animals selected were expected to have parturition at the same time, to avoid environmental variation effects, and divided into two groups: Group 1 (carrying single fetus, n=14) and Group 2 (twin fetus, n=6). Blood samples were collected from goats prepartum (–30 days and –15 days), 0 day, and postpartum +15 days and +30 days, and plasma was separated for the analysis of biochemical metabolites and hormones by commercially available kits.

Results: Analysis of data revealed a significant decrease in triglyceride and cholesterol concentration during postpartum days. A significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration was observed at the day of parturition. Furthermore, there was a significant (p≤0.05) decrease in ALT and aspartate aminotransferase concentration in goats at the 15th day and 30th day after parturition in both groups. A significant (p≤0.05) lower concentration of total protein and globulins was observed during late pregnancy and on the day of parturition, with a subsequent elevation during postpartum period (15 days and 30 days). Progesterone concentration was highest at –30 days prepartum and decreased sharply at parturition and thereafter postpartum, both in single- and twin-bearing goats. Progesterone level was lower in twin-bearing goats as compared to single-bearing goats at 0 day and postpartum days. No significant changes were observed in sodium, potassium, and chloride concentration during transitional period in goats.

Conclusion: Transition period blood metabolite profile changes due to physiological need of mother and fetus were more prominent in metabolites regulating energy requirements and in goats bearing twin fetus.

Keywords: biochemical, enzymes, goats, hormones, transitional period.

Impact of inulin and yeast containing synbiotic on calves' productivity and greenhouse gas production

Research (Published online: 02-06-2020)

1. Impact of inulin and yeast containing synbiotic on calves' productivity and greenhouse gas production

S. Jonova, A. Ilgaza, M. Zolovs and A. Balins

Veterinary World, 13(6): 1017-1024

ABSTRACT

Aim: The research aimed to determine the impact of synbiotic: 6 g of prebiotic inulin and 5 g of probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1026 on calves' productivity and greenhouse gas (GHG) production.

Materials and Methods: The research was conducted with 10 Holstein Friesian and Red Holstein (Bos taurus L.) crossbreed calves of mean age 33±6 days and initial body weight 73.4±12.75 kg. We added the synbiotic into the diet of five dairy crossbreed calves (SynG) and five calves in control group (CoG) received non-supplemented diet. The duration of the experiment was 56 days. The weight of calves and amount of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the rumen were determined on day 1, 28, and 56. On day 56, three calves from each group were slaughtered. Meat samples were assessed for some indicators of meat quality. The main methanogens were detected in the rumen fluid and feces.

Results: The weight gain during the whole experiment period of 56 days was higher in the SynG (62.6±13.75 kg) compared to CoG (36.8±7.98 kg) calves (p<0.01). There were no significant differences in the levels of protein (%), fat (unsaturated and saturated – %), and cholesterol (mg/100 g) in meat samples from both groups. At the end of the experiment, the amount of CH4 in calves' rumen in CoG was higher (Me=792.06 mg/m3, interquartile range [IQR] 755.06-873.59) compared to SynG (Me=675.41 mg/m3, IQR 653.46-700.50) group (p<0.01). The values for CO2 were also increased in CoG (Me=4251.28 mg/m3, IQR 4045.58-4426.25) compared to SynG (Me=3266.06 mg/m3, IQR 1358.98-4584.91) group (p=0.001). There were no significant differences in the calves' weight and certain methanogen species in rumen liquid and feces on the 56th day of the experiment. Significantly higher results in the parameter total prokaryotes (V3) (bacteria+archaea) in rumen fluid were in SynG, whereas significantly higher results in the parameter total methanogens Met630/803 in rumen fluid were in CoG, p<0.05.

Conclusion: The main results showed that the synbiotic can increase the daily weight gain in calves and decrease the amount of GHG in rumen but does not impact different methanogen species in rumen liquid and feces and meat protein, fat, and cholesterol levels.

Keywords: calves, greenhouse gases, inulin, productivity, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, symbiotic.

Effect of pre-supplementation with Pleurotus sajor-caju crude extracts on body weight and consequence responses of leukocytes and immune organs in fancy carp following inoculation with Aeromonas veronii

Research (Published online: 31-05-2020)

27. Effect of pre-supplementation with Pleurotus sajor-caju crude extracts on body weight and consequence responses of leukocytes and immune organs in fancy carp following inoculation with Aeromonas veronii

Sitthichon Rattanachan, Sumrarn Bunnajirakul and Darsaniya Punyadarsaniya

Veterinary World, 13(5): 1010-1016

ABSTRACT

Aim: The present study aimed at highlighting the effects of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju), as a dietary supplement on growth performance, differential leukocytes population, and histological changes of melanomacrophage centers (MMCs) in spleen and kidney of fancy carp on bacterial infection.

Materials and Methods: A total of 60 fancy carp were allocated into four groups according to feed formulations including; (1) basal diet with 2% crude extract of P. sajor-caju, (2) basal diet with 2% β-glucan, whereas Group 3, and Group 4 were positive and negative control, which were fed only basal diet. Diets were provided for 30 days, thereafter, fish of Group 1 to Group 3 were intraperitoneally injected with Aeromonas veronii (1.8×109 CFU), whereas Group 4 was injected with normal saline. At day 7 post-bacterial inoculation, all fish were weighed, whole blood was collected for differential white blood cell count, and two visceral organs, posterior kidney and spleen, were collected from euthanized fish to observe histological changes, particularly MMCs.

Results: No significant differences in body weight were found (p>0.05) at 1st week of the experiment; however, fish body weight was significantly increased from week 2 to week 4 of the experiment. Increased monocyte number was found in carp fish fed with the P. sajor-caju or β-glucan supplemented diets compared to the control groups (p<0.05). The proliferation of monocyte in fish was consistent with increased number and size of MMCs in hemotopoietic organs, posterior kidney and spleen, especially in fancy carp fed with of P. sajor-caju crude extract and commercially available β-glucan before bacterial inoculation in fish.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that crude polysaccharide from P. sajor-caju can be potentially used as a feed additive that might promote innate immune function in fish.

Keywords: Aeromonas veronii, body weight, fancy carp (Cyprinus carpio), immunostimulant, Pleurotus sajor-caju.

Seroprevalence of African horse sickness in selected donkey populations in Namibia

Research (Published online: 31-05-2020)

26. Seroprevalence of African horse sickness in selected donkey populations in Namibia

Umberto Molini, Guendalina Zaccaria, Erick Kandiwa, Borden Mushonga, Siegfried Khaiseb, Charles Ntahonshikira, Bernard Chiwome, Ian Baines, Oscar Madzingira, Giovanni Savini and Nicola D'Alterio

Veterinary World, 13(5): 1005-1009

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: African horse sickness (AHS) is a non-contagious viral disease of horses and other equids caused by an arbovirus belonging to the Reoviridae family and genus Orbivirus. AHS is an endemic disease that is responsible for the death of a high number of horses every year in Namibia. At present, there is no information on the prevalence and distribution of AHS virus (AHSV) serotypes in the different regions of Namibia. Therefore, this survey aimed to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the AHSV seroprevalence in Namibian donkeys.

Materials and Methods: A total of 260 blood samples (20 samples for each region) were randomly collected from donkeys aged between 3 and 5 years. Sera were screened for AHSV-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies using a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and samples positive to AHSV antibodies were further tested by serum neutralization (SN) assay to evaluate the AHSV serotype-specific immune response.

Results: Seroprevalence of antibodies against AHSV in Namibian donkeys was 63.5%. The AHSV prevalence was significantly higher in the northern region (64%) than in the southern region (36%). A significantly (p<0.05) higher number of donkeys had antibodies against AHSV-6 (37.8%) and AHSV-9 (37.8%). The AHSV-2, AHSV-6, and AHSV-9 prevalence were higher (p<0.05) in the northern regions compared to the southern regions. None of the donkeys in this study, however, tested positive for AHSV-8.

Conclusion: Results of the current study indicate that all AHSV serotypes have either circulated previously or are circulating in Namibia except for AHSV-8. In particular, AHSV-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, and -9 serotypes have circulated or are circulating in the northern region of Namibia, while AHSV-1, -4, -5, -6, -7, and -9 have infected donkeys in the south. AHSV-9 and AHSV-6 were the most prevalent serotypes detected in donkeys in this study. SN results showed that several donkeys from Kavango East, Kavango West, and Ohangwena regions had been exposed to multiple serotypes, indicating the possibility of cocirculation of several strains in Namibia.

Keywords: African horse sickness, donkeys, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Namibia.

The effects of breed, age, sex, and body weight on electrocardiographic parameters in military working dogs

Research (Published online: 30-05-2020)

25. The effects of breed, age, sex, and body weight on electrocardiographic parameters in military working dogs

Wichaporn Lerdweeraphon, Surangkhana Thanwongsa, Suriya Youyod, Sermsawat Imsopa and Wootichai Kenchaiwong

Veterinary World, 13(5): 1001-1004

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of breed, sex, age, and body weight on different electrocardiographic parameters in military working dogs (Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd).

Materials and Methods: Electrocardiographic recordings (paper speed = 25 mm/s and calibration = 10 mm/mV) were performed to obtain all the standard bipolar limb leads (leads I, II, and III) and unipolar augmented limb leads (leads aVR, aVL, and aVF). A total of 16 Labrador Retrievers and 14 German Shepherds were restrained manually in the right lateral recumbency without any tranquilizer or anesthetic drug. Amplitude and duration of P, QRS, and T wave, PR and QT interval, mean electrical axis, and heart rate were measured in each recording.

Results: There was no significant difference in electrocardiographic parameters across breed and sex. However, QRS duration tended to alter by breed (p<0.1) in Labrador Retrievers (0.04±0.005 s), which is lower than German Shepherds (0.05±0.005 s). PR interval was influenced by sex (p<0.1). PR interval was higher in females (0.13±0.005 s) than males (0.11±0.008 s). In addition, electrocardiographic values were not significantly affected by age and body weight, except that the amplitude of R wave was statistically affected by age (p<0.05). A correlation was found between the decrease in R wave amplitude and increase in age of dogs.

Conclusion: Different electrocardiographic parameters were within the normal range. A significant effect of age was seen on amplitude of R wave. However, the effect of breed, sex, and body weight was not significant on different electrocardiographic parameters in Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd dogs.

Keywords: age, breed, dogs, electrocardiogram, sex.

DNA of Brugia malayi detected in several mosquito species collected from Balangan District, South Borneo Province, Indonesia

Research (Published online: 30-05-2020)

24. DNA of Brugia malayi detected in several mosquito species collected from Balangan District, South Borneo Province, Indonesia

Supriyono Supriyono and Suriyani Tan

Veterinary World, 13(5): 996-1000

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a lesser-known parasitic disease, which contributes to significant decreases in overall health. This study investigated the presence of Brugia malayi in mosquitoes collected in the South Borneo Province, Indonesia.

Materials and Methods: Mosquitoes were collected through bare leg collection methods after sunset in several areas of the Hukai and Gulinggang villages in the Balangan District. The collected mosquitoes were identified based on morphological features and dissected to find microfilaria and then pooled through species for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microfilaria detection.

Results: A total of 837 female mosquitoes consisting of at least 14 species were selected; they were dissected, and no microfilariae were found. Mosquitoes were divided into 69 pools for PCR analysis. PCR revealed that 8.7% (6/69) of the pools were positive for B. malayi, including Mansonia annulifera (4 pools), Aedes albopictus (1 pool), and Culex tritaeniorhynchus (1 pool).

Conclusion: These results suggested that mosquito dissection was not an optimum method for finding microfilaria. M. annulifera, C. tritaeniorhynchus, and A. albopictus mosquitoes might play an important role in the transmission of LF in the Balangan District. Information from this study could be used for the prevention of transmission or vector control programs in Indonesia.

Keywords: Brugia malayi, lymphatic filariasis, polymerase chain reaction.

Incidence risk of bronchopneumonia in newborn calves associated with intrauterine diselementosis

Research (Published online: 29-05-2020)

23. Incidence risk of bronchopneumonia in newborn calves associated with intrauterine diselementosis

Elena Kalaeva, Vladislav Kalaev, Anton Chernitskiy, Mohammad Alhamed and Vladimir Safonov

Veterinary World, 13(5): 987-995

Background and Aim: Macro- and micro-elements are required to ensure the normal course of biochemical processes in the development of an animal's body. Any excess, deficiency, or imbalance in chemical elements in an animal's body can cause the development of various latent or clinically expressed pathological conditions. Diselementosis in pregnant cows may lead to impaired embryo and fetal development, as well as reduced neonatal viability. The aim of this study was to analyze the content of macroelements and microelements in the blood serum of both calving cows and their calves to evaluate the relationship between indicators of mineral metabolism in the mother and newborn and to establish what role separate chemical elements play in making newborn calves more prone to bronchopneumonia.

Materials and Methods: The content of potassium (K), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Strontium (Sr), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), and selenium (Se) in the blood serum of 33 pregnant cows between 239 and 262 days of gestation and their 33 1-day old calves was determined using the Shimadzu AA6300 (Japan) atomic adsorption spectrophotometer. Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) content was determined using ion-selective electrodes from the Olympus-400 analyzer (Beckman Coulter, USA). During the 1st month of life, all calves in the sample set had some sort of respiratory diseases and seven of the calves had bronchopneumonia. Retrospectively, the samples of adult and newborn animals were divided into two groups each: Dams I – cows whose calves had uncomplicated bronchitis (n=26); Dams II – cows whose calves got bronchopneumonia (n=7); and Newborns I – calves with uncomplicated bronchitis (n=26); Newborns II – calves with bronchopneumonia (n=7).

Results: The content of Ca, Mg, K, Na, Mo, and Se in dams in both groups of cows was within the reference range; the concentrations of Fe and Ni were higher than the reference range; and the concentrations of Cu, Zn, As, Co, and Cr were lower than the reference range. There were no significant differences in elemental status between the Dams I and Dams II groups. In newborn calves, the concentration of Ca and Mo corresponded to the reference range; the concentrations of Mg, Fe, Co, and Ni in both groups exceeded the reference range; and the concentrations of Cu, Zn, As, Cr, and Se were lower than the reference range. Results highlighted that there was a tendency to decrease concentration of Fe, Mo, and Se and a significant increase in the Ni concentration in calves of the Newborns II group compared with calves of the Newborns I group. It was also found that Zn, Co, Cr, and Mo actively accumulated in the body of newborn animals while the transplacental transfer of Cu, As, and Sr was limited; and transfer of Se and Ni was regulated by concentration ratios in the blood of the mother and the fetus. The excessive concentrations of Ni and Fe in the blood serum of cows and calves and the imbalance in the ratio of elements Fe–Cu–Zn, Fe–Cu–Co negatively affected erythropoiesis, formation of the immune system, and antioxidant status of the fetus and newborn. These changes were considered to be risk factors for the development of bronchopneumonia in calves.

Conclusion: An excess of serum Fe and Ni and deficiency of Cu, Zn, As, Co, and Cr in cows during the gestation period can lead to similar impairments of the mineral status in newborn calves. At the systemic level, dyslementosis in combination with the influence of other adverse factors, can lead to an increased load on the respiratory and hematopoietic systems of calves during postnatal adaptation and can subsequently cause a decrease in the natural resistance of calves and development of bronchopneumonia.

Keywords: erythrocytes, leukocytes, macroelements, microelements, respiratory diseases.