Molecular characterization of virulence genes of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in equines

Research (Published online: 19-08-2016)

13. Molecular characterization of virulence genes of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in equines - R. Javed, A. K. Taku, Rakhi Gangil and R. K. Sharma

Veterinary World, 9(8): 875-881

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.875-881

Abstract

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Aim: The aim was to determine the occurrence of streptococci in equines in Jammu (R. S. Pura, Katra), characterization of Streptococci equi subsp. equi and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus with respect to their virulence traits and to determine antibiotic sensitivity pattern of virulent Streptococcus isolates.

Materials and Methods: A total of 96 samples were collected from both clinically affected animals (exhibiting signs of respiratory tract disease) and apparently healthy animals and were sent to laboratory. The organisms were isolated on Columbia nalidixic acid agar containing 5% sheep blood as well as on sheep blood agar and confirmed by cultural characteristics and biochemical tests. Molecular detection of Streptococcus was done directly from cultures using sodA and seM gene-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiogram was performed against five antibiotics such as amoxicillin, penicillin G, streptomycin, rifampicin, and methicillin.

Results: During this study, a total 40 streptococcal isolates were obtained out of which 2 isolates were of S. equi subsp. equi, 12 isolates were from S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus. In the PCR-based detection, we revealed amplicons of 235 bp and 679 bp for confirmation of sodA and seM gene, respectively. In antibiogram, two isolates of S. equi subsp. equi were found resistant to penicillin G, and all other isolates were found sensitive to amoxicillin and streptomycin.

Conclusion: The majority of streptococcal infections was due to S. equi subsp. Zooepidemicus, and thus was recognized as a potential pathogen of diseases of equines besides S. equi subsp. equi.

Keywords: polymerase chain reaction, Streptococcus equi sub sp. equi, and Streptococcus equi sub sp. zooepidemicus.

Studies on clinical signs and biochemical alteration in pregnancy toxemic goats

Research (Published online: 18-08-2016)

12. Studies on clinical signs and biochemical alteration in pregnancy toxemic goats - Prasannkumar R. Vasava, R. G. Jani, H. V. Goswami, S. D. Rathwa and F. B. Tandel

Veterinary World, 9(8): 869-874

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.869-874

Abstract

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Aim: This study was planned to reveal the clinical signs and biochemical alterations in pregnancy toxemic goats.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 20 healthy pregnant and 45 pregnancy toxemic goats and analyzed biochemically.

Results: The most significant clinical findings were observed in naturally affected goats with pregnancy toxemia included anorexia, recumbency, lethargy, opisthotonos, dropped head, periodic convulsion, sweetish fruity odor from breath, apparent blindness, bloat, grinding of teeth, and frothy salivation. In this study, the level of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) (84.23±1.44 IU/L), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) (216.01±4.07 IU/L), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (22.24±0.31 mg/dl), creatinine (2.13±0.09 mg/dl), β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) (0.46±0.83 mmol/L), and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) (1.67±0.71 mmol/L) was significantly higher whereas glucose (30.89±0.38 mg/dl) and calcium (8.10±0.20 mg/dl) levels were significantly decreased in pregnancy toxemic goats as compared to healthy goats.

Conclusion: The goats with pregnancy toxemia exhibited clinical signs include anorexia, recumbency, sweetish fruity odor from breath, apparent blindness, bloat, grinding of teeth, and frothy salivation. Biochemically, there were significantly decreased the level of glucose and calcium, and increased level of SGPT, SGOT, BUN, creatinine, BHBA, and NEFA in the pregnancy toxemic goats.

Keywords: alteration, biochemistry, clinical signs, goat, pregnancy toxemia.

Evaluation of complementary diagnostic tools for bovine tuberculosis detection in dairy herds from India

Research (Published online: 16-08-2016)

11. Evaluation of complementary diagnostic tools for bovine tuberculosis detection in dairy herds from India - Mukesh Kumar Thakur, Dharmender Kumar Sinha and Bhoj Raj Singh

Veterinary World, 9(8): 862-868

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.862-868

Abstract

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Aim: A cross-sectional study was undertaken to know the herd prevalence and evaluate the single intradermal tuberculin testing (SITT), culture isolation, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis (TB).

Materials and Methods: A total of 541 cows of three dairy farms of Bareilly and Mukteshwar were screened by SITT followed by collection of pre-scapular lymph node (PSLN) aspirates (71), milk (54), and blood (71) samples from reactor animals. These clinical samples were processed for culture isolation and direct PCR-based identification and species differentiation.

Results: Out of 541 cows screened by SITT, 71 (13.12%) animals were found positive. Mycobacteria were isolated from 3 (4.22%) PSLN aspirate but not from any cultured milk and blood samples. 28 (39.43%) PSLN aspirate and 5 (9.25%) milk samples were positive forMycobacterium TB (MTB) complex (MTC) by PCR amplification for the IS6110 insertion sequence; however, blood samples were found negative. For species differentiation, multiplex-PCR using 12.7 kb primers was conducted. Out of 28 PSLN aspirate, Mycobacterium boviswas detected in 18 (64.28%) and MTB in 8 (28.57%), whereas 2 aspirate samples (7.14%) were positive for both the species. All the five milk positive samples were positive for M. bovis.

Conclusion: Direct detection of bovine TB by a molecular-based method in dairy animals after preliminary screening was appeared to be more sensitive and specific compared to the conventional method (i.e., culture isolation). Its application in form of serial testing methodology for the routine diagnosis and thereafter, culling of infected stock may be suggested for the control programs in dairy herds. The PSLN aspirate was found to be the most suitable specimen for culture isolation and PCR-based detection of Mycobacterium spp. among live infected animals.

Keywords: bovine tuberculosis, culture isolation, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, polymerase chain reaction, single intradermal tuberculin testing.

Pituitary-adrenocortical adjustments to transport stress in horses with previous different handling and transport conditions

Research (Published online: 14-08-2016)

10. Pituitary-adrenocortical adjustments to transport stress in horses with previous different handling and transport conditions - E. Fazio, P. Medica, C. Cravana and A. Ferlazzo

Veterinary World, 9(8): 856-861

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.856-861

Abstract

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Aim: The changes of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis response to a long distance transportation results in increase of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels. The purpose of the study was to quantify the level of short-term road transport stress on circulating ACTH and cortisol concentrations, related to the effect of previous handling and transport experience of horses.

Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 56 healthy horses after short-term road transport of 30 km. The horses were divided into four groups, Groups A, B, C, and D, with respect to the handling quality: Good (Groups A and B), bad (Group D), and minimal handling (Group C) conditions. According to the previous transport, experience horses were divided as follows: Horses of Groups A and D had been experienced long-distance transportation before; horses of Groups B and C had been limited experience of transportation.

Results: One-way RM-ANOVA showed significant effects of transport on ACTH changes in Groups B and C and on cortisol changes in both Groups A and B. Groups A and B showed lower baseline ACTH and cortisol values than Groups C and D; Groups A and B showed lower post-transport ACTH values than Groups C and D. Groups A, B, and C showed lower post-transport cortisol values than Group D. Only Groups A and B horses have shown an adequate capacity of stress response to transportation.

Conclusion: The previous transport experience and quality of handling could influence the HPA axis physiological responses of horses after short-term road transport.

Keywords: adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, horse, previous transport experience, social context, transport stress.

Toxoplasma infection in sheep from south of Iran monitored by serological and molecular methods; risk assessment to meat consumers

Research (Published online: 13-08-2016)

9. Toxoplasma infection in sheep from south of Iran monitored by serological and molecular methods; risk assessment to meat consumers - Belal Armand, Kavous Solhjoo, Manoochehr Shabani-Kordshooli, Mohammad Hasan Davami and Mehdi Sadeghi

Veterinary World, 9(8): 850-855

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.850-855

Abstract

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Aim: Toxoplasma gondii has a clinical and veterinary importance as it is known to cause congenital disease and abortion both in humans and livestock. Since the contaminated lamb is one of the sources of human infection, this study was performed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii in sheep in south of Iran.

Materials and Methods: Sera and tissue samples (diaphragm and heart) were collected from 370 sheep from slaughterhouse of Jahrom. The samples were taken from both sexes and from 6 to 60 months age. Specific immunoglobulin G antibodies to T. gondii were examined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and B1 gene nested-polymerase chain reaction detection was done to survey the tissue samples.

Results: The total prevalence of Toxoplasma infection among sheep was found to be 35.94% and 34.32% based on serological and molecular method, respectively. According to serologic and molecular findings, the females were more positive than males forToxoplasma; maximum frequency of positive samples was observed in 24-36 months and the positive samples had been collected more in spring than in summer, but no statistical correlation was observed between prevalence rate and the age and sex of animals or season of sampling.

Conclusion: T. gondii is widely distributed in sheep in Jahrom with a rate comparable with other parts of Iran and the world. It suggested a widespread exposure of sheep in this region to T. gondii. Thus, consumption of undercooked or raw meat presents the transmission risk of the parasite and this might be considered as an important public health problem, mainly for high-risk groups such as the pregnant and the immunodeficient.

Keywords: B1 gene, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, meat consumers, nested-polymerase chain reaction, sheep, Toxoplasma gondii.

Transabdominal color doppler ultrasonography: A relevant approach for assessment of effects of uterine torsion in buffaloes

Research (Published online: 13-08-2016)

8. Transabdominal color doppler ultrasonography: A relevant approach for assessment of effects of uterine torsion in buffaloes - Devender, Ramesh Kumar Chandolia, Anand Kumar Pandey, Vishal Yadav, Parveen Kumar and Jasmer Dalal

Veterinary World, 9(8): 842-849

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.842-849

Abstract

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Aim: The present study was conducted on advanced pregnant buffaloes suffering from uterine torsion to assess the status of fetus and uterus by transabdominal ultrasonography, and the findings were compared with normal advanced pregnant buffaloes.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 20 clinical cases of uterine torsion and 20 normal advanced pregnant buffaloes (control group). The lower ventral area just lateral to linea alba (on both sides of the udder) in standing animals was scanned transabdominally by the two-dimensional convex transducer for various ultrasonographic findings. The data collected were statistically analyzed by “one-way ANOVA” and “independent sample t-test” using computerized SPSS 16.0 software program.

Results: Transabdominal ultrasonography revealed dead fetus in 95% uterine torsion cases and proved useful in imaging internal structures of fetuses while no dead fetus was reported in the control group. Size of umbilicus was found significantly decreased (p<0.05) in uterine torsion group in comparison to control animals, but the decrease in placentomal area was marginal (p>0.05) in uterine torsion group. Average thickness of the uterine wall and mean pixel values of fetal fluids (echogenicity) were found significantly increased (p<0.05) in uterine torsion affected buffaloes in comparison to control group.

Conclusion: Status of fetus (whether live or dead), internal status of uterus, and its contents could be determined by transabdominal ultrasonography in uterine torsion cases and thus determining the prognosis of the uterine torsion cases before going for further manipulations. This will also help in taking all the precautions to avoid death of the fetus.

Keywords: buffaloes, pixel value, transabdominal, ultrasonography, uterine torsion.

Rumen-protected choline: A significance effect on dairy cattle nutrition

Review (Published online: 11-08-2016)

7. Rumen-protected choline: A significance effect on dairy cattle nutrition - G. Jayaprakash, M. Sathiyabarathi, M. Arokia Robert and T. Tamilmani

Veterinary World, 9(8): 837-841

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.837-841

Abstract

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Choline is a vitamin-like substance it has multi-function in animal production, reproduction, and health. The transition period is most crucial stage in lactation cycle of dairy cows due to its association with negative hormonal and energy balances. Unfortunately, unprotected choline easily degrades in the rumen; therefore, choline added to the diet in a rumenprotected form. The use of rumen-protected choline (RPC) is a preventive measurement for the fatty liver syndrome and ketosis; may improve milk production as well as milk composition and reproduction parameters. This review summarizes the effectiveness of RPC on animal production, health, and reproduction.

Keywords: choline, dairy cows, health, production, reproduction.