Morphological and molecular identification of the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus and the camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii(Acari: Ixodidae) vectors of Rickettsioses in Egypt

Research (Published online: 18-10-2016)

9. Morphological and molecular identification of the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus and the camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii(Acari: Ixodidae) vectors of Rickettsioses in Egypt - Hend H. A. M. Abdullah, Amal El-Molla, Fayez A. Salib, Nesreen A. T. Allam, Alaa A. Ghazy and Sobhy Abdel-Shafy

Veterinary World, 9(10): 1087-1101

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.1087-1101

Abstract

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Aim: Rickettsioses have an epidemiological importance that includes pathogens, vectors, and hosts. The dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus and the camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii play important roles as vectors and reservoirs of Rickettsiae. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Rickettsiae in ixodid ticks species infesting dogs and camels in Egypt, in addition to, the morphological and molecular identification of R. sanguineus and H. dromedarii.

Materials and Methods: A total of 601 and 104 of ticks’ specimens were collected from dogs and camels, respectively, in Cairo, Giza and Sinai provinces. Hemolymph staining technique and OmpA and gltA genes amplification were performed to estimate the prevalence rate of Rickettsiae in ticks. For morphological identification of tick species, light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used. In addition to the phylogenetic analyses of 18S rDNA, Second internal transcript spacer, 12S rDNA, cytochrome c oxidase subunit-1, and 16S rDNA were performed for molecular identification of two tick species.

Results: The prevalence rate of Rickettsiae in ticks was 11.6% using hemolymph staining technique and 6.17% by OmpA and gltA genes amplification. Morphological identification revealed that 100% of dogs were infested by R. sanguineus while 91.9% of camels had been infested by H. dromedarii. The phylogenetic analyses of five DNA markers confirmed morphological identification by LM and SEM. The two tick species sequences analyses proved 96-100% sequences identities when compared with the reference data in Genbank records.

Conclusion: The present studies confirm the suitability of mitochondrial DNA markers for reliable identification of ticks at both intra- and inter-species level over the nuclear ones. In addition to, the detection of Rickettsiae in both ticks’ species and establishment of the phylogenetic status of R. sanguineus and H. dromedarii would be useful in understanding the epidemiology of ticks and tick borne rickettsioses in Egypt.

Keywords: hard ticks, light microscope, phylogenetic analysis, polymerase chain reaction, Rickettsiae, scanning electron microscope.

Seroprevalence of brucellosis among cattle slaughtered in three municipal abattoirs of Gombe state, Northeastern Nigeria

Research (Published online: 17-10-2016)

8. Seroprevalence of brucellosis among cattle slaughtered in three municipal abattoirs of Gombe state, Northeastern Nigeria - Saleh Mohammed Jajere, Naphtali Nayamanda Atsanda, Asinamai Athliamai Bitrus, Tasiu Mallam Hamisu and Ajurojo Oluwaseun Ayo

Veterinary World, 9(10): 1082-1086

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.1082-1086

Abstract

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Aim: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis among cattle slaughtered at three municipal abattoirs of Gombe State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A total of 200 blood samples collected from slaughtered cattle of different breeds (Sokoto Gudali - 50, White Fulani - 102, Red bororo – 34, and Crossbreeds - 14), sex (males - 19 and females - 181), and from different locations (Billiri - 30, Yamaltu Deba – 50, and Gombe - 120) were screened for brucellosis using rose bengal plate test (RBPT), serum agglutination test (SAT), and microtiter agglutination test (MAT).

Results: Of the 200 serum samples analyzed, 7 (3.5%), 10 (5.0%) and 18 (9.0%) were positive by RBPT, SAT and MAT, respectively. The results showed no statistically significant association between sex and seropositivity to bovine brucellosis. However, seropositivity of bovine brucellosis was higher in females than in males. Similarly, no statistically significant association was observed between breed and occurrence of bovine brucellosis. Moreover, the prevalence of brucellosis was higher in Sokoto Gudali as compared with the other breeds. Based on the study locations, higher seroprevalence was observed in animals screened from Billiri as compared with those from other locations (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The presence of Brucella abortus antigen in the sera of slaughtered cattle in Gombe state poses a significant public health risk. Therefore, it is important to carry out further epidemiological studies on fulani herdsmen and cattle herds in the study area, in order to explore the risk factors associated with the occurrence and perpetuation of brucellosis among cattle herds, ascertain the prevalence and status of the disease among both farms and nomadic herds.

Keywords: bovine brucellosis, Gombe state, microtiter agglutination test, Nigeria, rose bengal plate test, serum agglutination test.

Infrared thermography: A potential noninvasive tool to monitor udder health status in dairy cows

Review (Published online: 15-10-2016)

7. Infrared thermography: A potential noninvasive tool to monitor udder health status in dairy cows - M. Sathiyabarathi, S. Jeyakumar, A. Manimaran, G. Jayaprakash, Heartwin A. Pushpadass, M. Sivaram, K. P. Ramesha, D. N. Das, Mukund A. Kataktalware, M. Arul Prakash and R. Dhinesh Kumar

Veterinary World, 9(10): 1075-1081

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.1075-1081

Abstract

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The animal husbandry and livestock sectors play a major role in the rural economy, especially for the small and marginal farmers. India has the largest livestock population in the world and ranks first in the milk production. Mastitis is the most common and expensive infectious disease in dairy cattle. The global economic losses per year due to mastitis amounts to USD 35 billion and for Indian dairy industry INR 6000 crores per year. Early detection of mastitis is very important to reduce the economic loss to the dairy farmers and dairy industry. Automated methods for early and reliable detection of mastitis are currently in focus under precision dairying. Skin surface temperature is an important indicator for the diagnosis of cow’s illnesses and for the estimation of their physiological status. Infrared thermography (IRT) is a simple, effective, on-site, and noninvasive method that detects surface heat, which is emitted as infrared radiation and generates pictorial images without causing radiation exposure. In human and bovine medicine, IRT is used as a diagnostic tool for assessment of normal and physiological status.

Keywords: cows, infrared thermography, mastitis diagnosis, udder health, udder surface temperature.

Polyadenylated tail length variation pattern in ultra-rapid vitrified bovine oocytes

Research (Published online: 14-10-2016)

6. Polyadenylated tail length variation pattern in ultra-rapid vitrified bovine oocytes - D. J. Dutta, Himangshu Raj and Hiramoni Dev

Veterinary World, 9(10): 1070-1074

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.1070-1074

Abstract

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Aim: The current study aims at investigating the polyadenylated (poly[A]) tail length of morphologically high and low competent oocytes at different developmental stages. Furthermore, effect of ultra-rapid vitrification on the poly(A) tail length was studied.

Materials and Methods: Fresh bovine cumulus oocyte complexes from abattoir originated ovaries were graded based on morphological characters and matured in vitro. Cryopreservation was done by ultra-rapid vitrification method. mRNA was isolated from different categories of oocyte and subjected to ligation-mediated poly(A) test followed by polymerase chain reaction for determining the poly(A) tail length of β actin, gap junction protein alpha 1 (GJA1), poly(A) polymerase alpha (PAPOLA), and heat shock 70 kDa protein (HSP70) transcripts.

Results: GJA1, PAPOLA, and HSP70 showed significantly higher poly(A) in immature oocytes of higher competence irrespective of vitrification effects as compared to mature oocytes of higher competence.

Conclusion: mRNA poly(A) tail size increases in developmentally high competent immature bovine oocytes. There was limited effect of ultra-rapid vitrification of bovine oocytes on poly(A).

Keywords: ligation-mediated poly(A) test, oocyte, poly-adenylated tail, vitrification.

Molecular identification of Mycoplasma synoviae from seroprevalent commercial breeder farms at Chittagong district, Bangladesh

Research (Published online: 10-10-2016)

5. Molecular identification of Mycoplasma synoviae from seroprevalent commercial breeder farms at Chittagong district, Bangladesh - Md. Inkeyas Uddin, Md. Harisul Abid, Md. Shafiqul Islam, Tofazzal Md. Rakib, Ashim Baran Sen, Shah Mohammed Ziqrul Haq Chowdhury, Md. Nurul Anwar and Kazi Md. Kamaruddin

Veterinary World, 9(10): 1063-1069

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.1063-1069

Abstract

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Aim: Worldwide, Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is an important pathogen of poultry, especially for chicken and turkey. It causes respiratory tract infection and infectious sinusitis. The study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of MS infection with associated risk factors and identification of MS organism in unvaccinated flocks of commercial breeder farms of the Chittagong district, Bangladesh.

Materials and Methods: A total of 365 serum samples were collected and tested for MS using serum plate agglutination (SPA) test for determination of MS seroprevalence. On the other hand, tracheal swabs were collected from each seropositive flocks for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the presence of MS organism.

Results: Among the farms, the highest prevalence was found to be 69% and the lowest prevalence was 28% with the average 60%. The seroprevalence of MS infection in breeder farms was highest 70% with the flock size >10,000 birds, whereas it was lowest 57% in the flocks ranging from 4000 to 7000. According to age group, the prevalence was found highest 70% in >60 weeks age group of birds and lowest 42% in 10-19 weeks group. The seroprevalence of MS in winter season was found as highest as 64%, whereas it was found lowest 60% in the summer season. There was a statistically significant difference (p<0.01) among the seroprevalence of MS in different breeder farms, flock size, and age groups, but there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the winter, summer, and rainy season. To confirm the presence of MS in the samples, PCR test was applied using specific primers to amplify a 214 bp region of the 16S rRNA gene of the organism. In PCR, all seropositive flocks showed a positive result for MS.

Conclusion: As the plate agglutination test result showed 100% similar with PCR result, it can be suggested that agglutination test is better than molecular and culture techniques for MS detection and it is also cheaper and less time-consuming method.

Keywords: breeder farm, Mycoplasma synoviae, polymerase chain reaction, respiratory infection, risk factors, seroprevalence.

Determination of ceruloplasmin, some other acute phase proteins, and biochemical parameters in cows with endometritis

Research (Published online: 08-10-2016)

4. Determination of ceruloplasmin, some other acute phase proteins, and biochemical parameters in cows with endometritis - S. Kaya, O. Merhan, C. Kacar, A. Colak and K. Bozukluhan

Veterinary World, 9(10): 1056-1062

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.1056-1062

Abstract

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Aim: The aim of this study is to determine serum ceruloplasmin levels in cows with endometritis of varying degrees of severity and to establish whether or not there is a correlation between acute phase protein (APP) levels and biochemical parameters.

Material and Methods: The study was conducted with 100 Brown Swiss cows (3-8 years of age) on days 28-32 postpartum. Cows were divided into endometritis (mild, moderate, and severe endometriosis) and healthy groups based on ultrasonography, vaginoscopy, and cytological examination. Blood samples were collected from all cows. Levels of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), ceruloplasmin, albumin, and some biochemical parameters were analyzed.

Results: Hp, SAA, and ceruloplasmin levels were higher in cows with endometritis than in healthy cows (p=0.001), and the levels of these APPs increased as endometritis became more severe (p=0.001). Some significant correlations were found between APPs and the biochemical parameters that were analyzed. In conclusion, it was determined that ceruloplasmin levels increase significantly in the presence of endometritis and proportionate to the severity of endometritis. A significant correlation was found between ceruloplasmin levels and Hp and SAA levels.

Conclusion: It was concluded that ceruloplasmin levels can be used in the diagnosis of endometritis as an alternative to Hp and SAA levels.

Keywords: albumin, ceruloplasmin, cow, endometritis, haptoglobin, serum amyloid A.

Expression of heat-shock protein 72 mRNA in relation to heart rate variability of Sahiwal and Karan-Fries in different temperature-humidity indices

Research (Published online: 07-10-2016)

3. Expression of heat-shock protein 72 mRNA in relation to heart rate variability of Sahiwal and Karan-Fries in different temperature-humidity indices - Prava Mayengbam, T. C. Tolenkhomba and R. C. Upadhyay

Veterinary World, 9(10): 1051-1055

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.1051-1055

Abstract

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Aim: To investigate the effect of temperature-humidity index (THI) on the expression pattern of heat-shock protein 72 (HSP72) mRNA of Sahiwal and Karan-Fries (KF) cattle in different THIs.

Materials and Methods: Five different periods of a year were selected based on combinations of T_max/T_min, viz., P1: <20°C/<10°C; P2: >20°C/<10°C, P3: <30°C/<15°C; P4: >35°C/<20°C, and P5: >35°C/>20°C. The THI was calculated from the records of temperature and relative humidity in different periods. Heart rate variability (HRV) was calculated from electrocardiogram records in different periods. HSP72 mRNA expression was estimated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results: The THI recorded during P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 were 55.5, 60.3, 70.1, 74.5, and 79.0, respectively. THI in P4 and P5 were stressful to animals. HSP72 mRNA expression increased during cold stress in P1 in Sahiwal and heat stress in P4 and P5 in both Sahiwal and KF. Sahiwal maintained increased HSP72 mRNA expression longer than KF without causing a significant change in HRV.

Conclusion: Both low THI in winter and high THI in summer increased HSP72 mRNA of Sahiwal and KF without significant change in HRV. Thermotolerance of Sahiwal could be due to the maintenance of higher HSP72 expression longer than KF in prolonged heat stress in summer.

Keywords: heat-shock protein 72 mRNA, Karan-Fries, Karnal, Sahiwal, stress, temperature-humidity index.