Toxoplasma gondii infection in meat animals from Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis of sero-epidemiological studies

Research (Published online: 16-02-2017)

10. Toxoplasma gondii infection in meat animals from Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis of sero-epidemiological studies -Aretas Babatoundé Nounnagnon Tonouhewa, Yao Akpo, Philippe Sessou, Camus Adoligbe, Eric Yessinou, Yaovi Gildas Hounmanou, Marc Napoléon Assogba, Issaka Youssao and Souaïbou Farougou

Veterinary World, 10(2): 194-208

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.194-208

Abstract

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Aim: Toxoplasma gondii is an ubiquitous apicomplexan parasite which causes toxoplasmosis in humans and animals. Felids especially cats are definitive hosts and almost all warm-blooded mammals, including livestock and human can serve as intermediate hosts. Food animals can be reservoirs for T. gondii and act as one of the sources for parasite transmission to humans. The objective of this study is to collect serological data on the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody, and risk factors for certain food animals from Africa to provide a quantitative estimate of T. gondii infection among these species from different African countries.

Materials and Methods: Four databases were used to search seroepidemiological data on the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody in food animals between 1969 and 2016 from African countries. The search focused on data obtained by serologic test in food animals and meta-analyses were performed per species.

Results: A total of 30,742 individual samples from 24 countries, described in 68 articles were studied. The overall estimated prevalence for toxoplasmosis in chicken, camel, cattle, sheep, goat, pig were 37.4% (29.2-46.0%), 36% (18-56%), 12% (8-17%), 26.1% (17.0-37.0%), 22.9% (12.3-36.0%), and 26.0% (20-32.0%), respectively. Moreover, major risk factor of infection was age, farming system, and farm location.

Conclusions: A significant variation in the seroepidemiological data was observed within each species and country. The results can aid in an updated epidemiological analysis but also can be used as an important input in quantitative microbial risk assessment models. Further studies are required for a better and continual evaluation of the occurrence of this zoonotic infection.

Keywords: animal health, meta-analysis, Toxoplasmosis, zoonosis.

Preparation of mucosal nanoparticles and polymer-based inactivated vaccine for Newcastle disease and H9N2 AI viruses

Research (Published online: 14-02-2017)

9. Preparation of mucosal nanoparticles and polymer-based inactivated vaccine for Newcastle disease and H9N2 AI viruses - Heba M. El Naggar, Mohamed Sayed Madkour and Hussein Ali Hussein

Veterinary World, 10(2): 187-193

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.187-193

Abstract

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Aim: To develop a mucosal inactivated vaccines for Newcastle disease (ND) and H9N2 viruses to protect against these viruses at sites of infections through mucosal immunity.

Materials and Methods: In this study, we prepared two new formulations for mucosal bivalent inactivated vaccine formulations for Newcastle and Avian Influenza (H9N2) based on the use of nanoparticles and polymer adjuvants. The prepared vaccines were delivered via intranasal and spray routes of administration in specific pathogen-free chickens. Cell-mediated and humoral immune response was measured as well as challenge trial was carried out. In addition, ISA71 water in oil was also evaluated.

Results: Our results showed that the use of spray route as vaccination delivery method of polymer and nanoparticles MontanideTM adjuvants revealed that it enhanced the cell mediated immune response as indicated by phagocytic activity, gamma interferon and interleukin 6 responses and induced protection against challenge with Newcastle and Avian Influenza (H9N2) viruses.

Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate the potentiality of polymer compared to nanoparticles adjuvantes when used via spray route. Mass application of such vaccines will add value to improve the vaccination strategies against ND virus and Avian influenza viruses.

Keywords: adjuvant, H9N2, mucosal, nanoparticles, Newcastle, polymer.

Profile and artificial insemination practices of technicians and the artificial insemination success rates in Leyte, Samar, and Biliran, Philippines (2011-2015)

Research (Published online: 13-02-2017)

8. Profile and artificial insemination practices of technicians and the artificial insemination success rates in Leyte, Samar, and Biliran, Philippines (2011-2015) - Adrian P. Ybañez, Rochelle Haidee D. Ybañez, Maxine O. Caindec, Louie V. Mani, Julius V. Abela, Edgar S. Nuñez, Johnson T. Royo Jr and Ivy Fe M. Lopez

Veterinary World, 10(2): 181-186

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.181-186

Abstract

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Background: Artificial insemination (AI) is a reproductive biotechnology that may be influenced by several factors, including the profile of the technicians and the practices used. Assessing technician’s profile and their AI practices can be significant in improving AI success rate.

Aim: This study aimed to know the profile and current practices used by AI technicians (AITs), to determine the success rates of AI in water buffaloes in Leyte, Samar, and Biliran from 2011 to 2015, and to evaluate the possible association between the parameters investigated.

Materials and Methods: A total of 50 AITs from Leyte, Samar and Biliran, Philippines, were interviewed using a fixed questionnaire about their profile and employed AI practices, and 20,455 AI-related records of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) at Visayas State University (VSU), Baybay City, Leyte, were screened and analyzed. AI success rates were determined by retrospective analysis of the gathered data. Statistical analysis was performed between the technician profile and practices and the AI success rates.

Results: Results revealed that most of the technicians were male, around 31-40 years old, married, college graduates, working under local government units, had other sources of income, and with 1-5 years of continuous AI practice averaging 51-100 inseminations per year. Most of them attended only one basic training seminar, which was conducted more than 3 years ago in PCC in VSU. AI success rates were recorded highest in 2011 and lowest in 2015. Statistical analyses showed that some technician profile parameters (civil status, average AI per year, and the training center) and several practices (checking of soft cervix, rectal palpation, thawing temperature method, straw cutting method, and semen deposition) might have an influence on the success of AI.

Conclusion: This study documents the first report on AIT’s profile and their employed AI practices and the AI success rates in Leyte, Samar, and Biliran, Philippines. Selected profile parameters and AI practices may influence AI success rates. AITs should perform more AI services and revisit the employed practices.

Keywords: artificial insemination, artificial insemination technician, Philippines, profile, water buffalo.

Sex-related differences in hemato-biochemical indices of adult Vanaraja chickens during summer and winter seasons

Research (Published online: 13-02-2017)

7. Sex-related differences in hemato-biochemical indices of adult Vanaraja chickens during summer and winter seasons - Kuldeep Kumar Panigrahy, Kumaresh Behera, Lal Mohan Mohapatra, Aditya Prasad Acharya, Kamdev Sethy, Sasmita Panda and Shailesh Kumar Gupta

Veterinary World, 10(2): 176-180

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.176-180

Abstract

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Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in hemato-biochemical indices in male and female Vanaraja chickens under tropical environment during summer and winter season.

Materials and Methods: A total of 120 day-old sexed Vanaraja chicks were selected as experimental chickens and distributed equally in two groups having 60 female and 60 male chickens in each group, respectively. The experiment was continued for 8 weeks (56 days) and both male and female chickens were slaughtered by cervical dislocation method. All parameters were estimated at the end of the experiment in both seasons.

Results: Male had higher blood glucose, Ca and P level. Blood glucose level significantly (p<0.05) reduced in summer. Female had higher total protein, albumin, globulin, and albumin/globulin ratio. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzyme concentration were significantly (p<0.05) higher in summer. Total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, hemoglobin (Hb), Hb/lymphocyte ratio, and packed cell volume were significantly (p<0.05) higher in males. Mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular Hb were significantly (p<0.05) higher in females.

Conclusion: Sex of chickens had a significant (p<0.05) effect on different parameters whereas season had nonsignificant (p>0.05) effect in most of the observed parameters. Hence, Vanaraja chickens are adaptable to local tropical climate and can be reared efficiently as backyard poultry.

Keywords: indices, season, tropical climate, Vanaraja chicken, welfare.

Extraction of chitosan and its oligomers from shrimp shell waste, their characterization and antimicrobial effect

Research (Published online: 12-02-2017)

6. Extraction of chitosan and its oligomers from shrimp shell waste, their characterization and antimicrobial effect - Tarun Kumar Varun, Swaraj Senani, Natasha Jayapal, Jayaram Chikkerur, Sohini Roy, Vijay Bhasker Tekulapally, Mayank Gautam, and Narender Kumar

Veterinary World, 10(2): 170-175

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.170-175

Abstract

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Aim: The present study was performed to utilize the shrimp shell waste for chitin and chitosan production, characterization by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) technique and to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of chitosan oligomers produced by depolymerization of chitosan by nitrous acid.

Materials and Methods: Chitosan was extracted from the shrimp shell waste by the chemical method and characterized by FT-IR. Chitooligomers were produced by depolymerising chitosan using nitrous acid, and the chitooligomers were tested for antimicrobial effect against four gut pathogenic organisms, i.e., Enterobacter aerogen (National Collection of Dairy Culture [NCDC] 106), Enterococcus faecalis (NCDC 119), Escherichia coli (NCDC 134), and Staphylococcus aureus (NCDC 109) by well diffusion method using Muller-Hinton agar. A pure culture of pathogenic organisms was collected from NCDC, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal.

Results: Extracted chitosan characterized by FT-IR and chitooligomers demonstrated antimicrobial effect against four gut pathogenic organisms used in this study. Zone of inhibitions (mm) were observed in E. faecalis (13±0.20), E. coli (11.5±0.4), S. aureus (10.7±0.2), and E. aerogen (10.7±0.3). E. faecalis showed larger inhibition zone as compared to all other organisms and inhibitions zones of E. aerogen and S. aureus were comparable to each other.

Conclusion: Shrimp waste can be utilized for chitosan production, and the chitooligomers can be used as feed additive for gut health enhancement and have potential to replace antibiotics from the feed. Along with value addition pollutant load could be reduced by waste utilization.

Keywords: chitin, chitooligomers, chitosan, Fourier transform infrared, shrimp waste.

Evaluation of tissue-engineered bone constructs using rabbit fetal osteoblasts on acellular bovine cancellous bone matrix

Research (Published online: 08-02-2017)

5. Evaluation of tissue-engineered bone constructs using rabbit fetal osteoblasts on acellular bovine cancellous bone matrix - Rashmi, Rekha Pathak, Amarpal, H. P. Aithal, P. Kinjavdekar, A. M. Pawde, A. K. Tiwari, P. Sangeetha, P. Tamilmahan, and A. B. Manzoor

Veterinary World, 10(2): 163-169

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.163-169

Abstract

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Aim: The aim of this study was to generate composite bone graft and investigate the rabbit fetal osteoblasts adhesion, proliferation and penetration on acellular matrices of cancellous bone.

Materials and Methods: Acellular cancellous bone was prepared and developed as in the previous study with little modification. These matrices were decellularized by rapid freeze and thaw cycle. To remove the cell debris, they were then treated with hydrogen peroxide (3%) and ethanol to remove antigenic cellular and nuclear materials from the scaffold. Primary osteoblast cells were harvested from 20 to 22 days old rabbit fetal long and calvarial bone. These cells were cultured and characterized using a specific marker. The third passaged fetal osteoblast cells were then seeded on the scaffold and incubated for 14 days. The growth pattern of the cells was observed. Scanning electron microscope and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to investigate cells proliferation.

Results: The cells were found to be growing well on the surface of the scaffold and were also present in good numbers with the matrix filopodial extensions upto inside of the core of the tissue.

Conclusion: Thus, a viable composite scaffold of bone could be developed which has a great potential in the field of bone tissue engineering.

Keywords: composite grafts, osteoblasts, tissue engineering.

Comparative study of obstructive urolithiasis and its sequelae in buffalo calves

Research (Published online: 08-02-2017)

4. Comparative study of obstructive urolithiasis and its sequelae in buffalo calves - Yasmin H. Bayoumi and Noura E. Attia

Veterinary World, 10(2): 156-162

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.156-162

Abstract

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Aim: The present work was designed to study the incidence of obstructive urolithiasis and to apply comparative diagnosis to urine retention cases.

Materials and Methods: A total of 78 non-castrated buffalo calves aging 3-11 months were included in this study, 68 calves were admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Zagazig University, Egypt, during the study period with a history of anuria, and they were classified into three groups; intact bladder group (19 calves), uroperitoneum group (45 calves), and ruptured urethra group (4 calves). 10 apparently healthy calves were used for comparison. On the basis of history, clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings diagnosis was achieved.

Results: There was a marked increase in the incidence of obstructive urolithiasis in winter season, especially in winter months of 2016. Calves within the age of 3-4 months and 6-8 months were mostly affected. Inappetence to anorexia, restlessness or depression, and abdominal distension were the most observed signs in the diseased calves. Laboratory findings revealed hemoconcentration and a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels in all diseased groups. Hyperproteinemia, hypocalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia with electrolytes imbalance were recorded in the uroperitoneum group. Ultrasonographically, distended urinary bladder with distal acoustic enhancement revealed obstructive urolithiasis with intact bladder while anechoic fluid in abdominal cavity indicates uroperitoneum.

Conclusion: On the basis of all findings, calves with intact bladder were in superior condition than those with a ruptured urethra and both were better than those with uroperitoneum.

Keywords: buffalo calves, clinical, laboratory, obstructive urolithiasis, ultrasonography.