Post-epidemic awareness and knowledge of Lassa fever among residents in affected community in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Research (Published online: 04-08-2018)

7. Post-epidemic awareness and knowledge of Lassa fever among residents in affected community in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

E. J. Awosanya

Veterinary World, 11(8): 1059-1063

ABSTRACT

Aim: An outbreak of Lassa fever occurred in Ibadan with a case fatality rate of 50% in 2012. Awareness creation and sensitization is a known disease prevention and control strategy. An assessment of the awareness level and knowledge of Lassa fever in the affected community and a nearby university community was done to aid the development of effective information, education, and communication (IEC) material adaptable to the affected community.

Materials and Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain the data about awareness and knowledge of Lassa fever from 130 respondents. Descriptive statistics and statistical differences between categorical variables were done using Fisher's exact test at 5% significant level.

Results: Respondents' age was 29.9 ± 10.9 years. Awareness level in the affected and university communities was 42 (65%) and 55 (85%), respectively (p=0.02). The most reported source of awareness was the television and radio (59.8%). Only 33.1% of all respondents had good knowledge of the clinical symptoms. Most (68.5%) of the respondents knew rat as the reservoir: However, 56.9% and 80.0% of respondents from the affected and university communities, respectively, had this knowledge (p=0.01). About one-third (30.0%) of the respondents had good knowledge of preventive measures: 18.5% and 41.5% from affected and university communities, respectively (p=0.01).

Conclusion: Knowledge of respondents on Lassa fever symptoms, reservoir, and preventive measures was low in the affected community; the IEC material was developed to address the knowledge gaps. Awareness was also intensified in the affected community.

Keywords: IEC materials, knowledge, Lassa fever, outbreaks.

Investigation of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and some biochemical parameters in calves with omphalitis

Research (Published online: 04-08-2018)

6. Investigation of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and some biochemical parameters in calves with omphalitis

K. Bozukluhan, O. Merhan, M. Ogun, B. Kurt, M. Cihan, E. E. Erkilic, G. Gokce, U. Aydin and A. Ozcan

Veterinary World, 11(8): 1055-1058

ABSTRACT

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to determine the concentration of some important acute phase proteins (APPs) and some biochemical parameters pre-operative and post-operative in calves with omphalitis.

Materials and Methods: A total of 20 calves were used in the study and they consist of 10 clinically healthy calves that were used as a control and 10 calves with omphalitis were used as the treatment group. Blood samples were collected from Vena jugularis of animals to tubes with anticoagulant (sodium citrate) and without anticoagulants, pre-operative (day 0), and post-operative (day 7). Samples were used to determine the concentration of haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), ceruloplasmin (Cp), fibrinogen, glucose, total protein, albumin, urea, total bilirubin, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) concentrations.

Results: While the Hp, SAA, Cp, fibrinogen, urea, creatinine, total bilirubin, ALP, and GGT concentrations were statistically and significantly increasing rather than the control group during the pre-operative period for calves with omphalitis, they decreased to the post-operative period. Moreover, an insignificant increase in the glucose, total protein, and AST concentrations and an insignificant decrease in the albumin, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations were statistically determined.

Conclusion: We have the opinion that the assessment of biochemical parameters and especially APP levels in calves with the omphalitis together with the clinical findings may be important in terms of the treatment and prognosis.

Keywords: acute phase protein, biochemistry parameters, calves, omphalitis.

The effect of cashew leaf extract on small intestine morphology and growth performance of Jawa Super chicken

Research (Published online: 03-08-2018)

5. The effect of cashew leaf extract on small intestine morphology and growth performance of Jawa Super chicken

H. Setiawan, M. E. Jingga and H. T. Saragih

Veterinary World, 11(8): 1047-1054

ABSTRACT

Aim: This research aimed to study the effect of leaf extract of cashew as a bioactive compound in feed on the morphology of the small intestine in Jawa Super chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus).

Materials and Methods: This study used 72 1-day-old Jawa Super chicks reared for a further 16 days. We used a randomized complete design, in which basal feed was supplemented with ethanolic extract of cashew leaves at 0 g/kg feed (control), 1.25 g/kg feed (P1), 2.5 g/kg feed (P2), 5 g/kg feed (P3), 10 g/kg feed (P4), and 20 g/kg feed (P5). Parameters observed included growth performance, chicken morphometry, and morphology of the small intestine, comprising the length and width of the villi, the depth of the crypt, and the number and size of goblet cells in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Data analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan's test, with significance defined as p<0.05.

Results: Ethanolic extract of cashew leaf significantly increased body weight, feed efficiency, body morphometry, villus length, crypt depth, number of goblet cells, and extent of goblet cell area of the small intestine at 16 days. The morphological results from the small intestine showed that P4 and P5 were significantly better than control.

Conclusion: Cashew leaf ethanolic extract mixed with 10 g/kg basal feed is effective as a natural feed supplement for Jawa Super chickens.

Keywords: cashew leaf, feed supplement, growth performance, Jawa Super chicken, small intestine.

Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum): From population genetics to functional genomics

Review (Published online: 02-08-2018)

4. Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum): From population genetics to functional genomics

Harshit Kumar, Manjit Panigrahi, Supriya Chhotaray, V. Bhanuprakash, Rahul Shandilya, Arvind Sonwane and Bharat Bhushan

Veterinary World, 11(8): 1043-1046

ABSTRACT

Tribolium castaneum is a small and low maintenance beetle that has emerged as a most suitable insect model for studying developmental biology and functional genetic analysis. Diverse population genetic studies have been conducted using Tribolium as the principal model to establish basic facts and principles of inbreeding experiments and response to the selection and other quantitative genetics fundamentals. The advanced molecular genetic studies presently focused on the use of Tribolium as a typical invertebrate model for higher diploid eukaryotes. After a whole genome sequencing of Tribolium, many areas of functional genomics were unraveled, which enabled the use of it in many technical approaches of genomics. The present text reviews the use of Tribolium in techniques such as RNAi, transgenic studies, immune priming, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, gene sequencing for characterization of microRNAs, and gene editing using engineered endonuclease. In contrast to Drosophila, the T. castaneum holds a robust systemic RNAi response, which makes it an excellent model for comparative functional genetic studies.

Keywords: functional genomics, hox gene, insertional mutagenesis, RNAi, Tribolium.

Pathogens isolated from clinical cases of urinary tract infection in dogs and their antibiogram

Research (Published online: 02-08-2018)

3. Pathogens isolated from clinical cases of urinary tract infection in dogs and their antibiogram

Manisha Punia, Ashok Kumar, Gaurav Charaya and Tarun Kumar

Veterinary World, 11(8): 1037-1042

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study aims to determine the etiology of urinary tract infection (UTI) in dogs and to develop an antibiogram of organisms isolated.

Materials and Methods: Urine samples were collected either through catheterization or cystocentesis from 35 dogs suspected of UTI admitted to VCC, LUVAS, Hisar. Bacteria were identified on the basis of cultural characteristics in 22 samples, and all the isolates were subjected to in vitro antimicrobial sensitivity testing.

Results: The urine samples found positive for bacteria yielded pure colony growth in 77.27% and mixed growth in 22.73% samples, respectively. Escherichia coli (29.62%) and Streptococcus spp. (29.62%) were the most prevalent microorganisms followed by Staphylococcus spp. (22.22%), Klebsiella spp. (11.11%), Pseudomonas spp. (3.7%), and Bacillus spp. (3.7%). Overall, maximum sensitivity of isolates was found toward ceftriaxone/tazobactam (88.88%) and least toward amoxicillin and cloxacillin (29.62%).

Conclusion: E. coli and Streptococcus spp. were the most predominant bacteria isolated from UTI affected dogs. In vitro sensitivity revealed a significant proportion of bacteria to be multidrug resistant.

Keywords: antibiogram, multidrug resistance, Escherichia coli, Staphylococci, Streptococci.

Seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants in organized and unorganized sectors of Gujarat state, India

Research (Published online: 01-08-2018)

2. Seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants in organized and unorganized sectors of Gujarat state, India

A. Kanani, S. Dabhi, Y. Patel, V. Chandra, O. R. Vinodh Kumar and R. Shome

Veterinary World, 11(8): 1030-1036

ABSTRACT

Aim: The present study aimed to study the seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants of Gujarat state, India, using Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA).

Materials and Methods: A total of 2444 sera samples (675 sheep and 1769 goat) from unorganized sector and 1310 sera samples (861 sheep and 449 goat) from seven organized farms were collected for brucellosis screening.

Results: In unorganized sector, 23.70% sheep (160/675) and 15.99% goat (283/1769) were positive by RBPT and 24.44% sheep (165/675) and 17.24% goat (305/1769) by iELISA. The organized sector samples showed higher seroprevalence in goat (7.79 %, 35/449) than sheep (4.06 %, 35/861) by RBPT. Similarly, in iELISA, goat samples showed a higher seroprevalence (9.35%, 42/449) compared to sheep (7.50%, 65/861). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of RBPT with ELISA were 88.69% and 99.65%, respectively, and showed a significant difference (p≤0.0001). The Chi-square analysis revealed a significant difference in seroprevalence between sectors (p≤0.01) and species (p≤0.01).

Conclusion: The seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants of Gujarat was investigated and showed a higher prevalence of brucellosis and warrants the implementation of proper preventive measures.

Keywords: brucellosis, Gujarat, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Rose Bengal Plate test, seroprevalence, small ruminants.

Genetic and phylogenetic analysis of the outer capsid protein genes of Indian isolates of bluetongue virus serotype-16

Research (Published online: 01-08-2018)

1. Genetic and phylogenetic analysis of the outer capsid protein genes of Indian isolates of bluetongue virus serotype-16

Arpit Saxena, Sanchay K. Biswas, Karam Chand, Jishnu Naskar, Ankita Chauhan, Gulam Mohd, Neha Tewari, Kurat-ul-Ain, Muthannan A. Ramakrishnan and Awadh Bihari Pandey

Veterinary World, 11(8): 1025-1029

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of the study was to characterize bluetongue virus serotype 16 (BTV-16), recently isolated from different states of India. The evolutionary relationship of newly isolated BTV-16 and previously reported Indian and global BTV-16 isolates were compared using molecular analysis.

Materials and Methods: In the present study, five (n=5) BTV-16 isolates were used to amplify gene segment-2 and segment-6 encoding the outer capsid proteins VP2 and VP5, respectively. The amplified products were purified and sequenced by the Sanger sequencing method. The phylogenetic relationship and nucleotide identity of all five BTV-16 isolates were compared with previously reported Indian and global BTV-16 isolates. Nucleotide sequence data were aligned using the CLUSTAL W algorithm implemented in the MegAlign of DNASTAR program package (MegAlign 5.00, DNASTAR Inc., Madison, USA). Phylogenetic analyses were carried out using MEGA version 6.0 software with the best nucleotide substitution model.

Results: Phylogenetic analysis based on the VP2 and VP5 encoding genes, segregates Indian BTV-16 isolates in a distinct cluster with proximity to the Eastern topotype. Indian isolates make a monophyletic cluster with Eastern topotypes with Western topotype BTV-16 (BTV-16/NIG/AJ586694) occupying a separate cluster. Indian isolates were found to share 91.5%- 97.5% and 96.5%-98.9% identity at the nucleotide and deduced amino acid (aa) level, respectively, to the global BTV-16 isolates. There is a high degree of variation with the Nigerian isolate with 27.0-27.7% and 26.0-26.9% at the nucleotide and aa sequence level, respectively. These data suggest that Indian BTV-16 isolates might have evolved separately within the Eastern BTV topotype.

Conclusion: Phylogenetic analyses and nucleotide identity of BTV-16 isolates at the VP2 and VP5 gene encoded level indicate that isolates used in the present study might have evolved from a common Eastern topotype ancestor. The data presented in this study will be helpful for future selection of reference strains in a serological and molecular epidemiology study.

Keywords: bluetongue virus, phylogenetic analysis, VP2 gene, VP5 gene.