Effect of the combined action of Quercus cortex extract and probiotic substances on the immunity and productivity of broiler chickens

Research (Published online: 13-10-2018)

9. Effect of the combined action of Quercus cortex extract and probiotic substances on the immunity and productivity of broiler chickens

G. K. Duskaev, S. G. Rakhmatullin, N. M. Kazachkova, Y. V. Sheida, I. N. Mikolaychik, L. A. Morozova and B. H. Galiev

Veterinary World, 11(10): 1416-1422

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the synergistic effect of the combined action of probiotic bacterial strains (Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Lactobacillus acidophilus) and Quercus cortex extract as biologically active substances in the feed on the immunity and productivity of Gallus gallus domesticus.

Materials and Methods: For the experiment, 120 7-day-old broiler chickens were selected (4 groups, n=30, 3 replicates with 10 birds in each group). The groups were as follows: The reference group - basic diet (BD); experimental Group I - BD + Q. cortex extract (Q. cortex), 2.5 ml/kg of body weight; experimental Group II - BD + probiotic preparation based on B. adolescentis, 80.0 million colony-forming units (CFU), and L. acidophilus, 1.0 million CFU (dosage in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer); and experimental Group III - BD + probiotic + extract of Q. cortex. The following methods of study were used: Chemiluminescence and biochemical and hematological analysis.

Results: The results of the experiment showed a slight decrease in the level of leukocytes in Groups II (p≤0.05) and III, and of hemoglobin in Group III (p≤0.05), compared to the reference group. The level of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in Group II was higher than both the reference group (p≤0.05) and the other groups. Introduction of Q. cortex extract into the diet increased the level of triglycerides (p≤0.05) and urea in the blood serum. The combined use of probiotic preparations and the extract resulted in an increase in the level of iron in the blood serum by 78.1% (p≤0.05) in Group III. An increase in indicators of the antioxidant system (catalase increased in Group I by 27.2% (p≤0.05) and by 3.0-12.7% in other groups; superoxide dismutase increased by 3.0-13.2%) and nonspecific immunity (β-lysine increased by 8.8-16.0%) was noted. Introduction of the extract and probiotic preparation into the diet contributed to increasing the live weight of chickens at the age of 15 days by 5.9 and 7.4%, respectively (p≤0.05). In experimental Group II, this trend continued, and by the end of the period, the weight of animals exceeded that of their peers in other groups by 0.7-7.0%. Given the high preservation rate of poultry in the II and III Groups, and the low feed consumption per 1 kg of live weight gain (by 3.1-6.7%), the efficiency of growth was higher than in the reference group.

Conclusion: Thus, the combined use of probiotic strains of bacteria and Q. cortex extract helped to increase the antioxidant activity of the organism and antimicrobial components of blood plasma compared with broiler chickens with similar growth rates but without the supplementation of this combination.

Keywords: broiler chickens, growth, plant extract, probiotic.

A bibliometric analysis of global research on toxoplasmosis in the Web of Science

Research (Published online: 12-10-2018)

8. A bibliometric analysis of global research on toxoplasmosis in the Web of Science

Mahdi Fakhar, Masoud Soosaraei, Ali Akbar Khasseh, Reza Zolfaghari Emameh and Hajar Ziaei Hezarjaribi

Veterinary World, 11(10): 1409-1415

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the network productions and research collaborations on toxoplasmosis worldwide.

Materials and Methods: A bibliometric research was carried out using the Web of Science (WOS) database. The analysis unit was the original research articles about toxoplasmosis published between 2000 and 2016 (17 years).

Results: Totally, 6,550 articles about toxoplasmosis were indexed in the WOS with the following information: (A) 18,410 researchers played a role in drafting the articles; (B) 33 different countries have contributed in the toxoplasmosis studies; (C) the USA was ranked at the first place with 2,162 publications about toxoplasmosis; and (D) "Dubey JP" was compiled and participated in 401 articles from the USA, as the highest number and main core of publications in the toxoplasmosis network.

Conclusion: The main focus of the toxoplasmosis research activities in the world was article production in the indexed journals in WOS. Hence, it is necessary to strengthen the collaboration networks to improve the quality of articles. Furthermore, the priority would be the identification of institutions with a higher number of research article productions in WOS, to perform toxoplasmosis collaborative original researches according to the strategic roadmap and scientific plan of each country.

Keywords: bibliometric, scientific collaboration, Toxoplasma spp., toxoplasmosis, Web of Science.

The relationship between bacterial sources and genotype to the antimicrobial resistance pattern of Burkholderia pseudomallei

Research (Published online: 12-10-2018)

7. The relationship between bacterial sources and genotype to the antimicrobial resistance pattern of Burkholderia pseudomallei

Muhammad Abubakar Sadiq, Latiffah Hassan, Saleha Abdul Aziz, Zunita Zakaria, Hassan Ismail Musa and Maswati Mat Amin

Veterinary World, 11(10): 1404-1408

ABSTRACT

Background: Melioidosis is a fatal emerging infectious disease of both man and animal caused by bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei. Variations were suggested to have existed among the different B. pseudomalleiclinical strains/genotypes which may implicate bacterial susceptibility and resistance toward antibiotics.

Aim: This study was designed to determine whether the phenotypic antibiotic resistance pattern of B. pseudomallei is associated with the source of isolates and the genotype.

Materials and Methods: A collection of 111 B. pseudomallei isolates from veterinary cases of melioidosis and the environments (soil and water) were obtained from stock cultures of previous studies and were phylogenetically characterized by multilocus sequence typing (ST). The susceptibility to five antibiotics, namely meropenem (MEM), imipenem, ceftazidime (CAZ), cotrimoxazole (SXT), and co-amoxiclav (AMC), recommended in both acute and eradication phases of melioidosis treatment were tested using minimum inhibitory concentration antibiotics susceptibility test.

Results: Majority of isolates were susceptible to all antibiotics tested while few resistant strains to MEM, SXT, CAZ, and AMC were observed. Statistically significant association was found between resistance to MEM and the veterinary clinical isolates (p<0.05). The likelihood of resistance to MEM was significantly higher among the novel ST 1130 isolates found in veterinary cases as compared to others.

Conclusion: The resistance to MEM and SXT appeared to be higher among veterinary isolates, and the novel ST 1130 was more likely to be resistant to MEM as compared to others.

Keywords: animals, antimicrobial, Burkholderia pseudomallei, environmental, resistance, sequence types, veterinary isolates.

Effects of incorporating oasis by-products on fattening performance and carcass characteristics of Ouled Djellal lamb

Research (Published online: 09-10-2018)

6. Effects of incorporating oasis by-products on fattening performance and carcass characteristics of Ouled Djellal lamb

Abdelhamid Baa, Fodil Arbouche, Rafik Arbouche, Etienne Montaigne, Yasmine Arbouche and Halima Saadia Arbouche

Veterinary World, 11(10): 1397-1403

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of incorporating three local oasis by-products [cull dates (CDs), date pedicels (DPs) treated with urea, and juice from rumen content] into the food ration of Ouled Djellal lambs on fattening performance and carcass characteristics.

Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out over 105 days, with an adaptation period of 15 days, on four groups each consisting of 10 male Ouled Djellal lambs aged 7-8 months with an average live body weight of 32±1.5 kg, randomly distributed, and raised in tie stalls. The basic rations were formulated at a rate of 0% (control), 50%, 80%, and 100% substitution of barley straw by DPs treated with urea. The additional rations intended for the experimental groups consisted of 100% substitution of corn by CDs. Before distributed, they were sprayed with rumen content extract (RCE) at a rate of 250 ml/kg.

Results: The 100% group displayed a highly significant difference compared to the other groups, with a live body weight of 43 kg (p<0.05), an average daily gain of 191 g, and feed efficiency of 5.08. These three parameters developed in proportion to the rates of incorporation of CDs and pedicels treated with urea. The carcass yield of the 100% group (48.7%) is significantly higher than the other groups while the thickness of back fat is significantly lower. Economically speaking, the profit margin of the 100% group is 30.93 Algerian dinars (DZD) per day per animal.

Conclusion: The use of by-products of the date palm (CDs and pedicels) combined with RCE in animal feed with a view to fattening sheep, in particular in oasis zones, represents an alternative in enhancing growth performances and carcass characteristics and offers a relatively cheap prospect for the availability of red meat for populations with low purchasing power.

Keywords: cull dates, date pedicels, extract of rumen content, sheep fattening.

Demographic aspects of human hydatidosis in Iranian general population based on serology: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Research (Published online: 08-10-2018)

5. Demographic aspects of human hydatidosis in Iranian general population based on serology: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Shirzad Gholami, Asal Tanzifi, Mehdi Sharif, Ahmad Daryani, Mohammad-Taghi Rahimi, Siavash Mirshafiee and Shahabeddin Sarvi

Veterinary World, 11(10): 1385-1396

ABSTRACT

Aim: Human cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus cestodes, is a globally distributed chronic disease that is an important socioeconomic and public health problem in humans and livestock in developing countries, including Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the overall seroprevalence of hydatid infection in the general population of Iran.

Materials and Methods: This systematic review began by searching electronic databases in English (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar) and Persian (Magiran, Scientific Information Database, Iran Medex, and Iran Doc).

Results: Our search resulted in a total of 40 reports published from 1995 to 2015. Of 49,460 individuals surveyed, 3090 cases of hydatidosis were reported. Community-based studies showed that the seroprevalence of CE in the Iranian general population was 6.0% (95% confidence interval: 5.0-7.0%). The age group with the highest CE seroprevalence was 20-40 years, and the lowest one was in the under 20 year's group. The seroprevalence of hydatidosis in males was significantly higher than that in females. In addition, the intended rate was significantly higher in rural regions than in urban areas.

Conclusion: Management program for developing more efficient diagnostic tests should be established. Further, cost-effective preventive approaches, including relevant research, should be considered. Finally, hydatid cyst control programs that are important for interrupting the transmission of human CE should be improved.

Keywords: cystic echinococcosis, diagnosis, general population, hydatidosis, Iran, seroprevalence.

Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus pettenkoferi isolated from cat in India

Research (Published online: 05-10-2018)

4. Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus pettenkoferi isolated from cat in India

Tapan Kumar Dutta, Satyaki Chakraborty, Malay Das, Rajkumari Mandakini, Vanrahmlimphuii, Parimal Roychoudhury, Santanu Ghorai and Suvendu Kumar Behera

Veterinary World, 11(10): 1380-1384

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are considered to be one of the emerging pathogens in human and animals in recent times. Staphylococcus pettenkoferi, a novel pathogen under CoNS, is discovered in 2002 in humans with multiple clinical manifestations in various patients. To date, the pathogens have not yet been reported from any animals. The present study reported the first ever isolation, identification, and characterization of multidrug-resistant S. pettenkoferi from a cat with peritonitis in India.

Materials and Methods: Peritoneal fluid was collected aseptically from 3 years old cat processed for bacteriological culture by standard techniques. Isolates were confirmed by BD PhoenixTM automated bacterial identification system and were subjected to plate and tube coagulase tests. All the isolates were tested for antimicrobial sensitivity profile by disc diffusion assay, extended-spectrum β-lactamase production by double disc diffusion assay, in vitro biofilm production ability by microtiter plate assay, and detection of virulence genes and mecA gene by polymerase chain reaction assay.

Results: A total of five clonally expanded isolates of S. pettenkoferi were isolated from peritoneal fluid of the affected cat. All the isolates were resistant against 36 antimicrobial agents and were also methicillin-resistant staphylococci. Phenotypically, all the isolates were negative for biofilm production but were carrying multiple biofilm-producing genes (icaA, IS257, nuc, and mecA).

Conclusion: Although S. pettenkoferi was previously reported once from animal (cat) environment, this is probably the first ever report of isolation of the organism directly from any animals. This is also probably the first report from any species in India.

Keywords: cat, India, multidrug resistance, Staphylococcus pettenkoferi.

Postmortem detection and histopathological features of canine spirocercosis-induced putative esophageal chondrosarcoma

Research (Published online: 03-10-2018)

3. Postmortem detection and histopathological features of canine spirocercosis-induced putative esophageal chondrosarcoma

H. M. Suranji Wijekoon, D. M. S. Munasinghe, K. A. N. Wijayawardhane, H. M. H. S. Ariyarathna, Neil Horadagoda, Jayanthe Rajapakse and D. D. Niranjala De Silva

Veterinary World, 11(10): 1376-1379

ABSTRACT

Aim: The objective of this study was to describe and characterize the postmortem and histopathological findings of putative esophageal chondrosarcoma associated with Spirocerca lupi.

Materials and Methods: Spirocerca-associated esophageal nodules were collected from 54 dogs at postmortem examination and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Of the cases examined, 15 were selected randomly for further investigation, of which 11 were classified as non-neoplastic nodules while 4 had changes reflecting a neoplastic process.

Results: In all four neoplastic cases, the wall of the esophageal nodules contained islands and nests of highly proliferative atypical chondroblasts within a cartilaginous matrix. However, there was no statistically significant association between gender (p=0.228), age (p=0.568), and breeds (p>0.05) with the occurrence of spirocercosis. Moreover, all esophageal nodules identified were located near the caudal segment, and their diameters ranged from 1 to 6 cm (4.7±1.5 cm). A number of worms in each nodule varied from 5 to 25 (11.3±5).

Conclusion: Histopathology and cytology revealed that the wall of the esophageal nodules contained islands and nests of highly proliferative atypical chondroblasts within a cartilaginous matrix, a rare finding, and clinical challenge in spirocercosis.

Keywords: chondrosarcoma, dog, esophagus, histopathology, Spirocerca lupi, spirocercosis.