Risk factors assessment of bovine tuberculosis among abattoir personnel in Gombe State, Northeastern Nigeria: A One-Health approach

Research (Published online: 09-01-2019)

1. Risk factors assessment of bovine tuberculosis among abattoir personnel in Gombe State, Northeastern Nigeria: A One-Health approach

S. Mohammed, Adamu Saleh Saidu, S. M. Jajere, P. Tomar, A. M. Waki, J. Mohammed and R. Preeti

International Journal of One Health, 5: 1-8

ABSTRACT

Aim: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an important milk-borne zoonosis that affects cattle production and poses serious threat to public health. This study aimed at assessing the risk factors as well as the level of awareness, attitude, and practices of abattoir personnel toward bTB in Gombe Township Abattoir, Gombe State.

Materials and Methods: A prospective survey was conducted between October 2015 and December 2015. During the survey, a total of 112 close-ended structured questionnaires were administered to the abattoir personnel to assess their level of awareness of bTB.

Results: Of these respondents, the majority were males (79%), butchers (49%) and about 40% were under the productive age brackets of 26-35 years. Majority of the respondents (85.7%) were aware of the zoonotic nature of the disease. However, only a few of the respondents (44.6%) wear personal protective equipments (PPEs) clothes while handling or in contact with carcasses during the slaughtering process. Only a few among the respondents (24.1% and 31.2%) consumed unpasteurized milk and unaware of eating of improperly cooked meat as a risk factor of bTB, respectively. About 75.7% of the respondents believed that the habit of eating and drinking inside the abattoir and during slaughtering operations has no any significant effects on their health. The results obtained show a statistically significant association between respondents' awareness of bTB and their occupational status, duration of exposure to cattle carcasses, and knowledge about the disease (p<0.05); and the odds of being aware of bTB was 10.0, 5.07, and 4.2, respectively.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the need for public health authorities to intervene in bTB prevention and control through the creation of avenues for enlightenment on the zoonotic risk associated with bTB. The risk factors associated with bTB transmission as indicated by the personnel's practice and awareness levels in Gombe township abattoir are preventable through the use of PPEs clothing.

Keywords: abattoir personnel, bovine tuberculosis, Gombe, one-health approach, risk factors.

Growth performances, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood metabolic parameters in rabbits of local Algerian population and synthetic line

Research (Published online: 08-01-2019)

7. Growth performances, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood metabolic parameters in rabbits of local Algerian population and synthetic line

Rafik Belabbas, Maria de la Luz Garcia, Hacina Ainbaziz, Nadia Benali, Ali Berbar, Zoubeida Boumahdi and Maria Jose Argente

Veterinary World, 12(1): 55-62

ABSTRACT

Aim: The objective of this work was to study the growth performance, slaughter traits, meat quality, and metabolic profile in rabbits of local Algerian population and a synthetic line.

Materials and Methods: In total, 120 weaned rabbits were used (60 per group). Growth traits were recorded from weaning (35 days) to slaughter (91 days). At slaughter, carcass traits, meat quality, and metabolic profiles were measured.

Results: The synthetic line showed heavier total weight and faster daily weight gain than the local population (+15% and +19%, respectively), better feed conversion (3.92 vs. 4.81 g/g), and heavier weight of cold carcass, and perirenal fat (+15%). No differences were found between the two groups in dressing out percentage, muscular pH, weight of liver, or scapular fat. Wider intestinal villi were found in the synthetic line (+20%, p<0.0001) allowing better absorption surface in this line. The synthetic line also showed higher fat content (3.41% vs. 2.22%, p<0.0001) in the meat and lower protein content (22.02% vs. 18.98%, p=0.0002). Glucose level was 19% higher in the local population than in the synthetic line.

Conclusion: The synthetic line is well adapted to the local conditions of Algeria. This line has shown better growth, daily gain, and feed conversion, due to its better intestinal absorption surface.

Keywords: carcass traits, growth, metabolic profile, rabbit, synthetic line.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in cattle and sheep in three municipalities in the Colombian Northeastern Mountain

Research (Published online: 08-01-2019)

6. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in cattle and sheep in three municipalities in the Colombian Northeastern Mountain

Juan Carlos Pinilla Leon, Nelson Uribe Delgado and Angel Alberto Florez

Veterinary World, 12(1): 48-54

ABSTRACT

Aim: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in cattle and sheep from three municipalities in the Colombian Northeastern Mountain.

Materials and Methods: Overall, 200 fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum in cattle and sheep. The presence of helminths eggs and coccidial oocysts in fecal samples was detected using McMaster and Dennis techniques. Identification of eggs or oocysts was done on the basis of morphology and size of the eggs or oocysts.

Results: The global prevalence of GI parasites was 56.3%. Regarding the prevalence by municipalities, there was no statistical association (p>0.05), indicating that the prevalence was similar in the three municipalities. The prevalence of parasitic infection was higher in sheep (63%) as compared to that of cattle (50.5%), but the difference was nonsignificant (p>0.05). The most prevalent parasites were Eimeria spp., Fasciola hepatica, and Strongylida order. Regarding the results for Eimeria spp., different degrees of positivity were observed, but there was no statistical association (p>0.05) with respect to the age group. Likewise, there was no statistical association (p>0.05) between the prevalence for Strongylida order and F. hepatica with respect to the age group.

Conclusion: Cattle and sheep in Colombian Northeastern Mountain were infected with helminths and coccidia. The prevalence values of GI parasites were moderate in both species warranting treatment. The presence of F. hepatica represents a risk factor to health public. Future studies are required to evaluate the parasitic dynamics throughout the year and the impact on animal production.

Keywords: cattle, gastrointestinal parasites, prevalence, sheep.

Infection kinetics and antibody responses in Deccani sheep during experimental infection and superinfection with bluetongue virus serotypes 4 and 16

Research (Published online: 07-01-2019)

5. Infection kinetics and antibody responses in Deccani sheep during experimental infection and superinfection with bluetongue virus serotypes 4 and 16

Kalyani Putty, Abdul Muzeer Shaik, Shaik Jahangeer Peera, Y. Narasimha Reddy, P. P. Rao, Sunil R. Patil, M. Shreekanth Reddy, B. Susmitha, and J. Shiva Jyothi

Veterinary World, 12(1): 41-47

ABSTRACT

Aim: The current study was designed to understand the infection kinetics and antibody responses of major circulating serotypes of bluetongue virus (BTV) in India, i.e., BTV-4 and BTV-16 through experimental infection and superinfection of Deccani sheep, a popular breed of sheep found in the southern states of India.

Materials and Methods: Experimental infection with 106 TCID50/ml BTV-4 was followed by superinfection with BTV-16 and vice versa. Along with observing for clinical signs and immunological responses in the experimentally infected sheep, the effect of infection of one specific serotype on the outcome of superinfection with a different serotype was also studied.

Results: Certain interesting findings have been made in the course of experimental infection, such as prominent signs of infection in BTV-4 infection, mild or no clinical signs in BTV-16-infected and superinfected animals, and non-seroconversion of one of the BTV-16-superinfected animals. In addition, BTV was isolated from infected sheep in all the experimental conditions except BTV-16 superinfection. Furthermore, it was observed that immune response in the form of type-specific antibodies was slower with BTV-16 superinfection.

Conclusion: Superinfection of a sheep with more than one serotype of BTV is a common phenomenon in BT endemic countries like India. Such situation was replicated in an experimental infection in the current study, and the findings to our knowledge are first of a kind and are likely to aid in unfolding the newer aspects of BTV pathogenesis and virulence.

Keywords: bluetongue, bluetongue virus-16, bluetongue virus-4, infection kinetics, superinfection.

Effects of four extenders on the quality of frozen semen in Arabian stallions

Research (Published online: 07-01-2019)

4. Effects of four extenders on the quality of frozen semen in Arabian stallions

Mohaammed Saad Alamaary, Abd Wahid Haron, Mohamed Ali, Mark Wen Han Hiew, Lawan Adamu and Innocent Damudu Peter

Veterinary World, 12(1): 34-40

ABSTRACT

Aim: Different types of extenders have a variety of components which show the tolerance effect on sperm protection during freezing procedures. In the present study, we have examined the impact of the extenders HF-20 and Tris, which were locally manufactured, and they are competing with commercial extenders INRA Freeze® (IMV Technologies, France) and EquiPlus Freeze® (Minitube, Germany) on the quality of horses frozen semen.

Materials and Methods: A total of 15 ejaculates from three healthy stallions were collected and cryopreserved in the same environment. Each semen sample collected was divided into four equal parts and processed. All samples were analyzed before and after freezing for motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity, and morphology. Furthermore, twenty mares were inseminated using post-thawed semen.

Results: There were no differences observed among all extenders in all the parameters before freezing. Sperm cryopreserved using HF-20 showed better motility, viability, and plasma membrane integrity than Tris extender. The Tris extender showed the most inferior quality of post-thawed semen between all the extenders. HF-20, INRA Freeze®, and EquiPlus Freeze® extenders revealed the same capacity of semen preservation in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion: HF-20 extender has the same quality as INRA Freeze® and EquiPlus Freeze® that can be considered as one of the best extenders for the semen cryopreservation in horses. In contrast, Tris extender needs some degree of improvement.

Keywords: Arabian stallion, frozen semen, semen, extenders.

The antioxidant components of milk and their role in processing, ripening, and storage: Functional food

Review (Published online: 05-01-2019)

3. The antioxidant components of milk and their role in processing, ripening, and storage: Functional food

Imran Taj Khan, Mohammed Bule, Rahman Ullah, Muhammad Nadeem, Shafaq Asif and Kamal Niaz

Veterinary World, 12(1): 12-33

ABSTRACT

The current rate of population growth is so fast that, to feed this massive population, a 2-fold increase in land is required for the production of quality food. Improved dietary products such as milk and its products with antioxidant properties and functional foods of animal origin have been utilized to prevent chronic diseases. The designer milk contains low fat and less lactose, more protein, modified level of fatty acids, and desired amino acid profiles. The importance of milk and its products is due to the presence of protein, bioactive peptides, conjugated linoleic acid, omega-3 fatty acid, Vitamin D, selenium, and calcium. These constituents are present in milk product, play a key role in the physiological activities in human bodies, and act as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, immune boosting, and antimicrobial activities. Consumer awareness regarding benefits of designer foods such as milk and its products is almost non-existent worldwide and needs to be established to reach the benefits of designer food technologies in the near future. The main objective of this review was to collect data on the antioxidant properties of milk and its constituents which keep milk-derived products safe and preserved.

Keywords: cholesterol, eggs, functional foods, milk, nutraceuticals, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Evaluation of the heavy metals (mercury, lead, and cadmium) contamination of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius) fished in three Algerian coasts

Research (Published online: 02-01-2019)

2. Evaluation of the heavy metals (mercury, lead, and cadmium) contamination of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius) fished in three Algerian coasts

Fetta Mehouel, Leila Bouayad, Abdel Hamid Hammoudi, Ouarda Ayadi and Fifi Regad

Veterinary World, 12(1): 7-11

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) levels in 70 samples of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and 30 samples of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) fished in the Algerian coasts.

Materials and Methods: After the mineralization of the fish samples through the pressure digestion, the analyses were carried out by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

Results: Mean concentrations of Hg, Cd, and Pb in sardine were 0.62, 0.55, and 2.13 mg/kg wet weight, respectively, while in swordfish, the concentrations were 0.56, 0.57, and 3.9 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. These results exceeded the Algerian and European legislation threshold values, whereas Hg's concentration in swordfish remained close to and did not exceed the recommended thresholds (0.56 mg/kg wet weight).

Conclusion: This fish may represent a hazard for consumers in Algeria. Systematic and periodic controls of heavy metals in fish are recommended, and risk assessment is needed to protect the consumer.

Keywords: atomic emission spectroscopy, fish, hazard, heavy metal, sardine, swordfish.