Antibody reaction of leptospirosis in asymptomatic feral boars, Thailand

Research (Published online: 29-11-2019)

28. Antibody reaction of leptospirosis in asymptomatic feral boars, Thailand

Phirom Prompiram, Kanaporn Poltep and Nongluck Sangkaew

Veterinary World, 12(11): 1884-1887

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study aimed to determine the proportion of exposure to leptospirosis and evaluate the degree of serovar antibody reaction in feral boars.

Materials and Methods: A total of 58 sera obtained from feral boars in Khao Prathab Chang Wildlife Breeding Center, Ratchaburi, Thailand, were screened for leptospirosis exposure by microscopic agglutination test, conducted with a reference panel of 23 pathogenic serovars and a non-pathogenic serovar.

Results: Overall exposure rate of 62.07% was found in the studied population. An antibody reaction presented in 18 of 24 leptospiral serovars. Among the seropositive, Ballum serovar showed predominant exposure in the feral boar population.

Conclusion: The results show a relatively high exposure to leptospirosis and the predominant serovar was Ballum followed by Canicola, the first finding in feral boars in Thailand. It has been revealed that feral boars act as a natural reservoir host of leptospirosis. There should be more concern about public health problems in leptospirosis arising where feral boars appear.

Keywords: Ballum serovar, Canicola serovar, feral boar, microscopic agglutination test, Thailand.

Fungal food spoilage of supermarkets' displayed fruits

Research (Published online: 29-11-2019)

27. Fungal food spoilage of supermarkets' displayed fruits

Iman Saleh and Roda Al-Thani

Veterinary World, 12(11): 1877-1883

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Post-harvest fungal infection of fruits and vegetables is mainly caused by fungal pathogens that can be harmful to both human and animals as they produce mycotoxins, post-harvest diseases in fruits and vegetables are a serious problem that results in the loss of a large percentage of crops reaching 50% in some fruits. This study aims at screening the post-purchasing shelf-life of four highly consumed fruits and vegetables and at identifying the fungal strains behind their spoilage in Qatar.

Materials and Methods: Fruits and vegetables were collected from the market to study their post-purchasing shelf-life and to identify the fungal types involved in samples rotting. Factors that affect samples' shelf-life were also analyzed.

Results: A total of 73 fungal isolates were isolated and identified, with the highest percentage of Penicillium (21.9%) followed by Rhizopus (17.8%). Interestingly, many mycotoxins producing and diseases inducing fungi were identified in this study; this includes Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Fusarium, Cladosporium, Botrytis, Geotrichum, and Colletotrichum. Statistical analysis shows that different fruits have significantly different shelf-life and different predispositions for spoilage. In many cases, a strong relationship was shown between the fungal types isolated and the country of origin of the fruit. Finally, the price of the commodity did not have a significant effect on its contamination level nor did the market from which the sample was purchased. This indicates that the fruit displaying methods in Qatar do not affect their contamination level.

Conclusion: The study is among the first reports about fungal types involved in fruits and vegetables rotting in Qatar and it highlights the strong link between spoiling fungi and their country of origin.

Keywords: country of origin, fungi, post-harvest, shelf-life, spoilage.

Effect of age on dental plaque deposition and its control by ultrasonic scaling, dental hygiene chew, and chlorhexidine (0.2%w/v) in dogs

Research (Published online: 28-11-2019)

26. Effect of age on dental plaque deposition and its control by ultrasonic scaling, dental hygiene chew, and chlorhexidine (0.2%w/v) in dogs

Nishiswapna Garanayak, Manoranjan Das, Ramesh Chandra Patra, Sangram Biswal and Susen Ku Panda

Veterinary World, 12(11): 1872-1876

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Periodontitis is the most prevalent inflammatory dental disease caused by a lack of oral hygiene measures in domestic animals. The periodontal disease complex arises as a result of bacterial biofilm deposition termed as plaque on the tooth surface. Lack of cleaning measures either mechanical or chemical credit for the condition. The present study was conducted to screen the animals for the presence of plaque deposition, gingivitis, along with various control measures for the same.

Materials and Methods: Thirty-two dogs of different age groups were evaluated for the presence of plaque and gingivitis by scoring method to estimate the extent of severity. Scaling of the tooth surface was done by ultrasonic scaling machine to remove the plaques, and the animals were divided into four treatment groups to study the effects of dental hygiene chew and chlorhexidine for control of plaque.

Results: Present study revealed 71.87% and 34.37% of the screened animals were having plaque deposition and varied degrees of gingivitis respectively. A positive coefficient of correlation (r) of 0.89 (p<0.05) between advancing age and plaque deposition and 0.85 (p<0.05) between age and level of gingivitis was obtained. Two groups receiving dental chew and 0.2% w/v chlorhexidine showed lower plaque deposits, and the fourth treatment group receiving both dental chew and chlorhexidine showed 100% animals remained free from fresh plaque deposits.

Conclusion: The present study showed a strong positive relationship between age and plaque deposition and gingivitis. The study also showed that oral hygiene measures such as use of dental hygiene chew and chlorhexidine application can reduce plaque deposition and periodontitis in domesticated canines.

Keywords: chlorhexidine, dental chew, dental plaque, dog, scaling.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal worms in Wonosobo and thin-tailed sheep on the slope of Mount Sumbing, Central Java, Indonesia

Research (Published online: 27-11-2019)

25. Prevalence of gastrointestinal worms in Wonosobo and thin-tailed sheep on the slope of Mount Sumbing, Central Java, Indonesia

Zein Ahmad Baihaqi, Irkham Widiyono and Wisnu Nurcahyo

Veterinary World, 12(11): 1866-1871

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) worms in Wonosobo and thin-tailed sheep from the slope of Mount Sumbing.

Materials and Methods: Fecal samples (n=305) were collected directly from the rectum of Wonosobo and thin-tailed sheep during the dry and rainy seasons in Wonosobo Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. The presence of GI helminth eggs in the fecal samples was assessed using the modified McMaster egg counting technique. The identification of the eggs or oocysts was done on the basis of their morphology and size.

Results: The highest prevalence of GI worms was observed in male thin-tailed sheep (76.47%) during the rainy season, whereas the lowest prevalence was observed in female Wonosobo sheep (47.36%) during the dry season. The types of GI nematodes observed in these two types of sheep were Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagia spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Bunostomum spp., Trichuris spp., and Moniezia spp. The GI worms with the highest prevalence were of Haemonchus spp. and were observed in male thin-tailed sheep. The prevalences of the two types of sheep assessed at an altitude of 1150 m above sea level were higher than those observed at the altitude of 1586 m. The prevalence of clinical and sub-clinical parasites infestation in Wonosobo and thin-tailed sheep in Kwadungan village was significantly different (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that two types of local sheep on the slope of Mount Sumbing are infected with various GI worms during the dry and rainy seasons. The highest prevalence of GI worms was found in thin-tailed sheep at an altitude of 1150 m above sea level during the rainy season, with H. contortus being the most prevalent GI parasites.

Keywords: gastrointestinal, nematodes, prevalence, sheep, Wonosobo sheep.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of bovine respiratory syncytial virus in cattle in the Nineveh Governorate, Iraq

Research (Published online: 27-11-2019)

24. Seroprevalence and risk factors of bovine respiratory syncytial virus in cattle in the Nineveh Governorate, Iraq

Khder Jassiem Hussain, Maab Ibrahim Al-Farwachi and Sadam Dhahir Hassan

Veterinary World, 12(11): 1862-1865

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is one of the main causes of severe pneumonia, interstitial edema, and emphysema in cattle. The current study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of BRSV in cattle in the Nineveh Province, Iraq.

Materials and Methods: Between September 2017 and September 2018, 450 serum samples were collected from non-vaccinated cattle of different ages and breeds for BRSV testing. The epidemiological information of the animals was recorded. The prevalence of the disease was determined using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

Results: The prevalence of BRSV was 83.11%, and it was significantly (p<0.05) higher in cattle aged greater than 7 months-1.5 years than in older animals; in imported cattle than in Native animals; and in animals originating from large herds (100 animals) than in those from smaller herds (40 animals). There was no significant difference between BRSV prevalence in male and female animals. When samples from different regions of the Nineveh Governorate were compared, the northern region was associated with the highest prevalence of the disease. Samples harvested in the winter displayed the highest BRSV titer, compared to those collected during the other seasons.

Conclusion: BRSV is prevalent in cattle from the Nineveh Governorate. Risk factors such as animal age, origin, herd size, and the herd's geographical location are associated with an increased prevalence of the disease in this region. Routine vaccination programs should be adopted to reduce the prevalence of BRSV.

Keywords: bovine, pneumonia, prevalence, respiratory syncytial virus.

Relationship between certain serum biochemical values and serostatus against Anaplasma marginale in dairy cows

Research (Published online: 26-11-2019)

23. Relationship between certain serum biochemical values and serostatus against Anaplasma marginale in dairy cows

Myassar O. Alekish and Zuhair Bani Ismail

Veterinary World, 12(11): 1858-1861

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the possible association between values of certain serum biochemical parameters and seropositivity against Anaplasma marginale in dairy cows.

Materials and Methods: Serum samples from 60 seropositive and 40 seronegative cows were used to determine the values of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), glucose, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) using commercially available kits and reagents. The serostatus of cows against A. marginale was determined using a commercially available cellular enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Significant differences in serum biochemical values between seropositive and seronegative groups were evaluated using independent Student's t-test. Possible associations between the serostatus of the cows and different biochemical parameters were evaluated using univariate followed by multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results: There was a statistically significant increase (p≤0.05) in values of total protein, BHB, LDH, and AST in seropositive cows compared to seronegative cows while a non-significant increase in values of ALP, ALT, and GGT was detected in seropositive cows. A strong correlation (R=0.69) between serum levels of BHB, LDH, and AST and seropositivity against A. marginale was detected.

Conclusion: There is evidence of a possible association between A. marginale infection and liver damage/hepatic fatty degeneration in dairy cows. Further studies, however, are required to elucidate the exact pathophysiological mechanisms of this relationship.

Keywords: blood parasites, dairy cows, hemolysis, metabolic diseases.

Comparative analysis of hatcheries contribution to poor development of day-old chicks based on biological and immunological performance

Research (Published online: 26-11-2019)

22. Comparative analysis of hatcheries contribution to poor development of day-old chicks based on biological and immunological performance

P. P. Yeboah, L. A. Konadu, J. A. Hamidu, E. A. Poku, D. Wakpal, P. Y. Kudaya, A. Dey and S. M. Siddiq

Veterinary World, 12(11): 1849-1857

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The quality of day-old chicks is a cornerstone to successful poultry production. Chicks with a poor quality start slowly in the field and may have high feed intake, poor growth rate, and poor feed conversion ratio. The current study aimed to assess chick quality challenges encountered from day-old chicks hatched in most commercial hatcheries in Ghana.

Materials and Methods: A total of 300 day-old chicks each were obtained from commercial hatcheries in Ghana and Europe. The chicks were labeled as locally hatched broiler day-old chicks (LBDOC) and foreign hatched broiler day-old chicks (FBDOC), respectively. Chicks were reared and monitored from day old to 21 days post-hatch. Sample of chicks (n=25) from each hatchery was euthanized weekly at 1, 7, 14, and 21 days and blood samples collected for analysis. The parameters measured included physical, hematological, immunological, histological, and bacteriological characteristics. All data were analyzed by SAS Proc GLM at p<0.05.

Results: The live weight of chicks was higher in FBDOC compared to LBDOC on the 1st day. The chick length and shank length of FBDOC were longer than the LBDOC. The 7-day chick mortality was 6% in LBDOC as compared to 1.5% in FBDOC. The LBDOC also had a higher wet and dry residual yolk sac percentages as well as higher residual yolk sac fluid volume than the FBDOC. The rate of yolk sac disappearance of the FBDOC was higher than the LBDOC. More than half of the LBDOC had developed navel strings and leaky navel compared to FBDOC. The LBDOC recorded Escherichia coli, Proteus, Streptococcus spp., and Gram-negative bacteria in the residual yolk sac isolated through the 21 days while FBDOC recorded E. coli, Proteus, and Gram-negative bacteria. The intestinal villi count, lengths, width, and surface area were all not significantly different. The blood monocyte levels appeared higher in FBDOC than LBDOC, which give evidence of higher immunity in FBDOC than LBDOC.

Conclusion: The results indicate a challenging situation in maintaining the quality of locally hatched broiler day-old-chicks compared to foreign hatched broiler-day-old-chicks. The study demonstrates that chick quality impact goes beyond the physical characteristics of chick weight and chick length, and the higher performance of FBDOC may be influenced by compliance with international hatchery standards and vaccination protocols.