A descriptive study of ciguatera fish poisoning in Cook Islands dogs and cats: Exposure history, clinical signs, and formulation of a case definition

Research (Published online: 27-02-2020)

21. A descriptive study of ciguatera fish poisoning in Cook Islands dogs and cats: Exposure history, clinical signs, and formulation of a case definition

Michelle J. Gray and M. Carolyn Gates

Veterinary World, 13(2): 372-385

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is a multisystem toxicosis caused by the ingestion of warm water marine species. Dogs and cats are susceptible to CFP, but there is little published and much unknown about the condition in these species. This study aims to describe the syndrome of CFP in dogs and cats and to develop a case definition.

Materials and Methods: Six years (March 2011-February 2017) of medical records from the Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic (the only veterinary clinic in the Cook Islands during the study period) were reviewed to identify cases of CFP. Data relating to exposure history and clinical signs were collected.

Results: Two hundred forty-six cases of CFP were identified, comprising 165 dogs and 81 cats. Fish ingestion was documented in 29% of cases. Reef/lagoon fish and moray eels were most commonly implicated. The toxicosis was characterized by motor dysfunction with a high frequency of ataxia and paresis/paralysis/recumbency. Respiratory and gastrointestinal systems were also affected, especially in canine CFP cases. A multi-tiered case definition and a diagnostic algorithm for CFP in dogs and cats were developed based upon the findings of this study and a review of the existing literature.

Conclusion: This case series is the largest study of canine and feline CFP to date. It documents the exposure history of cases and describes in detail clinical signs of the toxicosis. It also proposes a system of case classification that has the potential to both assist the diagnosis of CFP and facilitate future surveillance and research activities.

Keywords: case definition, cats, ciguatera, clinical signs, Cook Islands, dogs, exposure.

Prevalence and prevention of brucellosis in cattle in Lebanon

Research (Published online: 27-02-2020)

20. Prevalence and prevention of brucellosis in cattle in Lebanon

Hussein Hassan, Ali Salami, Nada Nehme, Raed Al Hakeem, Jeanne El Hage and Rana Awada

Veterinary World, 13(2): 364-371

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium of the genus Brucella. This disease is present worldwide, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries, where it is endemic. This first-of-its-kind study in Lebanon aimed to assess the prevalence of brucellosis across the country and to determine the efficacy of a vaccine for reducing losses in herds so that its toll on public health is reduced.

Materials and Methods: Three hundred and fifty-three blood serum and 261 milk samples were obtained from cows in different areas of Lebanon. The samples were analyzed using serological tests (rose Bengal, milk ring, and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) and confirmed with competitive ELISA and polymerase chain reaction.

Results: The highest rate of Brucellae was found in the Bekaa region (10%). After vaccination of 5 cows and 13 heifers at different times, the results showed that all the vaccinated animals have developed an immune response to brucellosis 60 days after vaccination. This vaccine can be considered as stable and preventative to protect against brucellosis in animals and thus protect the public from this infection.

Conclusion: These findings will provide further insight into designing future targeted awareness interventions and adapted policies as efforts toward reducing the prevalence and prevention of brucellosis in cattle in Lebanon.

Keywords: Brucella abortus and melitensis, brucellosis, public health, vaccines, zoonosis.

Antimicrobial resistance pattern of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated from fecal samples of piglets and pig farm workers of selected organized farms of India

Research (Published online: 26-02-2020)

19. Antimicrobial resistance pattern of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated from fecal samples of piglets and pig farm workers of selected organized farms of India

Shikha Tamta, Obli Rajendran Vinodh Kumar, Shiv Varan Singh, Bommenahalli Siddaramiah Pruthvishree, Ravichandran Karthikeyan, Ramkumar Rupner, Dharmendra Kumar Sinha and Bhoj Raj Singh

Veterinary World, 13(2): 360-363

Background and Aim: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli are gradually increasing worldwide and carry a serious public threat. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern of ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from fecal samples of piglets and pig farm workers.

Materials and Methods: Fecal samples from <3-month-old piglets (n=156) and farm workers (n=21) were processed for the isolation of ESBL-producing E. coli in MacConkey agar added with 1 μg/mL of cefotaxime. E. coli (piglets=124; farm workers=21) were tested for ESBL production by combined disk method and ESBL E-strip test. Each of the ESBL-positive isolate was subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. The ESBL-producing E. coli were further processed for genotypic confirmation to CTX-M gene.

Results: A total of 55 (44.4%, 55/124) and nine (42.9%, 9/21) ESBL-producing E. coli were isolated from piglets and farm workers, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the ESBL-positive E. coli isolates from piglets and farm workers showed 100% resistance to ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cefotaxime/clavulanic acid, ceftazidime/clavulanic acid, and cefpodoxime. A proportion of 100% (55/55) and 88.9% (8/9) ESBL-positive E. coli were multidrug resistance (MDR) in piglets and farm workers, respectively. On genotypic screening of the ESBL E. coli isolated from piglets (n=55), 15 were positive for the blaCTX-M gene and of the nine ESBL E. coli from farm workers, none were positive for the blaCTX-M gene.

Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference in isolation of ESBL-producing E. coli between piglets and farm workers, the ESBL-positive E. coli from piglets showed relatively higher MDR than farm workers.

Keywords: CTX-M gene, India, multidrug resistance, organized farm, piglets, workers.

Immunohistochemical study to detect glucagon and insulin hormones in pancreas of camel and buffalo

Research (Published online: 26-02-2020)

18. Immunohistochemical study to detect glucagon and insulin hormones in pancreas of camel and buffalo

Ali F. Bargooth, Jafar G. A. Ali-Jebori, Ahmed M. Al-Badri, Ali M. R. Al-Yasari and Esraa A. Zegyer

Veterinary World, 13(2): 354-359

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Glucagon plays a significant role in glucose homeostasis by controlling hepatic glucose output in terms of both hypoglycemic and normoglycemic conditions. This study aimed to determine the amount and intensity of insulin and glucagon in addition to estimating the relationship between α- and β-cells for two animals, camel and buffalo.

Materials and Methods: Twenty fresh pancreas samples were collected from 10 buffalo and 10 camel adults immediately after slaughter from AL-Kut abattoir, Al- Kut, Iraq. Hematoxylin and eosin staining technique and the immunohistochemistry technique were used.

Results: The histological results, for both animals, showed the cells of the pancreatic islet could be differentiated from the exocrine cells by their paler appearance. The pancreatic islets were round, oval, and irregular shaped. In the camel, the pancreatic islets had a larger diameter than that in the buffalo. The average diameter of β-cells and their percentage was higher than those of the α-cells in the camel. In the buffalo, glucagon-immunoreactive cells were found in abundance with high intensity, whereas insulin-immunoreactive cells were more prominent with high intensity in the camel. In both animals, the α-cells and glucagon-immunoreactive cells were distributed on the peripheries of the pancreatic islets, whereas the β-cells were distributed throughout the pancreatic islets.

Conclusion: The study inferences that these differences may be due to the differences in the environment of the animals which affect the structures of body organs.

Keywords: air pollution, carbon nanotube, cell apoptosis.

Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides in milk fermented by indigenous lactic acid bacteria

Research (Published online: 21-02-2020)

17. Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides in milk fermented by indigenous lactic acid bacteria

Yuliana Tandi Rubak, Lilis Nuraida, Dyah Iswantini and Endang Prangdimurti

Veterinary World, 13(2): 345-353

Background and Aim: Fermented milk can be used to produce antihypertensive peptides. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with its proteolytic system hydrolyze milk protein during fermentation to produce several peptides, which include antihypertensive bioactive peptides. This study aimed to investigate the ability of indigenous LAB for the production of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitory (ACE-I) peptides in fermented milk and to characterize the ACEI peptides.

Materials and Methods: Reconstituted milk (11%) inoculated with ten LAB isolates, and then incubated at 37°C until it reaches pH 4.6. The evaluation was carried out for LAB count, lactic acid concentration, peptide content, and ACE-I activity. The low molecular weight (MW) peptides (<3 kDa) were identified using Nano LC Ultimate 3000 series system Tandem Q Exactive Plus Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Results: The result showed that the ten LAB isolates were able to produce ACE-I in fermented milk with the activities in the range of 22.78±2.55-57.36±5.40%. The activity of ACE-I above 50% produced by Lactobacillus delbrueckii BD7, Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis BD17, and Lactobacillus kefiri YK4 and JK17, with the highest activity of ACE-I produced by L. kefiri YK4 (IC50 0.261 mg/mL) and L. kefiri JK17 (IC50 0.308 mg/mL). Results of peptide identification showed that L. kefiri YK 4 could release as many as 1329, while L. kefiri JK 17 could release 174 peptides. The peptides produced were 95% derived from casein. The other peptides were from α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, and serum amyloid A. The peptides produced consisted of 6-19 amino acid residues, with MWs of 634-2079 Dalton and detected at 317-1093 m/z. A total of 30 peptides have been recognized based on literature searches as ACE-I peptides (sequence similarity: 100%).

Conclusion: L. kefiri YK4 and JK17 are the potential to be used as starter cultures to produce the bioactive peptide as ACE-I in fermented milk.

Keywords: angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides, fermented milk, indigenous lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus kefiri.

Helminth infections of great concern among cattle in Nigeria: Insight to its prevalence, species diversity, patterns of infections and risk factors

Research (Published online: 21-02-2020)

16. Helminth infections of great concern among cattle in Nigeria: Insight to its prevalence, species diversity, patterns of infections and risk factors

Shola David Ola-Fadunsin, Isau Aremu Ganiyu, Musa Rabiu, Karimat Hussain, Idiat Modupe Sanda, Alhassan Yunusa Baba, Nathan Ahmadu Furo and Rashidat Bolanle Balogun

Veterinary World, 13(2): 338-344

Background and Aim: Helminth infections are one of the greatest causes of productive and reproductive loss in animals and man, and in some cases, it results in heavy mortalities. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, species diversity, patterns of infections and risk factors associated with helminth infections of cattle in Ilorin, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A total of 478 fecal samples were collected from abattoirs and cattle farms over a year period (March, 2018-February, 2019). Fecal samples were visually examined then observed using simple flotation and formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation techniques. Eggs and worms were identified according to standard procedures. The packed cell volume was determined using the hematocrit centrifugation technique.

Results: A total of 79.92% of the cattle examined were found positive with one or more helminth species. Eighteen helminth species (cutting across all classes of helminths) were detected, with Haemonchus contortus (60.46%), Trichostrongylus spp. (46.44%), Ostertagia ostertagi (42.05%), Bunostomum phlebotomum (28.87%), Cooperia spp. (24.27%), Oesophagostomum radiatum (21.97%), Strongyloides papillosus (12.13%), and Fasciola gigantica (10.67%) been the most prevalent. Helminth infection was detected all through the year with the least prevalence recorded in February (55.00%). About 61% of the examined cattle harbored double/multiple helminth species. There was a significant difference between breed, sex, physiological status, and season with the prevalence rate of helminth infections (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Our investigation demonstrated high prevalence and wide diversity of helminth species, which suggests that helminth infections are of great concern among cattle in Ilorin and Nigeria in general. There is a need for a radical veterinary intervention to curb the menace so as to have an economically robust cattle industry in Nigeria.

Keywords: cattle, helminths, Nigeria, prevalence, risk factors.

Occurrence of fluke infection in beef cattle around Phayao Lake, Phayao, Thailand

Research (Published online: 20-02-2020)

15. Occurrence of fluke infection in beef cattle around Phayao Lake, Phayao, Thailand

Ornampai Japa, Pannawich Siriwechviriya and Khanuengnij Prakhammin

Veterinary World, 13(2): 334-337

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Ruminant flukes, including Fasciola spp. and Paramphistomum spp., are recognized as the significant parasites in livestock worldwide. Cattle infected by these fluke results in slower growth rate and productivity losses contributing to economic losses. In case of Fasciola spp., the parasite is considered as an important zoonotic parasite. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of fluke invasion in beef cattle around Phayao Lake, Phayao, Thailand, between January 2019 and June 2019.

Materials and Methods: A total of 311 fecal samples from beef cows reared nearby Phayao Lake were examined for the presence of fluke eggs by formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation and subsequently identified by morphology together with methylene blue staining.

Results: The overall prevalence of fluke invasion in beef cattle around Phayao Lake was 33.8% (105/311). The prevalence of rumen fluke and liver fluke was 25.4% (79/311) and 8.4% (26/311), respectively. Mixed infection of both species was found at 1.9% (6/311).

Conclusion: Age of cattle was observed to be associated with invasion rate of all flukes, particularly in the ages over 4 years, which was the highest group of invasion. However, other risk factors, including gender, breed, and location of animals, were not found to be related. This study provides the current status of natural fluke invasion among the beef cattle in Phayao, Thailand, which could be critical for designing the control program of these parasites.

Keywords: beef cattle, digenetic trematodes, Fasciola spp., Paramphistomum spp., Phayao Lake.