Occurrence and seasonal variation of aflatoxin M1 in raw cow milk collected from different regions of Algeria

Research (Published online: 09-03-2020)

6. Occurrence and seasonal variation of aflatoxin M1 in raw cow milk collected from different regions of Algeria

Sarah Mohammedi-Ameur, Mohammedi Dahmane, Carlo Brera, Moustafa Kardjadj and Meriem Hind Ben-Mahdi

Veterinary World, 13(3): 433-439

Background and Aim: Aflatoxins are metabolites of molds that exert potentially toxic effect on animals and humans. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in raw cow milk collected during 1 year (2016-2017) from different regions of Algeria and risk factors associated with the contamination.

Materials and Methods: During the survey period, 84 samples of raw milk were collected in three regions of Algeria (northeast, north center, and northwest) during four seasons. AFM1 levels were analyzed by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: AFM1 was detected in 39 (46.43%) samples (total mean concentration, 71.92 ng/L; range, 95.59-557.22 ng/L). However, the AFM1 levels exceeded the maximum tolerance limit set by the Food and Drug Administration in the USA (500 ng/L) in only 1 sample (1.19%). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.005) between AFM1 levels in milk samples collected in the spring and autumn. The mean AFM1 levels in samples collected in the spring were significantly higher than those in samples collected in autumn.

Conclusion: The survey indicates that farmers involved in milk production should be made aware of the adverse effects of aflatoxin contamination in animal feed. A systematic control program of supplementary feedstuff for lactating cows should be introduced by the public health authorities.

Keywords: aflatoxin M1, Algeria, cow milk, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Hematological and serum biochemical profile in cattle experimentally infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus

Research (Published online: 09-03-2020)

5. Hematological and serum biochemical profile in cattle experimentally infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus

S. Saravanan, V. Umapathi, M. Priyanka, M. Hosamani, B. P. Sreenivasa, B. H. M. Patel, K. Narayanan, Aniket Sanyal and S. H. Basagoudanavar

Veterinary World, 13(3): 426-432

Background and Aim: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals causing vesicular erosions in the oral cavity and interdigital space. The present study was undertaken to ascertain the time-dependent changes in clinical, hematological, and biochemical profiles in different breeds of cattle following experimental infection.

Materials and Methods: The animals were inoculated with 1.0×104 50% bovine tongue infectious dose (BTID50) by intradermolingual route. Clinical signs were observed, and blood/serum samples were collected at different time intervals.

Results: The white blood cell count declined sharply on days 7-13 and recovered on day 14 post-FMD infection. Biochemical analysis of serum markers for vital organ profile revealed no marked damage. However, a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) value indicated pre-renal azotemia. Transient hyperthyroidism was indicated by the rise in T3 and T4 that can be correlated with a decrease in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. In the cardiac damage assessment study, a distinct breed difference was observed wherein Malnad Gidda calves showed no cardiac damage.

Conclusion: Except thyroid profile, BUN, and creatine kinase-myocardial band, all other serum biochemical parameters showed no significant abnormalities, whereas lymphopenia is the only hematological change and it is suggested that effective ameliorative measures should be targeted mainly on the feed/water intake, thyroid gland, and the level of lymphocytes.

Keywords: biochemical profile, experimentally infected indigenous and crossbred calves, foot-and-mouth disease, hematological profile.

A look at the incidence and risk factors for dog bites in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, USA

Research (Published online: 05-03-2020)

4. A look at the incidence and risk factors for dog bites in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, USA

Bonnie C. Hasoon, Alyssa E. Shipp and Jamal Hasoon

Veterinary World, 13(3): 419-425

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study examined the incidence, demographic predictors, and map patterns of dog bites to humans in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, USA.

Materials and Methods: Dog bites reported to Harris County Veterinary Public Health (HCVPH) between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2016, were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study. Canine and victim characteristics and bite circumstances were evaluated to establish risk factors for bites. Geographic location was used to produce choropleth maps.

Results: There were 6683 dog bites reported to HCVPH between the years of 2013 and 2016, with stable incidence rates over time. The incidence was highest for both children and older adults. Dogs with the primary breed of Pit Bull had the greatest frequency of bites (25.07%), with the second highest breed being Labrador Retrievers (13.72%). Bites were more common from intact dogs of both genders, especially from intact males. Persons aged 70+ had the greatest incidence of severe injury (14.09/100,000). A strong correlation between dog bite incidences and stray dogs was found after controlling for the human population and income.

Conclusion: Dog bites remain a largely preventable issue, and risk factors identified in this study can help direct preventative efforts to reduce the incidence of dog bites.

Keywords: companion animal behavior, epidemiology, injury, overpopulation, public health.

Influence of hepatic neoplasia on life expectancy in dogs

Research (Published online: 04-03-2020)

3. Influence of hepatic neoplasia on life expectancy in dogs

I. F. Vilkovyskiy, Yu A. Vatnikov, E. V. Kulikov, E. D. Sotnikova, S. A. Yagnikov, S. B. Seleznev, E. A. Krotova, V. M. Byakhova, V. N. Grishin and V. P. Avdotin

Veterinary World, 13(3): 413-418

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The present study investigated the influence of liver tumor structure on life expectancy in dogs. Diseases of the liver comprise 5-25% of all non-communicable diseases in dogs, and primary hepatic tumors account for 0.6-1.3% of tumors. This research aimed to study the post-operative life span of animals with primary or metastatic tumors of the liver.

Materials and Methods: During the study period, 7124 oncological operations were performed in our clinic. In total, 128 liver tumors were detected in live animals, while 323 were detected posthumously. Forty animals underwent surgery for various liver tumors. In dogs with primary liver tumors, the average age was 11.9 years and the average body weight was 15.5 kg, while in dogs with liver metastases, the mean age was 11.4 years and the average body weight was 24 kg.

Results: The ratio of males to females among dogs with primary liver tumors was about 1:1 (ten females and nine males), while that among dogs with metastatic liver damage was clearly predominantly female (14 females and two males) because females often undergo surgery for cancerous mammary glands or ovaries.

Conclusion: The size of tumors and the number of affected lobes had a significant effect on the post-operative life span. With a tumor size of <5 cm and a lesion covering less than two lobes of the liver, life expectancy was significantly longer and the prognosis was more favorable. In cases of large tumors or those affecting more than two lobes, life expectancy was significantly reduced and the prognosis was cautious to unfavorable.

Keywords: dogs, life span, liver tumor, metastatic tumor, primary tumor.

Crossing effect for improving egg production traits in chickens involving local and commercial strains

Research (Published online: 03-03-2020)

2. Crossing effect for improving egg production traits in chickens involving local and commercial strains

Mostafa Ahmed Soliman, Mohamed Hassan Khalil, Karim El-Sabrout and Mostafa Kamel Shebl

Veterinary World, 13(3): 407-412

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study aimed to contribute to the productivity improvement of the local chickens by enhancing their egg production traits using a crossbreeding program between Alexandria (local strain) and Lohmann White (commercial strain).

Materials and Methods: One thousand two-hundred and eighty-five 4-week-old chicks from two strains: Alexandria local strain (AA) and Lohmann White commercial strain (LL) and their reciprocal crosses obtained from 16 males and 160 females, were used to produce four genetic groups (AA, LL, AL, and LA). Differences among genotypes, direct additive, heterosis, and reciprocal effects were investigated regarding the following traits: Body weight at 4 and 8 weeks and at the age of sexual maturity, age at sexual maturity, egg production, average egg weight, and egg mass during the first 90 days of laying.

Results: Statistically significant effects of the genotypes were observed on traits studied. Analysis of direct additive effects showed that AA was superior as a sire strain for improving body weight at early age. For egg traits (age at sexual maturity, egg production, average egg weight, and egg mass), LL was better as a sire strain to improve these traits. Significant positive heterosis percentages were observed for body weight. The crosses (AL and reciprocal) were significantly superior in egg traits (egg production, average egg weight, and egg mass) compared to the local strain. The cross (LA) laid significantly earlier than the local strain. Analysis of reciprocal effects cleared that the local strain could be used as a strain of dam to improve body weight and egg traits.

Conclusion: Crossing improved egg production, egg weight, and egg mass in hybrids compared to the local strain.

Keywords: additive effect, crossbreeding, heterosis, laying hens, reciprocal effect.

High-resolution melting curve analysis for infectious bronchitis virus strain differentiation

Research (Published online: 03-03-2020)

1. High-resolution melting curve analysis for infectious bronchitis virus strain differentiation

Mustafa Ababneh, Ola Ababneh and Mohammad Borhan Al-Zghoul

Veterinary World, 13(3): 400-406

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Belonging to the Coronaviridae family, avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes respiratory, reproductive, and renal diseases in poultry. Preventative measures lie mainly in vaccination, while the gold standard for IBV classification and differentiation is based on the sequence analysis of the spike 1 (S1) gene. In this study, we tested a new assay for IBV strain classification that is less expensive and requires reduced time and effort to perform. We carried out a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction followed by high-resolution melting (qRT-PCR/HRM) curve analysis.

Materials and Methods: In this study, qRT-PCR was conducted on a partial fragment S1 gene followed by a high resolution melting curve analysis (qRT-PCR/HRM) on 23 IBV-positive samples in Jordan. For this assay, we utilized the most common IBV vaccine strains (Mass and 4/91) as a reference in the HRM assay. To evaluate the discrimination power of the qRT-PCR/ HRM, we did the sequencing of the partial S1 gene.

Results: It was shown that HRM was able to classify IBV samples into four clusters based on the degree of similarity between their melting points: The first cluster exhibited the highest similarity to the 4/91 strain, while the second was similar to the Mass-related IBV strain. Although the third cluster contained the highest number of samples, it displayed no similarity to any of the reference vaccine strains, and, after comparing them with the sequencing results, we found that the samples in the third cluster were similar to the variant II-like (IS-1494-06) IBV field strain. Finally, the fourth cluster comprised one unique sample that was found to belong to the Q1 IBV strain.

Conclusion: Our developed qRT-PCR/HRM curve analysis was able to detect and rapidly identify novel and vaccine-related IBV strains as confirmed by S1 gene nucleotide sequences, making it a rapid and cost-effective tool.

Keywords: high-resolution melting curve analysis, infectious bronchitis virus, spike 1 gene.

Schistosoma japonicum infections in cattle and water buffaloes of farming communities of Koronadal City, Philippines

Research (Published online: 02-03-2020)

6. Schistosoma japonicum infections in cattle and water buffaloes of farming communities of Koronadal City, Philippines

Jan Clyden B. Tenorio and Elizabeth C. Molina

International Journal of One Health, 6(1): 28-33

Background and Aim: Schistosomiasis is one of the seven neglected tropical diseases that are of public health concern in the Philippines. The disease is prevalent in few of the barangays (communities) in Koronadal City, Philippines. Status of the Schistosoma japonicum infections in domestic animal reservoir host has yet to be explored in these endemic communities. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and infection intensity of the disease in cattle and water buffaloes of endemic communities of Koronadal City.

Materials and Methods: Schistosomiasis was investigated in 70 cattle and 38 water buffaloes from three endemic communities in Koronadal City. The copro-parasitological technique used was the formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation method.

Results: S. japonicum infection was observed in 48.6% of cattle and 60.5% in water buffaloes. The bovine contamination index indicated that all infected animals released 3,505,500 eggs/day. On average, infected cattle released 1,674,500 eggs daily, while infected water buffaloes liberated 1,932,000 eggs in the environment daily.

Conclusion: Cattle and water buffaloes in these endemic areas are infected with S. japonicum. These animals release large numbers of eggs in the environment daily; hence, played an important role in disease transmission. Those living and working in endemic areas should be aware of the inherent dangers of the disease.

Keywords: one health, Philippines, Schistosoma japonicum, schistosomiasis, zoonotic parasitic diseases.