High prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection in humans and livestock in Assiut, Egypt: A serological and molecular survey

Research (Published online: 05-12-2020)

1. High prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection in humans and livestock in Assiut, Egypt: A serological and molecular survey

Hypy Abbass, Salah Abdel Kareem Selim, Mona M. Sobhy, Mohamed A. El-Mokhtar, Mahmoud Elhariri and Hanan H. Abd-Elhafeez

Veterinary World, 13(12): 2578-2586

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Q fever is considered a neglected zoonotic disease and is caused by Coxiella burnetii. Very little information is available on C. burnetii infections in cattle, sheep, and goat populations in Egypt. The aim of this study was to identify the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in humans and livestock and to test for the presence of C. burnetii DNA in sera from seropositive animals and humans.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 160 apparently healthy farm animals and 120 patients from three hospitals of the Assiut Governorate throughout 2017/2018. These populations were tested for antibodies against C. burnetii phase II antigen by immunofluorescence assay [IFA]) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seropositive samples were subjected to real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results: The results of the IFA revealed C. burnetii seroprevalence rates of 45.3%, 56.0%, 45.7%, and 53.3% in cattle, sheep, goats, and humans, respectively. In humans, the seroprevalence rates were 52.1%, 30.4%, 37.5%, 74.1%, and 62.5% in patients with fever of unknown origin, influenza, kidney dialysis, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus, respectively. Likewise, by ELISA, the seroprevalence in bovine was 50.7%; sheep, 60.0%; goats, 51.4%; and humans, 55.0% (54.3%, 30.4%, 37.5%, 77.8%, and 62.5% in patients with fever of unknown origin, influenza, kidney dialysis, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus, respectively). RT-qPCR targeting the repetitive element IS1111 confirmed the presence of C. burnetii DNA.

Conclusion: These results proved that apparently healthy cattle, sheep, and goats may be very important reservoirs of C. burnetii infection. In light of these data, the effect of Q fever on the replication of hepatitis virus remains unclear. Although hepatitis is one of the main aspects of acute Q fever, the influence of hepatitis on Q fever remains to be investigated. Q fever is not a reportable disease in Egypt, and clinical cases may rarely be recognized by the health-care system. Additional information on the epidemiology of C. burnetii in Egypt is warranted, including other associated problems such as the distribution of infections, pathologic hallmarks, and molecular typing.

Keywords: apparently healthy farm animals and humans, Coxiella burnetii, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, hepatitis C and B, immunofluorescence assay, Q fever, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

India to envision One Health movement for confronting emerging health threats: From concept to approach toward institutionalization

Review (Published online: 02-12-2020)

12. India to envision One Health movement for confronting emerging health threats: From concept to approach toward institutionalization

Prejit Nambiar

International Journal of One Health, 6(2): 165-176

ABSTRACT

The author's key role in advocating and leading One Health (OH) initiatives in India (especially in Kerala), review the need for and progress of OH from concept to approach and proposes its institutionalization as the way forward. India is currently facing many health threats such as antimicrobial resistance, environmental health hazards, and food safety risks and most importantly, zoonotic diseases such as Nipah, Avian Influenza, Scrub typhus, Congo fever, Kyasanur forest disease, COVID-19, and leptospirosis that grossly impact country's economy. The recent pandemics had exposed the gaps in public health policy and government is prepared to commit on the OH approach and to invest more on public health infrastructure. Further, as challenges have increased in recent years, OH approach was clearly advocated by the experts not only to cope up the pandemic but also to manage the infodemic by promoting the timely dissemination of accurate information. Right from the endorsement of OH in 2007 by India's Prime minister to the present fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the actions to control and manage the disease was ideally oriented toward a collaborative approach. Last year (2019), the representatives from relevant ministries and department had a ground-breaking dialog to develop charter and constitute a National policy on OH. Recently, Health Ministers of the Member States of the World Health Organization South-East Asia signed "Delhi declaration" where the key essence was to implement intersectoral coordination mechanisms following the "OH" approach. India's future policy intervention will emphasize on strengthening of integrated public health labs and contributing to building a national institutional platform for OH to boost research initiatives. Taking stock of OH happenings, resources, challenges, and priorities, the implementation strategy has been proposed across human, animal and environmental health. The article further highlights the key areas that need OH intervention in India, the country's progress in OH and the success stories of OH for a sustainable action to confront emerging health threats.

Keywords: collaboration, emerging zoonoses, health threats, India, One Health (OH) – Approach, OH-Concept, OH- Initiative, OH- Institutionalization.

Megalocytiviruses in ornamental fish: A review

Review (Published online: 30-11-2020)

37. Megalocytiviruses in ornamental fish: A review

Che Azarulzaman Che Johan and Sandra Catherine Zainathan

Veterinary World, 13(11): 2565-2577

ABSTRACT

Iridoviruses, especially megalocytiviruses, are related to severe disease resulting in high economic losses in the aquaculture industry worldwide. The ornamental fish industry has been affected severely due to Megalocytivirus infections. Megalocytivirus is a DNA virus that has three genera; including red sea bream iridovirus, infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus, and turbot reddish body iridovirus. Megalocytivirus causes non-specific clinical signs in ornamental fish. Cell culture, histology, immunofluorescence test, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay have been used to diagnose megalocytiviruses. Risk factors such as temperature, transportation (export and import), and life stages of ornamental fish have been reported for the previous cases due to Megalocytivirus infections. In addition, other prevention and control methods also have been practiced in farms to prevent Megalocytivirus outbreaks. This is the first review of megalocytiviruses in ornamental fish since its first detection in 1989. This review discusses the occurrences of Megalocytivirus in ornamental fish, including the history, clinical signs, detection method, risk factors, and prevention measures.

Keywords: clinical signs, detection, Megalocytivirus, ornamental fish, risk factors.

Risk factors and prevalence of work-related injuries and accidents among veterinarians in India

Research (Published online: 30-11-2020)

36. Risk factors and prevalence of work-related injuries and accidents among veterinarians in India

SukhDev Mishra and Rajendra Palkhade

Veterinary World, 13(11): 2555-2564

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Veterinary medicine is a high-risk occupation and imparts a risk of physical injuries due to the unpredictable nature of the animals and workplace conditions. This study aimed to identify the associated risk factors and prevalence of work-related injuries, and automobile accidents among veterinarians in India.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among veterinarians (n=565). The responses were recorded using a self-administered questionnaire on work-related injuries, automobile accidents, and physical hazards.

Results: Work-related injuries due to animals in the past 2 years were reported by more than half of veterinarians (prevalence=54.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI]=50.58-58.79), while two-thirds experienced workplace injuries due to animals during any time of their career. The risk for injury was 1.1 times higher (odds ratio=1.1, 95% CI=0.611, 1.981) for veterinarians with a long job duration (>10 years). Large animal practicing veterinarians faced a higher (2.03 times) risk of injury. Workplace absenteeism due to animal-related injury (up to 15 or more days) was reported by 25.9% (95% CI=22.44-29.68) of respondents, including hospitalizations for 7.8% of veterinarians. More than half of veterinarians suffered from automobile injuries (prevalence=60.9%, 95% CI=6.8-64.8) due to work-related travel in the past 2 years, resulting in workplace absenteeism for 56.2% (95% CI=51.46-60.97) of subjects. The prevalence of needlestick injury among veterinarians was very high and reported as 80.9% (95% CI=77.49-83.99). Recapping of needles significantly increased the risk of needlestick injury by 1.67 times.

Conclusion: Veterinarians are at risk of work-related injuries, including automobile accidents. Kicking by animals and needlestick injuries were the most frequent physical hazards. Recapping of needles and responding to emergency calls at night were significant risk factors for needlestick injury and automobile accidents, respectively.

Keywords: accidents, needlestick, occupational hazards, physical hazards, veterinarians, workplace absenteeism, work-related injuries.

Efficacy of a prepared tissue culture-adapted vaccine against Chlamydia psittaci experimentally in mice

Research (Published online: 28-11-2020)

35. Efficacy of a prepared tissue culture-adapted vaccine against Chlamydia psittaci experimentally in mice

J. El-Jakee, Mahmoud D. El-Hariri, Mona A. El-Shabrawy, Afaf A. Khedr, Riham H. Hedia, Eman A. Khairy, E. S. Gaber and Eman Ragab

Veterinary World, 13(11): 2546-2554

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Chlamydia psittaci is an intracellular pathogen with a broad range of hosts and endemic in nearly all bird species as well as many mammalian species. Outbreaks contribute to economic losses, especially due to infection of pet birds, poultry, and livestock. Worse, the organism has a zoonotic effect, and transmission to humans results in severe illness. Therefore, proper control measures need to be applied. We conducted a trial for the preparation and evaluation of inactivated vaccine against C. psittaci.

Materials and Methods: Three C. psittaci strains (accession nos.: KP942827, KP942828, and KP942829) were grown in embryonated chicken eggs and then propagated for purification in Vero cells. The immunization experiment was experimentally performed in mice, which then were challenged with a virulent C. psittaci strain.

Results: The immunization trial revealed nearly 100% protection after the challenge. The histopathological and immunofluorescence examinations of internal organs revealed that the prepared killed vaccines can effectively reduce chlamydial infection and shedding in animals with the proper level of protection.

Conclusion: Our vaccine can be used to control economic and financial losses resulting from avian chlamydiosis, especially those in poultry industries. The zoonotic transmission risk highlights the need for proper control measures.

Keywords: Chlamydia psittaci, human, immunofluorescence, inactivated vaccine, poultry, Vero cell.

Coagulation testing: Comparison of portable (CoaguChek® XS) and automated coagulation analyzer in healthy cats

Research (Published online: 27-11-2020)

34. Coagulation testing: Comparison of portable (CoaguChek® XS) and automated coagulation analyzer in healthy cats

Sireeporn Tonthong and Jetsada Rungpupradit

Veterinary World, 13(11): 2541-2545

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The CoaguChek® XS (CCX) is a portable coagulation analyzer that is widely used to monitor prothrombin time (PT) in human patients taking oral anticoagulants. It can also be reliably used for screening dogs when PT is in the normal range. Efficacy of the portable CCX coagulation analyzer was evaluated for testing PT in healthy cats and the normal range was established.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples of 82 cats were collected from the jugular vein and PT was measured using both the CCX and an automated coagulation analyzer (ACA). Spearman's correlation was used to measure the strength and direction of association between the two analyzers, while limits of agreement were assessed utilizing Bland-Altman analysis.

Results: Range of PT using the CCX was 10.1-14.1 s. Correlation between the two analyzers was moderate but significant (r=0.3465, p=0.0014). Mean difference between CCX-PT and ACA-PT was 1.624 s and standard deviation was 0.890 with 95.1% of the samples falling within the limits of agreement.

Conclusion: The CCX is a portable, easy to use coagulation analyzer that requires a small volume of blood and gives results within 1 min. Results showed moderate correlation and good agreement with a standard automated laboratory analyzer. The CCX can be used for screening coagulation testing when PT is in the normal range for cats. However, testing accuracy of the CCX in abnormal PT cats should be further investigated before diagnostic coagulopathy applications.

Keywords: cats, CoaguChek® XS, coagulation testing, point-of-care testing, prothrombin time.

Black soybean tempeh and purple sweet potato improve sperm quality in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Research (Published online: 27-11-2020)

33. Black soybean tempeh and purple sweet potato improve sperm quality in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abdul Gofur, Agung Witjoro, Siti Nur Arifah, Mochammad Fitri Atho'illah, Yuslinda Annisa and Sri Rahayu Lestari

Veterinary World, 13(11): 2534-2540

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Hyperglycemia increases advanced glycation end-product (AGE) production, and the activity of receptor for AGE (RAGE) in testis, which leads to testicular histopathological damage and infertility. This research investigated the effect of black soybean tempeh (BST), purple sweet potato (PSP), and its combination on AGE and RAGE expression and spermatozoa quality in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods: The rats were given high-fat diets for 5 weeks, then were injected intraperitoneally with multiple low doses of STZ (30 mg/kg body weight). Diabetes mellitus (DM) rats were divided into seven groups: DM, DM+glibenclamide, DM+BST, DM+PSP, and DM+combination of BST and PSP in ratio 1:3, 2:2, and 3:1 as C1, C2, and C3, respectively. The rats were treated for 30 days. Testicular AGE and RAGE expression and spermatozoa quality were measured.

Results: The combination of BST and PSP significantly decreased AGE and RAGE expression in testicular organs and improved spermatozoa quality compared to the normal group.

Conclusion: The combination of BST and PSP can be used as future alternatives to improve spermatozoa quality in DM patients.

Keywords: antioxidant, black soybean tempeh, purple sweet potato, spermatozoa.