The emerging SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2: An insight into the viruses zoonotic aspects

Review (Published online: 23-01-2021)

25. The emerging SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2: An insight into the viruses zoonotic aspects

Karima A. Al-Salihi and Jenan Mahmood Khalaf

Veterinary World, 14(1): 190-199

ABSTRACT

Zoonotic coronavirus disease (COVID) has emerged in the past two decades and caused a pandemic that has produced a significant universal health alarm. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome-CoV (MERS-CoV) emerged in 2002 and 2012, respectively, provoking severe lower respiratory infection and deadly pneumonia. COVID-19 is a severe respiratory disease caused by the new strain of novel CoV (SARS-CoV-2). The zoonotic aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV are highlighted in this article. COVID-19 has rapidly become a pandemic and has spread and infected millions of people worldwide. As of November 19, 2020, the date of submitting this review, the total CoV cases, deaths, and recovered patients are 56,828,218, 1,359,320, and 39,548,923, respectively. In conclusion, COVID-19 has particularly altered the opinion of the significance of zoonotic diseases and their animal origins and the intermediate reservoirs, which may be unknown wild animals. Genetically, the SARS-CoV-2 is related to the SARS-like bat CoVs and shares 85% identity with the SARS-CoV that is derived from the SARS-like bat CoVs. However, the virus is related to a lesser extent to the MERS-CoV. The SARS-CoV-2 uses the same receptor-binding domain receptor of the SARS-CoV – the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; conversely, DPP4 (CD26). It has not been proved that the MERS-CoVs primary receptor is the receptor of the SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: Bats, coronavirus disease-19, pneumonia, RNA viruses, zoonotic.

Indicators and risk factors of infectious laryngotracheitis in layer hen flocks in Algeria

Research (Published online: 22-01-2021)

24. Indicators and risk factors of infectious laryngotracheitis in layer hen flocks in Algeria

Omar Salhi, Chafik Redha Messaï, Nassim Ouchene, Iman Boussaadi, Hassiba Kentouche, Rachid Kaidi and Djamel Khelef

Veterinary World, 14(1): 182-189

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Since 2017, there have been epidemics with respiratory disorders in the laying hen farms in Algeria, as signs and lesions, respiratory difficulties, and hemorrhagic tracheitis, which closely like laryngotracheitis. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological, serological, and clinical indicators, as well as the risk factors, of infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) in layer hen flocks in Algeria.

Materials and Methods: A total of 1728 layer hens were sampled randomly from 48 poultry houses. Blood samples were collected from each hen at the wing vein area, and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was done using an IDvet® kit.

Results: The flocks showed 56.25% seroprevalence. Clinical signs and gross lesions of ILT suspect cases included respiratory signs characterized by hemorrhagic tracheitis and sinusitis; conjunctivitis; egg drop; and a low mortality rate varying from 5% to 20%. Statistical analyses showed the effect of risk factors on the seropositivity for ILT in 48 layer flocks. When the vaccination was not applied, flocks were significantly more seropositive by 54% (odds ratio OR=1.54, p=0.01) compared to vaccinated flocks. Furthermore, flocks with poor hygiene were more seropositive by 68% (OR=1.68, p=0.002) compared to those with good hygiene. Finally, flocks with decreased egg production between 10% and 30% were significantly more seropositive by 42% (OR=1.42, p=0.04) than those with egg production >30%.

Conclusion: The serological survey revealed anti-ILT virus antibodies, signifying the circulation of this virus in layer hen farms in Algeria. Correct vaccination protocol, strict biosecurity measures, rapid diagnosis, and detection of latent carriers are necessary to control and eradicate the disease from layer farms.

Keywords: Algeria, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, infectious laryngotracheitis, layer hens, vaccine.

Red ginger-extract nanoemulsion modulates high blood pressure in rats by regulating angiotensin-converting enzyme production

Research (Published online: 21-01-2021)

23. Red ginger-extract nanoemulsion modulates high blood pressure in rats by regulating angiotensin-converting enzyme production

Nada Hanifah, Yusuf Farid Achmad, Aida Humaira and Siti Isrina Oktavia Salasia

Veterinary World, 14(1): 176-181

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Red ginger (RG) has reportedly been used in folk medicine for the management and prevention of hypertension. One of the hypertension study models in experimental animals is the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). This study aimed at evaluating the effect of RG-extract (RGE) nanoemulsion on UUO-induced hypertension and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) production in rats.

Materials and Methods: RG was extracted using ethanol, combined with virgin coconut oil, polysorbate 80, and polyethylene glycol 400 to form the oil phase. The particle sizes of RGE nanoemulsions were analyzed using a particle size analyzer. The UUO method was used to induce chronic kidney disease in rats (504 mg/200 g and 360 mg/200 g b/w per oral for 7 days). The systolic and diastolic blood pressure was determined non-invasively in conscious state by tail plethysmography using an automated blood pressure monitor. ACE in serum was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: The RGE nanoemulsions exhibited a particle size of 32.8 nm and a polydispersity index (PI) of 0.268, indicating a homogenous nanoemulsion. UUO rats treated with RGE nanoemulsion (360 mg/200 g b/w) experienced a significant decrease in both their systolic blood pressure (p<0.05) from 142±1 mmHg to 107±6 mmHg and their diastolic blood pressure from 106±1 mmHg to 84±4 mmHg. Furthermore, treatment with RGE resulted in a 10.80% decrease in the level of ACE.

Conclusion: The size and the PI of the RGE used in this study suggest a stable and effective distribution of the particle size in the emulsions. RGE nanoemulsions at the dose of 360 mg/200 g bw can be used as potential ACE inhibitors because they were found to decrease the blood pressure of hypertensive UUO rats.

Keywords: angiotensin-converting enzyme, blood pressure, nanoemulsion, red ginger, unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Effects of tissue-specific biomolecules on piglets after-weaning period

Research (Published online: 21-01-2021)

22. Effects of tissue-specific biomolecules on piglets after-weaning period

Ekaterina Romanovna Vasilevskaya, Liliya Vyacheslavovna Fedulova, Irina Mikhailovna Chernukha, Elena Alexandrovna Kotenkova and Angelina Igorevna Fokina

Veterinary World, 14(1): 168-175

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Now-a-days antibiotics are the main tool for correcting the pathological conditions of pigs; unfortunately, antibiotics are a potential threat to the environment, as they lead to the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections. This study aimed to study the immunomodulatory encapsulated biomolecules on piglets in the post-weaning period.

Materials and Methods: An immunomodulator based on biomolecules obtained from animal raw materials included in alginate capsules to improve absorption has been developed. The study presents the results of a study on 25 weaned piglets (25-30 days old) which received biomolecules at a dose of 200 mg/piglet for 14 days, followed by 400 mg/piglet from days 15 to 28. Blood was taken from animals for analysis (biochemical, hematological, cytometric, and enzyme immunoassay) and the integral index of blood serum antimicrobial activity was determined.

Results: Experimental animals, whose initial weight was 1.6 times less than that of the control animals, were able to bridge this gap and, on the 28th day, there were no differences in weight. Stimulation of the production of cytokines interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 was observed and the antimicrobial resistance of blood serum to Escherichia coli also increased. A positive effect on the metabolism of piglets was noted, which helped them adapt to a change in diet (from colostrum to solid food).

Conclusion: The results show that the immunomodulation at the dose of 150 mg/kg body weight has a great potential for improving weaned pigs.

Keywords: biomolecules, health, immune system, pig, sustainable pork production.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor activity of peptides derived from Kacang goat skin collagen through thermolysin hydrolysis

Research (Published online: 21-01-2021)

21. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor activity of peptides derived from Kacang goat skin collagen through thermolysin hydrolysis

Arby'in Pratiwi, Thoyib R. Hakim, Mohammad Z. Abidin, Nanung A. Fitriyanto, Jamhari Jamhari, Rusman Rusman and Yuny Erwanto

Veterinary World, 14(1): 161-167

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is one of the inhibitory enzymes isolated from animals for the treatment of hypertension. ACE inhibitor (ACE-I) peptides can be obtained by hydrolyzing proteins from various animal tissues, including muscle and connective tissues. However, the study on ACE-I activity from collagen of Kacang goat skin has not been conducted. This study explores the potency of collagen from Kacang goat skin as a source of an antihypertensive agent through ACE inhibition. Thermolysin will hydrolyze collagen and produce the peptide classified antihypertensive bioactive peptides. This study aimed to determine the potential of thermolysin to hydrolyze collagen of Kacang goat skin for ACE-I peptide production and to identify the production of ACE-I peptides.

Materials and Methods: Collagen from Kacang goat skin was hydrolyzed with thermolysin and incubated at 37°C for 1 h. Molecular weight (MW) evaluation was performed by SDS PAGE; fractionation peptides at <5 kDa, 3-5 kDa, and <3 kDa were performed by ultrafiltration and ACE-I activity determined by IC50 measurement.

Results: Collagen was hydrolyzed by thermolysin, resulting in protein with MW of 117.50-14.60 kDa. The protein content of fractionation at >5 kDa was 3.93±0.72 mg/mL, content of 3-5 kDa was 3.81±0.68 mg/mL, and that of <3 kDa was 2.33±0.38 mg/mL. Fractionation was performed 3 times and one of the results was selected for the ACE-I test. The selected fraction was tested by IC50 measurement with three repetitions and it showed an average enzyme activity at 0.83 μg/mL or 82.94 mg/mL.

Conclusion: Thermolysin hydrolysis of collagen from Kacang goat skin showed the potential to produce bioactive peptides, such as ACE-I.

Keywords: angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitor, bioactive peptides, collagen, hydrolysis, thermolysin.

Cysticercus bovis in cattle slaughtered in North Egypt: Overestimation by the visual inspection method

Research (Published online: 20-01-2021)

20. Cysticercus bovis in cattle slaughtered in North Egypt: Overestimation by the visual inspection method

Mona Hassan El-Sayad, Hoda Farag, Hend El-Taweel, Reda Fadly, Nahla Salama, Asmaa Abd Elhameed Ahmed and Naglaa Fathi Abd El-Latif

Veterinary World, 14(1): 155-160

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization list Taenia saginata, a foodborne cestode, as the most widely distributed human tapeworm worldwide. The larval stage of T. saginata, Cysticercus bovis, causes cysticercosis in bovines and infects humans who eat raw or undercooked beef. The existing detection methods of C. bovis in cattle depend on the visual inspection of meat. This study aimed to confirm the identification of C. bovis through visual inspection at the slaughterhouses in North Egypt with a molecular diagnosis.

Materials and Methods: A total of 687 locally bred cattle (Baladi), including 428 cows and 259 buffaloes, slaughtered in four slaughterhouses in North Egypt from April 2018 to February 2019 were inspected for C. bovis using the traditional meat inspection method. Positive samples were verified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and HDP2 gene sequencing.

Results: Through visual inspection, C. bovis was detected in 4.2% and 12.4% of the slaughtered cows and buffaloes, respectively. Molecular analysis confirmed that 1.9% of the animals, all of which were cows, had C. bovis infection. DNA sequencing verified the identity of the PCR-amplified product.

Conclusion: The rate of C. bovis infection in slaughterhouses detected through meat inspection is overestimated compared with that through PCR. Although meat inspection can be used as a primary screening tool for C. bovis, a more specific molecular method is required to achieve an accurate diagnosis.

Keywords: cattle, Cysticercus bovis polymerase chain reaction analysis, Taenia saginata, zoonotic.

Validation of real-time polymerase chain reaction versus conventional polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of brucellosis in cattle sera

Research (Published online: 19-01-2021)

19. Validation of real-time polymerase chain reaction versus conventional polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of brucellosis in cattle sera

Nour H. Abdel-Hamid, Eman I. M. Beleta, Mohamed A. Kelany, Rania I. Ismail, Nadia A. Shalaby and Manal H. M. Khafagi

Veterinary World, 14(1): 144-154

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques have and are still being used for the direct detection of Brucella DNA in serum samples of different animal species and humans without being validated or properly validated, resulting in discrepancies. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the TaqMan Real- Time-PCR (RT-PCR) targeting the bcsp31 gene versus conventional PCR for the accurate diagnosis of brucellosis at the genus level in cattle sera.

Materials and Methods: One hundred and eighty-four serum samples were collected from bacteriologically positive and negative cows with ages ranging from 1 to 5 years old at some infected private farms in the Nile Delta under quarantine measures as well as brucellosis free farms. These samples were classified into four groups after serological diagnosis and investigated by TaqMan RT-PCR and conventional PCR targeting the IS711 gene for Brucella DNA detection. The diagnostic performance characteristics of both PCR techniques were estimated considering the bacteriological results as a gold standard.

Results: TaqMan RT-PCR revealed superiority over conventional PCR; it was able to detect Brucella DNA in 95% (67/70) and 89% (25/28) of the cattle sera samples belonging to Group 1 (serologically and bacteriologically positive) and Group 2 (serologically negative but bacteriologically positive), respectively. On evaluating the diagnostic performance, TaqMan RT-PCR showed superior diagnostic sensitivity (93.9%), diagnostic specificity (88.4%), performance index (182.3), almost perfect kappa agreement (0.825±0.042), strong positive correlation (r=0.826), high accuracy based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and area under the ROC curve (0.911) at p<0.05 and CI of 95%.

Conclusion: A cattle serum sample is not the metric of choice for targeting Brucella genomic DNA by conventional PCR. The time-saving and rapid TaqMan RT-PCR method revealed a better diagnostic performance in the detection of Brucella DNA in cattle sera. Such performance offered by TaqMan RT-PCR may be considered a step toward the possibility of using such technology in the direct differentiation between Brucella-infected and -vaccinated cattle immunized by smooth vaccines from cattle sera using primers specific for such vaccines.

Keywords: bacteriological results, Brucella, conventional polymerase chain reaction, diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, TaqMan real-time-polymerase chain reaction.