Comparative evaluation of the immunodominant proteins of Brucella abortus for the diagnosis of cattle brucellosis

Research (Published online: 30-03-2021)

35. Comparative evaluation of the immunodominant proteins of Brucella abortus for the diagnosis of cattle brucellosis

Mohandoss Nagalingam, Thaslim J. Basheer, Vinayagamurthy Balamurugan, Rajeswari Shome, S. Sowjanya Kumari, G. B. Manjunatha Reddy, Bibek Ranjan Shome, Habibur Rahman, Parimal Roy, J. Joseph Kingston and R. K. Gandham

Veterinary World, 14(3): 803-812

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The present serodiagnosis of brucellosis in livestock is based on the whole cell or smooth lipopolysaccharide of the Brucella organism in which specificity is hampered by the cross-reactivity, especially with the antibodies against Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 organism. The problem can be addressed by screening for better immunodominant antigens. Hence, the present study was undertaken to screen protein antigens of Brucella abortus for their diagnostic potential in cattle brucellosis.

Materials and Methods: Protein antigens of B. abortus (n=10) non-reactive to antibodies against Y. enterocolitica O:9 were selected, expressed in Escherichia coli, assessed the reactivity of expressed recombinant proteins by Western blot, standardized indirect-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting Brucella antibodies in cattle serum, and comparative evaluation was done.

Results: All the selected protein antigens were expressed and in the Western blot with Brucella antibodies positive cattle serum, six recombinant (Brucella protein 26 [BP26], Cu-Zn Superoxide dismutase [SodC], B. abortus I-1885, Serine protease, Bacterioferritin, and Brucella Lumazine Synthase [BLS]) proteins showed reaction whereas none of the proteins showed reactivity with Brucella negative cattle serum. ELISA has been done using known Brucella positive and negative cattle sera samples (n=113 each) in which the performance of recombinant proteins in diagnosing brucellosis was in the order of BP26 > BLS > SodC followed by rest of the proteins. BP26 based ELISA was found to be better with area under the curve as 0.953, and diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, and Youden's index of 90.27%, 95.58%, and 0.8584, respectively, with the excellent agreement (k=0.85).

Conclusion: BP26 could be a potential diagnostic antigen among the immunodominant proteins of B. abortus in ruling out Y. enterocolitica O:9 infection while diagnosing brucellosis in cattle herds.

Keywords: Brucella abortus, Brucella lumazine synthase, Brucella protein26, cattle brucellosis, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, Yersinia enterocolitica O:9.

Natural oil blend formulation as an anti-African swine fever virus agent in in vitro primary porcine alveolar macrophage culture

Research (Published online: 30-03-2021)

34. Natural oil blend formulation as an anti-African swine fever virus agent in in vitro primary porcine alveolar macrophage culture

Quang Lam Truong, Lan Thi Nguyen, Haig Yousef Babikian, Rajeev Kumar Jha, Hoa Thi Nguyen and Thanh Long To

Veterinary World, 14(3): 794-802

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: African swine fever is one of the severe pathogens of swine. It has a significant impact on production and economics. So far, there are no known remedies, such as vaccines or drugs, reported working successfully. In the present study, the natural oil blend formulation's (NOBF) efficacy was evaluated against ASFV in vitro using porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) cells of swine.

Materials and Methods: The capacity of NOBF against the ASFV was tested in vitro. The NOBF combines Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus sylvestris, and Lavandula latifolia. We used a 2-fold serial dilution to test the NOBF formulation dose, that is, 105 HAD50/mL, against purified lethal dose of African swine in primary PAMs cells of swine. The PAM cells survival, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, and hemadsorption (HAD) observation were performed to check the NOBF efficacy against ASFV.

Results: The in vitro trial results demonstrated that NOBF up to dilution 13 or 0.000625 mL deactivates the lethal dose 105 HAD50 of ASFV. There was no HAD (Rosetta formation) up to dilution 12 or 0.00125 mL of NOBF. The Ct value obtained by running real-time PCR of the NOBF group at 96 h post-infection was the same as the initial value or lower (25), whereas the Ct value of positive controls increased several folds (17.84).

Conclusion: The in vitro trial demonstrated that NOBF could deactivate the ASFV. The NOBF has the potential to act as anti-ASFV agent in the field. The next step is to conduct in vivo level trial to determine its efficacy.

Keywords: African swine fever virus, in vitro trials, natural oil blend formulation, primary porcine alveolar macrophages cells.

Aflatoxicosis in Pekin duckling and the effects of treatments with lycopene and silymarin

Research (Published online: 29-03-2021)

33. Aflatoxicosis in Pekin duckling and the effects of treatments with lycopene and silymarin

Sahar M. El-Sheshtawy, Amal F. El-Zoghby, Nesreen A. Shawky and Dalia H. Samak

Veterinary World, 14(3): 788-793

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Aflatoxins (AFs) are potent toxic metabolites produced from Aspergillus species. Whose existence in poultry ration leads to drastic economic losses, notably in duck, as the most susceptible poultry species. This study aimed to determine tissue residues of AFs, alterations in selected clinical chemistry variables in serum, mainly during the exposure period, and lycopene and silymarin's possible roles as herbal treatments against aflatoxicosis in Pekin duckling.

Materials and Methods: The study used one hundred and twenty one-day-old Pekin ducklings and classified them into four groups comprising 30 ducklings in each group. The control group (G1) ducklings were fed a mycotoxin-free ration, and G2 received a naturally contaminated ration with 30 ppb of AFs. G3 and G4 consumed contaminated rations with AFs with 30 ppb for 2 weeks and were treated with lycopene 100 mg/kg or silymarin 600 mg/kg/food, respectively, for 10 days. Serum activities of alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamyl transferase, ALP, total protein and albumin creatinine and uric acid concentrations, oxidant/antioxidant parameters (malondialdehyde [MDA], total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and catalase [CAT]), and hepatic AFs residue were determined. Lycopene and silymarin were used for the treatment of aflatoxicosis for another 10 days.

Results: Hepatic and kidney parameters were elevated in the AFs intoxicated group and reduced in the lycopene- and silymarin-treated groups. They had elevated MDA and AFs residues with decreased antioxidant parameters (TAC, GST, and CAT) in the AFs group. At the same time, treatment with lycopene or silymarin had reversed the action of AFs on MDA, elevated the hepatic residue, and improved antioxidant activity.

Conclusion: Lycopene and silymarin, with their potent antioxidant activity, can be used to reverse the harmful effects of AFs on hepatic and kidney tissue.

Keywords: aflatoxins, aspergillus, creatinine, hepatic, kidney, lycopene, mycotoxicosis, oxidative stress, pekin duckling, residue, silymarin.

Reproductive performance of beef cattle with ovarian hypofunction and repeat breeding in Jepara Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

Research (Published online: 27-03-2021)

32. Reproductive performance of beef cattle with ovarian hypofunction and repeat breeding in Jepara Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

Aldi Salman, Surya Agus Prihatno and Bambang Sumiarto

Veterinary World, 14(3): 784-787

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Reproductive disorders keep the beef cattle population in Jepara Regency, Central Java, Indonesia, from increasing. Ovarian hypofunction and repeat breeding are the most common reproductive disorders, leading to large economic losses for traditional breeders. However, the impact of poor reproductive performance among traditional breeders is not well-known. This study aimed to investigate the reproductive performance of beef cattle with ovarian hypofunction and repeat breeding in Jepara Regency.

Materials and Methods: We determined cattle's reproductive status by rectal examination and anamnesis, assessing reproductive performance in 28 cows with repeat breeding and 27 cows with ovarian hypofunction. The following parameters were measured: Postpartum estrous (PPE), days open (DO), service per conception (S/C), and calving interval (CI). The data came from livestock records from animal recording cards, iSIKHNAS, and estimated births from the insemination date that produced a pregnancy.

Results: In beef cattle diagnosed with ovarian hypofunction, S/C, PPE, DO, and CI were 1.28, 257 days, 265 days, and 18 months, respectively. The length of CI caused by long PPE may be due to improper nutrition and calf weaning delays. In beef cattle with repeat breeding, S/C, PPE, DO, and CI were 4.15, 106 days, 210 days, and 16 months, respectively. The length of CI was caused by long DO due to pregnancy failure at the first estrus.

Conclusion: Hypofunction and repeat breeding reduce the reproductive performance of beef cattle in the Jepara Regency. The cows' health conditions pre- and postpartum can be optimized by providing high-quality feed to enhance reproductive performance.

Keywords: beef cattle, Jepara Regency, ovarian hypofunction, repeat breeding, reproductive disorders, reproductive performance.

Prevalence and antibiotic resistance profile of Listeria spp. associated with seafoods from fish catchment areas in Kerala, India

Research (Published online: 27-03-2021)

31. Prevalence and antibiotic resistance profile of Listeria spp. associated with seafoods from fish catchment areas in Kerala, India

K. Vrinda Menon, B. Sunil and C. Latha

Veterinary World, 14(3): 777-783

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous, intracellular pathogen which has been implicated as a cause of several foodborne outbreaks. This study aimed to generate information on the prevalence and antibiotic resistance profile of Listeria species isolated from seafood.

Materials and Methods: A total of 400 samples of fresh fish, 100 samples of dry fish and 200 samples each of crustaceans and mollusks were collected from the fish catchment areas. All the samples were subjected to isolation and identification of Listeria spp. by two-step enrichment in UVM broth and plating on selective agar media (PALCAM) and then subjected to molecular characterization. L. monocytogenes isolates obtained during the study were subjected to serotyping by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The isolates were also subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test.

Results: The prevalence of L. monocytogenes in seafoods in the present study was 0.55%. The isolates of L. monocytogenes were found to possess all virulence genes, namely, iap, hlyA, actA, prfA, plcA, and inlA. All the isolates belonged to serotype 4b. The occurrence of Listeria innocua was found to be more and was detected in 16.77% of seafoods samples. Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that all isolates were resistant to cefixime but were sensitive to almost all other commonly used antibiotics.

Conclusion: The presence of Listeria spp. in raw seafood samples augments the need for implementation of good hygienic practices during the handling and processing of seafoods to safeguard the health of the consumers.

Keywords: Antibiotic, Kerala, Listeria, seafoods, serotype.

Effect of formaldehyde and urea contaminated feed exposure into the liver of young and adult pigeons (Columba livia)

Research (Published online: 26-03-2021)

30. Effect of formaldehyde and urea contaminated feed exposure into the liver of young and adult pigeons (Columba livia)

Imam Hasan, Munmun Pervin, Md. Alamgir Kobir, Sakib Hossain Sagor and Mohammad Rabiul Karim

Veterinary World, 14(3): 769-776

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Nowadays, toxic chemical contaminants in food are a major food safety problem in Bangladesh. Among toxic food contaminants, formalin is used to preserve fruit, vegetables, and fish, where urea is used for the whitening of rice and puffed rice. The purpose of this study was to determine the biochemical and histopathological effects on the liver of young and adult pigeons after exposure to formalin and urea contaminated feed.

Materials and Methods: A total of 15 young and 15 adult pigeons were divided into control group, formaldehyde exposed group (2.5 mL formalin/kg feed), and urea exposed (1 g/kg feed) group. Each group consisted of five pigeons. After the experimentation procedures, the blood samples were collected for biochemical study, and the liver tissue was collected for histomorphological study. The statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test, and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: The aspartate transaminase serum hepatic enzyme was significantly increased in both formalin and urea exposed young and adult pigeons than the control pigeons. In control pigeons, parenchymal hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells are regularly arranged. However, histological observation of the liver of formalin and urea exposed young, and adult pigeons showed coagulation necrosis with infiltration of many inflammatory cells around the central and portal veins. The necrotic areas are more extensive with massive infiltration of inflammatory cells in the liver of formalin-treated pigeons than the urea treated pigeons.

Conclusion: The present study results show that low concentrations of formalin and urea in feed induced liver lesions in pigeons in different extents and indicate that exposure to toxic chemicals may affect homeostasis of the liver and cause liver injury or act as a co-factor for liver disease.

Keywords: birds, formaldehyde, histopathology, liver, toxic food contaminants, urea.

The first molecular identification of benzimidazole resistance in Haemonchus contortus from goats in Thailand

Research (Published online: 25-03-2021)

29. The first molecular identification of benzimidazole resistance in Haemonchus contortus from goats in Thailand

Opal Pitaksakulrat, Monticha Chaiyasaeng, Atchara Artchayasawat, Chatanun Eamudomkarn, Sorawat Thongsahuan and Thidarut Boonmars

Veterinary World, 14(3): 764-768

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Haemonchus contortus is one of the major trichostrongyloid nematodes affecting small ruminant production worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Adult H. contortus suck the blood from the host abomasum leading to anemia and often death in heavily infected animals. The mainstay of parasitic control is an anthelmintic drug, but long-term drug use may cause drug resistance. The aim of this study was to examine benzimidazole resistance in H. contortus of goats from different regions in Thailand by detecting the frequency of the F200Y polymorphism in the β-tubulin isotype 1 gene.

Materials and Methods: A total of 121 H. contortus adults were obtained from 31 naturally infected out of 37 slaughtered goats from city abattoirs in five regions of Thailand. The frequency of the F200Y polymorphism in the β-tubulin isotype 1 gene was detected following the allele-specific polymerase chain reaction protocol.

Results: The overall genotype frequencies in Thailand were homozygous resistant (RR: 24%), heterozygous (SR: 44.6%), and homozygous susceptible (SS: 31.4%). The allele frequencies were resistant allele (R: 46%) and susceptible allele (S: 54%). The R allele frequency and the RR genotype varied from 30% to 65% and 0% to 43.9%, respectively. The frequency of R alleles was significantly higher in the southern region (0.65) as compared to northern (0.30, p=0.001), western (0.38, p=0.04), and central regions (0.30, p=0.03). The RR genotype was also significantly higher in the southern region (43.9%) versus the northern (0 %, p=0.001), western (11.8%, p=0.012), and central regions (17.4%, p=0.001).

Conclusion: This is the first study of the detection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in codon 200 of the β-tubulin isotype 1 gene of H. contortus from goats in Thailand. These findings are essential and imply that an integrated approach is needed for issues such as drug treatment, farm management, prevention, and control strategies. This is of interest to farmers, veterinarians, and the department of livestock.

Keywords: benzimidazole resistance, Haemonchus contortus, single-nucleotide polymorphism in codon 200 β-tubulin isotype 1 gene.