Prevalence and molecular identification of Nematodirus helvetianus in camels in Iraq

Research (Published online: 25-05-2021)

31. Prevalence and molecular identification of Nematodirus helvetianus in camels in Iraq

Amer Rasool Alhaboubi, Ali Issa Fadhil and Shehala Rasool Feidhel

Veterinary World, 14(5): 1299-1302

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Camels from the central part of Iraq are infected with multiple parasitic diseases that have an economic impact by decreasing meat and milk production. This study aimed to evaluate Nematodirus spp. in camels (Camelus dromedarius).

Materials and Methods: The study animals consisted of camels slaughtered in the central area of Iraq at the Al-Najaf slaughterhouse. All ages and sexes of camels were examined. Worms were recovered and identified microscopically. For molecular characterization, two Iraqi Nematodirus spp. partial ribosomal genes (ITS1 and ITS2) were sequenced and submitted to the NCBI database.

Results: Of 160 camels tested, 29 were infected with Nematodirus spp. (18.13%). Twenty-one nematodes containing the Nematodirus genes were identified in the small intestines of naturally infected camels. BLAST analysis revealed 88.1% sequence similarity with that of Nematodirus helvetianus isolated in China and 87.2% similarity with N. helvetianus isolated in the United States.

Conclusion: The prevalence of N. helvetianus warrants the use of anti-helminthic drugs for these animals and a rationale for future control strategies to prevent the transmission of this infection to other livestock.

Keywords: camel, internal transcribed spacer, Nematodirus spp.

The role of Helianthus tuberosus powder in healing of full-thickness wounds in mice

Research (Published online: 24-05-2021)

30. The role of Helianthus tuberosus powder in healing of full-thickness wounds in mice

Ali Ghazi Atiyah and Nadia Hameed Rija AL-Falahi

Veterinary World, 14(5): 1290-1298

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Recently, many medicinal plants have received considerable attention in the medical field because of their role in the wound healing potential. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of H. tuberosus powder on the healing pathway of full-thickness cutaneous wounds in a mouse model.

Materials and Methods: H. tuberosus powder was prepared by a freeze-drying process using a lyophilizer and its active ingredients were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while its antibacterial properties were evaluated by agar well diffusion assay. The percentage wound contraction was also assessed. Thirty mice were used, which were divided equally into two groups, a control group and a treated group. A full-thickness wound, 1 cm×1 cm in size, was established on the dorsal aspect of the thoracolumbar region, into which H. tuberosus powder was topically applied in the treated group. In contrast, the control group was left without any treatment. The animals were euthanized on days 7, 14, and 21 after wounding for histopathological study.

Results: The agar well diffusion method indicated the antibacterial activity of H. tuberosus, while the HPLC results indicated that the active ingredients of H. tuberosus powder mainly consisted of three major kinds of fatty acid. In addition, the macroscopic results of wound contraction rate and the histopathological outcomes of the healing process were significantly (p≤0.05) enhanced in the treated group compared with those in the control group.

Conclusion: H. tuberosus powder acts as an antibacterial agent with the ability to enhance the wound healing process.

Keywords: antimicrobial activity, fatty acids, Jerusalem artichoke, medicinal plants, wound healing.

Effect of exposure to different light colors on embryonic development and neurophysiological traits in the chick embryo

Research (Published online: 24-05-2021)

29. Effect of exposure to different light colors on embryonic development and neurophysiological traits in the chick embryo

S. M. Abdulateef, M. A. Al-Bayar, A. A. Majid, S. S. Shawkat, A. Tatar and M. Q. Al-Ani

Veterinary World, 14(5): 1284-1289

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Many environmental factors exist that influence embryonic development which is missing in the poultry industry, such as light in incubation facilities or hatcheries. Light plays an important role in the growth and development of chick embryos, whereas dark environments can lead to hatching failure or embryo distortion. Therefore, this study aimed to demonstrate the importance of light and its various colors on the growth and development of broiler chick embryos.

Materials and Methods: Four treatments were used to study the impact of various light colors on the growth of embryos and their neurophysiological traits: Dark without light (D), red light (RL), blue light (BL), and green light (GL), with three replicates per treatment (25 eggs/replicate) for a total of 300 fertile Ross 308 eggs. Each treatment was assigned to one incubator (75 eggs/incubator), whereas all other conditions were kept the same.

Results: The results showed a significant increase (p<0.01) in embryonic development for embryo weight, chick body weight, hatchability, and embryo index for RL, BL, and especially GL. RL, BL, and especially GL significantly increased (p<0.01) neurophysiological traits of the neurons, brain weight, and brain index.

Conclusion: The use of light during the embryonic period affects the development of the embryo and its neurophysiological traits.

Keywords: embryo, embryonic development, light color, neurophysiology.

The differences in the number of fibroblasts and blood vessels after the topical and systemic administration of Lactobacillus casei Shirota probiotics for the treatment of traumatic ulcers in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Research (Published online: 23-05-2021)

28. The differences in the number of fibroblasts and blood vessels after the topical and systemic administration of Lactobacillus casei Shirota probiotics for the treatment of traumatic ulcers in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Tuti Kusumaningsih, Anis Irmawati, Diah Savitri Ernawati, Chiquita Prahasanti, Mohammed Aljunaid and Sarah Amelia

Veterinary World, 14(5): 1279-1283

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The use of drugs as a therapy for traumatic ulcers may lead to drug resistance and other side effects. Lactobacillus casei Shirota can affect the number of fibroblasts and blood vessels in wound healing. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in the number of fibroblast cells and blood vessels after the topical and systemic administration of L. casei Shirota probiotics in Wistar rats with traumatic ulcer.

Materials and Methods: Overall, 36 healthy male Wistar rats aged 2-3 months old and weighing 175-250 g in body weight were used as a sample. Traumatic ulcer was made on the labial fornix incisive inferior. The subject rats were divided into groups: (1) A control group over 3 days, (2) a group that used distilled water over 7 days, (3) a group that underwent topical treatment over 3 days, (4) a group that used probiotics administered topically over 7 days, (5) a group that underwent systemic treatment over 3 days, and (6) a group that took oral probiotics for the traumatic ulcers over 7 days. The number of fibroblasts and blood vessels was observed through a hematoxylin-eosin examination.

Results: Based on the results of the study, a significant difference was observed in the number of fibroblasts (p=0.00) and blood vessels (p=0.018) in the 3-day topical group that underwent a 3-day systemic administration of probiotics compared with the number of fibroblast cells in the 7-day topical group and 7-day systemic group (p=0.00).

Conclusion: Overall, significant differences were observed in the number of fibroblasts and blood vessels in Wistar rats with traumatic ulcer after undergoing the topical and systemic administration of L. casei Shirota probiotics.

Keywords: blood vessel, fibroblast, Lactobacillus casei Shirota, systemic administration, topical application, traumatic ulcers.

Anthelmintic effect of Indigofera tinctoria L on Haemonchus contortus obtained from sheep in Indonesia

Research (Published online: 22-05-2021)

27. Anthelmintic effect of Indigofera tinctoria L on Haemonchus contortus obtained from sheep in Indonesia

Iskandar Muda, Joko Prastowo, Wisnu Nurcahyo and Sarmin Sarmin

Veterinary World, 14(5): 1272-1278

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Hemonchosis has resulted in huge economic losses for sheep farmers worldwide. Secondary metabolite compounds from Indigofera tinctoria L. can be used as anthelmintics. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of I. tinctoria L. aqueous extract (IAE) as an anthelmintic against adult Haemonchus contortus isolated from sheep.

Materials and Methods: Ten active adult worms were placed in each Petri dish containing 25 mL of IAE, each having a different concentration of IAE (at concentrations 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, and 220 mg/mL). Each experiment was repeated. The positive control used 1% albendazole, and the negative control used 0.62% saline water. The number of immobile worms and the time of mortality were recorded after 2, 4, 6, and 8 h. The dead worms were subsequently tested using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the in vivo study, 15 sheep with an average fecal egg count (FEC) of 1000 eggs per gram were treated with IAE for 9 days: Group A (negative control, saline water 0.62%), Group B (21 mg/mL), Group C (41 mg/mL), Group D (62 mg/mL), and Group E (positive control, albendazole 100 mg/mL). Measurements of the body weight, FEC reduction test, and hematology testing were performed on days 0, 7, and 14. SEM was performed using worms found from the abomasum of slaughtered sheep.

Results: The leaves of I. tinctoria L. contained a number of secondary metabolites, including total tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids. The most effective concentration that killed the adult H. contortus worms was 220 mg/mL (93.33% mortality) after 8 h of treatment. The electrophoresis results showed that the protein band at a dose of 22% was less than that of the control. The highest FECR value of the treatment group on the 14th day after treatment was at a dose of 62 mg/mL. The highest weight gain as well as the highest increased hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), and total erythrocyte count (TEC) values on the 14th day after treatment were at a dose of 41 mg/mL. The SEM results showed that IAE treatment caused the worms' anterior parts to become wrinkled with thick creases and cuticle abrasion (in vitro) and the anterior part to shrink along with the presence of aggregates in the worm cuticle (in vivo).

Conclusion: The aqueous extract of I. tinctoria contains tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids and has an anthelmintic effect with decreased FEC, increased weight gain, Hb, PCV, and TEC, causing damage to the worms' body and reducing the protein profile of adult H. contortus worms.

Keywords: anthelmintic, Haemonchus contortus, Indigofera tinctoria, scanning electron microscopy, sheep.

An Estimate of Global Anthrax Prevalence in Livestock: A Meta-analysis

Research (Published online: 22-05-2021)

26. An Estimate of Global Anthrax Prevalence in Livestock: A Meta-analysis

Bylaiah Sushma, Seema Shedole, Kuralayanapalya Puttahonnappa Suresh, Gowda Leena, Sharanagouda S. Patil and Gowda Srikantha

Veterinary World, 14(5): 1263-1271

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Anthrax, caused by the soil-borne spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus anthracis, is a zoonotic disease that persists worldwide in livestock and wildlife and infects humans. It is a great hazard to livestock; henceforth, evaluating the global concerns about the disease occurrence in livestock is essential. This study was conducted to estimate the global prevalence of anthrax and predict high-risk regions, which could be an input to veterinarians to take necessary steps to control and avoid the disease.

Materials and Methods: A literature review was performed using online databases, namely, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Biomed Central, and Science Direct, to extract relevant publications worldwide between 1992 and 2020. Initially, 174 articles were selected, and after scrutinizing, 24 articles reporting the prevalence of anthrax were found to be adequate for the final meta-analysis. The statistical study was accompanied by employing fixed effects and random effects models using R.

Results: The pooled prevalence of anthrax globally was 28% (95% confidence interval, 26-30%) from 2452 samples through the fixed effects model. Continent-wise subgroup analysis through the random effects model revealed that the pooled prevalence of anthrax was highest in Africa (29%) and least in North America (21%).

Conclusion: In these publications, anthrax causes economic loss to farmers and, thus, to the world. Hence, controlling anthrax infections in high-risk regions are essential by implementing appropriate control measures to decrease the effect of the disease, thereby reducing economic loss.

Keywords: anthrax, livestock, meta-analysis, prevalence, subgroup analysis.

Data mining and decision support systems for efficient dairy production

Review (Published online: 22-05-2021)

25. Data mining and decision support systems for efficient dairy production

Sunesh Balhara, Rishi Pal Singh and A. P. Ruhil

Veterinary World, 14(5): 1258-1262

ABSTRACT

Gainful livestock farming requires selective breeding of animals with certain heritable desirable traits which gives profitability in terms of farm produce. Modern dairy animals are selected for traits which directly or indirectly contribute to high milk production. The concept of "feed conversion efficiency" in terms of milk production is now vigorously taken up by researchers and farm managers for recognizing and breeding efficient milk-producing animals. The whole concept of economic farming thus requires identification of "elite" animals, meeting above criteria as base population for the farm enterprise. Farmers and animal traders have been selecting best animals based on certain physical characters, which were also accepted by the breeding scientists as phenotypes. Data mining allows uncovering of hidden patterns in the data for better understanding of data relationship for developing suitable models for further improvements. Along with artificial intelligence techniques, data mining has opened new avenues for achieving high resource utilization efficiency and sustainable profitability in livestock production systems. The present review discusses and summarizes various data mining techniques and decision support systems for scientific dairy farming.

Keywords: dairy farming, data mining, decision support systems.