Prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Streptococcus species among respiratory patients and meat products, and antibacterial effects of oregano oil nanoemulsion

Research (Published online: 24-06-2021)

17. Prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Streptococcus species among respiratory patients and meat products, and antibacterial effects of oregano oil nanoemulsion

Alshimaa A. Hassanien and Nahed Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz

International Journal of One Health, 7(1): 135-141

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial-resistant Streptococcus species causes several diseases in humans with infection recurrence in some cases. Handling of food under unhygienic conditions resulted in transmission of pathogens to food leading to risks for consumers' health. This work studies the possible role of humans in transmission of human pathogens to food products. In this study, we focused on the presence of antimicrobial resistance Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae found in respiratory patients and in some meat products. We detected the risk factors for patient's infection and examined the antibacterial effect of oregano oil nanoemulsion (ONE) at different concentrations against the multi-drug resistance strains of streptococci.

Materials and Methods: Microbiological culture and polymerase chain reaction were used to identify S. pyogenes, S. mitis, and S. pneumoniae in 120 throat swab samples and 200 meat products. The disk diffusion method was used for investigating the prevalence of resistance against 10 antimicrobials that are commonly used in the treatment of humans and animals. ONE at four concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0%) with an average particle size of 45.4 nm was identified using transmission electron microscopy. The effect of ONE on Streptococcus species isolates was examined using the well diffusion method. Risk factors for human infection were detected using statistical analysis.

Results: S. pyogenes, S. mitis, and S. pneumoniae were detected in 14 (11.7%), 9 (7.5%), and 7 (5.8%), respectively, of 120 throat swabs of patients. These bacteria were also detected in 11 (5.5%), 8 (4%), and 6 (3%), respectively, of 200 meat products samples. Beef luncheon had the highest infection rate for the three species of streptococci. The majority of these isolates showed resistance to antimicrobials such as tetracycline and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. ONE had an inhibitory effect on the growth of S. pyogenes, S. mitis, and S. pneumoniae, and its effect was significantly increased at a high concentration (3%), with a mean inhibition zone of 36.45±0.302 mm. Very young and old patients, those with chronic diseases, and those exposed to the infection several times were most susceptible to infection.

Conclusion: ONE may be used as a therapeutic agent at safe and specific doses, and also in the food industry, to prevent the spoilage of food and protect human health.

Keywords: meat products, Oregano oil nanoemulsion, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus pyogenes.

Risk factors for Lassa fever infection among survivors at the Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

Research (Published online: 23-06-2021)

16. Risk factors for Lassa fever infection among survivors at the Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi, Oluwatosin Temitope Owoeye-Lawal, Adewale Johnson Aro, Aanuoluwapo Adeyimika Afolabi, Adesola Olawumi Kareem, Chukwuyem Abejegah and Oladele Oluwafemi Ayodeji

International Journal of One Health, 7(1): 128-134

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: There is insufficient information about the successfully managed Lassa fever (LF) patients in Nigeria. This study aimed to utilize the One Health approach to identify the risk factors for LF infection among LF patients who were managed and on follow-up at the Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 101 LF survivors who were managed and on follow-up at the Federal Medical Center. The data were collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The respondents were assessed for symptoms and factors that might have predisposed them to LF, and the data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 (IBM Corp., NY, USA). Those who had more than 3 identifiable risks were categorized as high risk. Descriptive statistics were done, and the association between sociodemographic characteristics and high risk was explored using Chi-square test.

Results: The median age of the respondents was 33 years (8-85 years); 62 (61.4%) were male, and 93 (92.1%) have heard of LF before diagnosis. The perceived cause of LF infection among the respondents included the consumption of food contaminated by rats' feces among 57 (56.4%) persons, while 16 (15.8) attributed their infection to contact with LF-infected persons. Among the respondents with primary education and below, 5 (29.4%) were at higher risk for LF infection compared to 7 (8.3%) with secondary education and above (p=0.014).

Conclusion: The mass media and other sources of information should be well-harnessed in the communication of risks and preventive practices for LF. Public information campaigns should be organized to discourage bush burning in affected communities.

Keywords: health education, Lassa fever infection, Lassa fever prevention, Lassa fever, mass media, Nigeria, risk factors for Lassa fever.

Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in infected dogs associated with Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick infestation in Thailand

Research (Published online: 23-06-2021)

29. Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in infected dogs associated with Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick infestation in Thailand

Amornrat Juasook, Bunnada Siriporn, Natthaphat Nopphakhun, Pacharamol Phetpoang and Subongkoch Khamyang

Veterinary World, 14(6): 1631-1637

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are of great concern having the potential to threaten canine health. Dogs infected with Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Babesia canis, and Hepatozoon canis are commonly found in Thailand; Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick is the most common vector of diseases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of common TBPs in dogs and their ticks in Thailand using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing methods.

Materials and Methods: Forty-four blood samples were positively diagnosed with TBPs infection by microscopy. Samples were from animal hospitals in Maha Sarakham, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Bangkok, Thailand, during January-June 2020. Five to six ticks were also taken from infected dogs, and then, both blood and tick were analyzed using PCR and DNA sequencing.

Results: PCR results showed that R. sanguineus was the only tick species detected in this study. The appearance of single infection with E. canis was the most common infection found in dogs and ticks (64% and 82%, respectively). Correlation of pathogen infection in hosts and their vector was performed by similarity detection of pathogens between blood and tick samples based on PCR analysis in 29 samples (66%) but there was no significant differentiation.

Conclusion: E. canis appears as the most common canine tick-borne pathogen in Thailand, which was detected in both healthy and sick dogs as well as in R. sanguineus. The findings show the relationships among host dogs, pathogens, and ticks. Veterinarians should be proactive in educating pet owners about the risks associated with ticks and their important pathogens and plan effective control strategies.

Keywords: dog, polymerase chain reaction, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, tick-borne pathogens.

Clinical and histopathological studies on neurodegeneration and dysautonomia in buffalo calves during foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Egypt

Research (Published online: 23-06-2021)

28. Clinical and histopathological studies on neurodegeneration and dysautonomia in buffalo calves during foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Egypt

Yasmin Bayoumi, Nader Sobhy, Abdelkarem Morsi, Wafaa El-Neshwey, Nora El-Seddawy and Abdelmonem Abdallah

Veterinary World, 14(6): 1622-1630

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Signs of dysautonomia were frequently observed in calves that died during foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus (FMDV) outbreaks in Egypt from 2015 to 2018. This study aimed to describe the clinical and histopathological features of the central nervous system in malignant cases of FMD and excluding possible concurrent bacterial, and bovine herpes virus 4 (BHV4) infections or both.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 335 FMDV-infected buffalo calves aged 1-22 months were clinically examined and followed until recovery or death. Of the 335 calves, 134 died (malignant group) and 201 recovered after exhibiting classic symptoms of FMD (recover group). The calves were subjected to clinical examination. For the malignant group, several laboratory trials were conducted to assess the possible cause/s of dysautonomia-related viral, bacterial, or concurrent infections. Koch's postulates and polymerase chain reaction were employed. Postmortem and histopathological examinations of nervous tissue were performed.

Results: In the malignant group, signs of dysautonomia were observed before death, including partial or complete gut dysfunction, loss of anal sphincter tone, rapid breathing sounds, fluctuating body temperature, and cardiac arrhythmias. In the malignant group, histopathological examination of the spinal cord, pons, medulla oblongata, hypothalamus, cerebellum, and cerebrum revealed demyelination, neuronal degeneration, and focal areas of malacia and gliosis. The nervous tissue and heart samples from malignant cases were positive for serotype O FMDV.

Conclusion: Findings revealed in this study support the existence of neurodegeneration induced by FMDV infection in buffalo calves.

Keywords: dysautonomia, foot-and-mouth disease virus, heat intolerance, hirsutism, malignant.

Assessment of quality and safety of meats from various animal species in the Shuchinsk-Burabay resort zone, Kazakhstan

Research (Published online: 22-06-2021)

27. Assessment of quality and safety of meats from various animal species in the Shuchinsk-Burabay resort zone, Kazakhstan

B. S. Maikanov, G. T. Ismagulova, L. T. Auteleyeva, Zh. O. Kemeshov and D. K. Zhanabayeva

Veterinary World, 14(6): 1615-1621

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study aimed to determine the food safety and protein adequacy of meats from various animals in the Shuchinsk- Burabay resort zone.

Materials and Methods: Samples of meat were collected from markets "Zhomart" and "Kausar." Two hundred and ninety-eight samples of meat were obtained: beef - 166, horse - 42, pork - 67, mutton - 8, and poultry - 15. From each carcass, part of the carcass, point samples were taken to form an average sample and conduct research. Analyses used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography. The determination of amino acid composition was carried out following the chromatographic method for determining the amino acid composition of meat proteins.

Results: The quality of meats from the resort zone was lower than recommended due to the reduced content of essential amino acids, including valine, lysine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine. Concentrations of heavy metals and radionuclides did not exceed maximum permissible limits, and trace concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, and lead were detected in all meat samples, except beef. The latter meat showed increased concentrations of mercury.

Conclusion: In terms of quality indicators, all types of meat met standards; however, pork protein displayed the most favorable amino acid composition, both for content of essential amino acids and the ratio of amounts of essential to non-essential amino acids. For content of heavy metals, poultry and pork meats were safest.

Keywords: amino acid rate, food safety, heavy metal salts, Shuchinsk-Burabay Resort Zone.

Morphological characteristics of Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida guilliermondii, and Candida glabrata biofilms, and response to farnesol

Research (Published online: 22-06-2021)

26. Morphological characteristics of Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida guilliermondii, and Candida glabrata biofilms, and response to farnesol

Nadezhda Sachivkina, Irina Podoprigora and Dmitry Bokov

Veterinary World, 14(6): 1608-1614

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Different Candida species isolated in humans and animals have different types of parasite activity. The most pathogenic species is Candida albicans followed by Candida tropicalis. However, the effects of the morphology of Candida krusei, Candida guilliermondii, and Candida glabrata biofilms on the pathogenicity of these species have not been fully characterized. To the best of our knowledge, there is no literature on the effect of farnesol on rare Candida species. This study aimed to check the effect of different farnesol concentrations on the species C. krusei, C. guilliermondii, and C. glabrata compared with the strain C. albicans ATCC 10231, which has been widely studied, and is a strong producer of biofilms.

Materials and Methods: We studied the morphological and densitometric parameters of biofilms produced by Candida species under the influence of the drug farnesol (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). We used a heart brain broth with the addition of 2% bovine blood serum in 96-well plates. To each well, we added 100 μL of C. albicans, C. krusei, C. guilliermondii, or C. glabrata culture, and 0.2-400 μM farnesol. The microliter plates were cultured with the lid closed at 37°C for 48 h. Then, the liquid was removed, and the wells were washed 3 times with 200 μL phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.3). Biofilm fixation was performed using 150 μL of 96% ethanol for 15 min. Then, the microliter plates were dried for 20 min at 37°C, a 0.5% solution of crystalline violet was added, and the plates were placed in an incubator at 37°C. After 5 min, the contents of the wells were removed, washed 3 times with 200 μL of phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2), and dried. The dye was extracted by washing with 200 μL of 96% ethanol for 30 min. The results were obtained using a photometric analyzer of enzyme immunoassay reactions at an optical density (OD) wavelength of 450 nm.

Results: All of Candida spp. strains tested were susceptible to farnesol at concentrations ranging from 0.8 to 400 μM for C. albicans, C. krusei, and C. guilliermondii, and 12.5 to 400 μM for C. glabrata.

Conclusion: This study provides new insights into the use of farnesol against biofilms produced by Candida species, but further studies in vivo are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the reduction of OD. To the best of our knowledge, the antimicrobial activity of farnesol against C. krusei, C. guilliermondii, and C. glabrata has not been reported previously, although studies have confirmed the inhibitory effect of farnesol on the growth of different microorganisms.

Keywords: Candida albicans, Candida glabrata biofilms, Candida guilliermondii, Candida krusei, farnesol, optical density, quorum sensing.

Dried bovine placenta improves spermatozoa count in a rat model of male reproductive aging

Research (Published online: 21-06-2021)

25. Dried bovine placenta improves spermatozoa count in a rat model of male reproductive aging

Surya Agus Prihatno, Yosua Kristian Adi, Teguh Budipitojo, Topas Wicaksono Priyo Jr and Yonathan Alvin Maruli Asi Sihotang

Veterinary World, 14(6): 1602-1607

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: In the male reproductive system, the aging process can lead to infertility. Recently, placenta and its derivatives have been researched as regenerative agents. This study aimed to describe the basic components of dried bovine placenta powder and its potential effects as a regenerative agent in a rat model of male reproductive aging with D-galactose induction.

Materials and Methods: We divided 15 male Wistar rats, 2 months of age, into three groups: A, the health control group; B, the D-galactose induction group, and C, the D-galactose induction and 10% dried bovine placenta supplementation group. We measured epididymal sperm concentration and testicular weight and volume and analyzed these using one-way analysis of variance.

Results: Dried bovine placenta was rich in nutrients, with 61.98% protein, 21.25±2.07 carbohydrates, 8.58% water, 4.93% ash, and 3.27% fat. The mean epididymal spermatozoa concentration of the rats in Groups A, B, and C was 3026×106/mL, 1492.8×106/mL, and 2732.5×106/mL, respectively. The average total testicle weights were 2.44 g, 2.72 g, and 2.57 g, respectively. The average total testicle volumes were 2.29 cm3, 2.49 cm3, and 2.33cm3, respectively.

Conclusion: Dried bovine placenta powder is rich in nutrients, especially protein. Supplementation with dried bovine placenta can improve epididymal spermatozoa concentration that is important in fertility.

Keywords: aging, bovine placenta, male reproductive, sperm count, testicular.