Antimicrobial resistance management in Pacific Island countries: Current status, challenges, and strategic solutions

Review (Published online: 19-02-2022)

1. Antimicrobial resistance management in Pacific Island countries: Current status, challenges, and strategic solutions

Royford Magiri, Sharon Gaundan, Kennedy Choongo, Titus Zindove, Archibold Bakare, Eunice Okyere, Walter Okello, George Mutwiri, Eric Rafai, Ashodra Gautam and Paul Iji

International Journal of One Health, 8(1): 1-7

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is currently recognized as a major emerging threat to human and animal health. The burden of antimicrobial-resistant infections affects the economy in developed and developing countries. There is a rapid rise in AMR in human and veterinary medicine globally. AMR profiles are poorly documented in Fiji, and limited data are accessible. Fiji currently has no national veterinary antibiotic resistance surveillance network or regulations and guidelines on veterinary drug use. However, available literature shows that although human drugs are better managed than veterinary drugs, the knowledge is still constrained and dispersed. Furthermore, Fiji was chosen as a case study to develop a prototype AMR surveillance and control in the Pacific region. Pacific Island countries share similar geographic and climatic conditions. Currently, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research has funded an AMR project that addresses some gaps in managing AMR in the region. The project is the first to adopt the One Health approach to research the AMR in humans, animals, and the Pacific region's environment. Combating AMR needs human health and veterinary personnel to work with all other stakeholders. Continuous surveillance for resistant clinical isolates in humans and animals and the development of appropriate policy intervention measures in human and veterinary drug use are necessary to alleviate AMR burden. Therefore, there is a need to educate farmers, human patients, and the public on the fight against AMR. In addition, AMR data are necessary to develop effective AMR control strategies. This review gives a comprehensive information assessment on AMR in Fiji and the other South Pacific Islands in relation to global trends. Suggestions on the most appropriate ways of effectively managing AMR in Fiji have been made.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, Pacific Island countries, strategic management.

Endurance exercise training suppresses myostatin upregulation and nuclear factor-kappa B activation in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Research (Published online: 18-02-2022)

19. Endurance exercise training suppresses myostatin upregulation and nuclear factor-kappa B activation in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Nour S. Erekat and Muhammed D. Al-Jarrah

Veterinary World, 15(2): 383-389

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Muscle atrophy is common in Parkinson's disease (PD). Although myostatin has been implicated in muscle atrophy, its expression in PD skeletal muscle has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the influence of PD induction and exercise training on myostatin expression in the gastrocnemius skeletal muscle.

Materials and Methods: Thirty albino mice were randomly selected and separated into three groups of 10 mice each: Sedentary control, sedentary PD (SPD), and exercised PD (EPD). 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and probenecid were used to induce chronic parkinsonism in the PD groups. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the expression of myostatin and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in gastrocnemius muscles of all three groups.

Results: Myostatin expression and NF-κB nuclear localization, indicative of its activation, were significantly (p<0.01) higher in gastrocnemius skeletal muscle in the SPD group than in the control and EPD groups. Concomitantly, the average cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fibers in the SPD albino mice was significantly smaller (p<0.01) than in the control and EPD groups, indicating muscle atrophy.

Conclusion: The present data are the first to indicate a correlation between PD induction and myostatin overexpression and NF-κB activation in the gastrocnemius muscle, potentially promoting the muscle atrophy commonly seen in PD.

Keywords: gastrocnemius, immunohistochemistry, myostatin, nuclear factor kappa B, Parkinson's disease.

Evaluation of the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potential of Punica granatum L. against toluene-induced liver injuries in rats

Research (Published online: 17-02-2022)

18. Evaluation of the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potential of Punica granatum L. against toluene-induced liver injuries in rats

Fatma Zohra Arkoub, Leila Hamdi, Labiba Kahalerras, Meriem Hamoudi and Kamel Khelili

Veterinary World, 15(2): 374-382

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Humans are more frequently exposed to chemicals in daily life by inhalation of indoor and outdoor air. However, abusers and workers are the most exposed to those chemicals and their health risks particularly, liver diseases. The present study investigated the protective effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) (Punica granatum) and pomegranate peel aqueous extract (PAE) supplementation against toluene (Tol)-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: A phytochemical analysis and assessment of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity were performed for the PJ and the PAE. The in vivo study was carried out using 70 Wistar rats that were divided into seven groups, each consisting of 10 rats. All groups were treated orally for 6 weeks as follows: Control (C), positive controls (CO: 1.25 mL/kg body weight [BW]; PJ: 4 mL/kg BW; and PAE: 400 mg/kg BW), Tol (550 mg/kg BW), and a mixture each of PJ-Tol and PAE-Tol. At the end of the 45th day of study, the hepatic biochemical markers (transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, albumin, and total proteins) were auto-analyzed, as well as histology and oxidative stress markers of the liver were evaluated.

Results: The phytochemical analysis revealed that the DPPH scavenging activity and the total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents were higher in the pomegranate peel extract versus the juice. The results also showed that Tol significantly increased liver enzyme activities and total bilirubin levels, whereas albumin and total proteins were significantly decreased. Similarly, Tol provoked a significant increase in hepatic malondialdehyde levels, with a decrease in glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase activity. The biochemical changes agreed with the hepatic histological alterations. A significant improvement in all parameters was observed in the PAE-Tol group compared with the PJ-Tol group.

Conclusion: Exposure to Tol altered the hepatic antioxidant and biochemical parameters and histological profile of the rats, and PAE was more powerful than PJ in reducing Tol liver injuries through its antioxidant activity.

Keywords: antioxidant activity, liver injuries, oxidative stress, Punica granatum, toluene.

Distribution of bovine cysticercosis prevalence in the southeastern districts of Botswana from 2015 to 2016

Research (Published online: 17-02-2022)

17. Distribution of bovine cysticercosis prevalence in the southeastern districts of Botswana from 2015 to 2016

Batatu Mazhani, Elly Masitha, Mpho Ntwaetsile, Ketshephaone Thutwa and Kerapetse Sehularo

Veterinary World, 15(2): 368-373

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Bovine cysticercosis is defined as a foodborne parasitic zoonotic disease of cattle caused by the larval stage of the human tapeworm Taenia saginata. In Botswana, bovine cysticercosis has inflicted major economic consequences on the beef industry due to downgrading, condemnation, or treatment of infected carcasses. Thus, in this study, we aim to (1) estimate the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis in Botswana's southeastern districts, (2) describe the distribution of bovine cysticercosis through geospatial mapping, and (3) investigate the effect of seasonality on bovine cysticercosis occurrence.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using abattoir records of cattle slaughtered from August 2015 to July 2016. In total, 13 licensed non-export abattoirs were selected for this study, wherein 26,827 cattle were slaughtered during this period. Detection of cysticerci from the carcass and offal was carried out by meat inspectors visually during meat inspection. Prevalence of bovine cysticercosis was calculated for the extension areas and veterinary districts for each month and form there used to establish its distribution and seasonality. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.

Results: The prevalence of bovine cysticercosis in the southeastern districts of Botswana during this study period was determined to be 6.2%. The prevalence in the veterinary districts differed significantly at p<0.05. Seasonality did not have a significant (p=0.651) effect on the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis. Geospatially, areas with greater than 8% prevalence were mainly located in the southernmost part of the study area.

Conclusion: The prevalence of bovine cysticercosis was 6.2% during the study period. No previous studies on cysticerci prevalence in the study area was conducted; thus, it was not possible to determine whether there has been an increase or decrease in terms of prevalence rate. Therefore, the results of this study can be used as a baseline for the prevalence of cysticerci in the study area.

Keywords: bovine cysticercosis, prevalence, geospatial distribution, meat industry, seasonal occurrence.

Impact of polyherbal formulation oral administration on the estrus response, luteal activity, and oxidative stress in postpartum dairy cows with ovarian subfunction

Research (Published online: 17-02-2022)

16. Impact of polyherbal formulation oral administration on the estrus response, luteal activity, and oxidative stress in postpartum dairy cows with ovarian subfunction

Yahia A. Amin, Nasra Ahmed M. Youssef, Alaa-Eldin Zain-Elabdeen Mahmoud, Mohammed Salah, Atef M. H. Khalil, Obeid Shanab and Ahmed Saad Ahmed Hassaneen

Veterinary World, 15(2): 360-367

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The reproductive performance of dairy cows is of a high economic value to maintain efficient and sustainable productivity. Postpartum anestrus is one of the major infertility problems that cause limitation of dairy cow reproductive performance and productivity. The previous studies have reported using a polyherbal formulation for different purposes, including reproductive performance. This study was conducted to examine the efficacy of polyherbal formulation administration on the reproductive performance of cows and to establish the oral administration of polyherbal formulations as a safe, effective, and economic treatment for dairy cows with postpartum anestrus due to nutritional disorders, negative energy balance, high milk production, and/or heat stress.

Materials and Methods: A total of 14 dairy cows with postpartum anestrus were randomly divided into two groups, which were subjected to oral administration of distilled water that served as the control (Ctrl; n=5) or polyherbal treatment (polyherbal treated; n=9) for two shots of treatment (each for 3 successive days) with a 10-day interval. Blood sampling and ultrasonography were performed before treatment and after the first and second shots of treatment. Progesterone (P4) assay was also performed.

Results: The estrus induction rate was 66.7% after the first shot of treatment in the polyherbal-treated group, which increased significantly to 88.9% after the second shot of treatment, compared with the Ctrl group (20%). The estrus response was confirmed by ultrasonography and P4 hormone assay, wherein the polyherbal treatment significantly increased the P4 concentration in the polyherbal-treated group after the second shot of treatment compared to that before treatment and in the Ctrl group at all time points. On pregnancy diagnosis, the treated dairy cows showed conception rates of 66.7% and 20.0% in the polyherbal-treated and Ctrl groups, respectively. In contrast, the concentration of malondialdehyde, an oxidative stress marker, and the total antioxidant capacity remained unchanged between both groups before and after treatment.

Conclusion: The polyherbal formulation containing tubers of C. rotundus, M. pterygosperma, rhizome of Z. officinale, and A. cepa has the potential to induce estrus response and luteal activity in dairy cows and is a possible treatment for ovarian inactivity in dairy farms.

Keywords: estrous cycle, ovarian inactivity, phytotherapy, reproductive herbal medicine.

Growth performance, morphometric of the small intestine, lymphoid organ, and ovary of laying hens supplemented with Dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) extract in drinking water

Research (Published online: 16-02-2022)

15. Growth performance, morphometric of the small intestine, lymphoid organ, and ovary of laying hens supplemented with Dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) extract in drinking water

L. U. Albab, T. I. Claudya, R. Oktafianti, N. Salsabila, R. D. Putri and H. T. S. S. G. Saragih

Veterinary World, 15(2): 350-359

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Antibiotic, improves the growth performance of laying hens when used as a feed additive; however, it has been banned in Europe. Furthermore, secondary metabolites used as a substitute for antibiotics are compounds produced by plants. Therefore, this aims to determine the effect of dates water extract (DWE) on the performance of laying hens. This study used dates containing secondary metabolites as a feed additive and substitute for antibiotics.

Materials and Methods: A completely randomized design was used, dividing 400 Lohmann brown day old chick into five groups (each group has five replications and each replication consisted of 16 laying hens). Furthermore, there were two control groups such as mineral water control group and antibiotic growth promoters (basal feed+50 mg/kg of bacitracin), and three DWE groups such as 5% DWE (50 mg/mL), 10% DWE (100 mg/mL), and 20% DWE (200 mg/mL). Dates extract treatment was administered through drinking water for 54 days, whereby three laying hens from each replication were taken randomly and decapitated on the neck. Afterwards, a necropsy was performed for histological preparations of the small intestine, ovary, and lymphoid organs. The structure and morphology of the small intestine, and ovaries were observed through histological preparations, while lymphoid organs were observed through histological preparation and morphometry, and body morphometry, body weight, feed intake and weight gain were observed by measurements and weighing.

Results: Small intestine morphology, ovarian follicle, and growth performance of the DWE2 group increased significantly compared to the control group, but the lymphoid organs index was influenced by DWE1.

Conclusion: The administration of 10% dates extract (100 mg/mL) in drinking water improves the morphology of the small intestine, ovarian follicles, lymphoid organs, and growth performance.

Keywords: dates water extract, feed additive, ovary, performance, small intestine.

Physicochemical characterization and in vitro evaluation of the antioxidant and anticandidal activities of Moroccan propolis

Research (Published online: 15-02-2022)

14. Physicochemical characterization and in vitro evaluation of the antioxidant and anticandidal activities of Moroccan propolis

Abderrazak Aboulghazi, Soumaya Touzani, Mouhcine Fadil and Badiaa Lyoussi

Veterinary World, 15(2): 341-349

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Human mycotic infections are one of the major health problems worldwide. Prolonged use of antimycotic drugs has contributed to the development of resistance in pathogenic fungi. This study was conducted to examine antioxidant and anticandidal activities of Moroccan propolis.

Materials and Methods: Two ethanolic extracts of Moroccan propolis from the Fez-Meknes region were evaluated regarding the following physicochemical parameters: Yield, pH, total carbohydrates, total proteins, total lipids, minerals, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. In addition, we assessed the in vitro anticandidal activity against vulvovaginal candidiasis strains, that is, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida krusei, using the broth micromethod according to the CLSI/M27-A3 reference guidelines.

Results: The propolis samples exhibited a mean yield of 16%, with an acidic pH ranging from 4.8 to 5.9; the sample from the Oued Amlil area (OAPEE) contained high levels of resin, balsam, moisture, total carbohydrates, and total lipids: 59.8%, 0.71%, 2%, 1.01 gGlcEq/g, and 120 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, the sample from the Sefrou area (SFPEE) was richer in total proteins and minerals, with values of 2.5 g/100 g and 1.84%, respectively. The total polyphenol and flavonoid content in the propolis extracts were 117.38 and 194.68 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g, and 17.45–27.79 mg of quercetin equivalent/g, respectively. Regarding the antioxidant activity, the most effective propolis extract was the sample from the Sefrou area, at 72.5 μg/mL and 118.78 μmoL Fe2+/g for ABTS-half-maximal inhibitory concentration and FRAP-half maximal effective concentration, respectively. The analysis of phenolic compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector revealed the presence of 13 polyphenols. The main compound in the OAPEE sample was epicatechin (310 mg/g), whereas in the SFPEE sample was apigenin (410 mg/g). Regarding the antifungal activity against Candida species, the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration of the Moroccan propolis ethanolic extracts ranged between 31.2 and 62.5 μg/mL and 62.5 and 125 μg/mL, respectively, comparable with fluconazole (as a reference antimycotic).

Conclusion: This study suggests that Moroccan propolis (31.2 and 125 μg/mL) may be an important source of bioactive molecules with anticandidal activity. Propolis may be a promising naturally-occurring candidate for the development of antimycotic drugs.

Keywords: antioxidant activity, propolis, total flavonoids, total polyphenols, vulvovaginal candidiasis.