Immunogenicity of a newly developed vaccine against Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin in rabbits and cattle

Research (Published online: 07-07-2022)

3. Immunogenicity of a newly developed vaccine against Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin in rabbits and cattle

Mohamed J. Saadh, Feras F. Lafi, Adnan A. Dahadha and Mohamed S. Albannan

Veterinary World, 15(7): 1617-1623

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Clostridium perfringens type A is an anaerobic bacterium that produces four major toxins (alpha, beta, epsilon, and iota) that cause various diseases. Most of the important C. perfringens-associated diseases of farm animals are caused by alpha-toxin. This study aimed to produce a vaccine against alpha-toxin using C. perfringens type A (ATCC 13124) and investigate its potency, stability, and safety.

Materials and Methods: The vaccine was formulated of its constituents for 1 h. Each milliliter of the final vaccine product contained alpha toxoid 15 lecithovitellinase activity (Lv) by adding (0.375 mL containing 40 Lv) and approximately 0.2 mL from 3% concentrated aluminum hydroxide gel, <0.001% W/V thiomersal, <0.05% W/V formaldehyde, and nearly 0.425 mL phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.2). The vaccine efficacy was evaluated in rabbits and cattle by performing potency, stability, and safety tests.

Results: The vaccine produced approximately 8.8 and 4.9 IU/mL neutralizing antibodies in rabbits and cattle, respectively. These concentrations were higher than the lowest concentration recommended by various international protocols and the United States Department of Agriculture by 2.20-fold in rabbits and 1.23-fold in cattle. Interestingly, the formulated vaccine enhanced immune responses by 1.80-fold in rabbits compared with that in cattle; the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The vaccine was stable for 30 months. In vaccinated rabbits, the body temperature slightly increased temporarily during the first 10 h of vaccination; however, the temperature difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: This study describes a manufacturing process to obtain sufficient amounts of a vaccine against C. perfringens alpha-toxin. The formulated vaccine effectively elicited a higher level of neutralizing antibody response than the international standards. Furthermore, the vaccine was found to be stable, safe, and effective in preventing C. perfringens-related diseases in rabbits and cattle. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of this vaccine in other farm animals.

Keywords: alpha-toxin, Clostridium perfringens A, potency, safety, stability, toxoid.

Analysis of peste des petits ruminants virus spread and the risk of its introduction into the territory of the Russian Federation

Research (Published online: 07-07-2022)

2. Analysis of peste des petits ruminants virus spread and the risk of its introduction into the territory of the Russian Federation

Valeriy Alexandrovich Agoltsov, Dmitry Vasilievich Podshibyakin, Larisa Pavlovna Padilo, Oleg Yurievich Chernykh, Olga Mikhailovna Popova, Lyudmila Victorovna Stupina and Nataliya Victorovna Solotova

Veterinary World, 15(7): 1610-1616

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study examines methods to effectively control peste des petits ruminants (PPR), an emerging, highly contagious, transboundary disease that has been designated as a highly dangerous disease by the World Organization for Animal Health. Mathematical modeling was used as a predictive and preventive tool to assess the risk of PPR virus spread in the model area and the probability of its introduction into the territory of the Russian Federation.

Materials and Methods: PPR risk assessment was performed by modeling the pathogen's ecological niche by performing linear regression analysis in the geographic information system ESRI ArcGIS Desktop and maximum entropy methods using MaxEnt software. The territories of Bangladesh, China, and Algeria were used as model countries because they have the highest number of confirmed PPR outbreaks, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations from 2009 to 2020. The prepared global model of the PPR pathogen's ecological niche was extrapolated onto the territory of the Far Eastern regions of the Russian Federation to assess the probability of virus introduction in that region.

Results: Global model analysis showed that two factors exerted the highest influence on the spread of the PPR pathogen on a global scale: The minimum temperature of the coldest month of the year and the density of roads per unit area, which reflect the overall economic activity within a region. The highest risk of PPR spread was observed in areas with a minimum annual temperature of 16°C and road density of 5000 m/km2.

Conclusion: According to the model, areas with a dominant subtropical climate, where small livestock breeding is performed and where the average daily air temperature is >0°C throughout the year, are at the highest risk of PPR outbreaks. The risk of PPR spreading outside these areas is significantly reduced. Local extrapolation of the PPR ecological niche model demonstrates that the probability of epizootic development does not exceed 3–4% within the territories of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation adjacent to Mongolia and China.

Keywords: ecological niche, environmental factors, goat, linear regression model, maximum entropy model, peste des petits ruminants, sheep, species distribution.

Risk factors and clinical and laboratory findings associated with feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus infections in Bangkok, Thailand

Research (Published online: 05-07-2022)

1. Risk factors and clinical and laboratory findings associated with feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus infections in Bangkok, Thailand

Oumaporn Rungsuriyawiboon, Thitichai Jarudecha, Supa Hannongbua, Kiattawee Choowongkomon, Chaiwat Boonkaewwan and Jatuporn Rattanasrisomporn

Veterinary World, 15(7): 1601-1609

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are retroviruses associated with chronic and neoplastic diseases in domestic and non-domestic cats. There has been increasing interest in the clinical importance of feline retroviruses in Thailand and the identification of associated risk factors in domestic cats. To prevent the spread of retroviral diseases and improve the management of retrovirus-infected cats, risk factors and associated clinical laboratory data must be clearly understood. This study aimed to identify the influence of household, lifestyle, health status, sterilization, clinical presentations, and laboratory findings on FIV- and FeLV-infected cats in Bangkok, Thailand.

Materials and Methods: A total of 480 cats were evaluated for FeLV p27 antigen and FIV antibodies using Witness FeLV-FIV Rapid Test and SNAP FIV/FeLV Combo Test at a veterinary hospital service.

Results: Of the 480 cats tested, 113 were positivefor virus infection, including 60 for FeLV (12.5%), 40 for FIV (8.3%), and 13 for both FeLV and FIV (2.7%). The findings revealed that the risk factors for cats infected with FeLV, FIV, or both FeLV and FIV were significantly different compared with those for non-infected cats (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that multi-cat ownership is a risk factor for the high prevalence of feline retrovirus infection, as multi-cat households exhibited a higher prevalence of infection than single-cat households. Anemic and sick cats were also at a greater risk of testing positive for specific retrovirus infections. FeLV-infected cats had a higher risk of anemia and low erythrocyte and thrombocyte counts (p ≤ 0.0001), whereas FIV-infected cats were more likely to have anemia and leukocytopenia than controls.

Conclusion: Knowledge of the risk factors for retroviral diseases and associated clinical and laboratory findings can be used to develop strategies to reduce FIV and FeLV infections in cats.

Keywords: feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, hematology, risk factors, serum biochemistry.

Cystatin C assay validation using the immunoturbidimetric method to evaluate the renal function of healthy dogs and dogs with acute renal injury

Research (Published online: 30-06-2022)

25. Cystatin C assay validation using the immunoturbidimetric method to evaluate the renal function of healthy dogs and dogs with acute renal injury

Fabiola de Oliveira Paes-Leme, Eliana Matias de Souza, Mariah Gois Ceregatti, Marco Túlio Gomes Campos, Patricia Donado Vaz de Melo and Adriane Pimenta da Costa-Val

Veterinary World, 15(6): 1595-1600

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with a grave prognosis. A clinical assessment of kidney function can be performed based on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Cystatin C (CysC) can indicate the GFR or kidney function and its measurement is currently performed using immunological methods such as nephelometry, immunoturbidimetry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in human medicine. However, these techniques are not specific for use in veterinary medicine. This study aimed to validate an immunoturbidimetric assay for serum CysC (sCy) in dogs, determine the sCy reference intervals for healthy dogs, evaluate sCy stability in serum samples, and compare sCy with serum creatinine (sCr) in healthy dogs and dogs with AKI.

Materials and Methods: Forty-three dogs were divided into a control group (n = 19) and an AKI group (n = 24). An immunoturbidimetric method including commercially available human CysC calibrated with canine CysC was used to evaluate canine serum samples.

Results: An average recovery of 97% was observed for canine serum samples. The reference interval for CysC in healthy dogs was 0.57–1.29 mg/L. The sCy concentration in dogs with AKI was significantly higher (2.82 ± 1.46 mg/L) than in healthy dogs (0.93 ± 0.18 mg/L). Statistical analysis confirmed a strong correlation between sCy and sCr (r = 0.94; p < 0.05) in dogs with AKI.

Conclusion: The immunoturbidimetric method of evaluating sCy yielded satisfactory results and can be used for canine samples when a species-specific calibrator is used. Furthermore, sCy is a reliable marker of renal dysfunction in dogs. It is best to store samples for sCy evaluation at temperatures between 4°C and 8°C.

Keywords: canine, immunoturbidimetry, kidney.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of bluetongue virus in sheep of Chattogram, Bangladesh

Research (Published online: 30-06-2022)

24. Seroprevalence and risk factors of bluetongue virus in sheep of Chattogram, Bangladesh

Tahura Khanam Munmun, Shariful Islam, Shafayat Zamil, Md. Ashiqur Rahman, Josefina Abedin, Abdul Ahad and Ariful Islam

Veterinary World, 15(6): 1589-1594

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Bluetongue (BT) is a non-contagious, infectious disease of wild and domestic ruminant animals caused by the BT virus (BTV). Bangladesh having a border with a BTV-endemic country, India and a substantial number of susceptible animals. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate BTV seroprevalence and potential risk factors.

Materials and Methods: We collected 150 serum samples from indigenous sheep from Chattogram, Bangladesh. We screened the serum samples using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting BTV-specific immunoglobulin.

Results: We detected antibodies against BTV in 39.3% (59/150; 95% confidence interval: 31.5–47.6) of all sampled sheep. Factors like sampling site, sheep rearing location, rearing sheep with other farm species, and body condition score had a significant (p < 0.05) influence on the seroprevalence of BTV.

Conclusion: The findings show that indigenous sheep have a higher BTV seroprevalence, necessitating sustained surveillance for early diagnosis and a better understanding of virus epidemiology in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Bangladesh, bluetongue virus, risk factors, seroprevalence, sheep.

Molecular identification of lactic acid bacteria SR6 strain and evaluation of its activity as an anticancer in T47D cell line

Research (Published online: 29-06-2022)

23. Molecular identification of lactic acid bacteria SR6 strain and evaluation of its activity as an anticancer in T47D cell line

Ida Bagus Ngurah Swacita, I. Wayan Suardana, I. Gusti Ngurah Sudisma and Hevi Wihadmadyatami

Veterinary World, 15(6): 1583-1588

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women because it attacks the productive age. Preliminary studies showed that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strain SR6 from the Bali cattle colon has the potential to act as a superior probiotic. It is also assumed that its bacteriocin structure is specific and has a strong relationship with the specificity of the ligand and its biological activity at a receptor. Therefore, this study aims to assess the use of local LAB strains, which produce bacteriocins as anticancer agents, as well as to identify the bacteria as potent producers molecularly.

Materials and Methods: The study was initiated by cultivating LAB SR6 strain from stock isolates on De Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (Oxoid, CM 0369, England) broth media. It was then confirmed molecularly through analysis of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene. Subsequently, its anticancer activity was tested by assessing the cytotoxic activity in T47D cell culture using the 3-(4, 5 dimetiltiazol-2-yl)-2.5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (Invitrogen M6494, US) method.

Results: The results showed that the LAB strain SR6 was identified molecularly as Pediococcus pentosaceus. Furthermore, it had a toxic effect on T47D cells, which was indicated by the number of deaths after treatment with the extracellular protein of the strain, especially at the 50% total cell volume level.

Conclusion: Based on the toxic effect of the strain on human T47D cells, the LAB SR6 isolate, which was identified as P. pentosaceus has the potential to be developed as a good anticancer drug against breast cancer. However, there is a need to carry out an integrated study to fully explore the suitability of bacteriocins as in vivo therapeutics against the disease completely.

Keywords: apoptosis, breast cancer, lactic acid bacteria SR6 strain, necrosis.

Health comparison between guinea pigs raised in uncontrolled and controlled environments

Research (Published online: 29-06-2022)

22. Health comparison between guinea pigs raised in uncontrolled and controlled environments

Laksmindra Fitria, Nastiti Wijayanti, Tuty Arisuryanti and Siti Isrina Oktavia Salasia

Veterinary World, 15(6): 1575-1582

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Guinea pigs (GPs) (Cavia porcellus) are not only kept as pets but also widely used in biological and biomedical research. At present, GPs are also used as a species for animal-assisted therapy (AAT). Consequently, assessing their health status is vital to determining their quality of life, usability for research, and prevention of spread of potential zoonotic diseases to patients using them for AAT. GPs are mainly sourced from animal markets supplied by traditional farms, where environmental factors and sanitation are not properly controlled. This study aimed to compare health status between GPs raised in uncontrolled (conventional farm) and controlled (animal facility) environments.

Materials and Methods: Sample animals were obtained from a local animal market and transported to an animal facility. After 1 week of acclimatization, the health status of the animals, including general health condition, body weight, body temperature, complete blood count, liver function (alanine aminotransferase and bilirubin), renal function (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine), and presence of ectoparasites and endoparasites, was assessed. Then, the animals were maintained in the animal facility following the standard procedure for laboratory animals. After 2 months, the animals' health status was re-examined, assessing the same parameters.

Results: Based on the evaluated parameters, GPs raised in an uncontrolled environment were found to have poorer health status than those raised in a controlled environment. There were significant differences in almost all parameters between GPs raised in controlled and uncontrolled environments. We found that the populations of two ectoparasites, Gyropus ovalis and Gliricola porcelli, and one endoparasite, Eimeria caviae>, decreased significantly following the movement of the animals from an uncontrolled to a controlled environment.

Conclusion: GPs raised in an uncontrolled environment have poor health status. However, a controlled environment with better care management can improve the health status of GPs.

Keywords: clinical biochemistry, environment, guinea pig, health status, hematology, parasites.