Effect of leptin C528T and leptin C73T polymorphisms and pregnancy on adipose tissue formation and carcass grade in Aberdeen Angus heifers and first-calf cows

Research (Published online: 08-07-2022)

5. Effect of leptin C528T and leptin C73T polymorphisms and pregnancy on adipose tissue formation and carcass grade in Aberdeen Angus heifers and first-calf cows

K. M. Dzhulamanov, S. V. Lebedev, Nikolay Gerasimov and V. I. Kolpakov

Veterinary World, 15(7): 1632-1640

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The leptin (LEP) gene plays a role in the regulation of the activity required to obtain food, energy metabolism, and fat deposition and affects the body composition of animals. Lipogenesis is an ineffective process. A lot of energy from feed is expended on the synthesis of adipose tissue. This study aimed to determine the effect of LEP C528T and LEP C73T polymorphisms and pregnancy on adipose tissue formation and carcass grade in Aberdeen Angus heifers and first-calf cows.

Materials and Methods: Heifers (n = 49) and first-calf cows (n = 30) were grouped according to their genotype for LEP C528T and LEP C73T polymorphisms at the age of 24 months. DNA samples were isolated from whole blood. Experimental animals were slaughtered at the age of 24 months, and a chemical analysis of samples of longissimus dorsi muscle and ground beef was performed.

Results: The maximum internal fat weight, back-fat thickness, and fat content of the longissimus dorsi muscle and ground beef were determined in heifers heterozygous for both LEP C528T and LEP C73T polymorphisms. The ranking of genotypes in terms of adipose tissue formation did not change in first-calf cows compared to heifers carrying the same LEP gene variants. Pregnancy had a more significant (p < 0.05–0.001) effect on slaughter parameters and lipogenesis in animals of different genotypes than studied polymorphisms. Heterozygosity of the LEP gene was much more strongly expressed in the carcass grade of heifers. "Prime" grades were assigned to 66.7% of carcasses heterozygous for LEP C528T and "Top Choice" to 58.8% of carcasses with LEP C73T nucleotide substitutions.

Conclusion: LEP C528T and LEP C73T polymorphisms were shown to affect the extent of fat formation in Aberdeen Angus heifers and first-calf cows. Animals with heterozygous genotypes exhibited the maximum development of internal fat, back-fat, and intramuscular fat. Pregnancy had a more significant effect on slaughter parameters and adipose tissue formation than studied polymorphisms. First-calf cows had a significantly lower fat content in carcasses than heifers. These results can aid in the production of efficient mature herds of Aberdeen Angus cattle.

Keywords: Aberdeen Angus, beef cattle, genotyping, leptin, polymorphism.

First report of three novel Bartonella species isolated in rodents and shrews from nine provinces of Thailand

Research (Published online: 08-07-2022)

4. First report of three novel Bartonella species isolated in rodents and shrews from nine provinces of Thailand

Decha Pangjai, Burin Nimsuphan, Wimol Petkanchanapong, Wattanapong Wootta, Maskiet Boonyareth, Wuttikon Rodkvamtook and Sumalee Boonmar

Veterinary World, 15(7): 1624-1631

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Bartonella spp. are Gram-negative zoonotic bacteria that are transmitted to humans by several types of animal hosts, including rodents. Several studies have been conducted on the prevalence of Bartonella infections in rodents. However, the risk of rodent-associated Bartonella spp. infection in humans remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and genetic heterogeneity of Bartonella spp. in rodents and shrews from nine provinces of Thailand using culture and molecular techniques.

Materials and Methods: A total of 860 blood samples from rodents and shrews across nine provinces of Thailand were collected from January 2013 to June 2016. Bartonella spp. were isolated from all samples using conventional culture techniques and polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic tree analysis was used to align the Bartonella sequences obtained from this study.

Results: The prevalence of Bartonella spp. in rodents and shrews was 11.5% (99/860, 95% confidence interval: 9.38–13.64%). The following nine species of Bartonella were detected: Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella rattimassiliensis, Bartonella queenslandensis, Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella chanthaburi spp. nov., Bartonella satun spp. nov., Bartonella coopersplainsensis, Bartonella ranong spp. nov., and Bartonella henselae. The prevalence of Bartonella-positive animals differed significantly among provinces.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, the three novel Bartonella spp. isolated from rodents and shrews across Thailand were detected for the first time in this study. Further studies on the epidemiology of Bartonella infection in rodents and its interaction with human health should be conducted in accordance with the Thai government's "One Health" approach to humans, animals, and the environment.

Keywords: Bartonella spp., phylogenetic analysis, polymerase chain reaction, rodents.

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.