Native microbiomes in danger: Could One Health help to cope with this threat to global health?

Review (Published online: 26-12-2022)

9. Native microbiomes in danger: Could One Health help to cope with this threat to global health?

Pablo Zunino

International Journal of One Health, 8(2): 178-184

ABSTRACT

Planetary health faces an emergency associated with global change. Climate change, the increase in world population and urban concentration, the hyperintensification of productive systems, and the associated changes in land use, among other factors, are generating a risky substrate for global health deterioration. The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is an example of the problems that this situation can provoke. Several researchers and health professionals have addressed the role of microorganisms, particularly bacteria, in promoting global health, mainly in the past decades. However, global change has contributed to the extinction of a wide array of bacterial species and the disruption of microbial communities that support the homeostasis of humans, animals, and the environment. The need to protect the diversity and richness of native microbiomes in biotic and abiotic environments is crucial but has been frequently underestimated. The "One Health" approach, based on integrating traditionally unconnected fields such as human, animal, and environmental health, could provide a helpful framework to face this challenge. Anyway, drastic political decisions will be needed to tackle this global health crisis, in which the preservation of native microbial resources plays a critical role, even in preventing the risk of a new pandemic. This review aims to explain the importance of native microbiomes in biotic and abiotic ecosystems and the need to consider bacterial extinction as a crucial problem that could be addressed under a One Health approach.

Keywords: bacteria, global change, health, microbiome, One Health.

The prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus spp. on ocular surfaces of fighting bulls (Bos indicus) in Thailand

Research (Published online: 24-12-2022)

22. The prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus spp. on ocular surfaces of fighting bulls (Bos indicus) in Thailand

Dennapa Saeloh Sotthibandhu, Saowakon Indoung, Husna Niwasawat, Jiradchaya Chaiboon, Nattakan Sungsorn, Nu-issana Longji, Kittipol Polya, Chayanee Noosak, Stefan Schwarz, and Tanawan Soimala

Veterinary World, 15(12): 2922-2928

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Fighting bulls have a high risk of eye injuries, and opportunistic conjunctival bacterial flora may cause subsequent eye diseases. There is little information about the ocular health care of fighting bulls in Thailand. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. from the eyes of fighting bulls and investigate their antimicrobial susceptibility.

Materials and Methods: The samples were collected from the right conjunctival sacs of 105 fighting bulls. Biochemical tests and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry were used to identify bacteria to genus and species levels. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by agar disk diffusion.

Results: Staphylococcus spp. (36.84%, 56/152) were the most detected bacteria. The most prevalent Staphylococcus spp. was Staphylococcus chromogenes (37.50%, 21/56). The susceptibility test revealed that all isolates were susceptible to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (56/56, 100%) and most were susceptible to chloramphenicol and gentamicin (54/56, 96.43%). The highest resistance rates were seen for tetracycline and doxycycline (23.21%, 13/56) followed by erythromycin (19.64%, 11/56). In addition, S. chromogenes isolates were evaluated for their ability to produce biofilms by a quantitative biofilm production assay. A total of 21 isolates exhibited biofilm production, independent of their antimicrobial susceptibility. Three multidrug-resistant isolates were found, including two Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates and a single S. chromogenes isolate.

Conclusion: As antimicrobial resistant bacteria were detected on the eye surface, veterinarians should always conduct antimicrobial susceptibility testing before using antimicrobial agents. The results from this study will help to improve the standard of eye treatment for fighting bulls in Thailand.

Keywords: antimicrobial susceptibility, conjunctival flora, fighting bulls, Staphylococcus spp.

Theileria infection in bullfighting cattle in Thailand

Research (Published online: 23-12-2022)

21. Theileria infection in bullfighting cattle in Thailand

Pirayu Rakwong, Narissara Keawchana, Ruttayaporn Ngasaman, and Ketsarin Kamyingkird

Veterinary World, 15(12): 2917-2921

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: An apicomplexan protozoan parasite, namely, Theileria, primarily causes theileriosis in cattle worldwide. The virulence of the disease has been neglected because of it's low pathogenicity. However, the disease can have a substantial effect, depending on the virulence of the species, low host immunity, and coinfection. In Thailand, the molecular detection of Theileria infection in bullfighting cattle and its hematological alterations have not been reported. Thus, this study aimed to identify Theileria species in bullfighting cattle in Thailand.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from bullfighting cattle presented at the Prince of Songkla University Animal Hospital and were determined on the basis of hematological evaluation and DNA extraction. Molecular detection using the 18s rRNA and merozoite surface antigen genes was conducted for Theileria spp. and Theileria orientalis, respectively. In addition, bidirectional sequencing of the positive samples was performed. Hematological alterations between Theileria infected and uninfected groups were statistically evaluated.

Results: The levels of Theileria spp. and T. orientalis infection in bullfighting cattle were 44.62% (58/130) and 41.54% (54/130), respectively. Theileria orientalis, Theileria sinensis, and Theileria spp. infections were identified in bullfighting cattle samples. Hematological evaluation indicated that the red blood cell (RBC) level was significantly lower in Theileria-infected cattle.

Conclusion: This study was the first to use molecular techniques in the identification of Theileria infection in bullfighting cattle in Thailand, with nearly one-half of the study population infected. Theileria infection in bullfighting cattle altered the RBC level, resulting in anemia. Therefore, tick control measures should be promoted.

Keywords: bullfighting cattle, hematological alteration, molecular identification, Thailand, Theileria.

Common diseases of cattle in Jordan: A retrospective study (2015–2021)

Research (Published online: 23-12-2022)

20. Common diseases of cattle in Jordan: A retrospective study (2015–2021)

Myassar Alekish and Zuhair Bani Ismail

Veterinary World, 15(12): 2910-2916

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: In many developing countries, infectious and non-infectious diseases remain a major hurdle in achieving satisfactory status related to animal health, productivity, and welfare. In Jordan, there are no comprehensive reports describing the most common diseases involving different body systems in different age groups of cattle. Therefore, this retrospective study was designed to report the frequencies of various infectious and non-infectious diseases and their distribution according to sex, age, and body system in cattle in Jordan.

Materials and Methods: Case medical records of cattle presented for clinical evaluation to the Veterinary Health Center of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Jordan University of Science and Technology between January 2015 and December 2021 were used in this study. The data were categorized based on sex (female vs. male), body system involved in the disease process, nature of the disease process (infectious vs. non-infectious), and age (pre-weaning [<2 months of age], 2 months–2 years of age, and older than 2 years of age). Descriptive analysis was performed to report the frequencies, averages, and range values using Excel spreadsheets.

Results: Medical records of 513 cattle cases were used in the study. All cattle belonged to the Holstein-Friesian dairy breed. The majority of cases were female (91%). The age of animals ranged between 1 day and 8 years. According to age groups, there were 52%, 27%, and 16% of cases older than 2 years, 2 months–2 years, and pre-weaning (<2 months), respectively. Among males and females, the majority of cases were diagnosed with gastrointestinal diseases (30%), followed by udder/teat diseases (18%), reproductive and obstetrical diseases (16%), and respiratory diseases (11%). Other body systems involved in disease processes were metabolic (7%), musculoskeletal (6%), cardiovascular/circulatory (4%), multiple systems (3%), nervous (2%), ear/eye (2%), and skin (1%).

Conclusion: Results of this study provide valuable information on the most likely diagnostic list of diseases involving various body systems of different age groups in cattle in Jordan. This information could serve as a clinical guideline for field diagnosis of cattle diseases and provide an accurate estimate of the current status of cattle welfare, health, and husbandry practices in Jordan.

Keywords: animal welfare, cattle diseases, Holstein-Friesian dairy cows, socioeconomic impact of animal disease.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli from pork in Muang district, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Research (Published online: 21-12-2022)

19. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli from pork in Muang district, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Wirunchana Srichumporn, Warangkhana Chaisowwong, Montira Intanon, and Kannika Na-Lampang

Veterinary World, 15(12): 2903-2909

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Contaminated pork is one of the transmission routes for pathogens. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli is one of the critical threats to global public health. This study aimed to examine pork from different types of markets in Muang district, Chiangmai Province, Thailand, for a proportion of ESBL-producing E. coli, antibiotic resistance of ESBL-producing E. coli and ESBL-producing E. coli genotypes.

Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from different market types; fresh markets, pork stores, and supermarkets, enriched and inoculated on selective media. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing E. coli was identified using double-disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute 2016. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed through VITEK® System and ESBL-encoding genes were detected using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction.

Results: About 69% of the samples were positive to ESBL-producing E. coli and showed high rates of resistance for ampicillin (100%), piperacillin (100%), cefalexin (100%), cefpodoxime (100%), cefovecin (100%) and ceftiofur (100%), gentamycin (89.86%), and tetracycline (TE) (84.06%). All isolates were multiple drug resistant; resistance patterns of beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, TEs, nitrobenzene derivatives, and sulfonamide groups were observed. The ESBL-producing E. coli-positive isolates carried blaCTX-M groups (100%), blaTEM (98.55%), and blaSHV (1.45%). None of blaOXA was found in this study.

Conclusion: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing E. coli was found in various types of markets; all isolates were detected as multidrug-resistant. The dissemination of such strains can conceivably cause concerning public health, implying that supervised antimicrobial use in pork production and sanitary food preparation is recommended.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing Escherichia coli, pork, Thailand.

Toxicity test of flavonoid compounds from the leaves of Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq. using in vitro culture cell models

Research (Published online: 21-12-2022)

18. Toxicity test of flavonoid compounds from the leaves of Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq. using in vitro culture cell models

Mochamad Lazuardi, Suharjono Suharjono, Chi-Hsien Chien, Jie-Long He, Chi-Wen Lee, Chia-Kang Peng, Mohammad Sukmanadi, Rahmi Sugihartuti, and Lilik Maslachah

Veterinary World, 15(12): 2896-2902

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The flavonoids from mistletoe are thought to have antimicrobial action. This encouraging finding supports the benefits of medicinal plants as a substitute for synthetic antimicrobials, thus promoting healthy lifestyles. In contrast, it is known that the use of topical drug formulations made from flavonoids of mistletoe (Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq. Loranthaceae) with Indonesian name, Benalu duku (BD) is required in skin cell irritation. This study aimed to assess the toxic effects of the flavonoid substances of BD, as an initial screening.

Materials and Methods: A myeloma cell line was cultured in Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium, and the Baby Hamster Kidney clone 12 (BHK21) cell line was cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium from stock (±9 × 107 cells/mL), and 1.2 mL of culture were distributed into each well of a microtiter plate. Subsequently, 0.2 mL of serially diluted flavonoid compounds (0.5–3 μg/mL) were added to 12 wells for each concentration, as trial groups (including control groups), followed by a 2-day incubation. Observations were performed based on the cytopathic effect (CPE) using an inverted microscope at a magnification of 100×.

Results: Cytopathic effect was detected on the microtiter plate wells for the groups of myeloma and BHK21 cells at a flavonoid concentration of 0.5 μg/mL–3 μg/mL.

Conclusion: Flavonoid compounds from BD were safely used for topical treatment of cancer cells at a concentration <2.491 μg/mL, whereas for non-cancerous cells, a concentration <2.582 μg/mL was sufficient (p < 0.05).

Keywords: antimicrobial, Baby Hamster Kidney clone 12 cell culture, cytopathic effect, healthy lifestyle, myeloma cell culture.

Effect of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels on egg-laying frequency in hens

Research (Published online: 20-12-2022)

17. Effect of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels on egg-laying frequency in hens

Ragil Angga Prastiya, Sri Pantja Madyawati, Sera Yunita Sari, and Aras Prasetiyo Nugroho

Veterinary World, 15(12): 2890-2895

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Gonadotropins, for example, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), are hormones that affect the reproductive process. In hens, optimal levels of FSH and LH can stimulate follicle growth fairly rapidly and thereby increase egg production through follicle development and increased ovulation. Follicle-stimulating hormone acts in the early stages of follicular growth, whereas LH acts on pre-ovulatory follicles. Normal follicular growth is the result of the complementary action of FSH and LH. Low FSH and LH levels result in the formation of follicles but a lack of egg production in chickens. This study aimed to investigate FSH and LH hormone levels from layer chickens with different egg-laying frequencies.

Materials and Methods: Fifty blood serum samples were collected from 54-week-old ISA brown strain hens that were divided into five groups (with 10 hens per group) as follows: Hens that lay eggs (i) every day, (ii) once every 2 days, (iii) twice every 3 days, (iv) 3 times every 4 days, and (v) hens that do not lay eggs. Follicle-stimulating hormone and LH levels were measured in samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance.

Results: Follicle-stimulating hormone levels were significantly associated with the frequency of egg laying in ISA brown strain hens (p < 0.05); the highest FSH level (869.005 ± 149.194 pg/mL) was found in hens that lay eggs every day. In contrast, the highest LH level (51.386 ± 2.410 mIU/mL) was found in hens that lay eggs every 2 days.

Conclusion: High level of FSH (869.005 ± 149.194 pg/mL) was associated with a high frequency of egg laying (every day) in ISA brown strain hens, and LH level of around 30.406 pg/mL was associated with daily egg laying in these hens.

Keywords: egg-laying frequency, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, gonadotropin hormone, laying hens, reproductive health.