Prevalence and risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium spp. infection in local breed of dogs in Enugu State, Nigeria

Research (Published online: 31-05-2019)

17. Prevalence and risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium spp. infection in local breed of dogs in Enugu State, Nigeria

Ukamaka U. Eze, Ikenna O. Ezeh, Terry A. Nzeakor, Samuel C. Attama, Ekene V. Ezenduka and Denchris N. Onah

Veterinary World, 12(5): 729-734

ABSTRACT

Aims: Cryptosporidiosis is an important zoonotic disease of major public and veterinary concern. The disease affects humans and a variety of animal species including the domestic dog. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium spp. infection in local breed of dogs from different homes and those presented at veterinary hospitals and clinics in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A total of 203 fresh fecal samples were collected from domestic dogs in six local government areas in Enugu State from February 2015 to August 2015. All the samples were examined using the formol-ether sedimentation method. Fecal smears were then stained by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique and examined under direct light microscopy.

Results: A total of 74 (36.5%) dogs were infected with Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. There was a strong association (p<0.05) between the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and management practices. However, there was no statistically significant association (p>0.05) between the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and age, sex, and fecal consistency.

Conclusion: The findings of this work suggest that domestic dogs in Enugu State harbor and shed Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in the environment, especially those managed semi-intensively. Such fecal shedding is particularly so and of greater zoonotic and epidemiological importance in animals that do not show clinical signs and therefore not treated. They, therefore, pose a greater public health risk, especially to immune-compromised humans and animals. Public education on the zoonotic implication of this protozoan infection is of paramount importance in Enugu State, in particular, and Nigeria, in general, considering the closeness of dogs and man.

Keywords: Cryptosporidium, dogs, modified Ziehl-Neelsen techniques, Nigeria, prevalence, risk factor.

Antigenic site of nucleoprotein gene from Indonesian rabies virus isolates

Research (Published online: 31-05-2019)

16. Antigenic site of nucleoprotein gene from Indonesian rabies virus isolates

Jola Rahmahani, Suwarno Suwarno, Wiwik Misaco Yuniarti and Fedik Abdul Rantam

Veterinary World, 12(5): 724-728

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Several molecular studies on rabies virus (RABV) have been conducted in Indonesia, but it does not give clear information about molecular characteristics of previous RABV isolate in Indonesia. This study was conducted to know the characteristic of circulating RABV to determine a suitable method to control the spreading of RABV in Indonesia.

Materials and Methods: Samples of infected RABV from dog brain were collected from Sumatera, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Bali Islands. All samples were examined based on nucleoprotein encoding gene to determine the molecular characteristics based on homology and phylogenetic tree compared to Pasteur Virus and RABV that came from another country within Asia (Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, and Korea). The collected samples were processed by one-step reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction using nucleoprotein encoding gene followed by sequencing. The amino acid of its antigenic site of isolated RABV was also analyzed.

Results: The results showed that isolated RABV has 84-85% similarity compared to Pasteur. According to phylogenetic construction, isolated samples do not share the same lineage toward Pasteur. The homology scores of isolated samples compared to RABV within Asia such as Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, and Korea were 98-99%, 92-93%, 88-89%, 86-88%, and 85-88%, respectively. According to antigenic site analysis compared to Pasteur, it was found that there were amino acid mutations within antigenic Site IV of nucleoprotein. Amino acid mutation from isoleucine to valine occurred in amino acid number 240 of 6 Kalimantan, 7 Kalimantan, and 8 Kalimantan. Amino acid mutation from alanine to aspartate and asparagine to threonine occurred within the same antigenic site in amino acid number 246 and 273 of C4 isolate from Sulawesi.

Conclusion: According to homology and phylogenetic tree analyses, isolated RABV remained different compared to RABV within Asia and Pasteur. The amino acid mutation occurred in antigenic site of nucleoprotein encoding gene.

Keywords: amino acid, antigenic site, N gene, rabies virus.

Surveillance of the equine infectious anemia virus in Eastern and Central Saudi Arabia during 2014-2016

Research (Published online: 29-05-2019)

15. Surveillance of the equine infectious anemia virus in Eastern and Central Saudi Arabia during 2014-2016

Abdulmohsen Abdullah Alnaeem and Maged Gomaa Hemida

Veterinary World, 12(5): 719-723

ABSTRACT

Background: Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is one of the most important threats to the equine industry globally. This is due to the poor performance of the affected horses, which requires euthanization of the infected animals upon the infection confirmation. Infected animals remain carriers throughout their life. EIAV infection has been reported in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, the EIAV status is never assessed in horses in the Gulf area, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Aim: This study aimed to perform molecular and serological surveillance among some horse populations in Eastern and Central Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods: Sera and whole blood were collected from 361 horses and 19 donkeys from the eastern and central regions of Saudi Arabia during January 2014-December 2016. Sera were tested by the commercial EIAV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Moreover, the collected blood samples were tested by the commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction kits.

Results: Our serological surveillance revealed the absence of any antibodies against EIAV in the tested animals. Similar results were reported for the tested horses' plasma. This study confirms the absence of EIAV in horses and donkeys from Eastern and Central Saudi Arabia during the tenure of the current study. However, careful monitoring of the EIAV is highly recommended to avoid the emergence of such a virus in the horse population in Saudi Arabia.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first EIAV surveillance conducted not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the Gulf area. This study confirms the absence of EIAV in the tested equine population in the eastern and central regions of Saudi Arabia during 2014-2016.

Keywords: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, equine infectious anemia virus, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Saudi Arabia.

Serological and histopathological investigation of brucellosis in cattle in Medea region, Northern Algeria

Research (Published online: 28-05-2019)

14. Serological and histopathological investigation of brucellosis in cattle in Medea region, Northern Algeria

El Aid Kaaboub, Nassim Ouchene, Nadjet Amina Ouchene-Khelifi and Djamel Khelef

Veterinary World, 12(5): 713-718

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study was performed to determine the prevalence of bovine brucellosis in Medea region, Northern Algeria.

Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 495 non-vaccinated cattle, of which 280 (30 males and 250 females) belonged to 57 cattle farms and 215 cows were sampled at abattoirs of Medea. Sera collected from the cattle were tested using the Rose Bengal test and confirmed by histopathological analysis.

Results: Serological examination revealed that 7/57 farms (12.28%) were infected, of which 7/280 (2.5%) cattle were seropositive. The prevalence in females and males was 2.4% (6/250) and 3.33% (1/30), respectively. No significant difference has been observed between females and males. Older animals (≥8 years) were infected more. The prevalence of infection was 9.1%. Seroprevalence of Brucella infection in cows that have already had abortion was higher compared with non-aborted cows (4.34% and 2.20%, respectively). In abattoirs, a total of 25 (11.62%) seropositive cows were detected, and the histopathological analysis was positive in all these cows.

Conclusion: The study indicates that brucellosis indeed exists in cattle in Medea and shows that the meat of slaughtered cattle tested positive for brucellosis may constitute a real risk of transmission to both butchery personnel and consumers, which requires that the meat of infected animals should be analyzed before being marketed.

Keywords: Algeria, Brucella, cattle, histopathological analysis, seroprevalence.

The epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks and its history in Iraq

Research (Published online: 25-05-2019)

13. The epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks and its history in Iraq

Karima Akool Al-Salihi

Veterinary World, 12(5): 706-712

ABSTRACT

Background and Aims: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is reported in Iraq since 1937 and occurs as a devastating seasonal epidemic. This study intended to explore the epidemiology of FMD in Iraq during 2011-2016, through assessment of outbreak reports among cow, buffalo, and small ruminants (sheep and goat) in 15 Iraqi governorates except for Kurdistan region.

Materials and Methods: The reported data regarding FMD cases were collected from veterinary hospitals in 15 Iraqi governorates and were analyzed.

Results: The results revealed annual FMD outbreaks in cow, buffalo, and small ruminants in Iraqi governorates with variability in the numbers of the infected and dead animals. The total number of infected animals increased in 2016 compared to 2015 due to the illegal importation of FMD-infected cows at the end of 2015. The prevalence rates of FMD were 68.7%, 46.6%, and 30.3% in cattle, buffalo, and small ruminants, respectively, in 2016, while this was 18.4%, 19.9%, and 17.3%, respectively, in 2015.

Conclusion: This study approved the reemergence and endemic nature of FMD in Iraqi livestock. Prompt procedures and a new future strategy need to be implemented to control the increasing incidences of FMD in Iraq.

Keywords: Baghdad, Bashder checkpoint, foot-and-mouth disease, Iraq, Nineveh governorate.

Comparison of conventional polymerase chain reaction and routine blood smear for the detection of Babesia canis, Hepatozoon canis, Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma platys in Buriram Province, Thailand

Research (Published online: 24-05-2019)

12. Comparison of conventional polymerase chain reaction and routine blood smear for the detection of Babesia canis, Hepatozoon canis, Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma platys in Buriram Province, Thailand

Rucksak Rucksaken, Cherdsak Maneeruttanarungroj, Thanaporn Maswanna, Metita Sussadee and Pithai Kanbutra

Veterinary World, 12(5): 700-705

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Dog blood parasites are important tick-borne diseases causing morbidity and mortality in dogs worldwide. Four dog blood parasites species are commonly found in Thailand: Babesia canis, Hepatozoon canis, Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma platys. They are transmitted easily by tick species. However, there is little prevalence data available in Thailand. Diseases presentation of blood parasites infection is similar, but the treatment of each species is different. Current diagnosis mainly relies on microscopic examination of a stained blood smear, which has low sensitivity. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is important. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and routine blood smears in the detection of four blood parasites species in dogs from Buriram Province, Thailand.

Materials and Methods: In total, 49 EDTA-blood samples were collected from dogs in Buriram Province, Thailand. Blood parasite infection was compared using the Giemsa-stained blood smear technique to identify the parasite under a 100× oil immersion with PCR amplification of the 18S rDNA gene of B. canis and H. canis and the 16S rDNA gene of E. canis and A. platys.

Results: Only one dog out of 49 was positive for H. canis based on microscopic examination whereas the PCR results showed that 2.04% (1/49), 4.08% (2/49), 36.73% (18/49), and 30.61% (15/49) of dogs were positive for B. canis, H. canis, E. canis, and A. platys, respectively. Moreover, coinfection was found in 16.33% (8/49) of dogs.

Conclusion: This study is the first report to demonstrate the molecular prevalence of blood parasites in domestic dogs in Buriram Province. The results indicated that the PCR method exhibited much higher sensitivity and reliability for blood parasites diagnosis in dogs. Therefore, our data support serious concern regarding the diagnostic technique used in routine blood testing and also provide prevalence data for the management and control of blood parasites in this area.

Keywords: Blood parasites, dog, polymerase chain reaction, prevalence.

Detection of serum antibodies against Leptospira spp. in brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Grenada, West Indies

Research (Published online: 23-05-2019)

11. Detection of serum antibodies against Leptospira spp. in brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Grenada, West Indies

Ravindra Nath Sharma, Katelyn Thille, Brianna Piechowski and Keshaw Tiwari

Veterinary World, 12(5): 696-699

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Leptospirosis is an emerging disease of animals and humans. Among rodents brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are an important reservoir of bacteria Leptospira. There is a paucity of information on reservoirs of Leptospira in Grenada. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of antibodies against Leptospira spp. in brown rats in a densely human populated area of Grenada.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 169 brown rats were collected and sera screened for antibodies against Leptospira spp. using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Among a total of 169 brown rats trapped in two parishes in Grenada, 77/169 (45.5%) were positive for Leptospira spp. antibodies. A significant difference in seropositive population of brown rats between two collection sites was observed. No differences were found between sex and age of seropositive rats.

Conclusion: Due to the close contact of brown rats with humans in Grenada, rats should be considered a high-risk factor in transmission of Leptospira to humans. Appropriate preventive measures should be instituted to prevent the transmission of Leptospira infection to humans.

Keywords: brown rats, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Grenada, Leptospira spp.