The occurrence of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus infection in wild and captive Asian elephants in Thailand: Investigation based on viral DNA and host antibody

Research (Published online: 27-02-2021)

28. The occurrence of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus infection in wild and captive Asian elephants in Thailand: Investigation based on viral DNA and host antibody

Phirom Prompiram, Witthawat Wiriyarat, Benjaporn Bhusri, Weena Paungpin, Waleemas Jairak, Supaphen Sripiboon and Tuempong Wongtawan

Veterinary World, 14(2): 545-550

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is a serious disease, threatening the life of young elephants. Many elephants have been infected with no clinical signs and may serve as carriers spreading this disease. It is important to monitor the disease through clinical signs and molecular diagnosis. In this study we investigated the occurrence of EEHV and the efficiency of different techniques used to monitor EEHV infection in various samples and populations of Asian elephants.

Materials and Methods: Blood and trunk swabs were collected from live elephants, while visceral organs (lung, digestive tract, spleen, lymph nodes, and kidney) were collected from dead elephants. EEHV was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in whole blood, trunk swabs, and visceral organs as samples, while elephant anti-EEHV immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 162 samples were analyzed in this study: 129 from healthy, 26 from dead, and 7 from sick elephants.

Results: The present study showed that the overall incidence of EEHV was 40.1% (n=65/162). Approximately 46.2% (n=12/26) and 85.7% (n=6/7) of dead and sick elephants were positive for EEHV by PCR, respectively. All sick elephants that were young and affected by EEHV clinical disease tested negative for the IgG antibody ELISA, suggesting primary EEHV infection in this group. In addition, 2.3% (n=3/129) of subclinical infections were detected using PCR, and trunk swab samples showed slightly higher sensitivity (5.3%, n=2/38) to detect EEHV than whole blood (1.2%, n=1/84). As many as, 48.4% (n=44/91) of healthy elephants were EEHV seropositive (ELISA-positive), suggesting that many elephants in Thailand had previously been infected. Overall, 30% of dead wild elephants had been infected with EEHV (n=3/10). Moreover, statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in the EEHV detection rate between different age groups or sexes (p>0.05).

Conclusion: PCR is better than ELISA to detect EEHV active infection in dead/sick elephants and to monitor EEHV in young elephants. ELISA is suitable for detecting previous EEHV infection and carriers, particularly adults. Theoretically, we could use both PCR and ELISA to increase the sensitivity of testing, along with observing abnormal behavior to efficiently monitor this disease. Identification of EEHV carriers within elephant populations is important to prevent transmission to healthy individuals, especially young elephants with high mortality from EEHV. This is the first report from Thailand regarding EEHV infection in wild elephants, showing the importance of preventing disease transmission between captive and wild elephants.

Keywords: Carrier, elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, elephant, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, polymerase chain reaction.

A study of the aphrodisiac properties of Cordyceps militaris in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats

Research (Published online: 27-02-2021)

27. A study of the aphrodisiac properties of Cordyceps militaris in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats

Toan Van Nguyen, Pramote Chumnanpuen, Kongphop Parunyakul, Krittika Srisuksai and Wirasak Fungfuang

Veterinary World, 14(2): 537-544

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Cordyceps militaris (CM) is a fungus that has been used to enhance aphrodisiac activity in men, but to date, no studies have focused on its antidiabetic properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CM on reproductive performance of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male rats.

Materials and Methods: Six-week-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control Group 1 consisting of healthy rats; Group 2, healthy rats treated with CM (100 mg/kg); Group 3, diabetic untreated rats; and Group 4, diabetic rats treated with CM (100 mg/kg). Rats were orally administered with vehicle or CM for 21 days. The body weight, blood glucose level, food intake, epididymal sperm parameter, sexual behavior, serum testosterone level, and antioxidant parameters were determined.

Results: The results indicated that CM treatment in STZ-induced diabetic rats significantly improved the epididymal sperm parameter and serum testosterone level and, in turn, their copulatory behavior. CM treatment in diabetic rats significantly ameliorated malondialdehyde level and significantly improved the glutathione and catalase levels.

Conclusion: These results provide new information on the pharmacological properties of CM in ameliorating testicular damage due to oxidative stress and improving sexual performance in diabetic male rats.

Keywords: Cordyceps militaris, diabetes mellitus, sexual behavior, sperm, streptozotocin.

Estimation of Brucella and Mycobacterium bovis contamination in bovine milk in Africa

Research (Published online: 26-02-2021)

6. Estimation of Brucella and Mycobacterium bovis contamination in bovine milk in Africa

Nozyechi Ngulube Chidumayo

International Journal of One Health, 7(1): 37-41

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis are zoonotic bacterial diseases transmitted through the consumption of raw milk and dairy products. Many developed countries have eliminated bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in their cattle herds, however, the diseases are still endemic in Africa. Despite the public health risk of these pathogens, the sale and consumption of unpasteurized milk are still common in some African countries. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Brucella and Mycobacterium bovis in bovine milk.

Materials and Methods: A conceptual model for milk contamination was constructed and 1 million simulations were performed using data from published articles.

Results: Brucella milk contamination was estimated at a median of 8.68% (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.95-11.97%; range: 2.41-25.16%). The median prevalence of M. bovis was estimated at 6.86% (IQR: 4.25-9.40%; range: 0.01-15.16%).

Conclusion: These results indicate that there is a risk of Brucella and M. bovis transmission through the consumption of unpasteurized milk. The findings of this study highlight the need to improve the safety and quality of informally marketed milk in the region.

Keywords: Africa, Brucella, cattle, milk, Mycobacterium bovis, zoonoses.

Health belief model concept on the prevention of coronavirus disease-19 using path analysis in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Research (Published online: 26-02-2021)

5. Health belief model concept on the prevention of coronavirus disease-19 using path analysis in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Artha Budi Susila Duarsa, Aena Mardiah, Fachrudi Hanafi, Dany Karmila and Ayu Anulus

International Journal of One Health, 7(1): 31-36

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Effective prevention of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) requires public health focus on challenges at the community level. This study aimed to identify the determinants of COVID-19 preventive behavior among people in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, using the health belief model.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The study sample included 385 randomly selected individuals. The dependent variable was COVID-19 preventive behavior. The data were collected by a questionnaire and analyzed by path analysis using Stata Statistical Software version 13 for Windows 64 bit.

Results: COVID-19 preventive behavior was positively and directly associated with perceived benefits (b=0.20; confidence interval [CI] 95% 0.11-0.29; p<0.001), perceived barriers (b=–0.15; CI 95% –0.24-–0.06; p=0.002), and biological sex (b=–0.43; CI 05% –0.78-–0.08; p=0.016). Preventive behavior was also positively and directly associated with attitude (b=0.48; CI 95% –0.20-1.16; p=0.167) and perceived susceptibility (b=0.06; CI 95% –0.01-0.12; p=0.083), though these associations were not significant. Preventive behavior was indirectly associated with knowledge, perceived severity, age, health facility availability, and regulation exposure.

Conclusion: COVID-19 preventive behavior among people in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, is directly related to the perceived benefits, biological sex, perceived barriers, attitude, and perceived susceptibility. Preventive behavior of COVID-19 is indirectly associated with knowledge, perceived severity, age, health facility availability, and exposure to regulation.

Keywords: coronavirus disease-19, health belief model, path analysis, West Nusa Tenggara.

Preventive antimicrobial action and tissue architecture ameliorations of Bacillus subtilis in challenged broilers

Research (Published online: 26-02-2021)

26. Preventive antimicrobial action and tissue architecture ameliorations of Bacillus subtilis in challenged broilers

Essam S. Soliman, Rania T. Hamad and Mona S. Abdallah

Veterinary World, 14(2): 523-536

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Probiotics improve intestinal balance through bacterial antagonism and competitive exclusion. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial activity, as well as the in vivo preventive, immunological, productive, and histopathological modifications produced by probiotic Bacillus subtilis.

Materials and Methods: The in vitro antimicrobial activities of B. subtilis (5×106 CFU/g; 0.5, 1.0*, 1.5, and 2.0 g/L) were tested against Escherichia coli O157: H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Candida albicans, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes after exposure times of 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 h using minimal inhibitory concentration procedures. A total of 320 1-day-old female Ross broiler chickens were divided into five groups. Four out of the five groups were supplemented with 0.5, 1.0*, 1.5, and 2.0 g/L probiotic B. subtilis from the age of 1 day old. Supplemented 14-day-old broiler chickens were challenged with only E. coli O157: H7 (4.5×1012 CFU/mL) and S. Typhimurium (1.2×107 CFU/mL). A total of 2461 samples (256 microbial-probiotic mixtures, 315 sera, 315 duodenal swabs, and 1575 organs) were collected.

Results: The in vitro results revealed highly significant (p<0.001) killing rates at all-time points in 2.0 g/L B. subtilis: 99.9%, 90.0%, 95.6%, and 98.8% against E. coli, S. Typhimurium, C. albicans, and T. mentagrophytes, respectively. Broilers supplemented with 1.5 and 2.0 g/L B. subtilis revealed highly significant increases (p<0.01) in body weights, weight gains, carcass weights, edible organs' weights, immune organs' weights, biochemical profile, and immunoglobulin concentrations, as well as highly significant declines (p<0.01) in total bacterial, Enterobacteriaceae, and Salmonella counts. Histopathological photomicrographs revealed pronounced improvements and near-normal pictures of the livers and hearts of broilers with lymphoid hyperplasia in the bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen after supplementation with 2.0 g/L B. subtilis.

Conclusion: The studies revealed that 1.5-2.0 g of probiotic B. subtilis at a concentration of 5×106 CFU/g/L water was able to improve performance, enhance immunity, and tissue architecture, and produce direct antimicrobial actions.

Keywords: broiler chickens, histopathological photomicrographs, immunity, in vitro antimicrobial, in vivo preventive, probiotics.

Polymorphisms in hormone-sensitive lipase and leptin receptor genes and their association with growth traits in Barki lambs

Research (Published online: 26-02-2021)

25. Polymorphisms in hormone-sensitive lipase and leptin receptor genes and their association with growth traits in Barki lambs

Adel H. M. Ibrahim

Veterinary World, 14(2): 515-522

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Marker-assisted selection has many advantages over conventional selection in animal breeding. The candidate gene approach has been applied to identify genetic markers associated with economically important traits in livestock. This study was established to investigate variation in the hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and leptin receptor (LEPR) genes, and their association with growth traits in Barki lambs.

Materials and Methods: Records for birth weight (BW), pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG1), weaning weight (WW), post-weaning average daily gain (ADG2), and marketing weight (MW) were obtained from 247 Barki lambs. Polymerase chain reaction–single-stranded conformational polymorphism analyses were used to detect variation in exon 9 of HSL and exon 19 of LEPR. General linear models were used to test for associations between the variation in ovine HSL and LEPR, and growth traits.

Results: The SSCP banding patterns for HSL showed three variants (H1, H2, and H3), which contained two nucleotide-sequence differences (c.1865C>T and c.2038T>C). Two SSCP banding patterns (L1 and L2) were observed for LEPR and these contained two nucleotide-sequence differences (c.2800G>A and c.2978C>G). The HSL genotype showed no effect on the studied traits. The LEPR genotype was proven to have significant effects (p<0.05) on ADG2 and MW. The presence of the L1 variant was associated (p<0.01) with decreased ADG2 and MW.

Conclusion: The finding of an association between LEPR gene variation and growth rate after weaning in Barki lambs warrants efforts to improve this trait.

Keywords: Barki lambs, growth traits, hormone-sensitive lipase, leptin receptor.

Standardization and characterization of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction from New Zealand white rabbits for bone tissue engineering

Research (Published online: 25-02-2021)

24. Standardization and characterization of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction from New Zealand white rabbits for bone tissue engineering

Khan Sharun, Abhijit M. Pawde, Rohit Kumar, E. Kalaiselvan, Prakash Kinjavdekar, Kuldeep Dhama and Amar Pal

Veterinary World, 14(2): 508-514

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) contains a heterogeneous cell population comprising multipotent adipose-derived stem cells. Regenerative therapy using adipose-derived SVF has broad applications in bone tissue engineering due to the superior osteogenic potential of SVF. This study was designed to standardize and characterize adipose-derived SVF obtained from New Zealand white rabbits for bone tissue engineering and other potential applications.

Materials and Methods: Ten skeletally mature and clinically healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. The SVF was prepared using surgically resected interscapular adipose tissue following enzymatic digestion with 0.1% collagenase type I solution. The SVF pellet obtained after the final centrifugation step was suspended in a 0.5 mL control solution to obtain ready-to-use adipose-derived SVF. The freshly prepared SVF was characterized based on the total SVF cell count and cell yield per gram of adipose tissue. The SVF cells were enumerated using a hemocytometer.

Results: Interscapular adipose tissue depots are ideal for preparing autologous adipose-derived SVF due to the ease of access. The interscapular adipose-derived SVF prepared by enzymatic digestion had an average cell yield of 3.15±0.09×106 cells/g adipose tissue. Freshly prepared SVF had a total cell count of 3.15±0.09×104 cells/μL.

Conclusion: The enzymatic digestion of adipose tissue using 0.1% collagenase resulted in better cell yield per gram than methods previously reported in rabbits. The use of adipose-derived SVF can preclude the requirement for an additional culture period. In addition, it may also reduce the risk of extensive cell contamination, which makes it a safe and cost-effective strategy for bone tissue engineering applications.

Keywords: adipose tissue, characterization, New Zealand white rabbit, standardization, stromal vascular fraction.