Comparison between five coprological methods for the diagnosis of Balantidium coli cysts in fecal samples from pigs

Research (Published online: 12-04-2021)

9. Comparison between five coprological methods for the diagnosis of Balantidium coli cysts in fecal samples from pigs

Juan Carlos Pinilla, Andrea Isabel Pinilla and Angel Alberto Florez

Veterinary World, 14(4): 873-877

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Balantidium coli is a protozoan that can infect humans and non-human primates, being the domestic pigs the animals most affected by this parasite. This study aimed to compare the performance of five coprological methods for diagnosis of Balantidium coli cysts in fecal samples from pigs.

Materials and Methods: From September to December 2019, 558 fecal samples were collected from the rectum of backyard pigs in the Bucaramanga metropolitan area, Colombia. The average age of the sampled animals was 3-4 months. Fecal samples collected were tested using the following coprological techniques: Direct examination with Lugol's iodine solution, buffered saline, centrifugation/flotation and McMaster techniques, and Ziehl–Neelsen method.

Results: The results indicate that B. coli cysts were diagnosed most frequently through direct examination with Lugol's iodine solution (52.7% of the samples) followed by direct examination with a buffered saline solution (37.6%). Moderate concordance (k=0.41; p<0.05) was determined between direct method with Lugol's iodine and buffered saline solution, McMaster and buffered saline (k=0.35; p<0.05), and centrifugation/flotation and buffered saline (k=0.28; p<0.05) showed a fair degree of concordance. The rest of the comparisons were classified as poor. The flotation techniques (centrifugation/ flotation and McMaster) did not show good recovery of cysts.

Conclusion: It is concluded that the most efficient method for diagnosing this parasitosis was to an association between direct examination with Lugol's iodine solution and buffered saline.

Keywords: Balantidium, parasite, pigs, protozoan.

First report of tilapia lake virus emergence in fish farms in the department of Córdoba, Colombia

Research (Published online: 10-04-2021)

8. First report of tilapia lake virus emergence in fish farms in the department of Córdoba, Colombia

Héctor Contreras, Adriana Vallejo, Salim Mattar, Luis Ruiz, Camilo Guzmán and Alfonso Calderón

Veterinary World, 14(4): 865-872

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: In 2016, the tilapia-producing farms in the department of Córdoba, Colombia, had witnessed outbreaks of disease with clinical signs compatible with those caused by the tilapia lake virus (TiLV). This study was conducted to confirm the presence of TiLV in some fish farms in the department of Córdoba.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in seven farms using a non-random sampling method from July 2016 to December 2017. A total of 66 fish, including 33 healthy fish and 33 fish with clinical signs, were caught, from which 178 tissue samples of spleen, liver, and brain were collected. RNA was extracted from each organ using TRIzol®. cDNA was synthesized using a retrotranscriptase and a universal amplification primer. The polymerase chain reaction was performed using primers specific to TiLV, in which the primers were amplified in a 491 bp region in segment 3 of TiLV, and the amplicons were sequenced using the Sanger method.

Results: Of the seven farms surveyed, 3 (42.85%) had TiLV in the collected fish. Of the 66 collected fish, 18 (27.27%) were infected with TiLV. The virus was detected in the brain (64.3%, 18/28), spleen (61.9%, 13/21), and liver (35.7%, 10/28). The sequences were recorded in GenBank with the codes MH338228, MH350845, and MH350846 . Nucleotide homology analyses revealed that this study's circulating strains exhibited 97% identity with the Israeli strain (GenBank KU751816.1).

Conclusion: This is the first official report of TiLV in the department of Córdoba, Colombia. The circulating strains detected in this study exhibited 97% identity with the Israeli strain.

Keywords: alternative, animal use, developing countries, disease outbreaks, economic factor, fish diseases, sentinel surveillance.

Serum protein profiles and C-reactive protein in natural canine filariasis

Research (Published online: 10-04-2021)

7. Serum protein profiles and C-reactive protein in natural canine filariasis

Sariya Asawakarn, Sujin Sirisawadi, Nanthida Kunnasut, Patchana Kamkong and Piyanan Taweethavonsawat

Veterinary World, 14(4): 860-864

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Canine filariasis is caused by several species of filarial worms. The pathophysiological response to infection is mainly due to the filaria lifecycle. Laboratory detection methods to assess the pathological alterations characteristic of filariasis are needed urgently. Serum protein profiles and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are used widely to diagnose several animal diseases. This study aimed to determine the serum protein profiles and CRP levels in dogs infected with Dirofilaria immitis or Brugia pahangi or both parasites.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 980 dogs presenting at animal hospitals and veterinary clinics in Bangkok and its vicinity. The presence of microfilaria in samples was determined using a buffy coat smear and staining with Wright–Giemsa. The sheathed and unsheathed microfilaria species were identified by acid phosphatase staining. Forty positive samples were tested. The serum protein profiles were identified by agarose gel electrophoresis. The CRP concentration was measured using a fluorescent immunoassay.

Results: Albumin levels and albumin-to-globulin ratios were significantly lower, and total protein, β2 globulin, and γ globulin levels were significantly elevated in dogs infected with D. immitis and B. pahangi compared with reference values in normal dogs. The average CRP concentrations in dogs infected with D. immitis or B. pahangi were 69.9 and 12.9 mg/L, respectively.

Conclusion: The total protein and γ globulin levels increased in canine filariasis compared with the normal reference range. The CRP concentration in dogs infected with D. immitis was extremely high, whereas that in dog infected with B. pahangi was normal.

Keywords: Brugia pahangi, C-reactive protein, Dirofilaria immitis, dogs, serum protein.

Possibility of long-term survival of African swine fever virus in natural conditions

Research (Published online: 09-04-2021)

6. Possibility of long-term survival of African swine fever virus in natural conditions

Hranush Arzumanyan, Sona Hakobyan, Hranush Avagyan, Roza Izmailyan, Narek Nersisyan and Zaven Karalyan

Veterinary World, 14(4): 854-859

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: In modern scientific literature presents an understanding that African swine fever (ASF) ASF virus (ASFV) is remarkably stable in the environment, and carcasses of the pigs which were died after ASF, play a key role as ASFV reservoir. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of the ASFV (different isolates) survival in bodies of dead animals, bones, remnants of bone marrow, residual organ matrix in natural conditions.

Materials and Methods: Skeletons of ASFV infected pigs which were died and left/abandoned in forests or buried in Armenia at diverse time points and locations had been excavated and examined for the presence of ASFV genome by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and for infection abilities through in vitro (hemadsorption test and infection in porcine lung macrophages) as well as by intramuscular infection in healthy pigs.

Results: Current exploration showed that in several samples (with different times of exposure) of excavated skeletons had been detected the presence of the virus gene (p72) using real-time PCR. However, in none of these porcine samples, infectious ASFV could be isolated. Data obtained by real-time PCR at frequent intervals indicated the presence of the virus gene (p72), especially within the case of the acute form of the disease. This can be explained by the highest levels of the virus during the latter case mentioned above.

Conclusion: ASFV seems to be very sensitive to environmental temperature. The best place for ASFV long-term survival in the natural environment is bone marrow from intact big tubular bones (like femur or tibia) of buried carcasses. In artificial "graves," complete bones with not destructed bone marrow can preserve the virus gene (p72) for a very long time (more than 2 years). Infectious particles in underground conditions survive not so long: In complete bones with not affected bone marrow, possible presence of the virus for several months.

Keywords: African swine fever virus, p72 gene, virus infectivity, virus survival.

Dietary polyvinyl alcohol and alginate nanofibers ameliorate hyperglycemia by reducing insulin and glucose-metabolizing enzyme levels in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Research (Published online: 09-04-2021)

5. Dietary polyvinyl alcohol and alginate nanofibers ameliorate hyperglycemia by reducing insulin and glucose-metabolizing enzyme levels in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Muhammad Suryadiningrat, Devia Yoanita Kurniawati, Agung Mujiburrahman and Muhammad Thohawi Elziyad Purnama

Veterinary World, 14(4): 847-853

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Dietary management and antidiabetic drugs are used as therapies for diabetic patients worldwide. Alginate nanofibers were developed as a digestible food product that provides sufficient calories. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and alginate nanofibers on weight gain, blood glucose levels, and insulin and other serum parameters in diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods: A total of 24 male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: (C–) Control group, (C+) diabetic rats, (T1) diabetic rats + fasting treatment for 12 h, (T2) diabetic rats + nanofibers ad libitum, (T3) diabetic rats + metformin + nanofibers ad libitum, and (T4) diabetic rats + metformin. All groups were treated for 21 days. Weight gain was evaluated by comparing initial and final weights. Blood glucose levels were evaluated weekly. Serum parameters were also evaluated at the end of the study. All variables were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc test (p<0.05).

Results: The T2, T3, and T4 groups showed a significant increase in weight compared to that of the C+ and T1 groups. The T3 group had the lowest blood glucose level of all groups at the end of the study. In the serum evaluation, the T2 and T3 groups showed a significant decrease compared to the C+ group for the following variables: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), creatinine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). In contrast, the T2 group showed a significant decrease compared to the T3 group for aspartate aminotransferase and insulin levels.

Conclusion: PVA and alginate nanofibers can modulate obesity, reduce blood glucose levels, and reduce serum levels of insulin, ALT, ALP, GGT, creatinine, TNF-α, and IL-1β in diabetic rats.

Keywords: alginate nanofibers, blood glucose, diabetes, insulin, serum.

Effect of hydroponic green herbage on the productive qualities of parent flock geese

Research (Published online: 08-04-2021)

4. Effect of hydroponic green herbage on the productive qualities of parent flock geese

Danis Khaziev, Rinat Gadiev, Chulpan Yusupova, Marina Kazanina and Svetlana Kopylova

Veterinary World, 14(4): 841-846

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Green food is the natural diet for livestock and poultry. Therefore, production of green food in sufficient quantities to meet the current demand has emerged as an urgent problem today. The use of natural laylands results in green food shortage, which, in turn, necessitates the application of various methods of artificial production of green herbage. One of these methods is hydroponic cultivation of green grass as animal feed. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the productive and reproductive qualities of geese of the parent herd.

Materials and Methods: Complex scientific analysis was conducted to explore the effect of hydroponic green herbage used at various dosages (20%, 25%, 30%, and 35% of total diet weight) on the realization of the reproductive qualities of parent flock geese. The methodological framework of this research is the efforts of various foreign and domestic scientists on the topic under study. This research was conducted using generally accepted methods (i.e., experiment, comparison, analysis, and generalization), along with special methods (zootechnical, physiological, biological, hematological, morphological, statistical, and economic).

Results: The optimal dosage of hydroponic green herbage for geese diet was established, which constituted 25-30% of the total diet weight and increased the poultry population survival rate by 2.0%, egg production rate by 3.8%, and the hatching egg yield by 4.9%. The carotenoid content in egg yolk ranged from 1.62 to 3.50 μg. The content of Vitamins A and B2 was higher by 3.19 and 2.32 μg, respectively, compared to that in the control. The production profitability level increased by 9.6%.

Conclusion: By introducing 25-30% of hydroponic greens from the weight of the diet, it is possible to increase the safety of livestock by 2%, the yield of hatching eggs by 4.9%, egg production by 1.46-1.11 μg.

Keywords: economic efficiency, green food, hydroponics, parent flock geese, productive qualities, sprouted green herbage.

The misuse of antiretrovirals to boost pig and poultry productivity in Uganda and potential implications for public health

Research (Published online: 07-04-2021)

11. The misuse of antiretrovirals to boost pig and poultry productivity in Uganda and potential implications for public health

Dickson Ndoboli, Fredrick Nganga, Ben Lukuyu, Barbara Wieland, Delia Grace, Amrei von Braun and Kristina Roesel

International Journal of One Health, 7(1): 88-95

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Since 2015, local newspapers reported that pig and poultry farmers in Uganda use antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to promote growth in animals and control diseases. This study was conducted to assess farmers' knowledge, attitude and perceptions about the use of antiretroviral drugs as boosters in pigs and poultry and the possibility of detecting the antiretroviral drugs in meat using available laboratory methods.

Materials and Methods: In 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted in ten districts in Uganda. In 20 focus group discussions with 100 pig and poultry farmers and 70 animal health service providers, we assessed the use of ARV in livestock enterprises. Subsequently, samples of chicken, pigs, and animal feeds were collected from volunteer participants, and screened for residues of saquinavir, lopinavir, nevirapine, and efavirenz using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrophotometer.

Results: Participants in all ten districts were predominantly smallholder farmers supplying the local markets. All groups reported the use of ARVs in pigs and broiler birds but not in layer hens. In the absence of good quality feeds, the motivation for feeding ARVs was rapid animal weight gain, as well as the control of animal diseases, for which farmers have no alternative solutions. ARVs were obtained within the community for free, against cash, or in-kind payment. Residues of lopinavir were detected in four, and saquinavir in seven districts, and all three sample matrices.

Conclusion: Our study findings confirm anecdotal news reports on ARV use in livestock. While our findings are not generalizable to the whole country, they call for a representative follow-up. As the drugs were detected in tissues destined for human consumption, the potential risk to human health warrants further investigation.

Keywords: antimicrobial use, antiretroviral, growth promoters, pigs, poultry, residues.