Gastrointestinal parasites of dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Algeria

Research (Published online: 19-08-2020)

21. Gastrointestinal parasites of dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Algeria

Messaoud Bouragba, AbdElkarim Laatamna, Fatima Elzahra Cheddad, Djamel Baroudi, Karim Houali and Ahcène Hakem

Veterinary World, 13(8): 1635-1640

ABSTRACT

Aim: The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence and identification of gastrointestinal parasites in feces samples of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Algeria based on microscopic examination.

Materials and Methods: A total of 717 fresh fecal samples obtained from 28 farms at Steppe and Northern Sahara regions of Algeria were processed for microscopic examination after concentration by formalin-ether sedimentation and flotation techniques. In addition, microscopic examination of Cryptosporidium spp. was done by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and Lugol staining procedure was used for the detection of Giardia cysts.

Results: Microscopic examination indicated an infection rate of gastrointestinal parasites of 48.26% (346/717). Protozoan infections were recorded at 17.02% (122/717), whereas helminth infections were recorded at 23.71% (170/717). In addition, mixed infection (protozoans and helminths) was seen at 7.53% (54/717). No correlation was found between infection and age of the animals, nor the consistency of the stool samples; in addition, neither influence of sex nor breed of camels was observed. Eighteen genera of gastrointestinal parasites were revealed; including four genera of protozoa, 12 Nematoda, one Cestoda, and one Trematoda. Strongyloides spp. and Eimeria spp. showed the highest rate of parasitism, while Cooperia spp. was observed with the lowest prevalence. Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 13 among 717 examined samples (1.81%).

Conclusion: The parasite fauna infecting the gastrointestinal tract of the Algerian dromedary is much diversified. The detected parasites in camels are similar to counterparts in other ruminants, posing serious challenge to animal farming. Future studies should be carried out to better understand the epidemiology of these parasitic diseases and their economic and public health impact.

Keywords: Algeria, camel dromedary, helminths, prevalence, protozoans.

Histological classification and expression of markers of canine mast cell tumors

Research (Published online: 18-08-2020)

20. Histological classification and expression of markers of canine mast cell tumors

V. S. Cruz, J. C. A. Borges, L. L. Nepomuceno, P. A. M. Gonçalves, Y. C. L. Prado, C. Bianchi, M. C. S. Fioravanti and E. G. Araújo

Veterinary World, 13(8): 1627-1634

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are malignant neoplasms that are common in dogs. Their biological behavior is variable and unpredictable. The aim of the present study was to analyze the histological classification and expression of markers of canine MCTs.

Materials and Methods: Thirty samples of canine MCTs were graded according to the histological classification methods of Patnaik and those of Kiupel. The expression of phosphoprotein 53 (p53) and c-kit proteins was quantified by immunohistochemistry using image processing software, ImageJ - a public domain computer program, developed at the National Institutes of Health.

Results: It was possible to determine the grade of 100% of the samples. According to Patnaik's classification, 20.00% of the samples were Grade 1, 43.30% were Grade 2, and 36.70% were Grade 3. According to Kiupel's classification, 56.67% of the samples were of high intensity and 43.33% were of low intensity. Grade 1 tumors had the highest expression of p53 and c-kit, and Grade 2 had the lowest expression. The results showed that it is necessary to perform both histological grading methods. The classification into high and low intensity may provide more consistent results than the three-level grading system. However, a smaller number of categories, although it facilitates the classification, may not be sufficient for the prognosis.

Conclusion: Quantitative evaluation of p-53 and c-kit expression is a useful tool to increase the accuracy of the analysis and to aid in choosing the treatment method for canine MCTs. Histological grading should be combined with other diagnostic methods.

Keywords: Bismarck brown, hematoxylin and eosin, ImageJ, round cell tumor, toluidine blue.

Monitoring of serum and urinary biomarkers during treatment of canine visceral leishmaniasis

Research (Published online: 18-08-2020)

19. Monitoring of serum and urinary biomarkers during treatment of canine visceral leishmaniasis

Alvaro Felipe de Lima Ruy Dias, Eveline da Cruz Boa Sorte Ayres, Fernanda Harumi Maruyama, Bruna Ribeiro Gomes Monteiro, Maria Sabrina de Freitas, Arleana do Bom Parto Ferreira de Almeida, Adriane Jorge Mendonça and Valéria Régia Franco Sousa

Veterinary World, 13(8): 1620-1626

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CanL) has a broad spectrum of changes, with kidney disease being considered the main cause of mortality. Thus, this study aimed to monitor serum and urinary biomarkers in response to two short-term treatments for CanL.

Materials and Methods: Thirty dogs with CanL were equally divided into two treatment groups and treated with either miltefosine (Group M) or miltefosine plus allopurinol (Group MA); the groups were evaluated before treatment and after 28 days of treatment. Physical exams were performed and hematimetric, biochemical, and urinary parameters, including urinary biomarkers cystatin C (CisC), lipocalin-2 (NGAL), and microalbuminuria, were measured.

Results: Both treatments significantly reduced clinical scores (p<0.05), but only the MA group saw a reduction in the clinical-pathological score. The serum albumin and calcium levels increased significantly in the MA and M groups (p<0.05). Proteinuria and urinary density did not decrease significantly after the treatments. With regard to the biomarkers, CisC and microalbuminuria did not have any significant changes; however, NGAL was significantly reduced in the MA group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Both pharmacotherapeutic protocols promoted clinical and clinical-pathological improvements. In addition, miltefosine plus allopurinol proved to be a safe treatment due to the lack of changes detected in the monitored renal biomarkers. The treatment with miltefosine plus allopurinol proved to be the most effective, with more pronounced beneficial effects for canines with visceral leishmaniasis.

Keywords: clinical score, cystatin C, Leishmania infantum, miltefosine, NGAL.

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) seed as a potent functional feedstuff for poultry – A review

Review (Published online: 17-08-2020)

18. Papaya (Carica papaya L.) seed as a potent functional feedstuff for poultry – A review

Sugiharto Sugiharto

Veterinary World, 13(8): 1613-1619

ABSTRACT

The steady increase in the price of protein feed ingredients and the retraction of antibiotics from diets has encouraged nutritionists to search the alternatives for protein source and functional feedstuffs that can substitute the role of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production. With crude protein of 24-30%, in vitro protein digestibility of 80% and proportion of essential amino acids of 47%, seed from ripe papaya may be exploited as the alternative protein feed ingredient for poultry. Moreover, the growth promoting effect, antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities, and immunomodulatory and antioxidative activities may confirm the potential of papaya seed as a functional feedstuff that could replace the role of antibiotic growth promoters for poultry. The in-depth study is needed to further elucidate the functionalities of papaya seed on poultry. This review provides the updates on the nutritional contents of papaya seed, the potential of papaya seed as an alternative to conventional protein-rich ingredient, the growth-promoting effect of feeding papaya seed, the antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities of papaya seed, antioxidative activities of papaya seed, and the immunomodulatory activity of papaya seed on poultry.

Keywords: antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, growth promoter, papaya by-product, protein-rich feedstuff.

The effect of Channa striata extract and standard eradication regimen on asymmetric dimethylarginine in Helicobacter pylori gastritis rat model

Research (Published online: 17-08-2020)

17. The effect of Channa striata extract and standard eradication regimen on asymmetric dimethylarginine in Helicobacter pylori gastritis rat model

OK Yulizal, Aznan Lelo, Syafruddin Ilyas and Raden Lia Kusumawati

Veterinary World, 13(8): 1605-1612

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The presence of gastric mucosa or submucosa inflammation due to Helicobacter pylori leads to histological changes. Gastric injury, pro-inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress in H. pylori infection produce asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), which are a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. Investigations were carried out aimed at finding new drugs derived from natural products for the treatment of H. pylori. Channa striata is known to have in vitro anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of C. striata extract and a standard eradication regimen on ADMA levels and histological changes in the H. pylori gastritis rat model.

Materials and Methods: Thirty-five male rats were randomly and equally divided into five groups. Group-1 was the negative control group and Groups-2 to 5 were H. pylori-infected groups. Groups-3 to 5 were administered C. striata extract, a standard eradication regimen, and a combination of standard eradication regimen and C. striata extract, respectively. Histological examination and serum ADMA levels were analyzed. The difference between groups was analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis and one-way analysis of variance tests. The significance was p<0.05.

Results: Serum ADMA levels and severity of gastritis were higher in infected groups compared to the negative control group (p<0.05). The severity of gastritis and mean ADMA levels in the group that received a single administration of the C. striata extract was higher than the others (p<0.05). Serum ADMA levels and severity of gastritis were significantly reduced in the group that received a combination of standard eradication regimen and C. striata extract (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Single administration of C. striata extract worsens the severity of gastritis and increased serum ADMA levels in the H. pylori gastritis rat model. The administration of a combination of standard eradication regimen and C. striata extract reduces serum ADMA levels and significantly improves the severity of H. pylori gastritis rat model.

Keywords: asymmetric dimethylarginine, Channa striata, eradication regimen, Helicobacter pylori gastritis, histological changes.

Trypanocidal activity of methanol extracts of the hemolymph of Sarcophaga argyrostoma larva against Trypanosoma evansi infected mice

Research (Published online: 15-08-2020)

16. Trypanocidal activity of methanol extracts of the hemolymph of Sarcophaga argyrostoma larva against Trypanosoma evansi infected mice

Doaa S. Farghaly and Al-Shaimaa M. Sadek

Veterinary World, 13(8): 1599-1604

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Many natural products worldwide are used for medicinal purposes. Various insect-isolated compounds were investigated in pursuit of new therapeutic agents. This study aimed to compare the effects of methanol extract of hemolymph of Sarcophaga argyrostoma larvae with diminazene aceturate on some hematological and biochemical indices of mice infected with Trypanosoma evansi.

Materials and Methods: Sixteen albino mice were randomly divided into four groups, of four mice, which received different treatments: In Group 1 (G1), mice were infected intraperitoneally with 1×104 T. evansi and received no treatment (positive control), in Group 2 (G2), infected mice were treated with 0.5 mL/kg of diminazene aceturate, in Group 3 (G3), infected mice were treated with 0.5 mL/kg methanol extract of the hemolymph of S. argyrostoma larvae, and in Group 4 (G4), uninfected mice received 0.5 ml of distilled water (negative control). In G3, treatment was started 3 days before injecting the parasite, while for the other groups, a single dose of treatment was applied when the parasite appeared in the blood.

Results: Mice from G3 showed low parasitemia of 29×104/mm3 4 days post-infection until the infection completely disappeared on the 5th day, which was earlier than for other groups. The results showed that the numbers of red blood corpuscles (red blood cells [RBCs]) and white blood cells (WBCs) per unit volume were significantly different (p<0.05) between the four groups. The highest RBC (9.09×103 cell/ mm3) and WBC (14.30×103 cell/ mm3) counts were recorded in G3, whereas the lowest values of 6.60 and 4.60×103cell/ mm3, respectively, were recorded for G2. In addition, there were significant differences (p<0.05) between the different groups for platelet counts per unit volume, with G3 having the most (943×103 cell/ mm3) and G2 having the least (357×103 cell/ mm3). There was a significant (p<0.05) difference in the indices of biochemical activities between the extract-treated infected groups and the standard drug-treated group.

Conclusion: This study suggests that the methanol extract of the hemolymph of S. argyrostoma larva exhibits trypanocidal activity, so it may be exploited as a suitable candidate for the development of trypanocidal drugs.

Keywords: diminazene aceturate, hematology, methanol extract, Sarcophaga argyrostoma larva, trypanocidal activity, Trypanosoma evansi.

The concentration of androgen receptor and protein kinase A in male chicken following the administration of a combination of the epididymis and testicular extracts

Research (Published online: 15-08-2020)

15. The concentration of androgen receptor and protein kinase A in male chicken following the administration of a combination of the epididymis and testicular extracts

Muslim Akmal, Gholib Gholib, Mustafa Kamal Nasution, Sri Wahyuni, Rinidar Rinidar, Dian Masyitha and M. Aman Yaman

Veterinary World, 13(8): 1594-1598

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Testis (T) and epididymis (E) are waste from the abattoir that is rarely used. In fact, both organs contain important chemicals needed for spermatogenesis (e.g., hormones, proteins, and other molecules). Therefore, administration of a combination of testis and epididymis (CTE) extracts may activate androgen receptors (AR) and protein kinase A (PKA) molecules that play a prominent role in spermatogenesis. We, therefore, aimed at investigating the influence of the CTE extracts on the concentration of AR and PKA in male chicken.

Materials and Methods: This study used a completely randomized design with four treatment groups (K0, K1, K2, and K3) and five replications per group. K0 is a control group that received 1 mL normal saline, whereas K1, K2, and K3 are the test groups that received 1, 2, and 3 mL of CET extracts, respectively. Twenty male chickens (strain: broiler Mb 89), 3 weeks of age, weighing 500-700 g were used. We administered the injections in a 13-day period and on the 14th day; we collected and processed blood samples as serum to measure the AR and PKA concentrations using commercial chicken AR and PKA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, respectively. We performed analyses by analysis of variance using SPSS 20.0.

Results: The AR concentrations in K1, K2, and K3 groups increased by 4.26%, 10.97%, and 28.04%, respectively, compared to the K0 (control group). However, this increase was not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). Moreover, the PKA concentrations increased by 2.97%, 2.60%, and 4.08% in K1, K2, and K3 groups, respectively, compared to the control group. However, this increase was not significantly different between the groups as well (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The CTE extracts tended to increase the AR and PKA concentrations even though it is not significant. Therefore, it needs further study when using the CTE extracts for spermatogenesis in male chicken.

Keywords: androgen receptor, chicken, epididymis and testicular extracts, protein kinase A, spermatogenesis.