Association of natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 polymorphisms with Salmonella fecal shedding and hematological traits in pigs

Research (Published online: 29-11-2022)

26. Association of natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 polymorphisms with Salmonella fecal shedding and hematological traits in pigs

Nattariga Suwannawong, Uschara Thumarat, and Pitchayanipa Phongphanich

Veterinary World, 15(11): 2738-2743

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 encoding gene (Nramp1) plays a role in immune response and disease resistance. This study aimed to investigate the polymorphisms of Nramp1 intron 6 concerning Salmonella shedding and hematological traits in pigs.

Materials and Methods: A total of 40 commercial pigs (three-way Large White x Landrace x Duroc cross) were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and analyze the relationship between the polymorphisms of the Nramp1 gene and Salmonella fecal shedding and hematological parameters.

Results: Nramp1 was shown to be polymorphic in these pigs. The Nramp1 gene has two alleles (A and B) and two genotypes (AB and BB). The BB genotype had a higher frequency than the AB genotype. A significant relationship between the BB genotype and the number of Salmonella in feces compared to the AB genotype (p < 0.05) on 7 days post-inoculation (DPI) was revealed in the association analysis. The single-nucleotide polymorphism at intron 6 in the Nramp1 gene was linked to white and red blood cells 2 and 7 DPI (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The Nramp1 gene was suggested by these findings to be potentially used as a molecular marker for the genetic selection of disease susceptibility in pig breeding.

Keywords: hematological trait, Nramp1, Salmonella shedding pig.

In vitro phytochemical analysis and antibacterial and antifungal efficacy assessment of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Rumex nervosus leaves against selected bacteria and fungi

Research (Published online: 29-11-2022)

25. In vitro phytochemical analysis and antibacterial and antifungal efficacy assessment of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Rumex nervosus leaves against selected bacteria and fungi

Maged A. Al-Garadi, Mohammed M. Qaid, Abdulmohsen H. Alqhtani, Anthony Pokoo-Aikins, and Saud I. Al-Mufarrej

Veterinary World, 15(11): 2725-2737

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Scientists are interested in identifying natural antibiotic substitutes that are effective against drug-resistant pathogenic microbes and spoilage fungi to counter pathogens and reduce the major public health problem of antibiotic residues in animal products. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Rumex nervosus leaves (RNL) as a medicinal herb against four bacterial and two fungal strains using absolute ethanol, 50% ethanol, and aqueous extracts.

Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial activities of various RNL extracts against selected microbes were evaluated using the disk diffusion antibiotic susceptibility test, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs), minimum fungicidal concentrations, and the poisoned food technique.

Results: The absolute ethanol RNL extract showed the best bacteriostatic/bactericidal activity against Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC/MBC: 0.20/0.40, 0.20/0.40, and 0.32/0.65 mg/mL, respectively). The diameter of the zone of inhibition was larger (p < 0.05) for the 100% ethanol RNL extract (8.17 mm) against Salmonella Typhimurium, the 50% ethanol-RNL extract (11.5 mm) against E. coli, and the aqueous RNL extract (14.0 mm) against S. aureus than for any other bacterial isolate. The aqueous RNL extract strongly (p < 0.0001) inhibited the mycelial growth of Aspergillus fumigatus (100%) and Aspergillus niger (81.4%) compared with the control.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that RNL is a promising new natural antimicrobial agent for food preservation. To date, most research on the antimicrobial properties of natural herbs has been conducted in vitro, with few exceptions in vivo and intervention-based research.

Keywords: antimicrobial activity, Aspergillus spp., Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, phytochemicals, Rumex nervosus leaves.

The effects of mulberry (Morus alba Linn.) leaf supplementation on growth performance, blood parameter, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens under high stocking density

Research (Published online: 28-11-2022)

24. The effects of mulberry (Morus alba Linn.) leaf supplementation on growth performance, blood parameter, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens under high stocking density

Charinya So-In and Nuchsupha Sunthamala

Veterinary World, 15(11): 2715-2724

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: A stocking density system in boilers is well known for increasing productivity. However, this system increases stress and affects the growth performance of broilers. Mulberry is a valuable plant with therapeutic applications in traditional medicine; moreover, it reduces free radicals and improves growth performance in broilers. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of mulberry on the blood biochemistry parameters and the antioxidant status of broilers exposed to various raising systems.

Materials and Methods: Two hundred and seventy-six 3-week-old male broilers were randomly assigned to nine categories composed of three growing systems: Semi-intensive, low stocking density, and high stocking density. Each group was fed with a control diet mixed with and without 10% mulberry leaf extract; the positive control group was provided with vitamin C. During the study, phytochemical screening of mulberry leaf extract, growth performances, hematological parameters, and antioxidant profiles were measured over the 4 weeks of the treatment.

Results: In the high stocking density group, lipid peroxidation gradually increased while antioxidant activities decreased; however, the level of lipid peroxidation was reduced, whereas catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly increased. The growth performance and blood biochemistry were improved after being fed with 10% mulberry leaf extract.

Conclusion: This finding indicates that mulberry leaf extract reduced oxidative stress, activated antioxidant enzyme activities, and enhanced broilers' growth performance when raised under stress conditions.

Keywords: antioxidant, broiler chickens, growth performance, high stocking density, Morus alba, mulberry leaf.

Meta-analysis of the potential of Kazakhstani pork in the global market of meat products: Problems and prospects

Research (Published online: 28-11-2022)

23. Meta-analysis of the potential of Kazakhstani pork in the global market of meat products: Problems and prospects

Gulmira Karimzhanovna Dambaulova, Svetlana Ivanovna Lilimberg, Vladimir Anatoliyevich Madin, and Gainesh Turemuratovna Abdrakhmanova

Veterinary World, 15(11): 2705-2714

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Pig farming is integral in developing Kazakhstan's animal husbandry as it has shown rapid growth in profit and a high turnover. Industrial pig products have significant global demand, particularly in China and Russia. However, as pig farming is a small-scale industry with insufficient mechanization and automation in Kazakhstan, the costs have increased while the quality of Kazakhstani pig products has decreased due to the simultaneous influx of cheap imported pork into the domestic market. This study aimed to analyze the export potential of the swine industry in the Republic of Kazakhstan and assess its impact on the global pork market.

Materials and Methods: A meta-analysis of open sources was conducted for the period 1990–2020, while forecasting was extended to 2025. Statistical methods for the analysis (construction of time series with equal intervals, calculation, interpretation of average values, and growth rates) were used. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to study the dependence of the productivity of pigs on the category of the pig farming enterprise to establish the relationship between the average live weight of one head of pigs and the share of pigs in agricultural enterprises in the total number of pigs. The polynomial smoothing method was used, and a trend line was built, forecasting the number of pigs in Kazakhstan, the production and sale of pig products, along with their cost and profitability.

Results: This study briefly characterizes the developing situation of the global pork market. We identified and evaluated the development trends in Kazakh pig farming in terms of their impact on the industry's export potential. Specifically, we determined the following trends: An increase in the actual and projected number of pigs; a decrease in the natural loss of pigs during 2014–2020; the growth of existing and forecast indicators of pork sales in the domestic market; a steady decrease in the share of pigs in small households and an increase in the share of pigs in peasant farms and agricultural enterprises; an increase in the dynamics of the productivity of the pig population; and the growth of actual and predicted profitability of production and sale of pig products. We discussed the main problems that hinder the entry of Kazakhstani pork into the global market: Small-scale farming, insufficient mechanization and automation, and inadequate financial support from the state and banking structures. First, small-scale farming (deduced from the number of pigs by the farm categories) has hampered the small farms' independent manufacture and use of feed grain (i.e., barley, which is abundant in Kazakhstan), which might reduce costs. Moreover, small-scale farms struggle to comply with the waste disposal rules for pig production and environmental safety norms, which limit the export potential of Kazakhstani pork. Second, insufficient mechanization and automation in feeding and breeding (i.e., use of resource-saving technologies) result in inadequate productivity, decreased competitiveness, and failure to meet global standards. Third, insufficient financial support in the form of grants allocated to purposes other than selection and breeding limits the overall development of Kazakhstani pig farming.

Conclusion: The positive dynamics of the main development indicators of Kazakhstani pig farming efficiently assess the industry's export potential, according to the country's leading academic specialists and practitioners in the agricultural sector, especially in light of the difficult epizootic situation. This provides abundant opportunities for export supplies in the global meat market. These indicators include the number of pigs, its natural decline, and structure by farm categories. They also include the production, sale, and profitability of production of pig products and the productivity of pigs. As China and Russia currently have a massive shortage of this product in the domestic markets, they are potential importers of Kazakh pork.

Keywords: livestock size, pig farming, pig productivity, pig products, pork export, the profitability of pig farming.

Occurrence of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial resistance genes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from healthy rabbits

Research (Published online: 27-11-2022)

22. Occurrence of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial resistance genes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from healthy rabbits

Arunee Jangsangthong, Nawarat Suriyakhun, Witawat Tunyong, Thida Kong-Ngoen, Sirijan Santajit, Nitaya Indrawattana, and Shutipen Buranasinsup

Veterinary World, 15(11): 2699-2704

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Methicillin-resistant globally, Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of disease in both humans and animals. Several studies have documented the presence of MRSA in healthy and infected animals. However, there is less information on MRSA occurrence in exotic pets, especially healthy rabbits. This study aimed to look into the antimicrobial resistance profile, hidden antimicrobial-resistant genes in isolated bacteria, and to estimate prevalence of MRSA in healthy rabbits.

Materials and Methods: Two-hundreds and eighteen samples, including 42 eyes, 44 ears, 44 oral, 44 ventral thoracic, and 44 perineal swabs, were taken from 44 healthy rabbits that visited the Prasu-Arthorn Animal Hospital, in Nakornpathom, Thailand, from January 2015 to March 2016. The traditional methods of Gram stain, mannitol fermentation, hemolysis on blood agar, catalase test, and coagulase production were used to confirm the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in all specimens. All bacterial isolates were determined by antimicrobial susceptibility test by the disk diffusion method. The polymerase chain reaction was used to identify the antimicrobial-resistant genes (blaZ, mecA, aacA-aphD, msrA, tetK, gyrA, grlA, and dfrG) in isolates of MRSA with a cefoxitin-resistant phenotype.

Results: From 218 specimens, 185 S. aureus were isolated, with the majority of these being found in the oral cavity (29.73%) and ventral thoracic area (22.7%), respectively. Forty-seven (25.41%) MRSAs were found in S. aureus isolates, with the majority of these being found in the perineum (16, 34.04%) and ventral thoracic area (13, 27.66%) specimens. Among MRSAs, 29 (61.7%) isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. Most of MRSA isolates were resistant to penicillin (100%), followed by ceftriaxone (44.68%) and azithromycin (44.68%). In addition, these bacteria contained the most drug-resistance genes, blaZ (47.83%), followed by gyrA (36.17%) and tetK (23.4%).

Conclusion: This study revealed that MRSA could be found even in healthy rabbits. Some MRSAs strains were MDR–MRSA, which means that when an infection occurs, the available antibiotics were not effective in treating it. To prevent the spread of MDR–MRSA from pets to owners, it may be helpful to educate owners about effective prevention and hygiene measures.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial-resistant genes, healthy rabbits, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Investigation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus argenteus from wild long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) at Kosumpee Forest Park, Maha Sarakham, Thailand

Research (Published online: 26-11-2022)

21. Investigation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus argenteus from wild long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) at Kosumpee Forest Park, Maha Sarakham, Thailand

Natapol Pumipuntu, Thanyaphorn Chamnandee, Kittisak Saengthong, Suvit Pathomthanasarn, Tawatchai Tanee, Pensri Kyes, Penkhae Thamsenanupap, Apichat Karaket, Marilyn C. Roberts, and Randall C. Kyes

Veterinary World, 15(11): 2693-2698

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: In the past, the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in both humans and animals has increased across Thailand. Staphylococcus argenteus has been associated with infections among humans, exotic pets, and livestock. Both species have been identified in non-human primate species from geographically diverse locations but not from non-human primates in Thailand. This study aimed to determine the presence of MRSA/ methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and S. argenteus isolates collected from buccal swab samples in Macaca fascicularis at Kosumpee Forest Park (KFP), Maha Sarakham, Northeast Thailand.

Materials and Methods: Aseptic buccal swab samples were collected from 30 free-ranging macaques in November 2018. All isolates were tested using multiple biochemical tests and S. aureus latex slide agglutination test. Presumptive S. aureus isolates were tested for the presence of the mecA gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. The isolates were phenotypically determined to be resistant to a β-lactam antibiotic using the disk diffusion method with a 30 μg cefoxitin disk. The isolates were analyzed by PCR for the non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) gene to distinguish S. argenteus from S. aureus.

Results: Fifteen macaques (50%) were colonized with S. aureus and 21 isolates were characterized. Three of the macaques carried both the MRSA and MSSA isolate. One animal carried both MRSA and S. argenteus isolate, and one animal carried only S. argenteus. The NRPS gene analysis confirmed that 2 isolates (9.52%) were S. argenteus and 19 isolates (90.48%) were S. aureus [five MSSA and 14 MRSA].

Conclusion: This study is the first to identify MRSA/MSSA and S. argenteus in wild free-ranging M. fascicularis from Thailand at the KFP in Maha Sarakham. This study is also the first report on the occurrence of S. argenteus carriage in M. fascicularis from Thailand.

Keywords: Macaca fascicularis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, non-ribosomal peptide synthetase gene, Staphylococcus argenteus.

Efficacy, humoral, and cell-mediated immune response of inactivated fowl adenovirus 8b propagated in chicken embryo liver cells using bioreactor in broiler chickens

Research (Published online: 26-11-2022)

20. Efficacy, humoral, and cell-mediated immune response of inactivated fowl adenovirus 8b propagated in chicken embryo liver cells using bioreactor in broiler chickens

Chidozie Clifford Ugwu, Mohd Hair-Bejo, Mat Isa Nurulfiza, Abdul Rahman Omar, and Aini Ideris

Veterinary World, 15(11): 2681-2692

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Fowl adenovirus (FAdV) 8b causes inclusion body hepatitis, resulting in major economic losses globally among chickens. The objectives were to inactivate FAdV 8b isolate propagated in chicken embryo liver (CEL) cells using a stirred tank bioreactor (UPM08136P5B1) and determine the humoral and cell-mediated immune response, efficacy, and virus shedding in broiler chickens.

Materials and Methods: The FAdV 8b isolate UPM08136P5B1 was inactivated using binary ethyleneimine, adjuvanted with Montanide 71VG, inoculated into day-old broiler chickens in a booster group (BG) and non-booster group (NBG), and challenged with a pathogenic FAdV 8b strain. Clinical signs, gross lesions, body weight (BW), liver: body weight ratio, FAdV antibody titer using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and histopathological changes were recorded. The CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-lymphocyte profiles of the liver, spleen, and thymus using flow cytometry, and viral load in liver and cloacal shedding using quantitative polymerase chain reaction were evaluated.

Results: Chickens in the challenged control group (CCG) exhibited mild clinical signs, gross lesions, and histopathological changes, which were absent in the inoculated groups, and had lower BW and higher liver BW ratio than chickens in the unchallenged control group (UCG); BG and NBG on 35- and 42-days post-inoculation (DPI). Chickens in NBG and BG had higher antibodies than UCG on 7, 21, 35, and 42 DPI. The challenged BG and NBG produced higher antibodies than the CCG on 35 DPI. T-lymphocytes were higher among the inoculated groups than UCG in the liver, spleen, and thymus. Inoculated challenged groups recorded higher CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-lymphocytes on 35 and 42 DPI than CCG. The challenged control group had a significantly higher viral load in the liver than challenged that in BG on 35 DPI and BG and NBG on 42 DPI. The challenged control group had significantly higher challenge FAdV shedding than challenged inoculated groups on 35 and NBG on 42 DPI.

Conclusion: UPM08136P5B1 was successfully inactivated and mixed with Montanide 71VG. The inactivated vaccine candidate that induced humoral and cellular immunity was effective, reduced FAdV load in the liver, and shedding in the cloaca, and could be useful against FAdV 8b infections in chickens.

Keywords: bioreactor, broiler chickens, efficacy, fowl adenovirus serotype 8b, humoral and cell-mediated immunity.