The first report of the seroprevalence of antibodies against Bartonella spp. in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from South Thailand

Research (Published online: 24-12-2021)

11. The first report of the seroprevalence of antibodies against Bartonella spp. in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from South Thailand

Sumalee Boonmar, Phirabhat Saengsawang, Watcharapong Mitsuwan, Decha Panjai, Kamchai Kidsin, Chalutwan Sansamur and Ittidet Wichianrat

Veterinary World, 14(12): 3144-3148

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Bartonellosis is an emerging worldwide zoonosis caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Bartonella. Several studies have been conducted on the prevalence of Bartonella infections from animals and humans, including reports from wild and domestic ruminants. However, there has been only one report of Bartonella infection in water buffaloes from the northeastern part of Thailand. Moreover, the seroprevalence of Bartonella spp. in water buffaloes still remains unknown. This study was conducted to explore the prevalence of Bartonella spp. among water buffaloes from South Thailand using molecular and serological techniques.

Materials and Methods: A total of 312 samples (156 blood and 156 sera) of 156 water buffaloes from 29 farms in Phatthalung Province, South Thailand, were collected from January to March 2021. All samples were screened for Bartonella spp. using polymerase chain reaction and indirect immunofluorescence assay.

Results: The seroprevalence of antibodies against three Bartonella spp. was 16.03% (25/156, 95% confidence interval: 10.65-22.74%), and among 25 water buffaloes with seroprevalence, 56%, 20%, and 24% were positive for antibodies against Bartonella henselae, Bartonella vinsonii subspp. berkhoffii, and Bartonella tamiae, respectively. No significant difference was detected among seroprevalence, gender, age, and ectoparasite infestation.

Conclusion: This is the first report of the seroprevalence of antibodies against B. henselae, B. vinsonii subspp. berkhoffii, and B. tamiae in water buffaloes from South Thailand. Further studies are required on the epidemiology of Bartonella infection among water buffaloes, related personnel, and ectoparasites.

Keywords: Bartonella henselae, Bartonella tamiae, Bartonella vinsonii subspp. berkhoffii, immunofluorescence assay, seroprevalence, water buffaloes.

Detection of microbial contamination in chicken meat from local markets in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Research (Published online: 20-12-2021)

10. Detection of microbial contamination in chicken meat from local markets in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

Dhandy Koesoemo Wardhana, Ajeng Erika Prihastuti Haskito, Muhammad Thohawi Elziyad Purnama, Devi Ayu Safitri and Suwaibatul Annisa

Veterinary World, 14(12): 3138-3143

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Chicken meat can be contaminated by microorganisms anywhere in the supply chain, from farm to market, and these microorganisms can be transmitted to humans through direct contact, contact with the environment, and food consumption. The microbial contamination has a serious impact on public health. This study aimed to analyze the microbial contamination of chicken meat sampled from local markets in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.

Materials and Methods: A total of 60 samples of fresh chicken meat obtained from 10 traditional markets (six samples per market) were examined for the presence of bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli were identified using Gram staining, culturing, and biochemical tests. The most probable number (MPN) method was used to identify E. coli.

Results: Most chicken meat samples were positive for S. aureus (58.3%), Salmonella spp. (48.3%), and E. coli (40%). The samples were considered positive for E. coli if the MPN value was higher than 1×101 CFU/g.

Conclusion: High microbial contamination was found in all the chicken meat sampled from local markets in Surabaya. Such contamination can lead to foodborne diseases so, proper hygiene and sanitation standards should be followed from slaughterhouses to the end-users.

Keywords: chicken meat, local markets, microbial contamination, public health, Surabaya.

Apigenin induces oxidative stress in mouse Sertoli TM4 cells

Research (Published online: 20-12-2021)

9. Apigenin induces oxidative stress in mouse Sertoli TM4 cells

Sathaporn Jittapalapong, Thapanee Poompoung and Samak Sutjarit

Veterinary World, 14(12): 3132-3137

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Apigenin (API) is an estrogenic compound found in many plants. Sertoli cells reside in the testis and are a key target of environmental toxicants. This study aimed to examine the cytotoxicity, especially oxidative stress of API in mouse Sertoli TM4 cells.

Materials and Methods: Mouse Sertoli TM4 cells were treated with 50 and 100 μM API for 48 h. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, glutathione reductase (GR) activities, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated using various assays.

Results: Treatment with API at both 50 and 100 μM decreased viability and GR activity but increased LDH activity, ROS production, and MDA levels in mouse Sertoli TM4 cells.

Conclusion: Exposure to API induced oxidative stress in mouse Sertoli TM4 cells.

Keywords: apigenin, malondialdehyde, oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, TM4 cells.

Detection of invA virulence gene of multidrug-resistant Salmonella species isolated from the cloacal swab of broiler chickens in Blitar district, East Java, Indonesia

Research (Published online: 19-12-2021)

8. Detection of invA virulence gene of multidrug-resistant Salmonella species isolated from the cloacal swab of broiler chickens in Blitar district, East Java, Indonesia

Freshindy Marissa Wibisono, Hayyun Durrotul Faridah, Freshinta Jellia Wibisono, Wiwiek Tyasningsih, Mustofa Helmi Effendi, Adiana Mutamsari Witaningrum and Emmanuel Nnabuike Ugbo

Veterinary World, 14(12): 3126-3131

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The increasing number of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella species on poultry farms in Indonesia has caused concern regarding human health. This study was conducted to determine the presence of the virulence gene invA in MDR Salmonella species isolated from the cloacal swab of broiler chickens in Blitar district, East Java Province, Indonesia.

Materials and Methods: Cloacal swab samples were collected by purposive sampling from 15 farms in four districts. Isolation and identification of bacteria were performed using standard microbiological techniques. Confirmation of MDR isolates was done using five different classes of antibiotics, including the beta-lactam, aminoglycoside, fluoroquinolone, phenicol, and monobactam groups. An antibiotic susceptibility test was conducted using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method, and a polymerase chain reaction method was used to screen for the presence of invA.

Results: It was observed that 32.26% (50/155) of the samples were positive for Salmonella species. Of these 50 Salmonella isolates, 7 (14%) were identified as MDR strains. An important finding was the detection of invA in all the seven MDR Salmonella strains (100%) isolated from the cloacal swab of broiler chickens in Blitar district, East Java Province.

Conclusion: Veterinarians have an extremely important role in monitoring the use of antibiotics in farm animals to mitigate the rapid spread of MDR organisms in our environment, which can otherwise cause serious economic losses and also public health issues.

Keywords: broiler chicken, invA gene, multidrug-resistant, public health, Salmonella.

Staphylococcus aureus in poultry, with special emphasis on methicillin-resistant strain infection: A comprehensive review from one health perspective

Review (Published online: 17-12-2021)

16. Staphylococcus aureus in poultry, with special emphasis on methicillin-resistant strain infection: A comprehensive review from one health perspective

Wafaa A. Abd El-Ghany

International Journal of One Health, 7(2): 257-267

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus normally present on the skin and internal organs of animals, birds, and humans. Under certain conditions, S. aureus could produce septicemia and affection of the skin, joints, and heart, as well as sepsis and death. The pathogenicity of S. aureus is associated with the presence of some virulent surface proteins and the production of some virulent toxins and enzymes. This pathogen is considered one of the most important and worldwide foodborne causes as it is incriminated in most cases of food poisoning. The hazardous use of antibiotics in the veterinary field leads to the development of multidrug-resistant S. aureus strains that can be transmitted to humans. The incidence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains has increased globally. These resistant strains have been detected in live animals, poultry, and humans. In addition, retail animal products, especially those of avian origin, are considered the main source of MRSA strains that can be easily transmitted to humans. MRSA infection is regarded as nosocomial or occupational. Humans get infected with MRSA strains through improper handling or preparation of contaminated animals or poultry carcasses or improper cooking with contaminated meat. Live birds also can transmit MRSA to close-contact workers in poultry farms. Transmission of MRSA infection in hospitals is from an infected individual to a healthy one. Prevention and control of MRSA are based on the application of hygienic measures in farms as well as proper processing, handling, and cooking of retail poultry products. The cooperation between veterinary and human practitioners is a must to avoid the possibility of zoonotic transmission. Accordingly, this review focused on the sources and transmission of MRSA infection, virulence and resistance factors, incidence and prevalence in poultry and different products, antibiotic resistance, and prevention and control strategies.

Keywords: chickens, food poisoning, humans, methicillin-resistant Staphylococci, zoonosis.

Validation of single-step genomic predictions using the linear regression method for milk yield and heat tolerance in a Thai-Holstein population

Research (Published online: 15-12-2021)

7. Validation of single-step genomic predictions using the linear regression method for milk yield and heat tolerance in a Thai-Holstein population

Piriyaporn Sungkhapreecha, Ignacy Misztal, Jorge Hidalgo, Daniela Lourenco, Sayan Buaban, Vibuntita Chankitisakul and Wuttigrai Boonkum

Veterinary World, 14(12): 3119-3125

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Genomic selection improves accuracy and decreases the generation interval, increasing the selection response. This study was conducted to assess the benefits of using single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) for genomic evaluations of milk yield and heat tolerance in Thai-Holstein cows and to test the value of old phenotypic data to maintain the accuracy of predictions.

Materials and Methods: The dataset included 104,150 milk yield records collected from 1999 to 2018 from 15,380 cows. The pedigree contained 33,799 animals born between 1944 and 2016, of which 882 were genotyped. Analyses were performed with and without genomic information using ssGBLUP and BLUP, respectively. Statistics for bias, dispersion, the ratio of accuracies, and the accuracy of estimated breeding values were calculated using the linear regression (LR) method. A partial dataset excluded the phenotypes of the last generation, and 66 bulls were identified as validation individuals.

Results: Bias was considerable for BLUP (0.44) but negligible (–0.04) for ssGBLUP; dispersion was similar for both techniques (0.84 vs. 1.06 for BLUP and ssGBLUP, respectively). The ratio of accuracies was 0.33 for BLUP and 0.97 for ssGBLUP, indicating more stable predictions for ssGBLUP. The accuracy of predictions was 0.18 for BLUP and 0.36 for ssGBLUP. Excluding the first 10 years of phenotypic data (i.e., 1999-2008) decreased the accuracy to 0.09 for BLUP and 0.32 for ssGBLUP. Genomic information doubled the accuracy and increased the persistence of genomic estimated breeding values when old phenotypes were removed.

Conclusion: The LR method is useful for estimating accuracies and bias in complex models. When the population size is small, old data are useful, and even a small amount of genomic information can substantially improve the accuracy. The effect of heat stress on first parity milk yield is small.

Keywords: accuracy, genomic selection, heat stress, linear regression method, ssGBLUP.

Sociodemographic, income, and environmental characteristics of individuals displaying animal and object hoarding behavior in a major city in South Brazil: A cross-sectional study

Research (Published online: 14-12-2021)

6. Sociodemographic, income, and environmental characteristics of individuals displaying animal and object hoarding behavior in a major city in South Brazil: A cross-sectional study

Graziela Ribeiro da Cunha, Camila Marinelli Martins, Maysa Pellizzaro, Christina Pettan-Brewer and Alexander Welker Biondo

Veterinary World, 14(12): 3111-3118

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Hoarding cases have not been researched in depth in developing countries, such as Brazil. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of people with hoarding behavior in Curitiba, Brazil.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on complaints about hoarding situations received by the City Hall. The data on sociodemographic, income, and environmental characteristics of individuals displaying animal and object hoarding behavior were obtained and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple correspondence analyses.

Results: Out of the 113 hoarding cases reported, 69 (61.06%) were fully assessed. Most of the participants (43; 62.32%) were women, and it was observed that most of the animal hoarding cases were women (p=0.02). The average age was 62.47 years old, and most of them (44; 63.76%) had studied up to the middle school level. People associated with object hoarding belonged to the lower income category (p=0.031). In most cases, the homes had an unpleasant odor (45; 65.21%), and this was prevalent in cases involving women (p=0.004) and animals (p=0.001). The risk of fire (24 [34.78%]) and landslip (9 [13.04%]) was more frequent in the case of object hoarding (p=0.018 and 0.021, respectively).

Conclusion: The description of characteristics of individuals with hoarding behavior may assist in understanding the magnitude of this public health problem in Brazil and shed light on the need to develop studies on the health conditions of people and animals that live in these situations.

Keywords: epidemiology, hoarding, population characteristics.