Intra-articular injection in the hind limb joints of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) using anatomical and arthrographic-guided landmarks

Research (Published online: 10-08-2021)

10. Intra-articular injection in the hind limb joints of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) using anatomical and arthrographic-guided landmarks

Fahd Al-Sobayil, Madeh A. Sadan, Elsayed A. El-Shafaey and Jamal Allouch

Veterinary World, 14(8): 2055-2063

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: A healthy joint is an important structure for the proper movement of the camel limb. Intra-articular (IA) injection is frequently used in veterinary practice for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes of joint injuries. Thus, the current study aimed to describe the injection of the hindlimb joints in dromedary camels based on the anatomical and arthrographic-guided landmarks.

Materials and Methods: Eighteen orthopedically sound adult camels (mean±standard deviation age: 78±12 months) of both sexes were included in this study. Three camels were euthanized to identify anatomical features in the hindlimb joints and related structures. IA injections were performed in the hindlimbs of 5 camel cadavers to evaluate the optimal IA injection site, which was confirmed by arthrography. The optimized IA injection technique was applied in 10 live camels and confirmed by arthrocentesis and arthrography. For each joint, injection criteria (number of attempts, difficulty of injection, and successful injection) were assessed, scored, and statistically compared to the other joints.

Results: The summation of IA injection criteria scores was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the femorotibial, femoropatellar, tibiotarsal, fetlock, pastern, and coffin joints in comparison to the hip joint.

Conclusion: Anatomical and arthrographic-guided techniques offer considerable advantages for the characterization of anatomical landmarks and selection of the appropriate IA injection site in the hindlimb in dromedary camels. Furthermore, a reference approach for camels was established that is different from the approach for cattle and horses.

Keywords: anatomical, arthrographic, camels, hindlimb, intra-articular injection.

Determination of zearalenone in raw milk from different provinces of Ecuador

Research (Published online: 09-08-2021)

9. Determination of zearalenone in raw milk from different provinces of Ecuador

Byron Puga-Torres, Miguel Cáceres-Chicó, Denisse Alarcón-Vásconez and Carlos Gómez

Veterinary World, 14(8): 2048-2054

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin from the fungus Fusarium. ZEA can adopt a similar configuration to 17β-estradiol and other natural estrogens. Problems in the reproductive function of humans and animals have been reported for ZEA and its metabolites. This study aimed to determine ZEA in raw milk produced in representative milk production areas in Ecuador.

Materials and Methods: A total of 209 samples were obtained in April and November 2019 (rainy season) and June and August 2019 (dry season). A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was used to detect ZEA concentrations.

Results: ZEA was determined in 99.5% (208 of 209) of the samples; however, all samples were below the maximum limits allowed (0.03-1 mg/L) in food for direct human consumption according to the Food and Agriculture Organization and European legislations. The mean (range) concentration was 0.0015 (0-0.0102) mg/L. The results did not vary significantly (p≥0.05) by cantons, provinces, weather, climate regions, types of producers, and production systems according to Wilcoxon and Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric tests. There were significant differences only between the months under study (p≤0.05).

Conclusion: ZEA in raw milk from Ecuador does not represent a threat to public health. However, it is recommended to continue analyzing ZEA due to its presence in milk. It could also be present with other mycotoxins that cause harmful synergistic and additive effects to consumers.

Keywords: Ecuador, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, raw milk, zearalenone.

Seroprevalence of bovine coronavirus and factors associated with the serological status in dairy cattle in the western region of Thailand

Research (Published online: 09-08-2021)

8. Seroprevalence of bovine coronavirus and factors associated with the serological status in dairy cattle in the western region of Thailand

Samnang Ven, Pipat Arunvipas, Preeda Lertwatcharasarakul and Niorn Ratanapob

Veterinary World, 14(8): 2041-2047

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is a pathogen affecting the productivities of dairy cattle worldwide. The present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and factors associated with BCoV serological status using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the western region of Thailand. Blood samples were collected from 30 dairy herds. In total, 617 blood serum samples were tested using a commercial indirect ELISA for BCoV-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the factors which have been identified as risk factors for BCoV antibody detection. The age and history of diarrhea of each animal were recorded. Fisher's exact test was performed to univariately assess the association between BCoV serological status and possible risk factors. Variables with Fisher's exact test p<0.10 were then evaluated using multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with BCoV serological status. The Bonferroni adjustment was used for multiple comparisons of significant variables in the final multivariate logistic regression model.

Results: No herd was free from antibodies to BCoV. The individual seroprevalence of BCoV was 97.89% (604/617). The prevalence within herds was in the range of 45.45-100%. Cattle >3 years of age were more likely to be seropositive to BCoV compared to cattle <1 year of age (p=0.003), with the odds ratio being 81.96. Disinfecting diarrhea stools were a protective factor for being BCoV seropositive, with odds ratios of 0.08 and 0.06 compared to doing nothing (p=0.008) and to clean with water (p=0.002), respectively.

Conclusion: BCoV seropositive dairy cattle were distributed throughout the western region of Thailand. The probability of being seropositive for BCoV increased with increasing animal age. Cleaning the contaminated stool with appropriate disinfectants should be recommended to farmers to minimize the spread of the virus.

Keywords: bovine coronavirus, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, risk factor, seroprevalence.

Biological and molecular characterization of a sheep pathogen isolate of Mannheimia haemolytica and leukotoxin production kinetics

Research (Published online: 07-08-2021)

7. Biological and molecular characterization of a sheep pathogen isolate of Mannheimia haemolytica and leukotoxin production kinetics

Dounia Bkiri, Noha Semmate, Zineb Boumart, Najete Safini, Fatima Zohra Fakri, Zahra Bamouh, Khalid Omari Tadlaoui, Siham Fellahi, Noursaid Tligui, Ouafaa Fassi Fihri and Mehdi El Harrak

Veterinary World, 14(8): 2031-2040

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Mannheimia haemolytica (Mha) is a common agent of pneumonia in ruminants globally, causing economic losses by morbidity, mortality, and treatment costs. Infection by Mha is often associated with or promoted by respiratory viral pathogens and environmental conditions. Infections due to Mha have rarely been described in small ruminants. This study reports the biological and molecular characteristics of a new Moroccan Mha isolate from small ruminants presenting typical respiratory symptoms. We also studied the cultural parameters, growth kinetics, and Lkt excretion of the isolate and its pathogenicity on laboratory animals and small ruminants.

Materials and Methods: Suspected pasteurellosis cases in sheep and goat flocks in Morocco were investigated. A local strain of Mha was isolated and identified using biochemical and molecular methods. Polymerase chain reaction-targeting specific genes were used for serotyping and phylogenetic analyses; further, leukotoxin production, cytotoxicity, and pathogenicity of the isolate in mice, goats, and sheep were investigated.

Results: Phylogeny analysis revealed 98.76% sequence identity with the USA isolate of 2013; the strain growth with a cycle of 9-10 h with leukotoxin secretion was detected by NETosis and quantified by cytotoxicity and mortality of mice. Goat and sheep infections cause hyperthermia, with characteristic postmortem lesions in the trachea and lung.

Conclusion: A local isolate of Mha from sheep that died of pneumonia was characterized for the 1st time in North Africa using biological and molecular methods. Although growth on appropriate culture media is accompanied by intense leukotoxin secretion, experimental infections of sheep and goats cause hyperthermia and typical lesions of pneumonia.

Keywords: histopathology, isolation, leukotoxin, Mannheimia haemolytica, phylogeny, polymerase chain reaction.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance phenotypes of Salmonella species recovered at various stages of broiler operations in Hathazari, Bangladesh

Research (Published online: 07-08-2021)

2. Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance phenotypes of Salmonella species recovered at various stages of broiler operations in Hathazari, Bangladesh

Ferdausi Ali, Tazriyan Noor Silvy, Tanim Jabid Hossain, Md. Kamal Uddin and Mohammad Seraj Uddin

International Journal of One Health, 7(2): 158-164

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella through food chains has serious health implications, with higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Broiler meat remains a major reservoir of Salmonella contamination. The lack of proper hygiene in local broiler operations has, therefore, prompted this research into the assessment of Salmonella contamination in local shops and associated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes.

Materials and Methods: A total of 55 broiler samples including skin, meat, and swab samples from chopping and dressing sites were included in the study. The samples were collected from broiler shops in Hathazari, Bangladesh, and screened for the presence of Salmonella strains using culture-based methods. The isolates were biochemically characterized and further tested for AMR to eight common antibiotics using the disk diffusion technique.

Results: Salmonella contaminations were identified in 29% (16/55) of the broiler samples. Swab samples collected from the chopping sites appeared to be contaminated in higher proportions (33%) than those collected from the dressing areas (25%). On the other hand, the skin samples (50%) were detected with a higher percentage of contamination than the meat samples (25%). All Salmonella isolates showed resistance toward at least one of the eight antibiotics used. Although none of the isolates was resistant to all antibiotics, 18.75% showed resistance to a maximum of seven antibiotics. Resistance to nalidixic acid was most prevalent (87.5%), followed by sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (81.25%), erythromycin (81.25%), tetracycline (75%), streptomycin (56.25%), ampicillin-clavulanic acid (50%), chloramphenicol (43.75%), and cefotaxime (18.75%). The resistance patterns of the isolates were found to be highly diverse. The most frequently observed pattern was the following: Ampicillin-clavulanic acid-sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim-nalidixic acid-tetracycline-chloramphenicol-streptomycin-erythromycin.

Conclusion: The relatively high prevalence of MDR strains in the samples underlies an urgent need for surveillance and control measures concerning hygiene and antibiotic use in local broiler operations.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, chicken meat, multidrug-resistant, Salmonella, salmonellosis.

A scoping review on data integration in the field of infectious diseases, 2009-2018

Research (Published online: 07-08-2021)

1. A scoping review on data integration in the field of infectious diseases, 2009-2018

Seulgi Kim, Chulwoo Rhee, Su Jin Kang and Sangwoo Tak

International Journal of One Health, 7(2): 151-157

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Little is known about data integration in public health research and its impact. This study aimed to summarize known collaboration information, the characteristics of the datasets used, the methods of data integration, and knowledge gaps.

Materials and Methods: We reviewed papers on infectious diseases from two or more datasets published during 2009- 2018, before the coronavirus disease pandemic. Two independent researchers searched the Medline and Global Health databases using predetermined criteria.

Results: Of the 2375 items retrieved, 2272 titles and abstracts were reviewed. Of these, 164 were secondary reviews. Full-text reviews identified 153 relevant articles; we excluded 11 papers that did not meet our inclusion criteria. Of the 153 papers, 150 were single-country studies. Most papers were from North America (n=47). Viral diseases were the most commonly researched diseases (n=66), and many studies sought to define infection rates (n=62). Data integration usually employed unique national identifiers (n=37) or address-based identifiers (n=30). Two data sources were combined (n=121), and at least one data source typically included routine surveillance information.

Conclusion: We found a growing usage of data integration in infectious diseases, emphasizing the advantages of data integration and linkage analysis, and reiterating its importance in public health emergency preparedness and response.

Keywords: data integration, infectious disease, national policy, public health, scoping review, surveillance.

Prevalence of anti-leptospiral antibodies and frequency distribution of Leptospira serovars in small ruminants in enzootic South Peninsular India

Research (Published online: 06-08-2021)

6. Prevalence of anti-leptospiral antibodies and frequency distribution of Leptospira serovars in small ruminants in enzootic South Peninsular India

Vinayagamurthy Balamurugan, Anusha Alamuri, Kirubakaran Vinod Kumar, Bibitha Varghese, Gurrappanaidu Govindaraj, Divakar Hemadri and Parimal Roy

Veterinary World, 14(8): 2023-2030

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: For understanding the epidemiology of leptospirosis, the confined abundance of several species of pathogenic leptospires and knowledge on the serovar(s) prevalent in the reservoir and carrier hosts may be a useful indicator of transmission to incidental/accidental hosts in a geographical niche. The present study was carried out to ascertain the frequency distribution of Leptospira serovars and the prevalence of anti-leptospiral antibodies in small ruminants (sheep and goats) in the epidemiological units (villages) in the coastal districts of enzootic regions in South Peninsular India.

Materials and Methods: A total of 1167 serum samples (sheep n=299 and goats n=868) from apparently healthy animals, randomly collected from various epidemiological units were tested in microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using 18 reference Leptospira serovars antigens.

Results: The overall seroprevalence of 40% (at 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 36.82-42.43) in small ruminants (44% [95% CI: 40.49-52.26] in sheep and 38% [95% CI: 34.96-41.41] in goats) was observed with the predominance of Icterohaemorrhagiae, Javanica, Australis, Hurstbridge, and Pyrogenes serogroup anti-leptospiral antibodies in the studied region. The Chi-squared test revealed that the presence of anti-leptospiral antibodies is significantly not independent (associated) across the administrative division (Chi-square=105.80, p<0.05) as well as for sheep (Chi-square=34.67, p<0.01) and goats (Chi-square=68.78, p<0.01). Among seropositive samples (n=462 reactors), the MAT was positive for more than one serovar in 73% of sheep (95/131) and 53% of goats (177/331), representing an overall 59% cross-reactive prevalence in small ruminants. The determined frequency distribution (varied among small ruminants) of the employed serovars representing major reactive serogroup was Icterohaemorrhagiae (29.87), Javanica (20.78), Australis (20.35), Hurstbridge (16.23), Pyrogenes (15.8), Djasmin (15.58), Bataviae (15.37), Autumnalis (14.5), Canicola (14.5), Hebdomadis (14.07), Shermani (13.64), Panama (13.42), Sejroe (12.77), etc.

Conclusion: This study indicates alarmingly high seroprevalence of leptospirosis in small ruminants with existing endemicity in the studied region in South Peninsular India. Further, these prevalent serovars in the administrative division may be of use in the reference panels of antigens in the MAT in both humans and animal disease diagnostic laboratories for effective and timely diagnosis of leptospirosis and to combat the challenges in public health.

Keywords: leptospirosis; sheep and goats, seroprevalence, frequency distribution, serovars, microscopic agglutination test, South Peninsular India.