Antimicrobial resistance: One Health approach

Review (Published online: 28-03-2022)

27. Antimicrobial resistance: One Health approach

Maria Elena Velazquez-Meza, Miguel Galarde-López, Berta Carrillo-Quiróz and Celia Mercedes Alpuche-Aranda

Veterinary World, 15(3): 743-749

ABSTRACT

In this research, a review of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is conducted as part of the One Health approach. A review of publications, which included "antimicrobial resistance" and "One Health," was conducted. Among the global health problems, AMR is the one that most clearly illustrates the One Health approach. AMR is a critical global problem affecting humans, the environment, and animals. This is related to each of these three components due to the irresponsible and excessive use of antimicrobials in various sectors (agriculture, livestock, and human medicine). Improper management of antimicrobials, inadequate control of infections, agricultural debris, pollutants in the environment, and migration of people and animals infected with resistant bacteria facilitate the spread of resistance. The study aimed to analyze the problem of AMR from a health perspective to analyze the different actors involved in One Health.

Keywords: antimicrobials, human, animals, plants.

Comparison of two diagnostic methods through blood and urine sample analyses for the detection of ketosis in cattle

Research (Published online: 26-03-2022)

26. Comparison of two diagnostic methods through blood and urine sample analyses for the detection of ketosis in cattle

Karla Verónica Borja, Andrés Miguel Amador, Silvana Hipatia Santander Parra, Cristian Fernando Cárdenas and Luis Fabian Núñez

Veterinary World, 15(3): 737-742

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Several Ecuadorian farms use human test strips (cheaper than veterinary strips) to diagnose bovine ketosis; however, their reliability is unknown. This study aimed to determine the confidence level of human strips for the detection of ketosis in bovines by comparing two diagnostic methods for ketosis: one used in bovines (gold standard) to analyze blood samples and the other used in humans to analyze urine samples.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on an Ecuadorian farm using 50 animals, ten from each of five categories: heifers, 4 months pregnant (4MP), 15 days prepartum (15DPRE), 15 days postpartum (15DPOST), and 42 days postpartum (42DPOST). Blood samples were collected through coccygeal venipuncture and urine samples were collected during spontaneous urination. BHBCheck™ assay was used to measure β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in the blood, whereas Combur10Test® was used to measure acetoacetate (AcAc) in urine for the determination of ketosis.

Results: BHB was detected in all animals. Based on a ketosis cutoff point of 0.8-1.2 mmol/L, 13 animals from the 15DPOST and 42DPOST categories had ketosis; AcAc was detected in the urine from nine animals originated from the two same categories. Metabolites, either BHB or AcAc, were not detected in heifers, 4MP, or 15DPRE individuals. Finally, the BHBCheck™ assay had better efficiency in detecting ketosis in animals (p<0.05) than the Combur10Test®.

Conclusion: Combur10Test® urine strips reached 92% reliability for the detection of ketosis in dairy cattle, compared to BHBCheck™ assays.

Keywords: acetoacetates, cattle, hydroxybutyrates, ketosis, postpartum period.

First study on phenotypic and morphological characteristics of Malaysian Kedah-Kelantan cattle (Bos indicus) and method of estimating their body weight

Research (Published online: 26-03-2022)

25. First study on phenotypic and morphological characteristics of Malaysian Kedah-Kelantan cattle (Bos indicus) and method of estimating their body weight

Mohammed Sirajul Islam, Nurhusien Yimer, Abd Wahid Haron, Faez Firdaus Jesse Abdullah, Mark Hiew Wen Han, Kamalludin Mamat-Hamidi and Hafizah Binti Mohamad Zawawi

Veterinary World, 15(3): 728-736

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Indigenous Kedah-Kelantan (KK) cattle are well adapted with distinguished reproductive capabilities; they account for more than 70% of the domestic beef production in Malaysia. The published literature on the phenotypic and morphometric characteristics of KK cattle are sparse and require further improvement. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the phenotypic and morphometric characteristics of Malaysian KK cattle and method of estimating live body weight (BW).

Materials and Methods: Morphometric and phenotypic measurements were taken from 184 KK cattle (102 males and 82 females) sourced from three regions. Each animal's color pattern was recorded for their coat, muzzle, face, eyelashes, horns, tail switch, hoof, and legs through visual observation. Length measurements were taken of the body, face, ear, horn, tail, and rump. Several morphological features such as length, width, and girth were measured using a measuring tape, while wither height and hip height were assessed with a measuring scale.

Results: Brown is the predominant coat color in KK cattle (>82%). The overall means of head length, face width (FW), ear length, horn length, wither height, heart girth (HG), body length (BL), and rump length were 42.5±4.5, 17.3±2.9, 19.8±3.1, 9.9±4.4, 104.3±7.1, 127.4±13.2, 98.3±12.3, and 32.4±4.1 cm, respectively. Different morphometric parameters of length, width, and circumference were significantly (p<0.01) larger in males than females, except for tail length and TG. Correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis clearly revealed that BL is the best parameter for estimating live BW in KK cattle.

Conclusion: Phenotypic and morphometric measurements in this study showed that Malaysian KK cattle generally possess a brown coat pattern with smaller body size, while BL revealed to be the best parameter to predict BW. The data generated from this study would be useful as baseline data for the identification and selection of KK cattle based on their phenotypical- and morphological-features for further improvement of this breed.

Keywords: characteristics, Kedah-Kelantan cattle, morphometric, phenotypic.

Effect of heat stress on vital and hematobiochemical parameters of healthy dogs

Research (Published online: 25-03-2022)

24. Effect of heat stress on vital and hematobiochemical parameters of healthy dogs

Oyebisi Mistura Azeez, Folashade Helen Olaifa, Adakole Sylvanus Adah, Afisu Basiru, Ganiu Jimoh Akorede, Hauwa Moturayo Ambali, Kolawole Yusuf Suleiman, Fatima Sanusi and Mashood Bolaji

Veterinary World, 15(3): 722-727

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Heat stress is a major challenge for animals, impairing their welfare and performance. This study aimed to determine the effect of heat stress on the vital and hematobiochemical parameters of healthy dogs.

Materials and Methods: The experimental subjects comprised 10 dogs, encompassing seven males and three non-pregnant females between 2 and 3 years of age. Ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) were recorded 2 hourly during the day and the temperature humidity index was calculated. Vital parameters [i.e., rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate, and heart rate (HR)] were assessed and blood was collected from each dog daily for hematobiochemical analysis.

Results: The RT (38.5±0.2°C) of dogs exposed to high AT and high RH (HA/HR) conditions was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of dogs exposed to HA and low RH (LR) conditions (37.2±0.11°C). Under HA/HR conditions, packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentrations, and white blood cell counts were significantly lower than those of the same dogs exposed to HA/LR conditions. Conversely, under HA/HR conditions, the lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and cortisol values were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the values obtained in dogs exposed to HA/LR conditions. Meanwhile, the alkaline phosphatase, urea, and glucose levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) in dogs exposed to HA/HR conditions.

Conclusion: The exposure of healthy dogs to HA/HR conditions induced heat stress, which may have an adverse effect on their immune status, thereby affecting their health and welfare.

Keywords: blood, dog, environment, heat index.

Investigating antibiotic resistance in enterococci in Gabonese livestock

Research (Published online: 25-03-2022)

23. Investigating antibiotic resistance in enterococci in Gabonese livestock

Otsaghe Ekore Desire, Boundenga Larson, Onanga Richard, Mabika Mabika Rolande and Kumulungui Brice Serge

Veterinary World, 15(3): 714-721

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The emergence of antibiotic resistance is a major problem worldwide. Antibiotics are often used to prevent or treat infections in livestock. This study aimed to investigate antibiotic resistance in enterococci in Gabonese livestock.

Materials and Methods: We collected 174 animal samples (46 laying hens, 24 swine, 62 cattle, and 42 sheep) from farms in four provinces of Gabon. Bacterial strains belonging to the genus Enterococcus were obtained using selective media and polymerase chain reaction targeting the tuf gene. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar.

Results: Enterococci were present in 160 of the samples (97%), distributed as follows: laying hens (100%, 41/41), swine (100%, 22/22), small ruminants (88%, 37/42), and cattle (100%, 60/60). Resistance to cephalothin/cephalexin, streptomycin, and rifampicin (RIF) was high, and resistance to vancomycin (VAN), erythromycin, and tetracycline was moderate. A high diversity of resistance was found in Haut-Ogooué and Estuaire provinces. Laying hens and swine showed moderate levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin and penicillin, while sheep and cattle had high levels of resistance to RIF. All species showed a high level of resistance to VAN. We found various patterns of multiple resistances in the isolates, and the multiple resistance indexes ranged from 0.2 to 0.8.

Conclusion: This study shows that livestock in Gabon can be considered potential reservoirs of resistance.

Keywords: antimicrobial, cattle, enterococci, Gabon, laying hens, sheep, swine.

An assessment of knowledge and attitude toward antibiotic misuse by small-scale broiler farmers in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia

Research (Published online: 25-03-2022)

22. An assessment of knowledge and attitude toward antibiotic misuse by small-scale broiler farmers in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia

Rusman Efendi, Etih Sudarnika, I. Wayan Teguh Wibawan and Trioso Purnawarman

Veterinary World, 15(3): 707-713

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Antibiotics are often overused and misused by broiler farmers. Moreover, this practice may lead to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics may be used for various purposes such as therapy, prophylaxis, flushing, and growth promoters. The study aimed to examine the association of knowledge and attitudes with antibiotics used by broiler farmers.

Materials and Methods: The study design was cross-sectional. The data were obtained from interviewing 132 farmers' households in Bogor District, West Java, Indonesia. The outcome variable was antibiotic use, whereas the independent variables included knowledge and attitude toward antibiotic resistance. The statistical analysis used a t-test and correlation test.

Results: A total of 78% of broilers farmers use antibiotics, and most of the farmers used antibiotics for flushing and prophylaxis. Furthermore, antibiotic use was associated with broiler farmers' knowledge and attitudes toward antibiotic resistance. However, there is no significant correlation between the duration of antibiotics use and their knowledge and attitude.

Conclusion: The use of antibiotics in broilers is still high in Bogor, and most of the used antibiotics belong to the Medically Important Antimicrobial category. In general, the use of antibiotics in broilers is influenced by knowledge.

Keywords: antibiotic resistance, attitude, broilers, knowledge, use of antibiotics.

Systematic evaluation of TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction assays targeting the dsb and gltA loci of Ehrlichia canis in recombinant plasmids and naturally infected dogs

Research (Published online: 25-03-2022)

21. Systematic evaluation of TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction assays targeting the dsb and gltA loci of Ehrlichia canis in recombinant plasmids and naturally infected dogs

Peeravit Sumpavong, Wanat Sricharern, Natnaree Inthong, Gunn Kaewmongkol and Sarawan Kaewmongkol

Veterinary World, 15(3): 701-706

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Because of the diversity of local genotypes of Ehrlichia canis, genes targeted by TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays should be systematically evaluated. This study evaluated the amplification efficiency, linearity, precision, and sensitivity of two TaqMan RT-PCR assays targeting the dsb and gltA loci of E. canis in recombinant plasmids and naturally infected dogs.

Materials and Methods: Thirty blood samples were collected from dogs showing clinical signs of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis at the Kasetsart University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. The dsb and gltA genes were amplified by conventional PCRs (cPCRs) on the blood samples and were then sequenced. Meanwhile, RT-PCR was used to detect dsb and gltA genes in 10-fold dilutions of the recombinant plasmids.

Results: Both dsb and gltA were amplified with a high degree of linearity (R2≥0.975 and 0.993, respectively) in all dilutions, although the mean percentage of relative standard deviation of gltA was lower, but the difference was non-significant. The detection limits of RT-PCR and cPCR were 10–7 and 10–6, respectively, for both loci. RT-PCR targeting dsb (22/30; 73.3%) and gltA (15/30; 50%) yielded a number of positive results that did not differ significantly (p=0.06). The RT-PCR positive results of the dsb gene (22/30) differed significantly from that of cPCR (11/30) (p=0.004). In contrast, the RT-PCR positive results of the gltA gene (15/30) did not differ significantly from that of cPCR (12/30) (p=0.43). The mean Ct value (30.2) based on dsb RT-PCR of 22 positive cases was higher than that of gltA RT-PCR (Ct=27.4) on 15 positive cases. The Ct values from dsb RT-PCR were >30 in all seven discordant samples that were not detected by the gltA RT-PCR.

Conclusion: RT-PCR targeting the dsb gene was more sensitive for detecting E. canis in naturally infected dogs. This study suggested that TaqMan RT-PCR of the dsb gene should be selected for E. canis research in this region.

Keywords: detection, diverse local genotypes, Ehrlichia canis, TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction.