Comparison of colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification kit and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of peste des petits ruminants in sheep and goats in Southeast Nigeria

Research (Published online: 07-11-2020)

9. Comparison of colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification kit and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of peste des petits ruminants in sheep and goats in Southeast Nigeria

Ijeoma Chekwube Chukwudi, Kenneth Ikejiofor Ogbu, Pam Dachung Luka, Refiloe Petunia Malesa, Livio Edward Heath, Emmanuel Ikenna Ugochukwu and Kennedy Foinkfu Chah

Veterinary World, 13(11): 2358-2363

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute, extremely contagious transboundary viral disease of small ruminants with severe economic consequences, caused by PPR virus. Cost-effective and rapid diagnosis of the disease is essential for prompt management and control. This study aimed to compare the application of a commercial colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (cLAMP) kit and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the diagnosis of PPR in sheep and goats in Southeast Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Nasal swab samples were collected from West African Dwarf sheep and goats showing clinical signs suggestive of PPR (n=80) and those without any clinical signs (n=140) of the disease. The diagnosis was achieved through detection of PPR viral genome in the samples using a cLAMP kit and RT-PCR. cLAMP assay was done directly on nasal swab samples without ribosomal nucleic acid extraction. A set of six primers targeting the matrix gene protein was used for the cLAMP assay.

Results: PPR viral genome was detected by both cLAMP and RT-PCR in 51 (63.8%) of the 80 samples from sheep and goats with signs suggestive of PPR while 14 (10%) of those without signs tested positive for PPR by both assay methods. There was a 100% agreement in the cLAMP and RT-PCR results. However, cLAMP was a faster, easier, and less expensive method compared to RT-PCR.

Conclusion: The cLAMP assay demonstrates the potential for a point of care diagnosis in the field and a valuable diagnostic tool in areas with poor electricity supply as well as in a less equipped diagnostic laboratory. Since the reagents are affordable, cLAMP can be a diagnostic tool of choice in the detection and surveillance of PPR virus in countries with limited resources.

Keywords: colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification, peste des petits ruminants virus, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, small ruminant diagnostic tool.

Why there were few cases of coronavirus disease 2019 in Libya during the first two months of the pandemic?

Review (Published online: 06-11-2020)

11. Why there were few cases of coronavirus disease 2019 in Libya during the first two months of the pandemic?

Abdunnabi A. Rayes, Badereddin B. Annajar, Abdunaser S. Dayhum and Ibrahim M. Eldaghayes

International Journal of One Health, 6(2): 160-164

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic that affected almost all countries worldwide with more than 29,439,120 confirmed cases and 932,486 deaths recorded till on September 14, 2020. However, on May 25, 2020, after 2 months from the first reported case of COVID-19 in Libya, the country was among very few countries in the world that had very few cases of COVID-19 with a total of 75 confirmed cases and three deaths during the first 2 months since the detection of the first case on March 24, 2020. Based on the global epidemiological pattern of the disease, the magnitude of COVID-19 in Libya could have been much worse. However, the reality is eccentrically different and the epidemiology exhibited different scenario with very few cases being recorded during the first 2 months of pandemic in Libya. In this article, a review of COVID-19 situation in Libya is presented with thoughts about the potential reasons that could explain the very few cases of COVID-19 in the country in context with the global figures of the pandemic.

Keywords: coronavirus disease 2019, epidemiology, incidence, Libya, pandemic.

Systemic levels of iron, phosphorus, and total protein in normocyclic versus repeat breeder Holstein Friesian crossbred cows of Kesharbag, Chitwan, Nepal

Research (Published online: 06-11-2020)

8. Systemic levels of iron, phosphorus, and total protein in normocyclic versus repeat breeder Holstein Friesian crossbred cows of Kesharbag, Chitwan, Nepal

Girija Regmi and Ishwari Prasad Dhakal

Veterinary World, 13(11): 2353-2357

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: In repeat breeding, a sexually mature cow fails to conceive even after three or more consecutive inseminations despite being without any clinically detectable reproductive anomalies. This is a major cause of economic loss in livestock farms, particularly in developing countries, where humans and livestock directly compete for food, and the mineral content of animal feed is rarely checked. This study investigated the association between systemic iron, phosphorus, and total protein and estrous cyclicity in crossbred Holstein Friesian cows.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 10 normal cyclic and 10 repeat breeder cows 12 h after the onset of estrus. Serum was separated, and iron, phosphorus, and total protein were quantified with spectrophotometry, using standard controls for all three measurement parameters (iron, phosphorus, and total protein).

Results: Iron and phosphorus levels were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the repeat breeders group than in the normocyclic group, but no significant differences were found in total protein levels.

Conclusion: Repeat breeding is associated with systemic iron and phosphorus levels but is independent of total protein level.

Keywords: crossbred cows, estrous cyclicity, normocyclic, repeat breeder/breeding.

Analysis of the benefits and production challenges of working donkeys in smallholder farming systems in Kenya

Research (Published online: 06-11-2020)

7. Analysis of the benefits and production challenges of working donkeys in smallholder farming systems in Kenya

Mary Gichure, Joshua Onono, Raphael Wahome and Peter Gathura

Veterinary World, 13(11): 2346-2352

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the benefits of keeping donkeys and associated production challenges under a smallholder farming system in Kenya.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted with smallholder farmers keeping donkeys in 13 administrative locations in Kirinyaga County. Data were collected using a questionnaire guide in 13 focus group discussions (FGDs) using participatory epidemiological methods. The FGDs comprised 8-12 participants who were donkey owners. Data were collected through listing, pair-wise ranking, and probing on the benefits of keeping donkeys, challenges faced by working donkeys and the common diseases that affect donkeys in these farms. Data analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric method to test whether median ranks were significantly different. Other farm level data were also collected using the structured questionnaire and these were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods.

Results: The identified benefits included income obtained from the use of donkeys in transportation (Z=5.80) and manure production (Z=3.47), which enabled the farmers to participate in trade activities and improve crop farming. The identified challenges included theft for slaughter (Z=5.99), disease incidence (Z=3.03), road accidents (Z=2.83), and malicious cutting (Z=2.32). Some of the diseases identified were tetanus (Z=5.35), hoof problems (Z=4.55), helminthiases (Z=3.10), and mange (Z=2.24). Participants ranked diseases based on their effects on work output for the donkeys, reducing productivity and often causing death. Addressing these production challenges would optimize donkey use among smallholder farmers.

Conclusion: The results presented can be important for policymakers and extension agents regarding the health and welfare of donkeys kept under similar settings.

Keywords: benefits and challenges, income, livelihoods, working donkeys.

Evaluation of a modified method of extraction, purification, and characterization of lipopolysaccharide (O antigen) from Salmonella Typhimurium

Research (Published online: 05-11-2020)

6. Evaluation of a modified method of extraction, purification, and characterization of lipopolysaccharide (O antigen) from Salmonella Typhimurium

Heba M. Hassan, Mai A. Fadel and Mohamed A. Soliman

Veterinary World, 13(11): 2338-2345

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an integral part of the outer cell membrane complex of Gram-negative bacteria. It plays an important role in the induction and stimulation of the immune system. Various LPS purification protocols have been developed. However, analysis of their efficacy is limited by contamination during downstream applications or the public health hazard of LPS. The aim of this study was to evaluate a modified method for extracting LPS as well as assess the purity of the extracted LPS by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Further, we evaluated its immunopotentiating function by measuring the relative RNA expression levels of splenic immune-related genes such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), after intramuscular injection of increasing concentrations of the extracted LPS in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chick.

Materials and Methods: Isolation, identification, and serotyping of Salmonella Typhimurium were performed using chicken flocks. We then performed molecular typing of Salmonella isolates using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A new protocol for purification of LPS from Salmonella isolate (S. Typhimurium) was conducted. HPLC analysis of the extracted LPS in the current study was compared to existing methods. An in vivo study was performed to evaluate the ability of LPS to induce an immune response by measuring relative IFN-γ and IL-1β gene expression after injecting increasing concentrations of the extracted LPS into SPF chicks.

Results: Isolation and serotyping revealed that Salmonella enterica was of the serovar Typhimurium. Confirmation was conducted by molecular typing through conventional PCR. Fractionation of the LPS extract by HPLC revealed a high degree of purity comparable with standard commercial LPS. These results demonstrate the high purity of extracted LPS based on our modified method using propanol and sodium hydroxide mixture. Intramuscular injection of the extracted LPS in 22 day-old SPF chicks, compared to the negative control, revealed significant upregulation of IFN-γ and slight downregulation of IL-1β.

Conclusion: The new modified method can be used for high purity LPS extraction and demonstrates effective immunopotentiating activity.

Keywords: extraction, high-performance liquid chromatography, interferon-γ and interleukin 1β genes expression, LPS (O antigen), purification, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Salmonella Typhimurium.

Effects of steroid growth promoter on morphological and biochemical adaptations in liver of broiler

Research (Published online: 05-11-2020)

5. Effects of steroid growth promoter on morphological and biochemical adaptations in liver of broiler

Nasrin Sultana, Marzia Afrose and Kazi Rafiq

Veterinary World, 13(11): 2330-2337

ABSTRACT

Aim: The study was conducted to observe the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on the gross study and histomorphometry of liver and on the alterations of biochemical parameters of broilers.

Materials and Methods: Ninety day-old chicks were collected and assigned to one of three groups: The control, Group A, and Group B. The control, Group A, and Group B were fed for 28 days with a homemade ration, a commercial broiler type ration, and a homemade ration with DEX (7 mg/kg feed), respectively. Liver samples were collected from the individual birds after sacrificing on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the experiment. Morphometric characteristics (length, weight, color, and texture) of the liver were examined. Histomorphological alterations of the liver were assessed with routine hematoxylin and eosin staining. To measure the biochemical parameters, blood samples were collected on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the experiment. Liver function test was performed spectrophotometrically by analyzing serum biochemical markers, that is, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was performed for the detection of hepatic steroids.

Results: Hemorrhagic and congested livers were found in broilers of Group B. There were no significant changes found in weight and length of the livers; only numerical decrease in weight and length was observed in birds of Group B. Liver width was increased in Group B on day 21. Histological observation of livers showed accumulation of lipid droplets, congestion of the sinusoids, and central veins in broilers of Group B. Biochemical analyses showed increased levels of ALT in Group B as compared to Group A on day 14 of the experiment. TLC evaluation revealed a positive result in Group B on 28 days of the experiment.

Conclusion: The present study results show that DEX may alter the liver morphology and the concentration of ALT in the circulation of broilers.

Keywords: broiler, dexamethasone, growth promoter, liver.

Seroprevalence of canine hepatitis in stray dogs in Nineveh Province, Iraq

Research (Published online: 04-11-2020)

4. Seroprevalence of canine hepatitis in stray dogs in Nineveh Province, Iraq

Zahraa Mustafa Al-Jumaa, Eva Aisser Ajaj and Mohammad Osamah Dahl

Veterinary World, 13(11): 2326-2329

ABSTRACT

Aim: The current study was conducted to explore evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in dogs in Nineveh Province, Iraq.

Materials and Methods: Serum samples of 78 dogs were used to (i) estimate levels of the antibodies against HBV through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and (ii) measure the activity of liver function enzymes.

Results: Seropositive dogs for HBV constituted 9% of total tested dogs. The differences in seropositivity among males compared to females and among different ages were not statistically significant. Liver function enzymes analysis revealed a significant increase in the activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase in seropositive dogs compared to those seronegative.

Conclusion: Hepatitis B is evident in dogs in Nineveh Province, Iraq, with a significant impact on liver function in affected dogs. It is important to confirm this evidence through molecular tests.

Keywords: alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, dogs, Hepatitis B virus.