Microbiome structure in a recirculating aquaculture system and its connection to infections in sturgeon fish

Research (Published online: 18-03-2021)

16. Microbiome structure in a recirculating aquaculture system and its connection to infections in sturgeon fish

Nurlan Khabibullovich Sergaliev, Murat Galikhanovich Kakishev, Nurbek Satkanuly Ginayatov, Farida Khamidullievna Nurzhanova and Evgeny Evgenievich Andronov

Veterinary World, 14(3): 661-668

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study aimed to determine the bacterial composition at various stages of the temperature regime in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) to assess the pathological risk of a group of opportunistic pathogenic microflora.

Materials and Methods: Water temperature, incidences of illnesses, and fish mortality were monitored, during the research period to identify the causes of pathogens in sturgeons. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences was performed using the quantitative insights into microbial ecology module. Sequence alignment in the analysis of the distribution of gene libraries was performed using the Unclust method. The RDP database was used for the taxonomic identification of operational taxonomic units.

Results: The pattern of the contraction of infection among sturgeons bred in the RAS was established. A detailed analysis of the microbiome structure's taxonomic features showed dominant taxa during the "artificial wintering" period and at a temperature optimum in industrial aquaculture. It was found that the main outbreaks of pseudomonosis occurred during this period in the RAS. With a decrease in temperature of the aquatic environment, the incidence of illness increased by 75% compared with the optimum temperature period. Pseudomonas, Cetobacterium, and Lactococcus were specific taxa characteristic for the "artificial wintering" period. Xanthomonadaceae and Flavobacterium were specific taxa characteristic for the optimum temperature.

Conclusion: Consequently, the microbial structure was determined at different temperature regimes in a RAS, and the dominant communities were identified. The pattern of the contraction of infection caused by an opportunistic microflora (pseudomonosis) among sturgeons was established, allowing for the development and correction of treatment and preventive measures.

Keywords: metagenomics, microbial contamination, microbiome, recirculating aquaculture system, sturgeon.

Bacteriological quality of raw milk marketed in and around Guwahati city, Assam, India

Research (Published online: 18-03-2021)

15. Bacteriological quality of raw milk marketed in and around Guwahati city, Assam, India

Smita Kakati, Archana Talukdar, Razibuddin Ahmed Hazarika, Masuk Raquib, Saurabh Kumar Laskar, Girindra Kumar Saikia and Zakir Hussein

Veterinary World, 14(3): 656-660

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Milk is a highly perishable commodity, which is subjected to various types of contamination right from the farm level to the consumers' table. This study aimed to assess the quality of raw milk sold in and around Guwahati city based on the microbial load.

Materials and Methods: A total of 200 raw pooled milk samples collected from 25 different locations in and around Guwahati city were subjected to quality evaluation based on the methylene blue reduction test (MBRT), standard plate count, and coliform count as per the standard procedure.

Results: Out of the 200 samples evaluated, more than 50% of them were graded as poor to very poor quality based on the MBRT results. None of the samples could be graded as excellent quality and only 14.5% were graded as good quality. The standard plate count and coliform count of all the raw milk samples were found to be significantly higher than the legal standard. A highly significant (p<0.01) difference was observed for standard plate count and coliform count among the different locations in and around Guwahati city.

Conclusion: From the present study, it could be inferred that raw milk sold in most parts of Guwahati city do not confer to the legal microbiological standard and may pose a high risk of milk-borne illness among consumers of the city, which needs a systematic series of actions to be implemented properly.

Keywords: coliform count, methylene blue reduction test, raw milk, total viable count.

Patterns of blood biochemical parameters of peripartum dairy cows raised in either smallholder or semi-commercial dairy farms in Thailand

Research (Published online: 17-03-2021)

14. Patterns of blood biochemical parameters of peripartum dairy cows raised in either smallholder or semi-commercial dairy farms in Thailand

Supawit Triwutanon and Theera Rukkwamsuk

Veterinary World, 14(3): 649-655

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Data about dynamics of serum biochemical parameters and negative energy balance (NEB) related conditions differ among geographical areas or farm types. It should be cautious about applying those data to justify control and prevention strategies of NEB problems. Therefore, dynamics of blood biochemical parameters related to NEB condition of peripartum dairy cows raised in either smallholder (SH) or semi-commercial (SC) farms were studied.

Materials and Methods: Thirty-two healthy pregnant dry cows were selected from five dairy farms in Western part of Thailand, including 15 and 17 cows from three SH and two SC farms, respectively. Blood samples were collected at 2 weeks before the expected calving date, and 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks postpartum to determine concentrations of glucose, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA). Body condition scores (BCSs) and milk yields were also recorded.

Results: Dairy cows in both farm types suffered from NEB by elevation of serum NEFA and BHBA, and loss of BCS postpartum. Degrees of elevation in serum NEFA and BHBA were different between farm types. The SC cows showed more BCS loss postpartum, but lower serum NEFA. In the SH cows, even with less BCS loss, the cows showed high serum NEFA concentrations.

Conclusion: Dairy cows in our study entered NEB condition even with low milk yields. Moreover, elevation of serum NEFA and BHBA postpartum was higher in our studied cows as compared with other studies in high producing cows of commercial dairy farms in temperate areas.

Keywords: β-hydroxybutyrate, negative energy balance, non-esterified fatty acid, smallholder dairy farm, tropical area.

Effects of rumen-degradable-to-undegradable protein ratio in ruminant diet on in vitro digestibility, rumen fermentation, and microbial protein synthesis

Research (Published online: 17-03-2021)

13. Effects of rumen-degradable-to-undegradable protein ratio in ruminant diet on in vitro digestibility, rumen fermentation, and microbial protein synthesis

Ezi Masdia Putri, Mardiati Zain, Lili Warly and Hermon Hermon

Veterinary World, 14(3): 640-648

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Feeding ruminants must notice the degradability of feed, especially protein. Microbial rumen requires ammonia from rumen degradable protein (RDP) beside that ruminant require bypass protein or rumen undegradable protein (RUP) and microbial crude protein. The aim of the study was to discover the best RDP:RUP ratio in beef cattle diets commonly used by Indonesian farmers using an in vitro methodology.

Materials and Methods: Samples of Pennisetum purpureum, Leucaena leucocephala, Indigofera zollingeriana, cassava, maize, palm kernel cake, rice bran, and tofu waste were formulated into dietary treatments (dry matter [DM] basis). All experiments were carried out using a 3×3×2 factorial, randomized block design with three replications. Treatments consisted of three protein levels (12%, 14%, and 16%), two energy levels (65% and 70%), and three RDP:RUP ratio levels (55:45, 60:40, and 65:35). The experimental diets were incubated in vitro using buffered rumen fluid for 48 h at 39°C. After incubation, the supernatants were analyzed to determine pH, ammonia concentration, total volatile fatty acid (VFA), and microbial protein synthesis. The residues were analyzed to determine DM, organic matter, protein, and RUP digestibility.

Results: Increased protein, energy, and RDP levels increased digestibility, ammonia concentrations, total VFAs, and microbial protein synthesis (p<0.05), while rations with 16% protein lowered these parameters (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Increased dietary protein (from 12% to 14% DM), energy (from 65% to 70% DM), and RDP (from 55% to 65% crude protein [CP]) levels increased nutrient digestibility, ammonia concentration, total VFA levels, and microbial protein synthesis. The diet containing 14% DM dietary protein and 70% DM energy, which contained 55%, 60%, or 65% CP RDP optimally increased nutrient digestibility, ammonia concentration, total VFA levels, and microbial protein synthesis. Thus, feed based on these RDP:RUP ratios can optimize ruminant productivity.

Keywords: digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, protein, rumen characteristic, rumen degradable protein, rumen undegradable protein.

Global epidemiology of coronavirus disease 2019 and lessons for effective control of this and future pandemics

Review (Published online: 16-03-2021)

10. Global epidemiology of coronavirus disease 2019 and lessons for effective control of this and future pandemics

Emmanuel Okechukwu Njoga, Yusuf Feyisara Zakariya, Ishmael Festus Jaja, Chinwe Elizabeth Okoli and Philip Paul Mshelbwala

International Journal of One Health, 7(1): 78-87

ABSTRACT

Barely 1 year after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in China, the virus has infected approximately 120 million people, caused around 3 million deaths, and adversely affected the global economy. Despite stringent measures to flatten the epidemiologic curve of the pandemic, there have been spikes and waves of the infection in many countries, particularly in the American, European, and Asian continents. This review critically evaluated the global epidemiology of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to provide advice on other possible ways of managing the disease as various COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out. To effectively control this and possible future epidemics/pandemics, there is a need to maintain a healthy balance between saving lives and livelihoods in the implementation of lockdowns. Unwarranted human exposures to animals, particularly pangolins, civet cats, bats, dromedary camels, and other wildlife known to be reservoirs and intermediate hosts of coronaviruses should be prevented. All the identified strains of SARS-CoV-2, including the highly infectious UK and South African variants, should be incorporated in COVID-19 vaccine production; to widen the protection spectrum. Some of the COVID-19 vaccines require primary inoculation, booster vaccination after 2-4 weeks and annual revaccination for adequate immunization against SARS-CoV-2. Survivors of COVID-19 may require only a single vaccine dozing and annual revaccination thereafter. Adoption of One Health approach and the development of globally coordinated active surveillance systems against emerging and reemerging zoonotic viruses are imperative.

Keywords: COVID-19, coronaviruses, emerging zoonoses, new variant SARS-CoV-2, pandemic diseases, SARS-CoV-2, public health.

Molecular detection of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin genes isolated from mastitic milk and humans in El-Behira, Egypt

Research (Published online: 16-03-2021)

9. Molecular detection of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin genes isolated from mastitic milk and humans in El-Behira, Egypt

Mohamed S. Diab, Nermin A. Ibrahim, Yasser F. Elnaker, Sherif A. Zidan and Marwa A. Saad

International Journal of One Health, 7(1): 70-77

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Milk is a chief source of many nutrients. However, we must also bear in mind that it is a potential source for many cases of food poisoning. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of cow mastitis and evaluate the presence of enterotoxins and antibiotic resistance patterns in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from milk and contact humans in El-Behira Province, Egypt.

Materials and Methods: A total of 680 milk samples from 170 cows and 86 human samples consisting of 43 hand swabs and 43 nasal swabs were analyzed. The milk samples were subjected to the California mastitis test.

Results: The general occurrence was 23.1% (157/680) where 48 quarters had clinical mastitis and 109 had subclinical mastitis. Subsequently, S. aureus was isolated in Baird-Parker agar where typical and atypical colonies were selected and submitted to coagulase and complementary tests. Out of 48 samples of mastitic milk studied, 16 (33.3%) showed contamination by S. aureus whereas 109 samples of subclinical mastitis showed contamination in only 18 (16.5%). On the opposite hand, of the 86 human samples, 33 revealed S. aureus contamination, corresponding to 38.37% of the samples. Furthermore, multiplex polymerase chain reaction targeting nuc and the staphylococcal enterotoxin-encoding genes sea, seb, sec, sed, and see were performed after culture, revealing that 88.2% (30/34) of milk samples and 93.9% (31/33) of human samples were variably positive to those genes.

Conclusion: The use of nuc gene based PCR is an accurate and rapid method for S aureus isolates detection. A high prevalence of multiple drug-resistant isolates of S. aureus recovered from both human and milk represents further evidence for possible veterinary hazards as well as public hazards, especially to those that consume milk from this region.

Keywords: antibiotic sensitivity, dairy production, enterotoxins, multidrug resistance, multiplex polymerase chain reaction, nuc gene, Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin genes, Staphylococcus aureus.

Phylogenetic study of Theileria ovis and Theileria lestoquardi in sheep from Egypt: Molecular evidence and genetic characterization

Research (Published online: 13-03-2021)

12. Phylogenetic study of Theileria ovis and Theileria lestoquardi in sheep from Egypt: Molecular evidence and genetic characterization

Amira Adel Al-Hosary, Ahmed ElSify, Akram A. Salama, Mohamed Nayel, Ahmed Elkhtam, Layla Omran Elmajdoub, Mohamed Abdo Rizk, Manal Mohammed Hawash, Mohammad Ali Al-Wabel, Abdulaziz M. Almuzaini, Laila Salah El-Din Ahmed, Anand Paramasivam, Suresh Mickymaray and Mosaab A. Omar

Veterinary World, 14(3): 634-639

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Ovine theileriosis caused by Theileria ovis and Theileria lestoquardi is an important infectious disease affecting small ruminants in regions of the tropic and subtropic zones. There is limited studies about ovine theileriosis in Egypt; so the present study aims to assess the occurrence of ovine theileriosis in Egypt at the molecular level.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 115 randomly selected sheep, which were apparently healthy; the ages of the sampled sheep ranged from 1 to 5 years old, from a local breed (barkae and balade), and showed no symptoms indicating infection with Theileria spp. The study was conducted in three governorates representing Lower Egypt (Menoufia and Beheira) and Upper Egypt (El-Wady El-Geded). All blood samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and semi-nested PCR to target Theileria spp. 18S rRNA genes. Positive samples were sequenced, and these sequences were analyzed using nucleotide basic local alignment search tool (BLAST).

Results: Six animals (5.22%) were PCR-positive carriers for ovine theileriosis. Nucleotide BLAST and phylogenetic analyses of the six obtained sequences showed that T. ovis was present in five animals (4.37%) in Menoufia (n=2) and El-Wady El-Geded (n=3), whereas T. lestoquardi was detected in 1 animal (0.87%) in El-Wady El-Geded.

Conclusion: This study is the first to provide molecular evidence, genetic characterization, and phylogenetic analysis of ovine Theileria spp. in Egypt. Specifically, T. lestoquardi and T. ovis carrier statuses of sheep were confirmed. These results highlight the importance of developing an effective control strategy against ovine theileriosis carriers that might develop and/or spread theileriosis.

Keywords: Egypt, polymerase chain reaction, phylogeny, Theileria lestoquardi, Theileria ovis.