Clinical and pathological features of aspergillosis due to Aspergillus fumigatus in broilers

Research (Published online: 26-12-2020)

26. Clinical and pathological features of aspergillosis due to Aspergillus fumigatus in broilers

Alfarisa Nururrozi, Yanuartono Yanuartono, Sitarina Widyarini, Dhasia Ramandani and Soedarmanto Indarjulianto

Veterinary World, 13(12): 2787-2792

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous pathogen causing aspergillosis in poultry. This research aimed to evaluate the clinical and pathological features of aspergillosis infection in broilers.

Materials and Methods: A. fumigatus infection was induced experimentally by intra-air sac inoculation of a 1.7×108 spore suspension into broilers. Infected and non-infected birds were closely observed for the development of clinical signs of infection twice daily. Pathological samples were collected 5, 14, and 30 days post-infection (dpi) and examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining.

Results: A total of 160 birds were included in this study. Clinical signs emerged at 3 dpi and became consistent at 5 dpi. A considerable decrease in severity and number of birds showing infection symptoms followed. The clinical signs of aspergillosis included anorexia (n=40; 50%), lethargy (n=32; 40%), dyspnea (n=38; 48%), and gasping (n=29; 36%). Macroscopic changes in the air sacs at 3 dpi included the development of minor lesions showing cloudiness, slight membrane thickening, and local exudates. Histopathological examination of the air sacs collected at 3 dpi indicated local inflammation surrounded by hyphae and spores. At 5 dpi, infected birds developed nodules, necrosis, and parenchymal consolidation of the lungs. Pulmonary changes, such as bronchopneumonia, spores, septate hyphae, and mild granulomatous inflammation, were also observed. At 14 dpi, multiple caseous nodules and plaques were found in the air sacs; plaque and necrosis in large areas of the lungs and severe multifocal granulomatous inflammation were noted.

Conclusion: The clinical symptoms of aspergillosis emerged at 3 dpi and gradually decreased beginning at 7 dpi. Similar pathological changes were observed in the air sacs and lungs. The results of this work provide additional information on the pathogenesis of aspergillosis.

Keywords: aspergillosis, broiler, clinical, pathological.

Effect of parity on metabolic and oxidative stress profiles in Holstein dairy cows

Research (Published online: 26-12-2020)

25. Effect of parity on metabolic and oxidative stress profiles in Holstein dairy cows

Shimaa G. Yehia, Eman S. Ramadan, Eissa A. Megahed and Noha Y. Salem

Veterinary World, 13(12): 2780-2786

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Pregnancy and lactation have an impact on health status of animals and constitute burden on body metabolites and the oxidant-antioxidant equilibrium. This study is aimed at evaluating metabolic and oxidative stress patterns and parity impacts in both primiparous and multiparous dairy cows.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows were enrolled and categorized into four groups according to their physiologic status: Primiparous peripartum heifer (n=5), primiparous postpartum cow (n=9), multiparous peripartum cows (n=5), and multiparous postpartum cows (n=8). Blood sample was taken from each animal – peripartum groups at 3 weeks prepartum and postpartum groups at 3 weeks post-parturition – for complete blood picture, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity, and haptoglobin estimation.

Results: Postpartum primiparous cows showed significant decrease in glucose, total protein, and albumin while showing significant increase in MDA, NEFA, and globulin; on the other hand, multiparous postpartum cows showed significant decrease in glucose, total protein, and albumin, associated with significant increase in cholesterol and MDA when compared with prepartum PP and MP cows, respectively. Postpartum multiparous cows significantly showed reduction in NEFA when compared to primiparous postpartum cows. Hematologic profiles of postpartum primiparous and multiparous cows showed significant decrease in red blood cells and packed cell volume, significant increase in lymphocytes when compared with prepartum cows.

Conclusion: Metabolic and oxidative abnormalities exist in both primiparous and multiparous cows during the transition phase, however postpartum primiparous cows show higher susceptibility to negative energy balance impacts. Oxidant/ antioxidant imbalance occurred in both the primiparous and multiparous postpartum cows, highlighting the importance of oxidative stress profiles in the assessment of metabolic health status during transition.

Keywords: haptoglobin, heifers, multiparous, non-esterified fatty acids, oxidative stress, transition.

Post-calving umbilical cord tissue offcut: A potential source for the isolation of bovine mesenchymal stem cells

Research (Published online: 25-12-2020)

24. Post-calving umbilical cord tissue offcut: A potential source for the isolation of bovine mesenchymal stem cells

Parishma Debbarma, Tanmay Mondal, Camelia Manna, Kuldeep Kumar, Joydip Mukherjee, Bikash Chandra Das, Sadhan Bag and Kinsuk Das

Veterinary World, 13(12): 2772-2779

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Veterinary health care is an emergent area in animal sciences and innovative therapeutic approaches happen to be imperative in the present days. In view of the importance of cattle health and production, it is necessary to take up contemporary approach of stem cell therapy in this sector also. This study aimed to standardize an explant culture method of bovine umbilical tissue offcut to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) because considerable efforts are required for ensuring easy accessibility and availability of MSCs in bulk quantity, as well as in establishing and characterizing the cell lines.

Materials and Methods: The umbilical cord (UC) tissue matrix offcut was collected after calving. A simplified in vitro cell isolation technique was followed to collect the emerged out cells from the explants of UC. Further, we expanded these isolated cells in vitro, observed its growth kinetics, and characterized to confirm as per the criterion of bovine MSCs.

Results: A considerable exponential growth rate of the UC-derived cells was noticed. In addition to their confirmation as MSCs, the cells also exhibited plastic adherent property and maintained the spindle-shaped morphology throughout the in vitro culture. The cultured cells were found positive MSC-specific surface markers CD105, CD90, and CD73 and were negative for hematopoietic cell marker CD45. Cytochemical studies revealed the ability of the cells to differentiate into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages.

Conclusion: This simplified method of isolation and culture of bovine multipotent MSCs from the UC offcut collected after calving could be extrapolated for the greater availability of the cells for prospective therapeutic applications.

Keywords: cattle, umbilical cord tissue, mesenchymal stem cells, isolation.

Growth performance and small intestinal morphology of native chickens after feed supplementation with tryptophan and threonine during the starter phase

Research (Published online: 24-12-2020)

23. Growth performance and small intestinal morphology of native chickens after feed supplementation with tryptophan and threonine during the starter phase

Charles V. Lisnahan and Oktovianus R. Nahak

Veterinary World, 13(12): 2765-2771

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The amino acid content of feed can affect growth performance of poultry during the first 6 weeks of life or the starter phase. Unlike for broiler and layer chickens, there is no information concerning standard requirements for tryptophan and threonine during the starter phase. This study aimed to determine the amount of threonine and tryptophan that should be supplemented in chicken feed to maximize growth performance and small intestinal morphology of native chickens during the starter phase.

Materials and Methods: A total of 128 day-old native chickens were divided into four treatment groups with four replications based on a completely randomized design. The treatment diets were as follows: T0 (control feed); T1 (T0+0.10% L-tryptophan+0.35% L-threonine); T2 (T0+0.17% L-tryptophan+0.68% L-threonine); and T3 (T0+0.25% L-tryptophan+1.00% L-threonine).

Results: The feed intake was highest for the T2 and T3 groups (123.06 and 124.18 g/bird/week, respectively). The T3 group had the highest body weight gain (49.35 g/bird/week) and carcass weight (201.44 g/bird) relative to the other groups, while the T2 and T3 groups showed similar, significant (p<0.05) increases in feed conversion ratio (2.57 and 2.51, respectively) and carcass percentage (60.88 and 60.99%/bird, respectively) compared to the other groups. This study showed villi height, crypt depth, and villi width of duodenum, the highest jejunum and ileum of T3 (1109.00±27.26, 1325.50±75.00, 1229.50±101.68, 225.50±17.52, 236.00±24.81, 219.75±17.25, 192.25±14.41, 191.75±4.79, and 184.75±6.40, respectively) compare to other treatment.

Conclusion: These results indicate that supplementation of feed with 0.17% L-tryptophan and 0.68% L-threonine positively affected the growth performance and small intestinal morphology of native chickens during the starter phase.

Keywords: growth performance, native chickens, small intestinal morphology, starter phase, threonine, tryptophan.

Isolation, molecular identification, and pathological lesions of Saprolegnia spp. isolated from common carp, Cyprinus carpio in floating cages in Mosul, Iraq

Research (Published online: 24-12-2020)

22. Isolation, molecular identification, and pathological lesions of Saprolegnia spp. isolated from common carp, Cyprinus carpio in floating cages in Mosul, Iraq

Fawwaz Fadhil Ali, Shahbaa Khalil AL-Taee and Zahraa Mustafa AL-Jumaa

Veterinary World, 13(12): 2759-2764

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Saprolegniasis is a fungal disease that infects freshwater fish. The condition is characterized by a cotton-like appearance in the gills and body. This study aimed to isolate Saprolegnia from common carp, Cyprinus carpio, raised in a floating cage in Wana district, Mosul, Iraq.

Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from 15 infected fish and examined microbiologically, molecularly, and histopathologically. Saprolegnia DNA was extracted which was amplified using universal primers give a 540 bp DNA fragment, and gill and muscle tissue were also examined for histopathological changes.

Results: Isolated colonies of Saprolegnia were characterized by a circular, white cottony appearance with long hair. Lactophenol staining demonstrated hyphae as branched non-septate, transparent masses. The genomic DNA of isolates was consistent with Saprolegnia spp. The infected tissue samples showed variable pathology in gills. Severe hemorrhage and edema were observed in primary gill filaments with hyperplasia in epithelial cells and infusion in secondary gill filaments. Hyphae of Saprolegnia were seen between necrotic and edematous myofiber with inflammatory cells infiltration.

Conclusion: Saprolegnia can cause economic impacts through lethal infection of fish. Clinical signs of Saprolegnia infection were confirmed molecularly and microscopically, and these findings were supported by histopathological lesions in gill and muscle tissues.

Keywords: common carp, fungal isolation, histopathological changes, molecular identification, Saprolegnia.

Higher prevalence of multidrug-resistant extended-spectrum β-lactamases producing Escherichia coli in unorganized pig farms compared to organized pig farms in Mizoram, India

Research (Published online: 23-12-2020)

21. Higher prevalence of multidrug-resistant extended-spectrum β-lactamases producing Escherichia coli in unorganized pig farms compared to organized pig farms in Mizoram, India

R. Mandakini, P. Roychoudhury, P. K. Subudhi, H. Kylla, I. Samanta, S. Bandyopadhayay and T. K. Dutta

Veterinary World, 13(12): 2752-2758

ABSTRACT

Aim: The present study was conducted to record the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR), extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producing Escherichia coli from pig population of organized and unorganized farms of Mizoram and to record the presence of ESBLs, non-ESBLs, and integrons.

Materials and Methods: Fecal samples were collected from pigs under organized (n=40) and unorganized (n=58) farms of Mizoram. Samples were processed for isolation and identification of E. coli by conventional techniques, BD Phoenix™ automated bacterial system, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based confirmatory test. All the isolates were subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity test by disk diffusion assay and ESBLs production by double-disk synergy test (DDST). The ESBLs producing isolates were subjected to PCR for determination of ESBLs genes and all the isolates were screened for non-ESBLs genes and integrons by PCR.

Results: A total of 258 E. coli was isolated and identified from organized (n=120) and unorganized farms (n=138). Majority of the E. coli isolates exhibited high level of resistance against amoxicillin (Ax) (81.78%), cefalexin (85.42%), co-trimoxazole (50.78%), sulfafurazole (69.38%), tetracycline (65.89%), and trimethoprim (TR) (51.94%). Statistically highly significant (p<0.01) variations in resistance among the isolates from organized and unorganized farms were recorded in case of Ax, ampicillin, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, co-trimoxazole, gentamicin, piperacillin, and TR. By DDST, 65.89% isolates were recorded as ESBLs producer, of which 82/120 (68.33%) and 88/138 (63.77%) were from organized and unorganized farms, respectively. A total of 29/258 (11.24%) isolates were positive for at least one ESBLs gene. blaTEM was most frequently (9.69%) gene, followed by blaCTX-M (5.04%) and blaCMY (0.78%). Altogether, 6 (5.00%), 4 (3.33%), and 2 (1.67%) isolates from the organized farms were positive for blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and blaCMY genes, respectively. Similarly, 21 (15.22%) and 7 (5.07%) isolates from the unorganized farms were positive for blaTEM and blaCTX-M genes, respectively. None of them were positive for blaSHV genes. Altogether 57 (22.09%), 9 (3.49%), 66 (25.58%), 78 (30.23%), 21 (8.14%), and 18 (6.98%) isolates were positive for tetA, tetB, sul1, sul2, aadA, and dfrla genes, respectively. The prevalence of non-ESBLs genes was higher in the E. coli isolates from the unorganized farms than organized farms.

Conclusion: MDR and ESBLs producing E. coli are circulating among the pigs and their environment in Mizoram. Pigs under unorganized farms exhibited higher level of resistance against majority of the antimicrobials, including third-generation cephalosporins, which might be an indication of overuse or misuse of antibiotics under the unorganized piggery sectors in Mizoram.

Keywords: Escherichia coli, extended-spectrum β-lactamases, India, Mizoram, multidrug-resistant, pig.

Prevalence of Salmonella contamination in consumed eggs in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis study on published studies from 1996 to 2018

Research (Published online: 22-12-2020)

20. Prevalence of Salmonella contamination in consumed eggs in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis study on published studies from 1996 to 2018

Behnam Hosseininezhad, Enayat Berizi, Marzieh Nader, Seyed Mohammad Mazloomi, Saeid Hosseinzadeh, Laya Ebrahimi and Morteza Zare

Veterinary World, 13(12): 2743-2751

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Food poisoning caused by Salmonella is among the most common gastrointestinal discomfort resulted from egg consumption which can produce various syndromes. The present study is a systematic review and metaanalysis investigation on the published studies about the prevalence of Salmonella contamination in the consumed eggs in Iran.

Materials and Methods: The data were collected and analyzed from four international search databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar and four Iranian databases comprising SID, MagIran, Civilica, and IranDoc. After searching all the databases, 303 articles were found, from which 31 articles were included in the final analysis.

Results: According to the data analysis, the highest rate of contamination was belonged to the industrial eggs (7.49%), however, the prevalence rate was reported 13.61% in the eggshell part. The overall prevalence of Salmonella contamination in consumed eggs of Iran using culture of microbial, molecular, molecular-serological, culture-molecular, cultureserological, and culture -molecular-serological methods was obtained 11.33%, 5.52%, 0.37%, 1.91%, 5.52%, and 0.73%, respectively. Prevalence in the 21 geographical areas, where studies have been conducted, ranged from 0% (Zahedan) to 29.06% (Tabriz). The studies have also showed that eight different serotypes were among the major cause of Salmonella contamination in eggs. The most common Salmonella serotype was Salmonella Enteritidis and the highest diversity in Salmonella contaminant serotypes was recorded in Talesh (including S. Enteritidis, Salmonella Gallinarum, Salmonella Virchow, and Salmonella Newport).

Conclusion: Results of this study revealed the high prevalence of Salmonella contamination in eggs, in Iran. Therefore, disinfection and cleaning bed, cleaning of equipment and supplies, and proper maintenance temperature and humidity of the eggs are recommended. In addition, proper personal hygiene and prohibition of consuming raw egg products are essential.

Keywords: eggs, Iran, Salmonella, systematic review and meta-analysis.