Enhancement of the antifungal activity of some antimycotics by farnesol and reduction of Candida albicans pathogenicity in a quail model experiment

Research (Published online: 08-04-2022)

5. Enhancement of the antifungal activity of some antimycotics by farnesol and reduction of Candida albicans pathogenicity in a quail model experiment

Nadezhda Sachivkina, Alexander Senyagin, Irina Podoprigora, Elena Vasilieva, Olga Kuznetsova, Arfenia Karamyan, Alfia Ibragimova, Natalia Zhabo and Maria Molchanova

Veterinary World, 15(4): 848-854

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Clinical strains of microorganisms, including pathogenic yeast-like fungi (YLF), are resistant to currently used antifungal agents. Thus, it is relevant to study the combinations of existing antimicrobial drugs and a medicinal extract of plant origin (farnesol). In previous studies, farnesol showed a relatively strong anti-biofilm effect against Candida albicans. This study aimed to determine how much the resistance profile of non-biofilm microorganisms can change.

Materials and Methods: Six clinical isolates of C. albicans and one reference strain were used to study the interaction of farnesol with the most used antimycotics. To determine the sensitivity of YLF to antimycotic drugs, such as nystatin (50 μg), amphotericin B (10 μg), ketoconazole (10 μg), clotrimazole (10 μg), voriconazole (10 μg), fluconazole (25 μg), miconazole (10 μg), and intraconazole (10 μg), the classic disk diffusion method was used. In the second stage, one of the six strains was used to simulate candidiasis of the gastrointestinal tract in an in vivo quail model. As an unusual experimental design, this study investigated the effects of pretreated C. albicans in quails, not the in vivo pathogenicity of C. albicans, after treatment with farnesol.

Results: The resistance profiles of Candida strains did not improve with farnesol in all strains. All concentrations of farnesol (100, 50, and 25 μM) demonstrated a fungistatic effect (i.e., an increase in drug sensitivity) in 23 of 56 (7×8) cases (41%). The remaining 54% demonstrated no changes in the resistance to antifungal drugs or deterioration of the indicators in rare cases (5%). At 100 μM farnesol, sensitivity improved in 33 of 56 cases (59%). Candidiasis or the severity of clinical disease of the quail digestive tract developed to a lesser extent if fungi were treated with farnesol.

Conclusion: Farnesol does not always show a positive result on single cells without biofilm in the laboratory. However, in a biofilm or an in vivo model with biofilms, farnesol can be considered a new antimycotic drug or an additive to existing antimycotics.

Keywords: amphotericin B, antimycotics, Candida albicans, clotrimazole, farnesol, fluconazole, intraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, nystatin, quail model, quorum sensing, voriconazole.

The effect of mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium gel on burn wound healing in rat

Research (Published online: 07-04-2022)

4. The effect of mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium gel on burn wound healing in rat

Dian Ratih Laksmitawati, Siti Umrah Noor, Yati Sumiyati, Adrian Hartanto, Wahyu Widowati and Diah Kartika Pratami

Veterinary World, 15(4): 841-847

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Stem cells are cells that can proliferate to form a new tissue, leading to its use in regenerative therapy. Stem cells will secrete biological factors, such as growth factors, cytokines, and other proteins to their surroundings and culture medium/conditioned medium (CM), altering tissue physiology. These factors can help wound healing, but their effect on third-degree burns is poorly understood. This research aimed to study the activity of mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium gel in healing and repairing third-degree burns on rats skin.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Sprague–Dawley rats with burn wounds on the dorsal area were divided into four groups; the first group was treated with CM gel, with a concentration equivalent to 0.05% protein, the second group was treated with a placebo gel, the third group with silver sulfadiazine (SSD) cream (SSD-Burnazin contain 10 mg/g SSD), and the fourth group was not given any treatment, for 21 days, and on the final day, the rats were sacrificed, and the skins were taken. All topical treatments completely cover the wound area.

Results: Wound healing process indicators observed include wound diameter, scabs' formation, blister formation, and hair growth every day. The skins taken were processed with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. The indicators studied include neutrophil infiltration, mononuclear cell infiltration, neovascularization, collagen area, and re-epithelization ratio.

Conclusion: CM shows better wound healing than other groups and faster hair growth.

Keywords: conditioned medium, mesenchymal stem cell, third-degree burn.

Effects of high salinity in drinking water on behaviors, growth, and renal electrolyte excretion in crossbred Boer goats under tropical conditions

Research (Published online: 06-04-2022)

3. Effects of high salinity in drinking water on behaviors, growth, and renal electrolyte excretion in crossbred Boer goats under tropical conditions

Nguyen Thiet, Nguyen Van Hon, Nguyen Trong Ngu and Sumpun Thammacharoen

Veterinary World, 15(4): 834-840

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The high salinity of drinking water has been a significant problem of the Mekong Rivers Delta. Animals drinking high salinity water altered feed and water intake (WI), urinary electrolytes excretion, and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of high salinity in drinking water on drinking and eating behaviors and kidney function in crossbred goats.

Materials and Methods: The experiment was completely randomized with two treatments: freshwater (0%, seawater [SW0]) and water high in salinity (1.5%, SW1.5) from diluted SW, with five replicates (five animals per treatment). This experiment lasted 3 weeks: the 1st week for the pre-treatment period and the 2nd-3rd weeks for the post-treatment. Dry matter intake (DMI) and WI were recorded every day, while urine volume (UV) was determined from day 8 to day 21. Blood and urinary samples were collected on days 6, 14, and 21 of the study for electrolytes and creatinine analysis.

Results: The results demonstrated that both DMI and WI were affected by SW1.5 (p<0.05). Goats drinking from SW1.5 had lower DMI during D19–21, and the ratio of DMI/WI was significantly different during D16–21 (p<0.05). Interestingly, the UV from SW1.5 was higher than that from SW0 during D13–21 (p<0.05). Although the body weights (BW) of both groups were similar (p>0.05), the weight gain observed in the SW1.5 group tended to decrease (p=0.056) at the 2nd week. The concentration of electrolytes in blood did not differ between the groups (p>0.05). In contrast, the concentration and excretion of Na+ and Cl- in urine increased in SW1.5 goats at D14 (p<0.05), while creatinine levels in the blood remained normal (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The study concluded that crossbred male goats can tolerate 1.5% saline water from diluted SW for 2 weeks. The high salinity in water influences drinking and eating behavior in growing goats. However, the adaptive mechanism by increasing urine output and reducing the reabsorption of Na+ and Cl- in the kidney is the key function and works faster than behavioral responses. The kidney apparently drives drinking behavior during high salinity water consumption.

Keywords: electrolytes, drinking behavior, goat, kidney, saline water.

Determination of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from horses with respiratory manifestation

Research (Published online: 06-04-2022)

2. Determination of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from horses with respiratory manifestation

Amany A. Arafa, Riham H. Hedia, Sohad M. Dorgham, Eman S. Ibrahim, Magdy A. Bakry, Abeer M. Abdalhamed and Azza S. M. Abuelnaga

Veterinary World, 15(4): 827-833

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The World Health Organization considers multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae a major global threat. Horses harbor commensal isolates of this bacterial species and potentially serve as reservoirs for human MDR bacteria. This study investigated antimicrobial resistance in horses caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing K. pneumoniae.

Materials and Methods: One hundred fifty-nine nasal swab samples were collected from horses with respiratory distress not treated with cefotaxime and erythromycin. Biochemical and serological identification was performed on all samples. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect 16S-23S ITS, mucoviscosity-associated gene (magA), uridine diphosphate galacturonate 4-epimerase gene (uge), and iron uptake system gene (kfu), blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX genes. Sequence analysis and phylogenetic relatedness of randomly selected K. pneumoniae isolates carrying the blaTEM gene were performed.

Results: Ten isolates of Klebsiella spp. were obtained from 159 samples, with an incidence of 6.28% (10 of 159). Based on biochemical and serological identification, K. pneumoniae was detected in 4.4% (7 of 159) of the samples. Using PCR, all tested K. pneumoniae isolates (n=7) carried the 16S-23S ITS gene. By contrast, no isolates carried magA, uge, and kfu genes. The blaTEM gene was detected in all test isolates. Moreover, all isolates did not harbor the blaSHV or blaCTX gene. Sequence analysis and phylogenetic relatedness reported that the maximum likelihood unrooted tree generated indicated the clustering of the test isolate with the other Gram-negative isolate blaTEM. Finally, the sequence distance of the blaTEM gene of the test isolate (generated by Lasergene) showed an identity range of 98.4-100% with the blaTEM gene of the different test isolates.

Conclusion: The misuse of antimicrobials and insufficient veterinary services might help generate a population of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae in equines and humans, representing a public health risk.

Keywords: extended-spectrum β-lactamase, horse, Klebsiella pneumoniae, multidrug-resistant, respiratory manifestation.

Growth performance, blood variables, intestinal bacterial content, and morphological measurements of broilers supplemented with Lactobacillus casei-fermented mixture of red rice and aromatic ginger

Research (Published online: 02-04-2022)

1. Growth performance, blood variables, intestinal bacterial content, and morphological measurements of broilers supplemented with Lactobacillus casei-fermented mixture of red rice and aromatic ginger

Fitri Dwi Astuti, Sugiharto Sugiharto, Turrini Yudiarti, Endang Widiastuti, Hanny I. Wahyuni and Tugay Ayaşan

Veterinary World, 15(4): 818-826

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Natural feed additives are important for broiler sustainability during the post-antibiotic era. This study aimed to evaluate the possible effects of the dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus casei-fermented mixture of red rice and aromatic ginger (FERMIX) on growth, blood profiles, intestinal bacterial content, and morphological measurements of broilers.

Materials and Methods: Two hundred broiler chicks were allotted to four groups with five replications, including CONTROL (chicks provided with basal feed), FERMIX025 (basal feed supplemented with 0.25% FERMIX), FERMIX050 (0.50% FERMIX), and FERMIX100 (1.00% FERMIX). FERMIX is an anaerobic fermentation product from a mixture of red rice flour and aromatic ginger using L. casei. Blood, organs, digesta, and carcass were collected on day 35.

Results: Final body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio did not differ (p>0.05) across treatments. FERMIX at 0.5% increased (p<0.05) spleen relative weight. Liver weight was lower (p<0.05) in broilers fed with 1% FERMIX. The liver weight linearly reduced (p<0.05) with the increased FERMIX levels. FERMIX at 0.25% elevated (p<0.05) broiler drumsticks' yield than that in other groups. Erythrocytes, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and plasma total protein levels were quadratically higher (p<0.05) in FERMIX050 treated than in other groups. Increased FERMIX levels resulted in a linear decrease (p=0.08) in ileal lactose-negative Enterobacteriaceae counts. Villi height/crypt depth (CD) ratio was quadratically higher (p<0.05) in the duodenum of broiler supplemented with 0.5% FERMIX. The jejunal CD was quadratically lower (p<0.05) in FERMIX050 than in other groups.

Conclusion: Although it did not influence growth, dietary FERMIX, especially at 0.5%, improved immune competencies, physiological conditions, and health of broilers' intestine.

Keywords: broiler, fermentation, health, phytogenic, prebiotic, probiotic.

A systematic review on urolithiasis in small ruminants according to nutrition-dependent prevalence and outcome after surgery

Research (Published online: 31-03-2022)

35. A systematic review on urolithiasis in small ruminants according to nutrition-dependent prevalence and outcome after surgery

Marlene Sickinger and Anita Windhorst

Veterinary World, 15(3): 809-817

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Obstructive urolithiasis is a common disease in small ruminants with fatal outcomes if left untreated. Many methods have been established; however, long-term success rates remain unsatisfactory. Four bibliographic databases (PubMed, HeBis, Medline (OvidSP), and Web of Science) were searched to evaluate the prevalence of urolithiasis in small ruminants and long-term outcomes after surgery using a systematic review. The study aimed to give evidence-based data concerning prevalence and success rates after surgery.

Materials and Methods: The analysis included 24 (total 239) peer-reviewed journal articles dealing with the prevalence of urolithiasis and 16 (total 39) concerning long-term outcomes after surgery. Literature was included if it referred to species, language, availability, and relevant statements to the specific questions, including the presence of control groups. Heterogeneity tests included χ2, Ι2, and τ2, respectively. A 95% confidence interval was determined, and effects were estimated using the fixed effect model. Due to a feeding-associated bias, prevalence analysis was conducted for a sorghum-based and a corn-based feeding resulting in a weighted prevalence of 62% and 17%, respectively. Analysis of long-term outcomes after surgical interventions revealed long-term success rates of 15-77% after ultrasonographic tube cystotomy and marsupialization of the urinary bladder, respectively.

Results: The prevalence of urolithiasis is strongly associated with feeding and may be calculated as 17% in corn-based rations and 62% in sorghum-based rations. Surgical interventions result in guarded to moderate long-term success rates of 15-66%. Urethral stoma and marsupialization of the bladder provide acceptable long-term success rates with 71-77% but are rather salvage techniques than accepted surgical methods, especially when used in companion animals.

Conclusion: The development of urolithiasis is mainly influenced by nutrition. Effective prophylaxis of this disease should, therefore, always include advisory service for the owners. Existing surgical techniques should be critically re-evaluated concerning their long-term success rates.

Keywords: castration, long-term outcome, prevalence, small ruminants, systematic review, urolithiasis.

Impact of udder infections on biochemical composition of milk in context of pesticides exposure

Research (Published online: 31-03-2022)

34. Impact of udder infections on biochemical composition of milk in context of pesticides exposure

Hala R. Ali, Samah F. Ali, Rania H. Abd-Algawad, Fayza A. Sdeek, Mahmoud Arafa, Essam Kamel and Momtaz A. Shahein

Veterinary World, 15(3): 797-808

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Environmental contaminants such as pesticides have shown immunomodulatory effects that can make animals highly susceptible to pathogenic invasion. The current work aims to study the incidence of udder infections in a single dairy herd of 160 cows in Qalyoubia Governorate, in relation to the potential intoxication of dairy cattle with organochlorine (OCs) pesticides. The study also aims to investigate the impact of udder infections on milk composition.

Materials and Methods: The dairy herd was screened for udder infections using the California mastitis test and measurement of somatic cell count (SCC), followed by bacteriological and molecular analysis. In parallel, the milk samples were also tested for residues of 15 OCs compounds using gas chromatographic analysis.

Results: The examined herd showed a high prevalence of mastitis (37.5%) and Mycoplasma was identified as the main bacterial pathogen. OCs residues were detected in milk of 45 cows out of 160 with a higher incidence in mastitic (43.3%) than in healthy cows (19%). Further, the biochemical analysis of milk showed a significant drop in major electrolytes combined with a significant rise in blood-borne electrolytes (Na and Cl) and total protein. This was more extreme in the case of Mycoplasam mastitis compared to non-Mycoplasma mastitis. In addition, Mycoplasma mastitic milk revealed a high level of malondialdehyde associated with reduced antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase), compared to non-Mycoplasma mastitis.

Conclusion: Mycoplasma mastitis was shown to be associated with increased SCC and, in turn, appeared significantly correlated with increased biochemical changes in milk, indicating the serious impact of Mycoplasma mastitis on the dairy industry. Our data also show a strong correlation between increased SCC and biochemical changes in milk, suggesting that tested biochemical parameters might serve as potential biomarkers for the early detection of mastitis. The study also suggested a potential relationship between poisoning with OCs and susceptibility to bacterial udder infections. However, further studies are required to examine the immune status of a dairy herd in relation to the level of OCs in cow's blood, as well as the water sources used, grass forage and soil.

Keywords: antioxidant bioactivities, mastitis, Mycoplasma mastitis, organochlorine pesticide.