Isolation and molecular identification of wild Newcastle disease virus isolated from broiler farms of Diyala Province, Iraq

Research (Published online: 04-01-2020)

5. Isolation and molecular identification of wild Newcastle disease virus isolated from broiler farms of Diyala Province, Iraq

Amer Khazaal Alazawy and Karim Sadun Al Ajeeli

Veterinary World, 13(1): 33-39

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Newcastle disease virus (NDV) remains a major viral disease of poultry. The morbidity and mortality rates of chickens vaccinated with NDV in broiler farms in Diyala Province were 100% and 80%, respectively, rates due to suspected infection with the highly virulent NDV. The present study aimed to isolate and identify the NDV virus and evaluate its pathogenicity in infected broiler chickens at poultry farms.

Materials and Methods: Broiler chickens at two commercial poultry farms were suspected of being infected with virulent NDV due to high mortality rates. Virus isolated from samples of intestinal tissues, lungs, trachea, spleen, kidneys, and air sacs was adapted in the allantoic cavity of embryonated specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicken eggs. The NDV pathotype was determined based on the mean death time (MDT) in eggs as well as the intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) and intravenous pathogenicity index pathogenicity indexes of the isolated samples. Broilers were experimentally infected by inoculation with fluids collected from the allantoic cavities of 60 broilers aged 35 days. Serological and molecular tests were followed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine levels of anti-NDV immunoglobulin G, and isolates were identified using a hyperimmune (HI) test and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results: Suspected and isolated NDV field samples propagated in the allantoic cavity of 10-day-old fertile SPF chickens were NDV positive in the rapid hemagglutination test within a few seconds. Pathogenicity indices and MDT showed that the isolated NDV was viscerotropic and velogenic. The virus was identified as NDV by the HI test using specific anti-LaSota HI serum and RT-PCR with specific primers and probes. Propagation of the virus in the allantoic cavity of embryonated hen eggs produced a viral titer of 109.5 EID50/0.1 mL.

Conclusion: The virus isolated from broiler chicken farms in Diyala Province, Iraq, was viscerotropic and velogenic according to the pathogenicity indices and RT-PCR. The isolated NDV caused 100% morbidity and 90% mortality in NDV-vaccinated and experimentally infected broiler chickens.

Keywords: Diyala Province, Newcastle disease virus, pathogenicity, real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in communal goats from different agro-ecological zones of South Africa

Research (Published online: 04-01-2020)

4. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in communal goats from different agro-ecological zones of South Africa

Takalani J. Mpofu, Khathutshelo A. Nephawe and Bohani Mtileni

Veterinary World, 13(1): 26-32

ABSTRACT

Aim: A longitudinal study was conducted to assess the epidemiology of common gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infections affecting goats in South Africa as influenced by agro-ecological zone (AEZ), sampling season, and the age and sex of animals.

Materials and Methods: A total of 288 goats (101 male and 187 female) were randomly sampled during winter and summer in areas representing four AEZs (arid: 80; semi-arid: 76; humid: 62; and dry sub-humid: 70) of South Africa. Fecal samples from each animal were collected from the rectum, and the presence of GIP eggs was determined using a modified McMaster technique. A sample was considered positive when a minimum of one GIP egg was detected under the microscope. Fecal cultures were prepared, and infective larvae were collected and identified. The data were analyzed by MiniTab17 (2017) using the FREQ procedure, and the association between the independent factors and the prevalence of various GIPs were evaluated using the Pearson Chi-square test (p<0.05).

Results: The overall prevalence of GIP in the present study was 37.1%, with a mean prevalence of 30.0, 26.4, 31.1, 36.6, and 59.6% for Eimeria spp., Trichuris, Strongyloides papillosus, Moniezia spp., and strongyles, respectively. There was a significant (p<0.05) association between the prevalence of strongyles, Trichuris, Moniezia spp., and AEZs, whereas an insignificant (p>0.05) association was observed for the prevalence of Eimeria spp. and S. papillosus. A significant (p<0.05) association between goat age and prevalence of all GIPs was observed, where the prevalence was higher in young goats, followed by adults, and then by suckling goats. The prevalence of various GIPs was similar between male and female goats. The percentage of infection with Eimeria spp., Trichuris, S. papillosus, and strongyle parasitic infections was marginally higher in males than in females, whereas that of the Moniezia spp. was higher in females. A significant (p<0.05) association between the prevalence of Eimeria spp. and sampling season was observed, and there was an insignificant (p>0.05) association between the other GIPs and sampling season. The prevalence of Eimeria spp. infection was higher in winter (34.0%) than in summer (26.0%).

Conclusion: AEZs and goat age are the most important risk factors influencing GIP infections in South African communal goats. These epidemiological parameters are important for outlining effective parasite control management systems against these GIPs in goats.

Keywords: Eimeria, Moniezia, strongyle, Strongyloides papillosus, Trichuris spp.

Fattening performance and carcass traits of Baladi and Shami-Baladi kids

Research (Published online: 03-01-2020)

3. Fattening performance and carcass traits of Baladi and Shami-Baladi kids

Mohammad D. Obeidat, Belal S. Obeidat, Basheer Nusairat and Rolan Al-Shareef

Veterinary World, 13(1): 21-25

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Goat is considered very important ruminant animals that are raised in Jordan; however, the production of the local breeds is low to moderate, and thus, some genetic improvement programs could have a positive effect on the performance of the local breeds. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of crossing Baladi (BB) goat with Shami.

Materials and Methods: A total of 30 newly weaned goat kids (15 BB and 15 Shami-Baladi [SB] kids) were evaluated for growth performance and carcass traits. The trial lasted for 77 days (7 days for adaptation and 70 days for data collection). Feed intake was measured on a daily basis; body weight of kids was measured at the beginning of the study and biweekly thereafter. At the end of the trial, kids were slaughtered to examine carcass traits.

Results: Dry matter intake, initial weight, final weight, and average daily gain (ADG) were not affected by kid's breed type. In addition, breed type of kids showed no significant effect on feed efficiency (feed:gain). Hot and cold carcass weight and dressing percentage were also not affected by kid's breed type. Kid breed type had no significant effect on shoulder, rack, and legs percentages. However, SB kids had a higher loin cut percentage compared to BB kids. In addition, Musculus longissimus depth was higher for SB kids.

Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that crossing SB goat breeds did not have a significant effect on either growth performance or carcass traits. Further studies using reciprocal cross may reveal different results.

Keywords: crossbred, goat, Shami.

A descriptive study of ciguatera fish poisoning in Cook Islands dogs and cats: Demographic, temporal, and spatial distribution of cases

Research (Published online: 03-01-2020)

2. A descriptive study of ciguatera fish poisoning in Cook Islands dogs and cats: Demographic, temporal, and spatial distribution of cases

Michelle J. Gray

Veterinary World, 13(1): 10-20

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is the most common form of seafood toxicosis reported in humans worldwide. Dogs and cats are also susceptible to CFP, but there is little published and much unknown about the condition in these species. This study aimed to document the demographics of canine and feline cases of CFP, to examine the temporal and spatial distribution of cases, and to compare the incidence of animal and human CFP in the Cook Islands.

Materials and Methods: Six years of medical records from the Esther Honey Foundation Animal Clinic (the only veterinary clinic in the Cook Islands during the study period) were reviewed to identify cases of CFP. The study variables included the date of presentation, species, age, sex, neutering status, and village/locality.

Results: A total of 246 cases of CFP were identified, comprising 165 dogs and 81 cats. The sexes were equally represented; however, within each sex, entire animals outnumbered those that had been desexed. Cases occurred year-round, with slightly higher numbers recorded in spring. Annual case numbers trended downward over the study period. Cases were documented in all regions of Rarotonga and also one outer island (Aitutaki). Fewer cases were seen in areas with a narrow (<200 m) fringing lagoon, compared with a wide (>400 m) lagoon.

Conclusion: This study documented epidemiologic patterns of canine and feline CFP cases for the first time. Based on the results, further investigation is warranted to establish whether desexing has a protective effect against CFP.

Keywords: cats, ciguatera, Cook Islands, demographics, dogs, epidemiology.

Serological evaluation for the current epidemic situation of foot and mouth disease among cattle and buffaloes in Egypt

Research (Published online: 03-01-2020)

1. Serological evaluation for the current epidemic situation of foot and mouth disease among cattle and buffaloes in Egypt

Mariam M. Abd El-Rhman, Diea G. Abo El-Hassan, Walid S. Awad and Sayed A. H. Salem

Veterinary World, 13(1): 1-9

ABSTRACT

Aim: The present study was aimed to investigate the epidemic situation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Egypt from 2016 to 2018 based on the detection of FMD virus (FMDV) in carrier or previously infected animals, by determination of antibodies against non-structural protein (NSP), implementation a pilot study on circulating FMDV serotypes and assure the efficacy of locally produced inactivated trivalent vaccine.

Materials and Methods: A total of 1500 sera were collected from apparent healthy vaccinated cattle and buffaloes from three Egyptian geographical sectors, representing ten governorates. Determination of FMD antibodies against NSP was carried out using 3ABC enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Serotyping of the circulating FMDV and assure the vaccine efficacy was performed using solid-phase competitive ELISA.

Results: The 3ABC ELISA test revealed 26.4% and 23.7% positive for FMDV-NSP antibodies in cattle and buffalo sera, respectively. The highest positivity was in Delta Sector among both cattle 42.3% and buffaloes 28.8%. Serotyping of FMDV-positive NSP sera in El-Qalyubia Governorate for the circulating FMDV serotypes O, A, and Southern African Territories (SAT) 2 was 52.2%, 17.4%, and 30.4% in cattle and 31.8%, 27.3%, and 40.9% in buffaloes, respectively. The overall protection level due to the vaccination program was 62.1 and 60.9% in cattle and buffaloes, respectively, while the protective level of the FMDV serotypes O, A, and SAT2 included in the inactivated trivalent vaccine was 73.9, 84.6, and 63.8% in cattle and 72.3, 82.3, and 63.5% in buffaloes, respectively.

Conclusion: The present study recommended full determination for the immunogenic relationship between the vaccine strains and the field strains to attain maximum protection against the circulating viruses.

Keywords: 3ABC enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, Egypt, foot-and-mouth disease virus, non-structural protein, solid-phase competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Toxicity of imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos against German cockroaches Blattella germanica

Research (Published online: 30-12-2019)

16. Toxicity of imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos against German cockroaches Blattella germanica

Mozhgan Baniardalani, Asma Arfa Rahimian, Abedin Saghafipour, Hamid Reza Basseri, Majid Kababian and Jalil Nejati

International Journal of One Health, 5: 107-112

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: As a mechanical vector of some communicable diseases and a self-adaptive species to human environments, the German cockroach can transmit pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, to human beings. This study was conducted to determine the toxicity of imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos against German cockroaches. .

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the last instar German cockroach nymphs were used to test their sensitivity to imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos insecticides by the contact and bait methods. In bioassay (jar test), the nymphs were isolated from the main colony and were exposed to the insecticides for 30 min. The mortality rate was recorded 24 h after the recovery time. In bioassay (bait), 24-96 h after exposure to the poisonous bait, the mortality rate was recorded and regression analysis was run to analyze the data in the SPSS software (IBM, Chicago, USA). .

Results: The lethal doses (LD) of imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos were 9.5 mg/m2 and 39.78 mg/m2, respectively. The LD50 for imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos were 2.66 and 9.92 mg/m2, respectively. Results revealed that the highest concentration of imidacloprid (45%) could cause the highest mortality rate (95%) 24 h after exposure. There is a significant difference in the mortality of the samples during the follow-up period. Moreover, the chlorpyrifos smeared bait, with a concentration of 16% after 24 h, had the highest mortality rate (95%)..

Conclusion: The highest mortality rate occurred in the ingestion of imidacloprid smeared bait within the first 48 h after being exposed to the insecticide. Therefore, the results show that imidacloprid can prove significantly effective in controlling cockroaches. .

Keywords: Blattella germanica, chlorpyrifos, German cockroach, imidacloprid.

Antimicrobial resistance patterns of commensal Escherichia coli isolated from feces of non-diarrheic dogs in Grenada, West Indies

Research (Published online: 27-12-2019)

25. Antimicrobial resistance patterns of commensal Escherichia coli isolated from feces of non-diarrheic dogs in Grenada, West Indies

Victor A. Amadi, Harry Hariharan, Ozioma A. Amadi, Vanessa Matthew-Belmar, Roxanne Nicholas-Thomas, Marta Lanza Perea, Kenrith Carter, Eugene Rennie, Keith Kalasi, Andy Alhassan, Richard M. Kabuusu, Grant Ugochukwu Alozie, Paul J. Fields, Rhonda Pinckney and Ravindra Sharma

Veterinary World, 12(12): 2070-2075

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: There is currently no published information on the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of commensal Escherichia coli in dogs of Grenada origin. Monitoring antimicrobial resistance helps in the empirical selection of antibiotics. This study determined the occurrence of E. coli including the O157:H7 serotype in feces of non-diarrheic dogs of Grenada origin and the antibiotic resistance pattern of the E. coli isolates.

Materials and Methods: Fecal samples from 142 of the 144 (98.6%) dogs were culture positive for E. coli. Selection of up to three colonies from each of the 142 E. coli-positive samples yielded a total of 402 E. coli isolates, which were analyzed for the presence of non-sorbitol fermenting colonies, and O157-agglutination.

Results: Of the 402 E. coli isolates, 30 (7.5%) were non-sorbitol fermenters. However, none of the 402 isolates gave a positive reaction (O157:H7) to the E. coli O157:H7 latex kit. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests against 12 antibiotics revealed low resistance rates to all the tested antibiotics except for tetracycline (Te) (23.4%), cephalothin (CF) (13.2%), and ampicillin (AM) (7.7%). Thirty-nine out of the 402 (9.7%), E. coli isolates were resistant to two or more antibiotics of different classes.

Conclusion: This is the first report of isolation and antimicrobial susceptibilities of commensal E. coli from non-diarrheic dogs in Grenada. Some of the isolates (39/402 isolates, 9.7%) were resistant to multiple antibiotics. This study showed that presently, dogs in Grenada should not be considered a reservoir for the E. coli O157:H7 serotype and for multiple antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains. Among the 402 E. coli isolates, the resistance rate to drugs other than Te, CF, and AM was very low.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, commensal Escherichia coli, dogs, Grenada.