Impact of COVID-19 and associated lockdown on livestock and poultry sectors in India

Review (Published online: 21-09-2020)

25. Impact of COVID-19 and associated lockdown on livestock and poultry sectors in India

Jyotsnarani Biswal, Kennady Vijayalakshmy and Habibar Rahman

Veterinary World, 13(9): 1928-1933

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdown for a long period have created a significant adverse impact on different sectors, including that of the agriculture and other allied sub-sectors in India and several other countries. The present review aimed to depict the impact of this pandemic and the lockdown on the livestock and poultry sectors in the country, which has been one of the fastest-growing sectors in recent years. Inadequacy of country-wide information has been a major bottleneck for having a thorough understanding of the impact of the prolonged lockdown on different sub-sectors of livestock and poultry. In the present case, an in-depth analysis of the subject has been made through the collation of available published materials and information collected through public contacts. The pandemic and the associated lockdown has not only caused enormous distress to the millions of poor and marginal farmers for saving their crops and/or livestock and thereby assuring their livelihoods but also impacted the overall poultry, dairy, and other livestock production systems and associated value chains, nutrition and health care, and labor availability. The paper highlights various dimensions of the impacts, namely, reduction in demand of different commodities, wastage of the produce due to the closure of transport and market chains, distress sale of the produce, and labor shortage and revival strategies taken by the government and associated enterprises. The present impact study although gives a picture about the overall present scenario, a systematic study through the collection of primary data from all over the country is suggested, which will provide a holistic view of the impact on each of the sub-sectors and the associated value chains.

Keywords: COVID-19, labor availability, livestock sector, poultry sector, value chain.

Novel probiotic lactic acid bacteria isolated from indigenous fermented foods from West Sumatera, Indonesia

Research (Published online: 19-09-2020)

24. Novel probiotic lactic acid bacteria isolated from indigenous fermented foods from West Sumatera, Indonesia

Harnentis Harnentis, Yetti Marlida, Yuliaty Shafan Nur, Wizna Wizna, Melia Afnida Santi, Nadia Septiani, Frederick Adzitey and Nurul Huda

Veterinary World, 13(9): 1922-1927

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Probiotics play an important role in maintaining a healthy gut and consequently promote good health. This study aimed to find novel probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from indigenous fermented foods of West Sumatera, Indonesia.

Materials and Methods: This study utilized 10 LAB previously isolated from fermented buffalo milk (dadih), fermented fish (budu), and fermented cassava (tape) which have the ability to produce gamma-aminobutyric acid. The study commenced with the screening of LAB for certain properties, such as resistance to acid and bile salts, adhesion to mucosal surface, and antagonism against enteric pathogens (Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, and Staphylococcus aureus). The promising isolates were identified through biochemical and gram staining methods.

Results: All isolates in this study were potential novel probiotics. They survived at a pH level of 2.5 for 3 h (55.27-98.18%) and 6 h (50.98-84.91%). Survival in bile at a concentration of 0.3% was 39.90-58.61% and the survival rate was 28.38- 52.11% at a concentration of 0.5%. The inhibitory diameter ranged from 8.75 to 11.54 mm for E. coli, 7.02 to 13.42 mm for S. aureus, and 12.49 to 19.00 mm for S. Enteritidis. All the isolates (84.5-92%) exhibited the ability to adhere to mucosal surfaces. This study revealed that all the isolates were potential probiotics but N16 proved to be superior because it was viable at a pH level of 2 (84.91%) and it had a good survival rate in bile salts assay (55.07%). This isolate was identified as Lactobacillus spp., Gram-positive bacilli bacteria, and tested negative in both the catalase and oxidase tests.

Conclusion: All the isolates in this study may be used as probiotics, with isolate N16 (Lactobacillus spp.) as the most promising novel probiotic for poultry applications based on its ability to inhibit pathogenic bacteria.

Keywords: fermentation, lactic acid bacteria, poultry, probiotic.

Development of a practical framework for sustainable surveillance and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Africa

Meeting Report (Published online: 19-09-2020)

23. Development of a practical framework for sustainable surveillance and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Africa

Felix Nchu, Nkululeko Nyangiwe, Dennis Muhanguzi, Jahashi Nzalawahe, Yakob Petro Nagagi, George Msalya, Natala Audu Joseph, Esther Gwae Kimaro, Margaret Mollel, Violet Temba and Difo Voukang Harouna

Veterinary World, 13(9): 1910-1921

ABSTRACT

A workshop on ticks and tick-borne diseases (T&TBDs) was held on June 25 and 26, 2019, at the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Diseases Vector Control, Arusha, Tanzania. The objectives of the workshop were to discuss the current situation and to formulate actionable strategies to improve surveillance and control of T&TBDs in Africa. The workshop was funded by the National Research Foundation and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and attended by livestock health providers, farmers, and researchers from East, West, and Southern African countries. During the workshop, experts presented recent surveillance data focused on T&TBDs; participants discussed research opportunities and community engagement. The primary outcome of the workshop was the creation of a new research consortium known as The African Consortium for T&TBDs. The consortium is intended to function as a community for researchers, students, farmers, policymakers, extension workers, and community members who are interested in the advancement of T&TBD control. The consortium will engage in research activities that focus on comprehensive surveillance of T&TBDs, developing tick acaricide resistance, alternative tick control programs, and policy development and education. These areas were identified as top priorities to be developed to improve T&TBD control on the continent.

Keywords: Africa, consortium, ticks, tick-borne diseases.

Effects of hydrolyzed yeast supplementation on growth performance, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and microbial shedding in weaning pigs

Research (Published online: 18-09-2020)

22. Effects of hydrolyzed yeast supplementation on growth performance, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and microbial shedding in weaning pigs

Waewaree Boontiam, Chalong Wachirapakorn and Phreerapong Phaengphairee

Veterinary World, 13(9): 1902-1909

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Weaning pigs normally suffer from many stressors which have impaired growth performance and immunity. Hydrolyzed yeast has been proposed as an alternative feed additive. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of various levels of hydrolyzed yeast (HY) supplementation in the feed of weaning pigs on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and microbial populations.

Materials and Methods: A total of 144 crossbred weaning pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Large White) with a mean body weight (BW) of 7.46 kg were randomly assigned to one of four treatments during a 5-week feeding trial. Treatments consisted of a basal diet without HY inclusion (control), or the basal diet supplemented with HY at 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g/kg of diet, respectively.

Results: Piglets fed with 1.0 or 1.5 g/kg HY presented significantly increased BW (p=0.009) and decreased incidence of diarrhea (p=0.001). The final BW (p=0.012), average daily gain (p=0.094), and average daily feed intake (p=0.091) showed a linear improvement with the level of HY inclusion. However, the gain-to-feed ratio was unaffected by dietary treatments. Linear responses to the HY supplementation levels were also observed for blood urea nitrogen (p=0.030), total protein (p=0.017), lymphocyte percentage (p=0.064), catalase activity (p=0.089), malondialdehyde (MDA) level (p=0.001), Salmonella spp. (p=0.024), Escherichia coli (p=0.021), and Lactobacillus spp. (p=0.048). Dietary inclusion of HY at 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg resulted in increased immunoglobulin A and G secretions (p=0.042 and p=0.022, respectively) and decreased MDA concentration (p<0.01) and Salmonella spp. (p=0.026) and E. coli (p=0.050).

Conclusion: It was concluded that HY inclusion at 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg in the diet of weaning pigs improve BW, immunoglobulin secretion, and antioxidant enzyme activity, whereas it lowers diarrhea occurrence, lipid peroxidation, and pathogenic bacteria in weaning pigs.

Keywords: antioxidant capacity, growth performance, hydrolyzed yeast, immunity, weaning pigs.

First report of PCR-based detection of Helicobacter species DNA in Camelus dromedarius in Egypt

Research (Published online: 17-09-2020)

21. First report of PCR-based detection of Helicobacter species DNA in Camelus dromedarius in Egypt

Ahmed Youssef, Ahmed Afifi, Ayman Hamed and Mohamed Enany

Veterinary World, 13(9): 1898-1901

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Helicobacter species infections have epidemiological and zoonotic impacts, and different species of Helicobacter have been implicated in infecting humans and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate Helicobacter species infections in Camelus dromedarius.

Materials and Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 32 camels from 9 camel farms located at Ismailia Governorate, Egypt. The collected samples were investigated by bacteriological isolation and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene.

Results: Although Helicobacter species could not be isolated from all the examined samples, Helicobacter DNA was detected in 2 (22.22%) of the 9 camel farms. Of the 32 camel fecal samples examined, 4 (12.5%) were positive for Helicobacter species as analyzed by the PCR assay.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of PCR-based detection of Helicobacter species infections in C. dromedarius. Further epidemiological studies are required to clarify Helicobacter species infections in camels.

Keywords: Camelus dromedarius, Helicobacter, Non-pylori, polymerase chain reaction.

Statistical distribution of novel coronavirus in Iran

Research (Published online: 17-09-2020)

8. Statistical distribution of novel coronavirus in Iran

Elham Gholami, Kamyar Mansori and Mojtaba Soltani-Kermanshahi

International Journal of One Health, 6(2): 143-146

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic – novel coronavirus (nCoV) spread worldwide in 2019, and by March 27, 2020, 199 countries, including Iran, were affected. Prevention and control of the infection is the most important public health priority today. The behavior prediction of COVID-19 is a significant problem. Therefore, in the present research, we compared the different distribution of COVID-19 cases based on the daily reported data in Iran.

Materials and Methods: In this research, we compared the different distribution of COVID-19 cases based on the daily reported data in Iran. We focused on 36 initial data on deaths and new cases with confirmed 2019-nCoV infection in Iran based on official reports from governmental institutes. We used the three types of continuous distribution known as Normal, Lognormal, and Weibull.

Results: Our study showed that the Weibull distribution was the best fit to the data. However, the parameters of distribution were different between data on new cases and daily deaths.

Conclusion: According to the mean and median of the best-fitted distribution, we can expect to pass the peak of the disease. In other words, the death rate is decreasing. Similar behaviors of COVID-19 in both Iran and China, in the long run, can be seen.

Keywords: coronavirus disease-2019, distribution, infection, Weibull.

Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter coli isolated from broiler farms in the Marrakesh Safi region, Morocco

Research (Published online: 16-09-2020)

20. Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter coli isolated from broiler farms in the Marrakesh Safi region, Morocco

Raja Asmai, Bouchra Karraouan, Khadija Es-Soucratti, Houda En-Nassiri, Brahim Bouchrif, Hakim Karib and Réda Triqui

Veterinary World, 13(9): 1892-1897

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Campylobacteriosis is a common foodborne disease epidemiologically linked to the consumption of poultry products. However, other sources, such as raw or contaminated milk, contaminated water or ice, contact with infected livestock, and pets, are reported. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and resistance to microbial resistance of Campylobacter coliM in broiler farms in the region of Marrakesh Safi, Morocco.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted between May and December 2017 and involved 35 broiler farms. One hundred and five cloacal swabs were collected from the eight provinces in the region of Marrakesh Safi, Morocco. Bacteriology method NM ISO/TS 10272-3: 2013 was used to isolate and identify Campylobacter spp. Molecular identification (polymerase chain reaction) was used for confirmation. A disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar was used for susceptibility testing. Five antibiotic agents, including first-line drugs, were evaluated.

Results: Among 105 samples, 71.4% (75/105) were positive for Campylobacter spp. test and 56% (42/75) of isolates belonged to the species coli. Susceptibility profiles showed that 95.2% of C. coli strains were resistant to ampicillin, 92.8% to erythromycin and tetracycline, 85.7% to ciprofloxacin, and 7.1% to gentamicin.

Conclusion: This study underlines the need to strengthen implementation of specific control procedures to decrease contamination of poultry meat with Campylobacter spp. and to reduce the use of antibiotics in the poultry sector.

Keywords: Campylobacter coli, microbial resistance, Morocco poultry, prevalence