The first report on the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections and associated risk factors among traditional pig farmers in Bali Province, Indonesia

Research (Published online: 10-05-2022)

1. The first report on the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections and associated risk factors among traditional pig farmers in Bali Province, Indonesia

Kadek Karang Agustina, I. Made Ady Wirawan, I. Made Sudarmaja, Made Subrata and Nyoman Sadra Dharmawan

Veterinary World, 15(5): 1154-1162

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Pigs are the main livestock commodity in Bali Province, Indonesia, where traditional farming practices are widely used. Traditional pig farmers are often closely associated with poverty and a perceived lack of knowledge regarding health and hygiene. Data on soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and risk factors associated with STH worm infection among traditional pig farmers in Bali were previously unavailable. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and risk factors for STH infections among traditional pig farmers in Bali Province, Indonesia.

Materials and Methods: This study involved the fecal examination of 238 traditional pig farmers from all areas of Bali Province in Indonesia. In addition, several pig feces samples were combined into one pooled sample belonging to each farm. All fresh fecal samples were stored in a 5% formaldehyde solution before being analyzed using concentration flotation techniques. Subsequently, risk factors were determined through an interview and a questionnaire. The odds ratio (OR) and Chi-square tests were used to determine the risk factors associated with STH infections.

Results: The result showed that there was a high prevalence of STH infections among traditional pig farmers and pig farms in Bali, with rates of 21.8% and 76.5%, respectively. This could be due to risk factors, such as personal hygiene (OR: 5.756; confidence interval [CI]: 2.96-11.193; p=0.00), sanitation (OR: 1.914; CI: 1.024-3.576; p=0.042), education level (OR: 7.579; CI: 2.621-21.915; p=0.00), household income (OR: 2.447; CI: 1.122-5.338; p=0.025), and occupation (OR: 2.95; CI: 1.356-6.415; p=0.006).

Conclusion: The infections seen in farmers were distributed among hookworm, Ascaris spp., and Trichuris spp., at 15.1%, 9.2%, and 4.2%, respectively. The risk factors associated with infections of STH and Ascaris spp. were personal hygiene, home sanitation, education level, household income, and having a primary occupation as a traditional pig farmer. In contrast, personal hygiene, education level, and primary occupation were the only risk factors for hookworm infection, while personal hygiene and home sanitation were the risk factors associated with Trichuris spp. infection. The limitation of this study was that the number of samples was relatively small due to the difficulty of obtaining stool samples from traditional pig farmers, with many individuals refusing to provide their stool for inspection. We suggest that future research focus on identifying the species of worms that infect traditional pig farmers and to better identify the zoonotic link of STH transmission from pigs to humans.

Keywords: Ascaris, hookworm, risk factor, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, traditional pig farmer, Trichuris.

Dengue virus transovarial transmission detection in Aedes aegypti from dengue hemorrhagic fever patients' residences in Denpasar, Bali

Research (Published online: 30-04-2022)

43. Dengue virus transovarial transmission detection in Aedes aegypti from dengue hemorrhagic fever patients' residences in Denpasar, Bali

I. Made Sudarmaja, I. Kadek Swastika, Luh Putu Eka Diarthini, I. Putu Dema Prasetya and I. Md. Ady Wirawan

Veterinary World, 15(4): 1149-1153

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: To effectively control dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), it is necessary to assess the risk of vertical virus transmission in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. This study aimed to detect dengue virus (DENV) transovarial transmission in A. aegypti collected from DHF patients' residences in Denpasar, Bali.

Materials and Methods: A. aegypti samples were acquired by rearing A. aegypti eggs collected from ovitraps placed in the homes of DHF patients. Ovitraps were installed for 7 days and viewed using a loupe to determine whether there were Aedes spp. eggs present. An immunocytochemical method was utilized with 200 samples, and virus detection was performed using a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results: Of the 10 DHF patient houses fitted with ovitraps, four produced positive ovitraps from which larvae developed (house index=40%). Of the 50 ovitraps mounted in the 10 homes, 14 ovitraps were positive and contained A. aegypti eggs (ovitrap index=28%). Of these 14 positive ovitraps containing A. aegypti eggs, 10 ovitraps produced larvae. Immunocytochemical tests were conducted on A. aegypti eggs from the four houses under study. It was found that from the 200 samples collected, 197 samples could be observed, and 11 samples (5.6%) were positive for DENV antigen. RT-PCR examination conducted on mosquitoes reared from the four houses studied obtained a negative virus content result.

Conclusion: This study found the presence of DENV antigen to be as high as 5.6%. This means that potential for transovarial transmission exists within DHF patients' homes in Denpasar, Bali. Aedes control strategy in Denpasar should address this finding, in addition to the current approaches which have focused primarily on the elimination of larval breeding habitats and control of adults using insecticidal fogging during outbreaks.

Keywords: Aedes aegypti, dengue virus, immunocytochemical, transovarial transmission.

Antimicrobial resistance pattern of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from sheep and humans in Veterinary Hospital Maiduguri, Nigeria

Research (Published online: 30-04-2022)

42. Antimicrobial resistance pattern of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from sheep and humans in Veterinary Hospital Maiduguri, Nigeria

Solomon Jauro, Mark M. Hamman, Kefas D. Malgwi, Jasini A. Musa, Yusuf B. Ngoshe, Isa A. Gulani, Iliya D. Kwoji, Ibrahim Iliya, Mustapha B. Abubakar and Folorunso O. Fasina

Veterinary World, 15(4): 1141-1148

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), an important opportunistic pathogen, is a Gram-positive coccus known to be resistant to β-lactam antibiotics. Its virulence depends on a large range of factors, mainly extracellular proteins, such as enzymes and exotoxins, that contribute to causing a wide range of diseases in human and animal species. The major reasons for the success of this pathogen are its great variability, which enables it to occur and thrive at different periods and places with diverse clonal types and antibiotic resistance patterns within regions and countries. Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant S. aureus bring about serious problems in the general population (humans and animals). Infections with these pathogens can be devastating, particularly for the very young, adults and immunocompromised patients in both humans and animals. This study aimed to determine the presence of MRSA in both apparently healthy and sick sheep brought to the veterinary hospital as well as veterinary staff and students on clinical attachment in the hospital.

Materials and Methods: A total of 200 nasal swab samples were collected aseptically from sheep and humans (100 each) for the isolation of MRSA. The samples were processed by appropriately transporting them to the laboratory, then propagated in nutrient broth at 37°C for 24 h followed by subculturing on mannitol salt agar at 37°C for 24 h, to identify S. aureus. This was followed by biochemical tests (catalase and coagulase tests) and Gram staining. MRSA was isolated using Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guideline and confirmed by plating onto Oxacillin (OX) Resistance Screening Agar Base agar. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the MRSA isolates was determined using the disk diffusion method against 12 commonly used antimicrobial agents.

Results: The total rate of nasal carriage of S. aureus and MRSA was found to be 51% and 43% in sheep and humans, respectively. The MRSA prevalence in male and female sheep was 18% and 8%, while 9% and 8% were for male and female human samples, respectively. The antimicrobial susceptibility test showed 100% resistance to OX, cefoxitin, oxytetracycline, cephazolin, and penicillin-G (Pen) by MRSA isolates from humans. Conversely, there was 100% susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, imipenem, and gentamicin; for linezolid (LZD), it was 87.5%, norfloxacin (NOR) (71%), and erythromycin (ERY) (50%) susceptibility was recorded. The MRSA isolates from sheep recorded 100% resistance to the same set of drugs used for human MRSA isolates and were equally 100% susceptible to gentamicin, imipenem, LZD, ciprofloxacin, NOR (92%), and ERY (50%).

Conclusion: This study determined the presence of MRSA in sheep and humans from the Veterinary Hospital, Maiduguri. It appears that certain drugs such as ciprofloxacin, imipenem, and gentamicin will continue to remain effective against MRSA associated with humans and sheep. Reasons for the observed patterns of resistance must be explored to reduce the burdens of MRSA resistance. Furthermore, the present study did not confirm the MRSA resistance genes such as mecA and spa typing to ascertain the polymorphism in the X-region using appropriate molecular techniques. Hence more studies need to be conducted to elucidate these findings using robust techniques.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, humans, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, sheep.

An intestinal Candida albicans model for monomicrobial and polymicrobial biofilms and effects of hydrolases and the Bgl2 ligand

Research (Published online: 29-04-2022)

41. An intestinal Candida albicans model for monomicrobial and polymicrobial biofilms and effects of hydrolases and the Bgl2 ligand

Masfufatun Masfufatun, Rini Purbowati, Nira A. Arum, Mey S. Yasinta, Sri Sumarsih and Afaf Baktir

Veterinary World, 15(4): 1134-1140

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Candida albicans is the most prevalent human fungal pathogen. In biofilms, C. albicans becomes more resistant to antifungal agents because of the production of an extracellular matrix (ECM) that protects the yeast cells. This study aimed to determine the effects of hydrolase enzymes and the Bgl2 ligand on monomicrobial and polymicrobial biofilms.

Materials and Methods: Biofilm induction in rats was carried out using streptomycin (25 mg/kg) and gentamicin (7.5 mg/kg) administered orally once per day for 5 days. Rats were injected subcutaneously with cortisone acetate (225 mg/kg) as an immunosuppressant on day 5. In addition, rats were orally administered C. albicans for the single microbial model and a combination of C. albicans with Escherichia coli for the polymicrobial model. Following the biofilm production, the groups were treated with glucosamine (8.57 mg/kg body weight) and Achatina fulica hydrolases (1.5 mL) orally for 2 weeks. The reduction of the biofilm was measured using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Data were analyzed using a t-test, with a significance value of 95%.

Results: CLSM images revealed a strong association between C. albicans and E. coli in the polymicrobial biofilm. On the contrary, the combination treatment using glucosamine and A. fulica hydrolases reduced the ECM of the single microbial biofilm (53.58%). However, treatment effectiveness against the matrix (19.17%) was reduced in the polymicrobial model.

Conclusion: There is a strong association between C. albicans and E. coli in the formation of polymicrobial biofilms. The combination of glucosamine and the A. fulica enzyme can reduce the single microbial biofilm ECM; however, it is ineffective in the polymicrobial model.

Keywords: Achatina fulica hydrolases, Bgl2 ligand, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, intestinal polymicrobial biofilm.

First study on the molecular prevalence of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus in goats in Babylon, Iraq

Research (Published online: 28-04-2022)

40. First study on the molecular prevalence of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus in goats in Babylon, Iraq

Ahmed Hamzah Mosa, Karrar Jasim Hamzah and Hamed A. H. Aljabory

Veterinary World, 15(4): 1129-1133

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) is a virus that affects goats all over the world and causes enormous economic losses; as a result, screening for the disease is a priority, especially in Iraq. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CAEV in infected goats using the précised PCR method in Babylon, Iraq.

Materials and Methods: A total of 85 blood samples from goats aged 1 month to ≥6 years were analyzed for CAEV infections using molecular methods. The polymerase chain reaction primer was designed to amplify a 573 bp region of the proviral pol gene.

Results: The CAEV tests revealed that five out of 85 goats were positive for CAEV. There were no significant differences in CAEV infection according to goat sex and significant differences according to age.

Conclusion: Based on these results, the present study is the first molecular survey to confirm the current CAEV genome in an Iraqi goat flock.

Keywords: caprine arthritis encephalitis virus, goats, Iraq, molecular detection, polymerase chain reaction.

First study on molecular detection of three major canine tick-borne pathogens in subclinically infected dogs in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Research (Published online: 28-04-2022)

39. First study on molecular detection of three major canine tick-borne pathogens in subclinically infected dogs in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Keiichiro Tazawa, Napassorn Poolsawat, Andrew D. Gibson, Luke Gamble, Alasdair King and Panat Anuracpreeda

Veterinary World, 15(4): 1121-1128

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Canine tick-borne pathogens (CTBPs) are an important cause of morbidity in dogs in Thailand. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of three CTBPs in clinically normal, owned dogs to understand the risk for the general canine population. We also examined sex, age, tick infestation, and packed cell volume (PCV) of the animals in association with active infection of the CTBPs.

Materials and Methods: A total of 139 dogs were included in the study. Blood samples were collected for thin blood smear, PCV and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Statistical analyses were performed to examine the association between individual factors and CTBP infection status determined by PCR. In addition, sensitivity, specificity, and Cohen's kappa were calculated to assess the utility of routine blood smear.

Results: The PCR results showed that 31 dogs (22.3%) were infected with at least one of the three pathogens. The occurrence rate for Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, and Hepatozoon canis was 2.2% (3/139), 18.7% (24/139), and 2.8% (4/139), respectively. There were two cases of coinfection with A. platys and E. canis. The univariate analyses did not yield any associations between recorded variables and the active infection. Microscopic examination showed good sensitivity and agreement only for H. canis (Sn: 75%, 95% confidence interval: 24.9-98.7, κ=0.85).

Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the endemicity of the CTBPs in owned canine population in the study site. In-depth epidemiological investigation would be warranted to elucidate environmental risk factors for CTBP infection.

Keywords: Anaplasma platys, canine tick-borne disease, Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis, polymerase chain reaction, thin blood smear.

Colombian Creole Horse: Frequency of oral and motor stereotypies

Research (Published online: 27-04-2022)

38. Colombian Creole Horse: Frequency of oral and motor stereotypies

Jhonny Alberto Buitrago Mejía, Jairo Alejandro Navarro Jaramillo and Natalia Uribe Corrales

Veterinary World, 15(4): 1113-1120

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The current stable housing of Colombian Creole Horses severely restricts the animals' locomotion and natural behaviors. In addition, their feed consists of a combination of high-energy concentrates with considerably little forage which potentially leads to locomotor or oral stereotypies. This study aimed to report the frequency of locomotor and oral stereotypies in Colombian Creole Horses in Girardota (Antioquia, Colombia) and associated risk factors.

Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 2019 to 2020, in which 102 stabled horses aged 28 months and older participated. A questionnaire was developed to collect information on the horses' daily barn routines. The horses were observed twice a day for 2 h for 3 consecutive days to record information related to stereotypy behaviors. The Fisher's exact test and the Mann–Whitney U test were utilized for data analyses. Associations were considered statistically significant at p<0.05.

Results: Among the horses evaluated, 32.35% presented at least one stereotyped behavior. The most common was crib-biting (i.e., cribbing), with 17.65% exhibiting this behavior. Age, weight, gender, type of feeding, visual contact between horses, and natural lighting were all associated with oral stereotypies. Crib-biting was most common in young horses (U=1.36, p≤0.05), wind-sucking was more common in lighter weight animals (U=1.45, p=0.01), and lip-smacking was more common in stallions (χ2=9.10, p≤0.01). It is noteworthy that their feeding diet included bran, molasses, and gopher. Horses that did not have visual contact with other horses and those that did not have natural lighting were associated with pica (χ2=9.52, p≤0.02; χ2=3.72, p≤0.05; and χ2=3.72, p≤0.05, respectively). Of locomotor stereotypies, kicking the wall was significant in young animals (U=1.54, p=0.03) and walking in circles in lactating mares (χ2=13.20, p≤0.02).

Conclusion: Housing conditions in this study were found to have several risk factors affecting horses that exhibit stereotypic behaviors, and all these factors resulted in a higher frequency of stereotypies. Establishing risk factors for the presentation of abnormal behaviors allows for the implementation of better management practices in the production systems of the Creole Colombian Horse and will help improve their overall welfare.

Keywords: behaviours disorders, equines, stereotypies, welfare.