<Emphasis Type="Italic">Theileria</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Babesia</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">equi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Babesia caballi</Emphasis> Infections in Horses in Galicia,Spain

The control of equine piroplasmosis is becoming increasingly important to maintain the international market open to the horse industry. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the occurrence of equine piroplasmosis (Theileria equi and Babesia caballi) in Galicia, north-west Spain, and to compare haematological and serum biochemistry parameters between non-parasitaemic horses and horses parasitaemic with T. equi and B. caballi. Sixty serum samples (control group) were taken from healthy horses pastured on two farms, and examined for evidence of equine T. equi and B. caballi infection by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Of the 60 samples, 24 (40%) and 17 (28.3%) samples were positive for T. equi and B. caballi, respectively. Twelve (20%) samples were positive for both parasites. Haematology and serum biochemistry were compared between controls and a series of 36 horses clinically affected by T. equi (25) or B. caballi (11). Compared with the healthy group, there was a 43% and 37% decrease in the haematocrit for T. equi and B. caballi infection, respectively. Parasitaemic horses presented an intense anaemia and serum biochemistry signs of liver damage. The anaemia was more severe in T. equi-infected than in B. caballi-infected horses. Our results suggest that equine piroplasmosis is widespread in the region and is a cause for concern.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> intramammary infection affects milk yield and SCC of dairy cows

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the most prevalent infectious microorganism affecting dairy cattle worldwide, and its pathogenic characteristics facilitate its spread in dairy herds. S. aureus intramammary infections (IMI) are mainly subclinical, and associated losses can exceed average herd losses where the pathogen is not isolated. However, the extent it affects milk composition at udder and quarter levels is still unknown, and cow composite milk losses may be underestimated due to the dilution effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of S. aureus subclinical mastitis on mammary quarter milk yield and composition. In order to determine the effects of the pathogen on milk yield and composition at quarter level, a pairwise comparison of infected and non-infected mammary quarters (n?=?28) from two dairy herds was carried out. Quarters were individually milked, and milk production and composition were assessed. S. aureus has increased somatic cell counts at quarter level; however, no effect of S. aureus IMI on milk lactose, fat, and protein contents was observed. Fat yield from infected quarters decreased, but losses due to the infection caused by S. aureus were not associated with quarter positioning in cows.     

Milk yield and associated economic losses in quarters with subclinical mastitis due to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> in Ethiopian crossbred dairy cows

The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence and losses associated with subclinical mastitis (SCM) caused by Staphylococcus aureus in Ethiopian crossbred dairy cows. A split-udder trial was carried out to determine milk yield losses in udder quarter with S. aureus-caused SCM. Each quarter of the study cows was examined using the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and quarter milk production was measured over a period of 8 days. Milk yield losses for CMT positive quarters were estimated by comparing production of quarters with CMT score 0. Mean milk yield for uninfected healthy quarters was 1.66 kg per milking (95% CI, 1.66–1.55 kg per milking), and the rate of milk reduction for quarters with CMT scores of 1+, 2+, and 3+ was 25%, 33%, and 48%, respectively. Economic losses at different farm-size levels were calculated by multiplying the prevalence of CMT scores with milk yield losses associated with respective CMT scores. In Debre Ziet dairy herds, a quarter with SCM due to S. aureus lost an average of 34.5% of its potential milk production while the total milk yield loss per cow was estimated at 6.8%. Losses were highest in large-scale (13%) farms and lowest (3.7%) in small-scale. Based on the prevalence, the overall financial loss for each cow per lactation was 984.64 Eth Birr (US78.65) and losses in large farms (1,882.40 Eth Birr or US78.65) and losses in large farms (1,882.40 Eth Birr or US150.35) were over 3.5 times the loss in small-size farms. These figures possibly underestimate the potential benefits of mastitis control program as they do not include other direct and indirect costs.     

Growth performance of broilers fed on sprouted-roasted guar bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</Emphasis>) based diets

In a completely randomized block design with 96 Cobb-500 broilers, a study was conducted to evaluate the potential of dietary inclusion of sprouted then roasted guar bean in broiler diets. The 96 male day-old broiler chicks, blocked by pen into equal weight groups of six chicks replicated four times per treatment, were randomly allocated to treatment diets containing graded levels of sprouted then roasted guar bean meal (GBM) at 0, 50, 100 and 150 g kg^?1 inclusion level. The guar bean was sprouted and roasted to reduce guar gum effect. Total feed intake decreased significantly as the guar bean meal content increased in the starter phase (P < 0.05), but no significant differences in intake of the finisher phase (P > 0.05) were observed. Diets containing 0 and 50 g kg^?1 GBM recorded significantly higher total feed intake compared to the diet containing 150 g kg^?1 GBM. Although average weight gain was not significantly different in birds fed 0 and 50 g kg^?1 GBM diets, it was significantly higher than in birds fed on 100 and 150 g kg^?1 GBM diets. Feed conversion ratio was not significantly different among treatment groups (P > 0.05) but showed a general decreasing trend with increasing guar bean meal inclusion level, the effect being more pronounced during the starter phase. In conclusion, the optimum inclusion level of sprouted then roasted guar bean meal in broiler diets is 50 g kg^?1.     

Prevalence of thin-walled <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarcocystis cruzi</Emphasis> and thick-walled <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarcocystis hirsuta</Emphasis> or <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarcocystis hominis</Emphasis> from cattle in Iran

Bovine sarcocystosis is caused by Sarcocystis cruzi and is known to cause considerable morbidity and mortality in cattle. This species is distributed worldwide in cattle and is the most prevalent of the Sarcocystis species infecting cattle. There is high infection rate of sarcocyst in cattle in Iran, but to our knowledge, there is no study about identification of Sarcocystis species. This work aimed to survey prevalence of S. cruzi cyst in slaughtered cattle of Isfahan, Iran. In this study, esophageal and diaphragmatic muscles of 100 cattle were collected from Fesaran abattoir of Isfahan and examined for the presence of Sarcocystis spp. cysts macroscopically and microscopically. No macroscopic sarcocysts were found in any of the samples. In light microscopy, 89 out of 100 cattle (89%) had thin-walled cysts of S. cruzi, while 21 out of them (21%) had thick-walled sarcocysts. In addition to light microscopy, ultrastructural features of the thin-walled cyst confirmed the presence of S. cruzi.     

Pathological,serological, and virological findings in sheep infected simultaneously with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bluetongue</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peste-des-petits-ruminants</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sheeppox viruses</Emphasis>

In this study, pathological, serological and virological examinations were performed on 15 sheep from a flock of 250 sheep and lambs that suffer from simultaneous naturally occurring BTV, PPRV and SPV outbreaks. SPV was diagnosed macroscopically and histopathologically, BTV was diagnosed by ELISA, and PPRV was diagnosed pathologically and by ELISA. Clinically fever, diarrhea, depression, polypnea, conjunctivitis, lacrimation, rhinitis, erosive stomatitis, edema of eyelids, photophobia, cutaneous eruption with erythematous areas especially noticeable in wool-free parts of the body and axilla lesions evolving into papules were observed. At necropsy, the most effected organs were lungs and gut. Subepicardial hemorrhages were also commonly seen. While typical pox lesions were observed in some lambs, usually fibrinous pleuropneumonia was more prominent lung lesion. SPV and PPRV lesions were seen at the histopathological examination of the lesioned tissues, BT lesions were mild than SPV and PPRV microscopically. Serum and leukocyte samples of 15 animals were examined for PPRV and BTV by ELISA; 5 samples were positive for PPRV and 6 BTV, 4 were positive for both PPRV and BTV simultaneously. One hundred animals died, most were lambs. Mortality rates were 100% in lambs and 80% in the herd.     

Biological control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ascaris suum</Emphasis> eggs by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pochonia chlamydosporia</Emphasis> fungus

Ascaris suum is a gastrointestinal nematode parasite of swines. The aim of this study was to observe Pochonia chlamydosporia fungus on biological control of A. suum eggs after fungus passage through swines gastrointestinal tract. Eighteen pigs, previously dewormed, were randomly divided into three groups: group 1, treated with the fungus isolate VC4; group 2, treated with the fungus isolate VC1 and group 3 did not receive fungus (control). In the treated groups, each animal received a 9 g single dose of mycelium mass containing P. chlamydosporia (VC1 or VC4). Thereafter, animal fecal samples were collected at the following intervals: 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h after treatment beginning and these were poured in Petri dishes containing 2% water-agar culture medium. Then, 1,000 A. suum eggs were poured into each dish and kept in an incubator at 26°C and in the dark for 30 days. After this period, approximately 100 eggs were removed from each Petri dish and morphologically analyzed under light microscopy following the ovicidal activity parameters. The higher percentage observed for isolated VC4 eggs destruction was 57.5% (36 h) after fungus administration and for isolate VC1 this percentage was 45.8% (24 h and 72 h) (p > 0.01). P. chlamydosporia remained viable after passing through the gastrointestinal tract of swines, maintaining its ability of destroying A. suum eggs.     

Performance and carcass characteristics of lambs fed diets with increasing levels of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mimosa tenuiflora</Emphasis> (Willd.) hay replacing Buffel grass hay

This study evaluated the performance and carcass characteristics of lambs fed diets with increasing levels of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) hay replacing Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris). Twenty-eight Santa Inês male lambs with an average body weight (BW) of 20.3 ± 1.49 kg(mean ± SD) were allocated in individual stalls and distributed in a completely random design with four treatments (0, 20, 40, and 60 g/100 g total DM M. tenuiflora hay replacing Buffel grass hay in diet) with seven replications. M. tenuiflora hay at the level of 20% dry matter (DM) total replacing Buffel grass hay increased final weight (P = 0.006), total weight gain (P < 0.001), average daily weight gain (ADWG; P < 0.001), DM intake (P < 0.001), and feed efficiency (P < 0.001). Intake of crude protein, NDF_ap, ADF_ap, ash, ether extract, total and non-fibrous carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients presented a positive quadratic effect with M. tenuiflora hay replacing Buffel grass hay and 40 g/100 g total DM level presented greater intake. There were positive quadratic effects by M. tenuiflora hay inclusion at 20 g/100 g total DM level on slaughtering weight (P = 0.005), hot carcass weight (P = 0.002), cold carcass weight (P = 0.002), empty body weight (P = 0.001), hot carcass yield (P = 0.002), cold carcass yield (P = 0.003), and increase linear on biological yield (P = 0.003). There was no influence on cooling weight loss (P = 0.284). M. tenuiflora hay may be included in lamb diets at amounts up to 20 g/100 g total DM substitution of Buffel grass hay because increase in the nutrients intake, growth performance, and carcass characteristics.     

Immunoprotection of recombinant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eg</Emphasis>.P29 against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinococcus granulosus</Emphasis> in sheep

Objective

This study aims to investigate the immunoprotection of recombinant Eg.P29 (rEg.P29) vaccine and analyze the underlying mechanism in sheep.

Methods

Three groups of male sheep were immunized subcutaneously with rEg.P29 and PBS, Freund’s complete adjuvant as controls, respectively. After prime-boost vaccination, the sheep were challenged with encapsulated Echinococcus granulosus eggs. The percentage of protection in sheep was determined 36 weeks after the infection. Humoral immune response was analyzed for specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgM and IgE levels. Moreover, cytokines including interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4,and IL-10 were also evaluated.

Results

Immunization with rEg.P29 induced protective immune responses up to 94.5 %, compared with immunoadjuvant group. The levels of specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2, and IgE as well as IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 significantly increased after two immunizations (P < 0.05); however, the levels of IgM and IL-10 did not show difference.

Conclusion

rEg.P29 showed Immunoprotection and induced Th1 and Th2 immune responses; hence, rEg.P29 is a potential vaccine for E. granulosus infection.

     

Intake,growth and carcass yield of indigenous goats fed market wastes of sweet potato (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ipomoea batatas</Emphasis>) vines and scarlet eggplant (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum aethiopicum</Emphasis>)

Intake, growth and carcass yield of indigenous goats fed basal diets of market wastes of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) vines (SPV) and scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) (SEP) were examined in two experiments. In experiment I, the effect of presentation method (chopping, hanging or adding molasses) on the intake of SEP and SPV was evaluated. Presentation method did not influence the intake of SPV while hanging resulted in the highest (P < 0.05) intake of SEP. In experiment II, 24 male growing goats were supplemented with a concentrate (25% cottonseed cake +75% maize bran) in four dietary groups: SEPD, SPVD, SEP+SPV and Control where elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was offered as the roughage. SEP were offered by hanging, while SPV were chopped. The goats were slaughtered after 12 weeks of feeding. Goats in the SEPD group constantly lost weight, hence were not followed to the end. Average daily gain and hot carcass weight were highest (P < 0.05) in the SPVD group (44 g/d and 8.4 kg, respectively), but similar between the SEP+SPV (19 and 6.8) and Control (21 and 6.9) groups. In conclusion, SPV can support goat meat production where standard feed resources are scarce when fed with an energy-protein concentrate. SEP are poorly consumed by goats, hence cannot be used as their sole basal feed.     

Alterations in coagulation parameters in dairy cows affected with acute mastitis caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. aureus</Emphasis> pathogens

This study was conducted to evaluate alterations in coagulation parameters in dairy cows affected with acute Escherichia coli (E. coli) mastitis and to compare those values to cows affected with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus ) mastitis. Twenty-four, adult Holstein-Friesian dairy cows affected with acute E. coli mastitis and 17 cows affected with S. aureus mastitis were studied. Cows affected with E. coli mastitis had significantly prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (P < 0.01), prothrombin time (PT) (P < 0.05) and decreased (P < 0.05) platelets numbers. Cows with S. aureus mastitis had only significantly prolonged APTT (P < 0.05) and decreased (P < 0.05) platelet counts. In the hematology evaluation, cows affected with E. coli and those affected with S. aureus mastitis had elevated hematocrit values but only significantly (P < 0.05) so in mastitic cows caused by E. coli. Both groups of mastitic cows had significantly (P < 0.05) lower leukocyte counts. Only cows with E. coli mastitis had significantly (P < 0.05) lower neutrophil count. In the plasma biochemical evaluation, creatinine concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in both groups of cows. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was only significantly elevated in cows affected with E. coli mastitis. Results of this study indicated that dairy cows affected with acute E. coli mastitis are more likely to develop clinical manifestations of disseminated intravascular coagulation than cows affected with S. aureus mastitis.     

The analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">groEL</Emphasis> gene in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella enterica</Emphasis> subspecies <Emphasis Type="Italic">enterica</Emphasis> serovar Typhimurium isolated from avians by PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism method

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhimurium causes food-borne outbreaks and systemic diseases in humans and animals. groEL gene (also known as mopA gene in S. Typhimurium), possessing conserved sequence, plays an important role in invasion of bacteria. The purpose of present study was to identify the polymorphism of groEL gene among different avians in different regions by PCR-RFLP method. Fifty two S. Typhimurium isolates (Broiler (n = 13), Layer (n = 12), Duck (n = 5), Goose (n = 5), Sparrow (n = 8), Canary (n = 3), Pigeon (n = 5) and Casco parrot (n = 1). were identified using serotyping as well as multiplex-PCR. Then, amplification of groEL gene performed and amplified products subjected to restriction digestion with BsuRI enzyme. Three RFLP profiles, A, B and C, generated DNA fragments between approximately 100–1,000 bp in size, were observed. The RFLP profile A was observed in 35 (67.3%), profile B in 14 (26.9%) and profile C in 3 (5.77%) of isolates. S. Typhimurium isolates recovered from 13 broilers (two of which profile A, 9 profile B and 2 profile C) and from 8 sparrows (two of which profile A, 5 profile B and 1 profile C) showed all three profiles, but 12 layers and other avians (including Canary (n = 3), Goose (n = 5), Duck (n = 5), Pigeon (n = 5) and Casco parrot (n = 1)) showed profile A. None of these profiles was allotted for a special region. The result of present study showed that S. Typhimurium undergoes genetic mutations in groEL gene under unpleasant milieu in different regions and in different avians. Thus, genetic diversity, despite conserved nature of groEL gene in S. Typhimurium, may exist but it depends on the condition where bacteria have settled. To our knowledge, three RFLP profiles of groEL gene generated by BsuRI restriction enzyme were not reported previously.     

Ovicidal activity of seven <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pochonia chlamydosporia</Emphasis> fungal isolates on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ascaris suum</Emphasis> eggs

The ovicidal effect of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia on eggs of Ascaris suum was tested under laboratory conditions. A. suum eggs were plated on 2% water–agar with seven fungal isolates (Isol. 5, Isol. 31, Isol. 1, VC1, Isol. 12, Isol. 22 and VC4) and control without fungus. After 5, 7, 10, 14, 15 and 21 days of incubation, approximately 100 eggs were removed from the plates and classified according to the following parameters: type 1, biochemical and physiological effect without morphological damage to the eggshell, type 2, lytic effect with morphological alteration of the eggshell and embryo and type 3, lytic effect with morphological alteration of eggshell and embryo showing hyphal penetration and internal egg colonization. The isolates effectively destroyed A. suum eggs and all types of effects were observed during the experiment. There was no variation in ovicidal capacity (type 3 effect) among the isolates (p > 0.05) throughout the experiment. After 21 days, isolate 5 showed the highest percentages of type 3 effect (58.33%). The results indicated that P. chlamydosporia (Isol. 5, Isol. 31, Isol. 1, VC1, Isol. 12, Isol. 22 and VC4) can destroy A. suum eggs and is, therefore, a potential biological control agent of nematodes.     

Control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haemonchus contortus</Emphasis> in sheep using basidiocarps of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agaricus blazei</Emphasis> Murril

Objective

This study evaluated the effects in vitro and in vivo of Agaricus blazei against Haemonchus contortus in sheep.

Methods

The in vitro efficacy of aqueous extract on egg hatching inhibition (EHI) was investigated and after 72 h incubation with varying concentrations the effects on, blastomeres, embryonated eggs, and first stage larvae (L1) were evaluated. Larval development inhibition (LDI) for dry powder and the aqueous extract were evaluated in fecal cultures of sheep infected with H. contortus. In vivo efficacy was determined by reduction in fecal egg count (FEC). Lambs were treated with powder A. blazei (11.4 g/kg pc) or trichlorfon, or were untreated and the possible toxicity of this fungus was monitored by plasmatic enzyme analysis.

Results

Concentrations equal to and higher than 3.62 mg/mL and of aqueous extract were 100% effective in the EHI test. In the LDI test, LC90 was estimated for 5.66 and 106.0 mg/g fecal culture for aqueous extract and powder, respectively. The mean FEC in lambs 14 days post-treatment with A. blazei powder was significantly lower than observed for the negative control, and the serum levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were normal.

Conclusion

The fungi supplementation promotes, respectively, high and moderate anthelmintic efficacy with in vitro and in vivo tests, respectively, suggesting it as an alternative or complementary treatment for haemonchosis in sheep.

     

Experimental infection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Peste des Petit Ruminant</Emphasis> virus and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mannheimia haemolytica</Emphasis> A2 in goats: immunolocalisation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mannheimia haemolytica</Emphasis> antigens

Nigerian strain of Peste des Petit Ruminant (PPR) virus and Mannheimia haemolytica (MH) biotype A serotype 2, was used successfully to reproduce a concurrent disease in West African Dwarf goats. The development of the various pathological features were studied at regular intervals following infection. The acute inflammatory reaction which had developed by day 3 after initial infection was characterised by flooding of the alveoli by neutrophils, oedema, hemorrhage and syncytial cells together with a moderate bronchial and bronchiolar epithelial necrosis. This progressed to a milder acute broncho interstitial pneumonia with giant cells. At this stage, the mucosal immunity were well developed especially the aggregate form of NALT and more of nodular forms of BALT. The organisms were demonstrated with strong immunostaining in the necrotic center, necrotic alveolar wall, fibrin, serous exudate, and degenerated leukocyte in the alveoli and respiratory airways. The bacterial antigens were observed as a strong immunostaining in the blood vessels of the nasal septum, sinusoid in the liver and interstium of the kidney, cytoplasm of alveolar macrophages, pneumocytes, bronchial and bronchiolar epithelium, in the monocytes in the blood vessels. These findings confirmed the enhancement of MH tropism especially in the respiratory tract, liver and kidney. It also showed that West african dwarf goats are highly susceptible to the intratracheal combined infection of PPR virus and MH. The fact that the infection induces strong mucosal responses, this phenomenon can be explored in Africa with the use of combined PPR virus and MH intranasal vaccines to curtail the menace of pneumonia associated with the combined infection on field.     

Effect of tropical browse leaves supplementation on rumen enzymes of sheep and goats fed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dichanthium annulatum</Emphasis> grass-based diets

In a switch-over experiment, eight male animals, four each of sheep and goats of local breeds with mean body weight of 26. 8 ± 2.0 and 30.0 ± 2.1 kg, were fed Dichanthium annulatum (DA) grass and four browse species viz. Helictris isora, Securengia virosa, Leucaena leucocephala (LL) and Hardwickia binnata (HB) in four feeding trials to assess their supplementary effect on activity of rumen enzymes. The sheep and goats were offered DA grass with individual browse in 75:25 and 50:50 proportions, respectively, for more than 3 months during each feeding trial, and rumen liquor samples were collected twice at 0 and 4 h post feeding after 60 and 90 days of feeding. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) enzymes were determined in the bacteria and protozoa fractions of rumen liquor, while cellulase enzyme activity was measured in mixed rumen liquor. LL and HB had the highest and lowest contents of CP, while fibre contents were lower in early than later browse leaves. Supplementation of browse leaves significantly (P < 0.05) affect the specific activity of GDH enzyme in bacteria fraction of rumen liquor of animal species, while GDH activity was similar in protozoa fraction of rumen liquor of sheep and goats on all DA grass–browse-supplemented diets except DA–HB (42.8 units/mg protein), where activity was significantly (P < 0.05) low. Specific activities of GOT and GPT enzymes in both bacteria and protozoa fractions of rumen liquor differ significantly (P < 0.05) due to supplementation of browse leaves to DA grass. Browse leaves significantly (P < 0.05) affect the cellulase enzyme activity in animal rumen liquor, being highest on DA–LL (193.4) and lowest on DA–HB diet (144.8 μg sugar/mg protein). Goat exhibited higher activities of GOT and GPT than sheep in both bacteria and protozoa fraction of rumen liquor, while cellulase activity was similar between the animal species on the grass–browse leaves diets. Results indicate that browse leaves supplementation affect the enzyme activities of sheep and goats rumen, while the goats rumen liquor had higher activities of GOT, GPT and GDH enzyme than sheep.