Seroprevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxoplasma gondii</Emphasis> infection in breeding sows in Western Fujian Province,China

The objective of the present investigation was to estimate the seroprevalence T. gondii infection in breeding sows in Western Fujian Province, the People’s Republic of China. Sera collected from breeding sows during 2006–2007 from 6 different regions in Western Fujian Province were assayed for antibodies to T. gondii by an indirect hemagglutination antibody (IHA) test. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 87 (14.38%) of 605 breeding sows. Differences in seroprevalence were observed between sampling regions, ranging from 10.14% to 37.50%. The present investigation demonstrated that the prevalence of T. gondii infection in breeding sows in Fujian Province was high. Integrated control strategies and measures should be implemented to prevent and control T. gondii infection in breeding sows, which in turn will have significant implications for the control of human infection with T. gondii in this province.     

Prevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxoplasma gondii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neospora caninum</Emphasis> infections in sheep from Federal District,central region of Brazil

Serum samples from 1028 sheep were collected from 32 herds within Federal District, in the central region of Brazil. The samples were examined by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) using sera diluted 1:64 and 1:50 as cut-off values for the detection of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, respectively. The observed prevalence for T. gondii infection was 38.22% (26.81%<CI 0.95<49.62%), and the titers ranged from 64 to 65536. The observed prevalence for N. caninum infection was 8.81% (7.08%<CI 0.95<10.53%). The titers ranged from 50 to 51200. The reactant sera to both pathogens corresponded to 4.67% of the samples. The risk factors were not determined because of the absence of negative herds for T. gondii and the high proportion of positive herds for N. caninum (87.50%). The prevalence for T. gondii infection was significantly higher among males than in females. The present work is the first report on seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in sheep from Federal District and shows that infection by both parasites is widespread in the ovine population from this region.     

Seroprevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxoplasma gondii</Emphasis> antibodies from slaughter pigs in Chongqing,China

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii which infects most genera of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pigs in Chongqing Municipality, southwest China. Slaughterhouse pigs’ serum samples collected from six different regions in Chongqing were assayed for T. gondii antibodies by an indirect hemagglutination test. The average seroprevalence of T. gondii were found in 30.6% (278/908) in slaughter pigs, ranging from 21.6% to 40.9% among different sampling sites. The results indicated that toxoplasmosis in swine of Chongqing Municipality was relatively serious, and the pork may be an important source for human infection with T. gondii. Comprehensive measures are needed to strengthen further prevention and control of the disease in Chongqing.     

<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.     

Occurrence of anti-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxoplasma gondii</Emphasis> antibodies in female cattle in south-west of Iran

Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is a significant disease in livestock and humans. In Iran, studies shows that T. gondii infection in humans is relatively high and prevalence is associated mainly with consumption of undercooked meat or meat products. We have examined 450 serum samples from female cattle distributed over all Ahvaz, the center of Khouzestan province, south-west of Iran. IgG antibodies to T. gondii were assayed by the modified agglutination test using whole tachyzoites of T. gondii, and found in 71 (15.77%) of 450 cattle with titers of 1:25 in 38, 1:50 in 18, 1:100 in 11, 1:200 in three and 1:400 in one. Titers of antibodies were decreased in cattle over 2 years old. These results indicate that T. gondii infection in cattle of Khouzestan is relatively considerable, but not very high and consumption of beef may be a source of infection for humans in south-west of Iran.     

Immune responses to haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) vaccination in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trypanosoma evansi</Emphasis> infected buffalo-calves

To assess the immunosuppressive effect of Trypanosoma evansi infection in buffalo-calves on immune responses to heterologous antigen, the study was planned to examine the responses of haemorrhagic septicaemia vaccination in simultaneously and previously (80 days before vaccination) T. evansi-infected buffalo-calves. Eight buffalo-calves were divided into three groups. Buffalo-calves of group A (n = 3) were previously (80 days before primary vaccination with haemorrhagic septicaemia [HS] vaccine) infected with T. evansi (1 × 10⁷ tryps.calf⁻¹; sc) and that of group B (n = 3) were infected with T. evansi (1 × 10⁷ tryps.calf⁻¹; sc) on the day of primary vaccination with HS vaccine. Two healthy uninfected control calves given only HS vaccine were kept in group C. All the buffalo-calves were given a booster dose of vaccine 21 days post-primary vaccination (PPV). Twenty eight days PPV, animals of group A were given trypanocidal quinapyramine prosalt at 6.66 mg kg⁻¹. Immunosuppressive effect of T. evansi infection was evident from day 7 PPV with HS vaccine. The effect was more pronounced in previously T. evansi-infected buffalo-calves as compared with simultaneously infected buffalo-calves. Group A buffalo-calves appeared to have recovered from the immunosuppressive effect after 28 days post-trypanocidal treatment as observed by humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Immunosuppressive effect to HS vaccination was observed in T. evansi-infected buffalo-calves, and trypanocidal therapy enabled the calves to mount the responses similar to uninfected controls.     

Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium avium</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">paratuberculosis</Emphasis> in tissue samples of cattle and buffaloes

Tissue samples were collected at random from cattle (Bos taurus) and buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) from an abattoir of the district of Lahore and were analyzed for the presence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis through acid-fast staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Body condition of animals and diarrhea were recorded. Most of the animals were emaciated. Diarrhea was noticed in 15.6% of buffaloes and 19.2% of cattle. Intestinal pathology was observed in 29% of buffaloes and 32.8% of cattle. Number of mesenteric lymph node (MLN) showing gross lesions was a bit higher (35.6%) in cattle than buffalo (31.2%). Acid-fast staining of tissue scraping smears revealed the presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in 17.4% intestinal and 16.4% MLN tissue samples in buffalo, while in cattle 19.2% intestinal and 17.8% MLN were found positive for AFB. In buffaloes, PCR confirmed 12.8% intestinal and 12.4% MLN positive samples for M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. However, in cattle, PCR analysis demonstrated 14.2% positive results for M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in both MLN and intestinal tissue samples. PCR also confirmed M. bovis in 5.8% of cattle and 5% of buffalo MLN and intestinal tissues. PCR positive tissue samples for M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis were from those animals which were emaciated, having diarrhea, and severe gross lesions. AFB were also detected in tissue scraping smears of these animals. It is concluded that infection by various mycobacterium species can be differentiated by PCR, which is not possible by acid-fast staining technique.     

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.     

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.

     

Reduction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Theileria annulata</Emphasis> Infection in Ticks Fed on Calves Immunized with Purified Larval Antigens of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum</Emphasis>

Larval antigen of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, the vector of Theileria annulata, was purified by two-step affinity chromatography using anti-tick gut-specific rabbit IgG and IgG from immunized cattle. The purified antigen showed the presence of a single polypeptide of 37 kDa (GHLAgP) on SDS-PAGE. Two groups (I and II) of naive crossbred calves (Bos taurus × B. indicus) were immunized with 1 mg of GHLAgP in three divided doses. Immunized calves of group I were also infected with a sublethal dose of T. annulata along with a group of non-immunized calves (group III). Animals in groups I, II, III as well a control group (group IV) were challenged with live nymphs of H. a. anatolicum on the 10th day of immunization. There was a significant reduction in the number of emerging adults of 56.9% ± 1.67% in calves of group I (p < 0.01) and 63.09% ± 1.26% in calves of group II (p < 0.001) compared to the controls. The calves of groups I and II showed antibody responses to tick antigen up to day 70 post immunization. Infection with T. annulata was determined in the salivary glands of adult ticks that developed from the nymphs used for challenge infection. In ticks taken from group I calves, there was a 75.0% ± 0.00% infection compared with only 85.0% ± 2.88% infection in ticks taken from calves of group III. Using PCR, a lower infection (83.33% ± 3.33%) was detected in ticks that developed from calves of group I compared with calves from group III (90.00% ± 2.88%). The ground-up tick supernatants (GUTS) of the ticks taken from calves of group III yielded higher infection rate and exhibited higher infectivity titre in in vitro infection assay of bovine mononuclear cells than the GUTS of the ticks taken from calves of group I. The results suggest a partial reduction in growth rate of T. annulata in ticks feeding on calves immunized with GHLAgP.     

High prevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eimeria</Emphasis> infection in dairy goats in Shaanxi province,northwestern China

A survey of dairy goats for infection with Eimeria species of coccidia was conducted in the Shaanxi province, northwestern China between December and November 2010, including Saanen and Guanzhong breeds. A total of 584 fecal samples (250 and 334 from Saanen and Guanzhong dairy goats, respectively) in six farms were collected. Eimeria oocysts were seen in 568 (97.3%) fecal samples, with six species, namely Eimeria jolchijevi, Eimeria arloingi, Eimeria alijevi, Eimeria caprina, Eimeria hirci, and Eimeria christenseni. The most prevalent were E. arloingi in Saanen and Guanzhong dairy goats, with an overall prevalence of 83.3% and 84.4%, and the lowest prevalence were E. christenseni (26.9%) and E. hirci (20.7%) for Saanen and Guanzhong Dairy goats, respectively. Two or more Eimeria species were commonly presented in all the age groups; 80.0% and 81.4% of positive Saanen and Guanzhong dairy goats carried more than two species, and 1.6% and 6.5% of two breeds had six species. The results of the present survey suggested that Eimeria infection is wide and severe in the Saanen and Guanzhong dairy goats, which suggested that integrated strategies should be implemented to prevent and control coccidial infection in dairy goats in this province.     

Prevalence of anti-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxoplasma gondii</Emphasis> antibodies in sport horses from Qazvin,Iran

In the present study, the prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in sport horses of Qazvin was examined using modified agglutination test (MAT). On 52 horse sera totally examined for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, 37 horses (71.2%) were seropositive by MAT. Results of the present study showed a high rate of Toxoplasma infection in horses in Qazvin area. More comprehensive study on equine toxoplasmosis is recommended.     

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.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors for bovine brucellosis in domestic yaks (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos grunniens</Emphasis>) in Tibet,China

A cross-sectional study was conducted in three counties (Damxung, Maizhokunggar and Yadong) in Tibet in April and May 2015. A total of 1,523 yaks owned by 181 herders were randomly selected and blood sampled. Sera were tested using the rose bengal test (RBT) and a competitive immune-enzymatic assay (C-ELISA) and the test results interpreted in parallel. The individual yak prevalence was 2.8% (95% CI 2.0–3.7) with a herd prevalence of 18.2% (95% CI 12.9–24.6). At the individual level, two predictor variables, age and production system, were significantly associated with seropositivity by a binary logistic regression analysis. The odds of Brucella infection were significantly higher in older Yaks (3–5 years old, OR = 4.51; 95% CI 1.53–19.29; ≥6 years old, OR = 3.89; 95% CI 1.23–17.21) compared to those of younger yaks (≤2 years old). The odds of seropositivity for yaks managed under an agro-pastoral production system were 2.9 (95% CI 1.48–5.86) times higher compared to those managed under a pastoral production system. At the herd level, an association between the infection with Brucella and a history of abortions in the herd was observed (OR = 4.98, 95% CI 1.48–16.62). Surprisingly, vaccination was not associated with a lower level of infection (p = 0.49 and p = 0.99 for individual and herd level data, respectively). The results of the survey indicate that bovine brucellosis is endemic among the yak population in the plateau region of China, and the risk factors identified in the study should be considered in the epidemiology of the disease and when developing control programs for the disease.     

Seasonal variations in plasma glucocorticoid levels in yaks (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Poephagus grunniens L</Emphasis>.) (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos grunniens</Emphasis>)

The changes of glucocorticoid concentrations were measured by highly sensitive enzymeimmunoassay procedures using second antibody coating technique and cortisol -HRP amplified system for one whole calendar year in yaks. The year was divided into seasons of cool, intermediate and hot seasons. The glucocorticoid values were lower (P < .01) in hotter months than in cool and intermediate seasons. Rectal temperature and respiration rates were indicative of heat stress in the hot temperature season and gave significant negative correlation with circulating corticoid concentration.     

Anticoccidial effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aloe secundiflora</Emphasis> leaf extract against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eimeria tenella</Emphasis> in broiler chicken

Anticoccidial effects of Aloe secundiflora crude leaf extract was tested in broiler chickens following oral infection with Eimeria tenella. Sixty 22-day-old birds were divided into six groups of ten birds each. Three treatment groups A, B, and C were fed with the extract (100, 250, and 500 mg/day, respectively) mixed in feed for 10 days, and three control groups: group D (drug control) administered 300 mg/l of sulfachloropyrazine sodium soluble powder in drinking water for 5 days, group E (infected/non-medicated positive control), and group F (uninfected/non-medicated negative control). Except for group F, all groups were orally inoculated with 75,000 sporulated oocysts of E. tenella. The effects of the extract on E. tenella infection were evaluated by severity of bloody diarrhea, body weight (BW) gain, oocyst output, and lesion score. No bird in the treated groups died of coccidiosis, and severity of bloody diarrhea was milder than in the positive control group. BW gains in the treated groups were significantly higher than in group E (p < 0.05). The lesion scores of the treated groups were significantly lower than that of group E. Oocyst output in groups A, B, and C were 11.23, 8.24, and 6.82 × 10⁶, respectively. As compared with the negative control group (12.84 × 10⁶), the reductions in oocyst production were 12.54, 35.83, and 46.88%, respectively. Oocyst output significantly reduced with an increase in Aloe dosage. The findings of this study suggest that Aloe secundiflora extract presents an alternative anticoccidial agent for the control of avian coccidiosis.     

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.     

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.