Comparison of three immunodiagnostic tests for experimental Heterophyes heterophyes infection in dogs

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of three in-house diagnostic tests, i.e. counter current immunoelectrophoresis (CCIE), intradermal (ID) and indirect fluorescent immunoassay (IFI), for the diagnosis of Heterophyes infection. One hundred and twenty puppies were randomly divided into eight groups (n=15/group). Heterophyes heterophyes infections were established in these puppies by administering a dose of 50 H. heterophyes encysted metacercariae/puppy by gavage. Forty puppies of similar age and sex were divided into eight groups, of five puppies each and were used as negative controls. Sera pooled from separate infected and uninfected groups were tested against H. heterophyes antigens, weekly for 8 weeks post-infection (PI). The ID assay detected infected puppies sooner than any of the serological tests. Sero-conversion was first detected 2 weeks PI by ID assay and 1 week later by CCIE and IFI assays. ID test performed well till the end of the experiment (sensitivity and specificity: 100% and 90%, respectively). Both IFI and CCIE assays had a sensitivity of 40% and 20%, respectively for early detection of antibody, which was less sensitive than ID but both assays were more specific (100%) than the ID assay. The lowest agreement was between ID and IFI tests (40.3%), whilst the highest was observed between CCIE and IFI tests (67.2%). Of the three evaluated methods, the ID test could be recommended for scientific and laboratory diagnosis of heterophyosis in naturally infected animals. However, since none of the investigated method are optimal (i.e, offers 100% specificity and sensitivity), the choice of test employed must depend on the aim of the study.     

Isolation and partial characterization of excretory/secretory antigens of Gastrothylax crumenifer

The present study was carried out to identify the excretory/secretory (E/S) antigens of the rumen infecting digenetic trematode Gastrothylax crumenifer that may be useful for the immunodiagnosis of rumen amphistomosis particularly during the pre-monsoon season during which this rumen parasite stops shedding eggs. The in vitro released E/S proteins were purified on a Sephadex G-200 column. The gel filtration profile revealed three distinct fractions F1-F3 where F1 and F3 appeared as sharp peaks while the F2 fraction was dispersed. The antibody titre against each of the purified E/S fractions was determined by ELISA using anti-whole E/S polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbit. Among the three fractions, the antibody titre against F1 was highest (1:12,800) whereas IgG titre was very low (1:50) for fraction F2 and F3 (1:100). Of the total polypeptides resolved on gradient SDS-PAGE, only a few antigenic polypeptides were detected in each fraction with hyperimmune anti-serum as revealed by Western Blot analysis. However, a 33 kDa antigen detected in each fraction appeared to be immunodominant which could be exploited for the diagnosis of the pouched amphistome.     

Prevalence and infection pattern of Trypanosoma evansi in camels in mid-eastern Sudan

The antigen detection enzyme immunoassay (AgELISA) in conjunction with parasitological examination of blood were used to study the enzootic situation of cameline trypanosomiasis in mid-Eastern Sudan. A one year survey showed that the infection is endemic among pastoral camels with a prevalence of 5.4% based on parasitological examination and 31.3% based on AgELISA. The infection rate was higher during the dry period (November to May) than the wet season. Young camels had a much lower infection rate as detected by parasitological techniques, but not with AgELISA. A lower prevalence of infection was detected by buffy coat technique (BCT) in herds of camels raised by nomads compared with those kept by agropastoralists and in camels located in the southern districts of mid-Eastern Sudan.     

First record of Taenia ovis krabbei muscle cysts in muskoxen from Greenland

A first record of Taenia ovis krabbei muscle cysts in a muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) from the Kangerlussuaq population in West Greenland suggests that introduced muskoxen now contributes to the transmission of this parasite in addition to previous observations from caribou (Rangifer tarandus). Muskoxen and caribou are the only wild ungulates in Greenland.     

High prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of mecA Staphylococcus aureus in dairy cattle,sheep, and goat bulk tank milk in Jordan

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of mecA and mecC methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in...     

Application of an electrometric method for measurement of blood cholinesterase activities in sheep, goats and cattle treated with organophosphate insecticides

A modified electrometric cholinesterase method has been described for use in ruminants exposed to organophosphate insecticides. The method was used to measure cholinesterase activities in the plasma and erythrocytes of sheep, goats and cattle treated with organophosphate insecticides under field conditions. The animals were treated topically to control ectoparasites with malathion (0.05%) or diazinon (0.06%). The treated animals did not suffer from adverse effects related to cholinesterase inhibition. However, 2 h after treatments, plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase activities significantly decreased in sheep by 20% and 39% and in goats by 18% and 30%, respectively, when compared with respective untreated control values. Diazinon did not significantly affect plasma and erythrocyte cholinesterase activities in the cattle. The results suggest that the described electrometric method could be efficiently used for detecting cholinesterase inhibition in ruminants exposed to organophosphate insecticides.     

Monitoring of bovine health problems of small dairy herds in islamabad capital territory: Design,data and disease frequencies

Summary A pilot health monitoring system was started in 1990 to develop statistically valid data for use in estimating the disease frequencies in dairy cattle and buffaloes. This paper presents the design of the monitoring programme and frequencies of selected diseases. Eighty herds were selected with typical livestock management practices of the farmers in the area. Veterinary assistants visited the farms once a month for 12 months to collect livestock inventory, production, disease and preventive treatment data. The incidence density method was used as a measure of disease frequency.In adults, breeding problems, mastitis and gastro-intestinal problems were the highest reported conditions. Respiratory problems were the commonest in young stock. The calves of both species frequently had gastro-intestinal and respiratory disease conditions. Most of the calf crop of both species were lost within the first 3 months of life.

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Monitoreo De Problemas De Salud Bovina En Hatos Lecheros Pequenos En El Territorio Capital De Islamabad

Resumen Se inició un sistema de monitoreo piloto en 1990, con el propósito de desarrollar datos estadísticos válidos para estimar la frecuencia de enfermedades en ganado lechero y en búfalos. Este artículo presenta el diseño del programa de monitoreo y la frecuencia de las enfermedades seleccionadas. Se seleccionaron ochenta hatos con el manejo típico de los ganaderos del área. Los veterinarios visitaron las fincas una vez al mes durante 12 meses para colectar información. El método de densidad en la incidencia fue usado para medir la frecuencia de enfermedades.En adultos, las condiciones más frecuentemente encontradas fueron problemas de fertilidad, mastitis y problemas gastrointestinales. Las afecciones respiratorias fueron el común denominador en jóvenes. Los terneros de ambas especies se encontraron frecuentemente con problemas gastrointestinales y respiratorios, conjuntamente, siendo la mortalidad extremadamente alta en los 3 primeros meses de vida para ambas especies.

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Gestion Des Problemes De Sante Bovine De Petits Troupeaux Laitiers Sur Le Territoire De Islamabad: Schema, Donnees Et Frequences De La Maladie

Résumé Un système pilote de gestion de la santé a débuté en 1990 pour développer des données statistiquement valables pour être utilisées dans l'estimation de la fréquence des maladies de bovins laitiers et de buffles. Cet article présente le schéma du programme de gestion et les fréquences des maladies sélectionnées. Quatre vingt troupeaux ont été choisis; leur élevage était conduit selon la méthode propre aux fermiers de la région. Des assistants vétérinaires ont visité les fermes une fois par mois durant 12 mois pour relever les données sur l'inventaire du bétail, la production, les maladies et les traitements préventifs. L'importance de l'incidence a été utilisée comme méthode pour mesurer la fréquence des maladies. Chez les adultes, les problèmes prédominants dans les conditions indiquées concernaient la reproduction, les mammites et des troubles gastrointestinaux. Les problèmes respiratoires étaient les plus communs chez le jeune bétail. Les veaux des deux espèces présentaient fréquemment des troubles respiratoires et gastrointestinaux. La majorité de la production de veaux des deux espèces étaient perdue dans les trois premiers mois de vie.

     

A review of the contemporary knowledge of bovine tuberculosis and government policy in Iran

In 1931 Carpantier reported bovine TB (BTB) in Iranian cattle. Some eighty years on with a national test-and-slaughter programme in place for over four decades, the efforts to vanquish Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) infection in cattle have been in vain as the vast majority of the 30 Iranian provinces still have reports of BTB in their cattle herds every year. This paper reviews the present epidemiology of BTB in Iran and in the region and evaluates the success of government policy in controlling this disease.     

A comparative study on behavioral,physiological, and adrenal changes in buffaloes during the first stage of labor with normal and difficult parturition

The present study was primarily carried out to trace the behavioral, physiological, and adrenal changes during the first stage of labor in cases of dystocia, either in parturient buffalo heifers or cows, and their clinical significance. Of the 118 investigated buffalo herds, 40 cows (dystocia = 20 and eutocia = 20) and 40 heifers (dystocia = 20 and eutocia = 20) were used in this study. Cows approaching actual birth were transferred to a calving box with straw bedding. Behavior of the studied animals was recorded from the time that the animal was moved to the calving box until the emergence of the fetal limbs in the vulval lips. If no progress in parturition was observed within two hours after the rupture of fetal sacs (end of the first stage), these cases were considered as suffering dystocia. As the fetal limbs emerged from the birth canal, animals were examined clinically to determine their average pulse and respiratory rates as well as body temperature. Blood samples were collected to determine the cow/heifers cortisol level. Results of the present study indicated that dystocia was accompanied by disturbed physiological status and cortisol levels. Practical monitoring system of parturient animals, through observing behavioral, physiological, and adrenal aspects during calving, should be regarded to expect dystocia and provide help for the animal in the appropriate time.