Relationship between teat-end condition, udder cleanliness and bovine subclinical mastitis

The aims of the present study were to relate intramammary infection (IMI) occurrence and somatic cell count (SCC) with teat-end condition (TEC) and udder cleanliness (UC). Milk samples from 1931 teats were evaluated according to the presence of IMI and SCC. Scores were applied to teats according to the TEC and to UC. Teats ends with a very rough ring had the largest number of IMI when compared to the other three categories, as well as animals with dirtier udders. The change in a TEC score increased by around 30% the chance of IMI. Also, the chance of the animal developing IMI increased by approximately 47% when the UC score increased. No significant association between both scores and quarter SCC was found. It can be concluded that animals with very rough teat end rings and very dirty udders have a greater predisposition to IMI.     

Genetic characterisation of antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in vanA-containing enterococci from cattle, sheep and pigs subsequent to the discontinuation of the use of avoparcin

The prevalence of vancomycin resistant-enterococci (VRE) in faecal samples from cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered for human consumption was evaluated. Enterococci containing the vanA gene were detected in 25.3% and 2.7% of the porcine and ovine samples, respectively, and were identified as Enterococcus faecium. No vanA-containing enterococcal strains were detected in bovine samples. Enterococcal strains with intrinsic vancomycin resistance were detected in seven (9.9%) faecal samples from pigs and in two samples from both cattle and sheep (3.7% and 2.7%, respectively). All vanA-positive isolates from pigs were resistant to tetracycline and erythromycin, and the mobile element Tn916/Tn1545-like transposon was detected in 90.5% of the tetracycline-resistant isolates that contained the tet(M) gene. Although gelatinase and haemolytic activity were not detected, the hyl and cylB virulence genes were found within the VRE strains isolated.     

Bats,pangolins, minks and other animals - villains or victims of SARS-CoV-2?

Veterinary Research Communications - Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute Respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has become unstoppable, spreading rapidly...     

Label‐free proteome of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) seminal plasma

The study aimed to describe the Bubalus bubalis seminal plasma proteome using a label‐free shotgun UDMS^E approach. A total of 859 nonredundant proteins were identified across five biological replicates with stringent identification. Proteins specifically related to sperm maturation and protection, capacitation, fertilization and metabolic activity were detected in the buffalo seminal fluid. In conclusion, we provide a comprehensive proteomic profile of buffalo seminal plasma, which establishes a foundation for further studies designed to understand regulation of sperm function and discovery of novel biomarkers for fertility. MS data are available in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD003728.     

Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic cats from northeastern Portugal

Cats are very important hosts in the epidemiological cycle of Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic protozoan parasite that can infect humans and many other animal species worldwide. We report a serological survey of antibodies to T. gondii in domestic cats from northeastern Portugal, by means of the modified agglutination test. Three cats had titres of 20 (3.9%), 18 had titres of 40 (23.7%) and 55 animals had titres of > or =800 (72.4%). Results of three seropositive kittens with less than 4 months were not considered for determining the seroprevalence of infection, which was found to be 35.8% (73/204). Differences in the seroprevalence levels were not statistically significant between males (35.6%) and females (36.0%) or pure non-European (26.7%) and European or mixed-breed cats (39.6%). Animals aged 36-71 months and 72-180 months had the highest seroprevalences of infection, i.e. 51.7% and 51.2%, respectively, which significantly differ from the values observed in cats with 2-11 months (14.6%) and 12-35 months (26.3%). Infection levels were also significantly different between cats that lived totally indoors (7.7%) and those that had access to outdoors (45.4%), as well as between cats living alone (13.8%) and those that had contact with other cats (39.4%). Seroprevalence values in cats fed only commercial canned or dried food (22.9%) and animals whose diet included raw or undercooked viscera and/or meat (53.5%) were also significantly different. Furthermore, considering only 108 cats, differences of seropositivity to T. gondii were significant between feline immunodeficiency virus infected and non-infected animals, but this was not observed for feline leukaemia virus. Age, habitat and diet were identified as risk factors for the feline T. gondii infection by logistic regression analysis. Some control measures are suggested based on these findings.     

Autologous processed plasma: cytokine profile and effects upon injection into healthy equine joints

This experimental controlled study was performed to evaluate the composition of autologous processed plasma (APP), and the effects of APP intra-articular injection into healthy equine metacarpophalangeal joints. The effects on joints were analysed with a short-phase protocol and a prolonged-phase protocol using saline-injected joints as controls. For the short protocol, horses received one intra-articular APP injection. Synovial fluid samples were collected prior to the injection and 3, 6, 24, 48, and 16 h after treatment. For the prolonged protocol, the joints received three weekly injections of APP, and samples were collected at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days before APP administration. IL1-ra level was found to be increased in APP compared to plasma. Upon intra-articular administration of APP, transient (up to 24 h) increases in white blood cell (WBC) counts along with elevated protein and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) concentrations were observed in the treated joints. Over the 28-day observation period, APP did not elicit changes relative to baseline levels, but WBC counts, PGE₂ and chondroitin sulphate concentrations were lower than those found in the control. In conclusion, APP intra-articular injection induced a mild and transitory inflammatory response but no inflammation reaction was observed over a longer period of treatment and observation.     

Alternative and Efficient Extraction Methods for Marine-Derived Compounds

Marine ecosystems cover more than 70% of the globe’s surface. These habitats are occupied by a great diversity of marine organisms that produce highly structural diverse metabolites as a defense mechanism. In the last decades, these metabolites have been extracted and isolated in order to test them in different bioassays and assess their potential to fight human diseases. Since traditional extraction techniques are both solvent- and time-consuming, this review emphasizes alternative extraction techniques, such as supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized solvent extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, pulsed electric field-assisted extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, and extraction with switchable solvents and ionic liquids, applied in the search for marine compounds. Only studies published in the 21st century are considered.     

M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic reference values for male New Zealand white rabbits

OBJECTIVE: To determine M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic reference values in healthy New Zealand white rabbits. ANIMALS: 52 healthy male rabbits. PROCEDURES: The rabbits were anesthetized and M-mode measurements of the left ventricle, left atrium, and aorta and Doppler measurements of pulmonary and aortic outflow and mitral inflow were recorded. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD heart rate during echocardiographic examination was 155 +/- 29 beats/min. Mean +/- SD measurements in diastole and systole for the interventricular septum thickness, left ventricular internal diameter, and left ventricular free wall thickness were 2.03 +/- 0.37 mm and 3.05 +/- 0.45 mm; 14.37 +/- 1.49 mm and 10.25 +/- 1.22 mm; and 2.16 +/- 0.25 and 3.48 +/- 0.55 mm, respectively. Mean +/- SD left atrial-to-aortic diameter ratio was 1.17 +/- 0.14, and mean +/- SD mitral valve E-point-to-septal separation interval was 1.71 +/- 0.29 mm. Mean +/- SD for fractional shortening and ejection fraction were 30.13 +/- 2.98% and 61.29 +/- 4.66%, respectively. Mean +/- SD maximal aortic and pulmonary artery outflow velocities were 0.85 +/- 0.11 m/s and 0.59 +/- 0.10 m/s, respectively, and the peak E-to-peak A wave velocity ratio of the mitral valve was 2.19 +/- 0.46. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results provide echocardiographic reference values for young adult male New Zealand white rabbits anesthetized with ketamine and medetomidine. Values obtained from unanesthetized rabbits, rabbits sedated with other agents, or rabbits of different size may differ from those reported here.