The efficacy of ivermectin and levamisole against natural Nematodirus spathiger infection in the Arabian sand gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa marica) and the Arabian mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella) in Saudi Arabia

The efficacy of two broad spectrum anthelmintics (Ivermectin and Levamisole) against the nematode Nematodirus spathiger in the reem (Arabian sand gazelle) and idmi (Arabian mountain gazelle) at King Khalid Wildlife Research Centre (KKWRC) was determined. Gazelles of both species naturally infected with N. spathiger were each divided into 3 groups. One group was treated with Ivermectin, the other group with Levamisole and the last group was left as untreated control. Faecal egg counts were employed to determine the efficacy of the two drugs against N. spathiger infection in both gazelle species. Reduction in arithmetic mean faecal egg counts achieved by Ivermectin and Levamisole in the reem gazelles was 94% and 89.3%, respectively. The reduction in the idmi gazelles was 97.2% and 96.4%, respectively. Hence, both anthelmintics appeared to be more effective in the idmi gazelles than in the reem gazelles, however, there was no significant difference in the faecal egg reduction tests in both animal species.     

Concurrent infection with bovine leukaemia virus and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Theileria annulata</Emphasis> in a Friesian calf

Concurrent infection with bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) and Theileria annulata was diagnosed in a Friesian calf about 6 months of age at a dairy farm at the Qassim region of central Saudi Arabia. The disease ended fatally with signs of liver and heart failure. There was anorexia, pyrexia, anaemia, generalized oedema and jaundice. Haematology showed low RBC counts, PCV percentage and haemoglobin concentration and WBC counts. Lymphocyte differential was high. Examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa’s stain showed the presence of piroplasms in red blood cells. Autopsy showed enlarged lymph nodes and lymphosarcoma lesions in the omentum and the heart. There was hydroperitoneum, hydropericardium and hydrothorax. The liver was pale yellow and friable. Impression smears from sliced lymph nodes and stained with Giemsa’s stain showed presence of Koch’s blue bodies in lymphoblasts. Histopathological examination revealed fatty degeneration of hepatocytes and pleomorphic lymphoblasts and giant cells in lymph nodes. Lymphoblasts infiltrated the omentum and heart tissues. Amyloid was found around blood vessels in the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes. BVL infection was diagnosed by demonstrating antibodies against the virus in serum using agar gel immunodiffusion and was confirmed with ELISA.     

Tree age influences nutritional,pectin, and anatomical changes in developing ‘Kinnow’ mandarin (Citrus nobilis Lour × Citrus deliciosa Tenora) fruit

An understanding of variation in fruit quality in relation to tree age can help understand the issue of poor fruit quality in young orchards; however, limited information is available on the citrus fruit. In this study, the endogenous nutritional status in rind, rag, and leaves; pectin status in rind and rag; and anatomical fruit growth parameter in rind tissues were studied in ‘Kinnow’ mandarins fruit during their development on trees from three age (6-, 18-, and 35-year-old) groups. In older (35-year-old) trees, rind, rag, and leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) concentrations were superior. In fruit from all tree age groups, total pectin and protopectin reduced; however water-soluble pectin (WSP) improved. In rind tissues harvested from young (6-year-old) trees, cell density was more while cell size was less. In all tree age groups, cell density in rind tissues correlated negatively with rind WSP.     

Cystic echinococcosis in Sudan and South Sudan: research history of a neglected zoonosis

Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease affecting mainly various species of livestock and humans. This study aims at highlighting the course of research on cystic echinococcosis in different animals and humans in Sudan (including the recently independent state of South Sudan) since the disease was first reported in 1908. Recent data about the genetic identification of the parasite in the countries in both humans and animals and its importance for future control programs is discussed.     

Accuracy of selected neurological clinical tests in diagnosing MRI-detectable forebrain lesion in dogs

This retrospective case study aims to evaluate the accuracy of menace response, response to nasal stimulation and proprioceptive placing in diagnosing forebrain lesion in dogs. A total of 145 client-owned dogs investigated by magnetic resonance imaging study of the brain between December 2017 and June 2019 were evaluated. Seventy-one dogs with no magnetic resonance imaging-detectable intracranial and significant cerebrospinal fluid abnormality or recent history of seizure (<48 h) served as controls. Binary regression analysis was performed to determine the sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios of each selected test. Older age at presentation was a significant risk factor for the presence of a forebrain lesion. Menace (62.5%) and proprioceptive deficits (40.5%) were common findings in all dogs. They were also significantly associated with the presence of forebrain abnormality. Moreover, they were more sensitive (77.3% and 82.2%, respectively) and specific (50.0% and 62.5%, respectively) when applied to dogs aged 6 years or older. Nonetheless, all of these tests' likelihood ratios, and thus reliability are poor. These neurological tests are commonly employed for diagnosing forebrain disease in dogs, yet are not highly accurate in diagnosing forebrain abnormality. Clinicians should interpret these clinical test results along with the patient history when designing a diagnostic plan.     

The effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application on herbage yield of natural pastures

This study was carried out in a natural pasture in Van province of Turkey between the years of 2004 and 2005 to determine the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on herbage yield. The study was performed in randomized block with three replications. 0, 4, 8, 16 kg da(-1) nitrogen and 0, 6, 12 kg da(-1) phosphorus applications were examined. The effects of different nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer applications on plant height, green herbage and crude protein yield were significant for both years. Depending on the increasing nitrogen and phosphorus applications, significant increases were in green herbage, hay and crude protein yields. According to results, differences between 8 and 16 kg da(-1) doses of nitrogen and 6 and 12 kg da(-1) doses of phosphorus applications were insignificant. In the first year, in terms of nitrogen applications, the highest green herbage, hay and crude protein yield (1423.1, 263.3 and 29.2 kg da(-1)) were obtained from 8 kg N da(-1), in the second year, the highest values (1426.1, 602.7 and 67.8 kg da(-1)) were obtained from 16 kg N da(-1) application. As for the phosphorus applications, in the first year, the highest green herbage yield was 1142.2 kg da(-1) at the 6 kg P2O5/da application, hay and crude protein yields (218.2, 23.1 kg da(-1)) were recorded from 12 kg P2O5/da application. In the second year, the highest green herbage, hay and crude protein yields were (1335.8, 549.6 and 66.1 kg da(-1)) determined at the 12 kg P2O5/da application.     

Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time using a point‐of‐care analyser (Abaxis VSpro®) in Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus)

There are few reports of coagulation times in marsupial species. Blood samples collected from 14 Bennett's wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) under anaesthesia during routine health assessments were analysed for prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) using a point‐of‐care analyser (POC) (Abaxis VSPro®). The wallabies had an aPTT mean of 78.09 s and median of 78.1 s. The PT for all wallabies was greater than 35 s, exceeding the longest time measured on the POC. Although PT was significantly longer, aPTT was similar to the manufacturer's domestic canine reference range.     

Dietary betaine activates hepatic VTGⅡ expression in laying hens associated with hypomethylation of GR gene promoter and enhanced GR expression

Background: Vitellogenin(VTG) is a precursor of egg yolk proteins synthesized within the liver of oviparous vertebrates. Betaine is an important methyl donor that is reported to improve egg production of laying hens with an unclear mechanism. In the present study, we fed betaine-supplemented diet(0.5%) to laying hens for 4 wk and investigated its effect on VTGII expression in the liver.Results: Betaine did not affect chicken weight, but significantly(P 0.05) increased egg laying rate accompanied with a significant(P 0.05) increase in hepatic concentration and plasma level of VTGI. Plasma estrogen level did not change,but the hepatic expression of estrogen receptor α(ERα) mR NA was significantly(P 0.05) up-regulated. Betaine did not affect the protein content of ERα, but significantly(P 0.05) increased hepatic expression of glucocorticoid receptor(GR)at both mR NA and protein levels. Also, ERα/GR interaction tended to be enhanced in the liver nuclear lysates of betainesupplemented hens as determined by co-immunoprecipitation. Furthermore, dietary betaine supplementation significantly increased(P 0.05) the hepatic expression of methyl-transfer enzymes, such as BHMT, GNMT, and DNMT1,which was associated with higher SAM/SAH ratio and hypomethylation of GR promoter regions.Conclusions: Betaine activates hepatic VTGII expression in association with modified DNA methylation of GR gene promoter, GR expression and ERα/GR interaction. Activation of hepatic VTGII expression may contribute, at least partly, to improved egg production in betaine-supplemented hens.