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10 pages, 1297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fungal Flora in Asymptomatic Pet Guinea Pigs and Rabbits

by Lucia Kottferová, Ladislav Molnár, Eva Čonková, Peter Major, Edina Sesztáková, Andrea Szarková, Monika Slivková and Jana Kottferová

Animals 2022, 12(18), 2387; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12182387 - 13 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2310

Abstract

Fungal skin diseases are well-recognized diseases with public health implications. The study provides a comprehensive overview and aims to determine the rate of positive fungal cultures to identify the most common fungal species in guinea pigs and rabbits and to determine the rate [...] Read more.

Fungal skin diseases are well-recognized diseases with public health implications. The study provides a comprehensive overview and aims to determine the rate of positive fungal cultures to identify the most common fungal species in guinea pigs and rabbits and to determine the rate of asymptomatic carriers in healthy pet animals. This knowledge is essential for understanding disease transmission dynamics and epidemiological situation problems. A total of 167 animals (64 rabbits and 103 guinea pigs) were investigated in this study. The fungi of the genus Penicillium, Rhizopus, Mucor, Cladosporium, and Aspergillus were the most common in the examined animals, and they were isolated from 162 (97%) of the animals enrolled. No fungal growth was observed in 5 animals. In 15 cases (8.98%), we found pathogenic zoonotic dermatophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes), which caused several health problems in two humans in contact with affected animals. This study presents the prevalence of fungal flora in pet guinea pigs and rabbits in Slovakia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue One Health: The Contribution of Veterinary Medicine to Advance the Health of Humans)

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7 pages, 249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Minimum Alveolar Concentration of Isoflurane in Rats Chronically Treated with the Synthetic Cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2

by Julio Raul Chavez-Monteagudo, José Antonio Ibancovichi, Pedro Sanchez-Aparicio, Sergio Recillas-Morales, Jorge Osorio-Avalos and Marco Antonio De Paz-Campos

Animals 2022, 12(7), 853; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12070853 - 29 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2192

Abstract

The minimum alveolar concentration MAC of isoflurane was measured in rats chronically treated with WIN 55,212-2. Methods: The MAC of isoflurane was determined in 24 male rats from expiratory samples at time of tail clamping under the following conditions: without treatment MAC(_ISO [...] Read more.

The minimum alveolar concentration MAC of isoflurane was measured in rats chronically treated with WIN 55,212-2. Methods: The MAC of isoflurane was determined in 24 male rats from expiratory samples at time of tail clamping under the following conditions: without treatment MAC(_ISO), in rats treated for 21 days with WIN 55,212-2 MAC(_{ISO + WIN55}), and in rats 8 days after stopping treatment with WIN 55,212-2 (MAC_{ISO + WIN55 + 8D}). Results: The MAC(_ISO) was 1.32 ± 0.06. In the MAC(_{ISO + WIN55}) group, the MAC increased to 1.69 ± 0.09 (28%, p-value ≤ (0.0001). Eight days after stopping treatment with WIN55, the MAC did not decrease significantly, 1.67 ± 0.07 (26%, p-value ≤ 0.0001). Conclusions: The administration of WIN 55,212-2 for 21 days increases the MAC of isoflurane in rats. This effect does not disappear 8 days after discontinuation of treatment with the synthetic cannabinoid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue One Health: The Contribution of Veterinary Medicine to Advance the Health of Humans)

12 pages, 1535 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Assessment of the Vaccination Program against Cystic Echinococcosis in Sheep in the Pehuenche Community of Central Chile

by Paula Gädicke, David Heath, Angela Medina-Brunet, María Carolina Siva-de la Fuente, Hellen Espinoza-Rojas, Carmen Villaguala-Pacheco, Makarena Rubilar, Carolina Cerda, Manuel Quezada, Daniela Rojas, AnaLía Henríquez, Marco Loyola and Carlos Landaeta-Aqueveque

Animals 2022, 12(6), 679; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12060679 - 8 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2975

Abstract

Echinococcosis is a neglected zoonosis that uses dogs and sheep as its main hosts in Chile. The Eg95 vaccine against sheep infection has been included in some control programs. Here, we assess the efficacy of the vaccination program in the hyperendemic Alto Biobío [...] Read more.

Echinococcosis is a neglected zoonosis that uses dogs and sheep as its main hosts in Chile. The Eg95 vaccine against sheep infection has been included in some control programs. Here, we assess the efficacy of the vaccination program in the hyperendemic Alto Biobío commune after 3 years of execution. Fisher’s test and generalized linear models were used in the assessment. The program tried to offer a first dose at 2 months of age, a booster 1 month later, and yearly vaccination. Given logistic difficulties, important delays in vaccination occurred, and most animals did not receive the first booster. Dog deworming was not included in the program. Likely due to the aforementioned factors, the overall frequency of infection was not lower, but the proportion of large (>5 mm) cysts and fertile cysts was smaller after the program. The frequency of infection and/or the number of cysts were lower when the age at first dose was younger and the first booster was administered 1 month after the first dose. The results suggest that vaccination affects both cyst development after the larvae reach the target organs, as well as the development of the protoscolex once the cysts start developing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue One Health: The Contribution of Veterinary Medicine to Advance the Health of Humans)

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12 pages, 733 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards an Integrated Approach for Monitoring Toxoplasmosis in Southern Italy

by Paola Pepe, Antonio Bosco, Federico Capuano, Loredana Baldi, Angela Giordano, Andrea Mancusi, Marialuisa Buonanno, Luigi Morena, Renato Pinto, Paolo Sarnelli, Giuseppe Cringoli and Laura Rinaldi

Animals 2021, 11(7), 1949; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11071949 - 30 Jun 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4109

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread worldwide zoonotic infection caused by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. This protozoan infection is considered one of the most important food-borne parasitic zoonoses globally. Beyond its impact on public health, toxoplasmosis has also important veterinary implications, because it [...] Read more.

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread worldwide zoonotic infection caused by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. This protozoan infection is considered one of the most important food-borne parasitic zoonoses globally. Beyond its impact on public health, toxoplasmosis has also important veterinary implications, because it causes miscarriage or congenital malformations in livestock with negative economic impacts. An integrated monitoring programme aimed to deepen the epidemiological data on toxoplasmosis and to identify the risk factors that may favour T. gondii infections in animals and humans was conducted in an endemic area of southern Italy. The monitoring activities were based on the following tasks: (i) parasitological analysis and risk factors for T. gondii in livestock (sheep, goat, cattle and water buffalo) farms; (ii) serological and molecular monitoring at slaughterhouse in meat-producing livestock; (iii) analysis of hospital discharge records (HDRs); (iv) outreach activities (information, dissemination and health education) to farmers, vet practitioners and school-age children. The present study confirmed a very high seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in livestock farms (e.g., up to 93.1% in sheep farms) in southern Italy and highlighted the potentially significant public health risk in this area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue One Health: The Contribution of Veterinary Medicine to Advance the Health of Humans)

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18 pages, 1443 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Virulence and Genotyping of Campylobacter jejuni with a Special Reference to the Anti-Virulence Potential of Eugenol and Beta-Resorcylic Acid on Some Multi-Drug Resistant Isolates in Egypt

by Ahmed M. Ammar, El-Sayed Y. El-Naenaeey, Rania M. S. El-Malt, Attia A. El-Gedawy, Eman Khalifa, Shimaa S. Elnahriry and Marwa I. Abd El-Hamid

Animals 2021, 11(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010003 - 22 Dec 2020

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 3121

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni is the leading cause of foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. Contaminated chickens and their products are the main sources of human campylobacteriosis. Therefore, this study aimed to detect the genotypic and virulence genes‘ profiles of multi-drug resistant (MDR) C. jejuni [...] Read more.

Campylobacter jejuni is the leading cause of foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. Contaminated chickens and their products are the main sources of human campylobacteriosis. Therefore, this study aimed to detect the genotypic and virulence genes‘ profiles of multi-drug resistant (MDR) C. jejuni isolates and to assess the effects of sub-inhibitory concentrations (SICs) of eugenol and beta-resorcylic acid on the virulence of avian MDR C. jejuni isolates. These isolates were clustered together with the human isolates via enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR (ERIC-PCR) fingerprinting. A total of 345 samples were collected from human stool (100) and different chicken (245) samples in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Conventional phenotypic methods identified 113 isolates (32.8%) as C. jejuni, and all C. jejuni isolates were MDR and resistant to erythromycin and ampicillin. The genes virB11, wlaN, and flaA were detected in 52%, 36% and 100% strains, respectively. ERIC-PCR yielded 14 profiles and five main clusters. Interestingly, human and chicken C. jejuni isolates were clustered together in ERIC-PCR clusters II-V, which confirmed the genetic relatedness between the isolates from both origins. Beta-resorcylic acid and eugenol inhibited the invasion of C. jejuni isolates to chicken intestinal cells by 41.66–38.19% and 31.94–29.16%, respectively, and minimized the transcription of flaA, virB11, and wlaN genes in the tested isolates by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). In essence, eugenol and beta-resorcylic acid are promising natural antimicrobials for minimizing the virulence of MDR C. jejuni in chickens, thereby managing human campylobacteriosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue One Health: The Contribution of Veterinary Medicine to Advance the Health of Humans)

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6 pages, 531 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Molecular Evidence of Bartonella spp. in Rodents: A Study in Pianosa Island, Italy

by Sara Divari, Paola Pregel, Stefania Zanet, Ezio Ferroglio, Francesca Giannini, Frine Eleonora Scaglione, Alex Grinberg, Bartolomeo Biolatti and Enrico Bollo

Animals 2020, 10(11), 2070; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10112070 - 9 Nov 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2297

Abstract

Wild rodents are reservoirs of several Bartonella species that cause human bartonellosis. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of Bartonella spp. DNA in wild rodents in Pianosa island, Italy. Rats (Rattus spp.; n = 15) and field mice [...] Read more.

Wild rodents are reservoirs of several Bartonella species that cause human bartonellosis. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of Bartonella spp. DNA in wild rodents in Pianosa island, Italy. Rats (Rattus spp.; n = 15) and field mice (Apodemus spp.; n = 16) were captured and spleen DNA tested for the presence of Bartonella spp. by means of an initial screening using a qPCR amplifying a short segment of the 16S-23S rRNA gene intergenic transcribed spacer region (ITS, ~200 bp) followed by conventional PCR amplification of a longer ITS fragment (~600 bp) and of a citrate synthase (gltA, ~340 bp) gene segment. A total of 25 spleen DNA samples obtained from 31 rodent carcasses (81%) yielded positive qPCR results. Bartonella genus was confirmed by amplicon sequencing. By conventional PCR, eight out of 25 samples (32%) yielded bands on gels consistent with ITS segment, and 6/25 (24%) yielded bands consistent with the gltA locus. Amplicon sequencing identified B. henselae and B. coopersplainsensis in 1/25 (4%), and 4/25 (16%) samples, respectively. Moreover, 5/25 (20%) of Bartonella spp. positive samples showed gltA sequences with about 97% identity to B. grahamii. These results provide support to recently published observations suggesting that B. henselae circulates in wild rodent populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue One Health: The Contribution of Veterinary Medicine to Advance the Health of Humans)

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12 pages, 276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antimicrobial Activity of Some Essential Oils against Methicillin-Susceptible and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius-Associated Pyoderma in Dogs

by Francesca Paola Nocera, Simone Mancini, Basma Najar, Fabrizio Bertelloni, Luisa Pistelli, Anna De Filippis, Filomena Fiorito, Luisa De Martino and Filippo Fratini

Animals 2020, 10(10), 1782; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10101782 - 1 Oct 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3518

Abstract

This study aimed to test in vitro the antimicrobial activity of 11 essential oils (EOs) against four methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) and four methicillin-susceptible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP) clinical isolates. The obtained findings demonstrated a clear in vitro efficacy of some tested EOs against [...] Read more.

This study aimed to test in vitro the antimicrobial activity of 11 essential oils (EOs) against four methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) and four methicillin-susceptible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP) clinical isolates. The obtained findings demonstrated a clear in vitro efficacy of some tested EOs against both MRSP and MSSP strains. Particularly, modal minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 1:2048 v/v for Melissa officinalis against an MSSP strain to 1:256 v/v for Cymbopogoncitratus against all MRSP strains were observed. The best results, highlighting a modal MIC value of 1:1024 v/v for all tested isolates, was provided by Cinnamomum zeylanicum. Intriguingly, Cinnamomum zeylanicum showed, in many cases, a correspondence between minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and MIC values, indicating that the inhibiting dose is also often bactericidal. Moreover, a mild antibacterial and bactericidal activity against both MRSP and MSSP isolates was detected for the other tested EOs. Considering the zoonotic potential of S. pseudintermedius and the increased dissemination of multidrug-resistant strains, the employment of EOs could be useful for the treatment of canine pyoderma. Since antibiotic resistance has become the most urgent issue, from the perspective of the One Health initiative, alternative therapeutic approaches are desirable to limit the use of antibiotics or to improve the efficacy of conventional therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue One Health: The Contribution of Veterinary Medicine to Advance the Health of Humans)

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11 pages, 678 KiB

Open AccessCommentary

Do Animals Play a Role in the Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)? A Commentary

by Anna Costagliola, Giovanna Liguori, Danila d’Angelo, Caterina Costa, Francesca Ciani and Antonio Giordano

Animals 2021, 11(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010016 - 24 Dec 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5531

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) belongs to the Beta-coronavirus genus. It is 96.2% homologous to bat CoV RaTG13 and 88% homologous to two bat SARS-like coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2 is the infectious agent responsible for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which was first reported in [...] Read more.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) belongs to the Beta-coronavirus genus. It is 96.2% homologous to bat CoV RaTG13 and 88% homologous to two bat SARS-like coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2 is the infectious agent responsible for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which was first reported in the Hubei province of Wuhan, China, at the beginning of December 2019. Human transmission from COVID-19 patients or incubation carriers occurs via coughing, sneezing, speaking, discharge from the nose, or fecal contamination. Various strains of the virus have been reported around the world, with different virulence and behavior. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 shares certain epitopes with some taxonomically related viruses, with tropism for the most common synanthropic animals. By elucidating the immunological properties of the circulating SARS-CoV-2, a partial protection due to human–animal interactions could be supposed in some situations. In addition, differential epitopes could be used for the differential diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. There have been cases of transmission from people with COVID-19 to pets such as cats and dogs. In addition, wild felines were infected. All These animals were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and recovered spontaneously. Experimental studies showed cats and ferrets to be more susceptible to COVID-19. COVID-19 positive dogs and felines do not transmit the infection to humans. In contrast, minks at farms were severely infected from people with COVID-19. A SARS-Cov-2 variant in the Danish farmed mink that had been previously infected by COVID-19 positive workers, spread to mink workers causing the first case of animal-to-human infection transmission that causes a moderate decreased sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. Thus, more investigations are necessary. It remains important to understand the risk that people with COVID-19 pose to their pets, as well as wild or farm animals so effective recommendations and risk management measures against COVID-19 can be made. A One Health unit that facilitates collaboration between public health and veterinary services is recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue One Health: The Contribution of Veterinary Medicine to Advance the Health of Humans)

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