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11 pages, 1190 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Detection and Phylogeny of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Related Variants in Small Ruminants from Turkey

by Münir Aktaş, Sezayi Özübek and Mehmet Can Uluçeşme

Animals 2021, 11(3), 814; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030814 - 14 Mar 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2410

Abstract

Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes tick-borne fever in small ruminants. Recently, novel Anaplasma variants related to A. phagocytophilum have been reported in ruminants from Tunisia, Italy, South Korea, Japan, and China. Based on 16S rRNA and groEL genes and sequencing, we screened the frequency of [...] Read more.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes tick-borne fever in small ruminants. Recently, novel Anaplasma variants related to A. phagocytophilum have been reported in ruminants from Tunisia, Italy, South Korea, Japan, and China. Based on 16S rRNA and groEL genes and sequencing, we screened the frequency of A. phagocytophilum and related variants in 433 apparently healthy small ruminants in Turkey. Anaplasma spp. overall infection rates were 27.9% (121/433 analyzed samples). The frequency of A. phagocytophilum and A. phagocytophilum-like 1 infections was 1.4% and 26.5%, respectively. No A. phagocytophilum-like 2 was detected in the tested animals. The prevalence of Anaplasma spp. was comparable in species, and no significant difference was detected between sheep and goats, whereas the prevalence significantly increased with tick infestation. Sequencing confirmed PCR-RFLP data and showed the presence of A. phagocytophilum and A. phagocytophilum-like-1 variant in the sampled animals. Phylogeny-based on 16S rRNA gene revealed the A. phagocytophilum-like 1 in a separate clade together with the previous isolates detected in small ruminants and ticks. In this work, A. phagocytophilum-like 1 has been detected for the first time in sheep and goats from Turkey. This finding revealed that the variant should be considered in the diagnosis of caprine and ovine anaplasmosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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22 pages, 4897 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Comparison of the Colonic Microbiome and Volatile Organic Compound Metabolome of Anoplocephala perfoliata Infected and Non-Infected Horses: A Pilot Study

by Rachael Slater, Alessandra Frau, Jane Hodgkinson, Debra Archer and Chris Probert

Animals 2021, 11(3), 755; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030755 - 9 Mar 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2957

Abstract

Anoplocephala perfoliata is a common equine tapeworm associated with an increased risk of colic (abdominal pain) in horses. Identification of parasite and intestinal microbiota interactions have consequences for understanding the mechanisms behind parasite-associated colic and potential new methods for parasite control. A. perfoliata [...] Read more.

Anoplocephala perfoliata is a common equine tapeworm associated with an increased risk of colic (abdominal pain) in horses. Identification of parasite and intestinal microbiota interactions have consequences for understanding the mechanisms behind parasite-associated colic and potential new methods for parasite control. A. perfoliata was diagnosed by counting of worms in the caecum post-mortem. Bacterial DNA was extracted from colonic contents and sequenced targeting of the 16S rRNA gene (V4 region). The volatile organic compound (VOC) metabolome of colonic contents was characterised using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Bacterial diversity (alpha and beta) was similar between tapeworm infected and non-infected controls. Some compositional differences were apparent with down-regulation of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to the symbiotic families of Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae in the tapeworm-infected group. Overall tapeworm burden accounted for 7–8% of variation in the VOC profile (permutational multivariate analysis of variance). Integration of bacterial OTUs and VOCs demonstrated moderate to strong correlations indicating the potential of VOCs as markers for bacterial OTUs in equine colonic contents. This study has shown potential differences in the intestinal microbiome and metabolome of A. perfoliata infected and non-infected horses. This pilot study did not control for extrinsic factors including diet, disease history and stage of infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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10 pages, 1291 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence Rate and Molecular Characteristics of Oestrus ovis L. (Diptera, Oestridae) in Sheep and Goats from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

by Dina M. Metwally, Shurug A. Albasyouni, Ibrahim A.H. Barakat, Isra M. Al-Turaiki, Amal M. Almuhanna, Muhammad A. Bashir, Hanadi B. Baghdadi, Manal F. El-Khadragy and Reem A. Alajmi

Animals 2021, 11(3), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030689 - 4 Mar 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3289

Abstract

Heads of sheep (n = 600) and goats (n = 800) slaughtered at Al-Aziziah Abattoir in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were inspected for the presence of O. ovis larvae (L). Heads were split along the longitudinal axes, and larvae (L1, L2, and [...] Read more.

Heads of sheep (n = 600) and goats (n = 800) slaughtered at Al-Aziziah Abattoir in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were inspected for the presence of O. ovis larvae (L). Heads were split along the longitudinal axes, and larvae (L1, L2, and L3) were gathered. The infestation rate was significantly higher in goats (44.5%; 356/800) than that in sheep (22.3%; 134/600). Out of the 151 collected larvae from sheep, 0% were L1, 1.3% were L2, and 98.7% were L3. Out of the total of 468 larvae from goats, 0% were L1, 1.2% were L2, and 98.8% were L3. The infestation rate was significantly higher in males than that in females. Myiasis-causing larvae collected from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were authenticated as O. ovis, according to morphological characteristics. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a partial fragment (600 bp) of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene further confirmed the species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial mtCOI gene sequence demonstrated that 23 unique sequences showed high similarity based on nucleotide pairs of O. ovis accessions retrieved from GenBank. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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16 pages, 3604 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geographic Spatial Distribution Patterns of Dirofilaria immitis and Brugia pahangi Infection in Community Dogs in Chiang Mai, Thailand

by Manusvee Kaikuntod, Orapun Arjkumpa, Doolyawat Kladkempetch, Shinya Fukumoto, Kriangkrai Thongkorn, Chavalit Boonyapakorn, Veerasak Punyapornwithaya and Saruda Tiwananthagorn

Animals 2021, 11(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010033 - 26 Dec 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3322

Abstract

Filariasis is emerging as a public health concern in tropical and subtropical areas. Filariasis is an endemic problem commonly found in southeast Asian countries. Using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of the ITS1 region with Vsp I, the overall prevalence rates of [...] Read more.

Filariasis is emerging as a public health concern in tropical and subtropical areas. Filariasis is an endemic problem commonly found in southeast Asian countries. Using the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of the ITS1 region with Vsp I, the overall prevalence rates of Dirofilaria immitis (12.2% (41/337); 95% confidence interval: 9.1–16.1%) and Brugia pahangi (8.3% (28/337); 95% confidence interval: 5.8–11.8%) were determined based on 337 free-roaming community dogs from 20 districts in Northern Thailand. Microfilaremia was found in only 6.2% of dogs (21/337). Co-infection with D. immitis and B. pahangi was observed in two dogs. Of the 215 blood samples examined using a Canine Heartworm Ag Kit, only 3.72% (eight dogs) were D. immitis antigen positive. Among these eight, six dogs had occult D. immitis infections. In terms of geographic distribution, we found the abundance of D. immitis and B. pahangi in the central areas at altitudes less than 400 m to be 12.1% and 10.3%, respectively. In contrast, at higher altitudes between 400 and 800 m, a significantly higher number of B. pahangi compared with D. immitis infected individuals were observed at 14.29% and 4.1%, respectively. In conclusion, D. immitis and B. pahangi were the most common filarial infections found in community dogs in Northern Thailand. Dogs might be an important reservoir of B. pahangi in that region. Increasing awareness and concern and including proper deworming programs for community dogs should be endorsed to reduce the transmission risk. Additionally, the population dynamics of the mosquito vector of B. pahangi across altitudinal gradients deserved further investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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24 pages, 7605 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Host-Parasite Interaction in Sarcoptes scabiei Infestation in Porcine Model with a Preliminary Note on Its Genetic Lineage from India

by Arun Kumar De, Sneha Sawhney, Samiran Mondal, Perumal Ponraj, Sanjay Kumar Ravi, Gopal Sarkar, Santanu Banik, Dhruba Malakar, Kangayan Muniswamy, Ashish Kumar, Arvind Kumar Tripathi, Asit Kumar Bera and Debasis Bhattacharya

Animals 2020, 10(12), 2312; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122312 - 7 Dec 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4769

Abstract

The burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei causes scabies in humans or mange in animals. It infests a wide range of mammalian species including livestock, companion animals, wild animals, and humans. Differential diagnosis of Sarcoptes varieties is key for epidemiological studies and for formulation of [...] Read more.

The burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei causes scabies in humans or mange in animals. It infests a wide range of mammalian species including livestock, companion animals, wild animals, and humans. Differential diagnosis of Sarcoptes varieties is key for epidemiological studies and for formulation of an eradication program. Host-parasite interaction at the systemic level is very important to understand the pathogenicity of the mite. This communication deals with the preliminary report on the genetic characterization of S. scabiei from India. Moreover, the effect of S. scabiei infestation on host physiology with special emphasis on serum biochemical parameters, lipid profile, oxidant/antioxidant balance, stress parameters, and immune responses were evaluated in a porcine model. Cytochrome C oxidase 1 and voltage-sensitive sodium channel based phylogenetic study could distinguish human and animals isolates but could not distinguish host or geographical specific isolates belonging to animal origin. An absence of host-specific cluster among animal isolates argues against the hypothesis of delineating S. scabiei as per host origin. Elevated levels of markers of liver function such as albumin, AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH in infested animals indicated impaired liver function in infested animals. S. scabiei infestation induced atherogenic dyslipidemia indicated by elevated levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and a decreased level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Oxidative stress in infested animals was indicated by a high level of nitric oxide and serum MDA as oxidative stress markers and low antioxidant capacity. S. scabiei triggered stress response and elevated levels of serum cortisol and heat shock proteins were recorded in infested animals. S. scabiei infestation increased the serum concentration of immunoglobulins and was associated with up-regulation of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-4 indicating both Th1 and Th2 response. The results of the study will be helpful for a better understanding of host-parasite interaction at the systemic level in crusted scabies in pigs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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15 pages, 1467 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ancylostoma ceylanicum: The Neglected Zoonotic Parasite of Community Dogs in Thailand and Its Genetic Diversity among Asian Countries

by Doolyawat Kladkempetch, Sahatchai Tangtrongsup and Saruda Tiwananthagorn

Animals 2020, 10(11), 2154; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10112154 - 19 Nov 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4026

Abstract

Ancylostoma ceylanicum is a zoonotic helminth that is commonly found in domestic dogs and cats throughout Asia but is largely neglected in many countries. This study aimed to confirm the species of hookworm in dogs and soil environments and investigate the evolutionary analyses [...] Read more.

Ancylostoma ceylanicum is a zoonotic helminth that is commonly found in domestic dogs and cats throughout Asia but is largely neglected in many countries. This study aimed to confirm the species of hookworm in dogs and soil environments and investigate the evolutionary analyses of A. ceylanicum among Thai and Asian populations. In a total of 299 dog fecal samples and 212 soil samples from 53 temples, the prevalence rates of hookworm infection by microscopic examination were 26.4% (79/299) and 10.4% (22/212) in dog and soil samples, respectively. A PCR-RFLP targeting the ITS region was then utilized to identify the hookworm species. In dogs, A. ceylanicum was the main hookworm species, and the rates of A. ceylanicum and A. caninum infections were 96.6% and 3.5%, respectively. The genetic characterization and diversity indices of the A. ceylanicumcox1 gene among Thai and Asian populations were evaluated. Nine haplotypes were identified from Thai A. ceylanicum, in which the haplotype diversity and the nucleotide diversity were 0.4436 and 0.0036, respectively. The highest nucleotide diversity of Chinese A. ceylanicum populations suggested that it could be the ancestor of the populations. Pairwise fixation indices indicated that Thai A. ceylanicum was closely related to the Malaysian population, suggesting a gene flow between these populations. The temples with hookworm-positive dogs were associated with the presence of hookworm-contaminated soil, as these levels showed an approximately four-fold increase compared with those in temples with hookworm-negative dogs (OR = 4.38, 95% CI: 1.55–12.37). Interestingly, the genotypes of A. ceylanicum in the contaminating soil and infecting dogs were identical. Therefore, increased awareness and concern from the wider public communities with regard to the responsibility of temples and municipal offices to provide proper deworming programs to community dogs should be strongly endorsed to reduce the risk of the transmission of this zoonotic disease. In addition, parasitic examination and treatment should be strongly implemented before dogs are imported and exported worldwide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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12 pages, 449 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pathological, Bacteriological and Virological Findings in Sudden and Unexpected Deaths in Young Dogs

by Giuseppe Piegari, Lorena Cardillo, Flora Alfano, Lucia Vangone, Valentina Iovane and Giovanna Fusco

Animals 2020, 10(7), 1134; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10071134 - 3 Jul 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4154

Abstract

In human medicine, “sudden death” has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a non-violent, unexpected death occurring less than 24 h from the onset of symptoms. The aims of this study were: (1) to estimate the proportional mortality ratio for [...] Read more.

In human medicine, “sudden death” has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a non-violent, unexpected death occurring less than 24 h from the onset of symptoms. The aims of this study were: (1) to estimate the proportional mortality ratio for “sudden and unexpected death” (SUD) in young dogs; (2) to investigate the pathological and microbiological findings in SUD cases in young dogs. For these purposes, a retrospective study of a total of 145 cases of young dead dogs was performed. For each case, we collected information about the age, medical history and the gross and microbiological findings of the animals. The results of this study found 21 cases of SUD. The most frequently observed clinical symptoms in the cases of sudden death were acute respiratory symptoms, followed by acute gastroenteric symptoms, non-specific symptoms and neurological symptoms. The evaluation of necropsy reports allowed us to observe enteritis in 18 out of 21 cases and pneumonia in seven out of 21 cases. Viral infection with Canine parvovirus type 2 was the most common cause of SUD observed. These results could provide a valuable tool for the investigation of sudden death in young dogs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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11 pages, 2851 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Sarcocystis spp. in One-humped Camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Riyadh and Dammam, Saudi Arabia, via Histological and Phylogenetic Approaches

by Dina M. Metwally, Tahani T. Al-Otaibi, Isra M. Al-Turaiki, Manal F. El-Khadragy and Reem A. Alajmi

Animals 2020, 10(7), 1108; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10071108 - 28 Jun 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3341

Abstract

Sarcocystis (S.) spp. are intracellular protozoan parasites that infect birds and animals, resulting in substantial commercial losses. Sarcocystis spp. have an indirect life cycle; canines and felines are known to act as final hosts, and numerous domestic and wild animals act as intermediate [...] Read more.

Sarcocystis (S.) spp. are intracellular protozoan parasites that infect birds and animals, resulting in substantial commercial losses. Sarcocystis spp. have an indirect life cycle; canines and felines are known to act as final hosts, and numerous domestic and wild animals act as intermediate hosts. The presence of sarcocysts in camel meat may diminish its commercial quality. There is limited knowledge regarding the taxonomy and diagnosis of Sarcocystis spp. that infect camels in Saudi Arabia. In this study, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed S. cameli and S. camelicanis (camelicanis) in Camelus (C.) dromedarius. This is the first report of S. camelicanis in Saudi Arabia and is considered a significant finding. Based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COX1) sequences, two samples of Sarcocystis spp. isolated from C. dromedarius in Riyadh and Dammam were grouped with S. levinei hosted by Bubalus bubalis in India, S. rangi hosted by Rangifer tarandus in Norway, S. miescheriana hosted by Sus scrofa in Italy and S. fayeri hosted by Equus caballus in Canada. The sequences obtained in this study have been deposited in GenBank. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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10 pages, 1216 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in the Percentages of B- and T-Lymphocytes and Antibody Titres in Laying Hens Infested with Dermanyssus gallinae—A Preliminary Study

by Sylwia Koziatek-Sadłowska and Rajmund Sokół

Animals 2020, 10(6), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10060987 - 5 Jun 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2323

Abstract

(1) Background: Dermanyssus gallinae, a hematophagous ectoparasite, adversely affects the health status of laying hens, leading to reduced egg production and significant economic losses in commercial farms. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of D. gallinae on the [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Dermanyssus gallinae, a hematophagous ectoparasite, adversely affects the health status of laying hens, leading to reduced egg production and significant economic losses in commercial farms. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of D. gallinae on the development of post-vaccination immune responses in layer hens. (2) Methods: A total of 80 blood samples were collected at four time-points (B1–B4) from 10 Hy-Line Brown hens, randomly selected from a commercial layer farm. The flock was naturally infested with D. gallinae and treated twice with Biobeck PA 910 (AI silicon dioxide). The samples were collected before and after each treatment. The percentages of IgM+ B cells, CD3+/CD4+ T cells and CD3+/CD8a+ T cells were determined by flow cytometry; the titres of antibodies against avian encephalomyelitis, infectious bronchitis virus, Newcastle disease virus, Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale, reticuloendotheliosis virus and avian reovirus were determined by the immunoenzymatic method. (3) Results: The percentage of Th cells and post-vaccination anti-IBV and anti-NDV antibodies decreased significantly at the second infestation peak when the number of parasites was twice higher than at the first infestation peak. Non-significant negative correlations were found between the number of mites and the percentage of B cells (R = −0.845, p > 0.05) and between the number of mites and the percentage of Th cells (R = −0.522, p > 0.05), and a significant positive correlation was noted between the number of mites and the percentage of Tc cells (R = −0.982, p < 0.05). There were non-significant correlations between the number of mites and antibody titres. (4) Conclusion: The present findings suggested that D. gallinae might inhibit immune responses since the percentages of B cells and Th cells were negatively correlated with the number of mites. The percentage of Tc cells was positively correlated with the number of mites, which indicated that D. gallinae could stimulate cellular immune responses in infested laying hens. However, further research is needed to determine whether D. gallinae suppresses the production of vaccine-induced antibodies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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19 pages, 516 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parasite Occurrence and Parasite Management in Swedish Horses Presenting with Gastrointestinal Disease—A Case–Control Study

by Ylva Hedberg-Alm, Johanna Penell, Miia Riihimäki, Eva Osterman-Lind, Martin K. Nielsen and Eva Tydén

Animals 2020, 10(4), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040638 - 7 Apr 2020

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5855

Abstract

All grazing horses are exposed to intestinal parasites, which have the potential to cause gastrointestinal disease. In Sweden, there is a concern about an increase in parasite-related equine gastrointestinal disease, in particular Strongylus vulgaris, since the implementation of prescription-only anthelmintics approximately 10 [...] Read more.

All grazing horses are exposed to intestinal parasites, which have the potential to cause gastrointestinal disease. In Sweden, there is a concern about an increase in parasite-related equine gastrointestinal disease, in particular Strongylus vulgaris, since the implementation of prescription-only anthelmintics approximately 10 years ago. In a prospective case–control study, parasitological status, using fecal analyses for strongyle egg counts, the presence of Anoplocephala perfoliata eggs and S. vulgaris Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as well as serology for S. vulgaris, were compared between horses presenting with or without gastrointestinal disease at a University hospital during a one-year period. Information regarding anthelmintic routines and pasture management was gathered with an owner-filled questionnaire. Although the prevalence of S. vulgaris PCR was 5.5%, 62% of horses were positive in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test and horses with peritonitis showed higher antibody levels for S. vulgaris, as compared to other diagnoses or controls. Overall, 36% of the horse owners used only fecal egg counts (FEC), 32% used FEC combined with specific diagnostics for S. vulgaris or A. perfoliata, and 29% dewormed routinely without prior parasite diagnostics. Effective management methods to reduce the parasitic burden on pastures were rare and considering exposure to S. vulgaris appears high; the study indicates a need for education in specific fecal diagnostics and pasture management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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9 pages, 1342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antibacterial and Hemolytic Activity of Crotalus triseriatus and Crotalus ravus Venom

by Adrian Zaragoza-Bastida, Saudy Consepcion Flores-Aguilar, Liliana Mireya Aguilar-Castro, Ana Lizet Morales-Ubaldo, Benjamín Valladares-Carranza, Lenin Rangel-López, Agustín Olmedo-Juárez, Carla E. Rosenfeld-Miranda and Nallely Rivero-Pérez

Animals 2020, 10(2), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020281 - 11 Feb 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3593

Abstract

Rattlesnakes have venoms with a complex toxin mixture comprised of polypeptides and proteins. Previous studies have shown that some of these polypeptides are of high value for the development of new medical treatments. The aim of the present study is to evaluate, in [...] Read more.

Rattlesnakes have venoms with a complex toxin mixture comprised of polypeptides and proteins. Previous studies have shown that some of these polypeptides are of high value for the development of new medical treatments. The aim of the present study is to evaluate, in vitro, the antibacterial and hemolytic activity of Crotalus triseriatus and Crotalus ravus venoms. A direct field search was conducted to obtain Crotalus triseriatus and Crotalus ravus venom samples. These were evaluated to determine their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa through the techniques of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). Hemolytic activity was also determined. Antibacterial activity was determined for treatments (Crotalus triseriatus 2) CT2 and (Crotalus ravus 3) CR3, obtaining a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of 50 µg/mL and a Minimum Bactericidal Concentration of 100 µg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CT1 (Crotalus triseriatus 1), CT2, and CR3 presented hemolytic activity; on the other hand, Crotalus ravus 4 (CR4) did not show hemolytic activity. The results of the present study indicate for the first time that Crotalus triseriatus and Crotalus ravus venoms contain some bioactive compounds with bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa which could be used as alternative treatment in diseases caused by this pathogenic bacterium. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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14 pages, 884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anthelmintic Activity of Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) and Mallow (Malva sylvestris L.) against Haemonchus contortus in Sheep

by Dominika Mravčáková, Michaela Komáromyová, Michal Babják, Michaela Urda Dolinská, Alžbeta Königová, Daniel Petrič, Klaudia Čobanová, Sylwester Ślusarczyk, Adam Cieslak, Marián Várady and Zora Váradyová

Animals 2020, 10(2), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020219 - 29 Jan 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4851

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of dry wormwood and mallow on the gastrointestinal parasite of small ruminants Haemonchus contortus. Twenty-four experimentally infected lambs were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each: unsupplemented lambs, lambs supplemented [...] Read more.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of dry wormwood and mallow on the gastrointestinal parasite of small ruminants Haemonchus contortus. Twenty-four experimentally infected lambs were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each: unsupplemented lambs, lambs supplemented with wormwood, lambs supplemented with mallow and animals supplemented with a mix of both plants. Faecal samples from the lambs were collected on day 23, 29, 36, 43, 50, 57, 64 and 75 post-infection for quantification of the number of eggs per gram (EPG). The mix of both plants contained phenolic acids (10.7 g/kg DM) and flavonoids (5.51 g/kg DM). The nematode eggs were collected and in vitro egg hatch test was performed. The aqueous extracts of both plants exhibited strong ovicidal effect on H. contortus, with ED50 and ED99 values of 1.40 and 3.76 mg/mL and 2.17 and 5.89 mg/mL, respectively, in the in vitro tests. Despite the great individual differences between the treated lambs in eggs reduction, the mean EPG of the untreated and treated groups did not differ (p > 0.05). Our results indicate that using wormwood and mallow as dietary supplements do not have a sufficient effect on lambs infected with H. contortus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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Review

Jump to: Research, Other

18 pages, 8309 KiB

Open AccessReview

Helminth Parasites among Rodents in the Middle East Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Md Mazharul Islam, Elmoubashar Farag, Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan, Devendra Bansal, Salah Al Awaidy, Abdinasir Abubakar, Hamad Al-Romaihi and Zilungile Mkhize-Kwitshana

Animals 2020, 10(12), 2342; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122342 - 9 Dec 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6527

Abstract

Rodents can be a source of zoonotic helminths in the Middle East and also in other parts of the world. The current systematic review aimed to provide baseline data on rodent helminths to recognize the threats of helminth parasites on public health in [...] Read more.

Rodents can be a source of zoonotic helminths in the Middle East and also in other parts of the world. The current systematic review aimed to provide baseline data on rodent helminths to recognize the threats of helminth parasites on public health in the Middle East region. Following a systematic search on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, a total of 65 research studies on rodent cestodes, nematodes, and trematodes, which were conducted in the countries of the Middle East, were analyzed. The study identified 44 rodent species from which Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, and Rattus rattus were most common (63%) and recognized as the primary rodent hosts for helminth infestation in this region. Cestodes were the most frequently reported (n = 50), followed by nematodes (49), and trematodes (14). The random effect meta-analysis showed that the pooled prevalence of cestode (57.66%, 95%CI: 34.63–80.70, l²% = 85.6, p < 0.001) was higher in Saudi Arabia, followed by nematode (56.24%, 95%CI: 11.40–101.1, l²% = 96.7, p < 0.001) in Turkey, and trematode (15.83%, 95%CI: 6.25–25.1, l²% = 98.5, p < 0.001) in Egypt. According to the overall prevalence estimates of individual studies, nematodes were higher (32.71%, 95%CI: 24.89–40.54, l²% = 98.6, p < 0.001) followed by cestodes (24.88%, 95%CI: 19.99–29.77, l²% = 94.9, p < 0.001) and trematodes (10.17%, 95%CI: 6.7–13.65, l²% = 98.3, p < 0.001) in the rodents of the Middle East countries. The review detected 22 species of helminths, which have zoonotic importance. The most frequent helminths were Capillaria hepatica, Hymenolepis diminuta, Hymenolepis nana, and Cysticercus fasciolaris. There was no report of rodent-helminths from Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Furthermore, there is an information gap on rodent helminths at the humans-animal interface level in Middle East countries. Through the One Health approach and countrywide detailed studies on rodent-related helminths along with their impact on public health, the rodent control program should be conducted in this region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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15 pages, 261 KiB

Open AccessReview

Etiology, Epizootiology and Control of Maedi-Visna in Dairy Sheep: A Review

by Aphrodite I. Kalogianni, Ioannis Bossis, Loukia V. Ekateriniadou and Athanasios I. Gelasakis

Animals 2020, 10(4), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040616 - 3 Apr 2020

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 6236

Abstract

Maedi-visna (MV) in sheep is caused by maedi-visna virus (MVV), a small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) that causes chronic infection and inflammatory lesions in infected animals. Pneumonia and mastitis are its predominant clinical manifestations, and the tissues infected by MVV are mainly the lungs, [...] Read more.

Maedi-visna (MV) in sheep is caused by maedi-visna virus (MVV), a small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) that causes chronic infection and inflammatory lesions in infected animals. Pneumonia and mastitis are its predominant clinical manifestations, and the tissues infected by MVV are mainly the lungs, the mammary gland, the nervous system and the joints. MV has a worldwide distribution with distinct MVV transmission patterns depending on circulating strains and regionally applied control/eradication schemes. Nevertheless, the prevalence rate of MV universally increases. Currently, gaps in understanding the epizootiology of MV, the continuous mutation of existing and the emergence of new small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) strains, lack of an effective detection protocol and the inefficiency of currently applied preventive measures render elimination of MV an unrealistic target. Therefore, modifications on the existing MV surveillance and control schemes on an evidentiary basis are necessary. Updated control schemes require the development of diagnostic protocols for the early and definitive diagnosis of MVV infections. The objectives of this review are to summarize the current knowledge in the epizootiology and control of MV in dairy sheep, to describe the research framework and to cover existing gaps in understanding future challenges regarding MV. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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Microbiome Shift, Diversity, and Overabundance of Opportunistic Pathogens in Bovine Digital Dermatitis Revealed by 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing

by Hector M. Espiritu, Lovelia L. Mamuad, Seon-ho Kim, Su-jeong Jin, Sang-suk Lee, Seok-won Kwon and Yong-il Cho

Animals 2020, 10(10), 1798; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10101798 - 3 Oct 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2607

Abstract

This study analyzed the diversity and phylogenetic relationship of the microbiome of bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) lesions and normal skin from cattle foot by using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Three BDD samples and a normal skin sample were pre-assessed for analysis. The Illumina [...] Read more.

This study analyzed the diversity and phylogenetic relationship of the microbiome of bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) lesions and normal skin from cattle foot by using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Three BDD samples and a normal skin sample were pre-assessed for analysis. The Illumina Miseq platform was used for sequencing and sequences were assembled and were categorized to operational taxonomic units (OTUs) based on similarity, then the core microbiome was visualized. The phylogeny was inferred using MEGA7 (Molecular evolutionary genetics analysis version 7.0). A total of 129 and 185 OTUs were uniquely observed in normal and in BDD samples, respectively. Of the 47 shared OTUs, 15 species presented increased abundance in BDD. In BDD and normal samples, Spirochetes and Proteobacteria showed the most abundant phyla, respectively, suggesting the close association of observed species in each sample group. The phylogeny revealed the evolutionary relationship of OTUs and the Euclidean distance suggested a high sequence divergence between OTUs. We concluded that a shift in the microbiome leads to richer diversity in BDD lesions, and the overabundance of opportunistic pathogens and its synergistic relationship with commensal bacteria could serve as factors in disease development. The influence of these factors should be thoroughly investigated in future studies to provide deeper insights on the pathogenesis of BDD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology)

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