Veterinary Medicine International

Anaplasmosis is a set of disease conditions of various mammals caused by bacteria species of the genus Anaplasma. These are sub-microscopic, Gram-negative, obligate intracellular pathogens that infect both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Significant species that infect domestic and wildlife animals include Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma mesaeterum, Anaplasma platys, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Although A. phagocytophilum has a widespread distribution, there are only a few epidemiological reports from sub-Saharan Africa. This study focused on molecular detection and characterization of A. phagocytophilum in small mammals and their infesting ticks in Laikipia County, Kenya. A total of 385 blood and 84 tick archival samples from small mammals (155 females and 230 males) were analyzed. The blood samples were subjected to a nested PCR-HRM melt analysis using species-specific primers to amplify the 16S ribosomal RNA genes. The ticks were also subjected to nested PCR-HRM involving 16S rRNA gene primers. Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA was detected in 19 out of 385 samples using species-specific 16S rRNA gene primers giving a prevalence of 4.9% for A. phagocytophilum. Analysis of the tick’s samples using 16S rRNA gene species-specific primers also detected A. phagocytophilum in 3 samples from Haemaphysalis leachi ticks (3/84) equivalent to prevalence of 3.6%. Sequencing of 16S rRNA PCR products confirmed A. phagocytophilum in small mammals and ticks’ samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the haplotype from this study demonstrated a close ancestral link with strains from Canis lupus familiaris, Alces alces, Apodemus agrarius, and ticks (Haemaphysalis longicornis) reported in Europe, China, and Africa. Comparison was also made with a known pathogenic A. phagocytophilum variant HA and a nonpathogenic variant 1 that were clustered into a distinctive clade different form haplotypes detected in this study. All the haplotype sequences for A. phagocytophilum from this study were submitted and registered in GenBank under the accession numbers OQ308965–OQ308976. Our study shows that small mammals and their associated ticks harbor A. phagocytophilum. The vector competence for H. leachi in A. phagocytophilum transmission should further be investigated.

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is an infectious and contagious bacterial respiratory disease that affects cattle with significant economic losses to the African animal industry. The use of ELISA kits based on monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) will aid in quick and precise diagnosis of CBPP, contributing to disease control and prevention in cattle. Thus, this research aims to develop and evaluate monoclonal antibodies against CBPP (T1/44) antigen for use in ELISA kits for CBPP diagnosis. Hybridoma technology was used to develop monoclonal antibodies that recognize and bind to the CBPP (T1/44) antigen. The antibody-secreting hybridomas were produced after immunizing mice with purified CBPP antigens. The hybridomas were screened for high sensitivity, specificity, and liking to the antigen. The selected mAbs were assessed for sensitivity and specificity against CBPP antigen using different immunoassays, dot-blot, ELISA, and mouse mAb isotyping. The monoclonal antibodies were profoundly specific, with a higher hindrance to CBPP antigen (<0.50 OD) while lacking cross-reactivity to other antigens. The monoclonal antibodies could distinguish CBPP antigen at low concentrations, showing their high sensitivity (>80% PI). The isotyped mAbs of intrigued appeared to have a place in the IgG class. These identified monoclonal antibodies can be utilized to develop an ELISA kit for CBPP diagnosis, which would give a fast, precise, and cost-effective strategy for screening and checking CBPP in cattle herds.

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of including hydroxytyrosol (HT) antioxidant on the viability of sperm after the processes of cooling and freezing. HT antioxidants were used in the HF-20 extender at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 μg/ml. The HF-20 extender was a basic extender and was used for the control group. The post-thawed semen exhibited significantly higher total motility in the 2.5 HT and 10 HT treatment groups than the control group. The straight line velocity (VSL) of the 2.5 HT group exhibited a significantly high value compared with the control group. However, the average path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN), straightness index (STR), and wobble (WOB) revealed identical findings across all groups. The findings of the analysis of HOST, normal morphology, major abnormalities, and minor abnormalities revealed that there were no significant differences between the HT groups and the control groups. Nevertheless, the use of HT antioxidant for freezing semen led to a notable enhancement () in both acrosome integrity and vitality tests when compared to the control group. In this case, the lower quantities of HT (1.25 and 2.5 μg/ml; ) preserve the DNA fragmentation compared with the 5 HT, 10 HT, and control groups. In conclusion, the HT antioxidant has shown the capacity to enhance the quality of frozen-thawed spermatozoa and positively influence the viability and integrity of DNA inside the frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Additional research should be conducted to assess the fertility potential of cryopreserved stallion semen.

Amazon River dolphins are an important flagship species in the Anavilhanas National Park, Brazil, where they interact with visitors. This study aimed to quantify and identify fungi isolated from dolphin skin and oral samples and their surrounding environment in this unique ecosystem. Samples were collected from three dolphins and water samples from Flutuante dos Botos and the Novo Airão city harbor. Fungi were isolated using culture media and identified through micromorphology assays and ITS region sequencing. Oral swab samples resulted in culture of Trichosporon montevideense and Exophiala dermatitidis. Skin samples from one dolphin revealed Toxicocladosporium irritans and Diaporthe lithocarpus. Water samples exhibited higher fungal counts and diversity, with Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Exophiala dermatitidis, Penicillium citrinum, Fomitopsis meliae, and Nectria pseudotrichia identified at the collection site and Candida spencermartinsiae and Penicillium chermesinum at the city harbor. This study provides important insights into the fungal diversity associated with Amazon River dolphins and their environment, enhancing our understanding of the public health and ecological dynamics in the Anavilhanas National Park.

Cow is the national animal of Nepal, yet it is one of the most abused animal species here. Under realized utilities of cow that is nonlactating or pregnant is the reason for demonic cruelty. Since the Vedic period, gaushalas have been caring for cows. At present, most gaushalas have responsibility to rescue, offer refuge, and treat poorly treated or confiscated cattle from smuggling rackets in Nepal. It is no surprise that these abused animals suffer from many health issues and compromised reproductive ability. This study was conducted to know about husbandry practice and to determine prevalence of reproductive disorders in cows of Gaushala from Nepal. Altogether, 27 gaushalas were visited throughout the study period and cows (≥2 years) (n = 2959) were included for the study. From the study, respondents from 14.81% Gaushala admitted indigenous cattle only, 11.11% admitted any breed (indigenous and crossbreed), 44.44% admitted stray animals only, and 29.63% admitted all types (indigenous, crossbreed, and stray animals). The study revealed that among (n = 2959) animals examined, 5.54% (n = 164) were affected by either one or more reproductive problems. The major reproductive disorders identified in study area were repeat breeding 0.47%, cervico-vaginal and uterine prolapse 0.34%, retention of placenta 2.13%, dystocia 0.61%, and abortion 1.66%. Herd size of Gaushala had a significant difference () on the overall prevalence of reproductive problems in cows of Gaushala. The main issues with gaushalas included a lack of resources like adequate fund, feeds, fodder, and water, shortage of grazing acreage, veterinary services, and difficulties in managing male cattle. To mitigate the issues and welfare related to gaushalas strict adherence to disease surveillance and biosecurity rules, avoidance of unlimited reproduction in cows, and separation of males and females, fund raising and resource management, collaboration with local government and NGOs, veterinary hospital, clinics, research, and innovation with veterinary institution and universities.

The excessive and irrational use of antibiotics to control bovine mastitis and the informal trade in milk with antibiotic residues are objects of great interest for public health, due to the problems associated with the consumption of milk with antibiotic residues on human, animal, and environmental health, and antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to understand the attitudes of dairy farmers towards the self-consumption of milk on the farm, the use of milk with antibiotic residues, and the formal and informal milk trade that generates risks for public health. Mixed methods: cross-sectional and grounded theory. Convergent triangulation design. The study was carried out in 9 dairy municipalities in the North of Antioquia, where 216 dairy farmers participated in the quantitative component; and 17 milk producers and 9 veterinarians took part in the qualitative component. A dairy farmer characterization survey was conducted, as well as a survey on the use and marketing of milk from cows with udder health problems and/or under antibiotic treatment. Semistructured interviews were conducted on the same subject. The variable “Intention to sell milk in the village when the dairy industry does not buy it due to high BTSCC” is associated with the BTSCC variable. The variable “Type of marketing reported” is associated with the CFU variable. 5 categories: self-consumption of milk, use of milk with antibiotics, informal milk trade, control of the dairy industry, and beliefs about the elimination of antibiotics in milk, were constructed to theorize about udder health and public health. Sociocultural, political, and economic factors affect decision making in dairy farmers regarding the use and marketing of milk from cows with mastitis and antibiotic residues. These attitudes and behaviors have public health implications.