Aneela Zameer Durrani

A review on epidemiology, global prevalence and economical losses of fasciolosis in ruminants

Fasciolosis is an important plant borne trematode zoonosis in ruminants caused by the Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigentica, It is classified as a neglected tropical disease and found in more than 50 countries especially where sheep and cattle are reared. Fasciolosis is a serious animal health problems in many rural and urban areas of world, causing significant financial losses due to decrease in production and viscera condemnation in animals. Accurate diagnosis of fasciolosis is always remained a challenging task for the field practitioners. There is no comprehensive summary on the occurrence and distribution of the infection at international level. Therefore, we intended to provide a complete overview on the prevalence and epidemiology of fasciolosis in farm animals from a global prospective. It includes to map the global distribution of fasciolosis in different areas of the world to identify the endemic regions which may be a source of potential disease outbreak. The financial liability related to fasciolosis on the livestock production has also been addressed. For this purpose, the published data during 2000-2015 (15 years) on fasciolosis was reviewed and collected by electronic literature search of four databases including Google, PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science. Data presented are contemplated to enhance our current understanding of the parasites geographical distribution, host range, and economic losses. Information provided would be useful for the application of more effective control strategies against fasciolosis in different geo-economics regions of the world.

The role of type-2 turkey astrovirus in poult enteritis syndrome

ABSTRACT An experimental study was conducted to determine the comparative pathogenicity of type-2 turkey astrovirus (TAstV-2) obtained from turkey flocks afflicted with poult enteritis syndrome (PES) and from turkey flocks displaying no apparent signs of infection. In total, ninety 7-d-old poults, which tested negative for the presence of astrovirus, rotavirus, coronavirus, and reovirus by reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR, were divided evenly into 3 groups: A, B, and C. Birds in group A were inoculated orally with turkey astrovirus-positive intestinal contents from birds affected with PES. Group B received turkey astrovirus-containing intestinal contents from apparently healthy flocks. Group C served as a negative control and was given PBS. Clinical signs of diarrhea, depression, and dullness were observed in group A. Birds in group B also showed clinical signs similar to those in group A, although the signs were milder in nature. Birds in group C did not show any clinical signs. At 16 d postinoculation, the BW of birds in group A was significantly lower than that of birds in groups B or C. In addition, the bursa size was reduced in group A, but not in groups B or C. Birds in groups A and B, but not in group C, were found to shed turkey astrovirus in their feces, as detected by RT-PCR. These results provide a preliminary indication that TAstV-2 from PES birds may be more pathogenic than TAstV-2 from apparently healthy poults. Further studies are needed to determine if pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains of TAstV-2 exist in the environment. These results also reinforce our previous observations that astrovirus is involved in PES, causing significant retardation in growth and weight gain.

Trehalose improves semen antioxidant enzymes activity, post-thaw quality, and fertility in Nili Ravi buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

Our objectives were to study the effect of trehalose in extender on (1) antioxidant enzymes profile during cryopreservation (after dilution, before freezing, and after thawing), (2) in vitro quality (after thawing), and (3) in vivo fertility of Nili Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa. Semen samples (n = 20) from four buffalo bulls were diluted in Tris-citric acid-based extender having different concentrations of trehalose (0.0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mM) and frozen in French straws. At post dilution, profile of sperm catalase (U/mL) was higher (P < 0.05) in extenders containing 15, 30, and 45 mM of trehalose as compared to control. Although profiles of superoxide dismutase (U/mL) and total glutathione (μM) were higher (P < 0.05) in extenders containing 15 and 30 mM of trehalose as compared to control. At prefreezing, sperm catalase, superoxide dismutase, and total glutathione profiles were higher (P < 0.05) in all the treatment groups as compared to control. At post thawing, the profiles of catalase and total glutathione were higher (P < 0.05) in extender containing 30-mM trehalose as compared to other treatment groups and control. Whereas, profile of superoxide dismutase was higher (P < 0.05) in extenders containing 30, 45, and 60 mM of trehalose as compared to control and 15mM group. Post thaw total sperm motility (%) was higher (P < 0.05) in extender containing 30-mM trehalose as compared to control and 15 and 60-mM groups. Although sperm progressive motility (%), rapid velocity (%), average path velocity (μm/s), straight line velocity (μm/s), curvilinear velocity (μm/s), plasma membrane (structural and functional, %), acrosome (%), and DNA (%) integrity were higher (P < 0.05) in extender containing 30 mM trehalose as compared to other treatment groups and control. The fertility rates (61% vs. 43%) were higher (P < 0.05) in buffaloes inseminated with semen doses cryopreserved in extender containing 30 mM of trehalose than the control. It is concluded that addition of 30-mM trehalose in extender improves the semen antioxidant enzymes activity, post thaw quality, and fertility in Nili Ravi buffaloes.

l-Cysteine improves antioxidant enzyme activity, post-thaw quality and fertility of Nili-Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa

The effects of l‐cysteine in extender on antioxidant enzymes profile during cryopreservation, post‐thaw quality parameters and in vivo fertility of Nili‐Ravi buffalo bull spermatozoa were studied. Semen samples from 4 buffalo bulls were diluted in Tris–citric acid‐based extender having different concentrations of l‐cysteine (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mm) and frozen in 0.5‐ml French straws. The antioxidative enzymes [catalase, super oxide dismutase and total glutathione (peroxidase and reductase)] were significantly higher (P < 0.05) at pre‐freezing and post‐thawing in extender containing 2.0 mm l‐cysteine as compared to other groups. Post‐thaw total motility (%), progressive motility (%), rapid velocity (%), average path velocity (μm s−1), straight line velocity (μm s−1), curvilinear velocity (μm s−1), beat cross frequency (Hz), viable spermatozoa with intact plasmalemma (%), acrosome and DNA integrity (%) were higher with the addition of 2.0 mm l‐cysteine as compared to other groups (P < 0.05). The fertility rates (59 versus 43%) were higher (P < 0.05) in buffaloes inseminated with doses containing 2.0 mm of l‐cysteine than in the control. In conclusion, the addition of 2.0 mm l‐cysteine in extender improved the antioxidant enzymes profile, post‐thaw quality and in vivo fertility of Nili‐Ravi buffalo bull spermatozoa.

Comparative study of immune potency of two different trivalent FMD vaccines in cattle

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is highly infectious disease of cloven hoofed animals. It causes an acute disease characterized by fever, lameness and vesicular lesion on the feet, tongue, snout and teats, with high morbidity and low mortality (El-Moety et al. 2013). Although vaccines, available since the early 1900s, have been instrumental in eradicating FMD from parts of the world, the disease still affects millions of animals around the globe and remains the main sanitary barrier to the commerce of animals and animal products. This study was planned to record the immune response by compliment fixation test in cattle vaccinated with trivalent inactivated aluminum hydroxide gel (AL (OH)3) and oil adjuvant vaccine (Montanide ISA206). Twenty cattle were included in the study and were classified into four groups: 1st group was vaccinated with (company-1) vaccine as priming dose and after 30 days booster was given to the same group with oil based vaccine through subcutaneous and intramuscular route respectively; 2nd group was vaccinated with (company-1) vaccine both for priming as well as for boosting after 30-days with intramuscular route; 3rd group vaccinated with double oil emulsion inactivated vaccine (company-2) through intramuscular route for both priming and boosting was done after 30-days of priming and 4th group was vaccinated with double oil emulsion inactivated vaccine (company-2) as priming with boosting after 30 days by subcutaneous route. 5th group (5-animals) was non-vaccinated and kept as a control group. The data revealed non-significant difference (p>0.05) among the four different groups administered with FMDV vaccines when evaluated at day 30 post vaccination significant difference (p<0.05) was seen at day 60 and 90 post vaccination. Group 1, 2, 3 and 4 showed CGMT±SD values of 15.3067±1.20089, 8.7867±0.68127, 12.1967±1.68631 and 3.22±0.70449 respectively. Analysis of variance showed significant difference (p<0.05) in antibodies level between groups and with in groups at day 60 and 90 post vaccination. On the 60th antibodies in group 1 where Company-1 vaccine was used, gave highest mean values followed by group 3 (Company-2 vaccine). Group 2 revealed lower followed by group 4 that showed lowest mean values of antibodies. Antibody titer of group 2 at day 90 same pattern as observed above for other group. It was concluded that the selection of proper adjuvant with priming and boosting combination are the factors affecting the potency of FMDV vaccines rather than the antigen serotypes FMDV vaccine components.

Study of antimicrobial resistance and physiological biomarkers with special reference to Salmonellosis in diarrheic foals in Punjab, Pakistan

Antimicrobial resistance results in selective colonization in animals. In the present study, 447 diarrheic foals (235 horse foals, 165 donkey foals and 47 mule foal) were selected from Lahore and Sahiwal districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Fresh fecal and blood samples from diarrheic foals were collected for isolation and confirmation of Salmonella Polymerase chain reaction. Results revealed that 50 (11.25%) foals (horse n=29, donkey n=12 and mule n=9) were positive. Fifty Salmonella enterica isolates belonging to 7 serovars S. Paratyphi B (15), S. Saintpaul (7), S. Newport (6), S. Typhimu-rium (11), S. Kottbus (4), S. Lagos (2), and S. enterica ssp salamae (5). Salmonella was common in foals that visited veterinary hospital, as compared to those in stud farms and individual foals reared in low income household. Out of the total 50 samples, 92% of isolates were resistant to three or more than three antimicrobials. The highest resistance (86%) was against Sulphamethoxazole (23.75mg) and lowest (4%) against trimethoprime (5mg). The isolates also showed resistance against Doxycycline (30mg), Oxytetracycline (30mg), Streptomycin (10mg), Neomycin (30mg), Amikacin (30mg), chloramphenicol (30mg), Ampicillin (10mg), Amoxicillin (10mg), kanamycin (30mg), Norfloxacin (10mg), Gentamicin 10mg, Cefotaxime (30mg), Ciprofloxacin (5mg) and Ceftriaxone (30mg). Blood analysis of salmonella infected foals showed That Hemoglobin, PCV and TEC were significantly higher and (while) TLC, PCV, Monocytes, Lymphocytes, Basophils, Eosinophil and Neutrophils were significantly lower than normal. Albumin were lower and BNU, Biluribin, ALT and creatinine were higher than normal values.

Assessment of seasonal variations in plasma progesterone concentrations and the morphometry of corpus luteum and ovary during estrous in Nili-Ravi buffalo

The influence of season on the plasma progesterone concentrations and morphometric values of corpus luteum and ovary was studied through ultrasonography in spring (n=10) and dry hot (n=10) seasons on alternate days during the estrous cycle regardless of estrous phases in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. The mean morphometric values of length and width of ovary and the diameter and area of corpus luteum were higher in spring than those in dry hot seasons. The plasma progesterone concentrations were determined by ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay) technique and influence of seasons was found significant (P