Lawan Adamu

Clinico-pathology, hematology, and biochemistry responses toward Pasteurella multocida Type B: 2 via oral and subcutaneous route of infections

Background: Pasteurella multocida a Gram-negative bacterium has been identified as the causative agent of many economically important diseases in a wide range of hosts. Hemorrhagic septicemia is a disease caused by P. multocida serotype B:2 and E:2. The organism causes acute, a highly fatal septicemic disease with high morbidity and mortality in cattle and more susceptible in buffaloes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the clinical signs, blood parameters, post mortem and histopathology changes caused by P. multocida Type B:2 infections initiated through the oral and subcutaneous routes. Methods: Nine buffalo heifers were divided equally into 3 treatment groups. Group 1 was inoculated orally with 10 ml of phosphate buffer saline; Groups 2 and 3 were inoculated with 10 ml of 1012 colony forming unit of P. multocida Type B:2 subcutaneously and orally respectively. Results: There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in temperature between the subcutaneous and the control group. The results revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in erythrocytes, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, leukocytes, monocytes, and A: G ratio between the subcutaneous and the control group. Furthermore, there were significant differences (p<0.05) in leukocytes, band neutrophils, segmented neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, thrombocytes, plasma protein, icterus index, gamma glutamyl tranferase and A: G ratio between the oral and the control group. The post mortem lesions of the subcutaneous group buffaloes showed generalized hyperemia, congestion and hemorrhage of the immune organs, gastro-intestinal tract organs and vital organs. The oral group buffaloes showed mild lesions in the lung and liver. Histologically, there were significant differences (p<0.05) in hemorrhage and congestion; necrosis and degeneration; inflammatory cells infiltration; and edema in between the groups. Conclusion: This study was a proof that oral route infection of P. multocida Type B:2 can be used to stimulate host cell responses where oral vaccine through feed can be developed in the near future.

Clinico-pathological Features in Mice Following Oral Exposure to Pasteurella Multocida B: 2

Haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) is a major cause of losses to livestock production in many countries around the world. In Malaysia, more specifically, the disease yet remains a major constraint to the national industry. However, the pathogenesis of haemorrhagic septicaemia is another scenario in which the limitations still exists. Thus, the present paper provides more information on the pathogenicity and host response dynamics in a mouse model. Our study of experimental nature manipulates P. multocida serotype B:2, the bacterium responsible for the disease in Asia. In this study, sixteen mice (n=16) were divided into two groups (A & B) of 8 mice each group. Animals in group A were inoculated orally with 1.0 ml 10 9 cfu/ml of P. multocida type B while mice in group 2 were challenged orally with 1.0 ml of phosphate buffer saline (PBS). The animals were observed for clinical signs for 5 days. The mice showing severe signs and surviving mice after 5 days of post- inoculation were euthanized using cervical dislocation approach and the organs such as heart, lung, kidney, stomach, spleen, colon and small intestine were collected for microscopic examinations. The result indicated that mice inoculated with the Pasteurella multocida showed significant (p<0.05) severe clinical signs compared to control group.These clinical signs ranged from mild to severe in which most of individuals infected with Pasteurella multocida showed moderate to severe clinical signs of ruffled hair, laboured breathing, eye discharge and responsiveness with mean levels of 2.13±0.64, 1.88±0.99, 1.50±1.20 and 1.88±0.99 respectively in comparison to the control group. Moreover, mortality rate was recorded between 24 to 50 h post-inoculation in the group that challenged with Pasteurella multocida type B: 2. Microscopically, the extent of visceral tissue damages due to the infection was scored. The interested parameters included pulmonary oedema, presence of inflammatory cells, haemorrhage and necrosis. Of these parameters, animals in infected group showed significant (p<0.05) differences in all most all visceral organs. Lungs, liver and kidney were, in particular, the most predominantly affected tissues. Therefore, oral inoculation of P. multocida type B in mice showed significant clinical response and cellular changes.

Effects of Speed, Heart Rate, Lactate and Uric Acid on the Performance of Arabian Horses during a 120-Km Endurance Race

Speed, heart rate, lactate and uric acid alterations led to reduced performance and hamper the health status of endurance horses. The aim of this study was to investigate on the effects of speed, heart rate, lactate and uric acid on the performance of Arabian horses during a 120 km endurance race. One hundred and eighty four Arabian endurance horses were physically examined and blood samples were collected post-race. After physical examination, the metabolic disordered (MD; n=130) and successfully completed (SC; n = 54) endurance horses were recognized. T-test was used for the analysis. The mean values of speed, heart rate, lactate and uric acid were significantly different (P<0.0001) between the MD and SC endurance horses. In conclusion, alterations in speed, heart rate, blood lactate and uric acid led to poor performance and encumbered the health status of endurance horses. Speed, heart rate, blood lactate and uric acid could be used to appraise performance and health status in endurance horses during training and endurance events.

The Use of a Metabolic Disorder Index as a Predictor for Metabolic Eliminations in Endurance Horses

ABSTRACT The equine endurance race involves both aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms of the horse. The intense physical activity over an extended period often causes susceptible horses to develop metabolic signs or problems resulting in elimination from races. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop a method for prediction and validation of a metabolic disorder index (MDI) to be used before endurance races. Three hundred seventy‐five Arabian (n = 152) and Arabian cross (n = 223) endurance horses aged from 6 to 15 years and weighing between 350 and 450 kg were selected for the study in Malaysia. Blood samples were collected at pre‐ and post‐race periods. The significant (P < .05) findings in horses with metabolic disorder were packed cell volume (0.50 ± 0.06 LL−1), creatine kinase (1,275.89 ± 121.45 UL−1), interleukin‐6 (2.01 ± 0.89 ng/mL), decreased glutathione reductase (26.57 ± 3.95 ng/mL), and chloride (94.98 ± 8.12 mmol/L). A new method called MDI was developed as a predictor for horses with the potential to develop metabolic disorders in endurance races. The MDI indicated a higher value greater than 5.5 for those eliminated and lower value below 5.5 for those that completed the race successfully, this proved to be accurate in the prediction of metabolic disorder in endurance horses. The MDI is an innovative and simple method used as a prediction method that will assist the equine endurance society to reduce the rate of elimination and to safeguard against serious medical problems during endurance races in the tropics. HIGHLIGHTWe evaluate the serum levels of biochemical and hematological parameters of horses participating in an endurance competition.Significant differences were found in the serum levels of packed cell volume, glutathione reductase (GR), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), chloride, and creatine kinase (CK).Packed cell volume, CK, and IL‐6 levels increased significantly, whereas GR and chloride decreased significantly.We developed a method; metabolic crises index for the prediction of metabolic crises in endurance horses.

Stage II Keratoconjunctivitis in a Goat: A Case report

A two year old Australian Feral male goat weighing 30 kg was presented to the large animal unit of Universiti Putra Malaysia Veterinary Hospital with the clinical signs of conjunctivitis and corneal ulceration with purulent ocular discharge. A sterile swab was taken from the eyefor bacteriological culture and the culture yielded a mixed growth of Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Moraxella caprae.The conditionwas diagnosed as pink eye disease. The goat was administered 3ml of 20mg/kgoxytetracyclinesubconjunctival injection of 0.4ml, intravenous injection of 2.2mg/kg Flunixin meglumine (antipyretic) agent, topical application of terramycine eye ointment and infusion of 2L of 0.6% Nacl solution. The signs of conjunctivitis and corneal ulcersof the eye had substantially reduced five days post treatment. Quarantine of infected animals, good quality feeding and fly control wasrecommendedas preventive measures. Keywords: Pink eye, goat, Moraxella caprae, bacteriology

Parasitic Gastro-Enteritis (PGE) Concurrent with Eperythrozoonosis in a Goat: A Case Report

A 7 month-old, male Katjang cross goat weighing 35kg with body condition score of 3/5 was presented to Large Animal Ward, University Veterinary Hospital (UVH). The goat had pale mucous membrane and diarrhoea. The goat had moderate normocytic, normochromic anaemia with packed cell volume (PCV) of 0.14 (0.22-0.32) and low normal plasma protein, neutrophilia with left shift and monocytosis, including hyponatraemia, hypocalcaemia and hypoalbuminaemia with increased muscle enzyme (CK). Thin blood film stained with Geimsa showed evidence of blood parasites and mycoplasma sp. 0.1 % of RBC was infected and with high strongyle infestation (13900 epg) using modified McMaster technique. Blood transfusion was done as a result of decreased PCV value to 0.13 on the second day of hospitalization. Parasitic gastro-enteritis (PGE) concurrent with eperythrozoonosis infection was diagnosed in the goat. Keywords: Parasitic gastro-enteritis, eperythrozoonosis, anaemia, blood transfusion, PCV

Metabolic responses of acute phase protein, antioxidant and cytokine in Arabian Endurance horses

Changes in serum amyloid A (SAA), glutathione reductase (GR) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) could be responsible for the metabolic disorders and poor performance in Arabian horses during gruelling endurance events. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the metabolic responses in relation to SAA, GR and IL-6 in Arabian horses during endurance events. After physical examination, the successfully completed (SC) (n=16) and eliminated-from-race (ER) (n=16) endurance horses were identified. The data obtained were analysed using ANOVA and pairwise correlations and the analysis were considered significant at P<0.05. There were significant differences between the SC and ER Arabian horses in haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), creatine kinase, plasma protein, lactate and monocytes (P<0.0001), IL-6, GR (P<0.0007), SAA (P<0.0068), glucose (P<0.00342), aspartate transaminase (P<0.0049) concentrations. There were significant negative correlations between GR and plasma protein (r=-0.2830; P<0.0299) and GR and SAA (r=-0.2554; P<0.0489). There were significant positive correlations between IL-6 and Hb (r=0.2977; P<0.0220) and positive and not significant correlation between IL-6 and PCV (r=0.2449; P<0.0615). In conclusion, SAA, GR and IL-6 were significantly associated with metabolic crises in Arabian endurance horses. Therefore, SAA, GR and IL-6 could be used to evaluate performance and health status of endurance horses during training and endurance events.

The association between gut microbiome, sex, age and body condition scores of horses in Maiduguri and its environs

The equine gut harbours complex microbial populations which influence physiology, metabolism, nutrition and immune functions, while disruption to the gut microbiota has been linked with conditions such as lameness, diabetes and obesity. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the association between microbial dysbiosis, sex, age and body condition scores (BCS) of horses (Equus equus caballus) in Maiduguri and its environs. Forty horses were assessed by convenient sampling, while faecal samples were collected and analyzed to determine the microbiomes in the various age groups with variable BSC in stallions and mares. The present study revealed that there was strong and not significant association between the microbial populations in the gut of horses and the various age groups (Chi-Squared test = 11.809; df = 18; P = 0.8570). There were significant (p < 0.0001) differences in the microbiome population in the guts of the horses. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences in the microbiomes in the various body scores. There were significant (P < 0.047) differences in the microbiomes of the mares and stallions. E. coli had the highest burden of microbial populations with 30.38*103 ± 1.04*103 in the guts of horses in the study area, while statistically there were no differences in the populations of Corynebacterium, Klebsiella, Salmonella, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus in the gut of horses in the study area relative to E. coli. This study provides information on the nature of bacterial population present in horses in Maiduguri and its Environs. Therefore, further high-throughput characterization of the faecal bacteria microbiome of horses is essential to enable comparison to disease state and thus develop diagnostic tests, prophylactic measures and appropriate treatments.

Validity of an established metabolic disorder index as a predictor for metabolic eliminations in endurance horses

Abstract Endurance horses are usually eliminated from the race due to lameness, metabolic ailments or technical reasons. The purpose of the study was to determine the validity and reliability of the metabolic disorder index (MDI) in predicting metabolic eliminations in endurance horses during an endurance race. Fifty-four endurance horses competing on two local endurance tracks were involved in the study. Blood samples were collected a day prior to the event to determine packed cell volume (PCV), chloride (Cl−), interleukin-6 (IL-6), creatine kinase (CK) and glutathione reductase (GR) concentrations from all participating horses. These parameters were used for the determination of metabolic disorder index in endurance horses at rest (one day before the competition). All data were statistically analysed. In 40, 80 and 120 km race distances, the successfully completed horses had a significant lower serum concentration of CK and a significant higher serum concentration of Cl− than the eliminated horses (P < .05). There were no significant differences in PCV, serum concentrations of IL-6 and GR between the successfully completed and eliminated horses in the 40, 80 and 120 km race distances. The MDI at the rest one day before the race could predict potential of metabolic eliminations in endurance horses with at least 78.26%, 80% and 83.33% accuracies in 40, 80 and 120 km race distances. The sensitivity of the MDI was 81.82%, 80% and 100% in the 40, 80 and 100 km race distances. The specificity of the MDI was 80% for the 80 km race distance and 75% for the 40 and 120 km race distances. In conclusion, the metabolic disorder index is a reliable method for the prediction of metabolic eliminations in endurance horses participating in endurance races.

Rates and causes of elimination in Malaysian endurance horses

Abstract The performance of endurance horse is usually evaluated on their ability to complete the race successfully. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to know the current completion and the elimination rate of endurance races in Malaysia. One hundred and ninety-four endurance horses were involved in the present study. All the endurance races were held in the Terengganu International Endurance Park and Az-zahra Arabian Park, Kelantan from May 2015 to August 2016. 35.05% (CI; lower limit = 28.69%, upper limit = 42%) of the horses were eliminated and 64.95% (CI; lower limit = 58%, upper limit = 71.31%) of them were able to complete the race successfully. 54.41% (CI; lower limit = 42.65%, upper limit = 65.69%), 29.41% (CI; lower limit = 19.92%, upper limit = 4.11%) and 16.18% (CI; lower limit = 9.28%, upper limit = 26.69%) of all eliminated horses was due to lameness, metabolic ailments and other reasons respectively. Most of the eliminated horses competed for 80 km while those that completed the race successfully competed in the 40 km race. This data could be of assistance to the Veterinarians in monitoring the trend of endurance races in Malaysia and improve on the current management practices to reduce the rate of elimination in subsequent races.