Muhammad Abubakar Sadiq

In vitro larvicidal effects of ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa Linn. on Haemonchus larval stage

Aim: Gastrointestinal helminthosis is a global problem in small ruminant production. Most parasites have developed resistance to commonly available anthelminthic compounds, and there is currently an increasing need for new compounds with more efficacies. This study evaluated the in vitro effects of ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa (EECL) as a biological nematicide against third stage Haemonchus larvae (L3) isolated from sheep. Materials and Methods: Haemonchus L3 were cultured and harvested from the feces of naturally infected sheep. EECL was prepared and three concentrations; 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL were tested for their efficacies on Haemonchus L3. Levamisole at concentration 1.5 and 3 mg/mL were used as positive controls. Results: EECL showed anthelmintic activity in a dose-dependent manner with 78% worm mortality within 24 h of exposure at the highest dose rate of 200 mg/mL. There was a 100% worm mortality rate after 2 h of levamisole (3 mg/mL) admisntration. However, there was a comparable larvicidal effect between when levamisole (1.5 mg/mL) and EECL (200 mg) were administered. Conclusion: The study shows that EECL does exhibit good anthelmintic properties at 200 mg/mL which is comparable with levamisole at 1.5 mg/mL.

Phylogenetic Diversity of Burkholderia pseudomallei isolated from veterinary cases and the environments in Peninsular Malaysia

This study was designed to determine the genotype and the phylogeny of Burkholderia pseudomallei isolated from veterinary cases and from the animal environments in Peninsular Malaysia. The Malaysian B. pseudomallei population were then compared to those found elsewhere. A total of 113 isolates from veterinary cases (35) and the environment (56 from soil and 22 from water) were characterized using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Two novel alleles, allele 97 and 69 of the gene locus ace and lepA respectively were recovered. Isolates were resolved into 12 distinct sequence types (STs) out of which five were novel, namely ST1130, ST1131, ST1338, ST1339 and ST1367. The isolates from veterinary cases co-clustered with those from the environment. B. pseudomallei isolates in this study were highly clonal and have descended from a common ancestor clonal complex (CC) 48 found in Southeast Asia. This study shows that veterinary case isolates are often caused by similar STs, with similar populations found in the direct animal environment and those previously reported to cause human infections in Malaysia and elsewhere. Isolates of B. pseudomallei from human infections have been given more attention, with a comparatively lower focus on isolates from animals and the farm environment. This study highlighted the genotype and phylogeny of B. pseudomallei isolated from animals and the environment and their relations to the isolates from human cases reported in Malaysia and elsewhere. Most STs reported in this study, from veterinary cases and animal environment are similar to those previously reported as causing human infections in Malaysia and elsewhere. Therefore, even though direct zoonosis is uncommon, monitoring melioidosis occurrences in animals can provide insights on the bacterial strains infecting humans.

The relationship between bacterial sources and genotype to the antimicrobial resistance pattern of Burkholderia pseudomallei

Background: Melioidosis is a fatal emerging infectious disease of both man and animal caused by bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei. Variations were suggested to have existed among the different B. pseudomallei clinical strains/genotypes which may implicate bacterial susceptibility and resistance toward antibiotics. Aim: This study was designed to determine whether the phenotypic antibiotic resistance pattern of B. pseudomallei is associated with the source of isolates and the genotype. Materials and Methods: A collection of 111 B. pseudomallei isolates from veterinary cases of melioidosis and the environments (soil and water) were obtained from stock cultures of previous studies and were phylogenetically characterized by multilocus sequence typing (ST). The susceptibility to five antibiotics, namely meropenem (MEM), imipenem, ceftazidime (CAZ), cotrimoxazole (SXT), and co-amoxiclav (AMC), recommended in both acute and eradication phases of melioidosis treatment were tested using minimum inhibitory concentration antibiotics susceptibility test. Results: Majority of isolates were susceptible to all antibiotics tested while few resistant strains to MEM, SXT, CAZ, and AMC were observed. Statistically significant association was found between resistance to MEM and the veterinary clinical isolates (p<0.05). The likelihood of resistance to MEM was significantly higher among the novel ST 1130 isolates found in veterinary cases as compared to others. Conclusion: The resistance to MEM and SXT appeared to be higher among veterinary isolates, and the novel ST 1130 was more likely to be resistant to MEM as compared to others.

Therapeutic Management of Stage II Milk Fever With Retained Placenta in a Cow

Milk fever is a condition where the animal’s body fails to maintain the calcium homeostasis following an upsurge demand of calcium during gestation or lactation. This case reports the clinical management of suspected stage II milk fever with retained placenta in a Friesian cow after parturition of twin calves. A four-year-old Friesian cow weighing 400kg was presented with primary complaint of weakness and inability to stand a day after parturition of two calves. Physical examination revealed that the cow was on sternal recumbency and unable to stand, while the placenta was seen hanging from the vulva region. All vital parameters were normal but the cow was having a weak cardiac rythm. The differential diagnoses at this point of time were milk fever, downers’ cow syndrome and hypophosphatemia. The cow was diagnosed with suspected milk fever based on the history of parturition of two calves and thus leading to hypocalcaemia. The cow was treated with flunixin meglumine 1.1mg/kg once intravenously as anti-inflammatory, anti-pyrexic and analgesic. Then, 500mL of calcium borogluconate (23%) was administered intravenously slowly at the rate of 1drop/second as a source of calcium. The cow responded well to treatment after 10 minutes of administration. In addition, 0.9% normal saline was lavaged into the uterus to irrigate the retained placenta. Subsequently, 20mL of oxytetracycline (20mg/kg) was infused into the uterine body as the final lavage. Finally, broad spectrum long acting oxytetracycline (20mg/kg) antibiotic was given once intramuscularly to prevent secondary bacterial infections. Therapeutic treatment to restore the calcium level in the blood should be the main focus during the management of milk fever.

Predatory Capacity of Anabantoids Indigenous Fishes (Beta Pugnax and Beta Anabatoides) on the Mosquito’s Larvae

A study was carried out to determine the maximum intake of mosquitoes’ larvae within a twenty four hours period by two species of indigenous Anabantoids. The species used were Betta pugnax and Betta anabantoides and for each species five adult male fish were used. The feeding of the mosquito larvae every twenty four hours period was observed continuously for three days for each species. The mean standard length of the Betta pugnax and Betta anabantoides were 3.8cm and 3.7cm respectively and for the mosquitos’ larvae, the length varies from 5 – 6mm. The mean intake of mosquitoes larvae counted for every twenty four hours for 3 days was 24.5 larvae for Betta pugnax and 16.7 larvae for Betta anabantoides. From this study it was concluded that Betta pugnax has a significantly (P<0.05) higher predatory capacity as compared to Betta anabatoides.

A clinical case of navel and joint ill in a calf - medical management

An intensively managed five days old female Friesian cross breed calf weighing approximately 30kg was presented to the University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The complaint was that the calf had swollen navel and joints and had not been able to stand up properly and frequently fell down. But the calf was alert and the appetite was normal at the time of presentation. On physical examination, body condition score was 2.5 out of 5 and and temperature was 39.3 °C (slight pyrexia), pulse and respiratory rates were within the normal range. The navel was swollen with dark necrotic tissues within the navel opening with presence of foul smelling odour. Both the carpal joints of the forelimbs and the hock joints of the hind limbs were swollen. Arthrocentesis and Jugular venipuncture were performed to collect samples for synovial fluid cytology, haematology and blood chemistry. Based on the history, physical examination and laboratory findings, the calf was diagnosed to have navel ill with associated joint ill. Treatment was performed by umbilical debridement and cleaning of necrotic tissues and debris with subsequent application of povidone of iodine. Flunixin meglumine, 1.1 mg/kg, 0.7 mL, was given intramuscularly, twice daily for 3 days as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent. A combination of penicillin and dihydrostreptomycin (1.2mL) at a dosage of 1 mL/25 kg body weight was administered intramuscularly, once daily for 5 days. Remarkable progressive improvement was observed 3 days after commencement of treatment. The umbilical care by debridement of necrotic tissues and debris and topical antisepsis, coupled with systemic antibiotic therapy using combination of penicillin and dihydrostreptomycin was effective in the treatment of navel ill and/or joint ill.