Muhammad Yaqoob

Effects of ibeA Deletion on Virulence and Biofilm Formation of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT The ibeA gene is located on a genomic island, GimA, which is involved in the pathogenesis of neonatal meningitis Escherichia coli (NMEC) and avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). The prevalence of ibeA in the APEC collection in China was investigated, and 20 of 467 strains (4.3%) were positive. In addition, analysis of the association of the E. coli reference (ECOR) groups with positive strains revealed that ibeA was linked to group B2. The ibeA gene in DE205B was analyzed and compared to those of APEC and NMEC, which indicated that the specificity of ibeA was not consistent along pathotypes. The invasion of chicken embryo fibroblast DF-1 cells by APEC DE205B and RS218 was observed, which suggested that DF-1 cells could be a model to study the mechanism of APEC invasion. The inactivation of ibeA in APEC DE205B led to the reduced capacity to invade DF-1 cells, defective virulence in vivo, and decreased biofilm formation compared to the wild-type strain. In addition, strain AAEC189 expressing ibeA exhibited enhanced invasion capacity and biofilm formation. The results of the quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis and animal system infection experiments indicated that the loss of ibeA decreased the colonization and proliferation capacities of APEC in the brain during system infection.

Application of avian cytokines as immuno-modulating agents

Statement of Retraction We, the Editor and Publisher of World’s Poultry Science Journal, have retracted the following article: S. Umar, M. Arif, M.A.A. Shah, M.T. Munir, M. Yaqoob, S. Ahmed, M.I. Khan, M. Younus & M. Shahzad, ‘Application of avian cytokines as immuno-modulating agents’ (2015) 71:4, 643-654 https://doi.org/10.1017/S004393391500238X The above article has been retracted as, subsequent to publication, significant duplication has been found in content in the following sections ‘Introduction’, ‘Cytokines and avian immune system’, ‘Cytokines as therapeutic agents and vaccine adjuvants’ and ‘Delivering vaccinations and adjuvants’ with the following earlier published works: Manija Asif, Kristie A Jenkins, Louise S Hilton, Wayne G Kimpton, Andrew GD Bean & John W Lowenthal, ‘Cytokines as adjuvants for avian vaccines’ Immunology and Cell Biology (2004) 82:6, 638-643 DOI 10.1111/j.1440-1711.2004.01295.x Wigley P & Kaiser P, ‘Avian cytokines in health and disease’ Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science (2003) 5:1 DOI 10.1590/S1516-635X2003000100001 We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.

Chicken infectious anaemia, an immunosuppressive disease of poultry birds

We, the Editor and Publisher of World’s Poultry Science Journal, have retracted the following article: S. Umar, S. Ullah, M. Yaqoob, M.A.A. Shah & M. Ducatez ‘Chicken infectious anaemia, an immunosuppressive disease of poultry birds’ (2014) 70:4, 759-766 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933914000828 The above article has been retracted as, subsequent to publication, significant duplication has been found in content in the form of continuous sentences and paragraphs in almost all sections with the following earlier published work: Balamurugan, V. & Kataria, J.M. ‘Economically Important Non-oncogenic Immunosuppressive Viral Diseases of Chicken-Current Status’ Veterinary Research Communications (2006) 30, 541-566 DOI 10.1007/s11259-006-3278-4 We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.

Treatment of anestrous Nili-Ravi buffaloes using eCG and CIDR protocols

Abstract Objective To determine the effect of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) on estrus response, ovulation and pregnancy rate in Nili–Ravi buffaloes under field condition. Methods Twenty anestrous buffaloes with more than 150 days postpartum were used in this study. To confirm anestrous condition, ovarian status and serum progesterone concentration were determined before the start of study. Buffaloes were randomly divided into eCG (n=10) and CIDR (n=10) groups. eCG group were treated with eCG (Chronogest 1000 I.U. i.m.), while CIDR group received CIDR devices for 7 days. All buffaloes in CIDR group were injected PGF2 α (0.25 ug/mL; 2 mL; i.m.) one day before CIDR removal. Buffaloes were observed for estrus visually and were inseminated with frozen-thawed semen at detected estrus. Ovulation was confirmed by presence of CL 12 day post AI. Pregnancy diagnosis was done 50 days post AI. Results Estrus response, ovulation rate and pregnancy rate were similar (P>0.05) among eCG and CIDR groups (90% vs. 80%; 78% vs. 75% and 50% vs. 60% respectively). Conclusion It is concluded that both CIDR and eCG protocols are effective and promising remedies for the anestrous buffaloes under commercial as well as under field conditions.

Genetic characterization of phenicol-resistant Escherichia coli and role of wild-type repressor/regulator gene (acrR) on phenicol resistance

The genetic basis for phenicol resistance was examined in 38 phenicol-resistant clinical Escherichia coli isolates from poultry. Out of 62 isolates, 38 showed resistance for chloramphenicol and nine for florfenicol, respectively. Each strain also demonstrated resistance to a variety of other antibiotics. Molecular detection revealed that the incidence rates of the cat1, cat2, flo, flo-R, cmlA, and cmlB were 32, 29, 18, 13, 0, and 0%, respectively. Nineteen strains were tolerant to organic solvents. PCR amplification of the complete acrR (regulator/repressor) gene of five isolates revealed the amino acid changes in four isolates. DNA sequencing showed the non-synonymous mutations which change the amino acid, silent mutation, and nucleotide deletion in four isolates. MY09C10 showed neither deletion nor mutation in nucleotide. The AcrA protein of the AcrAB multidrug efflux pump was overexpressed in these strains. Complementation with a plasmid-borne wild-type acrR gene reduced the expression level of AcrA protein in the mutants and partially restored antibiotic susceptibility one- to fourfold. This study shows that mutations in acrR are an additional genetic basis for phenicol resistance.

Haematology and blood chemistry references values for clinically healthy red-wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus)

Red-wattled lapwings (Vanellus indicus) are medium-sized birds endemic to the wetlands of south and west Asia. Their population is decreasing due to loss of habitat, shrinkage of wetlands and poaching. Fifty-two red-wattled lapwings (RWL) were captured from wetlands of Punjab province during summer, 2014 (n = 52). All birds appeared to be in good body condition and no abnormalities were noted during physical examination. Haematological and plasma biochemical parameters of RWL of both sexes were analysed in order to determine reference values, taking sex and age into account. No statistical differences in haematology and blood chemistry parameters were observed between genders within age groups except for CH and TG which were significantly higher in females. Differences between juveniles (J) and adults (A) were identified for TPP (J < A), MCH (J > A) and MCHC (J > A), urea (J < A), uric acid (J < A) and creatinine (J < A). These results provide reliable reference values for the clinical interpretation of haematologic results for the species. Haematology and blood chemistry may be important tools for population health investigations on wetland RWL populations and will also be essential to differentiate health and diseased status of birds in future disease surveillance programmes.

Comparative Growth Performance of Calves of Different Cattle Breeds Under a Feedlot Fattening System

ABSTRACT Male cattle calves (n=24), 9-12 months age, with an average body weight of 120 ± 20 kg were fed total mixed rations (TMR) for 120 days to determine their growth performance. Animals were divided into four groups (six of each breed): Crossbred (Friesian × Sahiwal), Dhanni, Lohani, and Cholistani. The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance techniques under a completely randomized design. The average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE), and dressing percentage ranged from 639-892 g/d, 0.105-0.155 kg/kg, and 51.2-51.5%, respectively, in the different breeds. The ADG and FE did not differ between the Crossbred, Dhanni, and Lohani breeds, but these values were lower in Cholistani calves (P 0.05). In conclusion, Dhanni, Lohani, and Crossbred calves possess the promising potential for beef production under the rainfed (Barani) conditions of the Punjab. (