Sameeh M. Abutarbush

Equine Babesiosis: Seroprevalence, Risk Factors and Comparison of Different Diagnostic Methods in Jordan

The purposes of this study were to estimate the seroprevalence and distribution of horse piroplasmosis, to evaluate risk factors associated with the occurrence of the disease and to compare the different diagnostic methods used for this disease. A total of 253 clinically normal horses were sampled, and a collection form was completed for each horse from five of six different climatic zones of Jordan. The sixth zone was not sampled because it did not include horse population. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) revealed 37 horses (14.6%) positive for Theileria equi, and none of the horses was positive for Babesia caballi. Microscopic examination of thin blood smears and PCR test revealed no positive results for either parasite. Grazing was the only risk factor that was associated with being seropositive to the disease; horses that graze are 11.5 more likely to be seropositive (P<0.05, OR=11.5, CI: 3.292, 39.962). This is the first study to estimate the prevalence of horse babesiosis using serological test and to identify risk factors associated with the disease in Jordan. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) test appears to be more reliable than microscopic examination and PCR in estimating the seroprevalence of the disease as well as identifying carrier horses to babesiosis.

Lumpy Skin Disease in Jordan: Disease Emergence, Clinical Signs, Complications and Preliminary-associated Economic Losses.

The objectives of this study are to report the emergence of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Jordan and associated clinical signs, complications and preliminary economic losses. In mid-April, 2013, two adult dairy cattle developed clinical signs suggestive of LSD and were confirmed as positive by PCR. The two cases were in Bani Kenanah district, Irbid governorate, on the Jordanian border of Israel and Syria. The disease spread rapidly to all the districts of Irbid governorate. During the month following the emergence of the disease, data were collected related to the epidemiology of the disease and the numbers of affected cattle on the premises. Forty-one dairy cattle holdings were surveyed. The morbidity rate ranged from 3% to 100%, (Mean = 35.1%, SD ±28.5%). The mortality rate ranged from 0% to 20%, (Mean = 1.3%, SD ±4.4%). The case fatality rate ranged from 0% to 100%, (Mean = 6.2%, SD ±22%). The overall morbidity rate was 26%, mortality rate 1.9% and case fatality rate 7.5%. Skin nodules, anorexia, decreased milk production and decreased body weight were common clinical signs, while mastitis and myiasis were seen as complications in a few affected animals. Decreased body weight ranged from 0% to 80%, (Mean = 23.1%, SD ±15.7%). Decreased milk production ranged from 0% to 100%, (Mean = 51.5%, SD ±22.2%). Affected cattle were treated mainly with broad-spectrum antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. The cost of treatment ranged from 0 to 84.3 British Pound/animal, (Mean = 27.9 GBP, SD ±22.5 GBP). LSD continues to spread through the Middle East region and poses a serious threat to the rest of Asia and Europe. International collaboration and communication is warranted to prevent the further spread of the disease to the rest of Asia and Europe.

West Nile Virus Infection in Horses in Jordan: Clinical Cases, Seroprevalence and Risk Factors

The objectives of this study are to report clinical WNV infection in horses and to determine the seroprevalence of and risk factors for WNV infection in horses in Jordan. In late summer and early fall of 2012, two mares were presented for evaluation of neurological signs. The first mare had hind-limb ataxia. The second mare was slightly depressed and lethargic. She had ataxia in her four limbs and cranial nerves deficits. Both horses were found positive for WNV IgM antibodies using commercial IgM-capture ELISA test. Both horses were treated symptomatically and recovered uneventfully. The occurrence of clinical cases initiated the need for a seroprevalence and risk factors study. Two hundred and fifty-three normal horses were randomly enrolled in the study. Enrolled horses were grouped into five major regions according to the geographical proximity and climatic similarities. From each region, around 50 horses were sampled. The serum collected from each horse was screened by a competitive ELISA, and those that reacted positive using the previous ELISA test were further tested using commercial IgM-capture ELISA test. Sixty-three horses (24.9%) of the 253 surveyed were seropositive to WNV. Of the 63 horses, none had IgM antibodies for WNV. The region with the highest prevalence was Jordan Valley and Balqa. Horses used for polo (OR = 9.77; 95%CI = 1.32-25.44) and horses located in Jordan Valley and Balqa region (OR = 13.31; 95% CI = 2.33-32.54) were identified as risk factors for seropositivity to WNV in Jordan. These risk factors were attributed to the hot and humid weather, which enhance vector availability. West Nile virus appears to be endemic in Jordan. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the virus situation in the country during the next few years in an attempt to control it.

Hematological and serum biochemical findings in clinical cases of cattle naturally infected with lumpy skin disease

INTRODUCTION Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an acute viral disease of cattle that is currently emerging in the Middle East region and poses a serious threat to Europe and the rest of the world. The objective of this study was to describe hematological and serum biochemical findings associated with natural clinical infection of LSD in cattle. METHODOLOGY A total of 129 animals clinically infected with LSD were enrolled in the study. Venous blood sample were collected from study animals, and hematological and serum biochemical parameters were measured. RESULTS Leukocytopenia was found in 8.7%, while leucocytosis was found in 18.2% of affected cattle. Decreased hematocrit concentration was seen in 18.3%. Most affected cattle had reduced mean corpuscular volume (43.7%), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (14.3%), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (11.5%). All cattle with abnormal platelets count had thrombocytopenia. Hyperfibrinogenemia, hyperproteinemia, and hyperalbuminemia were found in 69%, 59.6%, and 37.2% of affected cattle, respectively. Decreased creatinine concentration was seen in 65.8%. Hyperkalemia and hyperchloremia was found in 9.6% and 10.4% of the affected cattle, respectively. CONCLUSIONS LSD appears to be associated with inflammatory leukogram, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperfibrinogenemia, hyperproteinemia, decreased creatinine concentration, hyperchloramia, and hyperkalemia. These are likely due to the associated severe inflammatory process and disease complications such as anorexia and reduced muscle mass. This is the first study that documents hematological and serum biochemical findings associated with LSD infection. Understanding the blood profile picture may give further insight to the pathogenesis of the disease and help in treatment of individual cattle.

Lumpy Skin Disease (Knopvelsiekte, Pseudo-Urticaria, Neethling Virus Disease, Exanthema Nodularis Bovis)

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a notifiable acute viral disease of cattle that is endemic in most African countries and some of the Middle East countries. LSD currently poses a serious threat to Europe and the rest of the world. LSD is associated with high morbidity and low mortality in cattle. It causes serious economic losses due to severe reduction in milk production, feed intake, and weight conversion. The incubation period is reported to be between 1 and 4 weeks. Not all affected animals show clinical sings. High fever, lachrymation, and enlarged palpable lymph nodes are the first clinical signs reported. Soon after the fever, few to several variable-sized cutaneous nodules appear on different regions of the body. The entire body of the animal can be covered with nodules, and lesions may be seen in the mouth and nose as well as the mucous membranes of the eye in affected animals. In postmortem, pox lesions may be widespread and seen in each organ. Diagnosis of LSD is based on characteristic signs, histopathology, and virus isolation as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In endemic regions, vaccination is the only effective method of control.

Seroprevalence and potential risk factors associated with Neospora spp. infection among asymptomatic horses in Jordan.

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and to identify risk factors associated with Neospora spp. infection in horses in Jordan. Management related data were collected from each farm and individual horses. Sera from 227 horses from 5 of 6 climatic regions in Jordan were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to Neospora spp. by ELISA kit. The study was performed during spring of 2010. The association between seropositivity and risk factors was analyzed. A total of 7 (3%) of 227 sera had antibodies for Neospora spp. There was a significant regional difference (P=0.018) between the 5 climatic regions. Positive cases were located in Amman and Irbid, while the other regions (Zarqa, Jordan Valley, and Wadi Mousa) had zero prevalence. The use of anthelmintics at least once a year resulted in a significant reduction of the seroprevalence to Neospora spp. (1.6% vs 9.8%). However, this might be a phenomenon by chance and a better hygiene since owners can invest in anthelmintics. Other risk factors such as age, gender, breed, usage, body condition score, grazing, presence of other animals mixed with the horses in the same property, and a history of previous diseases were not significantly associated with the seroprevalence to Neospora spp. infection. This is the first study to report on the presence of Neospora seropositive horses in Jordan. Further studies are warranted to better understand the role of certain risk factors in the transmission of Neospora spp. among horse population and to determine which Neospora spp. are responsible for the infection.

Clinical Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus Infection in Jordan

A 1-year-old Holstein Friesian heifer was presented for anorexia and acute diarrhoea. The heifer was born and raised at the farm. Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection was diagnosed using clinical signs and RT-PCR. Clinical BVDV infection has never been reported in Jordan.