Austral Journal of Veterinary Sciences
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Retrospective seroepidemiological study of small ruminant lentivirus, paratuberculosis and brucellosis in goats from Mexico, based on multiplex assay
Get PDFMexican goat production systems face infection risks from Brucella melitensis, small ruminant lentivirus (SRLv) and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP); agents that cause great economic losses and directly affect public health (brucellosis and paratuberculosis [PTb]). Currently, there are no diagnostic tests applicable at large scale nor epidemiological information regarding the seroprevalence for these infectious diseases. For this study, a multiplex antibody assay (Luminex®) was used to retrospectively study the seroprevalence of brucellosis, SRLv, and PTb in the sera of 983 goats from nine Mexican states. Sera were obtained between 2014 and 2019. Antibodies against all three infectious diseases were detected in almost all tested samples. The estimated seroprevalence values ranged from 37% to 78% for brucellosis, 21% to 65% for SRLv, and 0% to 13% for PTb. The multiplex assay (Luminex®) is a simple, accessible, efficient, and cost-effective seroprevalence monitoring tool for brucellosis, SRLv, and PTb, and can be used as a large-scale approach
Use of Delphi methodology to select sustainability indicators on dairy farms: an exploration of environmental, economic, social and animal welfare dimensions
Get PDFSustainable livestock production is essential to ensure the availability of food and resources, and to address the social, economic, and environmental challenges that threaten conventional livestock production. While there is consensus among economic, social, and scientific groups on the need to assess sustainability to make decisions that protect resources for present and future generations, there are few sustainability assessment tools that address it holistically. The aim of this study was to develop an assessment tool applicable to farms by identifying the indicators currently applied in dairy farms, based on a systematic literature review and expert opinion. This study used the Delphi methodology to explore sustainability indicators at the farm level. A panel of seven expert researchers and academics in livestock sustainability and animal welfare participated in the study. A high level of consensus was found for 15 economic indicators, 14 social indicators, 20 environmental indicators, and 16 animal welfare indicators. Some indicators, such as financial autonomy, transmissibility, cow and labor productivity, husbandry system, labor intensity, community bonding, labor satisfaction, biodiversity, crop rotation, fertilization, manure management, and water management, showed a high level of consensus and were considered useful in assessing sustainability on dairy farms. In addition, livestock sustainability experts reached a high consensus on 16 animal welfare indicators that could be useful in assessing farm sustainability. These results provide a solid basis for sustainability indicators in the economic, social, environmental, and animal welfare dimensions, which could serve as a basis for developing a sustainability assessment tool for dairy farms
Molecular detection of haemobacteria in Colombian wild birds
Get PDFColombia shows a high density and variety of bird species, making it one of the most diverse avian territories globally. Antioquia ranks among the top four provinces with the greatest variety of bird species, underscoring the importance of research efforts on the local bird fauna. Therefore, this study aimed to identify bacterial agents in the blood of wild birds from the municipality of Jardín (Antioquia, Colombia) by 16S qPCR sequencing. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Wild birds were captured using mist nets and blood samples were collected from each animal via puncture using sterile lancets in the brachial vein, and a drop of blood was collected on filter paper for qPCR analysis. The 16S gene in bacterial genomes was found in 13 out of 46 wild birds of the Passeriform and quasi-Passeriform orders, captured at three different locations within the study municipality at altitudes ranging from 1,665 to 2,034 m.a.s.l. Seven different bird species were recorded and four different haemobacteria were identified (i.e. Exiguobacterium spp., Escherichia coli, Stenotrophomonas spp., and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia). This study contributes to the knowledge in Colombia by identifying four different hemobacteria in wild birds. Further research is required on the health status of these birds and the attributable impacts on their populations and other related factors, including humans
Effects of selling through an auction market on physiological variables in beef calves
Get PDFIn Chile, selling cattle through auction markets is common, and involves various stressful events. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of selling weaned beef calves through an auction market on indicators of physiological stress. Considering that transportation is invariably linked to any commercialization procedure, we compared the effects of exposing calves to transport and sale through an auction market versus transporting them directly between farms. Twenty calves of 175 (+/-37.5) kg live weight were transported from their origin farm to an auction market (2.5 h journey), where 10 calves were unloaded and exposed to regular handling within the market (unloading, sorting, regrouping, penning, sale yard showing) and thereafter loaded and transported back to the farm (TM). The remaining 10 calves were not unloaded at the market and were immediately transported back to the farm, simulating a direct sale (TD). Data collection (blood samples, body temperature, and live weight) was performed at the farm in both groups before loading (initial, 0 h), at the end of the process, after unloading TM calves back on the farm (after unloading, 12 h), and during recovery at 24, 48, and 72 h after the initial sampling. We used mixed-effects models to compare treatments and samplings. No differences were found between treatments in terms of live weight loss, maximum eye temperature, plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate, and serum cortisol concentrations. The rectal temperature was higher (p < 0.05) in TM after treatment and remained higher (p > 0.05) in the samples than in TD. Calves that passed through the market showed higher (p < 0.05) plasma CK activity after unloading (12 h) than did those that did not. The mean glucose concentration increased (p < 0.05) at 12h and remained higher than the initial value (0 h) in both the calf groups. This was a preliminary study, and according to the results, experiments should be repeated to test more animals under different situations and premises
Experimental assessment of the efficacy of copper ion treatment against penicillin G contained in UHT milk and PBS
Get PDFAntibiotics are widely used in animal production to treat bacterial infections and to improve performance and animal welfare. Their misuse poses a threat to public and animal health because of the possible development of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. Among the many strategies that have been considered to address this problem are methods to degrade antibiotic residues, especially those from the human and animal food chain. This study describes the effect of copper ion treatment on the detection of penicillin G in a liquid matrix. An in vitro experimental study was designed using both commercial milk and PBS spiked with three different concentrations of penicillin G. Each sample was treated for 30 min with copper ions. All samples were tested for antibiotics before and after treatment using a commercial enzyme-linked receptor binding assay. Additionally, pH, copper concentration, and temperature were evaluated. Antibiotic residues were detected in all spiked PBS and milk samples before treatment with copper ions. However, after 30 min of treatment, no antibiotic residues were detected in any sample at any concentration tested. In conclusion, treatment of penicillin-contaminated milk and PBS samples with copper ions affects antibiotic detection, which would potentially reduce antibiotic levels
Cranial osteomyelitis associated with Pasteurella canis in broiler chickens
Get PDFSpecies of the Pasteurella genus are part of the oropharyngeal microbiota of many animal species. In poultry, Pasteurella multocida causes fowl cholera, the chronic manifestation of which can include neurological symptoms. Pasteurella canis causes osteomyelitis and other infections in humans. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of cranial osteomyelitis associated with Pasteurella canis in broiler chickens in Chile
Swimming performance of adults and copepodites of Caligus rogercresseyi against different water flow speeds in presence or absence of light and host fish attractants
Get PDFThe present study was conducted to determine the swimming ability of adults and copepodites of Caligus rogercresseyi at three different water flow speeds, considering the presence or absence of attractants such as light and fish (Salmo salar). A total of 360 gravid females, 360 adult males, and 720 copepodites were randomly selected from a sea lice hatchery and distributed into groups. Each group was placed in a plastic bucket within a tank, and exposed or not to two attractants (light or host fish) at different water flow speeds (0, 1 and 2 cm/s). The results showed higher migration of adults and copepodites in the presence of light than in its absence (P < 0.05); however, no significant differences related to sea lice swimming performance were found in the presence or absence of fish (P > 0.05). Water flow speed had no effect on either variable (P > 0.05). In the current study, adult C. rogercresseyi demonstrated superior swimming capabilities compared with copepodites
Use of thermography and pressure sensors to evaluate the effect of load on pack mules
Get PDFMules performing pack work can develop skin wounds and lesions on harness related areas of the body, but also muscular and bone damage that are not always visible during clinical examination. Thermographic imaging and pressure sensors have emerged as non-invasive diagnostic alternatives that can provide valuable information about the welfare of working equids. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different loads on the back of mules through thermographic images and pressure sensors. A crossover design was used with twelve mules carrying three different loads (80, 105, and 130 kg) for two kilometers. Four pressure sensors were placed in the harnessing system to assess the pressure (N) of the loads. Thermographic images of the back were taken daily before and up to five days after the harnessing work. The results show that the heavy loads (105 and 130 kg) generated a significant increase of temperature in all the analysed areas of the mules’ back, with no significant differences between anatomical areas. The pressure sensors did not reveal significant differences between treatments or between anatomical areas and no evidence of a correlation between pressure and temperature. Further studies including physiological and behavioral measures to assess the effect of different loads are required to better understand the effect on working equids welfare.Keywords: mule, load, pressure, inflammation, welfare, working equid
Veterinary aid clinic assessments of working ponies in West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia: A retrospective study
Get PDFWorking ponies in the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province of Indonesia are relied upon as the principal mode of transport. They have important cultural, logistical and One Health significance for the local community. Given the tropical climate, these ponies face well recognised health and welfare challenges . Parameters relating to the general health and welfare of the ponies were assessed following data analysis of clinical records from three veterinary clinics held in 2018 and 2019. Records relating to 454 clinical examinations of ponies (n=365 stallions) aged between 1 to 25 years (mean 7.59 ± 4.70) were analysed. The mean body condition score (1 to 5 scoring system) across all clinics was 2.89 (±0.49; range 1.5, 4.5), with no significant difference between clinics (P= 0.297). The majority of ponies (84.57%; 95% CI 80.50, 87.92; 307/363) assessed presented with tachypnoea, 37.24% presented with tachycardia (95% CI 32.78, 41.92; 159/427), 14.80% (95% CI 11.10, 19.46; 41/277) recorded rectal temperatures considered hyperthermic (>38.5°C), and 38.0% did not show obvious evidence of sweating (95% CI 32.21, 44.16; 95/250). Ponies examined at the April/May 2019 clinic were more likely to be considered hyperthermic (P=0.009) and/or presented with tachycardia (P<0.001), whereas ponies examined in the November 2019 clinic were more likely to present with tachypnoea (P=0.001). In general, the objective measures of body condition and health indices of these ponies were considered adequate. Some abnormalities relating to prolonged recovery following exercise whilst working were considered likely related to thermoregulatory stress. Parasite burdens were found to be low, no haemoprotozoan parasites were detected and median faecal egg count was zero. Measures to encourage cooling and greater frequent rest periods continued surveillance and monitoring the health of these ponies will result in both enhanced welfare and advances in One Health initiatives
Clinicopathological Investigations Among Recurrent Camelpox Outbreaks in Omanis’ Arabian Camels (Camelus dromedarius)
Get PDFCamelpox remains a widespread viral disease in camelids, with socioeconomic relevance. The present study explored the hematological, biochemical, and histopathological alterations in dromedary-racing camels from the North of Oman infected with camelpox virus diagnosed by real-time PCR. Blood and skin samples were collected from camels with clinical signs and skin lesions (n=4) and from healthy camels (n=3) from 10 different camel herds. The results indicated that the infected camels showed clinical signs, including pyrexia, lacrimation, nasal mucus discharge, affixed and swollen eyelids, emaciation, and pimples on the skin of the head, legs, and abdomen. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets were significantly greater, with a significant reduction in leukocyte and lymphocyte counts in infected camels than in healthy camels. Infected camels had higher CK and creatinine levels and hepatic-related metabolites, including AST, ALP, AST, GGT, and LDH, than the apparently healthy camels. Histopathological examination of skin scab samples revealed ballooning degeneration of epidermal cells in the presence of typical large eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies and suppurative dermatitis following secondary bacterial infection in all examined infected camels. Camelpox viral DNA was detected using real-time PCR in the blood and skin samples of all infected camels. These findings in dromedary-racing camels associated with a molecular diagnosis of camelpox are described for the first time in the Sultanate of Oman. Therefore, further studies are warranted