Veterinary Science & Technology

Deactivation of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus during manufacture and microwave cooking of bacon was investigated. Internal cooking temperatures of bacon were measured and used as a model for evaluating thermal deactivation of virus in growth media and in bacon. Thermal deactivation of virus was assessed in inoculated commercial bacon, in bacon manufactured in the pilot plant following viral inoculation of fresh bellies and in bacon from hogs inoculated with PRRS virus. Internal temperature of 110-136°C was observed in bacon cooked using microwave heating. With commercial sliced bacon, up to 6.8 log reduction of viral titer was achieved for bacon heated by microwave to 110°C or higher. Bacon manufacturing trials with samples heated by convection to 53°C (typical for smoked bacon) produced a 3.1 log reduction of viral titer. Low occurrence of PRRS virus in bellies of infected pigs coupled with greater than 3 and 6 log reductions during bacon manufacture and microwave heating, respectively, lead to high confidence that no active virus remains in microwave cooked bacon. Microwave cooked bacon is safe for import into PRRS-free regions.

An outbreak of a disease with external body lesions in Picasso triggerfish (Rhinecanthus assasi) and black damselfish (Neoglyphieodon melas) has been observed in the indoor aquarium of NIOF, Hurghada, Egypt. Thirty Picasso triggerfish and thirty-five black damselfish were clinically affected with gross skin lesions. The affected fishes were euthanized for gross, histological and bacteriological examinations. The disease onset started after exposing the fish to catching and indoor rearing stress. Anorexia, erratic swimming and hemorrhagic skin and mouth ulcers and fin rot were the main symptoms and lesions among Picasso triggerfish and black damselfish. Single species of bacteria was isolated from skin ulcer, liver and spleen and was diagnosed as Tenacibaculum maritimus. The gross lesions were irregular shallow erosions and deep ulcers on the dorsal and lateral skin, sometimes on the head, mouth and fins, and occasionally, on the cornea. Histological findings, the hepatic tissue revealed fatty degeneration and focal liquefactive necrosis. Congestion, hemorrhage, hemosidrosis and lymphoid depletion was observed in spleen. The deep skin ulcers characterized by epidermal and muscular necrosis. Picasso triggerfish and black damselfish had lesions similar to those of natural infection and mortality rates of 50 and 60%, respectively in experimental reproduction of the disease. The natural T. maritimus infection in Picasso triggerfish and black damselfish in Red Sea is not only a superficial skin lesion but also a systemic infection.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine seroprevalence of brucellosis from pigs in Central Ethiopia from October, 2013 to May, 2014. A total of 553 blood samples were collected and sera were tested with Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT). Out of 553 sera 25 (4.5%) were positive for Brucella antibodies. The results showed that higher seroprevalence in young (<12 months) (5.9%) and male (8.2%) compared to adult (≥12 months) (3.6%) and female pigs (1.6%). The highest positive rates were obtained from pigs originated from Adama area (13.1%) followed by pigs from Addis Ababa area (8.3%). The study showed statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in seroprevalence between origin and sexes of pigs considered. Our study demonstrated the first report of brucellosis from pigs in Central Ethiopia. Therefore further detailed investigations are needed as brucellosis has significant economic implications in pigs and public health importance.

Heliciculture produce snails that are eaten in many regions of Spain, especially in some areas where they are considered a delicacy. The fact of producing large snails would allow to maximize profits and for this reason to find the factors that regulate the weight of these mollusks is economically very interesting. In recent years, microbiota has been linked to weight in several species, including humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible differences in the intestinal microbiota between snails (Helix aspersa) of different weights to establish the relationship between both. To do this, Aerobic Mesophilic, Lactic-Acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae counts were compared in stool samples from two groups of animals, distributed by weight. Furthermore, the evolution of the counts of these bacterial groups was observed from the waking from hibernation until the end of the study, after 22 days. The results showed no statistically significant differences between the two study groups in bacterial counts. In addition, no clear trend was observed in these counts during the course of the experiment. Additional studies could explain the differences found in this study compared with what is found in other papers.

The study was conducted using 24 yearling intact Hararghe highland male sheep with mean initial body weight (BW) of 16.73 ± 2.47 kg (Mean ± SD), with the objectives to evaluate the effect of supplementation of dried tomato pomace, and concentrate feed on live weight gain, carcass characteristics and economic feasibility of the feeding regime of sheep fed a basal diet of natural pasture hay. The experiment consisted 90 days feeding and followed by evaluation of carcass parameters at the end. The animals were fed concentrate at a rate of 300 gm per day on dry matter basis. The experimental sheep were blocked into 6 blocks of 4 animals based on their initial BW and randomly assigned to one of the four treatments within a block. Four dietary treatments used in the experiment were ad libitum feeding of hay alone (T1), ad libitum feeding of hay supplemented with 359.61 g dried tomato pomace (DTP) (T2), ad libitum feeding of hay supplemented with 300 g concentrate mix (CM=33% Noug seed cake (NSC) + 67% Wheat Bran (WB); T3), and ad libitum feeding of hay with 1:1 ratio mixture of DTP and concentrate mix (CM=33% Noug seed cake (NSC) + 67% Wheat Bran (WB);T4). Average daily gain (ADG) was lowest for T1 (30 g/day), and among the supplemented treatments values for T4 (65 g/day) was numerically higher than that for T3 (58 g/day) and T2 (57 g/day). Feed conversion efficiency showed a similar trend to Average daily gain (ADG). Hot carcass weight was 6.5, 8.5, 8.5 and 8.5 kg for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively and was lower for T1 than the other three treatments. Rib eye muscle area (REA) was 6.1, 7.3, 8.1 and 8.2 cm2 (SEM=0.446)) for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in T1. There was a negative net return for T1. The net return from the supplemented treatments was 62.3, 5.8, and 45.2 ETB, and the corresponding marginal rate of return was 2.49, 0.54, and 1.44 % for T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Integrating this feed resource into the feeding system of sheep in areas of availability will not only solve the existing critical feed shortage, but also avoid the problem of environmental pollution. In this study, supplementation of dried tomato pomace and concentrate feed positively affected the measured growth and carcass characteristics. Therefore, the results of this study suggested that dried tomato pomace can totally replace concentrate mixture used in the present study as a supplement to sheep fed a basal diet of natural pasture hay with better economic return.

The use of ectoparasiticides on pets is incredibly important since pets are commonly infested with fleas, ticks, and other external parasites. Unfortunately, there is very little data on the safety of these products for dogs, their owners, and veterinary personnel who come into contact with the animals on a daily basis. Therefore, this investigation was undertaken to determine the residue of permethrin and indoxacarb in the dog’s blood and to determine the transferable residues of these insecticides to gloves worn while petting six adult dogs after the topical application of Activyl® Tick Plus. Samples were collected on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. At these time intervals, the dogs also underwent physical examination. The blood samples (approximately 4-5 ml) were collected into EDTA tubes. The glove samples were obtained by using 100% cotton gloves and petting each dog for 5 minutes, using a new glove each time. Blood and glove samples were extracted in methylene chloride:petroleum ether (1:1), and the extracts were assayed for residues of permethrin and indoxacarb using GC/MS. Blood analysis did not reveal the presence of permethrin or indoxacarb at any time during the investigation. In the gloves, the highest concentrations of permethrin and indoxacarb were determined at 24 hr (819.80 ± 253.22; 90.80 ± 35.16 μg/g, respectively). Residues of both compounds were found in significant concentrations in the gloves until day 7 (174.85 ± 46.98; 7.63 ± 2.83 μg/g, respectively). Permethrin residue was found in the gloves in detectable amounts until day 35 (28.12 ± 11.59 μg/g). Indoxacarb residue was found in the gloves in insignificant amounts until day 21 (0.65 ± 0.45 μg/g). In conclusion, Activyl® Tick Plus appears to be safe for dogs, as no adverse reactions occurred and residue was never found in the blood. Owners and veterinary personnel can be exposed to significant levels of permethrin and indoxacarb following daily exposure if proper precautions are not taken.

Foot and mouth disease may be the most economically devastating animal disease nowadays. Blanco Orejinegro (BON) cattle are one of the native creole breeds from Colombia; this breed carries important genetic traits for survival and reproduction in the tropics showing in vitro and in vivo resistance to pathogens. Here we evaluate primary fibroblast cultures of BON cattle for their phenotypic resistence/susceptibility (R/S) polymorphism toward FMDV, and to determine whether a correlation exists between the R/S polymorphism and expression of integrin αV-β3, and/ or the antiviral activity in the supernatants of those cultures. Our data show that different R/S patterns to FMDV in vitro. Between 2% and 85% of the fibroblasts in the PCF-BON samples expressed integrin aV-b3. Interestingly, a correlation between R/S and expression of this receptor was observed for the A24 FMDV subtype. Highly resistant cultures showed a low level of integrin expression. Furthermore a correlation was observed between resistance and antiviral activity (AVA) of supernatants from infected samples. Supernatants with high AVA were always from very resistant samples for subtype A24, or from very resistant or resistant samples for subtype O1; supernatants with low AVA were from susceptible samples. In most samples, the factor in the supernatants responsible for AVA was not only resistant to heating, but AVA increases after heating. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing resistance to FMDV infection in vitro using primary cultures from bovines.

Pasteurella multocida type B: 2 is responsible for major animal diseases of economic importance in both developed and developing countries. Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) could inflict devastating effects on blood tissues and organs in the host animal. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the haematological and clinico- pathological responses in mice following oral inoculation of graded doses of Pasteurella multocida type B: 2 and its lipopolysaccharide. Sixty healthy Balb c mice were placed in twelve plastic cages each one containing five mice. The mice were divided into three major groups (A, B and C). Group A is the control group (n=10) and these were inoculated with 0.4 ml of PBS pH 7.4 orally. The treatment groups (B; n=25 and C; n=25) were inoculated with P. multocida type B: 2 and its lipopolysaccharide respectively. The mice in group B and C were further divided into five subgroups. The subgroups were designated based on the graded doses as B101, B103, B105, B107 and B109 for Pasteurella multocida and C101, C103, C105, C107 and C109 for LPS respectively. The mice were observed for 120 hours post- inoculation. The clinical signs (Ruffled fur, Ocular discharges, Level of alertness and Laboured breathing) were significantly different (p<0.001) in mice inoculated orally with variable doses of Pasteurella multocida type B: 2 and its LPS. RBC, PCV, haemoglobin concentrations, PT, APTT, Thrombocyte, WBC, Lymphocytes, monocytes, plasma proteins, band and segmented neutrophils were significantly different (p<0.0001) in mice inoculated with graded doses of Pasteurella multocida type B: 2 and its LPS. Inflammatory cells, degeneration, necrosis and congestion were significantly different (p<0.0001) in mice inoculated with graded doses of both Pasteurella multocida type B: 2 and its LPS. In conclusion, 109 cfu of Pasteurella multocida type B: 2 and its lipopolysaccharide have devastating effects on organs and blood tissues.

Zoonoses are diseases and infections that are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans. The organisms causing zoonoses include viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other parasites, with both domestic and wild animals acting as reservoirs for the pathogens. Zoonoses comprise interaction between at least three species: one pathogen and two host species (animals and humans). They can be transmitted directly by contact with infected animals (e.g. rabies, through bite), via contaminated environment (e.g., anthrax) and via food (e.g., campylobacteriosis) or indirectly via vectors, such as mosquitoes or ticks (e.g., West Nile fever and Lyme disease, respectively).There are many factors influencing the zoonoses diseases. The convergence model organizes the potential factors into a series of broad domains that include: socioeconomic and biological factors; ecological and environmental factors; and the interface of domestic animals, wildlife, and human factors. Zoonoses have affected human health throughout times, and wildlife and domestic animals have always played a role for the transmission of the disease which is public health threats worldwide. So success in the preventing and controlling of major zoonoses depend on the capability to mobilize resources in different sectors and on coordination and intersectoral approaches, especially, between national (or international) veterinary and public health services.