Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease. Information on the recent prevalence of Leptospira in hunted wild animals is limited, particularly in southeastern France. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the prevalence and diversity of Leptospira spp. among wild boars (Sus scrofa) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from two military camps in Southeastern France. Serological analyses were performed using microscopic agglutination tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to demonstrate Leptospira spp. infection from boar kidney DNA extracts. According to the species, the positive sera were obtained from 18% of 358 boars and 6 % of 64 foxes tested. The prevalence rate is significantly higher (p=0.02) in boars than in foxes. In wild boar, Australis represents the most recorded serogroup (15.9%), followed by Sejroe (2.8%) and icterohaemorhagiae (2.8%). In red fox, icterohaemorhagiae represents the most recorded serogroup (6.25%), followed by Sejroe (1.57%) and Hebdomadis (1.57%). PCR-based detection of Leptospira DNA was positive in 6/62 (9.6%) of the wild boars tested. The results of this study confirmed the importance of wild boar in the epidemiology of leptospirosis among wildlife in Southeastern France. Due to their predatory behavior and their varied diet, mainly composed of small mammals, red foxes could be considered sentinel animals of environmental contamination with leptospires. Keywords: France, Leptospira spp., red fox, wild boar.

Fetal biparietal diameter (BPD) is a feasible parameter to predict canine parturition date due to its inverted correlation with days before parturition (DBP). Although such a relationship is generally described using a simple linear regression (SLR) model, the imprecision of this model in predicting the parturition date in small- to medium-sized dogs is a common problem among veterinarian practitioners. Support vector regression (SVR) is a useful machine learning model for prediction. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of SVR with that of SLR in predicting DBP. After measuring 101 BPDs in 35 small- to medium-sized pregnant bitches, we fitted the data to the routine SLR model and the SVR model using three different kernel functions, radial basis function SVR, linear SVR, and polynomial SVR. The predicted DBP acquired from each model was further utilized for calculating the coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error, and mean squared error scores for determining the prediction accuracy. All SVR models were more accurate than the SLR model at predicting DBP. The linear and polynomial SVRs were identified as the two most accurate models (p<0.01). With available machine learning software, linear and polynomial SVRs can be applied to predicting DBP in small- to medium-sized pregnant bitches. Keywords: biparietal diameter, dog size, prediction accuracy, support vector regression.

Immune-modulating molecules mainly act on innate immune cells, which are central to early defense against invading pathogens and contribute to developing adaptive immunity. Yeast-extracted β-glucan, a model immune-modulating molecule, is widely used in several animal species; however, its effect on horse immune parameters has not been thoroughly investigated yet. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of orally administered β-glucan on selected innate immune parameters in horses. Eighteen thoroughbred horses were assigned equally into three groups as follows: One control group (no β-glucan) and two β-glucan experimental groups (one received 125 mg and the other 2 g of β-glucan per day for 28 days). Blood samples were collected before and at the end of the experiment for hematological analysis, whole blood phagocytosis, respiratory burst assays, and to assess the serum lysozyme and complement hemolytic activities. At the end of the experiment, significant decreases (p<0.05) in monocyte numbers were observed in the control horses (258.8±45.9 vs. 115.3±41.5) and in those fed 125 mg/day of β-glucan (208.8±72.3 vs. 99.2±60.7), whereas a significant increase in numbers was noted in the horses that were fed 2 g/day of β-glucan (303.5±45.8 vs. 429.8±86.0; p<0.05). The natural hemolytic activity of the complement was higher only in horses fed 2 g/day of β-glucan (p=0.018) compared to the other groups. The hemolytic activity in the classical pathway was higher in those fed 125 mg/day (p=0.0035) and 2 g/day of β-glucan (p=0.0001). β-glucan improves important innate immune parameters and might be fed to horses before stressful events. Keywords: animals, glucans, monocytes, muramidase.

Green food is the natural diet for livestock and poultry. Therefore, production of green food in sufficient quantities to meet the current demand has emerged as an urgent problem today. The use of natural laylands results in green food shortage, which, in turn, necessitates the application of various methods of artificial production of green herbage. One of these methods is hydroponic cultivation of green grass as animal feed. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the productive and reproductive qualities of geese of the parent herd. Complex scientific analysis was conducted to explore the effect of hydroponic green herbage used at various dosages (20%, 25%, 30%, and 35% of total diet weight) on the realization of the reproductive qualities of parent flock geese. The methodological framework of this research is the efforts of various foreign and domestic scientists on the topic under study. This research was conducted using generally accepted methods (i.e., experiment, comparison, analysis, and generalization), along with special methods (zootechnical, physiological, biological, hematological, morphological, statistical, and economic). The optimal dosage of hydroponic green herbage for geese diet was established, which constituted 25-30% of the total diet weight and increased the poultry population survival rate by 2.0%, egg production rate by 3.8%, and the hatching egg yield by 4.9%. The carotenoid content in egg yolk ranged from 1.62 to 3.50 μg. The content of Vitamins A and B2 was higher by 3.19 and 2.32 μg, respectively, compared to that in the control. The production profitability level increased by 9.6%. By introducing 25-30% of hydroponic greens from the weight of the diet, it is possible to increase the safety of livestock by 2%, the yield of hatching eggs by 4.9%, egg production by 1.46-1.11 μg. Keywords: economic efficiency, green food, hydroponics, parent flock geese, productive qualities, sprouted green herbage.

Dietary management and antidiabetic drugs are used as therapies for diabetic patients worldwide. Alginate nanofibers were developed as a digestible food product that provides sufficient calories. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and alginate nanofibers on weight gain, blood glucose levels, and insulin and other serum parameters in diabetic rats. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: (C–) Control group, (C+) diabetic rats, (T1) diabetic rats + fasting treatment for 12 h, (T2) diabetic rats + nanofibers ad libitum, (T3) diabetic rats + metformin + nanofibers ad libitum, and (T4) diabetic rats + metformin. All groups were treated for 21 days. Weight gain was evaluated by comparing initial and final weights. Blood glucose levels were evaluated weekly. Serum parameters were also evaluated at the end of the study. All variables were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc test (p<0.05). The T2, T3, and T4 groups showed a significant increase in weight compared to that of the C+ and T1 groups. The T3 group had the lowest blood glucose level of all groups at the end of the study. In the serum evaluation, the T2 and T3 groups showed a significant decrease compared to the C+ group for the following variables: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), creatinine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). In contrast, the T2 group showed a significant decrease compared to the T3 group for aspartate aminotransferase and insulin levels. PVA and alginate nanofibers can modulate obesity, reduce blood glucose levels, and reduce serum levels of insulin, ALT, ALP, GGT, creatinine, TNF-α, and IL-1β in diabetic rats. Keywords: alginate nanofibers, blood glucose, diabetes, insulin, serum.

In modern scientific literature presents an understanding that African swine fever (ASF) ASF virus (ASFV) is remarkably stable in the environment, and carcasses of the pigs which were died after ASF, play a key role as ASFV reservoir. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of the ASFV (different isolates) survival in bodies of dead animals, bones, remnants of bone marrow, residual organ matrix in natural conditions. Skeletons of ASFV infected pigs which were died and left/abandoned in forests or buried in Armenia at diverse time points and locations had been excavated and examined for the presence of ASFV genome by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and for infection abilities through in vitro (hemadsorption test and infection in porcine lung macrophages) as well as by intramuscular infection in healthy pigs. Current exploration showed that in several samples (with different times of exposure) of excavated skeletons had been detected the presence of the virus gene (p72) using real-time PCR. However, in none of these porcine samples, infectious ASFV could be isolated. Data obtained by real-time PCR at frequent intervals indicated the presence of the virus gene (p72), especially within the case of the acute form of the disease. This can be explained by the highest levels of the virus during the latter case mentioned above. ASFV seems to be very sensitive to environmental temperature. The best place for ASFV long-term survival in the natural environment is bone marrow from intact big tubular bones (like femur or tibia) of buried carcasses. In artificial "graves," complete bones with not destructed bone marrow can preserve the virus gene (p72) for a very long time (more than 2 years). Infectious particles in underground conditions survive not so long: In complete bones with not affected bone marrow, possible presence of the virus for several months. Keywords: African swine fever virus, p72 gene, virus infectivity, virus survival.

Canine filariasis is caused by several species of filarial worms. The pathophysiological response to infection is mainly due to the filaria lifecycle. Laboratory detection methods to assess the pathological alterations characteristic of filariasis are needed urgently. Serum protein profiles and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are used widely to diagnose several animal diseases. This study aimed to determine the serum protein profiles and CRP levels in dogs infected with Dirofilaria immitis or Brugia pahangi or both parasites. Blood samples were collected from 980 dogs presenting at animal hospitals and veterinary clinics in Bangkok and its vicinity. The presence of microfilaria in samples was determined using a buffy coat smear and staining with Wright–Giemsa. The sheathed and unsheathed microfilaria species were identified by acid phosphatase staining. Forty positive samples were tested. The serum protein profiles were identified by agarose gel electrophoresis. The CRP concentration was measured using a fluorescent immunoassay. Albumin levels and albumin-to-globulin ratios were significantly lower, and total protein, β2 globulin, and γ globulin levels were significantly elevated in dogs infected with D. immitis and B. pahangi compared with reference values in normal dogs. The average CRP concentrations in dogs infected with D. immitis or B. pahangi were 69.9 and 12.9 mg/L, respectively. The total protein and γ globulin levels increased in canine filariasis compared with the normal reference range. The CRP concentration in dogs infected with D. immitis was extremely high, whereas that in dog infected with B. pahangi was normal. Keywords: Brugia pahangi, C-reactive protein, Dirofilaria immitis, dogs, serum protein.

In 2016, the tilapia-producing farms in the department of Córdoba, Colombia, had witnessed outbreaks of disease with clinical signs compatible with those caused by the tilapia lake virus (TiLV). This study was conducted to confirm the presence of TiLV in some fish farms in the department of Córdoba. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in seven farms using a non-random sampling method from July 2016 to December 2017. A total of 66 fish, including 33 healthy fish and 33 fish with clinical signs, were caught, from which 178 tissue samples of spleen, liver, and brain were collected. RNA was extracted from each organ using TRIzol®. cDNA was synthesized using a retrotranscriptase and a universal amplification primer. The polymerase chain reaction was performed using primers specific to TiLV, in which the primers were amplified in a 491 bp region in segment 3 of TiLV, and the amplicons were sequenced using the Sanger method. Of the seven farms surveyed, 3 (42.85%) had TiLV in the collected fish. Of the 66 collected fish, 18 (27.27%) were infected with TiLV. The virus was detected in the brain (64.3%, 18/28), spleen (61.9%, 13/21), and liver (35.7%, 10/28). The sequences were recorded in GenBank with the codes MH338228, MH350845, and MH350846 . Nucleotide homology analyses revealed that this study's circulating strains exhibited 97% identity with the Israeli strain (GenBank KU751816.1). This is the first official report of TiLV in the department of Córdoba, Colombia. The circulating strains detected in this study exhibited 97% identity with the Israeli strain. Keywords: alternative, animal use, developing countries, disease outbreaks, economic factor, fish diseases, sentinel surveillance.

Balantidium coli is a protozoan that can infect humans and non-human primates, being the domestic pigs the animals most affected by this parasite. This study aimed to compare the performance of five coprological methods for diagnosis of Balantidium coli cysts in fecal samples from pigs. From September to December 2019, 558 fecal samples were collected from the rectum of backyard pigs in the Bucaramanga metropolitan area, Colombia. The average age of the sampled animals was 3-4 months. Fecal samples collected were tested using the following coprological techniques: Direct examination with Lugol's iodine solution, buffered saline, centrifugation/flotation and McMaster techniques, and Ziehl–Neelsen method. The results indicate that B. coli cysts were diagnosed most frequently through direct examination with Lugol's iodine solution (52.7% of the samples) followed by direct examination with a buffered saline solution (37.6%). Moderate concordance (k=0.41; p<0.05) was determined between direct method with Lugol's iodine and buffered saline solution, McMaster and buffered saline (k=0.35; p<0.05), and centrifugation/flotation and buffered saline (k=0.28; p<0.05) showed a fair degree of concordance. The rest of the comparisons were classified as poor. The flotation techniques (centrifugation/ flotation and McMaster) did not show good recovery of cysts. It is concluded that the most efficient method for diagnosing this parasitosis was to an association between direct examination with Lugol's iodine solution and buffered saline. Keywords: Balantidium, parasite, pigs, protozoan.

The rearing of quails can have a stronger attraction for the breeders if we lower the cost prices by introducing by-products in their feed formulas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the partial substitution of soybean meal by apricot kernel cake (AKC) in the diet of quails, applied either sequentially or during all phases of rearing, on their growth performances, carcass characteristics, and meat physicochemical composition. A total of 600 one-day-old quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), with equal sex ratio and weighing on average 7±0.2 g, were randomly distributed in one control group and three experimental groups, the latter being designed according to the rate of application of AKC in either sequential or non-sequential mode in different rearing phases. Each group was divided into five replicates of 30 quails, randomly distributed according to either substitution rate of soybean meal by the AKC (0%, 10%, 20%, or 30%) or farming phase. The average daily gain from the 1st to 45th days (average daily gain1–45d) was found to be the highest (4.24 g/d/subject, p=0.021) for the 30% AKC-supplemented feed lot in either starter or finish incorporation (DFTAA), having an optimum final live weight of 193.4 g (p=0.028), a lowest feed conversion ratio of 3.08 (p=0.001), and a daily feed intake of 860 g (p=0.01). Carcass yield was recorded the highest (74.4%, p=0.02) with an optimum meat protein level (30.6%, p=0.024) and the lowest fat content (2.26%, p=0.001) for the same group as well. The partial substitution of soybean meal by AKC in the quails' fattening feeding, during the finishing phase and for all rearing phases, led to a better growth performance, a better carcass yield, and an improved chemical composition of meat. Keywords: by-products, carcass, feed, growth performance, quails.

Trichuris trichiura and Hymenolepis diminuta are helminthic intestinal parasites that infect humans and other animals, including non-human primates. However, molecular detection of these parasites remains scarce in long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), which coexist with human communities in Thailand. Thus, this study aimed to molecularly confirm the occurrence of Trichuris spp. and Hymenolepis spp. infection and determine the species of both parasites that were found in long-tailed macaques. A total of 200 fecal samples were randomly collected from long-tailed macaques living in Lopburi, Thailand, and tested based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for Trichuris spp. and Hymenolepis spp. infections. The PCR products were submitted for DNA purification and sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the maximum likelihood method. Of 200 tested samples, three (1.5%) were positive for Trichuris spp. Sequence analysis of all positive samples revealed the presence of T. trichiura, while eight samples (8/200, 4%) positive for Hymenolepis spp. were classified as H. diminuta. No significant associations were found between parasite infection and sex of macaques. This study revealed that long-tailed macaques harbor T. trichiura and H. diminuta. These results suggested that local residents and tourists must pay attention to limiting contact with long-tailed macaques and take hygienic precautions to reduce the risk of zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission of these parasites between humans and long-tailed macaques. Keywords: Hymenolepis diminuta, long-tailed macaque, Macaca fascicularis, Thailand, Trichuris trichiura.

Avian malaria is a tropical disease caused by protozoans of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus. As a nonlethal disease, avian malaria can affect the lifespan and reproductive rate of birds. If there is a differential effect depending on bird species, then this disease might have a significant effect on avian biodiversity. The current study aimed to determine the incidence of Plasmodium in hummingbirds in humid premontane forest areas. Blood samples (n=60) were collected from hummingbirds from two areas (Santuario de Aves Milpe and Hacienda Puyucunapi) of Pichincha Province, Ecuador. Prevalence and parasitemia were determined by microscopic examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa reagent. Both study sites are part of a 1000 m elevational gradient; hence, elevation was used as a predictor variable for prevalence and parasitemia levels in a Mann–Whitney U-test. This test was also used to test for a sex bias. This study reports on a total of 12 bird species that inhabit both study sites. At Milpe, the lower elevation site, a prevalence of 100% was recorded, whereas at Puyucunapi, the prevalence was 96%. The combined prevalence was 97%. Elevation and sex did not influence prevalence nor parasitemia in hummingbirds. This study does not suggest a significant elevation or sex bias on prevalence and parasitemia in hummingbirds. Keywords: avian malaria, humid forest, hummingbirds, Pichincha, Plasmodium.

This study was conducted to identify the diversity of feather color and to determine the relationship between plumage color and egg yield as well as eggshell patterns and internal egg quality traits of Japanese quails. For investigating phenotypic diversity, a total of 600 quails from five breeding farms were evaluated to record head feather, shank, and plumage color. An on-station experiment was also conducted on 360 laying quails to examine the relationship between plumage color and egg production and egg weight during 24 weeks of laying. Eggs collected during this period were also used for identifying eggshell patterns and examining their relationship with internal egg quality characteristics. Plumage color was primarily wild-type, with the highest proportion being 56.3% (p<0.001). Brown color was also found at a relatively high proportion in the population (16.7%), followed by black color (11.3%). The egg production and laying rate of quails with wild-type and brown plumage colors also significantly (p=0.001) differed from those of quails with other plumage types. Egg weight was also higher in these quail groups, especially than that of quails with yellow plumage color. Four patterns of eggshell were identified, among which spotted and dark eggshells were predominant (45.2% and 43.1%, respectively); however, patterns did not affect internal egg quality characteristics. Plumage color was primarily wild-type in both male and female quails. Egg yield over a 24-week laying period was superior in quails with wild-type and brown plumage colors, whereas a relationship between eggshell patterns and egg quality traits could not be established. Keywords: egg yield, feather color, linkage, morphological characteristics.

Babesia species are tick-borne protozoan parasites of apicomplexan type which infect the erythrocytes of dogs it ranges from subclinical to severe cases, depending on different factors such as immune status, age, and presence of other co-infections with the Babesia species. Hence, this study aimed to identify the protozoan parasites infecting police dogs of different breeds, ages, and both sexes in Egypt. Concerning molecular detection of Babesia vogeli using conventional polymerase chain reaction sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, followed by the assessment of immunological and biochemical status of infected dogs. The blood of 242 police K9 dogs was collected. The age, breed, sex, and health status with clinical signs of dogs were recorded. Hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress analyses of the blood were performed together with gene expression analysis using two genes (gamma interferon [IFN-γ] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF- α]). The identification of the causative agent was performed using molecular analysis of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). The 18S rRNA region of canine Babesia spp. was successfully amplified, and sequencing data were deposited in GenBank (accession number: MT565474.1), which resembled those of B. vogeli. The results of blood samples screening revealed that of the 242 blood samples, 62 were positive for B. vogeli infection. The infection rate in male dogs was higher than that in female dogs. The police dogs were classified into the following three groups of dogs: (1st group) healthy, (2nd infected with B. vogeli, and mixed infection of B. vogeli and Ehrlichia canis). The oxidative stress biomarkers levels in B. vogeli infected dogs were greater than that of healthy dogs. Likewise, IFN-γ and TNF-α level in B. vogeli infected dogs were elevated in infected dogs. Our findings demonstrated that B. vogeli had completely adverse effects on the health condition of the police dogs that may lead to death in some dogs. Keywords: Babesia vogeli, Egypt, Ehrlichia canis, police dogs, tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Steviol glycosides extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni have been of much consideration recently because of their beneficial effects on health, raising the possibilities for improving farm animals' health. Although some studies on stevia's dietary effect on body weight gain are available, few studies have been conducted to evaluate stevioside supplementation on immune response in broilers. This experiment aimed to analyze how a stevia-based sweetener can affect broiler chickens' growth performance and humoral response. In this experiment, one hundred and twenty 1-day-old Cobb-line broiler chicks fed with commercial starter/grower diets were included in three groups and supplemented with stevia-based sweetener at levels 0, 80, and 160 ppm, respectively. Chickens were weighed on day 0 and every 7 days for the next 6 weeks. Chicks were then immunized on days 10 and 24 with a Newcastle and infectious bronchitis vaccine and blood sampled on days 7, 24, and 35. Serologic assays were performed to detect specific antibody levels. The body weight means and body weight gain on day 42 were found to be significantly higher in birds from the group fed with 80 ppm of stevia-based sweetener than those in the control group and slightly higher than those in the group supplemented with 160 ppm of stevia-based sweetener. Likewise, on day 35, antibodies against the Newcastle disease virus were higher in the treatment groups. Immune response to infectious bronchitis virus vaccination was not statistically different among the three groups through the experiment. Stevia-based sweetener at 80 ppm in commercial-based diets improved body weight gain and immune response in broiler chickens at the market age. Keywords: body weight, broilers, immune response, stevia, sweetener.

Pre-slaughter management and slaughter operations are considered critical factors for animal welfare and meat quality. Previous studies have found poor animal welfare management at municipal slaughterhouses in Ecuador, and little is known about how this affects the microbiological quality of the meat. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyze the association of the microbiological quality of beef carcasses and animal welfare indicators in a municipal slaughterhouse in Ecuador. Data for 6 months were collected from a municipal slaughterhouse in Ecuador. Five trained researchers were strategically located along the slaughter process. A total of 351 animals were observed with regard to welfare indicators, and their carcasses were sampled to evaluate microbiological quality. Antemortem (slipping, falling, and vocalization) and postmortem animal welfare indicators (bleed interval, pH, temperature, and bruises) were measured. To determine the total aerobic bacteria (TAB) and Escherichia coli counts and the presence of Salmonella spp., we collected samples by swabbing four different points of each carcass. The association between microbiological quality and animal welfare indicators was studied using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. The mean TAB count was 5.3 log CFU/cm2, and the mean total count of E. coli was 2.4 log CFU/cm2. Salmonella spp. were isolated in 3.1% of the carcasses. An electric goad was used in all animals, 19.1% slipped at least once, and 19.9% vocalized. The mean pH of the carcasses was 7.2, and 79.2% of carcasses had bruises. Multivariate analysis showed that Salmonella spp. and the TAB count were associated with pH and the number of bruises (p = 0.01 in both cases). Although there was non-significant association between the majority of animal welfare indicators and microbiological quality, the poor management affecting animal welfare and carcass hygiene are worrisome. Keywords: animal welfare, beef carcasses, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., total aerobic bacteria.

The peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious disease of small ruminants which negatively affects animal production and the socioeconomic status of farmers. Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) encodes eight proteins, with the viral fusion protein (F) playing a role in virus virulence and stimulating an effective protective immune response. This study aimed to isolate and complete the identification of PPRV circulating in goats in different Egyptian governorates and perform molecular characterization of the PPRV F gene. Samples were collected from unvaccinated animals with clinical signs suggestive of PPR. A total of 256 sera were tested for the detection of PPRV antibodies using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) kit, while 214 samples of blood buffy coat preparation, animal swabs (nasal, ocular, and saliva), and fecal and tissue samples were tested for the detection of the PPRV antigen using an antigen-capture ELISA kit. Molecular diagnosis, gene cloning, blast analysis, and phylogenetic analysis were performed for the molecular characterization of PPRV. The seroprevalence results of PPRV antibodies in the tested sera showed a total of 67.9% positive samples. The rates of PPR antigen recorded by the antigen-capture ELISA in the swabs (nasal and ocular) and tissue samples were 44.3%, 46.8%, and 43.5%, respectively, with saliva swabs having the highest rate of PPRV positivity (76.4%) and fecal samples having the lowest (33.3%). Molecular characterization of the PPRV Vero cell culture revealed that the circulating PPRV strain belongs to the IV lineage. Blast analysis of the PPRV F gene showed 96.7% identity with the PPRV strain Egypt-2014 fusion protein (F) gene, KT006589.1, differing by 43 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. The results of this study indicate that the emerging PPRV belongs to the IV lineage among small ruminant animals. The findings also indicate the need for an innovative strategy to control and eliminate this disease based on a regularly administered and effective vaccine, a test to distinguish between infected and vaccinated animals, and the need for further study on the protein structure and PPRV F gene expression, which should help us to understand the molecular evolution of the virus and control and eliminate PPR disease. Keywords: molecular virology, peste des petits ruminants, serological study, small ruminants.

Rabies is a fatal zoonosis caused by RNA virus belonging to genus Lyssavirus. Nepal is one of the endemic countries in South Asia for rabies. This study was conducted to better understand the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Nepalese community toward rabies across five developmental zones of the country. The cross-sectional study was carried out by face-to-face interview using structured questionnaires among 5000 respondents of five cities representing each of the five developmental regions of Nepal by adopting random cluster sampling procedure. The respondents were classified into four categories, including gender, age, education, and social status. The responses for KAP variables were analyzed using descriptive and Chi-square test. The male and younger age respondents with higher education and social status were found more knowledgeable than their counterparts in terms of knowledge variables, including cause of rabies, mode of transmission, clinical signs, treatment, and preventive measures of this fatal disease. Similar findings were observed for attitude and practice variables such as vaccination practice, dog sterilization, health-seeking behavior, first aid practice, and use of first aid materials after dog bites. Some respondents in elderly age group still preferred to use traditional and local methods, which were application of turmeric powder and shrubs to cure dog bites rather than seeking medical facilities. There is a strong need for rabies awareness programs in the community targeting females, school, and college-level students, older age groups, and economically marginalized communities. The awareness materials need to focus on particular topics such as the risk of rabies, modes of transmission, the importance of first aid, health-seeking behavior following dog bite injuries, and practice preventive measures for their pets and community dogs. Keywords: communities, developmental zones, knowledge, attitude and practice survey, Nepal, rabies.

Hemoplasmas are defined as small, epicellular parasitic bacteria that can infect the red blood cells of several mammalian species. Diseases caused by these bacteria range from asymptomatic infections to acute hemolytic anemia. However, data on hemoplasmas in non-human primates in Thailand remain to be limited. Therefore, this study aims to determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of hemoplasmas among long-tailed macaques in Thailand. Blood samples were collected from 339 long-tailed macaques in three provinces of Thailand. DNA was then extracted from the blood samples and tested for hemoplasma using broad-range nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the 16S rRNA gene. PCR-positive samples were sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis for species identification was conducted. In total, 38 (11.2%) out of the 339 samples were found to be positive for hemoplasmas, based on the broad-range nested PCR assay of the 16S rRNA gene. The 16S rRNA sequences of Mycoplasma spp. were highly similar (98-99% identity) to "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomacaque." Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood demonstrated that the sequences were located in the same cluster of "Ca. M. haemomacaque." The detection of hemoplasmas among long-tailed macaques in Thailand is reported. Genetic characterization confirmed that these hemoplasmas are closely related to "Ca. M. haemomacaque." These results indicate that long-tailed macaques in several locations in Thailand may be infected and serve as reservoirs for this parasite. Keywords: broad-range nested polymerase chain reaction, hemoplasma, long-tailed macaque, mycoplasma, Thailand.

LPAI H9N2 infection among the poultry population in Egypt constitutes an additional risk factor in the poultry industry. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) in commercial and backyard chickens in Egypt. A 2-year survey of H9N2 AIV in chickens in farms and backyards was carried out in 2015 and 2016. Direct detection of H9N2 AIV was performed by detecting the virus in tracheal and cloacal swabs using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. A total of 20,421 samples were collected from chickens in farms and backyards in 26 Egyptian governorates. In 2015, cases positive for H9N2 AIV numbered 388 (3.9%) out of 10,016 examined cases. However, in 2016, the total positive cases numbered 447 (4.3%) out of 10,405 examined cases. The prevalence of H9N2 AIV among chickens on commercial farms was 4.6% out of the 16,666 chickens examined. The rates of positive cases in 2015 and 2016 were 4.4% (349/7884) and 4.7% (417/8782), respectively. The prevalence of H9N2 AIV in backyard chickens was 1.8% (69/3755). The rates of positive cases in backyard chickens were 1.8% (39/2132) in 2015 and again 1.8% (30/1623) in 2016. The highest positivity rate of H9N2 in chicken farms was in Beni-Suef (61.5%) (8/13), whereas the highest positivity rate in backyard chickens was in Fayoum (8.2%) (8/97). The analysis of H9N2 infections among chicken farms and in backyard chickens in the different governorates of Egypt over 2 years indicated widespread infection throughout the country. Thus, continuous surveillance and implementation of control programs are warranted. Keywords: Egypt, H9N2 avian influenza virus, influenza, surveillance.

Milk producers need to ensure that their cows are producing high-quality, nutritional milk, which is influenced by the breed, age, nutrition, and health status of lactating animals. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of animal breed, season, and milk production on the physicochemical characteristics of milk and predicting the effect of these changes on the composition and quality of milk products. In total, 80 milk samples (40 Simmental and 40 Holstein) were analyzed from LLP "Kirova" of Pavlodar region (Simmental breed) and JSC "Astana-Onim" of Akmola region (Holstein breed) in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The physicochemical parameters, including fatty acid (FA) content, were studied. The Simmental cows had the lowest mass fraction of fat in the spring at 3.94% and the highest fat content in the winter at 4.09%, which was the overall highest fat content measured in both breeds (?<0.001). The lowest protein in the Simmentals was also measured in the spring. The Holstein cows had the highest fat content at 3.8% and the highest protein content at 3.3% in autumn. It was found that the season and breed significantly affected the physicochemical parameters and the FA contents in cow milk. The superiority of the Simmental cows over the Holstein cows throughout the year was statistically significant. Keywords: cow's milk, fatty acid composition, Holstein, season, Simmental breed.

Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common bone tumor in canines and humans. This study aimed to assess the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Colombian propolis samples on a canine OSA cell line (OSCA-8) by evaluating the expression of BCL-2, BAX, CASPASE 9, CASPASE 8, and TNFR1 genes involved in the apoptosis pathway. After treating the cells with five Colombian propolis samples (Usm, Met, Fus, Sil, and Caj), we evaluated cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Early and late apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide. Furthermore, the effects of three selected samples on gene expression were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The Colombian propolis samples reduced OSCA-8 cell viability and increased LDH release. All samples induced apoptosis significantly and upregulated BCL-2 and CASPASE 8 expression. Usm and Sil increased BAX expression, Met and Sil induced CASPASE 9 expression, and Usm increased TNFR1. Colombian propolis samples exhibited cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on canine OSA cells, and CASPASE 8 upregulation indicated apoptosis induction by the extrinsic pathway. Keywords: apoptosis, cytotoxicity, osteosarcoma, propolis.

Parasitic diseases are an important hurdle to the economy for the developing poultry industry due to their deleterious effects resulting into malnutrition, diminished feed conversion ratio, weight loss, decreased egg production, and mortality in young birds. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites in poultry farms of central plain zone of Punjab. A total of 490 pooled droppings and 351 intact intestines of poultry from slaughterhouses from seven districts of central plain zone of Punjab state, India, were collected and analyzed from September 2016 to May 2018 by qualitative and quantitative techniques. An overall prevalence of GIT parasites was 38.36% with significantly (p<0.01) highest (74.1%) in Ludhiana and lowest (12.0%) in Shri Fatehgarh Sahib. The most predominant (86.2%) infection was coccidia. The birds reared under a deep litter system were having a higher (p<0.01) fecal load of helminthic eggs and coccidian oocysts (54.4%) compared to the cage system (37.5%). Infection rate was apparently more (40%) in broilers than layers (35.7%). Prevalence of GIT parasites was higher (p<0.01) in monsoon season (58.5%) and lower in summer season (24.48%). The broilers in the age group of 0-2 weeks possessed a significant higher (p<0.05) level of GIT parasitic infection (57.5%), while in case of layers, a higher infection rate (46.66%) was observed in birds between 9 and 18 weeks of age as compared in other groups. Higher (p<0.05) infection rate of GIT parasites was seen in crossbred (45.55%) birds as compared to desi birds (20.00%). The study showed that coccidiosis was the predominant infection among all GIT parasites based on fecal and intestinal tract content analysis. The risk factors associated with the prevalence of GIT parasitic infections were geographical location, deep litter system, broilers, age, crossbred breeds, and monsoon season. Keywords: central plain zone, gastrointestinal parasites, India, prevalence, poultry, Punjab, risk factors.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a relevant opportunistic and difficult to treat pathogen due to its widespread environmental diffusion, intrinsic resistance to many classes of antimicrobials, high ability to acquire additional resistance mechanisms, and wide range of pathogenic factors. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of P. aeruginosa in canine clinical samples, the antimicrobial susceptibility against antipseudomonal antibiotics, and the presence of extracellular pathogenic factors of the isolates, as well as their ability to produce biofilm. Overall, 300 clinical specimens from dogs with pyoderma or abscesses (n=58), otitis (n=59), and suspected bladder infection (n=183) were analyzed by standard bacteriological methods. P. aeruginosa isolates were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility by disk and gradient diffusion methods to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations. The ability of the isolates to produce biofilm was investigated by a microtiter plate assay, while virulence genes coding for elastase (lasB), exotoxin A (toxA), alkaline protease (aprA), hemolytic phospholipase C (plcH), and exoenzyme S (ExoS) were detected by polymerase chain reaction method. A total of 24 isolates of P. aeruginosa were found in clinical specimens (urine n=3, skin/soft tissue n=6, and ear canal n=15). No resistance was found to ceftazidime, gentamicin, aztreonam, and imipenem (IMI), while low levels of resistance were found to enrofloxacin (ENR) (4.2%) and piperacillin-tazobactam (8.3%). However, 41.7% and 29.2% of the isolates showed intermediate susceptibility to ENR and IMI, respectively. Disk and gradient diffusion methods showed high concordance. The majority of the isolates revealed a weak (33.3%) or intermediate (45.8%) ability to form biofilm, while the strong biofilm producers (20.8%) derived exclusively from the ear canal samples. All isolates (100%) were positive for lasB, aprA, and plcH genes, while exoS and toxA were amplified in 21 (87.5%) and 22 (91.7%) isolates, respectively. In the present study, P. aeruginosa isolates from canine clinical samples were characterized by low levels of antimicrobial resistance against antipseudomonal drugs. However, the high presence of isolates with intermediate susceptibility for some categories of antibiotics, including carbapenems which are not authorized for veterinary use, could represent an early warning signal. Moreover, the presence of isolates with strong ability to produce biofilm represents a challenge for the interpretation of the antimicrobial susceptibility profile. In addition, the high prevalence of the extracellular pathogenic factors was indicative of the potential virulence of the isolates. Keywords: antimicrobial susceptibility, biofilm, dog infection, extracellular pathogenic factors, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Rabbits are a highly sensitive species and susceptible to various bacterial pathogens that may be causative agents for early embryonic death. This study aimed to explore the administration of different bacterial agents in does suffering from early embryonic death. Furthermore, identification of genes associated with virulence was performed to identify the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance patterns that may increase the virulence of pathogens and lead to early embryonic death. We isolated and identified bacterial agents in 106 samples from live and dead female rabbits that had undergone early embryonic death, including liver and intestine tissue, aborted fetuses, discharges, and vaginal swabs. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted to confirm the identity of the isolated bacterial strains and their virulence. Moreover, antibiotic resistance was studied phenotypically and genotypically. We isolated Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Pasteurella multocida, and Listeria monocytogenes. PCR confirmed typical identification except in P. multocida, which was confirmed as Gallibacterium spp. in some cases. The final percentage of detection was 34%, 30.2%, 16.9%, 13.2%, and 11.3%, respectively. Virulence properties were investigated using different designated genes. All Salmonella strains harbored invA, stn, avrA, and ompf genes, while the sopE gene was identified in 31.25%. E. coli strains harboring the iss gene lacked the shiga toxin (stx1) gene. L. monocytogenes and S. aureus strains harbored the hemolysin gene (66.7% and 33.4%, respectively). Multidrug resistance was detected phenotypically and genotypically in most strains. Each bacterial pathogen had a different antibiotic resistance profile. Multiple bacterial species may contribute to early embryonic death in does. Furthermore, the combined infection could be the main cause of early embryonic death. Thus, monitoring programs should bear this in mind and focus on the early detection of these bacterial agents in female rabbits to avoid embryonic death. Keywords: early embryonic death, Escherichia coli, Listeria, Rabbits, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus.

Globally, pestiviruses are among the most economically important viral pathogens of livestock. The genus Pestivirus comprises four species, including bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1 and 2 (BVDV-1 and BVDV-2), which infect cattle, border disease virus and classical swine fever virus which infect small ruminants and pigs, respectively. Accumulating evidence suggests that pestiviruses are no longer species-specific, creating new challenges for disease control. In Indonesia, investigations related to pestiviruses remain focused on cattle as the primary host and no research has been conducted on small ruminants (sheep and goats). Therefore, the present study aimed to study the possible occurrence of pestivirus (BVDV or BVD) infections in small ruminants in Indonesia, particularly in Central Java. We used 46 blood samples consisting of 26 sheep's blood and 20 goat's blood. Samples were selected from 247 small ruminant blood collected between July and October 2020 in Central Java, Indonesia, which met the following criteria: Female, local species, approximately 1-2 years old, never been pregnant, raised in the backyard, and had no close contact with cattle in either shelter or grazing area. We tested plasma samples from sheep and goats using competitive antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect specific antibodies against pestivirus followed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis for all positive samples to differentiate the species of pestivirus. Two of the 20 samples collected from goats were positive for pestivirus at the serological and molecular levels, whereas 2 of 26 samples collected from sheep were doubtful but tested negative by RT-PCR. The genotyping test results obtained using nested PCR revealed that the positive samples collected from goats had a BVDV-1 genotype. The results of the present study demonstrated that BVDV-1 can infect species other than bovines, in Central Java, Indonesia. Further studies involving a larger number of samples are required to: (1) Determine the actual seroprevalence of pestiviruses in small ruminants and (2) Determine the potency of small ruminants as reservoirs for pestiviruses, both of which are important for the identification of the appropriate control program for pestiviruses in Indonesia. Keywords: antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, bovine viral diarrhea virus, pestivirus, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, small ruminants.

Many metabolic and immunological changes occur during the transition period. Innate immunity plays an important role against to infections and natural antibodies (NAb) are important in immunity. This study aims to determine a connection between serum NAb titers, beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations in Tuj and Hemsin sheep during the peripartum period. Serum NAb, BHBA, and NEFA levels were determined from the blood samples collected from Tuj and Hemsin sheep on days 30 and 15 before birth, on the day of birth (day 0), and on days 15 and 30 after birth. NAb titers were found to be higher in Tuj than in Hemsin sheep (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in serum BHBA concentrations of both breeds on all sampling days (p>0.05). The serum NEFA level was lower in Tuj sheep in the last 15 days of pregnancy compared to Hemsin sheep (p<0.05), while no difference was found in samples collected at the other time points. This study indicated that serum NAb titers significantly changed in Tuj and Hemsin sheep during the transition period. Serum BHBA and NEFA concentrations increased during the last stages of pregnancy and decreased after birth. Based on these findings, it is suggested that the immunological status could vary by the breed of sheep or various factors that affect the sheep's metabolic state. Keywords: beta-hydroxybutyric acid, ewe, natural antibody, non-esterified fatty acid, peripartum period.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an emerging zoonotic and foodborne pathogen worldwide. Hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKp) was reported as the causative agent of bovine mastitis. This is the first study in Indonesia that has been conducted to determine the capsular serotype of K. pneumoniae, pulmonary gross pathology and histopathology, and distribution of hvKp in the lungs of Aceh cattle. The presence of K. pneumoniae in Aceh cattle was investigated in two slaughterhouses in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar, Indonesia. Lung tissues with gross pathological lesions were collected from 15 cattle presenting with depression, dehydration, or cachexia. The confirmation and capsular serotyping of K. pneumoniae isolates were performed using polymerase chain reaction. The tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry to observe the histopathological lesions and the distribution of the hvKp antigens. The pneumonic lesions identified in the lungs of Aceh cattle included hyperemia, hemorrhage, consolidation, and atelectasis. K. pneumoniae was isolated in all 15 lung tissues with pathological pneumonic lesions. Two patterns of infection were observed histopathologically. Acute infection was characterized by hyperemia, inflammatory cell infiltration, hemorrhage, bronchiolar epithelium hyperplasia, bronchial and bronchiolar obstruction with purulent exudates, edema, and atelectasis. On the other hand, chronic infection was defined by macrophage infiltration, emphysema, bronchial dilatation, pleural fibrosis, and alveolar wall thickening by interstitial fibrosis. Immunohistochemical staining using monospecific antisera induced by the hvKp isolate confirmed the presence of K. pneumoniae-specific antigens in the acute infection, predominantly in the bronchiolar, vascular, and alveolar areas. In contrast, generally diffuse infiltrates were found in the pleura and interstitial alveolar areas in chronic infection. hvKp can be detected in the lungs of Aceh cattle, representing acute and chronic infections. The distribution of Klebsiella antigens in the lung tissue was consistent with the histopathological findings. Keywords: Aceh cattle, capsular serotyping, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, Klebsiella pneumoniae, lung.

In rabies endemic area, dog vaccination is an effective way of controlling the disease in animals and humans if a minimum of 70% vaccination coverage is reached. This study aimed to identify dog demographics and household characteristics associated with dogs' vaccination against rabies in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. A questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents with regard to their dogs' demographics and their household characteristics. Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were performed to assess the association between explicative variables and the dogs' vaccination status. Overall, as per the findings of this study, it was determined that out of 424 dogs, 57.8% were reportedly vaccinated. The vaccination status was significantly associated with most of the household variables (e.g., gender of the respondent, age, level of education, main means of transportation, participation in a vaccination campaign, knowledge on rabies, and knowledge on dog vaccination) and the dogs' variables (breed of dog, dog origin, purpose for keeping, confinement status, and perceived behavior) (p<0.05). Moreover, only religion, type of housing, knowledge of rabies transmission modes, and dog sex were not significantly associated with vaccination status (p>0.05). Our study generated informative data showing that animal health workers could develop effective rabies vaccination strategy planning by examining owned dog demographics and their husbandry practices in households. Keywords: Burkina Faso, dog vaccination, household survey, owned dogs, rabies control.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious challenge to animal and human health worldwide. Therefore, this study aims to determine levels and patterns of AMR of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. strains isolated from poultry farms in Côte d'Ivoire. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two districts of Côte d'Ivoire with high poultry production: Abidjan and Agnibilékrou. A total of 231 fecal samples were collected in 124 poultry farms in both districts. Enterobacteria were isolated and tested for susceptibility to 14 antimicrobial agents using the disk-diffusion method. A total of 212 E. coli and 36 Salmonella strains were isolated. In Abidjan, 139 collected samples generated 101 E. coli and 23 Salmonella strains, whereas in Agnibilékrou, 92 collected samples generated 111 E. coli and 13 Salmonella strains. Variable resistance levels were recorded for the antibiotics tested. The resistance prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella, respectively, was high: Doxycycline (98%/94%), sulfonamide (84%/86%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (80%/41%), and streptomycin (71%/52%). Average resistance rates were recorded for flumequine (38%/66%), ampicillin (49%/33%), amoxicillin (25%/44%), colistin (26%/2%), chloramphenicol (21%/2%), and gentamicin (4%/47%). The antibiotics least affected by resistance were cefuroxime (4%/5%), ceftriaxone (2%/0.00%), and nitrofurantoin (1%/0.00%). In this study, it was observed that resistance to important antibiotics is emerging in poultry production in Côte d'Ivoire. Policies promoting the rational use of antibiotics should be implemented to manage antibiotic resistance in animal production. Keywords: antibiotic resistance, Côte d'Ivoire, Escherichia coli, poultry, Salmonella spp.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which have multi-lineage differentiation potentials, are a promising source for regenerative medicine. However, the focus of study of MSCs is shifting from the characterization of the differentiation potential to their secretion potential for cell transplantation. Tissue regeneration and the attenuation of immune responses are thought to be affected by the secretion of multiple growth factors and cytokines by MSCs. However, the secretion potential of MSCs profiling remains incompletely characterized. In this study, we focused on the secretion ability related and protein mRNA expression of dog adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AT-MSC), bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs, and BM-derived mononuclear cells (BM-MNC). Real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed mRNA expression of nine growth factors and seven interleukins in these types of cells and three growth factors protein expression were determined using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For the BM-MNC growth factors, the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was the highest. For the BM-derived MSC (BM-MSC) and AT-MSC growth factors, the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was highest. BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs showed similar expression profiles. In contrast, BM-MNCs showed unique expression profiles for hepatocyte growth factor and epidermal growth factor. The three types of cells showed a similar expression of TGF-β. We conclude that expression of cytokine proteins and mRNAs suggests involvement in tissue repair and protection. Keywords: bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell, canine, growth factor, interleukin, mesenchymal stem cell, secretion.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is the most important cause of mortality in dogs in many parts of the world. Clinical cases exhibit characteristic signs, including foul-smelling bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration. This study assessed field and vaccine variants of parvovirus in the Chattogram metropolitan area, Bangladesh. The investigation also aimed to identify risk factors for this disease. This research is the first to identify the presence of CPV in Bangladesh through molecular examination. From October to December 2019, a total of 100 dogs were included in the study. Rectal swabs were taken from all dogs. Twenty dogs showed clinical signs of parvovirus. All clinically affected animals along with 20 randomly selected healthy dogs were tested using amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify variants from the samples. Logistic regression model analysis was performed to determine the possible risk factors for CPV. ARMS-PCR showed the presence of all three variants, CPV2a, CPV2b, and CPV2c, in clinically ill dogs, and vaccines available in the study area showed either CPV2a or CPV2b strain. The CPV2c variants showed a higher incidence than the other variants. All apparently healthy animals tested were molecularly negative. Multivariable logistic regression model (generalized linear mixed model) indicated that exotic breeds were 3.83 times more likely to be infected by CPV than local breeds. Furthermore, dogs reared in semi-intensive and extensive management systems were 3.64 and 3.79 times more likely to be infected, respectively, than those reared in an intensive management system. These findings provide practitioners and pet owners information on the occurrence of different variants and help design effective prevention strategies for CPV infection. Keywords: Bangladesh, canine parvovirus, CPV2a, CPV2b, CPV2c.

Balantidiasis, caused by Balantidium coli (syn. Neobalantidium coli or B. coli), represents a neglected parasitic infection of zoonotic significance affecting a variety of hosts, including domestic pigs that are the main reservoir. B. coli has a direct life cycle with a fecal-oral route transmission that occurs mainly by the ingestion of food and water contaminated with cysts. The ingestion of meat contaminated during inappropriate slaughtering processes may represent a new potential route of transmission. Only a few studies have investigated the prevalence of B. coli in domestic pigs in Italy, despite its high prevalence and zoonotic significance. This study aimed to improve the knowledge on B. coli prevalence in domestic swine reared both in intensive and "en plein air" breeding systems in the south of Italy. The infection rate of B. coli in pigs bred in 15 different pig farms and regularly slaughtered in South Italy, in the Calabria region, was investigated. From 2017 to 2019, 177 terminal parts of the rectums of pigs, of which 91 commercial hybrids and 86 autochthonous (Nero Calabrese), reared, respectively, in intensive and "en plein air" breeding system, were tested for parasite detection. After the slaughtering, the terminal part of the rectum was sampled and transported to the laboratories and immediately processed. For the detection of trophozoites, fresh smears of feces were examined at light microscopy. Moreover, flotation was performed using a sodium chloride solution, then smears of feces were dispersed on microscope slides and examined at light microscopy. The observed parasites were identified at the species level using morphological characteristics. B. coli was detected in a total of 83 (i.e., 46.89%) pigs, with a significantly higher prevalence (p<0.0001) found in commercial hybrid (i.e., 59/91-64.84%) pigs rather than in autochthonous ones (i.e., 24/86-27.91%). It follows that the infection was more common in pigs reared in the intensive breeding system than in "en plein air" ones (p<0.0001). The infection prevalence was higher in males than in females and lower in elder animals than in younger ones (p=0.012 and p<0.0001, respectively). The breeding system is likely the main discriminant for the parasite spread as well as the hygienic condition of the farms. Good manufacturing and hygiene practices along the food production chain are crucial in preventing human balantidiasis transmission by meat consumption. The high B. coli prevalence, the wide spectrum of host species, and its zoonotic significance push toward a greater public interest. Keywords: Balantidium coli, ciliate protozoa, protozoa, swine, zoonosis.

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) is a severe disease in shrimp farms and adversely affected the shrimp industry of Vietnam. So far, the study on risk factors associated with AHPND outbreaks is limited. The objective of this study was to determine the potential risk factors of AHPND at the shrimp farm level in Bac Lieu Province, Vietnam. Real-time-Polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze data collected from an active surveillance program of shrimp farms in 2017 in the Vinh Tien and Vinh Lac villages, Vinh Thinh commune, Hoa Binh district in Bac Lieu Province, Vietnam. The matched case-control study selected 20 cases and 20 control farms from 134 shrimp farms. In 2018, face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires were conducted with the farmers of these selected farms. Of the 59 studied variables, seven had p≤0.2 based on bivariate analyses. The results of multivariable analysis showed that the presence of fish-eating birds on shrimp farms was a significant association with AHPND (odds ratio=8, p=0.049). To reduce the effect of AHPND, farmers should apply effective methods to manage wild animals such as using a grid or net to cover the pond, combined with improved biosecurity. Keywords: conditional logistic regression, early mortality syndrome, fish-eating bird, matched case-control study, odd ratio.