Risk Factors for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection among Camel Populations, Southern Jordan, 2014-2018.

After the first detection of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in camels in Jordan in 2013, we conducted 2 consecutive surveys in 2014-2015 and 2017-2018 investigating risk factors for MERS-CoV infection among camel populations in southern Jordan. Multivariate analysis to control for confounding demonstrated that borrowing of camels, particularly males, for breeding purposes was associated with increased MERS-CoV seroprevalence among receiving herds, suggesting a potential route of viral transmission between herds. Increasing age, herd size, and use of water troughs within herds were also associated with increased seroprevalence. Closed herd management practices were found to be protective. Future vaccination strategies among camel populations in Jordan could potentially prioritize breeding males, which are likely to be shared between herds. In addition, targeted management interventions with the potential to reduce transmission between herds should be considered; voluntary closed herd schemes offer a possible route to achieving disease-free herds

In vitro and in vivo efficacy study of cefepime, doripenem, tigecycline, and tetracycline against extended-spectrum beta-lactamases Escherichia coli in chickens

Background and Aim: At present, there are no data about the efficacy of some recent antibiotics on Escherichia coli in broiler chickens in the study area. This study was designed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of cefepime, doripenem, tigecycline, and tetracycline against multidrug-resistant-extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (MDR-ESBLs) producing E. coli in broiler chicks. Materials and Methods: A total of 34 MDR-ESBLs E. coli isolates were used in this study. In vitro evaluation of the antibacterial efficacy of cefepime, doripenem, tigecycline, and tetracycline were performed using disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays. In vivo evaluation of the efficacy of the antibiotics was perfumed using 180, 2-week-old chicks challenged with MDR-ESBL-producing E. coli strain O78. Chicks were divided into six groups (30 chicks each) according to the treatment regimen. Treatment was administered to chicks in Groups 3-6 intravenously, twice per day for 1 week using one antibiotic per group at concentration 10 times the determined MIC. Chicks in the positive control (Group 1) were challenged and received 0.2 ml of sterile Tryptone Soy Broth (TSB), while those in the negative control (Group 2) were not challenged and received 0.2 ml of sterile TSB. The severity of clinical signs, gross lesions, and mortality rate was scored and compared between groups. Results: All E. coli isolates were sensitive to doripenem and tigecycline, while 88% were sensitive to cefepime and only 23% were sensitive to tetracycline. In vivo antibiotic efficacy evaluation in challenged chicks revealed a significant reduction in the severity of clinical signs, gross lesions, and mortality (3%) in chicks treated with cefepime compared to non-treated chicks (55%). There was no significant effect on the severity of clinical signs, gross lesions, and mortality in chicks treated with doripenem, tigecycline, and tetracycline compared to non-treated chicks. The mortality rates of chicks treated with doripenem, tigecycline, and tetracycline were 57%, 50%, and 90%, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that most MDR-ESBLs producing E. coli isolates were sensitive to doripenem, tigecycline, and cefepime. However, in vivo study indicated that only cefepime was effective and resulted in a significant reduction in clinical signs, gross lesions, and mortality in infected chicks. Therefore, cefepime could be used to treat naturally infected chickens with MDR-ESBLs producing strains of E. coli

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of tildipirosin following intravenous and subcutaneous administration in horses

This study was designed to investigate the safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of tildipirosin in horses after intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of a single dose at 4 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.). A total of 12 healthy mixed breed horses were used in the study. Horses were monitored for systemic and local adverse effects, and whole blood samples were collected for hematology and plasma biochemistry analysis at time (0) and at 6, 24, and 72 h after drug administration. For PK analysis, blood samples were collected at pre-determined times before and after tildipirosin administration. Plasma concentrations of tildipirosin were determined using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection method (UHPLC-UV). All horses tolerated the i.v. injection of tildipirosin without showing any systemic adverse effects. However, a non-painful, soft swelling appeared at the s.c. injection site in 5 horses (41.7%). On average, tildipirosin reached a maximum plasma concentration (Cmax ) of 1257 ng/ml (geometric mean) between 0.5 and 1.5 h after s.c. administration (Tmax ). The geometric mean values for total body clearance (Cl), the apparent volume of distribution based on the terminal phase (Vz ), and the apparent volume of distribution at steady-state (Vss ) were 0.52 L/kg·h, 22 L/kg, and 10.0 L/kg, respectively. Data collected in this study suggests that tildipirosin can be used safely in horses with caution

Formulation of Lipid-Based Tableted Spray-Congealed Microparticles for Sustained Release of Vildagliptin: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Spray-congealing (SPC) technology was utilized to prepare lipid-based microparticles (MP) capable of sustaining the release of Vildagliptin (VG) for use as a once-daily treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. VG microparticles were prepared using Compritol® and Gelucire®50/13 as lipid carriers in the presence of various amounts of Carbomer 934 NF. The lipid carriers were heated to 10 °C above their melting points, and VG was dispersed in the lipid melt and sprayed through the heated two-fluid nozzle of the spray congealer to prepare the VG-loaded MP (VGMP). The microparticles produced were then compressed into tablets and characterized for their morphological and physicochemical characteristics, content analysis, in vitro dissolution, and in vivo bioavailability studies in mixed-breed dogs. The VGMP were spherical with a yield of 76% of the total amount. VG was found to be in its semicrystalline form, with a drug content of 11.11% per tablet and a percentage drug recovery reaching 98.8%. The in vitro dissolution studies showed that VG was released from the tableted particles in a sustained-release fashion for up to 24 h compared with the immediate-release marketed tablets from which VG was completely released within 30 min. The in vivo pharmacokinetics studies reported a Cmax, Tmax, T1/2, and MRT of 118 ng/mL, 3.4 h, 5.27 h, and 9.8 h, respectively, for the SPC formulations, showing a significant difference (p < 0.05)) from the pk parameters of the immediate-release marketed drug (147 ng/mL, 1 h, 2.16 h, and 2.8 h, respectively). The area under the peak (AUC) of both the reference and tested formulations was comparable to indicate similar bioavailabilities. The in vitro–in vivo correlation (IVIVC) studies using multiple level C correlations showed a linear correlation between in vivo pharmacokinetics and dissolution parameters. In conclusion, SPC was successfully utilized to prepare a once-daily sustained-release VG oral drug delivery system

A cross-sectional study of Q fever in Camels: Risk factors for infection, the role of small ruminants and public health implications for desert-dwelling pastoral communities.

Q fever represents an important 'neglected zoonosis', with high prevalences recorded across the Middle East region. Among rural desert-dwelling communities in the region, camel milk is largely consumed raw, due to perceptions of dromedaries as a uniquely clean livestock species mentioned in the Qur'an and Islamic hadith, while milk from other livestock species is usually boiled. As a result, camels present a unique public health threat among such communities from milk-borne pathogens, including Coxiella burnetii. In view of this, a cross-sectional study was conducted among dromedary herds in southern Jordan between September 2017 and October 2018, including 404 camels from 121 randomly selected herds. In addition, 510 household members associated with these herds were interviewed regarding potential high-risk practices for zoonotic transmission. Weight adjusted camel population seroprevalence for C. burnetii was 49.6% (95% CI: 44.7-54.5), with evidence of maternally derived immunity in calves ≤6 months old. Adjusted herd-level prevalence was 76.0% (95% CI 72.7-80.2). It was estimated 30.4% (144/477) of individuals consumed raw milk from infected herds monthly or more. Following multivariable logistic regression analysis, seropositive status in camels was found to be associated with increasing age, high herd tick burdens, keeping the herd together throughout the year including when calving, and owning larger (>50) sheep and goat flocks, with goats presenting a higher risk than sheep. Racing camel status was found to be protective. Socioculturally appropriate interventions aimed at raising awareness of potential risks associated with drinking raw camel milk, alongside appropriate livestock management interventions, should be considered