Synthesizing evidence and identifying knowledge gaps in the role of swine in Japanese encephalitis virus transmission: a rapid systematic review of the literature

The United States is considered a susceptible region with great potential for the introduction of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) given the presence of competent mosquito vector species, susceptible maintenance avian hosts, large populations of susceptible domestic and feral swine, intensive travel and trade activities to and from JEV-endemic countries, similar climatic and environmental conditions to epidemic countries, and no active JEV surveillance in place. As pigs are considered JEV’s primary amplifying host, comprehensively reviewing the available body of evidence, and respective knowledge gaps, pertaining to the role of swine in JEV transmission can provide valuable guidance to decision-makers. Our objectives were to synthesize scientific literature on the role of domestic and feral swine in the transmission of JEV via a rapid systematic review and identify knowledge gaps to determine potential areas amenable for future research. A total of 3,638 records were initially identified. Data were extracted from 227 reports. Transmission of JEV occurs primarily via infected mosquitoes; however, some evidence of direct oronasal transmission between pigs has been reported. Despite pigs exhibiting a short-lived viremia, JEV has been demonstrated to persist longer in their tonsils. In sows, JEV infection may cause reproductive disorders, and although maternal antibodies can confer protection for several months under field conditions, naïve piglets can exhibit neurologic signs which may progress to wasting disease. Studies evaluating breed or sex reported no association with JEV seropositivity. Application of biosecurity practices and vector control are recommended as preventive measures against introduction and spread of JEV in swine farms. Although there is no JEV vaccine licensed for pigs in the United States, live attenuated vaccines were reported to elicit superior immunogenicity compared to inactivated vaccines used in endemic countries. Summarizing the current understanding of JEV infection in swine can guide researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers in prioritizing research efforts and developing effective countermeasures. This is particularly crucial in the event of an outbreak in the United States, where preemptive measures can help minimize the spread of the virus, safeguard both human and animal populations, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the swine production sector

Performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing rice offal supplemented with enzyme

A feeding trial of six weeks was conducted to determine the effect of including rice offal supplemented with natuzyme on the performance of broilers. One hundred and seventy two 2 –week old broilers of mixed sexes were randomly allocated to four diets in a completely randomized design. The broiler chicks were allocated one of four diets containing either 0 (control), 5, 10, or 15% of rice offal. The starter diets were isonitrogenous (25% CP) but decreased in energy levels from 2,779.32 (Diet A), 2,747.73 (Diet B), 2,715.54 (Diet C) to 2,683.54kcal/kg ME (Diet D). The finisher diets were also isonitrogenous at 21% CP with each diet replicated three times. The energy levels of the finisher diet decreased from 2801.67 (diet A) to 2703.22 kcal/kg ME (diet D). The energy levels on diets B (2768.72) and C (2736.18) were higher than on diet D. All diets containing rice offal were supplemented with natuzyme at 100g/100kg feed. Overall result showed that feed intake was significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) on the control (117.38g/bird/day) than on diets B (123.57), C (125.24) and D (123.97g/bird/day). Weight gain was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) on diet B (57.64g/bird) than on diets C (50.77) and D (46.88g/bird) respectively. Water intake was significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) on the control (204.60mL/bird) than on diets B (240.44), C (231.86) and D (225.73mL/bird), respectively. Feed conversion ratio was significantly better (p&lt;0.05) on diets A (2.36), B (2.23) and C (2.68) than on diet D (3.06) only. Feed cost/kg gain was significantly (p&lt;0.05) better on diet A (N532.65) than on diets B (N666.75) and C (N688.92) only. Initial weight did not differ significantly across the diets but final weight was better (p&lt;0.05) on diet B (2644.40g/bird) than on the control and other rice offal diets. Even though the control diet had lower feed intake, birds on diet B had better weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed cost/gain and final body weight than the control and other rice offal diets and is therefore, recommended. This is because rice offal based diet on diet B has a cost saving of 8.33% over the control diet.</jats:p

Performance and economics of production of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnir japonica) fed varying levels of peeled cooked sun-dried sweet potato (Ipomoea batatus) meal diets

A six-week feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effect of feeding peeled cooked sundried sweet potato tuber on growth parameters and economics of production of Japanese quails. Five isonitrogenous (25%CP) diets were compounded. The control diet (1) had no sweet potato tuber meal while 2, 3, 4 and 5 had maize replaced at 25, 50, 75 and 100% by peeled and cooked sundried sweet potato tuber meal respectively. Three hundred day-old Japanese quails of mixed sexes were randomly assigned the diets in a completely randomized design with feed and water provided ad libitum for six weeks. Each diet was allocated to 60 quail chicks which were further divided into three replicates of 20 birds each. Feed intake was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) lower for birds on diet 3 (14.05g/b/d) than for those on diets 4 (14.87g/b/d) and 5 (14.79g/b/d). Water intake was however significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher for birds on diet 4 (27.40ml/b/d) than for those on diets 1 (23.77ml/b/d), 2 (24.01ml/b/l) and 3 (24.66ml/b/d). Protein intake was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher for birds on diet 4 (3.72g/b/d) than for those on diets / (3.55g/b/d), 2 (3.54g/b/d) and 3 (3.51g/b/d). Energy efficiency ratio was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) better on diet 5 (0.29) than on diet 1 (0.24) only. However, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed cost/gain, energy intake and protein efficiency ratio did not differ significantly (p&gt;0.05) from the control. Total cost of production per bird was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher on diet 3 than on diets 4 and 5. Revenue per bird was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) lower on diet 2 than on diets 1 and 4 only. Gross margin per bird was significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower on diet 2 than on diets 1 und 3 only. Total feed intake and seed cost/kg gain were not affected by the diets (p&gt;0.05) and diet 5 has a cost saving of 3.00% over the control diet. Results showed that peeled cooked sundried sweet potato can completely replace maize in the diet of quail chicks without adverse effects on performance or on economics of production of Japanese quails.</jats:p

Effects of feeding varying levels of bakery waste meal on the performance and carcass values of growing Coturnix quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Since bakeries are scattered all over Nigeria and beyond, such feed materials like bakery waste abound and this can be tapped as a feed resource for poultry having little pressure of competition. A feeding trial of 6 weeks duration was conducted to determine the effect of replacing maize with bakery waste of CP; 3.32% and ME; 3221.88kcal/kg on the performance of growing Japanese quails.Two hundred two –week old quails of mixed sexes were randomly allocated to five diets in a completely randomized design. The five isonitrogenous (25% CP) diets incorporated 0, 8.31, 16.61, 24.92 and 28.69% of bakery waste at the expense of maize. The diets, however, varied in energy levels from 2,706.92 (Diet A) to 2,610.76kcal/kg ME (Diet E). Diets B (2,679.17), C (2,650.57) and D (2,623.75) were lower than diet A. Each diet was replicated three times. Feed intake (21.99, 20.34, 21.25, 23.83 and 22.97g/bird/day), weight gain (3.39, 3.29, 3.46, 3.61, 3.75g/bird/day) and feed conversion ratio (6.32, 6.17, 6.16, 6.62 and 6.31) did not differ significantly from the control. Water intake was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) on diet D (33.78ml/b/day) than on diets A (30.90) and B (30.99) only. Water intake on diets C (31.89) and E (32.91ml/bird/day) were not different. Feed cost/kg gain was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) for birds on dietsB (632.00) and A (617.67) than on diets C (542.33) and D (550.67) only. Other differences were not significant. Live weight, slaughter weight, plucked weight and drumstick were better on the diet with 100% bakery waste. Feed cost per kg diet decreased from 84.62 (diet A) to 78.75 (diet E) and has a cost saving of 6.94% over the control diet. Therefore, bakery waste could completely replace maize in diets for Japanese quail chicks without adverse effect on performance.</jats:p

Performance and carcass values of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed processed sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) meal diets.

A six-week feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effect ofprocessing of sweet potato tuber on growth parameters and carcass values of Japanese quails. Five isonitrogenous (25%CP) diets were compounded. The control diet (A) had zero sweet potato tuber meal. The other four diets (B, C, D and E) contained sweet potato tuber. meal processed in different ways (unpeeled, peeled, unpeeled and cooked and peeled and cooked) replacing maize at 15.60% of the diet. 300 day-old Japanese quail birds (of mixed sexes) were randomly assigned the diets in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Each diet was allocated to 60 quail chicks which were further divided into three replicates of 20 birds each. None of the indices measured (feed intake, water intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed cost/gain, protein intake, energy efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio) differed significantly (p&gt;0.05) from the control. Energy intake was, however, higher (p&lt;0.05) on the control than on the sweet potato diets. Carcass values measured showed that bled weight and plucked weight were significantly (p&lt;0.05) heavier on the peeled and cooked sweet potato than on the unpeeled. Dressed weight and dressing % were better (p &lt; 0.05) on the peeled and cooked than on the rest of the diets. Wing % was worse (p &lt; 0.05) on the peeled and cooked sweet potato than on the rest of the diets while drumstick % was worse (p &lt; 0.05) on peeled and cooked than on the control only. Results show that processed sweet potato can replace maize at 15.60% of the diet of quail chicks without adverse effect on performance or on carcass values and has a cost saving of 1.5% over the control diet. </jats:p

Performance and economics of production of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed varying levels of peeled cooked sun-dried sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) meal diets

A six–week feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effect of feeding peeled cooked sundried sweet potato tuber on growth parameters and economics of production of Japanese quails. Five isonitrogenous (25%CP) diets were compounded. The control diet (1) had no sweet potato tuber meal while 2, 3, 4 and 5 had maize replaced at 25, 50, 75 and 100% by peeled and cooked sundried sweet potato tuber meal respectively.. Three hundred day-old Japanese quails of mixed sexes were randomly assigned the diets in a completely randomized design with feed and water provided ad libitum for six weeks. Each diet was allocated to 60 quail chicks which were further divided into three replicates of 20 birds each. Feed intake was significantly (p&lt; 0.05) lower for birds on diet 3 (14.05g/b/d) than for those on diets 4 (14.87g/b/d) and 5 (14.79g/b/d). Water intake was however significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher for birds on diet 4 (27.40ml/b/d) than for those on diets 1 (23.77ml/b/d), 2 (24.01ml/b/d) and 3 (24.66ml/b/d). Protein intake was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher for birds on diet 4 (3.72g/b/d) than for those on diets 1 (3.55g/b/d), 2 (3.54g/b/d) and 3 (3.51g/b/d). Energy efficiency ratio was significantly (p&lt;0.05) better on diet 5 (0.29) than on diet 1 (0.24) only. However, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed cost/gain, energy intake and protein efficiency ratio did not differ significantly (p&gt;0.05) from the control. Total cost of production per bird was significantly (p&lt; 0.05) higher on diet 3 than on diets 4 and 5. Revenue per bird was significantly (p&lt; 0.05) lower on diet 2 than on diets 1 and 4 only. Gross margin per bird was significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower on diet 2 than on diets 1 and 3 only. Total feed intake and feed cost/kg gain were not affected by the diets (p&gt;0.05) and diet 5 has a cost saving of 3.00% over the control diet. Results showed that peeled cooked sundried sweet potato can completely replace maize in the diet of quail chicks without adverse effects on performance or on economics of production of Japanese quails.</jats:p

Laying performance and digestibility of nutrients by Japanese quails fed diets containing peeled and cooked sweet potato meal

A six–month feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effect of feeding peeled cooked sundried sweet potato tuber on hen-day egg production and digestibility of nutrients by Japanese quails. Five isonitrogenous (20%CP) diets were compounded. The control diet (A) had zero sweet potato tuber meal. In the other four diets, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of maize (respectively) was replaced by peeled cooked sundried sweet potato tuber meal. 300 point-oflay female Japanese quails were randomly assigned the diets in a completely randomized design with feed and water provided ad libitum. Each diet was allocated to 60 quail chicks which were further divided into three replicates of 20 birds each. Feed intake, body weight change, age at first eggs, age at 50% egg production, age at 75% egg production, hen-day egg production, hen-housed egg production and feed per dozen eggs were similar (p? 0.05) across the diets. Water intake was significantly (p? 0.05) or (p &gt; 0.05) higher by birds on diet D (51.93ml/bird/day) than by those on diets A (42.60) and C (46.68ml/bird/day). Water intake by birds on diet A was significantly (p? 0.05) lower than by birds on the sweet potato diets. Dry matter digestibility was significantly (p? 0.05) better on diet C (70.54%) than on diets B (68.44) and D (68.54%). Ether extract digestibilitywas significantly (p? 0.05) better on diet E (67.60%) than on diets A (54.57), B (54.60), C (49.70) and D (51.42%). Crude protein digestibility was not affected by the diets. It can be concluded that peeled cooked sundried sweet potato can completely replace maize in the diet of laying quails without adverse effects on performance or on digestibility of nutrients.</jats:p

Egg laying performance and economics of production of japanese quails fed diets containing peeled and cooked sweet potato meal

Japanese quails are small in size, early maturing, come to egg production between 5 and 6 week of life, hardy and prolific but requires local feeds for sustainability. Thus, a feeding trial which lasted for six months was carried out to investigate the effect of feeding peeled and cooked sweet potato tuber on hen-day egg production and economics of production of Japanese quails. Five isonitrogenous (20%CP) diets were compounded. The control diet (A) had zero sweet potato tuber meal. In the other four diets, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of maize was replaced with peeled and cooked sweet potato tuber meal. Three hundred point-of-lay female Japanese quail birds were randomly allotted to the diets in a completely randomized design.Feed and water were provided ad libitum for six months. Each diet was allocated to 60 quail chicks, which were further divided into three replicates of 20 birds each to determine the performance characteristics of the quails. Feed intake, body weight change, age at first eggs, age at 50% egg production, age at 75% egg production, hen-day egg production, hen-housed egg production and feed per dozen eggs were similar (pfi 0.05) across the diets. Water intake birds on diet A was significantly (pfi 0.05) lower than the birds on the sweet potato diets. Water intake was significantly (pfi 0.05) higher by birds on diet D (51.93ml/bird/day) than those on diets A (42.60) and C (46.68mL/bird/day). Total cost of production did not differ significantly across the diets. Gross margin was significantly higher on diet C (N67, 227.64) than on the other diets except for diet D (N65, 795.52). Results showed that peeled and cooked sweet potato can completely replace maize in the diet of laying quails without adverse effects on performance or on economics of production</jats:p

EFFECTS OF SOIL SOLARIZATION ON FUNGAL AND BACTERIAL POPULATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH AMARANTHIS VIRIDIS L. (AFRICAN SPINACH) IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Soil solarization is increasingly used to control soil-borne pathogens because it is environment-friendly. However, performance varied geographically, necessitating experimental trials before its introduction. This study assessed the effects of solarization on soil-borne bacteria and fungi, growth, and proximate composition of Amaranthus viridis (African spinach) in Lagos, Nigeria. Two raised beds were solarized for six weeks with a transparent and black polyethylene sheet, and a non-solarized (control) bed was equally made. The vegetable seeds were planted and their growths were recorded for four weeks. Soil samples at 15-20cm deep and leaves were obtained for microbiological and proximate analysis, respectively. The mean temperature of transparent xxpolyethylene’s soil was 45.33 oC, black polyethylene (35 oC), and non-solarized (33.50 oC). The mean height and width of transparent polyethylene’s A. viridis were 24 and 3cm, black polyethylene (19 and 2.2 cm), and non-solarized (17 and 1.6cm). The transparent polyethylene’s soil had 3100 and 250 cfu/g bacterial and fungal colonies, black polyethylene (3200 and 1900 cfu/g), and non-solarized (37000 and 1900 cfu/g), respectively. The proximate contents of the transparent polyethylene’s A. viridis were (70 moisture, 10 ash, 4.24 protein, 1.45 fat and 9.94 % fibre), black polyethylene (73.35 moisture, 8.36 ash, 3.1% protein, 1.23 fat, and 6.77 % fibre), and non-solarized (76.09 moisture, 5.91 protein, 3.15 ash, 1.31 fat and 6.75 % fibre). Overall, statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05) existed between the solarized and non-solarized and between transparent and black polyethylene (transparent&gt;black&gt;non-solarized). Thus, solarization could be an effective strategy for controlling soil-borne bacteria and fungi of A. viridis in the area studied.</jats:p