Current Advances in Functional Genomics in Aquaculture

Gene expression studies in aquaculture have slowly evolved from the traditional reductionist approach of single gene sequencing to high throughput sequencing (HTS) techniques able to sequence entire genomes of living organisms. The upcoming of HTS techniques has led to emergence of metagenomics, nutrigenomics, epigenetics and other omics technologies in aquaculture in the last decade. Metagenomics analyses have accelerated the speed at which emerging pathogens are being discovered, thereby contributing to the design of timely disease control strategies in aquaculture. Using metagenomics, it is easy to identify and monitor microbial communities found in different ecosystems. In vaccine production, genomic studies are being used to identify cross neutralizing antigens against variant strains of the same pathogens. In genetics and epigenetics, genomics traits have been identified that are beginning to gain commercial applications in aquaculture. Nutrigenomics have not only enhanced our understanding of the biological markers for nutrition‐related diseases, but they have also enhanced our ability to formulate diets able to maintain a stable immune homeostasis in the gut. Overall, herein, we have shown that functional genomics provide multifaceted applications ranging from monitoring microbial communities in aquatic environments to optimizing production systems in aquaculture

Molecular epidemiology of infectious bursal disease virus in Zambia

Nucleotide sequences of the VP2 hypervariable region (VP2-HVR) of 10 infectious bursal disease viruses detected in indigenous and exotic chickens in Zambia from 2004 to 2005 were determined. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the viruses diverged into two genotypes and belonged to the African very virulent types (VV1 and VV2). In the phylogenetic tree, strains in one genotype clustered in a distinct group and were closely related to some strains isolated in western Africa (VV1), with nucleotide similarities of 95.7%– 96.5%. Strains in the other genotype were clustered within the eastern African VV type (VV2), with nucleotide similarities of 97.3%– 98.5%. Both genotypes were distributed in the southern parts of Zambia and had a unique conserved amino acid substitution at 300 (E→A) in addition to the putative virulence marker at positions 222(A), 242(I), 256(I), 294(I) and 299(S). These findings represent the first documentation of the existence of the African VV-IBDV variants in both indigenous and exotic chickens in Zambia

The contribution of veterinary medicine to public health and poverty reduction in developing countries

Few studies have explicitly examined the linkages between human health, animal disease control and poverty alleviation. This paper reviews the contribution that veterinary medicine can make to poverty alleviation in sub-Saharan Africa. Our analysis attempts to explore aspects of this contribution under five themes: food production; food safety; impact and control of zoonotic infections; promotion of ecotourism; and environmental protection. While these areas of human activity have, more or less, fallen under the influence of the veterinary profession to varying degrees, we attempt to unify this mandate using a ‘One Health’ narrative, for the purpose of providing clarity on the linkages between the veterinary and other professions, livestock production and poverty alleviation. Future opportunities for improving health and reducing poverty in the context of developing African countries are also discussed. We conclude that veterinary science is uniquely positioned to play a key role in both poverty reduction and the promotion of health, a role that can be enhanced through the reorientation of the profession’s goals and the creation of synergies with allied and related professions.Le relazioni tra salute umana, controllo delle patologie animali e programmi di riduzione della povertà raramente sono state oggetto di analisi. Questo articolo analizza il contributo che la medicina veterinaria può fornire ai processi di riduzione della povertà nell’Africa sub‑sahariana. In particolare, vengono analizzate le implicazioni della medicina veterinaria su: produzione di alimenti, igiene alimentare, impatto e controllo delle zoonosi, promozione di ecoturismo e protezione dell’ambiente. Lo studio ha l’obiettivo di riconsiderare questi aspetti sulla base dell’approccio “One Health” e di chiarire le relazioni che la professione veterinaria ha con le altre professioni, gli allevamenti animali e i programmi di riduzione della povertà. L’articolo esamina le opportunità future per migliorare le condizioni di salute e ridurre il sottosviluppo nei paesi africani, evidenziando il ruolo determinante delle scienze veterinarie. Ruolo che può essere ancor più potenziato attraverso la ridefinizione degli obiettivi professionali e la creazione di sinergie con le altre professioni.http://www.izs.it/vet_italiana/issues_vet_it.htmhb201

Garvicin KS, a Broad-Spectrum Bacteriocin Protects Zebrafish Larvae against Lactococcus garvieae Infection

Bacteriocins are emerging as a viable alternative to antibiotics due to their ability to inhibit growth or kill antibiotic resistant pathogens. Herein, we evaluated the ability of the bacteriocin Garvicin KS (GarKS) produced by Lactococcus garvieae KS1546 isolated from cow milk to inhibit the growth of fish and foodborne bacterial pathogens. We found that GarKS inhibited the growth of five fish L. garvieae strains isolated from infected trout and eels. Among fish pathogens, GarKS inhibited the growth of Streptococcus agalactiae serotypes Ia and Ib, and Aeromonas hydrophila but did not inhibit the growth of Edwardsiella tarda. In addition, it inhibited the growth of A. salmonicida strain 6421 but not A. salmonicida strain 6422 and Yersinia ruckeri. There was no inhibition of three foodborne bacterial species, namely Salmonella enterica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli. In vitro cytotoxicity tests using different GarKS concentrations showed that the highest concentration of 33 µg/mL exhibited low cytotoxicity, while concentrations ≤3.3 µg/mL had no cytotoxicity on CHSE-214 and RTG-2 cells. In vivo tests showed that zebrafish larvae treated with 33 µg/mL and 3.3 µg/mL GarKS prior to challenge had 53% and 48% survival, respectively, while concentrations ≤0.33 µg/mL were nonprotective. Altogether, these data show that GarKS has a broad inhibitory spectrum against Gram positive and negative bacteria and that it has potential applications as a therapeutic agent for a wide range of bacterial pathogens. Thus, future studies should include clinical trials to test the efficacy of GarKS against various bacterial pathogens in farmed fish

Monitoring the endangered population of the antelope Kobus leche smithemani (Artiodactyla: Bovidae), in the Bangweulu ecosystem, Zambia

Black lechwe (Kobus leche smithemani) is a semi-aquatic medium sized antelope currently enlisted on the IUCN red list of endangered species and is only endemic to the Bangweulu basin of Zambia. Its population has significantly decreased due to floods that took place during the period 1930-1940 from over 250 000-15 000 leading the Zambian government to gazette all habitats of Black lechwe into state protected areas, and to establish urgent management strategies needed to save the remaining population from extinction. Using retrospective data, our findings show that the population has increased from 15 000 animals in 1954 to 55 632 in 2009. The current population is estimated at 34.77% (55 632/160 000) of the carrying capacity of the Bangweulu basin. Although the Black lechwe is one of the 42 species offered for consumptive utilization by the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), only 0.12% and 0.08% of the current stock was offered for safari and resident hunting annually for the period 2005-2009, respectively. Annual quota utilization were estimated at 67% (n=37) and 81% (n=37) for safari and resident hunting, respectively. Hence, overall income obtained from utilization of Black lechwe is very low accounting for only 2.1% of the total revenue earned from wildlife utilization. Although the current population trend is showing a unit increase of 639 animals per year, it is still far below levels ideal for the lucrative utilization. In this study, we demonstrate that adverse ecological changes on wildlife species, can lead to their vulnerability and danger of extinction, and that their recovery to full carrying capacity may demand a considerable amount of tim

Monitoring the endangered population of the antelope Kobus leche smithemani (Artiodactyla: Bovidae), in the Bangweulu ecosystem, Zambia

Black lechwe (Kobus leche smithemani) is a semi-aquatic medium sized antelope currently enlisted on the IUCN red list of endangered species and is only endemic to the Bangweulu basin of Zambia. Its population has significantly decreased due to floods that took place during the period 1930-1940 from over 250 000-15 000 leading the Zambian government to gazette all habitats of Black lechwe into state protected areas, and to estab- lish urgent management strategies needed to save the remaining population from extinction. Using retrospective data, our findings show that the population has increased from 15 000 animals in 1954 to 55 632 in 2009. The current population is estimated at 34.77% (55 32/160 00) of the carrying capacity of the Bangweulu basin. Although the Black lechwe is one of the 42 species offered for consumptive utilization by the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), only 0.12% and 0.08% of the current stock was offered for safari and resident hunting annu- ally for the period 2005-2009, respectively. Annual quota utilization were estimated at 67% (n=37) and 81% (n=37) for safari and resident hunting, respectively. Hence, overall income obtained from utilization of Black lechwe is very low accounting for only 2.1% of the total revenue earned from wildlife utilization. Although the current population trend is showing a unit increase of 639 animals per year, it is still far below levels ideal for the lucrative utilization. In this study, we demonstrate that adverse ecological changes on wildlife species, can lead to their vulnerability and danger of extinction, and that their recovery to full carrying capacity may demand a considerable amount of time.El lechwe negro (Kobus leche smithemani) es un antílope semiacuático de tamaño medio que en la actua- lidad se encuentra en la lista roja de la UICN de especies en peligro de extinción y sólo es endémica de la cuenca del Bangweulu de Zambia. Su población ha disminuido considerablemente, de más de 250 000 a 15 000, debido a las inundaciones que se dieron durante el período 1930- 1940, lo que llevó al gobierno de Zambia a declarar todos los hábitats del lechwe negro en áreas protegidas estatales, y a establecer estrategias de administración urgentes necesarias para salvar el resto de la población de la extinción. Utilizando los datos retrospectivos, nuestros resultados muestran que la población ha aumentado de 15 000 animales en 1954 a 55 632 en 2009. La población actual se estima en 34.77% (55 632/160 000) de la capacidad de carga de la cuenca del Bangweulu. Aunque el lechwe Negro es una de las 42 especies que se ofrecen para su utilización consuntiva por la Autoridad de Vida Silvestre de Zambia (ZAWA), sólo el 0.12% y 0.08% de la población actual se ha ofrecido para el safari y la caza residente anual para el período 2005-2009, respectivamente. La utilización de la cuota anual se estima en 67% (n=67) y 81% (n=37) para safari de caza y residente, respectivamente. Por lo tanto, los ingresos totales obtenidos de la utilización del lechwe negro son muy bajos contando sólo el 2.1% de los ingresos totales obtenidos de la utilización de la fauna silvestre. Aunque la tendencia actual de la población está mostrando un incremento unitario de 639 animales por año, está toda- vía muy por debajo de los niveles ideales para la utilización lucrativa. En este estudio, se demuestra que los cambios ecológicos perjudiciales sobre especies de fauna silvestre, puede conducir a su vulnerabilidad y peligro de extinción, y que la recuperación de su capacidad de carga completa puede exigir una cantidad considerable de tiempo