Molecular identification of trichostrongylus axei on European brown hare (Lepus Europaeus) in Western Romania - case report

Trichostrongylosis is a cosmopolitan parasitic disease affecting domestic and wild ruminants, equines, and last but not least, leporids. Three species of strongyles commonly parasitize the digestive tracts of leporids, the most prevalent being Trichostrongylus retortaeformis. This paper describes the first case of Trichostrongylus axei infestation in a wild hare in western Romania. A female wild hare carcass found in Timis County was examined at the Parasiology Department of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Timisoara. A clinical, post-mortem and PCR examination was performed to establish a diagnosis, with molecular analysis confirming the presence of the nematode Trichostrongylus axei in European brown hare

Bioactive compounds and in vitro antioxidant and anticoccidial activities of Opuntia ficus-indica flower extracts

The objective of the present study is to identify the biochemical compounds extracted from OFI flowers using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and to evaluate their in vitro antioxidant activities and anticoccidial effects on the destruction of Eimeria oocysts isolated from naturally infected chickens. A domestic microwave was used with a refrigerant to condense the vapors generated during the extraction. The flavonoid and phenolic compound contents of the OFI flowers were determined according to standard methods. DPPH radical and H2O2 scavenging capacities were used to assess the antioxidant activity. Regarding the anticoccidial activity, the Eimeria spp. oocysts used were isolated from the fresh feces of infected broilers and were determined in triplicate by incubation at an ambient temperature for 24 h. The results highlighted the considerable influence of the optimized acetone concentration, ratio, irradiation time, and microwave power parameters on the phenolic content and antioxidant activities. Our results revealed significant matches between the predicted and experimental values of the models. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of several biophenol classes such as quercetin, isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside. OFI flower extracts inhibited sporulation and damaged the morphology of Eimeria oocysts compared with normal sporulated Eimeria oocysts containing sporocysts. In conclusion, the optimized conditions were validated and found to fit very well with the experimental values. These findings suggest that the flowers of OFI should be considered sources of antioxidants. The results of the present study revealed that OFI flower extracts have anticoccidial activities against Eimeria-spp.-induced infection in broiler chickens

Molecular epidemiology of the neglected meat-borne pathogen Sarcocystis spp. in pigs and cattle: an update

The host specific Sarcocystis spp., some of them with zoonotic character, is considered cyst-forming intracellular coccidian (Apicomplexa: Sporozoa) parasites. Their life cycle involves carnivores as definitive hosts and herbivores and omnivores as intermediate hosts, including pigs and cattle. The present work aimed to review the worldwide distribution and molecular epidemiology of Sarcocystis spp. in cattle and pigs, processing PubMed retrieved relevant scientific papers, published in the new century and based on molecular tools. Mainly, prevalence values of the infections according to countries and geographical regions; incriminated Sarcocystis spp. and their isolation sources together with the targeted genes and used primers, as well as public health significance of the isolates, are presented. The published summarized results may be useful for epidemiologists and public health specialists

Molecular Epidemiology of the Neglected Meat-Borne Pathogen Sarcocystis Spp. in Pigs and Cattle: an Update

The host specific Sarcocystis spp., some of them with zoonotic character, is considered cyst-forming intracellular coccidian (Apicomplexa: Sporozoa) parasites. Their life cycle involves carnivores as definitive hosts and herbivores and omnivores as intermediate hosts, including pigs and cattle. The present work aimed to review the worldwide distribution and molecular epidemiology of Sarcocystis spp. in cattle and pigs, processing PubMed retrieved relevant scientific papers, published in the new century and based on molecular tools. Mainly, prevalence values of the infections according to countries and geographical regions; incriminated Sarcocystis spp. and their isolation sources together with the targeted genes and used primers, as well as public health significance of the isolates, are presented. The published summarized results may be useful for epidemiologists and public health specialists

Paraclinical Changes Occurring in Dairy Cows with Spontaneous Subacute Ruminal Acidosis under Field Conditions

This study was undertaken to investigate the changes in the blood and milk biochemical parameters found in naturally occurring and long-lasting spontaneous subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), with the aim of identifying the patterns of paraclinical changes and providing valuable data for more accurately identifying SARA in cows under field conditions. The study was conducted on a dairy herd with a history of the occurrence of SARA-associated clinical signs. Twelve cows, between 20 and 150 days in milk, were randomly selected and subsequently subjected to venous blood, milk, and ruminal fluid collection. The mean pH value of the ruminal fluid was 5.56 ± 0.32, and 58% (7/12) of the tested cows were SARA positive (ruminal pH ≤ 5.5). The albumin, calcium, and phosphorus serum concentration values were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the SARA group than in the group of healthy cows. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) activity were significantly higher in the SARA cows (p < 0.05) than in the group of healthy cows. The mean values of milk fat, milk protein content, and milk fat-to-protein ratio were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the tested cows of the SARA group than in the healthy group of cows. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicate that long-term SARA triggered by a high-concentrate diet is associated with clinically significant changes in both the blood composition (hypoalbuminemia, hypocalcemia, and increased serum AST and GLDH activity) and the milk composition (decreased fat and protein percentage and milk fat-to-protein ratio). Altogether, the obtained results provide a more reliable pattern of paraclinical changes and useful insights for detecting SARA in dairy cows under field conditions