Infección con Sarcoptes scabiei (Acari: Sarcoptidae) en conejos (Oryctolagus cuniculus): estudio de caso.

A partir de una sospecha de sarna sarcóptica en tres de cinco conejos albinos europeos (Oryctolagus cuniculus), mantenidos con fines experimentales, se hizo un examen general que reveló áreas multifocales de alopecia alrededor de los ojos, las fosas nasales y los labios. Se procesaron cortes de piel y un análisis de PCR con el objeto de identificar los ácaros. La histopatología de los cortes de piel mostró epidermis erupcionada y estrato córneo con una infiltración de células inflamatorias. El raspado o frotis de piel reveló la presencia de ácaros tanto en adultos como en huevos. Al examen microscópico, los ácaros adultos fueron identificados como Sarcoptes (S.) scabiei (Acari: Sarcoptidae). El análisis de muestras de los tres casos por PCR reveló una banda de 311 pb confirmando la infestación de S. scabiei en los conejos. La infección en conejos con S. scabiei puede representar un problema de salud pública de transmisión indirecta debida a la manipulación de conejos infestados. Hasta la presente, este es el primer reporte de infección por S. scabiei en conejos de Pakistán

Ameliorative role of dietary activated carbon against ochratoxin-A induced oxidative damage, suppressed performance and toxicological effects

The present study reports that dietary addition of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 g/kg activated charcoal (AC) in broiler feed contaminated with 0.15, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg ochratoxin A (OTA) showed a partial reduction in intensity of mycotoxins induced toxic effects; particularly against those induced at lower doses of toxin (0.15 and 0.3 mg/kg). The protection by AC was absent against 1.0 mg/kg OTA-mediated toxicities. Moreover, AC at 10 g/kg feed also imparted toxicological effects in broiler chicken. It can be concluded that AC possess limited adsorptive potential against OTA and increasing the dose of AC may be detrimental for animal health.The authors highly acknowledge the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for funding this study to first author under HEC Indigenous PhD fellowship program batch VII

Immunopathological comparison of in ovo and post-hatch vaccination techniques for infectious bursal disease vaccine in layer chicks

This study was designed to compare immunopathological effects of in ovo vaccination with post-hatch vaccination against IBD in White Leghorn chicks. A total of 189 embryonated eggs were divided into six groups. At day 18 of incubation, groups A–C were administered in ovo with 228E, Winterfield 2512:10/3 and 2512/90:10/2.7, respectively, group D (post-hatch vaccination) and group E as shamed control (for quality evaluation of in ovo vaccination technique), and group F as control. The results showed that antibody titers against IBD detected by ELISA on days 2, 17, and 28 were significantly higher in all in ovo groups as compared to control groups E and F. On day 17, all vaccinated groups (in ovo and post-hatch vaccinated) showed no significant differences in antibody titers among themselves; however, at day 28, only the post-hatch group showed significantly higher antibody titers followed by in ovo vaccinated groups. The cell-mediated immunity determined by PHA-P assay was significantly higher in all vaccinated groups than the non-vaccinated groups. No clinical signs of IBD infection were observed in any of the vaccinated groups. There was only increase in bursa size of groups vaccinated with intermediate plus strains (groups A, C, and D) at day 28. The histopathology showed that all the treatment groups had mild lesions induced by IBD virus in bursa. This study concluded that in ovo vaccination with live IBD vaccines provides protective immunity to the chickens even in the presence of IBD-specific MDA; therefore, the onset of immunity was much earlier than the post-hatch vaccination and in ovo groups also maintained protective immunity against IBD for longer time

Toxicopathological effects of endosulfan in female Japanese Quails (Coturnix japonica)

Background: The current study was planned to investigate the toxico-pathological effects of endosulfan in female Japanese quails.Methods: A total of 120 quail of 4 weeks old were divided into six equal groups (A-F) and administered endosulfan in feed at dose rate of 0, 5, 25, 50, 100, and 500 mg/kg feed, respectively for 90 days. Parameters studied included clinical signs, feed intake, body weight and mortality. Hematology, serum biochemistry, hatchability and fertility were also determined. Gross and microscopic changes on different organs were recorded.Results: The quails of the group B did not show any clinical signs and had significantly lower values of feed intake, testes relative weight and leukocyte number than those of the control group A. The quails of group C and D had mild depression while those of the group E and F showed nervous excitation following ingestion of endosulfan. There was a dose related delay in onset of crowing, appearance of foamy material in the droppings. The feed intake, erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, hematocrit values, and serum total proteins of endosulfan fed quails were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of the group A. The total egg production in groups A, B and C was significantly higher from group D, E and F.  The hatchability in group A and B was significantly higher from groups C, D, E and F. The difference of dead in shell % and early dead among different groups was nonsignificant. Infertile egg percentage was significantly higher in group E compared with all other groups except group F. The necrotic changes were observed in all parts of oviduct in high dose groups, similarly necrotic changes and vacuolar degeneration was observed in hepatic parenchyma in high dose groups D-F.Conclusion: It may be concluded that endosulfan leads to dose dependent changes in the quails.Keywords: Body weight; Coturnix japonica; Endosulfan; Haematological values; Histopatholog

Acaricidal and insecticidal effects of essential oils against ectoparasites of veterinary importance

Ectoparasitism in animals has become an issue of great concern that needs to be resolved to prevent huge economic losses occurring to livestock industry all over the world. Synthetic adrugs have been playing a major role in controlling ectoparasites, but their frequent and irrational use has resulted in drug resistance to routinely used chemicals and their residual effects on food and environment. Therefore, this approach of using chemical acaricides and insecticides is losing its popularity and effectiveness in controlling ectoparasites. So, the development of alternative approaches in ectoparasite management is currently required. Among alternative protocols, plants and their essential oils have played remarkable role in controlling different ectoparasites (ticks, flies, mites, lice) of veterinary importance. Essential oils have been proved to be cheaper, more effective and safer therapeautic agents against different ectoparasites of livestock importance

Protocatechuic acid: A novel detoxication agent of fumonisin B1 for poultry industry

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a major fusarium mycotoxin that largely contaminates feedstuffs and foods, posing a health risk to both animals and humans. This mycotoxin can enter the human body directly through contaminated food consumption or indirectly by toxins and their metabolites. In a prior study, feed-borne FB1 is one of the leading mycotoxins in breeder eggs, leading to reduced hatchability and gizzard ulceration in chicken progenies. Currently, no effective way is available to remove FB1 from feeds and human-contaminated foods. We hypothesize that FB1 can be reduced to low risk by protocatechuic acid (PCA). To assess the ability of FB1 to be degraded in vivo, 1 ppm of FB1 was treated with PCA, or D-glucose, or silymarin, or anti-FB1 monoclonal antibody. Our study revealed that both D-glucose and PCA exhibited 53.4 and 71.43% degradation, respectively, at 80°C for 2 h, while 35.15% of FB1 detoxification was determined in the silymarin group at 60°C for 0.5 h. A dose-dependent manner was found after treatment with D-glucose or PCA at 80°C for 2 h. As for detoxification of anti-FB1 monoclonal antibody, the 1:3,000 dilution induced significant FB1 detoxification, accounting for 25.9% degradation at 25°C for 2 h. Furthermore, 50 SPF 11-day-old embryonated eggs were divided into 10 groups, with five eggs per group. Post treatment with PCA or D-glucose, or silymarin or anti-FB1 monoclonal antibody, the treated samples were inoculated into albumens and monitored daily until the hatching day. Consequently, 100% of the chickens survived in the D-glucose group and other control groups, except for the FB1 control group, while 80, 80, and 60% hatching rates were found in the PCA-treated group, the anti-FB1 monoclonal antibody-treated group, and the silymarin-treated group. Additionally, both the FB1 group and the silymarin-treated group yielded lower embryo growth than other groups did. Postmortem, lower gizzard ulceration index was determined in the PCA-treated group and the anti-FB1 monoclonal antibody-treated group compared to those of the silymarin-treated group and D-glucose-treated group. Based on the above evidence, PCA is a promising detoxification to reduce FB1 contamination in the poultry industry, contributing to the eradication of mycotoxin residuals in the food chain and maintaining food security for human beings