Induction of immunosuppression by benzo (a) pyrene in broilers

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon which has shown carcinogenic, teratogenic, mutagenic and claimed immune-suppressive potentials. However, the exact mechanism whereby BaP induces such immunotoxicity is not fully explored. The effect of BaP on the immune system and morphology of selected lymphoid organs of broilers were investigated. Forty day-old chicks were divided into control and BaP groups compromising of 20 birds each. The control group was instilled with tricaprylin only while the other received 15 mg BaP/kg intra-tracheally for 5 consecutive days. Live ND vaccine (La Sota strain) was given on Days 7 and 21 to all chickens. Five chickens from each group were sacrificed via cervical dislocation and the liver, lung and lymphoid organs were collected at Days 7, 14, 21 and 35. Tissues were subjected to assay for cytochrome P450 (CYP1), SOD and MDA. In this study, marked expression of CYP1 in the broilers denoted the sensitivity of broilers to BaP exposure. Such expression has in turn led to oxidative stress which led to immune-supression via damage of lymphoid organs. This warrants judicious assessment of poultry health status with respect to the occurrence of haze or air pollution episodes. Effective immune-modulatory strategies will render adequate flock health and translate maximum profit to the farm

Dimethyl sulfoxide and their toxicity

The aim of the present mini-review was to report a toxic effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) that has indicated to change the histology of the liver and kidney of rats. DMSO is a powerful co-solvent and often is used in early metabolic studies when compounds are poorly characterized and difficult to become soluble in water. To become soluble, they have to be dissolved in organic lipophilic solvents (vehicles). Following its conventional use, plant extract has been exposed to various intense and sub-acute toxicity studies to legitimize its toxicological security. Normally, DMSO has low fundamental toxicity yet plant extract when dissolved in 10% DSMO can cause noteworthy confined toxic impacts in the liver and kidney of rats. Be that as it may, vehicles currently in use have pleiotropic impacts, which are regularly obscure. Therefore, researchers ought to be cautious in the preparation and storage of substances before they are dispensed to animals. If this is not done, it may lead to accidental adverse effects on the animals and frequently result in inaccurate outcomes. In this mini-review, we summed up data on biological impacts of the DMSO most generally utilized lipophilic medication vehicles. Other than in experimental models, the information, where accessible, are presented on the impacts of solvents in therapeutic use in rodents. All in all, a few suggestions are given on the utilization of medication solvents in tests

Incidental findings of Heterakis spumosa and Chirodiscoides caviae with pinworms in Sprague Dawley rats

Endoparasites and ectoparasites have been one of the most common problems influencing the health condition of laboratory animals. The animals have a higher possibility of getting infected and their vague microbial status may alter the results of research studies. The objective of this study was to identify the presence of helminths and ectoparasites in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and to determine the association between the type of helminths and ectoparasites infestation in two different conventionally-maintained animal facilities. A total of 60 SD rats were selected randomly. For helminths identification, perianal tape test and faecal floatation were used while ectoparasites were identified by fur pluck test. The data was analysed statistically by SPSS using the Pearson Chi-square test. In this study, pinworms; Syphacia muris and Aspiculuris tetraptera were identified in both Premise 1 and Premise 2. Out of 30 animals of each facility, 26 and 23 rats were found to be positive for helminths at each premise, respectively. Surprisingly, Heterakis spumosa that is commonly found in wild rats were identified at Premise 2. Additionally, 22 out of 30 SD rats at Premise 2 were infested heavily with Chirodiscoides caviae mites which are common in guinea pigs. The high burden of C. caviae infestation was most likely due to cross-contamination during transportation. Statistically, there was an association between the type of helminths and ectoparasites infestation in SD rats at different animal facilities (p-value=0.009). In conclusion, different practise of conventionally-maintained animal facilities influence the evidence of uncommon parasites infestation without affecting the presence of common pinworms in laboratory rats

Detection of pinworms in conventionally maintained laboratory mice

The laboratory mice (Mus musculus) are commonly utilised for research purposes. Despite strict biosecurity, they potentially harbour parasites which may compromise the experimental study. Parasite intensity differs among strains of mice. This study aims to identify the presence of parasites between two strains of laboratory mice. A total of 48 mice (n= 48) obtained from the UPM Animal Resource Unit (ARU), consisting of 24 animals for each group of inbred strain Bagg Albino (BALB/c) and outbred Institute Cancer Research (ICR) mice were used for detection of helminths, ectoparasites and blood parasites. Based on parasitological distinct characteristics, Syphacia obvelata (S. obvelata) and Aspiculuris tetraptera (A. tetraptera) were detected. Both helminths were seen in 8.33% of BALB/c and 20.83% of ICR mice, respectively. Single infection by S. obvelata was detected in 33.33% of BALB/c mice while 12.5% of ICR mice were manifested merely by A. tetraptera. The findings revealed an optimal method to identify S. obvelata through perianal tape test while A. tetraptera is best detected by the faecal flotation technique. Statistically, the type of helminth was significantly associated with the strains of mice (P=0.043). Overall, there were low amounts of opportunistic helminths and ova with the absence of ectoparasites and blood parasites for both strains of laboratory mice which is suggestive of appropriate management practised

Prevalence and risk factors of fasciolosis in a bovine population from farms in Taiping, Malaysia

Fasciolosis is a zoonotic disease, considered an emerging neglected tropical disease threatening ruminant productivity and causing economic losses. Controlling fasciolosis is challenging due to the complex life cycle of Fasciola, which involves snail intermediate hosts. The high rainfall status in Taiping makes it an optimal region for snail abundance, which increases the opportunity to complete Fasciola's life cycle. Previous studies showed that liver condemnation caused by fasciolosis was highly prevalent in the Taiping abattoir compared to other investigated main abattoirs of Peninsular Malaysia. Therefore, the present study determined the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis and risk factors in farms from Larut and Matang (Taiping), Malaysia. Sampling was carried out from February until August 2020. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 371 fecal samples from bovines (dairy cattle, beef cattle, buffalo) were examined from 23 farms selected based on location, farmer consent, and history of anthelmintic usage. Animal's intrinsic and farm management details were recorded, and interview sessions were conducted with farmers to collect information on the potential risk factors. Individual fecal samples were examined for the presence of Fasciola egg using Flukefinder® sedimentation. There was moderate prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in Taiping (36.9%, n = 137/371). Significant risk factors (p 3 years (OR = 5.5, 95% CI: 5.43–5.57), thinner animals with body condition score of 1 to 4 (OR = 1.2–14.9, 95% CI: 1.09–15.08), and larger grazing area (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.30–1.31). Additional risk factors include the presence of more than one ruminant species in the same farm (OR = 2.0–2.1, 95% CI: 2.00–2.22), extensive housing system (OR = 4.0, 95% CI: 3.77–4.23), farm age (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.20–1.21), and also co-infection with Paramphistomes (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.10–1.71). The present study underscores the importance of local bovine fasciolosis epidemiology, which could be used to conduct future veterinary and public health programmes to inform effective parasitic management aimed at reducing the prevalence of fasciolosis

A case report of wet form Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) in a domestic short hair cat

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), a fatal disease of cat exists in two major forms namely effusive and noneffusive form. FIP is caused by mutated form of Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) classified under the genus of Alphacoronavirus. Despite common prevalence of FIP in Malaysia, further diagnosis remain challenging due to the complexity of the disease which often required multiple findings to confirm the disease. This case report highlights the progressive wet form of FIP in a male domestic short hair cat named Cromox presented to the Post Mortem Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Manifestation of distended abdomen, icterus and flu was shown before the cat died. Post-mortem and histopathology analysis of affected organs were performed and since FIP was suspected, RT-PCR against polymerase gene of FCoV was carried out. The post mortem examination revealed generalised icterus at sclera, gums and integuments, straw colour peritoneal fluid and congestion of kidney and liver. Histopathology analysis showed infiltration of mononuclear cells in liver, pulmonary edema and renal desquamation. Meanwhile, RT-PCR and partial sequencing analysis showed evidence of positive Feline Coronavirus which was closely related to the FCoV from China and Netherland. Hence, the cause of death of Cromox was confirmed due to FIP infection. Only supportive treatment can be given to the FIP affected cat since the disease is usually fatal. Vaccination against FIP is not recommended and avoiding the sick cat to share litterbox in the multihousehold cat has been proven to be an effective way to prevent the occurence of FIP

A retrospective study on bovine fascioliasis in Veterinary Regional Laboratories in Peninsular Malaysia

This is a retrospective study on bovine fascioliasis infection on cattle in Peninsular Malaysia, spanning from January 2007 to December 2017. Cattle were diagnosed with Fasciola based on the fecal examination and the results were reported to the Veterinary Regional Laboratories in Peninsular Malaysia. These records were analysed for the occurrence of bovine fascioliasis within that 11-year period. Records of annual diagnostic cases from five major Veterinary Regional Laboratories were examined: Bukit Tengah, Pulau Pinang (north); Kuantan, Pahang (east); Johor Bahru, Johor (south); Sepang, Selangor (west); and Kota Bharu, Kelantan (east). A positive fascioliasis infestation was calculated based on a number of positively infected cattle with Fasciola from a number of cattle examined. A total of 1988 cattle were examined during this period and 35 (1.76%) cattle were reported to be positive for bovine fascioliasis. Parasite infection was the highest at Bukit Tengah region (5.55%) where 19 cases were positive from 342 reported cases while, at Kuantan (4.96%), 15 positive cases were reported, unlike Johor Bahru (0.09%), with only 1 positive case from 1136 cattle examined. Sepang and Kelantan had no positive cases. These results showed that bovine fascioliasis was generally prevalent in the northern and southeast parts of the Peninsular Malaysia; however, there was no significant relationship between the region and the occurrence of fascioliasis

A pilot study of toxicological safety evaluation in acute and subacute (28-day) oral assessments of kenaf seed beverage in rats

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed is a non-conventional edible oilseed that can be valorized into various food products. There is a recent discovery of kenaf seed beverage (KSB) potential as a novel plant-based beverage. KSB had less crude protein than soybean (SB) but more carbohydrate, magnesium, and phosphorus contents. Levels of crude fat, phytates, oxalates, total saponins, and lipid peroxidability in KSB were lower than SB. Sugar content between KSB and SB were comparable, while antioxidant properties of KSB were superior. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) analysis detected gluconic acid, citric acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid in both KSB and SB. Considering its novelty, acute and subacute oral toxicity assessments in male Sprague Dawley rats were conducted. The acute toxicity assessment was performed at a single dose of 9.2 ml/kg body weight of KSB. In the following subacute toxicity assessment, different groups of rats consumed different doses of KSB (3.1, 6.1, and 9.2 ml/kg body weight) daily for 28 days. Rats presented normal behavioral and physiological states in both toxicity studies. Growth, food and water intakes, organ weight, and hematological parameters were unaffected. No mortality was reported. Several alterations in serum biochemical parameters were within the normal range, and unassociated with histopathological changes. The oral lethal dose (LD50) and the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) of KSB in rats was greater than 9.2 ml/kg (=1533 mg/kg) body weight. Interestingly, KSB exhibited comparable effects with soybean beverage (SB) on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides which worth further research Follow-up toxicity assessments in animals and human trials are also recommended to ascertain its long term safety

Histopathological changes of acetaminophen-induced liver injury and subsequent liver regeneration in BALB/C and ICR mice

Background and Aim: Laboratory mice are widely used as a research model to provide insights into toxicological studies of various xenobiotic. Acetaminophen (APAP) is an antipyretic and analgesic drug that is commonly known as paracetamol, an ideal hepatotoxicant to exhibit centrilobular necrosis in laboratory mice to resemble humans. However, assessment of histopathological changes between mouse strains is important to decide the optimal mouse model used in APAP toxicity study. Therefore, we aim to assess the histomorphological features of APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) in BALB/C and Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five ICR mice and 20 BALB/C mice were used where five animals as control and the rest were randomly divided into four time points at 5, 10, 24 and 48 hours post-dosing (hpd). They were induced with 500 mg/kg APAP intraperitoneally. Liver sections were processed for hematoxylin-eosin staining and histopathological changes were scored based on grading methods. Results: Intense centrilobular damage was observed as early as 5 hpd in BALB/C as compared to ICR mice, which was observed at 10 hpd. The difference of liver injury between ICR and BALB/C mice is due to dissimilarity in the genetic line-up that related to different elimination pathways of APAP toxicity. However, at 24 hpd, the damage was markedly subsided and liver regeneration had taken place for both ICR and BALB/C groups with evidence of mitotic figures. This study showed that normal liver architecture was restored after the clearance of toxic insult. Conclusion: AILI was exhibited earlier in BALB/C than ICR mice but both underwent liver recovery at later time points

Histopathological changes of acetaminophen-induced liver injury and subsequent liver regeneration in BALB/C and ICR mice

Background and Aim: Laboratory mice are widely used as a research model to provide insights into toxicological studies of various xenobiotic. Acetaminophen (APAP) is an antipyretic and analgesic drug that is commonly known as paracetamol, an ideal hepatotoxicant to exhibit centrilobular necrosis in laboratory mice to resemble humans. However, assessment of histopathological changes between mouse strains is important to decide the optimal mouse model used in APAP toxicity study. Therefore, we aim to assess the histomorphological features of APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) in BALB/C and Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five ICR mice and 20 BALB/C mice were used with five animals as controls and the rest were randomly divided into three time points at 5, 24, and 48 hours post-dosing (hpd). They were induced with 500 mg/kg APAP intraperitoneally. Liver sections were processed for hematoxylin-eosin staining and histopathological changes were scored based on grading methods. Results: Intense centrilobular damage was observed as early as 5 hpd in BALB/C as compared to ICR mice, which was observed at 10 hpd. The difference of liver injury between ICR and BALB/C mice is due to dissimilarity in the genetic line-up that related to different elimination pathways of APAP toxicity. However, at 24 hpd, the damage was markedly subsided and liver regeneration had taken place for both ICR and BALB/C groups with evidence of mitotic figures. This study showed that normal liver architecture was restored after the clearance of toxic insult. Conclusion: AILI was exhibited earlier in BALB/C than ICR mice but both underwent liver recovery at later time points