Epidemiology of Leptospirainterrogans Serovar Hardjo Infection in Cattle

The serological prevalence of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo (hereafter referred to serovar hardjo) infection in cattle in this present study was 30%. Water samples from stagnant water, pond water, tank water and drain water collected from the farms were positive to Leptospira biflexa (40%) . Twentyfour per cent of soil samples obtained from three different types of soil namely clay, loam and sand in the farms were also positive to Leptospira biflexa. However, serovar hardjo or other pathogenic leptospires were not isolated in the urine, soil and water samples collected in the farms. Clinical sign of leptospiral infection was not observed in the cattle on the farms. The leptospiral isolates were further characterized using bacterial restriction endonuclease DNA analysis (BRENDA), polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and Western blotting. It was confirmed that the leptospiral isolates did not belong to serovar hardjo.Under experimental condition it was demonstrated that cattle are able to maintain serovar hardjo. Six female 8-months-old Kedah-Kelantan calves were used in this trial. Leptospiremia occurred as early as 7 days post-inoculation and lasted for 13 days following intra-conjunctival inoculation. Antibody against serovar lzardjo was first detected at day 7 post inoculation, then raised to a high level at day 14 post-inoculation and maintained at the same level up to 365 days post inoculation. Leptospiruria was first detected on day 49 post inoculation and maintained up to day 147 post-inoculation. Histologically serovar hardjo was detected in the renal tubule at the end of the trial using immunoperoxidase staining. No clinical signs of leptospiral infection was observed in the same animals throughout the trial. Identification of the leptospiral isolates obtained from the inoculum and urine samples of the experimental animals using bacterial restriction endonuclease DNA analysis (BRENDA) and polymerase chain reaction (peR) showed that both isolates were serovar hardjo. The study showed that serovar hardjo can survive in rain water up to 264 hours (11 days) under experimental condition. Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo can survive up to 72 hours (3days) in diluted urine in Malaysian field condition and up to 984 hours (41 days) at 4°C. Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo can survive in chlorinated drinking water up to 120 hours (5 days) but was killed immediately in seawater. The organism can survive in soil samples up to 144 hours (6 days) . The contaminated environment with serovar 11l1rdjo can transmit infection of the organism to susceptible animals. It is evident that serovar hardjo infection is present in cattle farms in Malaysia. Cattle in Malaysia have a potential of maintaining serovar hardjo. Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo has been shown to survive in water and soil for a long time in Malaysian field condition and the organisms can be transmitted to susceptible animals

Characterization Of Leptospiral Isolates Obtained From Selected Cattle Farms In Malaysia

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease of animals and man in many parts of the world. It is caused by Leptospira and has been classified as an important zoonotic disease. A serological survey in four selected dairy cattle farms in Malaysia revealed 36% (114/318) of the animals examined had leptospiral infection. Antibodies to serovar hardjo was the main (19%) serovar detected . A bacteriological survey revealed only 1.2 % (3/244) of the cattle examined had leptospiral infection. Two isolates obtained have been identified as L. hardjo and another one as L. pomona. Bacteriological study did not come across any multiple leptospiral serovar infection in the cattle farms studied. The serological prevalence of serovar pomona infection was very low. However, one isolate that has been identified as serovar pomona was isolated from cattle in Sungai Siput Farm in this study. This finding suggested that cattle in this farm might be maintaining the serovar pomona infection

Screening of chinese medicinal herbs for the inhibition of Brucella melitensis

The antimicrobial activities of extracts from Chinese herbs commonly available in the local Malaysian Chinese medicine halls against three field isolates and one reference strain of Brucella melitensis were evaluated. A total of ten herb extracts were obtained via ethanol extraction. Antibacterial screenings were done using disc diffusion method. Herb extracts with inhibitory zones of 10 mm or more in diameter were further subjected to the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) determination. Of the 10 herbs, which were Lunicera japonica, Flos Lonicera, Coptis chinensis, Adrographis paniculata, Isatis indigotica, Radix paeoniae rubra, Polygonum orientale, Galla chinensis, Semen plantaginis, Fructus forsythia and Cortex phellodendrim, four were found to possess inhibitory effect against Brucella melitensis strains. The herbs are Coptis chinensis, Radix paeoniae rubra, Galla chinensis, and Cortex phellodendrin. The MIC ranged from 3.75 to 30 mg/mL. It was suggested that these four herbs are potential alternatives for the treatment or prevention of brucellosis caused by Brucella melitensis

Pathogenecity of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 1 isolate of Malaysia in 21 day old specific pathogen free chicken

Salmonella enteritidis (SE) has always been related to subclinical infection in the chickens infected after 2 weeks of hatching. However, few pathogenic phage types were proven for their ability to manifest systemic infection and cause the organism to be shed into the surrounding environment. It was the objective of the study to determine the pathogenicity of SE Phage Type (PT) 1 in Specific-Pathogen-Free (SPF) chickens. About 93, 21 day old SPF chickens where divided into 3 groups namely the Control, SE and Mortality groups. The chickens were raised separately in caging system and given free access to antibiotic-free ration and water. The SE and Mortality groups were inoculated orally (1.0 mL) with SE PT 1 (1x108 cfu mL-1). The chickens in the SE and Control groups were sacrificed at various intervals throughout the trial. Samples were collected for bacterial isolation and histological examination. The mortality percentage of the chickens in the Mortality group was recorded. The study showed that no mortality was recorded throughout the trial in the mortality as well as the SE group. Body weight was lower in the SE group when compared to the Control group throughout the trial except at days 2, 3 and 5 post inoculation (pi) reaching its peak at day 14 pi when the SE group body weight was 26% lower than the controls. Clinical signs observed in the SE and Mortality group were represented by diarrhoea, inappetance, ruffled feather and stunted chickens while no abnormal clinical signs where recorded in the Control group. Grossly mild airsacculitis, mild peritonitis and hepatic congestion where recorded in the SE group at day 2 pi until day 5 pi while no gross lesions where recorded in the Control group. SE was first isolated in the caecum (66%) at 12 h pi. At day 1 pi SE was isolated from the caecum and spleen (33%) whilst at day 2, SE was isolated from the caecum (100%) and caecal tonsil (66%). No SE was isolated from the cloacal swabs throughout the trial. The villi height was generally lower in the SE group when compared to the Controls, however it was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the duodenum at 12 h, days 1, 3, 5, 10, 14 and 21 pi; in the jejunum at 6 h, days 2, 14 and 21 pi while in the ileum at days 1, 3 and 5 pi. The crypts depth measurement was fluctuating however it ended up by being higher in the SE group, nevertheless it was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the SE group when compared to the Control group in the duodenum at 6 h and day 14 pi in the jejunum at day 10 pi; in the ileum at 12 h pi. Histopathological changes recorded included hepatitis, congestion and focal areas of necrosis; splenitis, congestion and oedema in the adenoid sheathed arteries; congestion and areas of necrosis in the lymphoi follicles of the bursa of Fabricius; enteritis, congestion and sloughing of necrotic enterocytes in the intestinal villi with presence of bacterial clusters in the villi surface and intestinal lumen. SE rods present in the caecal tonsils were seen to be engulfed by macrophages at days 1 and 2 pi, necrosis of the enterocytes on the villi surface and infiltration of the bacteria was recorded at day 2 pi while at days 5 pi the bacteria multiplication were seen and often located upon the M-like M cells however, no actual engulfment was recorded

Antibiotic susceptibility of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from animals

Klebsiella pneumonia is an important opportunistic pathogen and a frequent cause of nosocomial infections. The bacteria are responsible for a variety of diseases in humans and animals. This study was conducted to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of K. pneumoniae isolates to twelve antibiotics. Forty-two isolates which were isolated between 2007 and 2012 by the Bacteriology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, were used in this study. These bacterial isolates were obtained from various animals including horses, cats, dogs, goats, avian species, gaur, cattle, exotic animals and wildlife. The samples included swab (18), organs (18), faeces (3) and urine (3). Isolates were subcultured and confirmed as K. pneumonia using standard microbiology techniques. Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were further subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing using the Kirby-Bauer method. The susceptibilities of K. pneumoniae to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ampicillin, cephalothin, kenamycin, gentamicin, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, doxycycline, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, erythromycin and chloramphenicol were determined. Klebsiella pneumonia was found to be highly resistant to erythromycin (98%) and ampicillin (95%) while it is moderately resistant to cephalothin (55%). Although 60% (25 of 42) of K. pneumoniae isolates were multidrug-resistant, the majority of isolates were sensitive to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin with the same sensitivity rates of 71%

Mastitis in the dairy herd at Taman Pertanian Universiti Putra Malaysia

This study investigated mastitis in the dairy herd at Taman Pertanian Universiti Putra Malaysia (TPU). Questionnaire was used to describe the farm performance and management. Nineteen lactating cows and 150 quarters were tested by clinical examination, the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and bacteriological culture to estimate the incidence and prevalence of mastitis. Relationship between subclinical mastitis and some risk factors were evaluated. Prevalence of the aetiologic agents and their antibiotic sensitivities were also determined. Some management deficiencies were identified. No clinical mastitis observed. The incidence risk of subclinical mastitis based on CMT was 8 cases in 100 cows and 6 cases in 100 quarters, in a 2-week period. The period prevalence of subclinical mastitis by CMT was 68% (cows) and 48% (quarters), and from culture, 100% cows and 91% quarters. Staphylococcus hyicus (68%) was predominant followed by Staphylococcus aureus (32%). Prevalence of subclinical mastitis by CMT or culture was significantly associated with positive CMT, position of quarters, and stage of lactation. Antibiotics sensitivity and resistance of the isolates were identified. In conclusion, the prevalence of mastitis in the dairy herd at TPU was high. Hence, the results of this study would be useful for the prevention and control programme for mastitis in this herd

Influence of age, reproductive status and vulvar conformation on canine vaginal microflora.

The influence of age, reproductive status and vulvar conformation on canine vaginal microflora of dogs reared in a tropical environment was successfully determined. Vaginal swab samples were obtained from 15 intact and 15 spayed bitches from a shelter. The dogs were grouped according to age and vaginal cytological examination was conducted to determine the oestrous cycle stage of the bitch. Physical examination and images of the vulvar conformation were captured and classed into three categories (I, II and II) based on the position, size and percentage of occlusion. The effect of vulvar conformation on bacterial load was determined. Canine vaginal microflora isolated in this study is similar to that reported in temperate climates. Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus was the most common bacteria isolated from 86.7% of the bitches. All isolated bacteria were normal opportunistic microflora of the vagina. Bitches less than one-year old had a higher bacteria load, which was 50% higher than bitches above one-year old. This finding may be attributed to the differences in immunity maturity and physiological responses of the dogs. Spayed bitches have higher bacterial load compared to intact bitches in anestrus and this may be associated with the partially occluded vulvae which occurred in 87% of these bitches. Category III, which included bitches with >50% vulvar occlusion by skin folds had a higher load of bacteria (60%) compared to category I where the vulva was not occluded (33.3%)

Disease detection of brucellosis in goat population in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

A serological study of brucellosis in goats caused by Brucella melitensis was conducted in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. A total of 771 serum samples were collected from seven districts namely Rembau, Jelebu, Kuala Pilah, Seremban, Port Dickson, Jempol, and Tampin. At least two farms were selected and a minimum of 100 serum samples were collected from each district. All sera were tested for brucellosis using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and complement fixation test (CFT). In this study, only Rembau and Kuala Pilah showed seropositivity for B. melitensis with RBPT and CFT at 1.0 and 2.5%, respectively. The CFT was more sensitive than the RBPT because the serum antibodies against B. melitensis detected by CFT were twice higher than that detected by RBPT. As suggested by the Office International des Epizooties OIE, CFT was used as a confirmatory test for brucellosis. This test is also recommended as a prescribed test for international trade and is used in the control and eradication programmes

Isolation and identification of Riemerella anatipestifer from ducks in Malaysia

Riemerella anatipestifer is the primary etiological agent of contagious septicemic diseases among ducks. The study is the first atempt to isolate and identify R. anatipestifer from ducks in Malaysia. In this study, ten diseases Khaki-Campbell ducks and forty healthy Khaki-Campbell ducks were selected. A pharyngeal swab was collected from each selected ducks. One strain of R. anatipestifer was successfully isolated out of the ten diseased ducks and identified using conventional biochemical tests. R. anatipestiferwas isolated from the healthy ducks. The R. anatipestifer isolate was then subjected to antibiotic sensitivity testing using Kirby-Bauer method. The sensitivity of R. anatipestifer to penicillin G. enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline, gentamicin, neomycin, and ceftiofur was determined. R. anatipestifer was found to be highly sensitive to enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline and neomycin, intermediately sensitive to gentamicin and resistant to penicillin G and ceftiofur

Antibacterial activities of sea cucumber (Holothuroidea) in poultry.

The antibacterial activities of sea cucumber (Holothuroidea) were studied. Three commercialized sea cucumber products and one dried sea cucumber were tested for antibacterial activities against six clinical isolates of common pathogenic bacteria causing diseases in poultry using Disc Diffusion Method (Kirby-Bauer Method). Only one commercial product; “Gamat Gel” produced inhibition zones towards 5 tested bacteria namely Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus sp. in the initial susceptibility test. The biggest inhibition zones were produced against Pasteurella multocida, while smallest inhibition zones were produced against Streptococcus sp. No inhibition zone was produced against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The determination of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the Gamat Gel was carried out. It was found that the MIC value for all test bacteria were more than 1/12