Search

CRISPR/Cas9 has become a powerful method for making changes to the genome of many organisms. First discovered in bacteria as part of an adaptive immune system, CRISPR/Cas9 and modified versions have found widespread use in genome engineering and in the activation or repression of gen expression. As such, CRISPR/Cas9 promises to accelerate cancer research by providing an efficient technology to dissect mechanisms of tumorigenesis, identify targets for drug development, and possibly arm cells for cell-based therapies. Here, we review the current applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology for cancer research and therapy. We highlight the impact of CRISPR/Cas9 in generating organoid and mouse models of cancer. Finally, we provide an overview of the first clinical trials applying CRISPR/Cas9 as a therapeutic approach against cancer.

The treatment of mastitis is based mainly on the use of antibiotics. However, in recent times, an increase in resistance phenomena and the presence of residues in milk and their derivatives has been reported. Few studies have focused on the treatment of mastitis by homeopathy elsewhere or in Algeria. The objective of this current study aimed to clarify in particular the interest of homeopathy in the treatment of mastitis. The study was carried out on two dairy farms on a total of 14 cows located in Laghouat region (southern Algeria). Before the start of the experiment, a tolerance test was performed on two cull cows free from any apparent infection (except mastitis). Local and general reactions were noted at specific times. A total of 31 mammary quarters received 4 intramammary injections of a homeopathic preparation containing several natural products every 12h over 48h. A clinical examination and an analysis of the milk samples on D0, D7 and D14 were performed on all cows and the conclusion was made on the day 14. Data showed a very good tolerance to the homeopathic preparation and a 75% cure rate of the clinical mastitis. An improvement with a decrease in CMT score was also noted. In addition, healing rates of 51.85% for subclinical mastitis on D7 and 59.29% on D14 were also reported. Ultimately, homeopathy could, in some cases, represent an alternative to antibiotic therapy and bring an advantage to breeders. Further investigations should be performed in the future., Liječenje mastitisa uglavnom se temeljina uporabi antibiotika. Međutim, u novije vrijeme, postoje izvještaji o povećanju fenomena otpornosti i o prisutnosti rezidua u mlijeku i mliječnim prerađevinama. Nekoliko studija usredotočilo se na liječenje mastitisa pomoću homeopatije širom svijeta kao i u Alžiru. Cilj ove studije posebno je bio pojasniti primjenjivost homeopatije u liječenju mastitisa. Rad je proveden na dvije farme mlijeka na sveukupno 14 krava u regiji Laghouat (jug Alžira). Prije početka eksperimenta, obavljeno je ispitivanje tolerancije na dvije krave izdvojene za klanje bez ikakve očite infekcije [osim mastitisa]. U određeno vrijeme zamijećene su lokalne i opće reakcije. Ukupno 31 mamitska regija zaprimila je 4 intramamarne injekcije homeopatskog preparata koji sadrži nekoliko prirodnih proizvoda svakih 12 sati tijekom razdoblja od 48 sati. Obavljen je klinički pregled i analiza uzoraka mlijeka na dan D0, D7 i D14 na svim kravama te je donesena odluka na 14. dan. Podatci su pokazali vrlo dobru toleranciju homeopatskog preparata i izlječenje 75% kliničkog mastitisa. Zamijećeno je i poboljšanje sa smanjenjem CMT bodova. Uz to, prijavljena je i stopa ozdravljenja od 51,85% za supklinički mastitis na dan D7 i od 59,29% na dan D14. U konačnici, homeoterapija bi, u nekim slučajevima, mogla predstavljati alternativu antibiotskoj terapiji i osigurati prednosti za uzgajivače. Potrebno je obaviti dodatna ispitivanja u budućnosti.

In Algeria, camel breeding participates in the national milk production. However, this breeding faces significant health problems, including mammary pathologies. This disease is a major public health threat, due to the existence of human pathogens in milk. Several species are associated with this mastitis. Unlike cow’s milk, goat and camel milk are most often consumed in the fresh raw state, thus escaping any official control. The present study aimed to determine the nature and frequency of mastitis, and the nature and frequency of the responsible bacteria in each type of mastitis in southern Algeria. A total of 62 camels were subjected to clinical examination and screening for subclinical mastitis and the presence of Brucella using the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and ring test, respectively. CMT positive samples were then further subjected to bacteriological analysis. Clinical and subclinical mastitis were present with frequencies of 4.44% and 95.55%, respectively. Bacteriological analysis isolated a total of 73 samples of 45 seeds. Staphylococci were most commonly isolated, with a frequency of 63.01%. Among these, Staphylococcus aureus were at the top of the list, with 35.61%, while Staphylococcus SCN (coagulase negative staphylococci) represented only 27.39%. Streptococci were the second most isolated group, with 28.77%. Gram-positive bacilli were in third place, accounting for 6.85% of all isolates. Gram- negative bacilli (enterobacteria) were isolated with a frequency of 1.36%. Brucella was present with a frequency of 4.44%. Finally, an extended study on a larger sample of camels is required in the future.

Staphylococcus strains are frequently associated with clinical and subclinical bovine intra-mammary infection. The virulence factors of staphylococcus have not been widely studied in Algeria. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of slime production, VanA gene and antiseptic resistance genes in staphylococci strains isolated from bovine mastitis in Algeria. The study examined 35 Staphylococci strains obtained from the inflammatory secretion of mammary glands of cows with mastitis. Slime production was determined by detecting the icaA and icaD genes using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and Congo red agar (CRA) method. The presence of qacAB and qac C antiseptic resistance genes and the VanA resistance gene in these isolates was investigated by PCR. The results of the current study revealed that of the 35 Staphylococci isolates, 42.85% (15/35) and 17.14% (6/35) of the isolates harboured the slime production gene by analysing icaA and icaD genes, respectively and 71.42% (25/35) by the CRA method. However, VanA and antiseptic resistance genes (qacAB and qac C) were not detected in any of the isolates. Therefore, the majority of Staphylococcus strains were capable of producing slime, and the CRA detection rate was higher than the PCR method for the biofilm-producing capacity of Staphylococcus strains. Thus, the presence of the ica genes in Staphylococcus strains confirms its role as a virulence factor in the pathogenesis of bovine mastitis., Sojevi stafilokoka često su povezani s kliničkim i supkliničkim intramamarnim infekcijama goveda. Faktori virulencije stafilokoka nisu dobro istraženi u Alžiru. Cilj ove studije bio je odrediti učestalost proizvodnje sluzi, VanA gena i gena za rezistenciju na antiseptike u sojevima stafilokoka izoliranih iz goveđeg mastitisa u Alžiru. Istraživanja su obuhvatila 35 soja stafilokoka dobivenih iz upalnog sekreta mliječnih žlijezda krava s mastitisom. Proizvodnja sluzi ustvrđena je metodom lančane reakcije polimeraze (PCR) istraživanjem ıcaA i ıcaD gena, odnosno metodom s Kongo crvenim agarom (CRA). Prisutnost qacAB i qac C gena za rezistenciju na antiseptike i VanA gena za rezistenciju u tim izolatima ispitana je pomoću PCR. Rezultati ove studije otkrili su da je od 35 izolata stafilokoka, 42,85 % (15/35) i 17,4 % (6/35) sadržavalo gen za proizvodnju sluzi putem analize ıcaA i ıcaD gena, odnosno 71,42 % (25/35) CRA metodom. Međutim, VanA i geni za rezistenciju na antiseptike (qacAB i qac C) nisu detektirani niti u jednom izolatu. Stoga se iz podataka može zaključiti da je većina sojeva stafilokoka bila sposobna proizvoditi sluz, a detekcija CRA metodom je bila više od PCR metode za kapacitet proizvodnje biofilma sojeva stafilokoka. Stoga, prisutnost ica u sojevima stafilokoka potvrđuje njegovu ulogu kao faktora virulentnosti u patogenezi goveđeg mastitisa.

This study was carried out to evaluate a probiotic effect on the mobilisation of body reserves in goats towards the end of gestation by measuring ketone body production in blood and calculating the body condition score (BCS). Ketone body production was monitored by measuring the betahydroxybutyrate BHB levels in the blood using a portable kit (PRECISION XTRA Blood ketone test). The results revealed that the use of the probiotic SYMBIOVEBA® (association of Saccharomyces cervicae and Lactobacillus) did not decrease the formation of blood BHB in goats, and therefore did not decrease mobilization of the body reserves of goats in late pregnancy., Ova je studija provedena da bi se procijenio probiotički učinak na mobilizaciju tjelesnih rezervi koza na kraju njihove gravidnosti, uzimajući u obzir proizvodnju ketonskih tijela u krvi i ocjenu tjelesne kondicije (BCS). Proizvodnja ketonskih tijela praćena je mjerenjem razina betahidroksibutirata (BHB) u krvi uporabom prijenosnog kompleta (PRECISION XTRA test za ketone u krvi). Dobiveni rezultati pokazali su da uporaba probiotika SYMBIOVEBA® (kombinacija Saccharomyces cervicae i lactobacillus) nije smanjila formiranje BHB-a u krvi koza te time nije smanjila mobilizaciju njihovih tjelesnih rezervi u kasnoj gravidnosti.

This study aimed to determine the resistance of coccidia to ionophores used in broiler farms in Tizi-Ouzou province, Algeria. Droppings were collected and recovered Eimeria oocyst isolates were analysed by morphometry to determine their composition, and then inoculated by peros into chicks of the Arbor Acres strain, reared on the ground. Four of six groups of chicks were treated to test the sensitivity of oocysts to four anticoccidial agents added to their growth feeds [(robenidine (33 ppm), monensin (120 ppm), narasin-nicarbazin (80 ppm) and salinomycin (60 ppm)], while the other two groups were controls. The results revealed the presence of total resistance to monensin and robenidine, and partial resistance to salinomycin and the narasin-nicarbazin combination. The lack of sensitivity to monensin and robenidine was unsurprising, given their inappropriate and unreasonable use for years as the only anticoccidial compounds. The appearance of partial resistance to narasin-nicarbazin and salinomycin suggests the development of cross-resistance in the Eimeria population. The possibility of a relatively uniform composition of Eimeria species collected in these farms indicates that Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria maxima develop resistance more quickly to these ionophores. Finally, a control strategy must be rigorously developed by considering other molecules that are alternatives to anticoccidials.

Background and Aim: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been occurring in Algeria since 2014, when an outbreak was announced in Setif, a district in the eastern region of the country. The problem was apparently resolved with the help of vaccination. However, in 2015, 2016, and 2018, FMD recurred. The veterinary authorities and media educated breeders on how to recognize the clinical signs and how to report the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and recognition of FMD by farmers and breeders. Moreover, an assessment of the behavior of cattle and sheep owners and herders following FMD cases is examined. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to October 2018 to evaluate the perception of cattle and sheep owners and breeders regarding FMD in the Northern regions of Algeria, using questionnaires. Results: One hundred questionnaires were distributed; 71 were collected. Data showed that all the responders claimed to know about the disease, while more than half of the owners/herders claimed that they knew the clinical symptoms of FMD and mentioned fever, hypersalivation, lameness, and vesicles. Fewer than half (42%) (30/71) took some measures to prevent the disease, while more than half (58%) (41/71) did not take any measures in 2018. No one claimed to have reported the disease to authorities in 2018, while more than half had done so in 2014. Conclusion: It appears that experienced farmers recognized the clinical signs of FMD, while an academic background was not conclusively necessary for the identification of the clinical signs of the disease. Concerning the assessment of risk-associated behavior in the event of FMD occurrence, the responses of the breeders were not significantly different from those of risk-associated behaviors in the event of an epidemic. Farmers and breeders expressed similarity in terms of communicating the appearance of the disease in their livestock; the majority of them seemed to be aware of the importance of reporting the disease to local authorities, especially in 2014, when the disease first occurred. This behavior is encouraged by refund and technical assistance policies by the veterinary authorities, but in 2018, no disease was reported due to fear of slaughtering and economic loss. Keywords: cattle and sheep farmers, clinical signs, foot-and-mouth disease, knowledge and seniority, survey.

International audience; Surra, caused by Trypanosoma evansi, is a re-emerging animal trypanosomosis, which is of special concern for camel-rearing regions of Africa and Asia. Surra decreases milk yield, lessens animal body condition score and reduces market value of exported animals resulting in substantial economic losses. A cross-sectional seroprevalence study of dromedary camels was conducted in Algeria, and major risk factors associated with infection were identified by collecting data on animal characteristics and herd management practices. The seroprevalence of T. evansi infection was determined in sera of 865 camels from 82 herds located in eastern Algeria using an antibody test (card agglutination test for Trypanosomiasis - CATT/T. evansi). Individual and herd seroprevalence were 49.5% and 73.2%, respectively, indicating substantial exposure of camels to T. evansi in the four districts studied. Five significant risk factors for T. evansi hemoparasite infection were identified: geographical area, herd size, husbandry system, accessibility to natural water sources and type of watering. There was no association between breed, sex or age with T. evansi infection. Results of this study provide baseline information that will be useful for launching control programmes in the region and potentially elsewhere.

Objective: This work aimed to determine the resistance and/or the susceptibility to antibiotics of staphylococci isolated from cattle with mastitis in the North of Algeria. Materials and Methods: The disk diffusion method was carried out to reveal the antibiotic resis¬tance in accordance to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guidelines in the Mueller-Hinton agar. Results: Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) isolates showed more resistance to Cefoxitin, Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid, Vancomycin, Trimethoprime Sulfamethoxazole, Clindamycine, Neomycin, and Erythromycin than Coagulase-positive Staphylococci (CPS). CPS were more resis¬tant to Penicillin and Tetracycline as compared to CNS strains; however, all these strains presented sensitivity to Gentamicin and neomycin. Conclusion: The Staphylococci showed high resistance to the beta-lactam antibiotics. As far as the authors know, these molecules are used with or without control in different protocols to prevent and cure the mastitis in Algeria. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(2.000): 231-235]

Bovine mastitis is the most serious dairy problem in terms of economic losses to the dairy industry. In Algeria, dominates as one of the most prevalent diseases in dairy cattle among the dairy farms. Mastitis treatment with antibiotics leads to the development of antibiotic resistant strains and consumer health problem. Multidrug-resistant bacteria have become a major health issue. With new generations of virulence and resistant bacteria, we need to improve our understanding and produce novel techniques to control these pathogenic strains. In our study, the activity of several extracts from seven medicinal plants, namely Mentha pulegium, Lavandula dentate, Origanium sp, Marrubium vulgare, Salvia bicolor, Blackstonia perfoliata, and Phlomis crinita, traditionally used in Algeria was investigated against 26 methicillin resistant staphylococci and multi-resistant Escherichia coli. (E.coli) isolated from animals with mastitis manifestation by the disc diffusion method.Results revealed the potential of extracts of Salvia bicolor, Marrubium vulgare and Phlomis crinita as antibacterial agents against strains isolated from bovine mastitis and support the possible use of these phytotherapic agents in the clinical management of the disease. Further studies into their toxicity and phytochemistry are advocated.

The aim of this study was to determine genital organ disorders in 2025 cows at El-Harrach abattoir in the capital of Algeria and to describe the microscopic changes associated with these cases. The results obtained showed a high incidence of slaughtered pregnant cows (16.49%). Majority of these cases were at the early gestation. The most frequently encountered defects were ovarian cyst, uterine infection, and inflammatory salpinx, which proved that contamination and infection are always present in the cowsheds from where animals were brought. Other observed abnormalities were cervicitis, mucometra, double cervix, unicornis uterus, horn malformation, uterine tumour, triple cervix (which is a new finding in the world), salpinx adhesion, pyosalpinx, hydrosalpinx, ovarobursal adhesion, ovarian inactivity, ovarian inflammatory changes, ovarian tumour and parovarian cysts.