Search

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) are considered important zoonotic pathogens of great economic significance, associated with diarrhea, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), hemorrhagic colitis (HC), and death in humans. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of various STEC virulence gene markers and antimicrobial susceptibility (AST) profiles associated within E. coli isolates from the recto-anal mucosal swabs (RAMSs) of slaughtered cattle and buffaloes in Islamabad, Pakistan. The RAMSs (n = 200) were analyzed using multiplex PCR for the presence of stx1, stx2, eae, and ehxA genes. Samples that were positive for one or more of the virulence genes were inoculated with Sorbitol MacConkey agar (SMAC) for isolation of STEC. The isolates were further analyzed for the presence of virulence genes using multiplex PCR. Of the 200 RAMS, 118 (59%) were positive for one or more virulence genes. E. coli isolates (n = 18) with one or more virulence genes were recovered from the 118 positive samples. The DNA of the isolates positive for one or more virulent genes was extracted and subjected to whole genome sequencing using Illumina. Analysis of the WGS data indicated that the E. coli isolates could be differentiated into 11 serotypes. Most E. coli isolates (13/18; 72.2%) carried five genes (stx1, stx2, Iha, iss, and IpfA) in various combinations. In addition to these five genes, other virulence genes identified in these isolates were espI, ireA, espP, exhA, epeA, mcmA, mch, ast, celB, eilA, katP, and capU. The AST was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion test. The study indicated that all the isolates were resistant to rifampicin and a significant proportion of the isolates were MDR. A wide range of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) were detected among the isolates, reflecting the complex nature of resistance mechanisms. The study results indicate that cattle and buffaloes slaughtered in Islamabad might be the carriers of antimicrobial resistant STEC of zoonotic significance, thus representing a source of human infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are the secondary fungal metabolites produced by various toxigenic fungal species and are found in several feedstuffs, particularly in plants during pre- and post-harvesting conditions, like processing, transportation and storage. They can cause disease in both humans and animals. The occurrence of mycotoxins is of high concern to food safety and security due to their negative health and economic effects. Consequently, the control of mycotoxin adulteration is a major goal of the food and agriculture industries. Therefore it is need of time to express the new approaches which may alleviate the economic and health implications linked with mycotoxins adulteration of food and feed ingredients having negative effects on public health and global trade. Several approaches have been assumed to alleviate mycotoxin adulteration but often fall short of the requisite efficiency. One of the auspicious strategies is the usage of bioactive plant metabolites or components synergistically with mycotoxin-adsorbing compounds for limiting the exposure of these mycotoxins and their adverse health effects. Several studies have proven that plant extracts have a variety of bioactive components which may prevent mould growth. The metabolites formed by plants are a promising substitute because plants produce a huge variety of compounds, either as a part of their growth or in response to stress or pathogen attack. The purpose of this review is to discuss the potential for control of fungal growth in food commodities by using plant-derived products or phytochemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important public health pathogen, capable of causing hemorrhagic diarrhea and life-threatening kidney failure, particularly in children (1). STEC is primarily transmitted through the [...]

The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and isolation of the FMD virus (FMDV) in the milk of apparently healthy Asian buffaloes. A cross-sectional study was conducted in periurban dairy farms (n = 20) on =20 animals per farm in the suburbs of Islamabad, Pakistan. Sera samples (n = 200) were collected to monitor FMDV seroconversions. The analysis of serum samples using ELISA indicated a high seroprevalence of FMD (78%; 156/200) in Asian buffaloes. Milk samples were collected from FMDV seropositive animals only, and virus-specific signals were detected in 12.2% (19/156) of the animals by reverse transcriptase real-time PCR (rRT-PCR). Milk samples positive for FMDV using rRT-PCR were inoculated into LF-BK cells for virus isolation. Two FMDV isolates (serotypes O and Asia-1) were recovered from the milk samples. A high seroprevalence of FMD and isolation of FMDV from the milk of healthy Asian buffaloes may represent a possible role for healthy Asian buffaloes as an FMD reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) is an acute and highly contagious disease of water buffaloes and cattle. Financial losses due to HS made it an important disease. HS control is generally attained with subcutaneously injected killed vaccines. However, with some other de-merits, these vaccines provide only short-term protection and are difficult to administer. In present study, live aerosol vaccine was prepared using live Pasteurella multocida B:3,4 that was non-pathogenic strain and tested for efficacy in buffaloes and cattle. The live aerosol vaccine was prepared using 15% trehalose as stabilizer. Safety test of vaccine was conducted in calves. Each calf was administered 100 times the recommended dose of vaccine through intra-nasal route. The calves were kept under observation for 14 days. Vaccinated animals did not show any undesirable reactions. Body temperature remained normal. Food and water intake were as usual. Results suggestively exhibited the safety of the vaccine. For efficacy test, buffaloes and cattle were divided into two groups. The animals of one group were given live aerosol HS experimental vaccine at the dose of 1 ml/animal containing 2.7x107 viable organisms through intra-nasal route. The animals of second group were injected with commercially available killed HS vaccine at the dose of 3 ml/animal through subcutaneous route. Protective anti-LPS-IHA antibody titer against P. multocida for live aerosol vaccine was detectable up to 12-month post vaccination while killed vaccine titer was detectable up to 6 months. Results revealed that the antibody levels in animals vaccinated with aerosol vaccine were significantly higher than killed vaccine. The efficacy of the vaccine was further evaluated using challenge protection test. Two groups of animals containing vaccinated and unvaccinated animals were challenged with 1 ml of the diluted broth culture containing 2x107 viable organism of P. multocida B:2 that was pathogenic strain. Observation of both the groups for 14 days revealed that unvaccinated animals displayed signs of HS disease while animals of vaccinated group protected against the challenge. Results of challenge protection test confirmed the efficacy of live aerosol HS vaccine. It was concluded that the live aerosol vaccine conferred improved protective immunity against P. multocida B:2 infection and reduced frequency of the vaccination in buffaloes and cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which compares live-in-oil Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine with aqueous live ND vaccine and formalin oil adjuvinated ND vaccine using LaSota strain in broiler chickens. Results indicated that protection rate of broiler chicks after 14 days post vaccination was 90 percent with live in oil, 80 percent with oil, and 10 percent for both the controls. The use of water-in-oil emulsion for preparing oil adjuvated vaccine is more advantageous because it resists drying, difficult to wash away and is less corrosive.

Infectious bronchitis (IB) is an economically important disease with worldwide distribution. Information is available about the presence of infectious bronchitis virus in commercial poultry in different geographical regions of Pakistan, however no comprehensive information is available about status of infectious bronchitis in commercial poultry. For this purpose, current study was designed for the seroprevalence of Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) from different commercial poultry farms in Faisalabad division and its adjoining areas. Samples were collected at different age groups and different breeds. Serological detection was carried out by two different means Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). In HI, 346 samples from 56 broilers farms were tested for IB and from these 58 (16.8%) samples were positive for IBV tested against 4/91 antigen and 133 (38.4%) samples were positive tested against M-41 antigen. Total of 388 layers samples from 61 layer farms were tested for IB and from these 68 (17.5%) samples were found positive for IBV tested against 4/91 antigen and 184 (47.42%) samples were positive tested against M-41 antigen. In case of ELISA, 1843 samples of layer were processed and 98.48% were found positive, while in case of broilers, from 346 samples, 148 (42.80%) samples were found positive. Grossly hemorrhagic trachea and swollen kidneys were consistent gross findings in all the seropositive birds. Histopathology results showed that there was sloughing of tracheal epithelium and loss of cilia. Renal parenchyma was showing moderate to severe congestion and moderate degree of acute tubular necrosis. The results concluded that there is strong presence and low protection of IB in broiler birds and due to this there is continuous emergence and rise in the disease outbreaks in spite of vaccination. Therefore, proper vaccination schedule with specific vaccinal strains should be followed in broilers and layers to control infectious bronchitis in commercial poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]