Mixed Eimeria and Cryptosporidium infection and its effects on pathology and clinical outcomes in juvenile Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) cultured in Thailand.

Coccidiosis is an important disease in juvenile fish because of severe intestinal injury during infection. We first reported the mixed infection of intestinal coccidia and its association with health status and pathological findings in juvenile Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) cultured in Thailand. Two groups of Asian seabass, 60-day fish and 90-day fish, were sampled to investigate prevalence and coccidian infection intensity using morphological characterization and PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA gene amplified from the intestines revealed Eimeria sp. and Cryptosporidium sp. infection. The prevalence of Eimeria sp. and Cryptosporidium sp. in sampled fish was 100%. Clinical outcomes assessed, using health assessment index (HAI) scoring and semi-quantitative grading of intestinal lesions and inflammation, demonstrated that all fish developed variety of pathology and clinical illness; however, infection intensity in 60-day fish was significantly higher (p < .05) than 90-day fish. The HAI score of 60-day fish was poorer than 90-day fish, which correlated to a high infection intensity (r = .397), analysed by Pearson correlation coefficient. Overproduction of intestinal oxidants contributing to mucosal injury was examined by nitrotyrosine expression. The high production of reactive nitrogen species indicated severe inflammatory response, and intestinal injuries occurred mainly in the 60-day fish.

Kanamycin treated-ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia in blood specimen of cats.

Background: Pseudothrombocytopenia is a commonly obtained false negative result when analyzing feline platelet (PLT) count by an automated machine. It is related to ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), a widely utilized anticoagulant in blood collection tubes, resulting in EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia (EDTA-PTCP). Aim: To investigate whether treated with kanamycin enhanced the quantity of PLT aggregations in feline blood specimens collected using EDTA-PTCP. Methods: Thirty-one blood samples were obtained using EDTA tubes. The complete blood count was analyzed using an automated Mindray BC-5000Vet. Both Manual cell counts and thin blood smears were performed to estimate the amount of red blood cell, white blood cell, and PLTs as well as to evaluate the severity scores of PLT clumping, respectively. Comparisons were made between those pre-treated and those treated with kanamycin in the EDTA tube. Results: There were significantly different mean PLT counts in the samples before and after they were treated with kanamycin, both on automated (156.6 ± 76.4 vs. 260.3 ± 115.5; p < 0.001) and manual (168.5 ± 92.1 vs. 262.8 ± 119.6; p < 0.001) readings, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.19 (0.022-0.365). Conclusion: This study suggests that in clinical laboratory practice, kanamycin should be added to feline blood specimens with EDTA-PTCP.

Theileria infection in bullfighting cattle in Thailand.

Background and Aim: An apicomplexan protozoan parasite, namely, Theileria, primarily causes theileriosis in cattle worldwide. The virulence of the disease has been neglected because of it's low pathogenicity. However, the disease can have a substantial effect, depending on the virulence of the species, low host immunity, and coinfection. In Thailand, the molecular detection of Theileria infection in bullfighting cattle and its hematological alterations have not been reported. Thus, this study aimed to identify Theileria species in bullfighting cattle in Thailand. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from bullfighting cattle presented at the Prince of Songkla University Animal Hospital and were determined on the basis of hematological evaluation and DNA extraction. Molecular detection using the 18s rRNA and merozoite surface antigen genes was conducted for Theileria spp. and Theileria orientalis, respectively. In addition, bidirectional sequencing of the positive samples was performed. Hematological alterations between Theileria infected and uninfected groups were statistically evaluated. Results: The levels of Theileria spp. and T. orientalis infection in bullfighting cattle were 44.62% (58/130) and 41.54% (54/130), respectively. Theileria orientalis, Theileria sinensis, and Theileria spp. infections were identified in bullfighting cattle samples. Hematological evaluation indicated that the red blood cell (RBC) level was significantly lower in Theileria-infected cattle. Conclusion: This study was the first to use molecular techniques in the identification of Theileria infection in bullfighting cattle in Thailand, with nearly one-half of the study population infected. Theileria infection in bullfighting cattle altered the RBC level, resulting in anemia. Therefore, tick control measures should be promoted.