Molecular and haematological investigations on Anaplasma ovis infection in goats in Ahvaz, Iran: Insights into infection rate, haemolytic effect and breed influences.

BACKGROUND: Anaplasma ovis (A. ovis) is the predominant causative agent of anaplasmosis in goats and sheep in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world. However, there is considerable variation in reported infection rates, breed susceptibility, and controversial findings regarding the haemolytic effects of A. ovis infection in goats. OBJECTIVES: Thus, we investigated the molecular and haematological aspects of A. ovis infection in goats from Ahvaz city. METHODS: One hundred and fifty apparently healthy goats (74 blacks and 76 Najdi goats) were randomly sampled from six flocks in the Ahvaz suburb during ticks' activity season. Haematological evaluation, smear microscopic (SM) examination and PCR assay were performed to assess A. ovis infection. Additionally, the percentage of parasitemia was determined from blood smears. RESULTS: SM examination revealed that 25.7% of the goats displayed erythrocyte Anaplasma-like inclusion bodies. PCR analysis indicated that 54% of the goats were positive for A. ovis infection (44.6% of blacks and 63.2% of Najdi goats). No significant difference in haematological values was observed between healthy and infected goats based on PCR testing. However, a significant difference in haematological indices was observed between the group with parasitemia level of 0.01-0.02% (SM and PCR positive) compared to the healthy goats (SM and PCR negative), particularly concerning Hb, PCV and RBC count (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: When the parasitemia exceeds 0.01%, A. ovis infection may disrupt haematological parameters in infected goats. The high prevalence of A. ovis infection (54%) among the studied goats underscores the importance of giving special attention to implementing necessary measures for disease control in the Ahvaz suburb.

Population shifts in some faeces and rumen bacteria profiles and subsequent blood LPS and lactate concentrations in lambs in the early period of subacute ruminal acidosis.

BACKGROUND: It is known that ruminal acidosis can induce harmal population shifts in some ruminal bacteria profiles. However, there is little information related to alterations in faecal and ruminal bacterial communities and relevant serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in sheep with subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate alterations in the defined faecal and ruminal bacteria profiles and serum LPS and blood lactate concentrations in lambs with empirically induced SARA. METHODS: Fifteen lambs were served and undergone to induce SARA during a 7-day period. Faecal and ruminal samples were taken to measure the pH and to perform the bacteriological works at 0 (just before induction), 8, 9, and 10 days of the challenge. Blood samples were collected to determine the serum LPS and lactate levels. The rumen and faecal samples were cultured to specify colony-forming units (CFU) for Escherichia coli, Streptococcus Group D (SGD), and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). RESULTS: Serum LPS value had no significant increase in the affected lambs with SARA. Significant increasing trends were observed in faecal E. coli and LAB populations (p < 0.01). Rumen bacteriology revealed a rising trend for LAB and a falling trend for SGD populations (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Unlike cattle, LPS appears to be of minor importance in the pathogenesis of SARA in sheep. The increased ruminal and faecal LAB (4.00 × 107 CFU/ml or g) are proposed as valuable biomarkers for improving nutritional strategy and screening SARA in lambs.

First Survey on the Presence and Distribution of Oxytetracycline-Resistance Genes in Anaplasma Species.

INTRODUCTION: Anaplasma sp. is an obligatory intracellular Gram-negative tick-transmitted bacterial pathogen of humans and animals. Oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline are the drugs of choice for treating domestic animals with acute anaplasmosis. Lack of documented information about oxytetracycline resistance in Anaplasma species in the world was the scope of this study to screen by PCR for the detection of the oxytetracycline-resistance genes in Anaplasma species from infected cattle and sheep in the Northwest and Southwest of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total of 100 cattle and sheep blood samples collected from 2 provinces in the Northwest and 1 province in the Southwest of Iran were tested microscopically by the Giemsa staining examination and confirmed by PCR. Then the presence of two different oxytetracycline-resistance genes (otrA, and otrB) was detected by PCR in positive samples. RESULTS: The results showed that 60% of Anaplasma-infected samples were identified to have an otrA-resistance gene, and 26.67% had an otrB-resistance gene. The coexistence of two oxytetracycline-resistance determinants was encountered in 13.33% of the isolates. The significant difference in the frequency of otr genes was found among three Anaplasma species (A. marginale, A. centrale and A. ovis), and among three studied regions in Iran (p < 0.05). The identified sequences were submitted to the GenBank and deposited under accession numbers MN880729 and MN895439 for otrB and otrA genes. CONCLUSION: This study, for the first time, indicated the oxytetracycline-resistance genes in the three most prevalent Anaplasma species in ruminants. This finding helps to select an appropriate treatment strategy for eradication of anaplasmosis.

Clinical, hematologic, hemostatic, and serum biochemical findings related to survival in Arabian horses with colic.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of clinical examinations, and hematologic, hemostatic, and serum biochemical assessments to determine appropriate early medical or surgical therapy in Arabian horses with colic have not been well-described. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate clinical and hematologic findings, coagulation-fibrinolytic parameters, and organ dysfunction markers in association with survival in horses with colic. METHODS: Seventeen Arabian horses with colic and ten healthy horses were enrolled. After clinical examinations, including heart rates (HRs), capillary refill times (CRTs), abdominal sounds, rectal palpations, and nasogastric (NG) reflux assessments in both healthy and diseased horses, blood samples were collected and hematologic parameters, coagulation indices such as the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), plasma d-dimer (PDD), platelet count, fibrinogen, and hepatorenal biomarkers were measured. Based on the outcomes, horses with colic were divided into survival (10) and nonsurvival (7) groups, and all mentioned parameters were compared with the control group horses. RESULTS: Unlike HRs, CRTs, and abdominal sounds, rectal palpations (57.1%) and NG reflux (28.6%) findings were least sensitive in being able to determine survival. At least three of the five coagulation indices were significantly abnormal (prolonged PT, increased PDD, and decreased plasma fibrinogen) in 71.4% of the horses in the nonsurvival group compared with the control and survival groups. Significantly increased urea, creatinine, and bilirubin levels, and AST activities were also observed in the survival group compared with the control and nonsurvival groups. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of prolonged PT, increased PDD, and hypofibrinogenemia could be a reliable predictor of survival in horses with colic. The significant renal and hepatic dysfunctions in nonsurviving horses with colic appeared to be consistent with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and a grave prognosis.