An abattoir study of the prevalence of foot lesions and claw measurements in water buffalo in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Lameness has been associated with compromised animal welfare and reduced productivity in dairy cattle herds worldwide. However, little is known about the prevalence of claw lesions in the dairy buffalo population in Egypt. Furthermore, the optimum measurements for claw trimming in buffalo are unknown. A cross-sectional cadaver study was conducted where 135 pair buffalo hind feet were collected from 4 slaughterhouses and examined for the presence of claw lesions. The proportion and associated 95% confidence interval (CI) of each type of lesion were calculated. A separate set of healthy claws (n = 26) underwent ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT). The agreement between US and CT measurements was assessed using Passing-Bablok regression and intraclass correlation coefficient. The CT measurements were used to calculate trimming recommendations. RESULTS: At least one lesion was identified in 242 claws (89.6%, 95% CI = 85.4-93.0). In healthy claws, poor to moderate agreement was identified between US and CT measurements which could be due a sample size of the study. The average ± standard deviation (SD) minimum recommended external wall length of the lateral and medial claws in heifers was 7.1 ± 0.36 cm and 7.5 ± 0.35 cm, respectively. The average ± SD minimum recommended external wall length in buffaloes over five years of age was 8.2 ± 0.27 cm and 8.4 ± 0.39 cm for the lateral and medial claws, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study found a high prevalence of claw lesions in buffalo in Egypt, the clinical significance of which requires further elucidation. Recommended measurements will help guide claw trimming in buffalo to minimise lesions.

Transmission-Blocking Vaccines against Schistosomiasis Japonica.

Control of schistosomiasis japonica, endemic in Asia, including the Philippines, China, and Indonesia, is extremely challenging. Schistosoma japonicum is a highly pathogenic helminth parasite, with disease arising predominantly from an immune reaction to entrapped parasite eggs in tissues. Females of this species can generate 1000-2200 eggs per day, which is about 3- to 15-fold greater than the egg output of other schistosome species. Bovines (water buffalo and cattle) are the predominant definitive hosts and are estimated to generate up to 90% of parasite eggs released into the environment in rural endemic areas where these hosts and humans are present. Here, we highlight the necessity of developing veterinary transmission-blocking vaccines for bovines to better control the disease and review potential vaccine candidates. We also point out that the approach to producing efficacious transmission-blocking animal-based vaccines before moving on to human vaccines is crucial. This will result in effective and feasible public health outcomes in agreement with the One Health concept to achieve optimum health for people, animals, and the environment. Indeed, incorporating a veterinary-based transmission vaccine, coupled with interventions such as human mass drug administration, improved sanitation and hygiene, health education, and snail control, would be invaluable to eliminating zoonotic schistosomiasis.

Clonal spread of non-O157 Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli O21:H25 in raw water buffalo milks.

AIMS: This study was conducted to investigate the presence of Shiga toxin-producing O157 and non-O157 E. coli in raw water buffalo milk, as well as to determine the virulence gene profiles, phylogroups, sequence types, and serotypes of the isolated strains. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 200 hand-milked raw water buffalo milk samples were collected from 200 different water buffaloes over a period of three months from 20 different farms. Isolation of STEC was performed using CHROMagar STEC. Presence of stx1, stx2, and eaeA genes were investigated by mPCR. Phylogroups and sequence types of E. coli strains were determined by Clermont phylotyping and MLST. Serotyping was performed using PCR or WGS. According to the results, two milk samples obtained from two different farms were found as STEC-positive. All Stx-positive E. coli isolates belonged to phylogenetic group A and were assigned to ST10. WGS results indicated that serotype of two isolates was O21:H25 and average nucleotide identity was detected at 99.99%. Thirteen additional registered E. coli O21:H25 assembled WGS data were obtained from EnteroBase and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. CONCLUSIONS: With this study, the presence of stx2 harboring E. coli O21:H25 in milk was identified for the first time. Although the identified serotype is considered a non-pathogen seropathotype, we conclude it could play an important role in the environmental circulation of Stx-phages and consequently contribute to the emergence of new STEC-related outbreaks.

First evidence of schmallenberg virus infection in southern Italy.

BACKGROUND: Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is a vector-borne pathogen that mainly affects ruminants. Schmallenberg disease has never been described in southern Italy, although this geographic area displays climatic features suitable for Culicoides biting midges, which transmit the pathogen. An observational study was carried out in the Campania region in 2020 to evaluate the seroprevalence in cattle and water buffalo as well as to identify the risk factors involved in the distribution of SBV. RESULTS: Relatively high seroprevalences of 38.2% (cattle) and 43% (water buffalo) were found by using a commercial SBV ELISA, which is comparable to the prevalence obtained in other countries under post-epidemic conditions. A virus neutralization assay performed on positive samples showed high titers in a large percentage of animals which is assumed to indicate recent exposure. Bivariate analysis of several variables revealed some environmental factors associated with higher seroprevalence, such as mean annual temperature, distance from the coast, and altitude. Multivariate logistic regression confirmed the statistical association only for mean annual temperature, that was found to be the main factor responsible for the distribution of the virus in southern Italy. In addition, molecular diagnosis attempts were performed on serum samples and resulted in the detection of SBV RNA in two herds and six animals. CONCLUSIONS: In this work we have demonstrated the circulation of SBV in southern Italy using both molecular and serological assays. This study emphasized the essential role of monitoring in preventing the re-emergence of vector-borne diseases in ruminants.

Neospora caninum seroprevalence in water buffaloes in Guangxi, China.

Neospora caninum is an important obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite that causes spontaneous abortions in cattle and leads to huge economic losses to the farming industry. Although a high prevalence of N. caninum infection has been reported in Asia, data on the prevalence of water buffaloes in China remain unclear. To understand the seroprevalence of N. caninum infection in water buffaloes and its definitive host dogs in China, a total of 987 water buffalo sera from Guangxi Province were tested using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We obtained an overall seroprevalence of 50.9% (502/987) for water buffalo samples. And the positive rate was higher in border cities (56.8%, 425/748) than in central cities (32.3%, 77/239). We further tested 240 serum samples from dogs in Guangxi and found an overall prevalence of 57.9% (139/240). The high prevalence of N. caninum infection in both dogs and water buffaloes was first reported in southern China, and these data will surely contribute to the prevention and control of the disease.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in water buffaloes and cats in Guangxi, China.

Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogen that poses a serious threat to human health and causes significant economic losses to the global livestock industry. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection has been reported to be high in humans and animals around the world, but the occurrence of the disease has not yet been reported in water buffaloes in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China. To understand the overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in Guangxi, a total of 1041 water buffalo and 114 cat serum samples were examined using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA). Of the 1041 water buffaloes analyzed, an overall seroprevalence of 52.9% (551/1041) was obtained, with year, season, and city location being significant factors affecting the rate of T. gondii infection in water buffaloes (P < 0.001). The results also revealed a high seroprevalence of 57% (65/114) in cats. Given that buffalo milk and meat products are vital food sources, these findings suggest that toxoplasmosis in water buffaloes may be a public health threat. This study provides the first T. gondii seroprevalence data in Guangxi, which could contribute to the prevention and control of toxoplasmosis in the region.

The Effects of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on the Quality Properties of Water Buffalo Milk's Concentrated Cream.

Concentrated cream (CC) is a dairy product containing more than 60% milk fat. CC has a very short shelf life because it is made from unripe cream. The present study aims to determine how packaging with reducing gas (H2) and nitrogen (N2) affects the quality properties and shelf life of CC. For this purpose, lipolysis, oxidation, color, microbiological, and free fatty acid development and the fatty acid composition of modified atmosphere packaged (MAP) CC samples were studied for 28 days. For MAP1, 96% N2 + 4% H2 was used, and for MAP2, 100% N2 and air was used for the control group. During storage, MAP1 samples remained at lower lipolysis (ADV and FFA) and oxidation levels than MAP2 and the control group. The MAP1 and MAP2 methods preserved the color of the samples and reduced the microbial growth rate. A lower formation of free fatty acids was observed in the samples packed with MAP1 and MAP2 than in the control group. The results showed that hydrogen gas positively affected the quality and storage time of samples.

Comparative analysis of two genomes of Chlamydia pecorum isolates from an Alpine chamois and a water buffalo.

BACKGROUND: To date, whole genome sequencing has been performed mainly for isolates of Chlamydia trachomatis, C. pneumoniae, C. psittaci and C. abortus, but only a few isolates of C. pecorum have been entirely sequenced and this makes it difficult to understand its diversity and population structure. In this study the genome of two C. pecorum strains isolated from the lung of an Alpine chamois affected with pneumonia (isolate PV7855) and the brain of a water buffalo affected with meningoencephalomyelitis (isolate PV6959), were completely sequenced with MiSeq system (Illumina) and analyzed in their most polymorphic regions. RESULTS: The genome length and GC content of the two isolates were found to be consistent with other C. pecorum isolates and the gene content of polymorphic membrane proteins and plasticity zone was found to be very similar. Some differences were observed in the phospholipase genes for both isolates and in the number of genes in the plasticity zone, such as the presence of some hypothetical proteins in PV6959, not present in any other genomes analyzed in this study. Interestingly, PV6959 possesses an extra pmp and has an incomplete tryptophan biosynthesis operon. Plasmids were detected in both isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Genome sequencing of the two C. pecorum strains did not reveal differences in length and GC content despite the origin from different animal species with different clinical disease. In the plasticity zone, the differences in the genes pattern might be related to the onset of specific symptoms or infection of specific hosts. The absence of a tryptophan biosynthesis pathway in PV6959 may suggest a strict relationship between C. pecorum and its host.

Genomic Analysis Revealed a Convergent Evolution of LINE-1 in Coat Color: A Case Study in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

Visible pigmentation phenotypes can be used to explore the regulation of gene expression and the evolution of coat color patterns in animals. Here, we performed whole-genome and RNA sequencing and applied genome-wide association study, comparative population genomics and biological experiments to show that the 2,809-bp-long LINE-1 insertion in the ASIP (agouti signaling protein) gene is the causative mutation for the white coat phenotype in swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). This LINE-1 insertion (3' truncated and containing only 5' UTR) functions as a strong proximal promoter that leads to a 10-fold increase in the transcription of ASIP in white buffalo skin. The 165 bp of 5' UTR transcribed from the LINE-1 is spliced into the first coding exon of ASIP, resulting in a chimeric transcript. The increased expression of ASIP prevents melanocyte maturation, leading to the absence of pigment in white buffalo skin and hairs. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the white buffalo-specific ASIP allele originated from a recent genetic transposition event in swamp buffalo. Interestingly, as a similar LINE-1 insertion has been identified in the cattle ASIP gene, we discuss the convergent mechanism of coat color evolution in the Bovini tribe.

A genome-wide scan of copy number variants in three Iranian indigenous river buffaloes.

BACKGROUND: In Iran, river buffalo is of great importance. It plays an important role in the economy of the Country, because its adaptation to harsh climate conditions and long productive lifespan permitting its farming across the Country and to convert low-quality feed into valuable milk. The genetic variability in Iranian buffalo breeds have been recently studied using SNPs genotyping data, but a whole genome Copy Number Variants (CNVs) mapping was not available. The aim of this study was to perform a genome wide CNV scan in 361 buffaloes of the three Iranian river breeds (Azeri, Khuzestani and Mazandarani) through the analysis of data obtained using the Axiom® Buffalo Genotyping Array 90 K. RESULTS: CNVs detection resulted in a total of 9550 CNVs and 302 CNVRs identified in at least 5% of samples within breed, covering around 1.97% of the buffalo genome. and A total of 22 CNVRs were identified in all breeds and a different proportion of regions were in common among the three populations. Within the more represented CNVRs (n = 302) mapped a total of 409 buffalo genes, some of which resulted associated with morphological, healthy, milk, meat and reproductive traits, according to Animal Genome Cattle database. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides a step forward in the interpretation of genomic variation within and among the buffalo populations, releasing a first map of CNVs and providing insights about their recent selection and adaptation to environment. The presence of the set of genes and QTL traits harbored in the CNVRs could be possibly linked with the buffalo's natural adaptive history together to a recent selection for milk used as primary food source from this species.

Preliminary findings and molecular characterization of thin-walled Sarcocystis species in hearts of cattle and buffaloes in Thailand, Lao PDR, and Cambodia.

Cattle and buffaloes, popular protein sources worldwide, are intermediate hosts for several Sarcocystis species. These coccidian protozoans cause sarcocystosis resulting in subclinical and chronic infections in striated muscles by forming macrocysts or microcysts. In Thailand, Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Cambodia, Sarcocystis species have been reported, but molecular identification has been lacking. This study investigates the prevalence of infection, histo-morphology, and molecular identification of Sarcocystis species in hearts of cattle and buffalo sold in local markets. A phylogenetic tree inferred from a portion of the 18S ribosomal (r) RNA gene was used to identify the genus and species of Sarcocystis. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox-1 gene) was sequenced to confirm the species of host tissue. In Thailand, Sarcocystis was detected in 66.7% (14/21) of samples. In Lao People's Democratic Republic, 90% (9/10) of samples were infected and in Cambodia 100% (8/8). For the first time from these countries, we report Sarcocystis cruzi, Sarcocystis heydorni, and Sarcocystis levinei found in taurine cattle (Bos taurus) and water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Zoonotic protozoan transmission needs to be controlled by inspection activities by local health inspectors, and appropriate action is required at all points in the food chain by competent authorities to protect consumer health and prevent sarcocystosis in cattle and water buffaloes.

Seven-week asynchronous twins in a buffalo heifer (Bubalus bubalis) associated with superfetation - A case report.

A female buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) of the Bulgarian Murrah breed aged 1,090 days was observed to give birth to a second newborn (normally developed male) after she had calved (normal female) 49 days earlier. This phenomenon is highly associated with her melatonin treatment within a trial for induction of puberty, the last ear implants being placed approximately 50 days before the assumed date of first mating, to which point the level of progesterone had increased dramatically. Despite none of the matings of the dam was visually witnessed to prove ovulation over an existing gestation, we take the liberty to qualify this phenomenon as superfetation, ruling out the other possible phenomena, namely embryonic diapause as it is highly unlikely to occur in any livestock species, and differentiated development of twin foetuses as it is associated with foetal malformation, which was not observed in this case.

Scrotal thermoregulation and sequential sperm abnormalities in buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) under short-term heat stress.

Heat stress reduces the reproductive capacity of bulls raised in tropical climate. However, the reestablishment of scrotal thermoregulation and the dynamics of sperm defects emergence after stress are not completely known in buffaloes. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of short-term heat stress over scrotal thermoregulation and sperm attributes, relating them to spermatogenesis stages. Five buffalo bulls went through scrotal insulation during 48 h (from day 0 to day 2). Semen samples were collected every 7 days (from day -7 to day 49) and analyzed about the progressive motility, viability, and sperm morphology. Heat stress significantly destabilized scrotal thermoregulation (P < 0.001). Scrotal temperature was from 4.2 to 6.3 °C lower than the core body temperature, except on insulation days (P < 0.001), and returned to the basal condition five days after the removal of the stressing stimulus. More significant deleterious effects were observed in sperm morphology than in cell concentration, motility, and viability. The chronology of morphologic defects expression demonstrated tail defects (days 7-14), cytoplasmic droplets (days 14-28), and head defects (day 28), returning to pre-insulation condition 35 days after the thermal challenge. Thus, hyperthermia harmed more intensely spermatozoa in epididymal transit, elongated spermatids, and secondary spermatocytes. It is concluded that water buffalo bulls present a peculiar manifestation of sperm morphology after short-term stress, indicating an important difference related to the bovine species. Therefore, during the andrological evaluation of buffalo bulls, it is necessary to avoid the allometric extrapolation between these species.

The effects of intradermal M. bovis and M. avium PPD test on immune-related mRNA and miRNA in dermal oedema exudates of water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

Tuberculosis (TB) is a zoonotic disease primarily caused by pathogens belonging to the genus of Mycobacterium. Programs of control and eradication for bovine TB include a screening using single intradermal tuberculin (SIT) test with Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis)-purified protein derivatives (PPD-B) single or concurrent with Mycobacterium avium (M. avium)-purified protein derivatives (PPD-A). This study aimed to determine the effects of intradermal PPD-B and PPD-A test on immune-related mRNA and microRNAs in dermal oedema exudates of water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). The investigation was carried out on RNA extracted from dermal oedema exudates of 36 animals, of which 24 were M. bovis positive (M. bovis+) and 12 M. avium positive (M. avium+). The lymphocyte polarization toward Th1, Th2, TReg, and Th17 lineages was addressed by measuring the abundance of the respective cytokines and transcription factors, namely TBET, STAT4, IFNγ, and IL1ß for Th1; STAT5B, and IL4 for Th2; FOXP3 and IL10 for TReg; and RORC, STAT3, and IL17A for Th17. Due to the very low abundance of Th17-related genes, a digital PCR protocol was also applied. The abundance of microRNAs involved in the immune response against PPDs, including miR-122-5p, miR-148a-3p, miR30a, and miR-455-5p, was equally measured. Results showed that IFNγ (fold change = 2.54; p = 0.037) and miR-148a-3p (fold change = 2.54; p = 0.03) were upregulated in M. bovis+ as compared to M. avium+ samples. Our preliminary results supported the pivotal role of IFNγ in the local immune response related to PPD-B and highlighted the differential expression of miR-148a-3p, which downregulates the proinflammatory cytokines and the TLR4-mediated NF-κB activation, providing an anti-inflammation modulator in responses to mycobacterial infection.

Water buffalo production in the Brazilian Amazon Basin: a review.

The Brazilian Amazon has witnessed, in the last decades, an increase in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) inventory, with interesting productivity results. As the Brazilian Amazon contains the main water buffalo population in the Americas, the aim of this work is to review its most relevant production systems and some peculiarities about meat and milk production in this territory. The opening section describes the Amazon Basin, the most common water buffalo breeds, a brief history of the local livestock farming beginning in 1644. Also, it presents how water buffaloes gradually replaced bovine herds, especially where the latter had a lower productive performance. The use of extensive or more intensified models is pointed out and the ecosystems in which buffaloes are raised are detailed since native or cultivated pastures can be used in floodplains or drylands. Buffalo raising is favored in the Amazon due to the climate, soil, genetic variability of forages, animal adaptability, and physical space. Thus, it is clear that buffaloes have a high potential for meat and milk production and are an alternative in the use of altered areas of the Amazon; and, in the recent past, the low profitability of buffalo farming in traditional production systems in the Amazon was the reason which made this activity economically unattractive. Most recent technologies as outdoor confinements and silvopastoral systems are pointed out as more suitable regarding land-use policies, and buffalo farming for meat and milk production fits perfectly in this context, with productivity and beneficial socioeconomic.

Investigating current welfare status of the buffalo farms by ANI evaluation method.

The Animal Needs Index (ANI) method is used in the study to determine the welfare levels of 58 buffalo farms in the Marmara region of Turkey. The enterprises were divided into 3 subgroups according to their size; (i) small-scale enterprises (n: 19), which have 5 to 19 buffalo cows, (ii) medium-scale enterprises (n: 20), which have 20 to 39 buffalo cows, and (iii) large-scale enterprises (n: 19), which have more than 40 buffalo cows. The farms were visited and evaluated in two seasons according to ANI system. Thirty criteria for locomotion, social interaction, flooring, light and air, and stockmanship categories were evaluated. Most of the farms were determined to be highly suitable for animal welfare according to the ANI method. Although many differences were observed among the enterprises during the visits, it was thought that the buffalo enterprises could not be evaluated with sufficient sensitivity with the help of the ANI method, since these differences cannot be revealed when the total ANI scores were compared. The enterprise scale had no direct effect on the investigated parameters in the study. Considering the deficiencies of the criteria in the study to evaluate the physical characteristics and needs of the buffaloes, it has been concluded that the evaluation methods to be developed to determine the welfare level of buffaloes should consider the species-specific characteristics of the buffaloes.

Effects of gender and slaughter age on meat quality of Anatolian water buffaloes.

The study aimed to investigate the effects of slaughter age and gender on specific carcass and technological meat quality characteristics in Anatolian water buffaloes. The study was conducted on 55 water buffaloes using a 2 × 2 factorial design with two independent variables at two levels. Gender subgroups of male (n = 29) and female (n = 26) and slaughter age subgroups of younger than 2 years of age (n = 29) and older than 2 years of age (n = 26) were evaluated. Hot carcass and cold carcass weights were higher in old water buffaloes than young ones (P < 0.001). The skin weight of old buffaloes was also higher than young buffaloes (P < 0.01). Drip loss, expressed juice, and Warner Bratzler (WB) shear force values of longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles were not influenced by age group and gender of buffaloes. The lightness (L*) and hue (H*) values were higher in young buffaloes than old animals (P < 0.001). The meat of male buffaloes had lower redness (a*) and chroma (C*) values than that of female buffaloes. The current results indicated that female water buffalo could also be used for meat production away from negative impressions on the meat quality of female water buffalo.

Genomic measures of inbreeding coefficients and genome-wide scan for runs of homozygosity islands in Iranian river buffalo, Bubalus bubalis.

BACKGROUND: Consecutive homozygous fragments of a genome inherited by offspring from a common ancestor are known as runs of homozygosity (ROH). ROH can be used to calculate genomic inbreeding and to identify genomic regions that are potentially under historical selection pressure. The dataset of our study consisted of 254 Azeri (AZ) and 115 Khuzestani (KHZ) river buffalo genotyped for ~ 65,000 SNPs for the following two purposes: 1) to estimate and compare inbreeding calculated using ROH (FROH), excess of homozygosity (FHOM), correlation between uniting gametes (FUNI), and diagonal elements of the genomic relationship matrix (FGRM); 2) to identify frequently occurring ROH (i.e. ROH islands) for our selection signature and gene enrichment studies. RESULTS: In this study, 9102 ROH were identified, with an average number of 21.2 ± 13.1 and 33.2 ± 15.9 segments per animal in AZ and KHZ breeds, respectively. On average in AZ, 4.35% (108.8 ± 120.3 Mb), and in KHZ, 5.96% (149.1 ± 107.7 Mb) of the genome was autozygous. The estimated inbreeding values based on FHOM, FUNI and FGRM were higher in AZ than they were in KHZ, which was in contrast to the FROH estimates. We identified 11 ROH islands (four in AZ and seven in KHZ). In the KHZ breed, the genes located in ROH islands were enriched for multiple Gene Ontology (GO) terms (P ≤ 0.05). The genes located in ROH islands were associated with diverse biological functions and traits such as body size and muscle development (BMP2), immune response (CYP27B1), milk production and components (MARS, ADRA1A, and KCTD16), coat colour and pigmentation (PMEL and MYO1A), reproductive traits (INHBC, INHBE, STAT6 and PCNA), and bone development (SUOX). CONCLUSION: The calculated FROH was in line with expected higher inbreeding in KHZ than in AZ because of the smaller effective population size of KHZ. Thus, we find that FROH can be used as a robust estimate of genomic inbreeding. Further, the majority of ROH peaks were overlapped with or in close proximity to the previously reported genomic regions with signatures of selection. This tells us that it is likely that the genes in the ROH islands have been subject to artificial or natural selection.

Molecular detection and genetic characterization of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma platys-like (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in water buffalo from eight provinces of Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Anaplasmosis, an animal disease caused by rickettsial bacteria in the genus Anaplasma, is of considerable economic importance in livestock animals in many countries worldwide. The objectives of this study were to determine the identity, prevalence, and geographic distribution of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma in naturally infected water buffalo in Thailand using PCR amplification and sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA and heat shock protein groEL genes. A total of 456 buffalo blood samples from Thailand were investigated. Species identification and genetic differentiation of intra-population and inter-population with the global isolates were conducted based on nucleotide sequences. Interplay between the infection and host factors was also assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 41% of water buffalo were found to be infected with rickettsial organisms in the family Anaplasmataceae, but Ehrlichia spp., Neorickettsia spp., and Wolbachia spp. were not found in any of the sequenced samples in this study. Female buffalo were more frequently infected with bacteria in the family Anaplasmataceae than males [71 out of 176 females (40.3%) versus 11 out of 47 males (23.4%)]. The Odds Ratio value indicated that the risk of infection for female buffalo was 2.2-fold higher than that for males (p < 0.05). We detected three haplotypes of A. marginale 16S rRNA gene and they were placed in a clade that was closely related to the A. marginale in buffalo in China; and cattle in Thailand, Uganda, and China. Homology searching of groEL sequences against the GenBank™ database using the BLASTn algorithm revealed that the obtained sequences had a high percentage similarity (98.36-99.62%) to A. platys sequences. The groEL sequences of three A. platys-like isolates were clustered in the same clade as the A. platys from the tick Rhipicephalus microplus in China. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that the apparently healthy buffalo were naturally infected by bacteria in the family Anaplasmataceae at a relatively high prevalence. We also report the finding of A. platys-like infections in water buffalo in Thailand for the first time. Water buffalo serving as the reservoir host of anaplasmosis is of concern for managing the disease control and prevention in ruminants.

Antibiotic dry buffalo therapy: effect of intramammary administration of benzathine cloxacillin against Staphylococcus aureus mastitis in dairy water buffalo.

BACKGROUND: Mastitis is one of the most costly diseases in Mediterranean buffalo (MB). At present, just a few specific antibiotics registered for this dairy specie have been synthetized. Efficacy of an antibiotic dry buffalo therapy (aDBT) against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) mastitis, based on intra-quarter administration of 600 mg of benzathine cloxacillin, have been evaluated for the first time. Eighty MB's quarters received a drying-off therapy (aDBT-group) and 80 were left untreated (no-aDBT-group). They were sampled at drying-off (pre-treatment) and at the resumption of milking [< 10 days in milk (DIM)]. Fresh calver mastitis rate, dry period new mastitis rate, dry period cure rate, and persistent mastitis rate were calculated for clinical monitoring. Overall proportion of positive quarters/animals, quarters affected by mastitis or intramammary infections (IMI), effects on somatic cell count (SCC) and milk yield were also assessed. RESULTS: An inter-group difference (aDBT vs. no-aDBT) was recorded for all the indexes considered. An intra-group (drying-off vs. < 10 DIM) difference was detected in aDBT-group regarding the proportion of positive-cultured quarters and animals. Concerning the latter, an inter-groups difference was also recorded at second sampling. No clinical mastitis due to the S. aureus was observed. Regarding the subclinical ones, a higher intra-group difference was observed in aDBT than no-aDBT group, while an inter-group difference was recorded at second sampling. No protective effect was observed against IMI. SCC showed an inter-group difference at second sampling, while none difference was instead detected for milk yield. CONCLUSIONS: The effects against S. aureus mastitis of benzathine cloxacillin administration at drying-off were assessed for the first time in MB. Its use shows encouraging results in reducing the proportion of mastitis and positive animals at the resumption of the lactation.