Oxidative stress in Strongylus spp. infected donkeys treated with piperazine citrate versus doramectin.

Background: Parasitic infection is one of the main problems in equidae, particularly donkeys. Aim: This study evaluated the oxidative stress in donkeys infected with Strongylus spp by determining the correlation between antioxidants levels; malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the severity of parasitic infection. It also compared the therapeutic efficacy of piperazine citrate as an oral anthelmintic drug and Doramectin as an injectable one. Methods: The study was conducted on 40 donkeys naturally infected with Strongylus spp. These donkeys were divided into two groups (20 donkeys each) according to treatment; One group was treated with piperazine citrate (PipTG) and the other with doramectin (DoraTG). Thorough clinical examination, hematological, biochemical, and parasitological assays were performed before (Day 0) and after treatment (Days 7, 14, 21, and 28). All data were statistically analyzed by independent-sample t-test or paired t-test. Results: In both groups, mean values of MDA were significantly reduced, while those of TAC were significantly elevated after treatment on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. These significant changes were reported after treatment between PipTG and DoraTG in favor of DoraTG. Serum concentrations of MDA were significantly reduced, while those of TAC were significantly elevated for DoraTG treatment group when their values were compared with those of PipTG either on days 7, 14, 21, or 28. Significant correlations were reported in PipTG and DoraTG. Negative significant correlations were reported between fecal egg count (FEC) and each of whole blood picture indices (RBCS, Hb, and PCV), serum TAC and faecal egg count reduction percentage FECR%. A positive correlation was seen between FEC and MDA. MDA exhibited a negative correlation with both blood picture and TAC; hence, TAC was positively correlated with these blood picture indices in both PipTG and DoraTG. In PipTG, anthelmintic resistance (R) was present on days 7 and 14, while it was suspected (S) at day 21 then it was absent (N) at day 28. In DoraTG, anthelmintic resistance was suspected (S) on day 7, then it became absent (N) on days 14, 21, and 28 post therapy. Conclusion: The immunological status of the infected donkeys had greatly improved after treatment. The therapeutic efficacy of injectable doramectin was more efficient than that of oral piperazine citrate in Strongylus spp. infected donkeys.

Differential diagnosis of bovine intestinal diseases and their sequelae regarding ultrasonography and other diagnostic tools.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Intestinal disorders represented a large proportion of abdominal emergencies in bovine practice, and their definite diagnosis was a big challenge. The study described different intestinal disorders in cattle either in the small intestine (SI) or large intestine with their sequelae and peritonitis between SI loops. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved healthy (n=20) and diseased (n=40) cattle with intestinal disorders. All animals were undergoing clinical examination, laboratory analyses, and ultrasonographic examination. RESULTS: Diseased cattle had monocytic leukocytosis as well as hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia. The SI ileus of either proximal (n=12) or distal (n=15), intussusception (n=3), cecal, and/or colonal dilatation (n=10) were diagnosed by ultrasound and other diagnostic tools. Duodenum intussusception was imaged in cross-section as bull's eyes lesions. Animals with SI obstructions showed complete cessation (ileus with complete obstruction) or partial reduction of the peristaltic SI movement (ileus with partial obstruction), dilated duodenum (6.5-9.9 cm), and dilated jejunum and/or ileum (4.4-6.8 cm). Ultrasonography diagnosed SI ileus, due to either intestinal obstruction or peritonitis, and detected the ileus site, either proximal or distal. Cecal/colonal dilatation was detected using ultrasonography in which SI was not imaged and the peristaltic movements were completely reduced. The recorded intestinal disorders were associated with other disorders (e.g., liver cirrhosis or peritonitis). CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography played an important role in the differential diagnosis of intestinal disorders in cattle. Peritonitis between SI loops and cecal and/or colonal dilatation was also diagnosed.

Serum paraoxonase-1 activity in tail and mammary veins of ketotic dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between ketonemia and serum paraoxonase-1 (PON1), malondialdehyde (MDA), and other blood components in tail and mammary veins of dairy cows. Forty-two Holstein dairy cows with decreased feed intake were divided into HIGH (≥ 1.2 mM; n = 31) and LOW (< 1.2 mM; n = 11) groups based on the ß-hydroxybutyrate concentration in plasma collected from the tail vein. The HIGH group had a significantly greater plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration, but significantly lower serum PON1 activity and phospholipid concentration, and a tendency to have a lower cholesterol ester concentration than the LOW group. Serum PON1 activity was not correlated with the MDA concentration but was positively correlated with serum concentrations of cholesterol esters and phospholipids, and negatively correlated with the plasma NEFA concentration. These results suggest that serum PON1 activity is reduced by hyperketonemia and the relevance of PON1 to MDA seems to not be direct, though it is involved.

L'objectif de la présente étude était d'évaluer l'association entre l'acétonémie et la paraoxonase-1 (PON1), le malondialdéhyde (MDA), et d'autres composés du sang dans les veines caudale et mammaire de vaches laitières. Quarante-deux vaches laitières de race Holstein présentant une diminution de l'ingestion d'aliments furent divisées en groupes ÉLEVÉ (≥ 1,2 mM; n = 31) et BAS (< 1,2 mM; n = 11) basés sur la concentration de ß-hydroxybutyrate de plasma prélevé de la veine caudale. Le groupe ÉLEVÉ avait une concentration plasmatique significativement plus grande d'acides gras non-estérifiés (NEFA), mais le sérum présentait une activité PON1 et une concentration de phospholipides significativement réduite, et une tendance à avoir une concentration d'esters de cholestérol plus faible que le groupe BAS. L'activité de PON1 sérique n'était pas corrélée avec la concentration de MDA mais était corrélée positivement avec les concentrations sériques d'esters de cholestérol et de phospholipides, et corrélée négativement avec la concentration plasmatique de NEFA. Ces résultats suggèrent que l'activité de PON1 sérique est réduite par l'hypercétonémie et la pertinence de PON1 envers MDA ne semble pas être directe, bien qu'elle semble impliquée.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Peripartum metabolic profiles in a Holstein dairy herd with alarm level prevalence of subclinical ketosis detected in early lactation.

The aim of this study was to characterize peripartum metabolic profiles, including the insulin sensitivity index, in cows diagnosed with subclinical ketosis (SCK) in the early stage of lactation. Cows that calved from January 2011 through December 2014 on a dairy farm with alarm level prevalence of SCK in Hokkaido, Japan (n = 175) were used. Blood and body condition scores (BCS) were obtained at regular health examinations in 2 consecutive periods, the first between 14 and 2 d before parturition, and the second between 3 and 14 d after parturition. Animals were divided into 3 groups at postpartum sampling: an SCK group with 35 multiparous and 15 primiparous cows having ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations ≥ 1.2 mM without clinical signs, a disease group of 36 multiparous and 9 primiparous cows that received treatment between parturition and postpartum sampling, and a control group consisting of 49 multiparous and 31 primiparous cows with BHBA concentrations < 1.2 mM. The prepartum revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index was significantly lower in the multiparous SCK and disease groups than in the control group, demonstrating decreased insulin sensitivity in these cows, but not in primiparous cows. The prepartum BCS was significantly higher only in the multiparous SCK and disease groups. The prepartum apolipoprotein B-100 (ApoB-100) concentration was significantly decreased in the multiparous disease group, suggesting hepatic lipidosis. Conversely, primiparous cows had a higher prepartum ApoB-100 concentration. Prepartum decreased insulin sensitivity in the multiparous SCK and disease groups was considered to facilitate progression to SCK after calving.

L'objectif de la présente étude était de caractériser les profils métaboliques péri-partum, incluant l'index de sensibilité à l'insuline, chez des vaches avec un diagnostic d'acétonémie subclinique (ASC) tôt en début de lactation. Les vaches qui ont mis bas entre janvier 2011 et décembre 2014 sur une ferme laitière avec une prévalence d'ASC à un degré d'alarme à Hokkaido, Japon (n = 175) ont été utilisées. Du sang et les pointages de condition corporelle (PCC) ont été obtenus au moment d'examens de santé réguliers lors de deux périodes consécutives, la première entre 14 et 2 j avant la parturition, et la seconde entre 3 et 14 j après la parturition. Les animaux ont été divisés en trois groupes lors de l'échantillonnage post-partum : un groupe ASC avec 35 vaches pluripares et 15 vaches primipares ayant des concentrations de ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) ≥ 1,2 mM sans signe clinique, un groupe malade avec 36 vaches pluripares et 9 vaches primipares qui ont reçu un traitement entre le moment de la parturition et la prise d'échantillon post-partum, et un groupe témoin composé de 49 vaches multipares et 31 vaches primipares avec des concentrations de BHA < 1,2 mM. L'indice quantitatif de sensibilité à l'insuline révisé pré-partum était significativement plus bas dans les groupes de vaches multipares ASC et vaches malades que dans le groupe témoin, démontrant ainsi une diminution de la sensibilité à l'insuline chez ces vaches mais pas chez les vaches primipares. L'ASC pré-partum était significativement plus élevé seulement dans les groupes ASC multipares et malade. La concentration pré-partum d'apolipoprotéine B-100 (ApoB-100) était significativement diminuée chez les vaches multipares du groupe malade, suggérant une lipidose hépatique. Inversement, les vaches primipares avaient une concentration plus élevée d'ApoB-100. La sensibilité à l'insuline diminuée en pré-partum chez les vaches ASC multipares et vaches malades était considérée pour faciliter la progression d'ASC à la suite de la mise-bas.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in Egyptian buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) with traumatic pericarditis.

Traumatic pericarditis (TP) remains a serious problem facing bovine producers; particularly in the developing countries; causing severe economic losses. This study was carried out on 47 buffaloes including; control buffaloes (n = 20) and buffaloes with TP (n = 27) at Assiut governorate, Egypt. All animals were subjected to thorough clinical examination, whole blood profiling, blood serum biochemical assays, and radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations. The recorded ultrasonographic findings included; the contractility, contour and shape of the reticulum, shape and size of the heart and spleen involvement. All data were statistically analysed. Buffaloes with TP showed lymphocytic leucocytosis, increase in serum activities of AST, hyperproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and hyperglobulinaemia. Radio-opaque metal foreign bodies, cardiomegaly and loss of the normal cardiac shape and contour were the most common radiographic findings in the diseased buffaloes. Ultrasonographically, the diseased buffaloes showed either acute pericarditis (n = 10) or chronic suppurative pericarditis (n = 17). Complete cessation of reticular contractions (0/3 min) and displacement of the reticulum from the diaphragm by a distance about 2.6-4.5 cm were the most common ultrasonographic findings of both types of pericarditis. In addition, the reticulum had uneven contour and the heart showed characteristic changes in its size, shape and contractility that was either accelerated or reduced. Reticular abscesses and peritoneal effusions were also imaged in all diseased buffaloes. In acute TP; the affected heart was enlarged with strong and clear cardiac contractions. Accumulation of hypoechoic fluids interspersed with echogenic deposits of fibrin within heart tissue and pericardium was observed. In chronic suppurative pericarditis, cardiomegaly, thickening of the cardiac wall and loss of the characteristic recognisable heart shape were the common ultrasonographic findings. Accumulation of hypoechoic fluids (usually pus) interspersing with echogenic deposits of fibrin within the pericardium, ventricles, atria and valves was also observed. In conclusion, ultrasonography with the aids of other diagnostic tools such as clinical findings, laboratory analysis and radiography has a high efficacy in evaluation of diseased buffaloes with TP.