Mitigation potential of individual and combined dietary supplementation of local Bentonite Clay and Distillery Sludge against Ochratoxin-A induced toxicity in broilers.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of dietary supplementation of local bentonite clay (BN) and distillery sludge (DS) alone and in combination on ochratoxin-A (OTA) induced toxicity in broilers. For this purpose, day-old-broiler chicks (n = 270) were procured from the local market and reared under standard management conditions. After 7 days of acclimatization, birds were divided into 2 main groups A and B with respect to OTA inclusion level in feed, each with four sub-groups viz. A1-A4, each challenged with OTA at a dietary inclusion level of 250 µg/kg feed and B1-B4, each challenged with OTA at the level of 500 µg/kg feed and a common control group that was fed with basal feed throughout the experiment. In groups A and B, BN and DS were administered with feed at the rate of 10 g/kg of feed and 5 g/kg of feed alone and in combination, respectively. RESULTS: Results showed that OTA administration alone resulted in poor feed conversion ratio (FCR) and immunological responses along with increased serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST), urea and creatinine (P < 0.05). A significant decrease (P < 0.05) in serum protein levels (albumin, globulin and total protein) was also observed in OTA-fed groups in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of BN at 10 g/kg of OTA-contaminated feed resulted in better FCR and immunological responses as compared to those fed OTA only. The BN supplementation also conferred protection against elevation of serum biochemical parameters when compared with OTA-fed groups. However, the addition of DS could not provide significant protection (P > 0.05) on alteration of serum biochemical parameters in response to the OTA induced toxicity. The combined supplementation of BN and DS resulted in amelioration of OTA-induced toxicity and showed improved FCR, immunological, hematological and serum biochemical parameters (P < 0.05) when compared with other groups. Similarly, BN and DS resulted in a significant decline (P < 0.05) in the OTA tissue residues compared with other groups and control. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, combined dietary supplementation of BN (10 mg/kg) and DS (05 mg/kg) in feed reduced the toxic effects of OTA contamination at levels of 250 and 500 µg/kg of feed in broilers. So, the combination products of BN and DS may be successfully developed for use in poultry for protection against OTA-induced toxicity in broilers.

Isolation and molecular characterization of the first subgroup J avian leukosis virus from chicken in Pakistan.

Since subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) was first isolated in the United Kingdom in 1988, it has seriously hindered the development of the poultry industry worldwide. Although cases of ALV-J infection have been reported as early as 2001 in Pakistan, there was no further research on the isolation and molecular characteristics of ALVs. In the present study, we first isolated two ALVs from suspicious clinical samples that were collected from a desi chicken farm in Pakistan. The results of multiplex PCR and indirect immunofluorescent antibody assays confirmed that the two isolates (PK19FA01 and PK19SA01) belonged to ALV-J. The complete genomes of the two isolates were amplified, sequenced, and systematically analyzed. We found that gp85 of PK19FA01 was more similar to that of the prototype strain HPRS103, whereas gp85 of PK19SA01 was more similar to that of American strains. The two isolates contained an intact E element of 147 residues and had a unique 135 bp deletion in the redundant transmembrane of the 3' untranslated region. The U3 region of the two isolates was highly homologous to that of American ALV-J strains. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation, complete genome sequencing, and systematic molecular epidemiological investigation of ALV-J in Pakistan. Our findings could enrich epidemiological data and might contributed to more effective measures to prevent and control avian leukosis in Pakistan.

The first complete genome sequence and pathogenicity characterization of fowl adenovirus 11 from chickens with inclusion body hepatitis in Pakistan.

Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH), hydropericardium syndrome, and gizzard erosion associated with fowl adenovirus (FAdV) infections are reported globally and resulted in significant poultry industry economic losses. In 2018, severe IBH appeared in Pakistan in a 17-week-old layer flock. Subsequently, a FAdV-11 strain (designated as PKFAd18) was isolated from liver samples and identified based on phylogenetic analyses of the serotype-specific L1 region of the capsid hexon gene. There is no complete genome sequence of the Pakistani FAdV-11. This study successfully sequenced the complete genome of PKFAd18. The full genome of PKFAd18 contains 43 840 base pairs (bp) with a G + C content of 53.9 %, which is comparable to other FAdV serotypes. Similar to other FAdV-11 strains, PKFAd18 has only one fiber, while FAdV-1 and FAdV-4 have two fibers. Notably, PKFAd18 showed unique characteristics compared to other FAdV-11 strains. A natural large genomic deletion (1215 bp) appeared in tandem repeat region two, relative to the ON-NP2 strain. Phylogenetic analyses of the PKFAd18 penton gene showed higher homology with FAdV-9, highlighting potential natural recombination between FAdV-11 and FAdV-9. Moreover, the pathogenicity of PKFAd18 studied in specific-pathogen-free chickens showed that PKFAd18 is capable of inducing severe IBH and could be responsible for IBH in Pakistan. Thus, the first complete genome of FAdV-11 in Pakistan was sequenced in this study, which enriches the diversity of knowledge about FAdV-11 and is useful for developing diagnostics and vaccines for IBH induced by FAdV-11 in Pakistan.

Pathological effects of concurrent administration of aflatoxin B1 and fowl adenovirus-4 in broiler chicks.

The current study was designed to investigate pathological effects of fowl adenovirus in broilers exposed to aflatoxin B1. Fowl Adenovirus-4 (FAdV-4) infection is remerging in all types of poultry birds in Pakistan. Poultry feed contamination with mycotoxin (aflatoxin) is another important global issue. A total of 125-day old broiler birds were divided into six equal groups. Group A served as control. B and C groups were administered with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) 100 and 200 µg/kg feed. Group D was infected with FAdV-4, while groups E and F administered with both AFB1 (100 & 200 µg/kg) along with FAdV-4. These birds were monitored for clinical signs and mortality. Feed intake, body weight (BW), relative organ weights and gross & histopathological lesions were recorded. The highest mortality was observed in group F (FAdV-4 + AFB1 200 µg/kg feed) and the lowest mortality was observed in group B (AFB1 100 µg/kg feed). Body weights of all the groups were significantly (p < 0.05) lower as compared with control group. Relative weight of liver and kidneys in groups E and F were significantly higher as compared with control. Grossly, liver was swollen, anemic with round margins in groups D, E and F. Kidneys were also swollen with whitish areas indicating dead tissue. Microscopically intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in group D-F. The hepatic parenchyma was also indicating necrotic changes along with vacuolar degeneration. In renal parenchyma, acute tubular necrosis was observed in groups C, E and F. It was concluded that AFB1 intoxication lead to dose dependent changes in liver and kidneys. Severity of the changes was increased in interactive groups of AFB1 with FAdV-4. Therefore, feed should be regularly monitored for AFB1 levels and day old chicks for vertically transmitted FAdV-4 to prevent losses.

Mini Review: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, its new drug treatments and strategies: A review.

COPD is a complicated disease. Current available treatments are just for symptomatic relief and they cannot reverse the damages to lungs tissues due to alveolar destruction in COPD. Research is being conducted to evaluate new treatments and strategies to find specific treatments to minimize the symptoms of COPD. A new mixture of herbal medicine i.e AKL1 has emerged and thought to cure COPD symptoms especially cough related quality of life of COPD patients. Although, the results have showed no significant difference as compared to placebo but researchers recommend further evaluation in a large population (COPD Patients) group. Another medicine Roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, was also found to be effective to treat COPD under specific recommendations with further research needed. Finally another medicine Indacaterol, a novel, once-daily (o.d) inhaled long-acting ß2-agonist proved to be effective clinically to treat COPD related broncho-constriction and also increasing the COPD patient's compliance by reducing the number of doses as compared to other conventional inhaled bronchodilators such as Albuterol.

Review - Lactic acid bacteria in traditional fermented Asian foods.

Lactic acid bacteria play vital roles in various fermented foods in Asia. This paper reviews many types of the world's lactic acid fermented foods and discusses the beneficial effects of lactic acid fermentation of food. The lactic acid bacteria associated with foods now include species of the genera Carnobacterium, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Oenococcus, Pediococcus, Streptococcus, Tetragenococcus, Vagococcus and Weissella. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are involved in many fermentation processes of Asian traditional foods, demonstrating their profound effects on improving food quality and food safety. During the past few decades' interest has arisen in the use of the varied antagonistic activities of LAB to extent the shelf-life of protein-rich products such as meats and fish. This review article outlines the main types of LAB fermentation as well as their typical fermented foods such as idli, kishk, sauerkraut, koumiss, Suan-tsai, stinky tofu, Chinese sausage and kefir. The roles of LAB and the reasons for their common presence are also discussed.