Genetic Characterization of the RAP-1A and SBP-4 Genes of Babesia Species Infecting Cattle from Selangor, Malaysia, and Ribah, Nigeria.

Bovine babesiosis has substantial economic implications in the cattle industry, emphasizing the need for a thorough understanding of the genetic diversity of the causative apicomplexan pathogen. Although babesiosis has been extensively studied globally, the genetic diversity of Babesia species in Malaysian and Nigerian cattle remains unreported. This study aims to bridge this gap by detecting and characterizing Babesia species in selected cattle herds. Our investigation explores the genetic diversity of Babesia species in cattle from Selangor, Malaysia, and Ribah, Nigeria. Blood samples revealed a 32.9% infection rate via PCR analysis. Further genetic analysis detected variations in Malaysian Babesia bigemina isolates but genetic similarity among Nigerian isolates. Conversely, all Babesia bovis isolates displayed genetic homogeneity. In summary, this research identifies genetic diversity in Babesia species affecting Malaysian and Nigerian cattle, highlighting regional disparities.

Differential responses of monocyte-derived macrophages from Theileria orientalis infected carrier cattle to Pasteruella multocida B:2 infection and latex beads: A preliminary study.

This study aims to evaluate the responses of peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages (PBMDMs) from Theileria orientalis carrier cattle following exposure to Pasteruella multocida B:2 (PM B:2) and latex beads. Twenty-six male crossbred Kedah-Kelantan (KK) cattle were sampled for this study and quantitative PCR (qPCR) was employed in the detection of T. orientalis MPSP gene. Bactericidal assay using a 10:1 multiplicity of infection was performed to measure the phagocytosis and intracellular killing of PM B:2 by PBMDMs. The cell cultures were inoculated with 107 cfu/mL of PM B:2 and incubated in a humidified incubator. The absence of clinical signs, previous history of T. orientalis infection and an MPSP gene copy number below 15,000 GC/µL suggest that the cattle were asymptomatic chronic carriers. A non-significant phagocytic and mean cell death rates were observed in the PBMDMs of T. orientalis positive cattle relative to clinically healthy cattle (CHC) (p > 0.05). The PBMDMs of T. orientalis positive cattle had the lowest mean rate of intracellular killing relative to the CHC at the 30th minute post-infection only (p < 0.05). Exposure to latex beads caused an increase in the appearance of multinucleated macrophages following incubation of PBMDMs from T. orientalis positive cattle. Furthermore, the phagocytic index of PBMDMs of T. orientalis positive cattle were low or poor compared to that of CHC (p = 0.000). Therefore, our findings suggest that PBMDMs from cattle with chronic T. orientalis infection can efficiently phagocytise and kill PM: B2 but exhibited poor phagocytosis ability for foreign bodies despite appearance of multinucleated macrophages.

Moringa oleifera hydorethanolic leaf extract induced acute and sub-acute hepato-nephrotoxicity in female ICR-mice.

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) Lam belongs to the family Moringaceae. It is an important multipurpose tree that is largely distributed globally and has been used almost in every aspect of traditional medicine for the treatment of various illnesses including cancers, diabetes mellitus, asthma, arthritis, etc. This study investigated the effects of oral acute and sub-acute administration of M. oleifera hydroethanolic leaf extract (MOHE) in ICR-mice. Its major phenolic compounds were also determined. Ten (10) female, 8-week old mice were grouped into control and treatment groups for acute toxicity study. A dose of 2000 mg/kg MOHE was given once to the treatment group via oral gavage. However, for the sub-acute toxicity study, 25 mice were grouped into groups A (control), B (125 mg/kg), C (250 mg/kg), D (500 mg/kg) and E (1000 mg/kg). MOHE was given via oral gavage to groups B, C, D and E daily for 28 days. Group A received only distilled water. The mice were sacrificed at the end of the experiments and samples were collected for evaluation. The results of the chemical profiling of MOHE revealed the presence of glucomoringin, niaziminine, quercetin and kaempferol as the major compounds. The treated mice in the acute toxicity study were slightly anaemic and showed evidence of stress leukogram. Moreover, a slight increase in creatinine, significant increases in AST and CK, hepatic degeneration and necrosis, none-obstructive sinusoidal dilatation, renal tubular necrosis, interstitial nephritis and renal interstitial oedema were observed. It is concluded that the LD50 of MOHE is higher than 2000 mg/kg. However, oral administration of MOHE causes acute mild anaemia and moderate hepato-nephrotoxicity in ICR-mice. Its major phenolic compounds are glucomoringin, niaziminine, quercetin and kaempferol.

High Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor to Interleukin 10 Ratio and Marked Antioxidant Enzyme Activities Predominate in Symptomatic Cattle Naturally Infected with Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, Theileria orientalis, Theileria sinensis and Trypanosoma evansi.

The aim of this study was to measure the serum proinflammatory (IL-12, GM-CSF & IFN-γ) to anti-inflammatory (IL-10, IL-4) cytokine ratio, oxidant (MDA) level and antioxidant enzyme (SOD; GPx) activities after blood parasite infections. The blood and serum samples were obtained from 130 cattle and screened for identity of the infecting blood parasites by conventional PCR. The following blood parasite species were detected: Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos (70/130); Theileria orientalis (65/130); Theileria sinensis (32/130); Anaplasma marginale (49/130); Anaplasma platys (7/130); and Trypanosoma evansi (4/130). The GM-CSF/IL-10 ratio showed significantly higher values in all the symptomatic blood parasite infected cattle groups except for symptomatic A. platys infected cattle groups. Anti-inflammatory cytokine immune responses were notable findings in symptomatic and asymptomatic cattle infected with C. M. haemobos and T. orientalis characterized by low serum IL-12:IL-10, IFN-γ:IL-10, IL-12:IL-4 and IFN-γ:IL-4 (p < 0.05). Therefore, high serum GM-CSF:IL:10 in the symptomatic blood parasite infected cattle, low serum IL-12:IL-10, IFN-γ:IL-10, IL-12:IL-4 and IFN-γ:IL-4 ratios in asymptomatic cattle, high MDA level, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities could be useful predictive tools for outcome of natural blood parasite infections in cattle.

Molecular detection of Theileria species, Anaplasma species, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, Trypanosoma evansi and first evidence of Theileria sinensis-associated bovine anaemia in crossbred Kedah-Kelantan x Brahman cattle.

BACKGROUND: Serious disease outbreaks in cattle are usually associated with blood pathogens. This study aims to detect blood pathogens namely Theileria species, Anaplasma species, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos and Trypanosoma evansi, and determine their phylogenetic relationships and haemato-biochemical abnormalities in naturally infected cattle. METHODS: Molecular analysis was achieved by PCR amplification and sequencing of PCR amplicons of 18SrRNA gene of Theileria species, 16SrRNA genes of Anaplasma and Mycoplasma species, MPSP genes of T. orientalis and T. sinensis, MSP4 gene of A. marginale, 16SrRNA gene of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, and RoTat1.2 VSG gene of Trypanosoma evansi, in sixty-one (61) clinically ill Kedah-Kelantan x Brahman cattle in Pahang, Malaysia. RESULTS: A total of 44 (72.13%) cattle were infected with more than one blood pathogen. Theileria species was the blood pathogen with the highest molecular detection rate (72.13, 95% CI 59.83-81.81%). Nucleotide blast analyses of all sequences demonstrated high degree of molecular similarity (98-100%) in comparison with their respective reference sequences. Analysis of 18SrRNA gene sequences of Theileria species and 16SrRNA gene sequences of Anaplasma species revealed Theileria sinensis and Anaplasma platys respectively as additional species detected in these cattle. MPSP-PCR analysis was conducted for further confirmation of T. sinensis. The blood picture of eight infected cattle groups revealed poikilocytosis, anisocytosis, rouleaux formation and degenerative left shift. High mean erythrocyte fragility values were common in infected cattle groups. Anaemia of the macrocytic normochromic type and spherocytes were observed in the T. evansi and Anaplasma platys + Theileria sinensis double species co-infected cattle group. Normocytic normochromic anaemia was observed in the T. sinensis infected cattle group. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in serum liver and kidney parameters, total protein, globulin, total and unconjugated bilirubin and decreased albumin values were observed in the T. evansi infected cattle when compared to clinically healthy cattle. CONCLUSION: We present the first evidence of Theileria sinensis-associated bovine anaemia (TSABA) in Malaysian cattle. Because of the high occurrence of bovine theileriosis and detection of A. platys, there is an urgent need for appropriate preventive and control measures against these blood pathogens.

Clinical Pathology, Immunopathology and Advanced Vaccine Technology in Bovine Theileriosis: A Review.

Theileriosis is a blood piroplasmic disease that adversely affects the livestock industry, especially in tropical and sub-tropical countries. It is caused by haemoprotozoan of the Theileria genus, transmitted by hard ticks and which possesses a complex life cycle. The clinical course of the disease ranges from benign to lethal, but subclinical infections can occur depending on the infecting Theileria species. The main clinical and clinicopathological manifestations of acute disease include fever, lymphadenopathy, anorexia and severe loss of condition, conjunctivitis, and pale mucous membranes that are associated with Theileria-induced immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia and/or non-regenerative anaemia. Additionally, jaundice, increases in hepatic enzymes, and variable leukocyte count changes are seen. Theileria annulata and Theileria parva induce an incomplete transformation of lymphoid and myeloid cell lineages, and these cells possess certain phenotypes of cancer cells. Pathogenic genotypes of Theileria orientalis have been recently associated with severe production losses in Southeast Asia and some parts of Europe. The infection and treatment method (ITM) is currently used in the control and prevention of T. parva infection, and recombinant vaccines are still under evaluation. The use of gene gun immunization against T. parva infection has been recently evaluated. This review, therefore, provides an overview of the clinicopathological and immunopathological profiles of Theileria-infected cattle and focus on DNA vaccines consisting of plasmid DNA with genes of interest, molecular adjuvants, and chitosan as the most promising next-generation vaccine against bovine theileriosis.

Subacute Oral Administration of Clinacanthus nutans Ethanolic Leaf Extract Induced Liver and Kidney Toxicities in ICR Mice.

This study investigated the leaves of Clinacanthus nutans for its bioactive compounds and acute and subacute toxicity effects of C. nutans ethanolic leaf extract (CELE) on blood, liver and kidneys of ICR mice. A total of 10 8-week-old female mice were divided into groups A (control) and B (2000 mg/kg) for the acute toxicity study. A single dose of 2000 mg/kg was administered to group B through oral gavage and mice were monitored for 14 days. In the subacute toxicity study, mice were divided into five groups: A (control), B (125 mg/kg), C (250 mg/kg), D (500 mg/kg) and E (1000 mg/kg). The extract was administered daily for 28 days via oral gavage. The mice were sacrificed, and samples were collected for analyses. Myricetin, orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin, isookanin, apigenin and ferulic acid were identified in the extract. Twenty-eight days of continuous oral administration revealed significant increases (p < 0.05) in creatinine, ALT and moderate hepatic and renal necrosis in groups D and E. The study concluded that the lethal dose (LD50) of CELE in mice is greater than 2000 mg/kg and that repeated oral administrations of CELE for 28 days induced hepatic and renal toxicities at 1000 mg/kg in female ICR mice.

N-Ethyl-n-Nitrosourea Induced Leukaemia in a Mouse Model through Upregulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Evading Apoptosis.

Chemical carcinogens are commonly used to investigate the biology and prognoses of various cancers. This study investigated the mechanism of leukaemogenic effects of n-ethyl-n-nitrosourea (ENU) in a mouse model. A total of 14 3-week-old male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)-mice were used for the study. The mice were divided into groups A and B with seven mice each. Group A served as the control while group B received intraperitoneal (IP) injections of 80 mg/kg ENU twice with a one-week interval and were monitored monthly for 3 months for the development of leukaemia via blood smear examination. The mice were sacrificed humanely using a CO2 chamber. Blood, spleen, lymph nodes, liver, kidney and lung samples were collected for blood smear examination and histopathological evaluation. The expression of angiogenic protein (VEGF), and pro and anti-apoptotic proteins (BCL2 and BAX), was detected and quantified using Western blot technique. Leukaemia was confirmed by the presence of numerous blast cells in the peripheral blood smear in group B. Similarly, the VEGF and BCL2 proteins were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated in group B compared to A. It is concluded that IP administration of 80 mg/kg ENU induced leukaemia in ICR-mice 12 weeks post administration through upregulation of angiogenic and anti-apoptotic proteins: VEGF and BCL2.