Aflatoxicosis in cattle: clinical findings and biochemical alterations.

Aflatoxicosis is a serious health condition resulted from aflatoxin (AF)-producing fungi. Major health threats resulted from AFs and reflect on the livestock industry with great economic losses. There are limited scientific evidences concerning the AFs in ruminant, therefore it is important to evaluate AFs health hazards in cattle. Here, we investigate biochemical, oxidative stress, and postmortem changes associated with unexpected acute bovine aflatoxicosis. Seventy-two cattle were suffered from aflatoxisocis. Depression and inappetence were predominant clinical findings of the diseased animals. Analysis of feedstuffs revealed presence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The AF-intoxicated animals showed a significant increase in alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum creatinine (SCr), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Moreover, a significant decrease in total protein (TP), magnesium (Mg), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were also seen. Hepatomegaly, enlarged gallbladder as well as congestion of the intestine and kidney were observed. This study elucidates the critical and constructive measurements needed for the prevention of the AFs hazardous effects to livestock for the future control of AF outbreaks. Conducting series of diagnostic assays reflect the marked health condition alterations in the biochemical and antioxidant status of the AF-intoxicated cattle.

Local peritonitis and omental bursitis as sequelae of abomasal ulceration in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis): clinical findings and outcome of treatment.

Abomasal ulcers are difficult to diagnose clinically with limited therapeutic approach to combat the disease. Omental bursitis (OB) and local peritonitis (LP) are known sequelae of abomasal ulcer in cows. In this study, differentiation between OB and LP in regard to clinical symptoms, biochemical analyses and the response to treatment in Buffaloes was done. Twenty buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) were admitted with a history of intermittent appetite, wasting and mild abdominal distension during the period between March 2016 and August 2018. All cases were female (12 recently calved, 2 pregnant, 6 non-pregnant) aging from 3 to 9 years and weighing 350-600 kg. For comparison, 10 apparently healthy non-pregnant female buffaloes were used as controls. Abdominal ultrasonography confirmed the presence of 11 OB and 9 LP in admitted cases. Laboratory analysis revealed hyperproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia in OB. Hypokalemia and hypochloremia were detected in both OB and LP. Ultrasonography showed hypo-anechoic content with echoic stippling surrounded by echogenic wall in OB, whereas echogenic strands interspersed with anechoic fluid was reported in LP. Intra-lesional lavage by normal saline was applied several times under ultrasongraphic guidance followed by gentamicin 10% intramuscular and H2 antagonist intravenous for 5 days as well as parenteral and enteral fluid therapy. Seven cases of OB clinically improved, whereas no improvements were found in LP cases. OB secondary to abomasal ulcer has a good prognosis in contrast to LP. Ultrasonography provides a useful diagnostic tool and therapeutic guidance for such diseases.

Genomic Polymorphism Associated with the Emergence of Virulent Isolates of Mycobacterium bovis in the Nile Delta.

Mycobacterium bovis is responsible for bovine tuberculosis in both animals and humans. Despite being one of the most important global zoonotic disease, data related to the ecology and pathogenicity of bovine tuberculosis is scarce, especially in developing countries. In this report, we examined the dynamics of M. bovis transmission among dairy cattle in the Nile Delta of Egypt. Animals belonging to 27 herds from 7 governorates were tested by the Single Intradermal Comparative Skin Tuberculin (SICST), as a preliminary screen for the presence of bovine tuberculosis. Positive SICST reactors were identified in 3% of the animals spread among 40% of the examined herds. Post-mortem examination of slaughtered reactors confirmed the presence of both pulmonary and/or digestive forms of tuberculosis in > 50% of the examined animals. Targeted and whole-genome analysis of M. bovis isolates indicated the emergences of a predominant spoligotype (SB0268) between 2013-2015, suggesting a recent clonal spread of this isolate within the Nile Delta. Surprisingly, 2 isolates belonged to M. bovis BCG group, which are not allowed for animal vaccination in Egypt, while the rest of isolates belonged to the virulent M. bovis clonal complex European 2 present in Latin America and several European countries. Analysis of strain virulence in the murine model of tuberculosis indicated the emergence of a more virulent strain (MBE4) with a specific genotype. More analysis is needed to understand the molecular basis for successful spread of virulent isolates of bovine tuberculosis among animals and to establish genotype/phenotype association.

Mycobacterium marinum infection in fish and man: epidemiology, pathophysiology and management; a review.

Mycobacterium marinum is an opportunistic pathogen inducing infection in fresh and marine water fish. This pathogen causes necrotizing granuloma like tuberculosis, morbidity and mortality in fish. The cell wall-associated lipid phthiocerol dimycocerosates, phenolic glycolipids and ESAT-6 secretion system 1 (ESX-1) are the conserved virulence determinant of the organism. Human infections with Mycobacterium marinum hypothetically are classified into four clinical categories (type I-type IV) and have been associated with the exposure of damaged skin to polluted water from fish pools or contacting objects contaminated with infected fish. Fish mycobacteriosis is clinically manifested and characterized in man by purple painless nodules, liable to develop into superficial crusting ulceration with scar formation. Early laboratory diagnosis of M. marinum including histopathology, culture and PCR is essential and critical as the clinical response to antibiotics requires months to be attained. The pathogenicity and virulence determinants of M. marinum need to be thoroughly and comprehensively investigated and understood. In spite of accumulating information on this pathogen, the different relevant data should be compared, connected and globally compiled. This article is reviewing the epidemiology, virulence factors, diagnosis and disease management in fish while casting light on the potential associated public health hazards.

Antibodies derived from a toxoid MEFA (multiepitope fusion antigen) show neutralizing activities against heat-labile toxin (LT), heat-stable toxins (STa, STb), and Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e) of porcine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC).

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains are the main cause of diarrhea in pigs. Pig diarrhea especially post-weaning diarrhea remains one of the most important swine diseases. ETEC bacterial fimbriae including K88, F18, 987P, K99 and F41 promote bacterial attachment to intestinal epithelial cells and facilitate ETEC colonization in pig small intestine. ETEC enterotoxins including heat-labile toxin (LT) and heat-stable toxins type Ia (porcine-type STa) and type II (STb) stimulate fluid hyper-secretion, leading to watery diarrhea. Blocking bacteria colonization and/or neutralizing enterotoxicity of ETEC toxins are considered effective prevention against ETEC diarrhea. In this study, we applied the MEFA (multiepitope fusion antigen) strategy to create toxoid MEFAs that carried antigenic elements of ETEC toxins, and examined for broad antitoxin immunogenicity in a murine model. By embedding STa toxoid STaP12F (NTFYCCELCCNFACAGCY), a STb epitope (KKDLCEHY), and an epitope of Stx2e A subunit (QSYVSSLN) into the A1 peptide of a monomeric LT toxoid (LTR192G), two toxoid MEFAs, 'LTR192G-STb-Stx2e-STaP12F' and 'LTR192G-STb-Stx2e-3xSTaP12F' which carried three copies of STaP12F, were constructed. Mice intraperitoneally immunized with each toxoid MEFA developed IgG antibodies to all four toxins. Induced antibodies showed in vitro neutralizing activities against LT, STa, STb and Stx2e toxins. Moreover, suckling piglets born by a gilt immunized with 'LTR192G-STb-Stx2e-3xSTaP12F' were protected when challenged with ETEC strains, whereas piglets born by a control gilt developed diarrhea. Results from this study showed that the toxoid MEFA induced broadly antitoxin antibodies, and suggested potential application of the toxoid MEFA for developing a broad-spectrum vaccine against ETEC diarrhea in pigs.

Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective Effect of Curcumin Against Copper Toxicity in Rats.

Curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant with several potential health benefits. Although it has been examined in several metals toxicity studies, but its role in the protection against copper toxicity has not been investigated. In this study; the detoxification and antioxidant effect of curcumin were examined to determine its prophylactic/therapeutic role experimentally in rats. Forty albino rats were divided into five groups; control, CuSO4 (4 mg/kg body weight), curcumin (80 mg/kg body weight), curcumin post-treatment (CuSO4 for 15 days followed by curcumin for the next 15 days) and curcumin co-treatment (CuSO4 plus curcumin for 30 days). All rats were treated orally by stomach tube for 30 days/once a day. Changes were observed in hepatic marker enzymes such as: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase-(ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), besides the serum total protein, urea and creatinine. Concentration of liver and kidney antioxidants such as: catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione-(GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. An increased in the activities of liver marker enzymes, urea, creatinine and the MDA contents were detected after exposure to CuSO4. Meanwhile, the activities of serum total protein, hepatic and renal antioxidants were decreased. Changes in all biochemical parameters were alleviated by the post-treatment and co-treatment of curcumin. Our finding suggests that the curcumin showed protective effects on CuSO4-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Clostridium botulinum type D/C intoxication in a dairy cow stock in Saxony-Anhalt (Germany)--report on an innovative diagnostic approach.

Botulism in cattle is a rare but serious disease. In Germany there is no obligation to report botulism in animals and therefore a precise morbidity rate is not available. In this manuscript we describe an outbreak of Clostridium (C.) botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) intoxication in a Saxony-Anhalt dairy cow stock of 286 Holstein-Friesian cows and offspring in spring/summer 2009 and its diagnostic approach. 122 animals showed clinical signs of BoNT intoxication. 115 of the affected animals (40.2% of the herd) independent of age died or had to be euthanized. Therapeutic attempts failed in almost all diseased cows, only four calves and three heifers recovered. Diagnostic samples of several animals (n = 4) (liver, ruminal and intestinal contents) and feed (n = 6) were tested for BoNT genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). BoNT gene type D was found in several (n = 8) organ samples. The PCR results allowed a preselection of samples for BoNT that were then tested by the mouse bioassay. Thus, the number of mice being inoculated in the mouse bioassay could be reduced. The mouse bioassay turned out positive (wasp-waist) in three preselected organ samples and the neutralization test of one sample with type-specific antitoxin confirmed the presence of BoNT type D. We succeeded in isolating a C. botulinum strain from a liver sample which was typed as a D/C mosaic strain by sequence analysis of the toxin gene. However, the source of the BoNT intoxication could not be traced back.

Nephroprotective and antioxidant significance of selenium and α-tocopherol on lead acetate-induced toxicity of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

The kidney plays an important physiological function, maintaining the osmoregulation and electrolyte balance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Selenium and α-tocopherol (α-toc) are potent antioxidants, which improve the aquaculture health. In this study, we tested the potential ability of selenium and α-toc to alleviate the oxidative stress in the kidney induced by lead toxicity. Two hundred and twenty-five O. niloticus were divided into five groups. The control group received a basal diet. Lead nephrotoxicity was induced by daily application of 73.40 mg lead acetate/liter water for up to 10 weeks. Selenium and α-tocopherol were given 1 week before lead intoxication. Selenium was administered as sodium selenite, 4 mg/kg dry diet. Alpha-tocopherol acetate was administered as α-toc, 200 mg/kg dry diet. The last group received a mixture of selenium and α-toc in diet. Fish treated with selenium and/or α-toc (groups III-V) showed an amelioration of the adverse effects of lead toxicity and significant improvement in serum electrolytes (calcium, inorganic phosphate, and magnesium) and creatinine level compared with the positive control group (P ≤ 0.05). Treated groups showed significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activity with significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA; P ≤ 0.05). It could be concluded that selenium and α-toc have a potential antioxidant effect and have the ability to improve the kidney function after lead intoxication of O. niloticus.

Evaluation the surface antigen of the Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 ghosts prepared by "SLRP".

Recently, bacterial ghosts (BGs) were prepared using a protocol based on critical chemical concentrations. It has been given the name "sponge like" (SL) protocol and used in its reduced form "sponge like reduced protocol" (SLRP). While specific antibody for Salmonella is available on the market under the commercial names (of some kits) such as Febrile Antigen Kit (N.S. BIO-TEC), we used the described Kit to investigate the validity of the SLRP. In this study, using SLRP we succeeded to prepare STGs with correct surface antigens could interact with their specific antibodies. Additionally the study has included oral vaccination with STGs with challenge test. The rats serums have been evaluated against both of the O and H antigens. The antigen-antibody interaction (agglutination) results of both the SLRP and the animal experiments prove that we have correct STGs able to immunize the rats against viable Salmonella. STGs could be used as vaccine and as adjuvant and in the antibodies and in the diagnostic kits production. This study is an additional step for the establishment of correct BGs for immunological purposes.

A multiepitope fusion antigen elicits neutralizing antibodies against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and homologous bovine viral diarrhea virus in vitro.

Diarrhea is one of the most important bovine diseases. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) are the major causes of diarrhea in calves and cattle. ETEC expressing K99 (F5) fimbriae and heat-stable type Ia (STa) toxin are the leading bacteria causing calf diarrhea, and BVDV causes diarrhea and other clinical illnesses in cattle of all ages. It is reported that maternal immunization with K99 fimbrial antigens provides passive protection to calves against K99 fimbrial ETEC and that BVDV major structural protein E2 elicits antibodies neutralizing against BVDV viral infection. Vaccines inducing anti-K99 and anti-STa immunity would protect calves more effectively against ETEC diarrhea, and those also inducing anti-E2 neutralizing antibodies would protect calves and cattle against diarrhea caused by both ETEC and BVDV. In this study, we used the ETEC K99 major subunit FanC as a backbone, genetically embedded the STa toxoid STaP12F and the most-antigenic B-cell epitope and T-cell epitope predicted from the BVDV E2 glycoprotein into FanC for the multivalent antigen FanC-STa-E2, and examined immunogenicity of this multivalent antigen to assess vaccine potential against bovine diarrhea. Mice intraperitoneally (i.p.) immunized with this multivalent antigen developed anti-K99, anti-STa, and anti-BVDV antibodies. Moreover, elicited antibodies showed neutralization activities, as they inhibited adherence of K99 fimbrial E. coli, neutralized STa toxin, and prevented homologous BVDV viral infection in vitro. Results from this study suggest that this multiepitope fusion antigen can potentially be developed as a vaccine for broad protection against bovine diarrhea and that the multiepitope fusion strategy may be generally applied for multivalent vaccine development against heterogeneous pathogens.