Seroprevalence of brucellosis in sheep and goats from Al Jufrah district in Libya.

Introduction: brucellosis is a global neglected zoonotic disease affecting mainly livestock, causing communicable and zoonotic infections. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence and determine epidemiological risk factors associated with Brucella infection in sheep and goats in Al Jufrah central district of Libya. Methods: sera samples from 555 animals (goats (n=320) and sheep (n=235)) sheep) were obtained and subjected to the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) then further confirmed by a validated Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: in total, 2.7% were ELISA seropositive for brucellosis with the highest seropositivity rate among the studied animals from Sokna with 5.8% (n=13/225) followed by 0.7% (n=2/285) in Waddan and 0% (n=0/45) in Houn. Only location was identified as a significant risk and no significant differences were identified between seropositivity and the age studied groups, species of animals, gender, and size of farms (p-value>0.05). Conclusion: the present study provides important information on the epidemiological status of Brucella infection in an important region in North Africa. Prevention control systems adopting "One Health" concept, and regional and international collaboration are important to control brucellosis and other zoonotic and transboundary diseases.

Molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in ticks infesting wild and domestic animals in the Eastern region of Punjab, Pakistan.

Tick-borne pathogens are significant for human, veterinary, and wildlife health. Coxiella burnetii is an example that is widely distributed across various hosts and can cross species boundaries. In Pakistan, there is a scarcity of data regarding C. burnetii at the intersection of wildlife and livestock. Ticks were collected from ruminants and wildlife from the districts of Kasur, Pakpattan, and Okara in Pakistan. Five tick species totaling 571 ticks were collected, with the following distribution: 56.4% Hyalomma anatolicum, 22.4% Rhipicephalus microplus, 10.5% Hyalomma marginatum, 7.9% Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and 2.8% Rhipicephalus turanicus. Fifty tick pools were screened for C. burnetii to amplify a segment of the IS1111 using real-time PCR assays. Ticks collected from sheep and goats had a greater rate of positivity for C. burnetii (40% and 38%, respectively) compared to Indian long-eared hedgehogs with a prevalence of 2%. Coxiella burnetii was prominent in Rhipicephalus microplus (92.3%) and Hyalomma anatolicum (88.9%), followed by Rhipicephalus turanicus (66.6%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (33.3%), and Hyalomma marginatum (25.0%). Ticks from Pakpattan district displayed the highest prevalence of C. burnetii (88.9%), whereas the lowest was observed in ticks from Kasur district (77.3%). There was no significant association between tick gender and C. burnetii infection. Female host animals were more likely to harbor ticks containing C. burnetii, with a prevalence rate of 81.8%. The research underscores the urgent need for comprehensive studies on C. burnetii in Pakistan, especially at the interface of wildlife and livestock. The high prevalence rates observed in certain tick species and geographic regions emphasize the importance of targeted public health interventions. Future research should focus on elucidating the transmission dynamics and implementing effective control measures to mitigate the impact of these pathogens on human, veterinary, and wildlife health in the region.

Molecular detection of Anaplasma bovis, Candidatus Anaplasma boleense and Rickettsia spp. in ticks infesting small ruminants.

Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. are intracellular vector-borne pathogens and harbored by a wide range of ticks and vertebrate hosts. Aim of this study was to molecularly characterize Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. in different ticks collected from livestock hosts in nine districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. In total, 862 ticks were collected from cattle, goats and sheep. Highest tick's infestation was observed on cattle 56.14% (32/57), followed by goats 45.45% (40/88), and sheep 42.05% (45/107). Rhipicephalus microplus (305/862, 35.38%) was predominant species, followed by Haemaphysalis sulcata (243/862, 28.19%), Hyalomma anatolicum (133/862, 15.42%), Haemaphysalis bispinosa (120/862, 13.92%), and Hyalomma kumari (61/862, 7.07%). A subset of 135 ticks were screened for Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. based on the amplification of partial 16 S rDNA and outer-membrane protein A (ompA) fragments, respectively. In total, 16 ticks (11.85%) were positive for Anaplasma spp. and Rickettsia spp. Obtained 16 S rDNA sequences for Anaplasma spp. detected in Ha. bispinosa and Ha. sulcata showed 99.98% identity with Anaplasma bovis, while other detected in Rh. microplus showed 99.84% identity with Candidatus Anaplasma boleense. Similarly, detected ompA sequence in Ha. sulcata showed 100% identity with Rickettsia sp. and 97.93% with Rickettsia slovaca, and another sequence detected in Rh. microplus showed 100% identity with Candidatus Rickettsia shennongii. In phylogenetic trees, these sequences clustered with corresponding species from Pakistan, China, Turkey, South Korea, South Africa, and Herzegovina. This is the first study reporting detection of A. bovis in Ha. bispinosa and Ha. sulcata, Ca. A. boleense in Rh. microplus collected from goats, and R. slovaca-like in Ha. sulcata. Our results enforce the need for regular surveillance of Rickettsiales in hard ticks infesting livestock in the region.

Development of a highly specific LAMP assay for detection of Sarcocystis tenella and Sarcocystis gigantea in sheep.

Sarcocystis infection in sheep has caused significant economic losses in the livestock industry, and the genetic similarity among Sarcocystis species highlights the need for precise diagnostic methods in sheep. This study developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method targeting COX-1 and 28S rRNA genes to detect Sarcocystis tenella and Sarcocystis gigantea, respectively. The LAMP method exhibited high specificity, selectively amplifying target DNA sequences without cross-reactivity with closely related protozoa, such as Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. Detection limits were determined as 3 × 105 copies/L for S. tenella and 6 × 104 copies/L for S. gigantea, enabling sensitive identification of low-level infections. Comparative analysis with conventional PCR on sheep cardiac tissues demonstrated a higher LAMP detection rate (80.0% vs 66.7%). In conclusion, the LAMP method offers superior sensitivity to conventional PCR, allows visual confirmation of results, and provides a rapid diagnostic tool for identifying S. tenella and S. gigantea infection in sheep. However, due to the limitation of sample availability, we were unable to assess all Sarcocystis species that use sheep as intermediate hosts, which warrants further research.

Molecular surveillance based on anaplasmosis in domestic small ruminants: First report on zoonotic Anaplasma capra and phylogenetic insights from Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Anaplasma is an intracellular alphaproteobacteria that infects diverse blood cell types in animal hosts including small ruminants. Epidemiological and risk factors information on zoonotic anaplasmosis with respect to anaplasmosis in sheep and goats are scarce. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to estimate the prevalence, risk factors of anaplasmosis and phylogenetic investigation of A. capra in sheep and goats from Faisalabad district, Pakistan. Briefly, 384 blood samples were randomly collected from sheep and goats of Faisalabad district, Pakistan, during January to May 2022. The samples were processed for the detection of Anaplasma targeting 16S rRNA gene using PCR. The data regarding disease determinants were collected using a predesigned questionnaire. Out of 384 samples, 131 samples were found positive for Anaplasma spp. with a prevalence rate of 34.11%. The results indicated a significantly higher prevalence of anaplasmosis in goats (41.88%) compared to sheep (22.00%). In addition, the chi square indicated that housing type, tick infestation, gender, tick control practices, age, mix farming, and hygiene were significantly associated with the occurrence of disease. The analysis of multivariate logistic regression expressed gender as the significant risk factor (p = 0.0001, OR = 1.757, CI = 1.305-2.366). The acquired sequences revealed four novel isolates of A. capra (Genbank accession numbers ON834323, ON838209, ON838210, and ON838211). The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of A. capra revealed three distinct clusters with 99-100% homology with other isolates from different countries. Our isolates showed higher similarity with isolates from China (KM206273, KP314237, MT799937), Pakistan (ON238129, ON238130, ON238131), Angola (MT898988), India (MZ558066), Iran (MW692362), and Turkey (MT632469) isolated from human, sheep, ticks, goats, cattle, Gaddi goat, Persian Onager (Equus hemionus onager), and Turkish goats, respectively. In conclusion, A. capra is endemic in Punjab, Pakistan, there is a need to conduct large scale surveillance studies to assess the status of this pathogen at human-animal interface as well as to develop effective preventive and control strategies to reduce the economic losses associated with anaplasmosis in small ruminants.

Molecular identification of Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in a case of primary cutaneous myiasis in sheep at southern Brazil.

Sheep farming has been growing in Brazil, driven by an expanding consumer market due to greater acceptance of its meat and derivatives. There are several factors that limit sheep production, and one of them is infestation by ectoparasites, which cause stress in animals, weight loss, poor development, low productivity, low quality wool and reduced fertility. Chrysomya albiceps is a species of blowfly belonging to the Calliphoridae family that occurs in neotropical regions, where it causes secondary myiasis. We identified here a rare case of cutaneous myiasis with the presence of tissue lesions caused by C. albiceps in sheep in southern Brazil. We highlight the need to carry out more in-depth studies regarding the biology of these insects, with the aim of proving this atypical behavior for Brazil.

Effectiveness of an experimental subunit ovine Mannheimia haemolytica respiratory vaccine in reducing pneumonia in lambs.

Background: Pneumonia is the largest cause of mortality in Canadian lambs. Currently there are no licensed ovine vaccines in Canada to reduce economic losses from this production-limiting disease. Objective animals and procedure: The effectiveness of an experimental subunit Mannheimia haemolytica leukotoxin A (LtxA) and transferrin binding protein B (TbpB) vaccine was evaluated in lambs for reduction of clinical disease in an experimental challenge study and in a controlled randomized field trial in a large commercial sheep operation. Results: Following an experimental challenge of parainfluenza 3 virus and M. haemolytica, the subunit vaccine induced significantly higher LtxA and TbpB antibody titers at 48 d post-challenge compared to the adjuvant and Ovipast Plus bacterin (Merck Animal Health), but there were no significant differences in clinical signs or mortality among vaccine groups. Following vaccination of commercial ewes and their lambs at weaning, the only significant difference in health, growth, and carcass traits between vaccinates and non-vaccinates was a slightly higher pneumonia treatment rate in vaccinated preweaned lambs (25.7%) compared to unvaccinated preweaned lambs (23.4%) (P = 0.04). Conclusion and clinical relevance: Although vaccination with the experimental subunit M. haemolytica vaccine induced high LtxA and TbpB antibodies, it did not reduce clinical disease in lambs following an experimental challenge study or in a controlled randomized field trial in a commercial sheep operation. Further research is required to identify additional protective antigens for a safe and effective ovine respiratory vaccine to reduce pneumonia losses in commercial sheep flocks.

Efficacité d'un vaccin respiratoire sous-unitaire expérimental de Mannheimia haemolytica ovin à réduire la pneumonie chez les agneaux. Contexte: La pneumonie est la principale cause de mortalité chez les agneaux canadiens. Présentement, il n'y a aucun vaccin ovin homologué au Canada pour réduire les pertes économiques associées à cette pathologie limitant la production. Objectif animaux et procédure: L'efficacité d'un vaccin sous-unitaire expérimental à base de la leucotoxine A (LtxA) et de la protéine B liant la transferrine (TbpB) de Mannheimia haemolytica a été évalué chez des agneaux pour la réduction de la maladie clinique lors d'une infection expérimentale et lors d'un essai de champs randomisé et contrôlé dans un grand élevage commercial de moutons. Résultats: À la suite d'une infection expérimentale avec le virus parainfluenza 3 et M. haemolytica, le vaccin sous-unitaire a induit des titres d'anticorps significativement plus élevés contre LtxA et TbpB à 48 j post-infection comparativement à l'adjuvant et à la bactérine Ovipast Plus (Merck Santé Animale), mais il n'y avait aucune différence significative dans les signes cliniques ou la mortalité parmi les groupes vaccinés. À la suite de la vaccination de brebis commerciales et de leurs agneaux au moment du sevrage, la seule différence significative dans la santé, la croissance et les caractéristiques des carcasses entre les animaux vaccinés et non-vaccinés était un taux légèrement plus élevé de traitement de la pneumonie chez les agneaux vaccinés pré-sevrage (25,7 %) comparativement aux agneaux non-vaccinés au présevrage (23,4 %) (P = 0,04). Conclusion et pertinence clinique: Bien que la vaccination avec le vaccin sous-unitaire expérimental M. haemolytica ait induit des taux d'anticorps élevés contre LtxA et TbpB, il n'a pas réduit la maladie clinique chez les agneaux à la suite d'une infection expérimentale ou lors d'un essai clinique randomisé contrôlé dans un élevage ovin commercial. Des recherches supplémentaires sont requises pour identifier des antigènes protecteurs additionnels pour un vaccin respiratoire ovin efficace pour réduire les pertes associées à la pneumonie dans les troupeaux ovins commerciaux.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

The impact of the bluetongue serotype 3 outbreak on sheep and goat mortality in the Netherlands in 2023.

In September 2023, bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) emerged in the Netherlands, infecting over five thousand livestock farms. In sheep, high morbidity and mortality rates were reported that were unlike previously described bluetongue outbreaks. This study aimed to quantify the impact of BTV-3 in the small ruminant population in the Netherlands in 2023. Sheep and goat movement census data and BTV-3 notification data were available from 2020 until the end of 2023. Data were aggregated to farm and week level and mortality indicators were calculated for lambs (<1 year) and adult animals (≥1 year). Population averaged GEE models with a Negative-binomial distribution and a log-link function correcting for repeated measures per farm in time were used to quantify the association between BTV-3 and mortality. In 2023, 2994 sheep farmers and 89 goat farmers notified clinical signs of BTV-3 to the NVWA. During this BTV-3 outbreak period, an additional 55,000 sheep died compared to the same period in 2020-2022. At flock level a high variety in mortality was observed, with a clear increase in mortality in both flocks that were not notified but that were located in infected areas and in flocks of which the farmer notified clinical signs. During the BTV-3 outbreak period, mortality in infected areas increased 4.2 (95 % CI: 4.0-4.3) times in sheep lambs (<1 year) and 4.6 (95 % CI: 4.4-4.8) times in sheep (≥1 year) compared to BTV-3 free areas. Flocks with a confirmed BTV-3 infection that were notified in September showed a 12.8 (95 % CI: 11.4-14.3) times higher mortality in lambs and a 15.1 (95 % CI: 13.7-16.6) times higher mortality in sheep compared to flocks in BTV-3 areas. In flocks of which the farmer notified clinical signs after September, mortality was 4.6 (95 % CI: 4.2-5.0) and 5.6 (95 % CI: 5.1-6.0) times higher in lambs and sheep compared BTV-3 areas respectively. In goats, around 4000 additional deaths were recorded during the BTV-3 outbreak period. In farms that were notified, mortality of goats (≥1 year) was 1.8 (95 % CI: 1.2-2.8) times higher compared to BTV-3 free areas. Since May 2024, multiple BTV-3 vaccines are available in the Netherlands. In June 2024, the first new infections of BTV-3 were confirmed in Dutch sheep flocks. Hopes are that with the possibility to vaccinate, the spread and impact of BTV-3 in the Netherlands will rapidly decline and that losses as observed in 2023 will no longer be seen.

The first molecular detection of benzimidazole resistance in Haemonchus contortus from sheep in Hejing and Minfeng counties of Southern Xinjiang.

To understand the benzimidazole (BZ) resistance of Haemonchus contortus in Southern Xinjiang, three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) designated as F167Y, E198A, and F200Y, in the isotype-1 ß-tubulin gene which are associated with BZ resistance, were investigated for H. contortus populations from sheep in Hejing and Minfeng counties of Southern Xinjiang. In brief, a total of 190 H. contortus adults were collected from 52 out of 70 slaughtered sheep in city abattoirs across two regions in Southern Xinjiang. The species identity of each adult worm was confirmed by PCR amplification of ITS-2 using H. contortus-specific primers targeting the ITS-2. The samples were then investigated for BZ-related SNPs at locus 167, 198, and 200, by PCR-sequencing of the isotype-1 ß-tubulin gene. The results showed that only E198A and F200Y mutations were detected in the investigated H. contortus populations. The E198A mutation (homozygous and heterozygote resistant: found in 40% and 30% of sequenced samples from Minfeng and Hejing counties, respectively) was predominant compared with the F200Y mutation (homozygous and heterozygote resistant: found in 14% and 13.3% of sequenced samples from Minfeng and Hejing counties, respectively). The results indicate a high prevalence of BZ resistance in H. contortus populations from certain areas of Southern Xinjiang. Our findings provide valuable information for the prevention and control of H. contortus in areas with similar conditions.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of bluetongue virus in domestic cattle, sheep, goats and camels in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Bluetongue (BT) is a vector-borne disease affecting wild and domestic ruminants in many parts of the world. Although bluetongue virus (BTV) is widespread in ungulates in Africa, available epidemiological information on BT in this continent is limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of BTV and summarize information on associated risk factors in domestic ruminants and camels in Africa. Systematic searches were conducted from the inception of the database to November 2022 on PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google/Google Scholar. Forty-four eligible publications were identified, published in the range from 1973 to 2020, and statistically analyzed. The pooled overall seroprevalence of BTV was 45.02% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 36.00-54.00%). The pooled seroprevalence was 49.70% (95% CI: 34.50-65.00%) in cattle, 47.00% (95% CI: 29.90-64.50%) in goats, 40.80% (95% CI: 19.60-63.90%) in camels, and 36.30% (95% CI: 29.00-44.90%) in sheep. The pooled seroprevalence decreased after 1990 and increased again after 2010. The highest pooled overall seroprevalence was found in the southeastern region, and the highest pooled overall seroprevalence was obtained by Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Finally, the seroprevalence in females (53.30%, 95% CI: 34.80-71.00%) was significantly higher than in males (28.10%, 95% CI: 17.40-40.30%) (p < 0.05). We showed that antibodies against BTV were common in African ruminants and camels. Monitoring the seroprevalence of BTV, as well as systematic and continuous surveillance of the Culicoides population, are encouraged to prevent and control the spread of BT.

Expression of Toll-like receptors in Haemonchus Contortus resistant sheep: An innate immune parameter for host defense against gastrointestinal nematode infection.

Innate immune parameters, a first line of defense against invading pathogens like bacteria, parasites, fungi, etc, play a significant role in the prevention and elimination of aetiological agents primarily by recognition of invading pathogen-specific molecules by different pattern recognition receptors. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a type-I transmembrane glycoprotein, cause innate immune responses mainly by produing inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and interferons. The objective of present study was to determine the role of TLRs in parasite resistance in Malpura sheep. In the current study, transcript variation of TLRs and its downstream signalling molecules namely MyD88, TRIF, IRF-3, TRAF, TGF-ß, NFκB, and CD14 were ascertained by real-time PCR in Haemonchus contortus resistant (R) and susceptible (S) Malpura sheep. Results have shown significantly (P<0.05) up-regulated expression of TLR-2, TLR-4, TLR-5, TLR-8 and TLR-10 in July however down-regulated patterns were observed in August and September in R-line sheep compared to S-line sheep. This indicates that at more or less equal parasite load, the TLR genes in R sheep produce more transcripts, but after parasite loads have increased hugely in the S line, they easily surpass the levels seen in the S line. Result suggests that transcriptional activity of the TLR genes was related to parasite load and there were differences between the lines at different infection intensities. Three-point transcript expression observation of the signalling molecules namely TRIF, IRF-3, TRAF, a similar pattern was observed in R sheep compared with S sheep.

Investigation of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Yunnan Semi-fine Wool Sheep (Ovis aries) and wild Rodents in Yunnan, China.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii, a globally distributed zoonotic obligate intracellular parasite, infects a wide array of mammals, including humans, sheep, and birds. As a unique sheep breed in southwestern China, Yunnan semi-fine wool sheep occupies an important position in animal husbandry in Zhaotong due to its strong adaptability, high reproductive rate, and excellent wool quality. Lambs infected with T. gondii are prone to neurological symptoms and growth retardation, while T. gondii infection in ewes can cause abortions, stillbirths, and deformities, thus affecting sheep reproduction and sheep product quality. Meanwhile, mutton and dairy products contaminated with T. gondii can become potential sources of human infection, potentially threatening public health and safety. METHOD: To understand the T. gondii infection in semi-fine wool sheep in Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, 586 blood samples were collected and subjected to indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) for T. gondii antibodies, and the infection-related factors were analyzed through cross-sectional analysis. In the meantime, nested PCR was conducted on a total of 217 samples collected from 31 rodents caught in and around the sheep breeding ground to test the T. gondii B1 gene in rodent tissues. RESULTS: A total of 94 sera tested positive for T. gondii antibodies, with a total positive rate of 16.04% (94/586) (95% CI: 14.77-20.89). Cross-sectional statistical analysis on factors related to semi-fine wool sheep infection rate, including sampling season, sex, age, and weight, suggested that age (< 6 months: 23.81%; 6-12 months: 11.74%; > 12 months: 15.83%) was a significant factor explaining the infection rate differences (P = 0.003 < 0.05, χ2 = 11.62, df = 2). Thus, age was considered a key risk factor for T. gondii infection in this study (odds ratio, OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.42-3.87). Nested PCR analysis on 217 (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, and muscle) tissues from the 31 rodents indicated that 11 tested positive. The total infection rate of rodents in and around the breeding ground was 35.48% (11/31), and 14 samples tested positive, with a positive infection rate of 6.45% (14/217). CONCLUSION: The T. gondii infection rates of semi-fine wool sheep and rodents from their breeding environment in Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, were high, necessitating enhanced prevention, control, and treatment measures to ensure the healthy breeding of semi-fine wool sheep and veterinary public health and safety.

First Molecular and Phylogenetic Identification of Toxoplasma Gondii in Sheep Liver Intended for Human Consumption in Northern Tunisia.

The aim of this study was to estimate the molecular infection prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep liver tissues destined for human consumption. A total number of 224 liver tissues were collected from slaughtered sheep in Sejnane slaughterhouse (Northwest Tunisia). PCR was used to detect T. gondii DNA in liver tissues followed by phylogenetic analysis of amplicons. The phylogenetic tree was then constructed to compare the partial sequences of the ITS1 gene with GenBank sequences.The overall molecular prevalence of T. gondii in sheep livers was 25% (56/224). The highest molecular prevalence of T. gondii was recorded in sheep aged of less than one year old (27.3%; 52/190). Infection prevalence was significantly higher in Noire de Thibar breed (33%; 17/51) compared to other breeds (p = 0.023). There were no differences depicted according to sheep's gender. The T. gondii sequences obtained in the present study (GenBank accession numbers: OR509829 and OR509830) were 98.40-100% homologous to T. gondii sequences published in the GenBank. These results highlight a high level of T. gondii contamination of tissues destined for human consumption. Further studies are needed to improve our knowledge on different genotypes of T. gondii that infect Tunisian sheep population.

The need for assisted ventilation corroborates the effectiveness of antenatal corticosteroid therapy in preventing premature lamb mortality.

In premature births, deficiency and/or inactivation of surfactant and incomplete development of lung occur, leading to pulmonary complications and greater need for ventilatory interventions. Prenatal corticosteroid therapy is used to improve neonatal lung function and, thus, may reduce mortality and lower incidence and severity of lung injury. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the need for ventilatory support in preterm lambs subjected or not to prenatal betamethasone treatment, and to evaluate the effectiveness on neonatal survival. Lambing was induced and 13 premature lambs were assigned to Corticosteroid Group (n = 8; lambs from ewes subjected previously to 0.5 mg/kg betamethasone, IM, at 133 days of pregnancy) and Control Group (n = 5; non-treated lambs). Lambs were evaluated for vitality, neurologic reflexes, vital functions and birth weight. Three ventilatory modalities were preconized for critical lambs, according to specific criteria: mask oxygen therapy, self-inflating bag with tracheal tube and mechanical ventilation. Non-treated lambs had lower vitality score, muscle tonus and respiratory rate compared to Corticosteroid Group. Ventilatory support was needed for 3 Control lambs and only 1 Corticosteroid neonate. Corticosteroid lamb required significant less time-frame between birth and onset of ventilatory assistance and remained under ventilation for a shorter time. Percentage of ventilated non-treated lambs correlated negatively with birth weight, muscle tone, heart and respiratory rate. In conclusion, antenatal betamethasone treatment reduces the need for ventilatory assistance in premature lambs. Additionally, mortality is low when a protocol for inducing pulmonary maturity (maternal corticosteroid therapy) and/or ventilatory interventions are employed, ensuring the survival of premature lambs.

Molecular signatures of Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep: A comparative serum proteomic study on susceptible and resistant sheep breeds.

Due to the negative impact of Haemonchus contortus in the tropics and subtropics, the detection of serum protein profiles that occur in infected sheep is of high relevance for targeted selective treatment strategies (TST). Herein, we integrated proteomics with phenotypic traits to elucidate physiological mechanisms associated to H. contortus infection in susceptible (Dorper - D) and resistant (Santa Inês - S) sheep breeds. Naïve female lambs were infected with H. contortus third-stage larvae on day zero (D0), and samples were collected weekly, for 28 days. Feces were used for individual fecal egg counts (FEC) blood for packed cell volume (PCV) and serum for specific antibody quantification through ELISA. Sera was collected on D0 (-) and D21 (+), and analyzed using a LC-MS/MS based proteomics approach. FEC, PCV, and anti-H. contortus antibody levels confirmed the absence of infection on D0. On D28 there was a significant difference between the two breeds for logFEC means (D = 3774 and S = 3141, p=0.033) and PCV means (D = 16.3 % and S = 24.3 %, p=0.038). From a total of 754 proteins identified, 68 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were noted. Phosphopyruvate hydratase (ENO3) was a DAP in all comparisons, while S+ vs D+ and S- vs D- shared the highest number of DAPs (8). Each of the four experimental groups clustered separately in a principal component analysis (PCA) of protein profile. Among the DAPs, proteins associated with the innate and adaptive immune system were detected when comparing S- vs D- and S+ vs D+. In D-, some proteins were linked to stress response to handling, sampling and heat. Focusing on the consequences of infection in each breed, in the D+ vs D- comparison, upregulated proteins were associated with inflammation control and immune response, where downregulated proteins pointed to a negative impact of infection on tissue anabolism, compromising muscle growth and fat deposition. In the S+ vs S- comparison, upregulated proteins were related to immune response, while the downregulated proteins were possibly linked to muscular development and growth, impaired by infection. Collectively, it can be concluded that ENO3 regulation emerges as a potential factor underlying the differential immune response observed between Santa Inês and Dorper sheep infected with H. contortus. In turn, detected acute phase proteins (APPs) reinforce their relation with infection, inflammation and stress conditions, whereas THEMIS-like may contribute to the immune system in Dorper. GSDMD, Guanylate-binding protein and ACAN warrant further investigation as possible biomarkers for TST strategy development.

Acute phase response and oxidative stress in coccidiosis: A review in domestic animals.

Coccidiosis is a highly significant disease in domestic animals due to its global distribution and economic impact. The occurrence of oxidative stress (OS) and the acute phase response (APR) play crucial roles in the development of coccidiosis, thereby contributing to the pathogenicity of coccidia. A range of triggers including parasitic infection, can induce the APR. This response encompasses a set of hormonal and metabolic changes to restore body stability and improve the body's healing capabilities. Ovine coccidiosis has the potential to cause OS, which can be prevented and treated through the use of dietary additives. By including Curcuma longa in the diets of infected sheep, it is possible to reduce lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO) production, while simultaneously improving serum antioxidant capacity and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels. Caprine coccidiosis can activate the APR. Research indicated that goats suffering from coccidiosis exhibited elevated concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total homocysteine, along with reduced levels of some enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as decreased levels of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), vitamin C, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Bovine coccidiosis is linked to elevated MDA concentrations and reduced serum glutathione (GSH) and TAC levels. Eimeria can induce OS and inflammatory damage in infected birds by releasing pro-inflammatory mediators from cells, resulting in a significant increase in CAT and SOD activity, lipid peroxidation and damage to the intestinal epithelium. To promote the antioxidant system of infected birds, some herbal food additives such as grape seed proanthocyanidine extract, Curcuma longa and Rumex nervosus leaf extract, can be used. Research on the APR in birds is not as extensive as in ruminants. Currently, there is a lack of studies on the occurrence of OS and APR in camels, horses, dogs, and cats with coccidiosis.

Haemonchus contortus alters distribution and utilization of protein and amino acids in different tissues of host sheep.

The objective was to determine host animal protein/amino acid redistribution and use among the abomasum, duodenum and muscle of sheep infected with Haemonchus contortus. Sixteen male Ujumqin sheep (32.4 ± 3.9 kg) were dewormed and randomly assigned to two groups, infected or not infected with H. contortus (GIN and CON). The GIN group had lower (P < 0.05) dry matter intake, average daily gain, and live body weight than CON, with extensive focal infiltration of lymphocytes in the lamina propria and bottom of the abomasal epithelium. In the abomasum and duodenum, there were 100 and 220 genes, respectively, that were up-regulated, whereas 56 and 149 were down-regulated. In the abomasum, the most enriched KEGG pathways were related to immunity and inflammation reaction, including: viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptor (P = 0.017), influenza A (P = 0.030), IL-17 signaling pathway (P = 0.030). In the duodenum, KEGG pathways were more enriched in nutrient metabolism, including pancreatic secretion (P < 0.001), protein digestion and absorption (P < 0.001), graft-versus-host disease (P = 0.004). Furthermore, most genes related with the above KEGG pathways were increased in the abomasum but decreased in the duodenum. Amino acid profiles in abomasum and duodenum of CON and GIN groups were clustered in a partial least-squares discriminant analysis model, with significant changes in 36 and 19 metabolites in abomasal and duodenal chyme, respectively. Further confirmed by transcriptome-targeted metabolome association analysis, GIN mainly enhanced metabolism of arginine and sulphur amino acids in abomasum and those metabolic pathways were associated. Meanwhile, GIN mainly decreased pyruvate related amino acid metabolism in duodenum. Moreover, concentrations of Arg (P = 0.036), His (P = 0.027), and Cys (P = 0.046) in longissimus thoracis et lumborum were decreased in GIN, whereas concentrations of Gly (P = 0.012) and Ala (P = 0.046) were increased. In conclusion, H. contortus enhanced metabolism of arginine and sulphur amino acids in the abomasum; decreased pyruvate metabolism in the duodenum; and drove more protein/amino acids for abomasal tissues to resist physical and immune damage, reducing protein and amino acids in duodenum and muscle for support host growth. Specific nutrients (such like arginine, histidine, and cysteine) may play important role in control gastrointestinal nematode infection for ruminant.

Analysis of nasopharyngeal microbiota revealing microbial disturbance associated with ovine respiratory complex.

The ovine respiratory complex (ORC) is a complex respiratory disease process in ovine causing a significant health concern with substantial morbidity and mortality. It poses a significant threat of impacting animal health, leading to severe health consequences and considerable economic loss. Research on the upper respiratory tract (URT) microbiota is critical for offering insights into pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment strategies of ORC. The goal of this study is to compare the nasopharyngeal microbiota of clinically healthy Hu sheep (Group H) and sheep with ORC (Group P). The 16S rDNA gene amplicon high-throughput sequencing technique was applied to identify the microbial composition in the nasopharyngeal samples. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the microbiota diversity and richness between ORC and healthy sheep. However, there were significant differences in microbial composition, such as the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae, Moraxellaceae, Pasteurellaceae, and Streptococcaceae between the two groups. The abundance of aerobes in sheep with ORC increased significantly, while the abundance of anaerobes and facultative anaerobes decreased significantly. There were also differences in the taxa phenotypes associated with biofilm forming, mobile element-containing, oxidative stress-tolerance, and potential pathogens between the two groups. Our study showed the nasopharyngeal microbiota composition and its associated shifts between clinically healthy sheep and ORC sheep in China. These findings suggest that shifts in the nasopharyngeal microbiota could be a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of ORC, offering a potential avenue for the development of targeted interventions and treatments for this condition in sheep.

A colorimetric assay for Neospora caninum utilizing the loop-mediated isothermal amplification technique.

Neospora caninum (N. caninum) is a protozoan parasite that poses a serious risk to livestock by infecting various domestic and wild animals. Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) offers a cost-effective, highly sensitive, and specific method for detecting protozoan parasites. This study aims to develop a precise, rapid, and visually assessable colorimetric LAMP method, improving on traditional techniques. We employed a rigorous screening process to identify the optimal primer set for this experiment. Subsequently, we fine-tuned the LAMP reaction at 65 °C for 40 min with 270 µmol/L neutral red. We then confirmed the specificity of primers for N. caninum through experimental validation. The LAMP method demonstrated a lower detection limit compared to traditional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques. While LAMP offers clear advantages, the prevalence of DNA detected in 89 sheep serum and 59 bovine serum samples using the nested PCR method was 3.37 % (3/89) and 1.69 % (1/59), respectively. In contrast, when the LAMP method was employed, the prevalence of detected DNA rose to 5.61 % (5/89) for sheep and 3.38 % (2 /59) for bovine. A comparison of two molecular assays using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC) resulted in a value of 0.999 (95 % CI: 0.993-0.996, p < 0.001), indicating the LAMP method is in the "better" range according to James Lee's categorization. The LAMP technique, optimized with specific primers of N. caninum and neutral red dye, not only exhibited higher sensitivity but also provided convenience over conventional PCR methods, highlighting its potential for on-site applications and cost-effective field detection.