The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of antimicrobial resistance and the rate of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) in Escherichia coli isolated from caecum content collected in slaughterhouses located in three regions of Tunisia. E. coli isolates from chicken caecal samples, obtained using media supplemented with cefotaxime, were screened for antimicrobial susceptibility by the disk diffusion method. ESBL production was assessed by the double-disk synergy test, and the presence of β‑lactamase encoding resistance genes was evaluated by PCR. Out of 111 faecal samples, 108 samples were positive for E. coli isolated from media supplemented with cefotaxime with 70% of ESBL-producing isolates. Alarming proportions of resistance against most of the 21 tested antibiotics were observed with 90% of multidrug resistant strains. Most strains exhibited resistance to amoxicillin, cefepime, tetracycline, cephalothin, piperacillin, cefotaxime, aztreonam, streptomycin, ceftazidime, cefuroxime, chloramphenicol, and florfenicol. The same resistance patterns were found in comparison between the three chicken slaughterhouses. A high prevalence of β‑lactamase genes was observed, with blaCTX-M-G1-ESBL in 79.6% of strains, blaTEM in 45.4%, and blaSHV in 33.3%. The blaCTX-M-G1 and blaTEM genes were significantly more frequent in strains from slaughterhouses A and C. Additionally, carbapenem resistance genes, blaOXA-48 and blaIMP, were demonstrated in 13% and 6.5% of strains, respectively. The study showed high frequency of ESBL-producing E. coli and high antibiotic resistance in broilers. Poultry farms could represent a significant reservoir of ESBL-producing bacteria, suggesting the dissemination of these pathogens to humans and environment. These findings indicate the need for achievement of control and surveillance system.

Control of cystoisosporosis caused by Cystoisospora suis in piglets is crucial for decreasing diarrhoea and increasing the zootechnical performance. The aim of this field trial was to compare the effects of toltrazuril (TZL) treatment administered via different routes on the growth performance in suckling piglets. The study was conducted on a commercial Danish pig herd according to a parallel, randomized block design and compared two different treatment protocols: oral administration of TZL and injection of a combination product based on TZL and gleptoferron iron. In total, 763 piglets were included, with 377 piglets treated orally with TZL + iron gleptoferron. Forceris®, a combination product was used for intramuscular (i.m.) administration to 386 piglets. Faecal scoring and parasitological examinations were conducted at 11–14 days of age (DOA) and again at 18–21 DOA. Piglets treated intramuscularly presented a significantly greater average daily weight gain (ADWG), with a difference of 20 g between the groups; the average weight gain was 209 g (196–223 g), whereas the average weight gain in the orally treated animals was 189 g (175–203 g) (P = 0.035). Greater oocyst shedding and a frequency of diarrhoea were observed in piglets treated with oral TZL; however, these differences were not significant. This study demonstrated increased treatment efficacy of i.m.-administered TZL for C. suis infection, resulting in increased ADWG and is the first reported trial confirming a difference in outcomes versus those of oral TZL treatment under field conditions.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of antioxidant administration on udder health in Awassi ewes. The animals were divided into two groups as control (C; n = 25) and treatment groups (T; n = 25). Group T was treated with vitamins (E and B1) and selenium (Se) on day 0 of the study. In groups, blood samples were collected on day 0 (1st measurement time) and day 14 (2nd measurement time) of the study, and milk samples were taken on day 14. In blood samples, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and selected biochemical indices were analysed. In milk samples, TAS, TOS, somatic cell count (SCC) analyses and pathogen isolation including fungi and bacteria were performed. In addition, oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated for both milk and blood samples. In Group T, TAS level increased from 1st t to 2nd measurements ( P < 0.01). At the time of 2nd measurement, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and cholesterol levels decreased in Group T compared to Group C ( P < 0.01). In Group T, cholesterol decreased at 2nd measurement compared to 1st measurement ( P < 0.01). It was found that milk TAS increased in Group T ( P < 0.01). However, milk SCC, TOS and OSI levels decreased in Group T ( P < 0.01). Fungal isolation rate was significantly lower in milk samples collected from Group T compared to Group C ( P < 0.01). Antioxidant treatment positively affected udder health indicators in terms of milk SCC, fungal organism growth, and oxidative stress.

In horses, cardiac troponins are specific and sensitive biomarkers of myocardial injury. Increased cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations may indicate myocardial damage, but the physiological release is also possible post-exercise or race. In this study conducted to investigate the effects of racing on cTnT and cTnI concentrations in Thoroughbred and Arabian racehorses, blood samples were collected from seven Thoroughbred stallion and eight Arabian stallion racehorses, aged between 3 and 6, before and 30 min after a 1400-metre race. The mean cTnT concentration increased from 0.007 ± 0.001 ng/ml to 0.008 ± 0.001 ng/ml in Thoroughbred racehorses and from 0.007 ± 0.002 ng/ml to 0.008 ± 0.001 ng/ml in Arabian racehorses. The mean cTnI concentration increased from 008 ± 0.001 ng/ml to 0.142 ± 0.005 ng/ml in Thoroughbred racehorses and from 0.008 ± 0.002 ng/ml to 0.165 ± 0.054 ng/ml in Arabian racehorses. The increases in post-race cTnT (P < 0.05) and cTnI (P < 0.001) concentrations of both breeds were statistically significant. The results of the study suggested that racing in racehorses has an effect on the myocardium and this effect was reflected as an increase in cardiac troponin. However, it would be useful to make multiple measurements at certain time intervals after the race to accurately determine whether the increase is physiological or pathological.

The aim of this study was to monitor the growth of Bacillus cereus in 11 different types of naturally contaminated ready-to-cook plant-based meat analogues (PBMAs). The PBMAs were prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions and subsequently stored at room temperature for up to 24 h. Bacillus spp. represented the second most numerous group of microbiota detected in PBMAs after lactic acid bacteria. Bacillus cereus sensu lato ( s.l. ) was isolated from all 11 PBMA samples. Following heat treatment and 24-h storage at 22 °C, B. cereus s.l. was detected by plate counting in five samples, with one product reaching nearly 4 log CFU/g. The presence of B. cereus sensu stricto ( s.s. ) was detected in all 11 samples. Bacillus thuringiensis was present in 7 samples, and in 4 PBMA samples the species B. weihenstephanensis , B. mycoides , and B. cytotoxicus were found. A total of 95.7% of B. cereus s.l. strains contained genes for toxin production. The presence of nhe genes was demonstrated in 92.5%, hbl genes in 59.0% of the analysed B. cereus s.l. strains, the cyt K-1 gene in 5 strains ( B. cytotoxicus ). The presence of the ces gene was confirmed in 5% of B. cereus s.l. strains. In total, 47 different combinations of genes for toxin production were detected in B. cereus s.l. strains. The almost 100% presence of virulence genes associated with the possibility of B. cereus growth during inappropriate storage of PBMAs thus poses a risk for the development of foodborne diseases.

In this study we observed the effect of Wi-Fi on various fibrous components that form the wall of large blood vessels in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the chicken embryo. Chicken embryos in the experimental groups (Wi-Fi) were continuously exposed (24 h per day) to Wi-Fi radiation at a frequency of 2.4 GHz and an average power density of 300 µW/m2 for 9 and 14 embryonic days (ED). Subsequently, the CAM samples from the control (CO) and experimental (Wi-Fi) groups were histologically processed and evaluated. The samples stained with haematoxylin and eosin did not reveal any notable differences in the structure of large blood vessels between the CO and Wi-Fi groups. However, the use of special staining methods showed adverse effect of Wi-Fi on the fibrous elements within the blood vessel wall. The optical density (OD) of elastic fibres significantly decreased from 0.294 ± 0.025 (CO 9) to 0.197 ± 0.022 (Wi-Fi 9) at ED 9 and from 0.706 ± 0.028 (CO 14) to 0.271 ± 0.031 (Wi-Fi 14) at ED 14. On the other hand, at ED 9, the OD of collagen fibres exhibited a notable increase from 0.178 ± 0.023 (CO 9) to 0.334 ± 0.020 (Wi-Fi 9). However, at ED 14, there was a significant decline of collagen fibres from 0.418 ± 0.033 (CO 14) to 0.327 ± 0.031 (Wi-Fi 14). Our results support the hypothesis that Wi-Fi could affect the fibrous elements of the large vessel wall and may play a role in the development of different cardiovascular disorders.

The increase in testicular temperature caused by cryptorchidism can lead to elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and a decrease in antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and others. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) contains eugenol, a compound known for its potent antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of clove flower extract on spermatogenic cells (spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, and spermatids) and Leydig cells in albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) with surgically induced cryptorchidism. The method used was posttest-only control group design. A total of 24 male rats were randomly assigned to six groups, divided into two treatment durations of 18 days and 36 days. The 18-day interval groups consisted of K-1, K+1, and P+1, while the 36-day interval groups included K-2, K+2, and P+2. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the number of spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, spermatids, and Leydig cells. Duncan's multiple range test was applied to data showing significant differences (P < 0.05). The results indicated that administration of clove flower extract in albino rats with surgically induced cryptorchidism, at both 18-day and 36-day intervals, significantly increased the number of spermatogenic cells (spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, and spermatids) and Leydig cells. Administration of clove flower extract significantly increased the number of spermatogenic and Leydig cells in albino rats with surgically induced cryptorchidism, indicating its potential as a supportive therapy against oxidative stress-induced testicular damage. Clove flower extract may serve as a temporary supportive therapy in unilateral cryptorchidism cases; however, surgical intervention remains strongly recommended.

The study focused on assessing Cronobacter sakazakii growth in reconstituted powdered infant formula at temperatures ranging from 5 °C to 48 °C using the Baranyi-Roberts model. The count of C. sakazakii was determined by the plate method on ESIA agar (44 °C, 24 h). Bacteria grew in reconstituted milk only at temperatures above 8 °C. The lag phase duration decreased with increasing temperature, from approximately 123.0–141.0 h at 8 °C to 0.931–1.281 h at 44 °C. The growth rate ranged from 0.025–0.027 ln cfu/ml/h (8 °C) to 2.441–2.633 ln cfu/ml/h (44 °C). The resulting growth models imply an increase of more than 4 orders of magnitude in the number of C. sakazakii in less than 17 h at 24 °C; at temperatures of 27 °C and above, the bacteria reach the critical concentration considered in our study (8 log cfu) in a few hours (4.5–11.9 h). In conclusion, it is unsafe and inappropriate to store reconstituted infant milk at temperatures higher than 8 °C.

The antimicrobial effect of light at specific wavelengths is currently used for sanitation procedures in various types of facilities. The aim of this study was to verify the bactericidal and fungicidal activity of 405 nm light as a safer alternative to ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation that could be used for disinfection in animal housing. Commercially available lamp located in the experimental room was used to emit the 405 nm radiation. For most of the bacterial species tested, there was no decrease in colony forming units after 8-h and 24-h radiation. Significant (P < 0.01) reduction in the number of colonies was observed for 8-h and 24-h radiation application in the case of Bordetella bronchiseptica when grown on trypticase soy agar. There was also a significant reduction (P < 0.01) in the number of colonies for Staphylococcus aureus on trypticase soy agar after 24-h radiation exposure. The results indicate a partial bactericidal effect of radiation depending on the type of bacterium irradiated, the type of nutrient medium used and the duration of radiation exposure. However, the effect of the method used in this study cannot be described as disinfectant. In the context of practical application of the technology, the factors mentioned above need to be further investigated.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and parasite burdens of Coeunurus cerebralis and Oestrus ovis in sheep in Siirt province, Türkiye. Between December 2022 and November 2023, a total of 520 sheep (260 male, 260 female) heads (10 heads per week) were randomly sampled from a butcher. The total prevalence of C. cerebralis was determined to be 12.9%. The prevalence was higher in males, in the Morkaraman breed, in animals younger than two years of age, in dark-coloured ones, in October, and in the right brain hemisphere. The total prevalence of O. ovis was determined to be 38.3%. The prevalence was higher in females, in the Akkaraman breed, in dark-coloured breeds, in age groups older than two years, and in December. In terms of larvae, L1 was detected in 108 sheep, L2 in 106 sheep, and L3 in 139 sheep. A total of 1,039 larvae (278 L1, 321 L2, and 440 L3) were detected. The significant presence of O. ovis found in the sheep in this study indicates that Siirt province has suitable climatic conditions for O. ovis and larval development. It is recommended to include more animals in a future study in order to determine the exact seasonal prevalence of O. ovis infestation in the region, and to use an antiparasitic drug effective against O. ovis in the routine treatment of sheep to reduce the incidence of this disease.