Agents In Animals Research Articles

Techniques for Skeletal-Based Animation in Massive Crowd Simulations

Crowd systems play an important role in virtual environment applications, such as those used in entertainment, education, training, and different simulation systems. Performance and scalability are key factors, and it is desirable for crowds to be simulated with as few resources as possible while providing variety and realism for agents. This paper focuses on improving the performance, variety, and usability of crowd animation systems. Performing the blending operation on the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) side requires no additional memory other than the source and target animation streams and greatly increases the number of agents that can simultaneously transition from one state to another. A time dilation offset feature helps applications with a large number of animation assets and/or agents to achieve sufficient visual quality, variety, and good performance at the same time by moving animation streams between the running and paused states at runtime. Splitting agents into parts not only reduces asset creation costs by eliminating the need to create permutations of skeletons and assets but also allows users to attach parts dynamically to agents.

Mechanisms of AMPA Receptor Inhibition by Diminazene.

Diminazene is an anti-infection agent for animals and is a member of the diarylamidine group. This study reports the first detection of its inhibitory effect on AMPA-type ionotropic glutamate receptors. Experiments were carried out on isolated Wistar rat neurons: striatal giant cholinergic interneurons were used to study calcium-permeable AMPA receptors and hippocampal field CA1 pyramidal neurons were used to study calcium-impermeable AMPA receptors. Cells were isolated by vibrodissociation and currents were recorded by voltage clamping in the whole cell configuration. Diminazene produced concentration-dependent inhibition of currents evoked by application of kainate in both neuron types. IC50 values for calcium-permeable and calcium-impermeable AMPA receptors were 60 ± 11 and 160 ± 30 μM, respectively. Of note is that the inhibitory action of diminazene increased with increases in agonist concentration. The plot of the voltage dependence of inhibition at a fixed diminazene concentration for calcium-permeable AMPA receptors was biphasic: minimal inhibition was seen at positive potentials and maximum at –40 to –60 mV, while further hyperpolarization produced a gradual decrease in blockade efficacy. All these properties provide evidence that diminazene blocks AMPA receptor channels, perhaps with penetration through channels into cells.

Influence of Ionizing Radiation on the Allergic Reactivity of Tuberculosis-Infected Laboratory Animals

Allergic examination using PPD-tuberculins is the main method of life-time tuberculosis diagnostics in farm animals and poultry. However, it is known about a decrease in the diagnostic value of allergic reactions after irradiation of animals, the occurrence of non-specific, pseudo-allergic reactions. One of the reasons for the manifestation of non-specific reactions may be autosensitisation (autoallergisation) of the body by the breakdown products of personal tissues, which is especially pronounced with radiation damage. Ionizing radiation affects the manifestation of tuberculin sensitivity, the course of tuberculosis and autoimmune processes in the body. Differential diagnostics of non-specific tuberculin reactions remains not yet a fully solved problem, although there are many tests for its implementation. After the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, a considerable number of animals remained in the adjacent territories contaminated with radioactive substances, including those infected with the causative agent of tuberculosis and atypical mycobacteria. It is known that irradiation leads to autosensitisation of the body by the breakdown products of its own tissues and the development of non-specific pseudoallergic reactions to heterologous allergens. Therefore, work was carried out to study the allergic reactivity of tuberculosis patients and laboratory animals sensitised with atypical mycobacteria irradiated with gamma radiation (200 guinea pigs). It was established that 14-60 days after infection with tuberculosis pathogens, 90-100% of cavies developed allergic reactions to PPD-tuberculin for mammals and poultry, mainly to a homologous allergen. Allergic reactivity persisted until 90 days of the study. After exposure to sublethal (non-lethal) doses of gamma rays, infected and intact cavies developed non-specific reactions to tuberculin and heterologous allergens: mallein and brucellin. In cavies uninfected with the causative agent of tuberculosis, 7 days after gamma radiation exposure, non-specific reactions to mycobacterial allergens were observed at a dose load of 200 R in 16.6%; 150 R – 5.3% in the group, and after 27 days in irradiated doses of 50 R and 100 R in 25% and 33% of the studied animals, respectively. Isolated reactions to brucellin and mallein occurred in animals infected with the causative agent of tuberculosis and intact animals 60 days after irradiation with doses of 50 R, 100 R and 150 R. The manifestation of non-specific allergies in irradiated animals depended on the radiation dose rate and radiosensitivity of the animals

Illicit Ecologies: Queer Animacy and Epistemological Erasure in History of Wolves

This thesis attends to the slippages between life and nonlife in Emily Fridlunds 2017 novel History of Wolves. It traces the matter that is granted life or animacy, as well as the matter that is devitalized. Through the protagonist, Linda, the novel investigates the role of both scientific knowledge production and Christian Science in placing arbitrary biological limits on life forms, making some visible and others unseeable and unsayable. The thesis fleshes out the characters’ climate denial as yet another erasure of the animate agents. Ultimately, the thesis asks: if we can expand what is worthy of life, can we, in turn, expand what agents, actors, and matters are deserving of care?

Manual for reporting on zoonoses and zoonotic agents, within the framework of Directive 2003/99/EC, and on some other pathogenic microbiological agents for information derived from the year 2021

This reporting manual provides guidance to European Union (EU) Member States (MSs) for reporting on zoonoses and zoonotic agents in animals, food and feed under the framework of Directive 2003/99/EC, Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/627 and of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/772 and also on the reporting of other pathogenic microbiological agents or contaminants in food. The objective of this manual is to harmonise and streamline reporting by MSs to ensure that the data collected are relevant and comparable for analysis at the European Union (EU) level. This manual covers all the zoonoses and zoonotic agents included under the current data collection system run by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Detailed instructions are provided on the reporting of data in tables and information in text forms. The instructions given relate to the description of the sampling and monitoring schemes applied by the MSs, as well as the monitoring results. Special reference is made to data elements which allow trend watching over time and the analysis of sources at the EU level. This manual is specifically aimed at guiding the reporting of information deriving from the year 2021.

Anaplasma bovis Infection in Fever and Thrombocytopenia Patients - Anhui Province, China, 2021.

What is already known about this topic?The genusAnaplasma contains seven recognized bacterial species, mainly transmitted by tick bites. The two species, A. phagocytophilum and A. capra, are known commonly to cause diseases in humans. What is added by this report?Anaplasma bovis was initially thought to be only an animal agent until the first patient case was reported in 2019. This study investigated another two patients who became sick within one month in the same township and were infected with A. bovis in Anhui Province. What are the implications for public health practice?This study suggested that more A. bovis-infected patients may exist in this area and that patients with anaplasmosis require an early and specific diagnosis.

Evaluating the antimicrobial use on dairy farms in Chiba Prefecture in Japan using the antimicrobial treatment incidence, an indicator based on Japanese defined daily doses from 2014-2016.

The use of antimicrobial agents in food-producing animals may lead to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria of animal origin. However, there is a paucity of data on the quantity of antimicrobials use on dairy farms in Japan. This study describes antimicrobial use on dairy farms from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016 in five administrative districts (central, eastern, western, southern and northern) of Chiba Prefecture. The use of antimicrobial agents in dairy cattle over these three years was evaluated in terms of the antimicrobial treatment incidence (ATI; theoretical number of animals per 1,000 animal-days subjected to antimicrobial treatment) using data collected from a total of 442 dairy farms in that prefecture. Our results revealed that the average ATI on these farms for these years ranged from 38.7 to 39.4 with no significant difference between years and that the average ATI for these administrative districts varied between 32.9 and 43.2 with a significant variation between some of the districts. Approximately 84% of antimicrobials were administered intramammarily, 13–14% by injection and 1–2% orally. Scenario analyses were performed to assess the effect of changes in some of the defined daily dose (DDDjp) values used to calculate the ATI. Our results revealed that the calculated ATI is considerably affected by the changes in the long-acting factor used for assigning the DDDjp values of intramammary products for dry cows and the way in which DDD values are assigned for combination products.

A Quantitative Luminol-Based Assay for ROS Burst Detection in Potato Leaves in Response to Biotic Stimuli.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important signaling agents in plants and animals. They are involved in diverse processes, including activation of immune responses to pathogen infection. Biphasic detection of ROS in response to pathogen perception is becoming more popular even in important crops like potato as means of screening different germ plasms and mutants generated by for example CRISPR-Cas9 as well as identifying signaling pathways. Here we describe a detailed protocol for quantifying ROS bursts induced in potato leaf discs in response to a bacterial elicitor and Phytophthora infestans.

Prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in meat products and their antimicrobial resistance pattern

Background: There is increase in consumption of antimicrobial agents with misuse and/or overuse of antimicrobial agents in animals and resulting to rise in antimicrobial resistance. The controlled use of antimicrobials is important for national and international policymakers to draw guidelines on its use. Assessing AMR in meat-producing industry is essential to track emerging resistant pathogens that are common between animals and humans. In this study, we have aimed to investigate the prevalence of bacteria in meat products and the antimicrobial resistance pattern in those isolates. Methods: This study is a quantitative, observational study, where we collected meat samples (n=118) from shops, in Banepa and Dhulikhel Municipality. The samples were cultured in appropriate media for isolation of bacteria. Subsequently, AMR pattern was studied through antibiotic susceptibility test using Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion method. Results: In our study, only two sites, out of 48, did not have any pathogenic bacteria. There were total of 113 iso-lates from 118 samples. E. coli (62.8%), Enterococcus (14.1%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.5%), were the most prevalent bacteria in processed samples including MRSA (4%). Additionally, 81.6% of the isolated E. coli were resistant to Ampicillin and 60.5% to Ciprofloxacin and 35% to Gentamycin. 43.6% of all isolated E. coli, 100% of all Klebsiella, 100% of all Enterobacter and 25% of all Citrobacter were multi-drug resistant. The resistance was mostly observed against Ampicillin (83.3%), followed by resistance against Ciprofloxacin (64.4%), Gentamycin (58.8%), Ceftazidime (38.8%), with the lowest resistance against Sulbactam/Cefoperazone (3.3%). Conclusion: E. coli was the most prevalent organism in meat samples. Multi-drug resistance was also most common in E. coli with resistance against Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Gentamycin. Therefore, we recommend for more controlled use of antibiotics in animal rearing industry and more hygienic environment at meat vendors.

The effects of moxidectin nicotine-conditioned cue on nicotine-seeking behavior in mice

Current pharmacotherapies for nicotine abuse are few and relatively inefficient demonstrating the need for the development of new, effective remedies. Moxidectin is used as an anti-parasitic agent in both animals and humans, it also activates GABA receptors. The objective of the present investigation was to study the effect of moxidectin on nicotine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in male Swiss mice. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) route was used for nicotine (0.5mg/kg) administration for a 3-day conditioning program. The influences of moxidectin on the reinforcing characteristics of nicotine were tested in mice given i.p. treatment of moxidectin (5 and 10mg/kg) 30 minutes prior to per nicotine administration. CPP was extinguished by repeated testing, through which conditioned mice were daily given two doses of moxidectin (5 and 10mg/kg, i.p.). Subsequently, the potency of moxidectin in blocking the reinstatement of CPP provoked by priming given low-dose nicotine (0.1mg/kg, i.p.) was also evaluated. Moxidectin treatment illustrated a reserve of acquisition of nicotine-induced CPP. It was reduced priming nicotine-induced reinstatement and accelerated the extinction of CPP. Relatively nicotine enhanced the locomotor, motor activity but was not statistically significant. In conclusion, the outcomes demonstrate the potential for the development of moxidectin as a new pharmacotherapy for the treatment of nicotine addiction.

The European Union One Health 2020 Zoonoses Report.

This report of the EFSA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control presents the results of zoonoses monitoring activities carried out in 2020 in 27 EU Member States (MS) and nine non-MS. Key statistics on zoonoses and zoonotic agents in humans, food, animals and feed are provided and interpreted historically. Two events impacted 2020 MS data collection and related statistics: the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU. In 2020, the first and second most reported zoonoses in humans were campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis, respectively. The EU trend for confirmed human cases of these two diseases was stable (flat) from 2016 to 2020. Fourteen of the 26 MS reporting data on Salmonella control programmes in poultry met the reduction targets for all poultry categories. Salmonella results for carcases of various species performed by competent authorities were more frequently positive than own-checks conducted by food business operators. This was also the case for Campylobacter quantification results from broiler carcases for the MS group that submitted data from both samplers, whereas overall at EU level, those percentages were comparable. Yersiniosis was the third most reported zoonosis in humans, with 10-fold less cases reported than salmonellosis, followed by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Listeria monocytogenes infections. Illnesses caused by L. monocytogenes and West Nile virus infections were the most severe zoonotic diseases with the highest case fatality. In 2020, 27 MS reported 3,086 foodborne outbreaks (a 47.0% decrease from 2019) and 20,017 human cases (a 61.3% decrease). Salmonella remained the most frequently reported causative agent for foodborne outbreaks. Salmonella in 'eggs and egg products', norovirus in 'crustaceans, shellfish, molluscs and products containing them' and L. monocytogenes in 'fish and fish products' were the agent/food pairs of most concern. This report also provides updates on tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium caprae, Brucella, Trichinella, Echinococcus, Toxoplasma, rabies, Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) and tularaemia.

Spore Formers as Beneficial Microbes for Humans and Animals

Microorganisms efficiently colonize the external and internal surfaces of the animal body establishing mutually beneficial interactions and forming site- and individual-specific microbiota. The degradation of complex polysaccharides in the animal gut, the production of useful compounds, protection against pathogenic microorganisms and contribution to the development of an efficient immune system are the main beneficial effects of a balanced microbiota. A dysbiosis, an imbalanced composition of the microbiota, has been associated with a large number of diseases from gastro-intestinal or urogenital disorders to allergies, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases and even to the onset of certain cancers. A growing body of evidence has indicated that probiotic treatments, aimed at maintaining or rebalancing the microbiota, are useful to treat/prevent those illnesses. Lactic Acid Bacteria and Bifidobacteria are the most common microbes used in probiotic preparations; however, other bacteria and yeast cells are also widely used in commercial products. Here we focus on the use of bacterial spore formers as probiotics. Spore formers have been marketed as probiotics for over 50 years and are now extensively used for the treatment of intestinal disorders and as dietary supplements in humans, as growth promoters and competitive exclusion agents in animals.

ACUTE ENCEPHALOPATHY AFTER SELF MEDICATION WITH IVERMECTIN IN A PATIENT WITH COVID-19

TOPIC: Critical Care TYPE: Global Case Reports INTRODUCTION: Ivermectin is an FDA approved anti parasitic drug widely used and generally well tolerated. In vitro data suggests ivermectin may inhibit replication of SARS-CoV-2. This has generated interest for a potential role in the prevention and treatment of COVID19. We report a case of a patient who developed severe encephalopathy after an accidental overdose with ivermectin CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old female patient was brought to the ED with altered mental status. The patient initially complained of nonproductive cough for five days. After searching online for possible treatments for COVID19, her husband bought a veterinarian preparation of ivermectin for horses at the local store. After discussing with her husband, the patient took two ampules of this medication. Each ampule contained 113.75 mg of ivermectin. About five hours later, the husband noticed that she was difficult to arouse. On presentation, vital signs were normal and she was afebrile. On exam she was arousable to voice and able to follow simple commands but nonverbal. Initial lab values included a normal CBC and BMP. Aminotransferases were mildly elevated. SARS-Cov-2 RNA nasal pharyngeal swab was positive. Urine drug screen was negative. CXR and CT of the brain were normal. The patient was admitted to the ICU for close neurologic assessments. Fortunately, the patient improved slowly and was discharged home 48 hours later with no complications DISCUSSION: Ivermectin is a known anti parasitic drug, that has not been approved to treat viruses. That being said, ivermectin, in vitro, inhibits positive, single stranded RNA viruses. Ivermectin has also shown to inhibit replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Several trials have been conducted to assess the efficacy of this drug for the prevention and treatment of COVID19. Results have been inconclusive. FDA has not approved ivermectin for use in treating or preventing COVID19. Although mostly considered a safe drug, overdose with ivermectin can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, ataxia and rarely seizures, coma and even death. Cases of fatal encephalopathy have been described during ivermectin treatment campaigns against onchocerciasis in Africa in subjects with a high Loa loa microfilarial density. Dosing for treatment of parasitic infections are in the range 150- 400 mcg/kg/day. Our patient took ten times the recommended dose. Ivermectin is also used as an antiparasitic agent for farm animals. It can be purchased without a prescription for veterinarian use. On April 10, 2020 the FDA published an advisory warning the public not to take Ivermectin intended for animals. CONCLUSIONS: Ivermectin is an anti parasitic drug widely used and generally well tolerated. The efficacy of this drug for the prevention and treatment of COVID19 remains inconclusive and its use is not recommended. Accidental overdoses can present with severe encephalopathy REFERENCE #1: Caly L, Druce J, Catton M, The FDA-approved Drug Ivermectin inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Antiviral Res Vol178, June 2020, 104787 REFERENCE #2: https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/antiviral-therapy/ivermectin/ REFERENCE #3: Chandler R. E. Serious Neurological Adverse Events after Ivermectin—Do They Occur beyond theIndication of Onchocerciasis?. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 98(2), 2018, pp. 382–388 DISCLOSURES: no disclosure on file for Abdulilah Arafeh;No relevant relationships by Bryan Emerick, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Juan Morales, source=Web Response

Occurrence of Multi-Drug-Resistant Escherichia coli in Chickens, Humans, Rodents and Household Soil in Karatu, Northern Tanzania.

We investigated antibiotic resistance profiles of Escherichia coli among 960 samples obtained from chickens (236), humans (243), rodents (101) and soil (290). E. coli was isolated from 650 (67.7%) samples. Isolation frequency varied significantly between chickens, humans, rodents and soil samples, being 81.6%, 86.5%, 79.2% and 31.0%, respectively (p < 0.001). Resistance rates were particularly higher against imipenem (79.8%), cefotaxime (79.7%) and tetracycline (73.7%) and moderate against amoxicillin-clavulanate (49.4%). Overall, 78.8% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) among which, 38.8%, 25.1%, 12.9% and 2.5% exhibited resistance to three, four, five and six different classes of antibiotics, respectively. Multidrug-resistant E. coli were observed in 27.7%, 30.3%, 10.8% and 10.0% of the isolates from chickens, humans, rodents and soil samples, respectively. Our results show high levels of antimicrobial resistance including MDR in E. coli isolated from chickens, humans, rodents and soil samples in Karatu, Northern Tanzania. Comprehensive interventions using a one-health approach are needed and should include improving (i) awareness of the community on judicious use of antimicrobial agents in humans and animals, (ii) house conditions and waste management and (iii) rodent control measures.

Development of synchrony‐dominant expectations in observers

AbstractMovement synchrony is an essential feature of rituals and collective displays around the world. Previous studies have shown that synchronous movements increase observers’ perceived group entitativity and fighting capacity in agonistic contexts; however, little is known about the developmental roots of synchrony‐dominant attributions. In this study, adult participants (Exp 1), 5‐ to 6‐year‐old children (Exp 2) and 7‐ to 8‐year‐old children (Exp 3) predicted outcomes of zero‐sum conflicts between two groups of animated agents after each group exhibited either synchronised or non‐synchronised movements. Predictions were made for conflicts between two individual members from different groups (individual‐conflict condition) and between all members of the two groups (group‐conflict condition). Results showed that none of the participant groups showed a synchrony‐dominant preference in the individual‐conflict condition. In the group‐conflict condition, most adult participants expected the groups exhibiting synchronised movements to be socially dominant. Although 5‐ to 6‐year‐old children did not show more biased expectations than can be accounted for by chance, adult‐like synchrony‐dominant preference was found in 7‐ to 8‐year‐old children. Moreover, justifications of the synchrony‐dominant expectation in both adults and 7‐ to 8‐year‐old children showed that this expectation was driven by the perceived entitativity of the synchronous group. These findings show that the expectation of group dominance based on synchronous movements is strongly developed in school‐age children, explaining the developmental origins of intergroup attitudes as well as the cognitive mechanisms children employ when making judgments in intergroup contexts.

Akt inhibition improves the efficacy of cabazitaxel nanomedicine in preclinical taxane-resistant cancer models

Drug resistance remains a major challenge in achieving cures in cancer patients. Cabazitaxel has shown the ability to overcome drug resistance induced by paclitaxel and docetaxel; however, substantially high toxicity has been observed in patients receiving this agent, which compromises its efficacy. We have previously demonstrated that a polymeric platform (termed cabazitaxel-NPs) encapsulating the oligolactide-cabazitaxel conjugate exhibits desired antitumor efficacy and improved in vivo tolerability. However, we found that upon cabazitaxel treatment, cancer cells adapted to activate Akt signaling, which potentially discounts the drug efficacy. We therefore hypothesized that combing cabazitaxel nanotherapeutics with a pan-Akt inhibitor MK-2206 would synergistically sensitize the resistant cancer. In this study, we confirmed that nanoparticle formulation reduced the systemic toxicity, with higher tolerance than solution-based free cabazitaxel agent in animals. Interestingly, the activation of Akt signaling in the resistant cancer was reversed by the addition of MK-2206. In particular, the collaboration of these two ingredients was demonstrated to maximize the efficacy in vitro and in a xenograft model bearing paclitaxel-resistant tumors. Mechanistically, Akt inhibition increased the microtubule-stabilizing effect of cabazitaxel nanomedicine. Collectively, this report introduced a binary platform composed of cytotoxic nanotherapeutics and inhibitors with certain targets to combat multidrug resistance, and such a combined regimen has the potential for the clinical treatment of patients with resistant cancer.

​Dermal Response to Experimental Orfvirus (ORFV) Infection in Goats, Mice and Rabbit

Background: During a study on the outbreak of orf in goats, it was intended to study the disease transmissibility in different hosts from field samples and ascertain the infective potential of the agent in laboratory animals compared to goats. Methods: Cutaneous clinical materials from orf virus (ORFV) infected goats was used to experimentally infect naive goats, rabbits and mice and ascertain its infective potential and transmissibility in different hosts. The processed inoculum was applied topically to mimic a natural transmission through injured skin. Regular skin biopsies were taken that revealed characteristic macroscopic and microscopic lesions typical of orf. Result: Virus inoculum applied on abraded skin in goats successfully established the lesions of orf. A parallel inoculation in rabbit and mice could not successfully reproduce the disease in these unnatural hosts beyond a subtle vesicular stage on 3 dpi with subsequent healing by 7 dpi. The lesions in goats regressed spontaneously by 28 days post-infection (dpi). Intracytoplasmic inclusions were associated only in the vesicular stage. Immunopathological progression was observed by immunoperoxidase staining of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells which were found to appear by day 5 in the dermis and became more abundant and distributed by day 8, but subsequently reduced in number by 15 dpi. CD4+ cells were found to be more numerous and widespread. Viral antigen in tissues could be demonstrated by 4 dpi by immunohistological methods that increased in signal intensity progressively and disappear by 28 dpi. Similarly, viral nucleic acid in the skin could be detected on day 8 dpi but not on 28 dpi by PCR. The present experiment depicts the ease of disease transmissibility through traumatized skin in the primary hosts, but establishment in unnatural hosts may not be readily achieved. The infection was self-limiting with possibly no virus latency as indicated by immunofluorescence and PCR studies.

Development and Validation of a Quantitative UHPLC–MS-MS Method for the Determination of Alpha-Chloralose in Feline Blood and Application on Blood Samples Collected from Cats with Symptoms of Alpha-Chloralose Poisoning

Alpha-chloralose (AC) is used as a rodenticide as well as an anesthetic agent in laboratory animals. It was previously also used as an avicide. Detection of AC in blood samples or in body tissues collected postmortem is key for the diagnosis of clinical cases and a requirement for surveillance of secondary toxicosis, including potential cases in wild animals. Reports on poisoning of humans and non-laboratory animals confirmed by the detection of AC or its metabolites are available, however poisoning of domestic animals are rarely available. Furthermore, reports on clinical cases in domestic animals rarely report quantifications of AC in blood or body tissues. The present study describes the validation of a quantitative ultra high performance liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC--MS-MS) method that can be used in cases of suspected AC poisoning in cats. The validation study showed the method to be fit for purpose. In serum, the limit of quantification was 100 ng/mL and the limit of detection was 30 ng/mL. The new analytical method was applied on blood samples collected from 20 individual cats with a preliminary clinical diagnosis of acute AC poisoning. AC was confirmed in all 20 feline blood samples, and the concentration range of AC was 538–17,500 ng/mL. The quantitative method developed in this study was found to be a fast and selective method for confirmation of AC poisoning using blood samples from cats.

Detection of unprecedented level of antibiotic resistance and identification of antibiotic resistance factors, including QRDR mutations in Escherichia coli isolated from commercial chickens from North India.

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of antibiotic resistance phenotype and simultaneously understand its genetic basis in Escherichia coli isolated from the cloacal swabs of commercial chickens from north India. Escherichia coli isolates were assessed for susceptibility to 14 different antibiotics using the disc-diffusion technique and were screened for the presence of 22 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) by employing PCR. Isolates were found to be highly resistant to fluoroquinolones (nalidixic acid 91%, norfloxacin 73% and ciprofloxacin 66%), tetracycline (71%), beta-lactams (ampicillin 49% and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 37%), co-trimoxazole (48%), streptomycin (31%) and chloramphenicol (28%); and comparatively less resistant to cefazolin (13%), amikacin (10%), aztreonam (4%), gentamicin (4%) and ceftriaxone (3%). Sixty-three percent of isolates were resistant to more than four different drugs. Abundance of plasmid-borne ARGs like tetA (83%), sul3 (44%), aadA1 (44%), strA (43%), strB (41%), qnrS (38%), sul2 (28%) and aac(6)-Ib-cr (15%) was observed among the isolates. Forty-five percent of isolates possessed more than five different ARGs. Quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) mutations within gyrA and parC genes were found to be the major determiners of quinolone resistance. QRDR mutations included leu83, asn87 and gly87 within gyrase-A polypeptide and ile80 and lys84 within topoisomerase IV (encoded by parC). Our findings suggest the abuse of antibiotics as feed additives and prophylactic drugs in Indian poultry sector. It also projects this industry as an active hotspot for the replication and selection of ARGs. Our findings would provide evidence to the authorities for formulating effective strategies for restricting antibiotic usage as non-therapeutic agents in food animals. Occurrence of both plasmid-borne and chromosome-borne resistance towards quinolones can drive movement of resistance phenotype across bacterial species and vertical movement of resistance along the bacterial generations, respectively, which can pose mitigation challenges.

Parasites and Parasitic Diseases of Laboratory Animals in Plateau State Nigeria: The zoonotic implications.

Parasitic agents in laboratory animals, are detrimental to the success of researches and can also infect personnel and researchers. This study is aimed at investigating the parasitic infections of laboratory animals maintained in animal houses of The National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria, as well asdetermining the zoonotic implications of these parasites. Two hundred and six laboratory animals (72 rabbits, 55 guinea pigs, 50 mice and 29 rats) were randomly sampled. Faecal samples and skin scrapings were collected and subjected to parasitological analyses. Pathological examinations were conducted on laboratory animals that had skin lesions. Sixteen different species comprising of 7 nematodes, 5 cestodes, 3 protozoans, and 1 mite were detected. Eimeria species (40/206; 19.42%; 95% CI = 14.44-25.25) was the most prevalent parasite, followed by Syphacia muris (26/206; 12.62%; 95% CI = 8.59-17.69). Entamoeba caviae, Tritrichomonas caviae, Rodentolepis microstoma, Rodentolepis nana, Heterakis spumosa, Capillaria hepatica and Cysticercus fasciolaris were the least prevalent with a 0.49% prevalence each. Three, four, five and six different species of parasites were detected in mice, guinea pigs, rats and rabbits respectively. The Chi-Square analysis revealed that the infection rate of parasites was significantly higher (p = < 0.01) in mice compared to rats, rabbits and guinea pigs. Of the Sixteen species of parasites detected, Eimeria species, Syphacia muris, Rodentolepis diminuta, Rodentolepis microstoma, Rodentolepis nana, and Capillaria hepatica are zoonotic. This study showed that 40.29% of the studied laboratory animals were infected with one parasite species or the other. The outcome of this study stresses the zoonotic implications of the parasites detected. We thereby advise researchers and handlers to take caution and apply utmost sanitary measures in the handling of laboratory animals so as to prevent themselves from being infected with these zoonotic parasites.