Cattle In Endemic Areas Research Articles

PLASMA FREE AMINO ACID PROFILES OF CATTLE INFECTED WITH TRYPANOSOMA VIVAX: A PRELIMINARY REPORT

EMACIATION and poor productivity have been recognised as some of the major features of the chronic form of bovine trypanosomiasis. However, the biochemical and nutritional bases of the Wasting and reduced growth rates of cattle with trypanosomiasis are yet to be adequately elucidated, such data may be needed, not only for the clinical management of the disease but also in the proper husbandry practice of cattle in endemic areas of trypanosomiasis for animal protein production.

Identification of conserved peptides containing B-cell epitopes of Babesia bovis AMA-1 and their potential as diagnostics candidates.

The apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) is a protein of the micronemes that is present in all organisms of the phylum Apicomplexa; it has been shown that AMA-1 plays an essential role for parasite invasion to target cells. It has been reported that AMA-1 is conserved among different isolates of Babesia; however, it is unknown whether the protein contains conserved B-cell epitopes and whether these epitopes are recognized by antibodies from cattle in endemic areas. In this research, using an in silico analysis, four peptides were designed containing exposed and conserved linear B-cell epitopes from the extracellular region of Babesia bovis AMA-1. The selected peptides were chemically synthesized, and then each peptide was emulsified and used to immunize two bovines per peptide. The antibodies produced against these peptides were able to recognize intra-erythrocytic parasites in an IFAT, except peptide 4, which was insoluble. The synthetic peptides were covalently fixed to the wells of an ELISA plate and incubated with sera from B.bovis naturally infected cattle. Peptides P2AMA and P3AMA were recognized by the sera of naturally infected cattle from different regions of Mexico. Statistical analysis showed that the ELISA test for peptides P2AMA and P3AMA had a concordance of 91.2% and 61.1% compared to the IFAT, a sensitivity of 94.56% and 71.74%, and a specificity of 76.19% and 14.2%, respectively. The presence of antibodies in bovine sera from endemic areas that bind to the identified peptides indicates that AMA-1 from B.bovis has conserved B-cell epitopes involved in the immune response under natural conditions. However, to propose their use as vaccine or diagnostics candidates, a further characterization of the humoral immune response elicited in cattle by these peptides is needed.

Effects of high fluoride content in livestock drinking water on milk samples of different cattle in endemic area of Pakistan: risk assessment for children.

Fluoride in trace quantity is beneficial for human beings, serving to strengthen the apatite matrix of skeletal tissues and teeth, whereas high intake causes adverse impacts. In the present study, the effect of fluoride-contaminated drinking water of livestock on the milk samples of different cattle, belonging to a fluoride-endemic area (Tharparkar, Pakistan), was studied. In milk samples of different cattle (cows, camels, sheep, and goats), free and bound fluoride forms and its total (free (F-) + bound (F-)) contents were measured by ion-selective electrode. The concentration of fluoride in drinking water of livestock was also analyzed, as found in the range of 11.8-33.5mg/L. The concentration of total fluoride in the milk samples of sheep, goats, cows, and camels were observed in the range of 1.72-2.43, 1.40-2.03, 0.835-1.41, and 0.425-0.897mg/L, respectively. The resulted data indicated that the concentration of fluoride was higher in the milk samples of smaller cattle (sheep and goat), as compared to cow and camel. The fluoride in milk samples of all cattle appeared dominantly in free form. The percentage values of bound fluoride in the milk samples of sheep, goats, and cows were found to be 6.76, 11.6, and 19.7% in total, respectively, while in camel milk, the percentage was below the detection limit. The estimated daily intake of fluoride contents on consuming different types of milk by children age ranged 1.0 to 3.0years was evaluated. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus structural protein E2 as a complement regulatory protein.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a member of the genus Pestivirus, family Flaviviridae, and is one of the most widely distributed viruses in cattle worldwide. Approximately 60% of cattle in endemic areas without control measures are infected with BVDV during their lifetime. This wide prevalence of BVDV in cattle populations results in significant economic losses. BVDV is capable of establishing persistent infections in its host due to its ability to infect fetuses, causing immune tolerance. However, this cannot explain how the virus evades the innate immune system. The objective of the present work was to test the potential activity of E2 as a complement regulatory protein. E2 glycoprotein, produced both in soluble and transmembrane forms in stable CHO-K1 cell lines, was able to reduce complement-mediated cell lysis up to 40% and complement-mediated DNA fragmentation by 50%, in comparison with cell lines not expressing the glycoprotein. This work provides the first evidence of E2 as a complement regulatory protein and, thus, the finding of a mechanism of immune evasion by BVDV. Furthermore, it is postulated that E2 acts as a self-associated molecular pattern (SAMP), enabling the virus to avoid being targeted by the immune system and to be recognized as self.

Using Histoplasmin and Coccidioidin Skin Tests and an Agar Gel Immunodiffusion for Animals in Argentina

The overall objective of this study was to apply different diagnostic methods that demonstrate the presence of infection or diseases, specifically Histoplasmosis and Coccidioidomycosis, in domestic animals as a contribution to the understanding of mycology in animal health, clinical practice and epidemiology. Sera were studied and skin tests were performed in pigs, horses, dogs and cattle in endemic areas of Argentina as a means of diagnosis and to determine if the fungi of interest were present in the region. Responses to intradermal reactions develop slowly (24 - 72 hours) after administration of an allergen, causing erythema and a nodule and serum with Histoplasmosis or Coccidioidomycosis shows precipitation M and H bands in an agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), which indicates infection or lesion activity and is not influenced by previous intradermal reaction. Two (2) animals were positive for the skin test, and three (3) were positive for the M band in the AGDI for Coccidioidomycosis. In the case of Histoplasmosis, twenty-eight (28) animals were positive for the M band in the AGID and three (3) were positive for the skin test. The skin test with specific antigens for Coccidioidomycosis and Histoplasmosis is feasible for use in individual diagnostic studies in cattle, equines, canines, and in epidemiological surveys of cattle and pigs, according to the requirements of the this technique for the different species. The use of AGID as a serological technique for Histoplasmosis and Coccidioidomycosis proved to be simple, inexpensive, and effective; it was feasible for use for individual diagnosis in animals with present or past infection and for serological epidemiology due to the ease of application. This method can to be utilized in future studies to determine the prevalence and boundaries of endemic areas.

Concurrent infections ofFasciola,SchistosomaandAmphistomumspp. in cattle from Kafue and Zambezi river basins of Zambia

This study investigated interactions among Fasciola gigantica, Schistosoma spp. and Amphistomum spp. concurrent natural infections in Zambian cattle, based on egg and worm counts. In the abattoir 315 cattle were screened for worms of F. gigantica in the liver, Schistosoma spp. in mesenteric veins and/or Amphistomum spp. in the rumen. One hundred and thirty-three (42.2%) of the abattoir-examined cattle harboured one, two or all three trematodes. Of 133 cattle, 50 were randomly selected for worm and egg counts. The mean numbers (+/- SD) of Amphistomum, Schistosoma and Fasciola were 622.08 (+/- 97.87), 33.68 (+/- 7.44) and 19.46 (+/- 4.58), respectively. A total of 32% harboured all the three trematodes, 66% had F. gigantica and Amphistomum spp. infections, 52% had Schistosoma spp. and Amphistomum spp. infections while 32% had F. gigantica and Schistosoma infections. A positive correlation (P = 0.014) was found between F. gigantica and Amphistomum worm burdens. There were no correlations between Amphistomum and Schistosoma worm burdens and between F. gigantica and Schistosoma worm burdens. It may be concluded that there is no significant cross-protection among these trematodes in cattle in endemic areas.