Shepherds Research Articles

Effect of oral administration of Bacillus thuringiensis var. oswaldocruzi to sheep on the development of larvae in fecal cultures

Haemonchus contortus is one of the most important gastrointestinal nematodes infecting sheep, being a production-limiting factor in sheep herds. Biological control has been used for many years either in combination with traditional parasiticides or as an alternative treatment itself. Bacillus thuringiensis can be a promising tool for an integrate control of H. contortus in sheep herds by disrupting nematode’s life cycle, thus decontaminating pasture. This study aims to evaluate the larvicidal efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis var. oswaldocruzi (Bto) on the development of H. contortus larvae in fecal sheep cultures. Bto concentrations (~1010 colony forming units, CFU / mL) were orally administered to thirty-six ewes naturally infected with H. contortus in three different pharmaceutical forms: hard gelatin capsule, mucoadhesive gel or suspension. The different treatments were carried out in a single oral administration (SOA). All formulations were effective in inhibiting larvae development compared with control groups in all time points studied (p < 0.05). The mucoadhesive gel showed ~90% of efficacy on inhibiting larvae development during all the time points post SOA. The suspension had 85% efficacy on inhibiting larvae development at 24–48 h and 96% at 72–96 h. The hard gelatin capsule was 57%, 62%, 73% and 96% effective inhibiting larvae development at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, respectively. This study highlights that disrupting the infective larval stage in the environment Bacillus thuringiensis var. oswaldocruzi is a promising prophylactic alternative in the H. contortus control.

Insight on Bluetongue virus transmission in small ruminants in Senegal

Bluetongue (BT) is an infectious, arthropod-borne viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants. The disease causes animal mortality, production decrease and commercial limits for herds. Despite the active circulation of the disease in the world, few studies have been carried out in Senegal. The objective of this study was to assess the current prevalence of BT in small ruminants and the serotypes circulating in Senegal. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the fourteen regions of Senegal. After the sampling campaign, sera collected in sheep and goats herds were screened for the presence of Bluetongue virus (BTV) specific antibodies using c-Elisa. The whole blood of seropositive animals was further analyzed by RT-qPCR and positive samples were typed to identify BTV serotypes. Analysis of several risk factors such as age, sex and species of animals was performed using logistic regression. The overall seroprevalence of BTV in Senegal was 72.6% (95% CI: 70.3–74.9%) with 75.9% (95% CI: 72.2–79.5%) in goat and 70.6% (95% CI: 67.5–73.6%) in sheep. Female (prevalence=77.1%) and adult (prevalence=80%) animals showed the highest seropositivity to BTV compared respectively to male (55.7%, p=6.133e-09) and young (49.4%, p < 2.2e-16). The RT-qPCR results showed the presence of BT viral genome in 359 small ruminants. The results obtained from serological and genotyping studies showed an active spread of the Bluetongue virus in domestic ruminants and phylogenetic analysis showed that the BTV-2 is one of the circulating serotypes in Senegal. This study allows having baseline information for controlling Bluetongue in Senegal.

Spatial distribution models of seroreactive sheep to Leptospira spp. in Veracruz, Mexico.

Leptospirosis is an infectious zoonotic disease of special importance in tropical regions of the world and is closely related to climatic conditions. In Mexico, at least eight Leptospira serogroups are known to affect sheep, but little is known about their distribution. The aim was to analyse the spatial distribution of seroreactive sheep to eight serogroups of Leptospira spp. through ecological niche modelling from the state of Veracruz. We carried out a cross-sectional, multistage, and stratified epidemiological study, sampling 405 sheep in different regions of the state (north, center, and south). The sera were analysed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) to identify seropositivity to eight Leptospira serogroups (Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, Grippotyphosa, Canicola, Pomona, Hardjo, Wolffi, and Tarassovi). Management variables in the sampled herds were evaluated through a survey among the producers, which was analysed using the chi-squared test for cross-tabulation. Geospatial modelling was conducted using MAXENT and 19 climatic variables, and validation was carried out using the area under the curve (AUC). No positive animals were found for Pomona in any area of Veracruz, and there was only one case of seroreactivity to Grippotyphosa. The total seroprevalence found was 53.83% (95% confidence interval [CI] 48.84-58.75). The main serogroup found was Sejroe (55.31%, 95% CI 50.32-60.20%), followed by Canicola (8.64%, 95% CI 6.17-11.92%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (4.69%, 95% CI 2.93-7.36%), Tarassovi (3.95%, 95% CI 2.35-6.47%), Pyrogenes (2.47%, 95% CI 1.26-4.64%), Australis (0.99%, 95% CI 0.32-2.69%), and Grippotyphosa (0.25%, 95% CI 0.01-1.59%). The predictive model for Australis was not significant. Acceptable predictive models (AUC>0.7-0.8) were found for Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, and Tarassovi, while for Sejroe, it was excellent (AUC>0.85); consequently, the climatic variables that most contributed to the model were those related to precipitation. The potential distribution of Pyrogenes, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Canicola was located to a greater extent in the three regions; Pyrogenes and Tarassovi were distributed mostly in the north and central regions, and Sejroe was mostly located in the center and south of the state. Ecological niche modelling could support epidemiological control and surveillance programs for affected sheep herds in the state of Veracruz.

Use of Fecal Indices as a Non-Invasive Tool for Ruminal Activity Evaluation in Extensive Grazing Sheep.

For a simple, non-invasive evaluation of nutritional status of sheep kept under extensive grazing conditions on annual rangeland, fecal indices (2,6 diaminopimelic acid, nitrogen, and phosphorus) obtained during the vegetative, reproductive, and dry grassland phenological stages, were correlated with ruminal physiological biomarkers (volatile fatty acids and ruminal ammonia). Through correlation analysis and linear regressions, the degree of association between the variables studied was established. The fecal indices that presented the highest degree of association with ruminal variables were FN and FP, being highly correlated with the production of branched-chain volatile fatty acids (isobutyrate and isovalerate) and with ruminal ammonia (r ≥ 0.65), establishing simple linear regression equations of high significance (p ≤ 0.05). Therefore, fecal indices, especially fecal concentrations of N and P, could reflect the metabolism at the ruminal level and with it the availability of compounds for microbial growth, which would help to establish the nutritional status of sheep herds under extensive grazing conditions.

Pilot serosurvey of Coxiella burnetii in domesticated small ruminants in the United Arab Emirates.

The seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in goats and sheep in the UAE was evaluated by ELISA testing of 437 small ruminant sera samples from livestock farms (LivF) and 478 from the Al Ain livestock market (AALM), and the data from the pilot serosurvey were analyzed using the z-test of two proportions and Fisher's method. The overall proportion of C. burnetii-seropositive goats of 32.1% was significantly higher than 24.7% for seropositive sheep (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the difference in the proportions of C. burnetii-seropositive sheep from the LivF (27.9%) and AALM (21.7%) was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). By comparison, the proportion of C. burnetii-seropositive goats from LivFs was 31.6% compared to 32.5% for the goats from the AALM (p > 0.05). In addition, there was variability in the proportions of C. burnetii-seropositive goats and sheep from the different Emirates, but none of differences was statistically significant (p > 0.05). These data provide the first evidence of apparent C. burnetii infections in goat and sheep herds in the UAE with seropositivity rate that is significantly higher in goats than sheep. The epidemiology and animal and public health implications of this pathogen need to be thoroughly evaluated in the UAE.

Epidemiology of paratuberculosis in sheep and goats in southern Spain

Paratuberculosis is a worldwide, chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) that mainly affects ruminant species. This disease has a significant economic impact on small ruminant production due to the costs of implementing control measures and production losses. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence, spatial distribution and risk factors associated with MAP exposure in sheep and goats in Andalusia (southern Spain). Serum samples from 4134 small ruminants (2266 sheep and 1868 goats) in 153 flocks were tested by an in-house ELISA for antibodies against MAP using paratuberculosis protoplasmic antigen 3 (PPA3) as coating antigen. Antibodies against MAP were detected in 8.1% (183/2266; 95% CI: 7.0–9.2%) of sheep and 20.0% (374/1868; 95% CI: 18.2–21.8%) of goats. The true individual seroprevalence was 8.4% (95% CI: 6.9–10.1%) in sheep and 25.2% (95% CI: 22.7–27.8%) in goats. Seropositivity was detected in 66.3% (55/83; 95% CI: 56.1–76.4%) of sheep herds and 90.0% (63/70; 95% CI: 83.0–97.0%) of goat herds. Spatial analysis identified three statistically significant clusters (p < 0.05) associated with areas with higher seroprevalence of MAP. The main risk factors potentially associated with MAP exposure were: species (goat) and absence of perimeter livestock fencing. The results of this study show that MAP is widespread in small ruminant populations in southern Spain and suggest that goats may play a more important role than sheep in the transmission and maintenance of MAP. Because of animal health concerns and the economic consequences of paratuberculosis, appropriate surveillance and control programs are required to reduce the risk of MAP infections in small ruminant flocks in this country.

Identification of virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter spp. from sheep from the state of Pernambuco in Brazil

The objective of this study was to genetically identify virulence and antimicrobial resistance in DNA from Campylobacter spp. from sheep in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The presence of virulence genes was investigated from the polymerase chain reaction. The genetic profile of antimicrobial resistance in samples of sheep origin was investigated by sequencing of the 23S rDNA region to identify A2074G and A2075G mutations and gyrA gene fragments to identify C257T and A256G mutations. Forty samples of Campylobacter spp. Of these, 11 were from Campylobacter jejuni, 12 from Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus and 17 Campylobacter coli from sheep herds. In virulence analysis, 37 samples (92.50%) were positive for the cdtA gene, 30 (75.00%) for cdtB and 28 (70.00%) for cdtC. In the cadF gene research, 38 (95.00%) samples were positive. For the racR, dnaJ and ciaB genes, 32 (80.00%), 19 (47.50%) and 8 (20.00%) positivity were respectively. Only one sample presented the pldA gene and none presented wlaN and virB11. In genotypic analysis of antimicrobial resistance, all samples had the C257T mutation in the gyrA gene, but the A256G mutation was absent. Mutations in 23S rDNA, A2074G and A2075G were also not identified. From the results obtained, we can observe the presence of most virulence genes researched, with high resistance to fluoroquinolones. Thus, studied samples of Campylobacter spp. demonstrated the potential to cause infection and stay in the hosts.

The use of balancing additives in the rations of young small ruminants and cattle

The purpose of the research was to study the feasibility of using different balancing feed additives in the rations of young ruminants and cattle. In order to achieve this purpose, two scientific and farm experiments were conducted on the development and use of balancing additives in the rations of young ruminants and cattle. The first experiment was carried out in the Volgograd region on the herd of sheep of Volgograd breed in the IE FARM Kushkalova A. B., the second was carried out in in the Voronezh region on heifers of Holstein breed on the basis of the Korshevo livestock complex OOO EkoNivaAgro. In the first experiment the sheep of the control group were fed a general economic ration, the animals of the 1st experimental group were input with a mineral balancing feed additive instead of the mineral part of the ration recipe No. 1, the 2nd experimental group with the recipe No. 2 and the 3rd experimental group with the recipe No. 3. In the second experiment heifers from the 14th day of life received premix P-62–1 as part of the compound feed, the young cattle of the experimental group as part of the starter feed were replaced with premix P-62-1 with MegamixNoris. After 6 months, the animals of the control group received premix P-63-1 as part of the ration, and the heifers of experimental group received premix MegamixVitulaOpti. The inclusion of the mineral complex in the ration of sheep of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd experimental groups contributed to an increase in the digestibility coefficients. Thus, the digestibility of dry matter was higher than that of analogues from the control by 1,03; 0,59 and 0,21 abs.%, organic matter by 1,95; 1,80 and 1,59 abs.%, crude protein by 1,15; 0,97 and 0,84 abs.%, crude fiber by 1,09; 0,62 and 0,23 abs.%. The nitrogen digestibility in them was higher from the taken by 1,12, 0,79 and 0,63 abs.% and from the digested by 1,18, 0,73 and 0,61 abs.%. The young sheep of the experimental groups significantly exceeded the analogues from the control in live weight at the age of 8 months by 1,82–6,93 %. The input of the tested premixes into the ration of heifers allowed to increase the digestibility of dry matter by 1,29 abs.%, organic matter by 2,26 abs.%, crude protein by 2,54 abs.%, crude fat by 4,18 abs.%, crude fiber by 3,15 abs.%, nitrogen-free extractive substances by 4,16 abs.%. Nitrogen assimilation from the intake increased by 2,18 abs.%. At the same time, the live weight of heifers was increased by 10,37 % compared to analogues from the control group.

Average kinship within bighorn sheep populations is associated with connectivity, augmentation, and bottlenecks

AbstractUnderstanding the influence of population attributes on genetic diversity is important to advancement of biological conservation. Because bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations vary in size and management history, the species provides a unique opportunity to observe the response of average pairwise kinship, inversely related to genetic diversity, to a spectrum of natural and management influences. We estimated average pairwise kinship of bighorn sheep herds and compared estimates with population origin (native/indigenous/extant or reintroduced), historical minimum count, connectivity, and augmentation history, to determine which predictors were the most important. We evaluated 488 bighorn sheep from 19 wild populations with past minimum counts of 16–562 animals, including native and reintroduced populations that received 0–165 animals in augmentations. Using the Illumina High Density Ovine array, we generated a dataset of 7728 single nucleotide polymorphisms and calculated average pairwise kinship for each population. Multiple linear regression analysis determined that connectivity between populations via dispersal, greater number of animals received in augmentations, and greater minimum count were correlated with lower average pairwise kinship at the population level, and whether the population was extant or reintroduced was less important. Thus, our results indicated that genetic isolation of populations can result in increased levels of inbreeding. By determining that natural and human‐assisted gene flow were likely the most important influences of average pairwise kinship at the population level, this study can serve as a benchmark for future management of bighorn sheep populations and aid in identifying populations of genetic concern to define priorities for conservation of wild populations.

The Blue Sky by Galsan Tschinag

Reviewed by: The Blue Sky by Galsan Tschinag Erin H. Davis (bio) the blue sky Galsan Tschinag Milkweed https://milkweed.org/book/the-blue-sky 224 pages; Print, $16.00 "Love is the key to life, and the cause of suffering." -Katharina Rout on Galsan Tschinag Bareboned yet graceful, Galsan Tschinag's The Blue Sky, initially published in 2007 by Milkweed Editions, is now republished and revamped by Milkweed's imprint, Seedbank. Tschinag's novel, in keeping with the goals of Seedbank, strives to understand the cross-cultural understanding of human instinct and emotion. Seedbank states that the series "gathers works of literature from around the world that foster conversation and reflection on the human relationship to place and the natural world—exposing readers to new, endangered, and forgotten ways of seeing the world." The preservation of culture and place within the vastness of the High Altai mountains is central to Tschinag's work. It is through the emotional and physical maze of sheep herding and familial bonds that Tschinag navigates, told through the eyes of a young Tuvan boy, Dshurukawaa. Originally published in German and translated by Katharina Rout, the novel transcends borders and date lines. [End Page 75] Politics and environment clash in The Blue Sky, for although Tschinag depicts a culture traditionally "isolated," the novel's twentieth century setting brings with it the influence of hard-fisted Russian socialism and the takeover of Kazakh culture. Tschinag knows the struggles of the Tuvan peoples firsthand. He is a man both indigenous to the High Altai mountains and a global traveler. He is currently chieftain of his native tribe, as well as tribal healer. Translator Katharina Rout, upon visiting Tschinag at his home, reflects on her experiences: "As a shaman, [Tschinag] mediates between his community and the spirit world; as a chieftain, he connects Tuvans with each other; as a writer, he forges links between the oral tradition and epics of his people and the literate world outside; as a politician, he negotiates a future for his minority Tuvans among a sometimes hostile majority of Kazakhs and Mongolians; as a translator and teacher, he crosses, and enables other to cross, the linguistic borders of Tuvan, Kazakh, Mongolian, Russian, and German." Tschinag has experienced a wide range of this world and writes with an unmistakable authority. The author was taught under the traumatic rigor of re-education schools where he was forced to assimilate to dominant culture—a common mode of deculturalization utilized by the strongest powers around the globe. As a young adult, Tschinag traveled west to pursue higher education. In his words, he "alternate[s] between living in the indigenous culture of the post-Socialist Tuvans, the rising tribal capitalism of Mongolia, and the enlightened state monopoly of Western Europe." He currently divides his time between Ulaan-Bataar where he writes, the High Altai where he lives and serves as chieftain and shaman, and Germany where he works and tours. The Blue Sky is, at its core, Tschinag's first volume of a three-part autobiographical journey, followed by The Gray Earth and The White Mountain, each of which delve into a different phase of Tschinag's life. His first novel begins at the author's birth and progresses through his fraught childhood. Surrounded by those whom he loves most—his grandmother, his dog, Arsylang, and his siblings—Tschinag explores the universality of trauma and loss, of changing political tides that so easily and carelessly sweep entire cultures from the map. Tschinag, putting the customs and beliefs of his people into words, solidifies Tuvan culture in history. He writes of religion, of Gök-Deeri, the [End Page 76] father in the great blue sky. It is this relation to the blue sky that influences the entire novel. He explores the way that the beneficence of Gök-Deeri dictates abundance and poverty. A blessing of father sky, Dshurukawaa's intimate relationship with the hendshe (baby lambs herded by children) gives his life purpose, a desire to wake up in the mornings after all has been taken from him. Tschinag's prose plays with the idea of Gök-Deeri's relationship to the political. No longer does...

Genetic Diversity of Creole Sheep Managed by Indigenous Communities of the Central Region of Veracruz, Mexico.

Simple SummaryThe genetic diversity in three populations of creole sheep managed by indigenous communities of the central region of Veracruz, Mexico, is reported from blood samples of 90 sheep, taken from the herds of indigenous families in the municipalities of Tehuipango, Astacinga, and Tlaquilpa, Veracruz, Mexico. The genomic DNA of the sheep was evaluated using four microsatellites amplified by PCR and visualized on polyacrylamide gels. The four microsatellites were polymorphic, observed heterozygosity was lower than the expected level, and the indices of endogamy indicated a slight diminution of homozygotes and the variation was hosted at the individual level. The evaluated sheep present a genetic diversity that is conserved across endogamic crosses, for which reason the design of a plan of protection and use of these sheep populations would permit their sustainable management.In the indigenous communities of central Veracruz, herds of creole sheep have been established and managed through traditional practices of crossing, but their genetic characteristics have never been examined in order to evaluate their state of endogamy, and to help the management programs to protect this genetic resource. The objective of the present study was to characterize the genetic diversity of three populations of creole sheep managed by indigenous communities in the central region of Veracruz, Mexico. Indigenous family producers of creole sheep were located and blood samples taken from 90 individual sheep from the municipalities of Tehuipango, Astacinga and Tlaquilpa, Veracruz. In the laboratory, the genomic DNA was extracted and genetic diversity characterized using four microsatellites (ILSTS11, ILSTS5, SRCRSP9 and OarFCB128) amplified by PCR and visualized on polyacrylamide gels. The four microsatellites were highly informative (PIC = 85%) and presented values of 0.6 to 0.81 of heterozygosity, with an average number of 16 alleles. According to the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium model, three of the loci were not significant (p < 0.05), presumably this means that they do not deviate significantly from H–W predictions and there was slight genetic differentiation (FST = 0.025), along with a slight decrease in homozygotes (FIS = −0.021). According to the analysis of variance, 99% of the total variation was hosted at the individual level. It is concluded that the three creole sheep populations still present genetic diversity at the four loci and non-random pairings have occurred.

Approaches to reducing the toxic exposure hazard on the sheep population.

The sheep breeding industry forms a substantial proportion of the agriculture sector in the Republic of Kazakhstan and ensuring its sustainable functioning should be implemented in a number of national documents, which can be considered as the basis for increasing the level of national food security. This can be achieved not only by increasing livestock numbers, but also by conducting research that will reduce the incidence of disease in livestock. The novelty of the study is determined by the fact that in the extension study of autopsy of sheep affected by diseases, an analysis of factors that increase the incidence of melaphagosis was carried out. Almaty and Jambyl regions were selected as objects of research. The main effects of classical and innovative drugs that reduce the melophagosis incidence are presented. The analysis of the seasonal level of morbidity and the age composition of sheep herds was carried out. It has been determined that the treatment and prevention of melophagosis can be performed on the basis of a combination of 2 and 5 drugs, both chemically active and biogenic. The practical significance of the study suggests the possibility of a considerable reduction in the level of parasitic invasions in the steppe conditions of Kazakhstan and stabilisation of the produced level of sheep breeding.

Prevalence of Theileria/Babesia Species in Ruminants in Burdur Province of Turkey.

Theileriosis and babesiosis, two tick-borne haemoparasitic diseases (TBHDs) of ruminants, are caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Theileria and Babesia, respectively. Among them, some species are considered to be highly pathogenic causing serious economic losses to livestock holders especially in tropic and subtropic regions. Local and/or general control measures are needed to be applied to reduce economic impact of TBHDs. Prevalence studies are essential for the implementation and/or design of effective prevention and control measures based on true epidemiological data. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence, prevalence and possible cross infections of Theileria/Babesia species between sheep, goat and cattle herds in Burdur province in Turkey. A total of 964 blood samples were collected from sheep (n = 330), goat (n = 300) and cattle (n = 334) from five different districts of Burdur province. The samples were investigated for ovine and bovine Theileria/Babesia species using reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization assay. In small ruminants, T.ovis was the most abundant Theileria species detected in sheep with a rate of 79.69%. Among Babesia species, B.ovis and B.crassa were detected only in blood of goats (0.66%) and sheep (1.12%) as single and mixed infections, respectively. In cattle, T.annulata, B.bovis, Babesiaspp. were detected in rates of 0.59%, 3.29%, 3.59%, respectively. Obtained results clearly indicated that no cross infections with Theileria/Babesia species occurred in small ruminant and cattle herds that use the same grazing area.

Mycoplasma agalactiae ST35: a new sequence type with a minimal accessory genome primarily affecting goats

BackgroundMycoplasma agalactiae, causing agent of contagious agalactia, infects domestic small ruminants such as sheep and goats but also wild Caprinae. M. agalactiae is highly contagious and transmitted through oral, respiratory, and mammary routes spreading rapidly in an infected herd.ResultsIn an outbreak of contagious agalactia in a mixed herd of sheep and goats, 80% of the goats were affected displaying swollen udders and loss of milk production but no other symptom such as kerato-conjunctivitis, arthritis or pulmonary distress commonly associated to contagious agalactia. Surprisingly, none of the sheep grazing on a common pasture and belonging to the same farm as the goats were affected. Whole genome sequencing and analysis of M. agalactiae strain GrTh01 isolated from the outbreak, revealed a previously unknown sequence type, ST35, and a particularly small, genome size of 841′635 bp when compared to others available in public databases. Overall, GrTh01 displayed a reduced accessory genome, with repertoires of gene families encoding variable surface proteins involved in host-adhesion and variable antigenicity being scaled down. GrTh01 was also deprived of Integrative Conjugative Element or prophage, and had a single IS element, suggesting that GrTh01 has a limited capacity to adapt and evolve.ConclusionsThe lack of most of the variable antigens and the Integrative Conjugative Element, both major virulence- and host specificity factors of a M. agalactiae strain isolated from an outbreak affecting particularly goats, indicates the implication of these factors in host specificity. Whole genome sequencing and full assembly of bacterial pathogens provides a most valuable tool for epidemiological and virulence studies of M. agalactiae without experimental infections.

Inhibition of histamine accumulation by novel histamine-degrading species of Staphylococcus sp. isolated from goats and sheep milk.

Histamine is an active amine compound that occurs in various fermented foods that may cause adverse effects on the human health. Certain microorganisms are able to degrade histamine by an oxidative deamination reaction. Therefore, the present study aimed to quantify histamine‐forming and/or ‐degrading activity of the isolates derived from milk of goat and sheep herds, in Iran, by the capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method; and we evaluated the molecular characteristics of staphylococcal isolates. Among 243 staphylococcal isolates, 29 histamine‐degrading bacteria were identified. One of these isolates, identified as Staph. epidermidis, No. 605, exhibited the highest activity compared to others, degrading available histamine to 58.33% within 24 h. By polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, the isolate, No. 605 that exhibited remarkable histamine‐degrading activity lacked the genes encoding coagulase and DNase, nor did it harbor any of the five classical enterotoxin genes. This is the first report to show that seven Staphylococcus species, including Staph. chromogenes, Staph. aureus, Staph. haemolyticus, Staph. epidermidis, Staph. pseudintermedius, Staph. agnetis, and Staph. hyicus, were able to degrade histamine, which were hitherto not known to have this capacity. Therefore, histamine‐degrading activity is a definite criterion to introduce fermenting organisms able to decrease histamine content in different food products.

Characterization and frequency of foot injuries and foot-related lameness in a sheep herd with prophylactic measures for foot-related diseases

ABSTRACT: Foot lesions in sheep herds are responsible for great economic losses, because pain during locomotion interferes with feeding and behavior, leading productivity losses. The objective of this work was to describe the main foot disease found in sheep herd that uses prophylactic measures against foot diseases. A total of 346 ewes of different ages, with or without lameness, were assessed for the presence of foot lesions in all limbs, digits and adjacent structures. Among all the 2768 digits evaluated, 103 (29.76%) had lesions, representing 1.04 lesion per animal. 41.75% (43/103) had only one lesion, 39.81% (41/103) had two lesions, 16 (15.53%) had three lesions, and only 2.91% (3/103) had four or more lesions. Hind limbs were the most affected and the most frequent diseases were white line disease (40.05%), interdigital dermatitis (33.70%) and footrot (12.15%). It was concluded that foot disease in sheep is frequent and constitute a health problem for herds, even on farms that use strategies to prevent it. Therefore, it is essential to classify the lesions, as well as the adoption of effective prophylactic and therapeutic measures.

Gastrointestinal Parasites in Sheep from the Brazilian Pampa Biome: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

Parasitic infections are common in sheep farming worldwide. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors among gastrointestinal parasites and sheep herds from the Brazilian Pampa biome, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Twenty-one farms were visited, where rectal faecal samples were individually collected from 309 animals. The sheep industry on the studied farms was characterised by small farms with a low level of technification, an extensive grazing system and meat production. Of all samples analysed, strongyle nematodes had the highest prevalence (77.02%), followed by Eimeria spp. (70.55%), Moniezia expansa (20.39%) and Strongyloides papillosus (17.48%). Mixed infection, between helminths and protozoans, was detected in 68.61% of samples. All herds were positive for strongyle and Eimeria spp. A predominance of Haemonchus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. nematodes was observed in the herds. Younger animals were significantly more affected by Eimeria and M. expansa. In the semi-intensive and intensive systems, a higher frequency of Eimeria and strongyle infections was observed. Parasite infection was significantly reduced at low animal densities. The Brazilian Pampa region presents a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among sheep; age, breeding system and stocking density were factors associated with parasite infection.

Mathematical Modelling and optimal control of pneumonia disease in sheep and goats in Al-Baha region with cost-effective strategies

&lt;abstract&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this work, the concept of the fractional derivative is used to improve a mathematical model for the transmission dynamics of pneumonia in the Al-Baha region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We establish a dynamics model to predict the transmission of pneumonia in some local sheep and goat herds. The proposed model is a generalization of a system of five ordinary differential equations of the first order, regarding five unknowns, which are the numbers of certain groups of animals (susceptible, vaccinated, carrier, infected, and recovered). This consists of investigating the equilibrium, basic reproduction number, stability analysis, and bifurcation analysis. It is observed that the free equilibrium point is local and global asymptotic stable if the basic reproduction number is less than one, and the endemic equilibrium is local and global asymptotic stable if the basic reproduction number is greater than one. The optimal control problem is formulated using Pontryagin's maximum principle, with three control strategies: Disease prevention through education, treatment, and screening. The most cost-effective intervention strategy to combat the pneumonia pandemic is a combination of prevention and treatment, according to the cost-effectiveness analysis of the adopted control techniques. A numerical simulation is performed, and the significant data are graphically displayed. The results predicted by the model show a good agreement with the actual reported data.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/abstract&gt;

Polygamous Family Life and Geographic Isolation: The Poetry of Esther Ann Birch Bennion

Polygamous Family Life and Geographic Isolation: The Poetry of Esther Ann Birch Bennion

Patologia da periodontite crônica em ovinos

ABSTRACT: Periodontitis is an inflammatory process of infectious origin affecting the teeth and their supporting structures, causing significant economic losses and reducing animal welfare. Bacteria in the gingival biofilm are one of the main factors in initiating inflammatory lesions. Bacteria act directly on tissues or indirectly through substances that cause tissue damage. Studies on the etiopathogenesis of periodontitis in Brazilian sheep herds are scarce. The present study aimed to characterize histologically periodontal lesions of culled sheep from the Brazilian breed, Santa Inês. Periodontal lesions, such as periodontal pockets containing plant tissue and bacteria, replacement of the periodontal ligament by connective tissue and inflammatory cells, superficial pustules, hydropic epithelial degeneration, and epithelium hyperplasia, were observed. Submucosal changes were characterized by granulation tissue, edema, swelling of the endothelial cells, bacteria, and predominantly perivascular lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate. In the alveolar bone, osteoclastic resorption and bone apposition were observed. This study revealed subacute to chronic inflammation, alveolar bone resorption, and cortical bone apposition in ovine periodontitis. Thus, these findings can contribute to the evolution of knowledge about the etiopathogenesis of ovine periodontitis and, possibly, the development of measures to control the disease.