Infection Rate Of Cattle Research Articles

CHALLENGES OF FASCIOLOSIS SPREADING IN CATTLE IN UKRAINE IN 2021-2023

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the epizootic process of cattle Fasciolosis dynamics in Ukraine from 2021 to 2023. The data are broken down by region. The risk zones are determined, and the territory of Ukraine is conditionally divided into dangerous, threatened, and temporarily not-dangerous areas. Grazing ruminants' helminths are common worldwide and harm cattle productivity and food security. The concern that climate change can increase the frequency and intensity of helminth infections has been growing. In Ukraine, this concern stems from case reports and theoretical life-cycle models, which allow us to assess the impact of climate change on helminth epidemiology. We believe that this study is the first attempt to investigate geographic and climatic trends in cattle helminth infections spreading by region. In the total of 474209 conducted tests, 6967 cases had positive results, and the average infection rate of cattle with Fasciola from 2021 to 2023 was 1.5 % in the regions with mild climate. Fasciolosis infection spread depends on the elevation of the farm and agricultural region. The studies show that meteorological changes can significantly contribute to understanding the impact of climate on infectious disease dynamics. If local environmental conditions are taken into account, the impact of climate change on disease dynamics can be clearer on a local scale. We recommend developing a strategy for extensive sample selection across Ukraine to monitor changes in helminthic disease risk and inform on adaptation strategies to increase productivity and protect the health of the cattle.

Molecular identification of Entamoeba spp. in humans and cattle in Baghdad, Iraq.

A total of 10% of the global population succumbs to amoebiasis yearly, equating to 50,000-100,000 recorded fatalities. It is closely associated with contaminated food and water supplies due to human feces. The disease's pathophysiology remains a subject of ongoing debate among experts. Some experts attribute the role of the host's conditions, parasite species and strain, and infection intensity in eliciting clinical symptoms. The aim of this study was to perform molecular identification of Entamoeba species isolated from humans and cattle. Stool samples from three hundred patients and one hundred cattle were collected from different regions, age groups, and sexes in Baghdad for microscopic examination. One hundred randomly chosen patient and cattle stool samples underwent microscopic examination and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Phylogenetic tree analyses were performed for Entamoeba species identification. The infection rate in humans differed significantly (p < 0.05) between age groups and genders, totaling 38%. The infection rate in cattle, determined by conventional PCR, differed significantly (p < 0.05) between age groups and genders, amounting to 58%. Ten PCR products with positive results were sequenced and deposited in GenBank database. Sequence analysis detected that Eight sequences belong to E. histolytica (OM268853.1, OM268854.1, OM268855.1, OM268857.1, OM268858.1, OM268860.1, OM268861.1, and OM268862.1) and two sequences belong to E. dispar (OM268856.1 and OM268859.1) in humans, while 10 sequences (ON724165.1 to ON724174.1) belongs to E. histolytica in cattle. The increased susceptibility of cattle to E. histolytica suggests a considerable role in human infection and substantial public health risks. Further research should be conducted on the many virulence factors such as HM1:IMSS strain, cysteinprotease (Cp1), Gal/lectin, etc. of E. histolytica and E. dispar.

Nonlinear dynamics and optimal control strategies of a novel fractional-order lumpy skin disease model

Fractional order differential equations are often employed to better and accurately model several natural and physical processes with memory characteristics than the integer-order models. In this work, a proposed fractional-order model is presented to simulate one of the most dangerous viral cattle diseases. The present fractional-order Lumpy Skin Disease model considers the interactions between different compartments of cattle and virus vectors. The solution of the model is examined in terms of existence, uniqueness, positivity and boundedness. Then, the stability analysis of the different equilibrium points in the model is carried out. The basic reproduction number, R0, has been obtained too. The dependence of stability regions on the values of key parameters is demonstrated and the sensitivity of R0 to different parameters in the system is also investigated. Finally, a proposed optimal control scheme is adopted to successfully diminish the disease spread. It is found that the stability of disease-free equilibrium point is verified at small values of the infection rate of cattle caused by infected cattle or insects. In addition, the disease-free equilibrium point maintains its stability in cases where the recovery rate of cattle or the vaccination rate of cattle are increased. Moreover, the high-efficiency vaccination program helps in stabilizing the disease-free equilibrium point. Also, the fractional-order parameter is found to provide additional degree of freedom in the model to represent different scenarios of evolution for solution orbits. The optimal control parameters of the model are examined in different scenarios to limit or suppress the spread of the disease. It is demonstrated that two control parameters are sufficient to achieve the goals of disease elimination and stabilization of an infection-free steady state. Numerical simulations are verified to confirm our theoretical findings and estimations.

PREVALENCE OF THEILERIA ANNULATA AMONG CATTLE IN THE TURKESTAN REGION

Theileriosis is a severe blood-parasitic disease, an important problem in veterinary protozoology, since the damage it causes remains significant. The recently widespread practice of importing breeding stock to improve local breeds leads to the fact that in the first summer season, upon contact with infested ticks, the imported animals become very seriously ill, with a mortality rate of up to 90-100%. In this work, 738 samples of cattle were examined using the polymerase chain reaction method, which showed the presence of infection in 598 DNA samples isolated from cattle from 10 districts, 19 settlements of the Turkestan region. Whole blood samples were taken from cattle aged 3 years and older. Upon examination, the animals seemed healthy. The overall positivity rate for the entire region was 81%, highlighting the prevalence of infection among livestock. There are different levels of infection in the regions; in 6 settlements the infection rate of cattle was 100%. In addition, 7 villages showed high PCR positivity rates, ranging from 70% to 97%. While the lowest prevalence of infection showed from 18% to 69% in 6 villages, respectively.

Meta-analysis of the prevalence of bovine cystic echinococcosis in China during decade

BackgroundCystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (E. granulosus s.l.) larvae. It is mainly prevalent in western agricultural and pastoral areas in China, seriously affecting the development of public health and animal husbandry. MethodsThis study conducted a systematic evaluation and meta-analysis of bovine CE in China in the past 10 years (2011−2020). Five databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP Chinese Journal Database) were used to collect the relevant references, and finally 77 published articles were obtained. ResultsThe total prevalence of bovine CE was estimated to be 9.62% during decade, and decreased year by year after reaching its peak in 2014 (18.75%). The highest E. granulosus s.l. infection rate was found in Qinghai province (14.79%). The infection rate of cattle >4 years old (15.84%) was significantly higher than that of other age groups, and cattle raised by grazing was significantly higher than that of other methods (17.00%). In the groups of geographical and climatic factors, the prevalence of CE was higher in regions with high-altitude (20.76%), cold (20.76%) and rainy areas (11.33%). ConclusionThis study found that old age and grazing were two important factors for the high incidence of bovine CE. The prevalence of CE is higher in low temperature, rainy and high altitude areas, where may be more suitable for the survival of E. granulosus s.l. eggs.

Optimal control analysis of Taenia saginata bovine cysticercosis and human taeniasis

Bovine cysticercosis and human taeniasis are neglected food-borne diseases that pose challenge to food safety, human health and livelihood of rural livestock farmers. In this paper, we have formulated and analyzed a deterministic model for transmission dynamics and control of taeniasis and cysticercosis in humans and cattle respectively. The analysis shows that both the disease free equilibrium (DFE) and endemic equilibrium (EE) exist. To study the dynamics of the diseases, we derived the basic reproduction number R0 by next generation matrix method which shows whether the diseases die or persist in humans and cattle. The diseases clear if R0<1 and persist when R0>1. The normalized forward sensitivity index is used to derive sensitive indices of model parameters. Sensitivity analysis results indicate that human's and cattle's recruitment rates, infection rate of cattle from contaminated environment, probability of humans to acquire taeniasis due to consumption of infected meat, defecation rate of humans with taeniasis and the consumption rate of raw or undercooked infected meat are the most positive sensitive parameters whereas the natural death rates for humans, cattle, Taenia saginata eggs and the proportion of unconsumed infected meat are the most negative sensitive parameters in diseases’ transmission. These results suggest that control measures such as improving meat cooking, meat inspection and treatment of infected humans will be effective for controlling taeniasis and cysticercosis in humans and cattle respectively. The optimal control theory is applied by considering three time dependent controls which are improved meat cooking, vaccination of cattle, and treatment of humans with taeniasis when they are implemented in combination. The Pontryagin's maximum principle is adopted to find the necessary conditions for existence of the optimal controls. The Runge Kutta order four forward-backward sweep method is implemented in Matlab to solve the optimal control problem. The results indicate that a strategy which focuses on improving meat cooking and treatment of humans with taeniasis is the optimal strategy for diseases’ control.

Assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of various drugs against cryptosporidiosis in calves

The purpose of the research is studying the spread of cryptosporidiosis in calves and assessment of the extenseeffectiveness of antiprotozoal drugs.Materials and methods. The spread, seasonal and age-specific trends of cryptosporidiosis was studied on 395 spontaneously infected animals of five age groups. The first group was formed of calves up to 10 days of age, the second group of calves aged from 11 days to 2 months, the third group of calves from 2 to 4 months, the fourth group of calves from 4 to 6 months of age, and the fifth group of young animals from 6 months up to 1 year. To assess the efficacy of various drugs against cryptosporidiosis in calves, 5 groups of infected animals (4 experimental and 1 control), 10 animals each, were formed according to the principle of analogous pairs. The infection rate in cattle was determined by generally accepted coprological flotation methods, as well as by native smears with further staining according to Ziehl-Nielsen. We also considered clinical signs of cryptosporidiosis (diarrhea, dehydration).Results and discussion. We established the widespread occurrence of cryptosporidiosis in cattle on the farms of the Igrinsky, Uvinsky, Zavyalovsky Districts of the Udmurt Republic. The infection rate ranged from 20.25 to 80.0%. The largest percentage of infected calves was observed in the winter-spring period which was associated with the synchronization of the reproductive cycles of cows and a decrease in the resistance of the animal organism. Toltarox 5% and Galokur drugs in work environments showed 100% extense-effectiveness. It is not recommended to apply Amprolium 25% on these farms due to the low efficacy and the development of parasite resistance to this drug.

Risk assessment and integrated surveillance of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Russia based on Monte Carlo simulation

BackgroundFoot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease of livestock worldwide. Russia is a big agricultural country with a wide geographical area where FMD outbreaks have become an obstacle for the development of the animal and animal products trade. In this study, we aimed to assess the export risk of FMD from Russia.ResultsAfter simulation by Monte Carlo, the results showed that the probability of cattle infected with FMD in the surveillance zone (Surrounding the areas where no epidemic disease has occurred within the prescribed time limit, the construction of buffer areas is called surveillance zone.) of Russia was 1.29 × 10− 6. The probability that at least one FMD positive case was exported from Russia per year in the surveillance zone was 6 %. The predicted number of positive cattle of the 39,530 - 50,576 exported from Russia per year was 0.06. A key node in the impact model was the probability of occurrence of FMD outbreaks in the Russian surveillance zone. By semi-quantitative model calculation, the risk probability of FMD defense system defects was 1.84 × 10− 5, indicating that there was a potential risk in the prevention and control measures of FMD in Russia. The spatial time scan model found that the most likely FMD cluster (P < 0.01) was in the Eastern and Siberian Central regions.ConclusionsThere was a risk of FMDV among cattle exported from Russia, and the infection rate of cattle in the monitored area was the key factor. Understanding the export risk of FMD in Russia and relevant epidemic prevention measures will help policymakers to develop targeted surveillance plans.

Cryptosporidium infection in cattle and humans in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cryptosporidium is an intracellular coccidian parasite causing gastrointestinal disturbances resulting in diarrhoea in humans and animals. It is more frequently detected in calves and early childhood, and one of the major causes of mortality in low-income countries. National estimates of Cryptosporidium infection rate in cattle and humans are lacking in Ethiopia. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the prevalence and assess the risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle and humans over 20 years. Article searches were made using PubMed, HINARI, Research Gates, AJOLs and Google Scholar databases. Studies that met the inclusion criteria under the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist were used. Random effects models and Inverse Variance Index were used to calculate the pooled prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and heterogeneity among studies, respectively. A total of 23 eligible studies published between 2000 and 2020 were selected for this study. The estimated pooled prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was found to be 16.2% and 11% in cattle and humans, respectively. Ten Cryptosporidium species were documented with cattle and human-based studies. C. andersoni, C. parvum, C. bovis and C. ryanae were the reported species in cattle. Similarly, in humans, seven types of Cryptosporidium species (such as C. parvum, C. hominis, C. viatorum, C. felis, C. meleagridis, C. canis and C. xiaoi) were recorded. C. parvum and C. hominis were the dominant and responsible species for human illness. Using gp60 gene locus analysis, various zoonotic C. parvum subgenotypes were determined in humans; but it was limited in anthroponotic C. hominis. In conclusion, the overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle and humans was high and linked with several risk factors. Thus, there is a need for further epidemiological and genetic diversity studies, and awareness of creations on the disease to provide strategies that mitigate the disease in cattle and humans.

A socio-economic study of Fasciola infections in cattle and sheep at the Etoudi slaughterhouse, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

A cross-sectional socio-economic study of fascioliasis in livestock was carried out at the Livestock Development Cooperation (SODEPA) slaughterhouse in Etoudi, Yaoundé during the periods covering the beginning and late dry season in the northern and eastern regions of Cameroon. A total of 768 cattle and 267 sheep were inspected for the presence of Fasciola species. The overall infection rate in cattle and sheep was 18% (n = 767) and 27% (n = 267), respectively. For the animals that were Fasciola positive, a total of 267.86 kg of liver in cattle was condemned, resulting in a loss of US$1124, while a total of 57 kg of liver was condemned from the sheep population, amounting to a loss of US$114. A total of US$76,097 was determined as losses incurred from condemnation of liver for both cattle and sheep per annum based on the total number slaughtered each year. The findings indicate that fascioliasis is present in cattle and sheep slaughtered in Cameroon and that it causes great economic losses due to condemnation of liver. The local climatic conditions, husbandry systems and the presence of snails (intermediate hosts) are probably the main factors influencing the incidence of the disease and may account for the epidemiological significance found in this study.

THE PERIOD OF THE CATTLE BUNOSTOM DEVELOPMENT OF THE IN THE AMUR REGION

The authors focus on the fight against the most common helminthic diseases of agricultural animals as they see it as an important part of the veterinary science. Bunostomosis is one of such diseases; it is a helminthiasis of ruminants caused by vipostomum trigonocephalum nematodes (in sheep and goats) and vipostomum phlebotomum (mainly in the cattle), which are parasitic in the small intestines. The disease is characterized by diarrhea, exhaustion and death of ruminants. The disease is widespread and causes great economic damage. The authors explored the prevalence of tuberculosis and age-related infection with tuberculosis by ovoscopy and levoscopy in the Amur region. They examined 2655 animals, including 1415 small ruminants and 1240 cattle from five districts of the Amur region. The researchers examined 4 calves and 4 lambs aged 4 inorder to study the period of bunostom development in the organism of animals, which were infected with percutaneously and orally. Brown larvae received from faeces of spontaneously infested animals is considered to be the material for infection. The development and survival of larvae in the environment were investigated in 2016-2017. The authors found out that in the Amur region larvae develop at the temperatures above 40С. The period of development at the temperature from 40С tо 9 0С was 23 days. When the temperature was increasing, the development period was reduced to 5-7 days. In October larvae stop their development. The underdeveloped eggs and larvae left die in winter. At the farms of the Amur region, the infection rate of cattle and sheep is 31.9 and 49.6%. The bunostome infection of the cattle aged 1-11 months is 59,8%; 1-2 years - 26,0; 3 years and more - 19,9; sheep aged 4-11 months infection rate is 52,9; 1 year - 60,9, 3 years and more - 38,7%. The authors observed bunostomes development during 89-102 days in the ruminant organism before the sexually mature stage in the conditions of the Amur region.

Endemic features and space - time clustering of schistosomiasis in Xinjian District, Nanchang City from 2009 to 2014

To understand the endemic situation and distribution features of schistosomiasis in Xinjian District, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province from 2009 to 2014, so as to provide a reference for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in the future. The endemic data of schistosomiasis in Xinjian District were collected by taking the village as a unit from 2009 to 2014. An endemic database was established, and the SaTScan software was applied to analyze the spatiotemporal aggregation areas of Schistosoma japonicum infection in crowd, Oncomelania hupensis snails and cattle. The S. japonicum infection rate of crowd was decreased from 0.10% in 2009 to 0.000 68% in 2014. The infection rate of O. hupensis snails was greatly fluctuated from 2009 to 2014, the highest was 1.04% in 2012, but it fell to 0 in 2014. The highest infection rate of cattle was 1.98% in 2012, and it fell to 0 in 2014. The spatial temporal clustering detection showed that three areas of crowd infection were mainly concentrated in 20 villages of Changyi Township, Lianyu Township and Songhu Town; two areas of snail infection were mainly concentrated in five villages of Changyi Township and Nanji Township; one area of cattle infection was mainly concentrated in three villages of Changyi Township. The endemic situation of schistosomiasis presents a declining trend in Xinjian District from 2009 to 2014 as a whole. However, the potential risks of the rebound of the disease still exist, and the six clustering areas of infection are still the key areas for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in the future.

Prevalence of Hydatidosis among slaughtered ruminants in Arbil slaughter house, Arbil, Iraq

A survey study was carried out in Arbil slaughter house to show the prevalence of hydatid cysts among the slaughtered animals during a year 2016. The slaughtered animals were local breeds, both sexes (male and female), different ages and from different region in Arbil governorate. Macroscopic examination by nacked eye and hand palpitations were opptied Aetiry hydatid. The study samples include (115831 sheep, 26350 goat, 17465 cattle). The over cul rate of hydatidosis was 1.34% (2148 animal from 159646) among the whole slaughtered animals, this rate was involve 3.24% in cattle, 1.14% in sheep and 0.95% in goat. The highest whole infection rate in slaughtered animals was in spring (3.41%). Whear as lower whole infection was in winter (1.33%). The study also exert, that highest infection rate of cattle, goat and sheep with hydatidosis in April were (5.76%, 2.29%, 2.20%) respectively. The rate in lung cyst was 1.23%, this rate was distributed in to (2.34% in cattle, 0.72% in sheep, 0.64% in goat). While in the liver the respectively, rate was 0.61% , they invul Vot(0.99% in cattle, 0.44% in sheep and 0.42% in goats).

Effect of schistosomiasis control in Yangxin County, Hubei Province, 2004-2015

To evaluate the effect of schistosomiasis control and prevention in Yangxin County from 2004 to 2015, so as to provide the evidence for improving the work of schistosomiasis transmission interrupted and elimination in the future. According to the endemic types and endemic regularity of schistosomiasis in Yangxin County, the comprehensive control strategies were adopted, and the programs related to sanitation, water conservancy, forestry, and agriculture were implemented continuously. The schistosomiasis control effects in this county from 2004 to 2015 were analyzed and compared. After the implementation of the schistosomiasis comprehensive control strategies in Yangxin County, the calculated number of patients reduced from 22 240 in 2004 to 1 471 in 2015, the infection rate of residents reduced from 8.57% in 2004 to 0.16% in 2015, the number of patients with acute schistosome infection reduced from 64 in 2004 to 0, and no cases of acute schistosomiasis found since 2009. The infection rate of cattle decreased from 8.87% in 2004 to 0. The area with Oncomelania hupensis snails and the area of susceptible zone reduced from 3 446.21 hm2 and 1 111.59 hm2 in 2004 to 2 285.75 hm2 and 41.28 hm2 in 2015 respectively, and the schistosome-infection rate of snails reduced from 0.76% in 2004 to 0. Since the comprehensive control strategy implemented from 2004, the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in Yangxin County has decreased significantly. However, the harness force of the Fu River as well as the control of infection source of livestock still should be strengthened to consolidate the control achievement.

Schistosomiasis endemic situation of national surveillance sites in Mianyang City, 2015

To master the dynamics of schistosomiasis endemic situation and influencing factors in Mianyang City, so as to provide the evidence for making the control and prevention measures. Six villages of six schistosomiasis heavy endemic counties were selected as survey sites according to the national surveillance protocol (Revision in 2014) in Mianyang City. The surveys of the incidences of schistosomiasis in population and livestock as well as the prevalence of Oncomelania hupensis snails were conducted in the 6 national surveillance sites. The serum positive rates of local residents and migrant people were 2.12% and 1.71%, respectively. The infection rate of cattle was 0. The area with snails was 9.344 8 hm2. The mean density of living snails was 0.25/0.1 m2. The occurrence rate of frames with snails was 7.07%, and no infected snails were found. The infection rates of schistosome in human and livestock are low and the prevalence of O. hupensis snails is stable in the national surveillance sites in Mianyang City. However, the schistosomiasis transmission risk still exists, therefore, we should strengthen the control measures to prevent the rebound of the endemic.

Associations between trematode infections in cattle and freshwater snails in highland and lowland areas of Iringa Rural District, Tanzania.

The epidemiology of trematode infections in cattle was investigated within highland and lowland areas of Iringa Rural District, in southern Tanzania. Fecal samples were collected from 450 cattle in 15 villages at altitudes ranging from 696 to 1800 m above the sea level. Freshwater snails were collected from selected water bodies and screened for emergence of cercariae. The infection rates in cattle were Fasciola gigantica 28·2%, paramphistomes 62·8% and Schistosoma bovis 4·8%. Notably, prevalence of trematode infections in cattle was much higher in highland (altitude > 1500 m) as compared with lowland (altitude < 1500 m) areas and was statistically significant (P-value = 0·000) for F. gigantica and paramphistomes but not for S. bovis. The snails collected included Lymnaea natalensis, Bulinus africanus, Bulinus tropicus, Bulinus forskali, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Melanoides tuberculata and Bellamya constricta with a greater proportion of highland (75%) than lowland (36%) water bodies harbouring snails. Altitude is a major factor shaping the epidemiology of F. gigantica and paramphistomes infections in cattle in Iringa Rural District with greater emphasis upon control needed in highland areas.

Impact on prevalence of schitosomiasis after runs of Three Gorges Reservoir Project in the section of Anhui province

To investigate the changes of water level and the distribution of snails in Anhui province before and after runs of the Three Gorges Reservoir Project, and to determine the relationship between the two factors and schistosomiasis transmission. The hydrologic data of Datong hydrologic station and the data of snail status and schistosomiasis morbidity in Anhui Province were collected. The data from 1991 to 2002 and 2003 to 2012 were considered as before and after the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Project. Based on the prevalence of schistosomiasis, the cases of people and cattle were speculated, and the average infection rate of people and cattle were calculated. The t-test was used to compare the difference of snail area and the density of living snails before and after the impoundment of the Three Gorges Project. The pearson method was used to analyze the relationship between water level and snail area. The spearman method was used to analyze the relationship between the water level and the distribution of snails. From 1991 to 2012, the range of the highest water level, the lowest water level, the difference between the highest and lowest water level, the mean in the abundant water seasons, the mean in the dry water seasons, and the difference between the abundant water seasons and the dry water seasons was 11.40-16.30, 3.68-5.20, 6.70-12.12, 9.92-14.40, 4.77-7.64 and 4.13-8.93 m, respectively. The snail areas was (28 613 ± 362) hm² and (29 477 ± 918) hm² (t = -3.00, P = 0.007), the density of living snails was 1.51 (1.15-2.43) and 0.43 (0.29-1.10) snails/0.11 m² (H = 4.28, P < 0.001) before and after the impoundment of the Three Gorges Project, respectively. The average infection rate of people and cattle was 1.68% (99 482/5 935 147) and 4.62% (13 923/3 011 33), and the average number of acute schistosomiasis cases was 328, before the impoundment of the Three Gorges Project; 0.60% (39 747/6 649 380), 1.65% (1 291/783 224) and 71 after the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Project, respectively. The snail areas had negative correlation with the highest water level, the difference between the highest and lowest water level, the mean in the abundant water seasons (r value was -0.514, -0.509 and -0.477; P value was 0.014, 0.015 and 0.025, respectively). The infection rate of people had positive correlation with the highest water level, the difference between the highest and lowest water level, the mean in the abundant water seasons (r value was 0.532, 0.587 and 0.446; P value was 0.011, 0.004 and 0.038, respectively). The infection rate of cattle had positive correlation with the highest water level, the difference between the highest and lowest water level (r value was 0.507 and 0.553; P value was 0.016 and 0.008, respectively). The number of acute schistosomiasis cases had positive correlation with the highest water level, the difference between the highest and lowest water level (r value was 0.481 and 0.486; P value was 0.023 and 0.022, respectively). Following the runs of the Three Gorges Reservoir Project, the change of water level in the section of Anhui Province affected the distribution of snails and the infection of people and cattle to some extent. The snail areas showed an upward trend, and the density of living snails, the infection rate of people and cattle showed a downward trend. The runs of Three Gorges Reservoir Project has certain role to reduce flood and helpful for schistosomiasis control.

Serological and molecular diagnostic surveys combined with examining hematological profiles suggests increased levels of infection and hematological response of cattle to babesiosis infections compared to native buffaloes in Egypt.

BackgroundBabesiosis threatens the development of the cattle and buffaloes industries in Egypt and improved control is needed. The main objectives of this study are surveying the presence of bovine babesiosis in distinct selected bovine and buffalo populations in Egypt using novel molecular and previously validated serological methods, while also comparing the occurrence of hematological alterations among Babesia infected cattle and buffalos.MethodsA total of 253 and 81 blood samples from apparently healthy cattle and buffaloes, respectively, were randomly collected from diverse locations in Egypt. All samples were tested for Babesia bovis and B. bigemina infection using blood film examination, competitive ELISA (cELISA) and PCR. Novel semi-nested and nested PCR assays for the detection of B. bovis and B. bigemina respectively, were developed and used to analyze DNA extracted from bovine and buffalo samples. Hematological profiles were studied using a hematological analyzer.ResultsBlood films examination revealed 13.8 % and 7.4 % Babesia infection rates in cattle and buffaloes, respectively. However, in cattle, the cELISA detected 32.8 %, 21.3 % and 10.7 % infection rates with B. bigemina, B. bovis and mixed infection, respectively. In addition, cELISA identified 22.2 %, 22.2 % and 6.2 % infection rates with B. bigemina, B. bovis and mixed infection, respectively in buffaloes. The semi-nested PCR assay showed that 15 % of the tested samples were positive for B. bovis in cattle, but just 3 % in buffaloes. Infections with B. bigemina were also found in cattle (32.4 %), but not in buffaloes upon nested PCR analysis. Sequencing analysis confirmed the identity of the PCR amplicons and showed that Egyptian genotypes of B. bigemina and B. bovis highly resemble sequences previously deposited in GenBank. Hemograms performed on the sampled animals revealed macrocytic hypochromic anemia associated with reduced platelet counts in infected cattle with babesiosis. In addition, marked increases in total leukocyte and granulocytic counts and decreases in lymphocytic counts were found in infected cattle. In contrast, no such hematological anomalies were found in presumably Babesia-infected buffaloes.ConclusionsFrequent occurrence of babesiosis among apparently healthy bovines in Egypt, suggests the need for appropriately designed prevalence studies in this country. Infected bovine, but not buffalo, populations often present hematological disorders compatible with intravascular hemolysis and thrombocytopenia.

Efficacy of bovine viral diarrhea virus vaccination to prevent reproductive disease: A meta-analysis

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an important reproductive pathogen of cattle worldwide. The reproductive outcome of BVDV infection is largely dependent on the immune status of the dam and the stage of gestation at the time of infection. Potential sequelae include failure of conception, abortion, a variety of congenital malformations, and fetal infection. Vaccination is a possible tool in the control of BVDV, and there has been a recently renewed focus on providing fetal protection through vaccination. Consequently, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of BVDV vaccination to prevent reproductive disease by performing a quantitative synthesis of previously published studies. Pertinent articles to be included in the analysis were identified by performing a search in four relevant scientific databases (PubMed, CAB abstracts, National Agricultural Library catalog, and Web of Science) and examining the reference lists of 10 germane review articles. Inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis mandated that the studies were controlled, primary studies that included necessary data for use in the meta-analysis (e.g., group size, number of abortions). Forty-six studies in 41 separate articles matched the inclusion criteria. Risk ratio effect sizes were used in random effects, weighted meta-analyses to assess the impact of BVDV vaccination on three outcomes: risk of fetal infection, abortion risk, and pregnancy risk. Within each outcome, subanalyses were performed to evaluate the effect of a variety of interventions, including modified live, inactivated, polyvalent and monovalent vaccination, homologous, heterologous, or field challenge, and studies with only bovine subjects. The analysis revealed a decrease in abortions of nearly 45% and a nearly 85% decrease in fetal infection rate in cattle vaccinated for BVDV compared with unvaccinated cohorts. Additionally, pregnancy risk was increased by approximately 5% in field trials of BVDV vaccinates. This meta-analysis provides quantitative support for the benefit of vaccination in the prevention of BVDV-associated reproductive disease.

Epidemiology of Human Fascioliasis Outbreaks in Iran

The increase in number of human fascioliasis and its outbreaks in the last two decades have changed the status of fascioliasis from a zoonosis to an immerging health problem. The infection is found in 61 countries where 160 million peoples are at risk. Fasciola infection in livestock may be found in some parts of Iran with various infection rates in cattle. As the human infection was rarely reported with patchy distribution in some provinces of Iran, the condition was changed since 1989 when the first outbreak of human fascioliasis occurred in Gilan Province located in north of Iran where about 10,000 people found infected and total number of infected cases estimated to be 2465. The contributing factors of the outbreak were higher number of rainfalls, using the infested water and high consumption of wild aquatic plants in infested areas. Various methods applied for identification of Fasciola species leading to human infection in infected areas revealed that three species of Fasciola, namely, F. hepatica, F. gigantica and a hybrid of the two species the causes of infection. The role of local snails in transmission of the infection was determined and using the serodiagnostic methods for future epidemiological survey was recommended.