Promote Animal Health Research Articles

Microbial community characterization of shrimp survivors to AHPND challenge test treated with an effective shrimp probiotic (Vibrio diabolicus)

BackgroundAcute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) is an important shrimp bacterial disease caused by some Vibrio species. The severity of the impact of this disease on aquaculture worldwide has made it necessary to develop alternatives to prophylactic antibiotics use, such as the application of probiotics. To assess the potential to use probiotics in order to limit the detrimental effects of AHNPD, we evaluated the effect of the ILI strain, a Vibrio sp. bacterium and efficient shrimp probiotic, using metabarcoding (16S rRNA gene) on the gastrointestinal microbiota of shrimp after being challenged with AHPND-causing V. parahaemolyticus.ResultsWe showed how the gastrointestinal microbiome of shrimp varied between healthy and infected organisms. Nevertheless, a challenge of working with AHPND-causing Vibrio pathogens and Vibrio-related bacteria as probiotics is the potential risk of the probiotic strain becoming pathogenic. Consequently, we evaluated whether ILI strain can acquire the plasmid pV-AHPND via horizontal transfer and further cause the disease in shrimp. Conjugation assays were performed resulting in a high frequency (70%) of colonies harboring the pv-AHPND. However, no shrimp mortality was observed when transconjugant colonies of the ILI strain were used in a challenge test using healthy shrimp. We sequenced the genome of the ILI strain and performed comparative genomics analyses using AHPND and non-AHPND Vibrio isolates. Using available phylogenetic and phylogenomics analyses, we reclassified the ILI strain as Vibrio diabolicus. In summary, this work represents an effort to study the role that probiotics play in the normal gastrointestinal shrimp microbiome and in AHPND-infected shrimp, showing that the ILI probiotic was able to control pathogenic bacterial populations in the host's gastrointestinal tract and stimulate the shrimp’s survival. The identification of probiotic bacterial species that are effective in the host’s colonization is important to promote animal health and prevent disease.ConclusionsThis study describes probiotic bacteria capable of controlling pathogenic populations of bacteria in the shrimp gastrointestinal tract. Our work provides new insights into the complex dynamics between shrimp and the changes in the microbiota. It also addresses the practical application of probiotics to solve problems with pathogens that cause high mortality-rate in shrimp farming around the world.5HokUSghi4XQ9JWVrk_iScVideo

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Immunobiotic Lactiplantibacillusplantarum N14 Fermented Rakkyo (Allium chinense) Pickled Juice on the Immunocompetence and Production Performance of Pigs.

Simple SummaryFermented pickle of Rakkyo (Japanese leek) is a popular dish because it has several proven human health benefits. We tested the effects of dietary adding Lactiplantibacillus plantarum N14 fermented rakkyo pickled juice on the immunocompetence and production performance of pigs. The results showed that the use of 5% mixture of fermented rakkyo pickled juice and the rakkyo residues in the porcine feed could be a cost-effective approach to promote the immune-health and production performance of pigs. This approach might contribute to exploring the sustainable management of food waste through utilizing them as livestock feed supplement.Rakkyo (Allium chinense), is a Japanese leek that is primarily used to make a popular sweet or sour pickled dish. Lactic acid bacteria are often involved in the preparation steps of fermented pickles, which helps in the effective preservation of the natural bioactive compounds of fruits and vegetable, and thereby exert several health benefits including immunomodulation and growth performance. This work aimed to evaluate the in vivo effects of adding Lactiplantibacillus plantarum N14 fermented rakkyo pickled juice as feed supplement on the immunocompetence and production performance of pigs. We first analyzed the nutritional composition, which revealed that the proportion of protein, lipid, and water-soluble fiber content were estimated as of 4%, 5%, and 5% in rakkyo residual liquid or juice, while 22%, 15% and 14%, respectively, were estimated in rakkyo residual powder. For the in vivo feeding trials, three groups of pigs were treated either with 5%, 20%, or 40% mixture (v/v) of fermented rakkyo pickled juice and the grinded residual liquid supplemented in the drinking water in addition to standard feed. The results of the feeding trials showed that the administration of a juice mixture of 5% or 20% (fermented pickled juice and residual liquid) had a similar trend of effects in improving the complement activity, phagocytic activity and leucocytes counts in the peripheral blood when compared to pigs fed with 40% mixture or untreated controls. Those changes were related to an improved resistance to enteric infections. Moreover, animals receiving a mixture of fermented pickled juice and fermented rakkyo residues had a higher growth rate and carcass quality than controls. The results suggested that the use of 5% mixture of fermented rakkyo pickled juice and the residual liquid through drinking water could be a cost-effective approach to promote the immune-health and production performance of pigs. This approach would contribute not only to the sustainable management of food wastes but also to the application of a value-added feed supplement for the promotion of animal health and production.

Heavy-Metal Phytoremediation from Livestock Wastewater and Exploitation of Exhausted Biomass.

Sustainable agriculture is aimed at long-term crop and livestock production with a minimal impact on the environment. However, agricultural practices from animal production can contribute to global pollution due to heavy metals from the feed additives that are used to ensure the nutritional requirements and also promote animal health and optimize production. The bioavailability of essential mineral sources is limited; thus, the metals are widely found in the manure. Via the manure, metallic ions can contaminate livestock wastewater, drastically reducing its potential recycling for irrigation. Phytoremediation, which is an efficient and cost-effective cleanup technique, could be implemented to reduce the wastewater pollution from livestock production, in order to maintain the water conservation. Plants use various strategies for the absorption and translocation of heavy metals, and they have been widely used to remediate livestock wastewater. In addition, the pollutants concentrated in the plants can be exhausted and used as heat to enhance plant growth and further concentrate the metals, making recycling a possible option. The biomass of the plants can also be used for biogas production in anaerobic fermentation. Combining phytoremediation and biorefinery processes would add value to both approaches and facilitate metal recovery. This review focuses on the concept of agro-ecology, specifically the excessive use of heavy metals in animal production, the various techniques and adaptations of the heavy-metal phytoremediation from livestock wastewater, and further applications of exhausted phytoremediated biomass.

Essential Oils in Livestock: From Health to Food Quality.

Using plant essential oils (EOs) contributes to the growing number of natural plants’ applications in livestock. Scientific data supporting the efficacy of EOs as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant molecules accumulates over time; however, the cumulative evidence is not always sufficient. EOs antioxidant properties have been investigated mainly from human perspectives. Still, so far, our review is the first to combine the beneficial supporting properties of EOs in a One Health approach and as an animal product quality enhancer, opening new possibilities for their utilization in the livestock and nutrition sectors. We aim to compile the currently available data on the main anti-inflammatory effects of EOs, whether encapsulated or not, with a focus on mammary gland inflammation. We will also review the EOs’ antioxidant activities when given in the diet or as a food preservative to counteract oxidative stress. We emphasize EOs’ in vitro and in vivo ruminal microbiota and mechanisms of action to promote animal health and performance. Given the concept of DOHaD (Developmental Origin of Health and Diseases), supplementing animals with EOs in early life opens new perspectives in the nutrition sector. However, effective evaluation of the significant safety components is required before extending their use to livestock and veterinary medicine.

A Paper-Based Colorimetric Aptasensor for the Detection of Gentamicin.

Antibiotics are classes of antimicrobial substances that are administered widely in the field of veterinary science to promote animal health and feed efficiency. Cattle-administered antibiotics hold a risk of passing active residues to milk, during the milking process. This becomes a public health concern as these residues can cause severe allergic reactions to sensitive groups and considerable economic losses to the farmer. Hence, to ensure that the produced milk is safe to consume and adheres to permissible limits, an on-farm quick and reliable test is essential. This study illustrates the design and development of a microfluidic paper biosensor as a proof-of-concept detection system for gentamicin in milk. Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties of gold nanoparticles have been explored to provide the user a visual feedback on the test, which was also corroborated by RGB analysis performed using Image J. The assay involves the use of a short stretch of single stranded DNA, called aptamer, which is very specific to the gentamicin present in the milk sample. The camera-based LOD for the fabricated paper device for milk samples spiked with gentamicin was calculated to be 300 nM, with a reaction time of 2 min.

Advances in Microbiome Research for Animal Health.

Host-associated microbiomes contribute in many ways to the homeostasis of the metaorganism. The microbiome's contributions range from helping to provide nutrition and aiding growth, development, and behavior to protecting against pathogens and toxic compounds. Here we summarize the current knowledge of the diversity and importance of the microbiome to animals, using representative examples of wild and domesticated species. We demonstrate how the beneficial ecological roles of animal-associated microbiomes can be generally grouped into well-defined main categories and how microbe-based alternative treatments can be applied to mitigate problems for both economic and conservation purposes and to provide crucial knowledge about host-microbiota symbiotic interactions. We suggest a Customized Combination of Microbial-Based Therapies to promote animal health and contribute to the practice of sustainable husbandry. We also discuss the ecological connections and threats associated with animal biodiversity loss, microorganism extinction, and emerging diseases, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yeast cell wall mannan rich fraction modulates bacterial cellular respiration potentiating antibiotic efficacy

Now more than ever there is a demand to understand the mechanisms surrounding antibiotic resistance and look for alternative ways to impact phenotypic antibiotic outcome. Cellular energetics can be impacted by many bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics, which affect metabolism and energy output, resulting in a reduction of cell growth or induction of cell death respectively. In this study, we provide evidence that a mannan rich fraction (MRF) from the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae modulates growth of antibiotic susceptible and resistant Escherichia coli and potentiates bactericidal antibiotic efficiency through modulation of bacterial cellular respiration. The role of MRF in modulating bactericidal impact and cellular metabolic state were assessed in E. coli by monitoring microbial growth and by measuring oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) using the Seahorse XFe96 Analyser, respectively. This work further illustrates the link between bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics (phenotypic resistance) and resistance through modulation of bacterial metabolism. This is the first example of yeast MRF enabling collateral sensitivity to antibiotics in vitro and supports the search for alternative strategies to promote animal health without contributing to the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance.

Achievements and Challenges of Classical Swine Fever Eradication in Brazil.

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) causes one of the most critical diseases in the porcine industry worldwide. In Brazil, the first description of the infection was reported in 1888, and the national recognition of the first free zone (FZ) occurred in 2001. Brazil has been recently recognized (2015–2016) by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) with an FZ involving 15 states and the Federal District, corresponding to 95% of the industrial production of pigs in the country, and a non-free zone (NFZ), comprised by the North and Northeast regions of the country, with approximately 18% of the national pig herd and 5% of industrial production. This review aims to describe the history, the control and eradication actions, the recent occurrence of outbreaks in the NFZ, and the results obtained by the surveillance systems’ action in the FZ for CSF in Brazil since its creation. In the passive surveillance system, the notification of the suspect cases of classical swine fever (CSF) is mandatory while in the active surveillance system adopted in the FZ consists of serological monitoring of certified swine breeding farms (CSBFs), intensive pig farming (IPF), non-technified pig herds (NTPig), surveillance in slaughterhouses and monitoring the populations of wild pigs. In this region, the last outbreaks of the disease occurred in 1998, while in the NFZ, 28 outbreaks were detected from 2005 to 2017, with an apparent lethality rate of 93.96% (840/894). However, in 2018 and 2019, 68 new outbreaks were registered with an apparent lethality rate of 75.05% (1095/1459). Therefore, in 2019, the Brazil CSF-Free Strategic Plan was created to eradicate the infection from the country’s NFZ, since outbreaks in this region present a risk of reintroducing the disease FZ. Finally, differences in characteristics between the regions show factors that still need to be considered for the construction of a robust surveillance system in the NFZ and some improvements in the FZ. Thus, the control of CSF throughout the Brazilian territory requires strict sanitary guidelines, promoting animal health and, consequently, the national production chain’s competitiveness.

Effects of Low ω6:ω3 Ratio in Sow Diet and Seaweed Supplement in Piglet Diet on Performance, Colostrum and Milk Fatty Acid Profiles, and Oxidative Status.

Simple SummaryFeeding maternal animals divergent ratios of omega-6 (ω6) and omega-3 (ω3) fatty acids can change not only their health, physiological condition, and performance but also do the same for their offspring. In swine production, various ω6:ω3 ratios have been tested, but the search for an optimal proportion in the sow diet is still in progress. For piglets, weaning oxidative stress has been alleviated by supplementing with abundant sources of bioactive compounds. In this case, brown seaweed, a rich source of natural antimicrobials and antioxidants, can be a good candidate, but its supplementation in piglet diet is limited. This study explores the hypothesis that feeding a low ω6:ω3 ratio diet to sows during gestation and lactation, together with the supplementation of Ascophyllum nodosum for piglets during the post-weaning period, could benefit piglets’ performance and oxidative status more than the respective single treatment provided to the mother or the piglet. Results showed that the low dietary ω6:ω3 ratio (4:1) and seaweed supplement did not affect the post-weaning piglets’ growth rate and oxidative status. However, a low ω6:ω3 ratio diet alone improved weaning survival rate, suckling piglets’ weight gain, and total ω3 fatty acids in colostrum and milk.The ratio of omega-6 (ω6) to omega-3 (ω3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the diet contributes to animal health and performance modulations because they have mostly opposite physiological functions. Increasing ω3 PUFAs content in the maternal diet can stimulate antioxidative capacity in sow and piglets; however, the optimal ratio of ω6 and ω3 PUFAs in the sow diet is still under discussion. Rich sources of bioactive constituents such as brown seaweed are an excellent supplementation to promote animal health and antioxidant status. However, the knowledge of the effects of this compound, specifically in post-weaning piglets, is still limited. Moreover, the combined effect of a low ω6:ω3 PUFAs ratio in sow diet and seaweed supplementation in post-weaning piglets’ diet has never been studied. This research aims to assess the combined effect of a low ω6:ω3 ratio in sow diets and seaweed supplementation in piglet diets on their growth and oxidative status. We also assessed the impact of a low ω6:ω3 ratio in the maternal diet on reproduction, milk fatty acid (FA) profile, and plasma leptin concentration. Two sow diets (n = 8 each) contained either a control ratio (CR, 13:1 during gestation, starting from day 28 (G28) and 10:1 during lactation) or a low ratio (LR, 4:1 from G28 until the end of lactation (L-End)) of ω6:ω3 FA by adding soybean oil or linseed oil, respectively. Reproductive performance was evaluated. Colostrum and milk at lactation day 7 (L7) and L-End were collected to analyze FA profile. Plasma was collected at G28, G79, G108, L7, L14, and L-End for determination of leptin and oxidative status. At weaning, 20 male piglets were selected per sow group to form 4 diet treatments (n = 10 each), which were supplemented with or without 4 g/kg seaweed. Recording of growth performance and collection of blood were performed at days 0, 7, 15, and 21 of post-weaning for oxidative status. LR diet increased (p < 0.05) the survival rate of piglets at weaning, and individual and litter weight gains. Colostrum and milk at L7 and L-End had lower (p < 0.05) ω6:ω3 ratio in LR sows. Interaction between dietary treatments on sows and piglets was revealed for all examined growth parameters at most time points (p < 0.05). LR diet did not affect plasma leptin levels and oxidative status. These findings suggest that the seaweed supplement during post-weaning could not improve growth rate and oxidative status of piglets born from mothers receiving a low dietary ω6:ω3 ratio (4:1) during gestation and lactation. However, this low ratio was beneficial for weaning survival rate, sucking piglets’ weight gain, and ω3 enrichment in colostrum and milk.

Plant production and functional characterization of catfish interleukin-22 as a natural immune stimulant for aquaculture fish

As the world population increases and wild caught fisheries decline, aquaculture offers a sustainable solution addressing this global challenge. However, disease management remains difficult. With limited options, there is a need for innovative solutions. The cytokine interleukin-22 (IL-22) has emerged as a possible therapeutic target for fish and has been correlated with protection under pathogen challenge. Plant-based production systems have the potential to effectively manufacture and bring unique efficacy-enhancing features to the aquaculture industry; namely, the advantages of low cost for this commodity market, ready scalability, and reduced environmental impact. Catfish IL-22 produced at significant yield and purity highlights the use of plants as a promising production platform for therapeutic proteins with utility to the aquaculture industry. Purified cfIL-22 shows similar in vitro bioactivity to its mammalian homolog that include increased proliferation of catfish cells highlighting the tissue preservation capabilities associated with this protein. Recombinant cfIL-22 also upregulated expression of genes encoding a tissue repair protein, fibronectin, an antimicrobial peptide, Natural killer lysin-1, and a common innate immune protein, interferon. These findings support plant-made recombinant catfish interleukin-22 as a potential therapeutic for the aquaculture industry and further analysis of this protein for promoting animal health.

Efeitos adversos do uso prolongado de anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais inibidores da COX-2 em equinos: revisão

Os antiinflamatórios não esteroidais (AINE's), por serem comercializados, suprimidos-se entre os medicamentos mais prescritos no mundo, possuindo ação anti-inflamatória, analgésica e antipirética por inibição das prostaglandinas mediante bloqueio das cicloxigenases (COX). Atualmente sabe-se da existência de três enzimas COX com ações distintas. Postulou-se que as propriedades farmacológicas dos AINE's decorrem principalmente da ação inibitória da COX-2, enquanto que as reações adversas são geradas da inibição da COX-1, criando subgrupos de AINE's: preferenciais, seletivos e não seletivos para COX-2. A introdução dos inibidores da COX-2 na prática clínica visa manter a eficácia antiinflamatória sem os efeitos adversos indesejáveis. Todavia, estudos comprovados toxidade associada ao seu uso. Objetivou-se com este trabalho levantar informações sobre os efeitos do uso prolongado de inibidores da COX-2 na espécie de AINE. Para isso, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica buscando estudos sobre os efeitos do uso de inibidores da COX-2 em cavalos. Foi observado que esta classe de medicamentos diversos efeitos tóxicos para uma espécie, principalmente em situações onde existiram sobredosagens, uso por tempo prolongado e associação com outros AINE's. São necessárias para o controle de comercialização desses fármacos. A escolha do fármaco no tratamento deve ser individualizada a cada paciente, levando em consideração seus fatores de risco e benefícios. Seu uso de forma racional é um importante aliado dos clínicos veterinários na promoção da saúde e bem-estar-animal.

Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia Illucens) Larvae Protein Derivatives: Potential to Promote Animal Health.

Simple SummaryIn European countries, black soldier fly larvae (BSF) proteins are gaining rapid acceptance as high value protein ingredients in pet food and aquaculture feed formulations. BSF protein derivatives (proteins and protein hydrolysates) contain a significant share of short-chain peptides that are known to possess antioxidant behavior. In the present study, the in vitro antioxidant potential of BSF protein derivatives was analyzed using five different models. Chickenmeal and fishmeal are commonly used in pet food and aquaculture feed formulations and hence were used as industrial benchmarks. The results obtained during this study show that chickenmeal and fishmeal offer little or no advantage in protecting animal cells against the oxidative damage resulting from neutrophils and myeloperoxidase response. Moreover, chickenmeal and fishmeal even show pro-oxidant responses in some of the models tested during this study. It was found that the BSF protein derivatives used in this study could be effective in protecting the animal cells from oxidative damage as a consequence of immune response.European legislation permits the inclusion of insect proteins in pet and aquaculture diets. Black soldier fly larvae (BSF) are one of the most actively produced species due to their low environmental impact and nutritional characteristics. BSF protein derivatives (proteins and protein hydrolysates) contain a substantial amount of low molecular weight peptides that are known to possess antioxidant potential. In this study, the in vitro antioxidant potential of commercial BSF proteins and protein hydrolysates was investigated for (1) radical scavenging activity, (2) myeloperoxidase activity modulation, and (3) neutrophil response modulation. Chickenmeal and fishmeal are commonly used in pet food and aquaculture formulations. Hence, both were used as industrial benchmarks during this study. The results indicate that fishmeal and chickenmeal are ineffective at suppressing the oxidative damage caused by neutrophil response and myeloperoxidase activity. Fishmeal and chickenmeal even exhibit pro-oxidant behavior in some of the models used during this study. On the other hand, it was found that BSF protein derivatives could be effective in protecting against the cellular damage resulting from neutrophil and myeloperoxidase activities. The outcomes of this study indicate that BSF protein derivatives could be potentially included in pet food and aquaculture feed formulations as health-promoting ingredients.

Potential Pharmaceutical and Food Applications of Postbiotics: A Review.

In recent decades, functional foods with ingredients comprising probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics have been gaining a lot of attention from scientists. Probiotics and postbiotics are usually applied in pharmaceutical formulations and/or commercial food-based products. These bioactive agents can be associated with host eukaryotic cells and have a key role in maintaining and restoring host health. The review describes the concept of postbiotics, their quality control and potential applications in pharmaceutical formulations and commercial food-based products for health promotion, prevention of disease and complementary treatment. Despite the effectiveness of probiotic products, researchers have introduced the concept of postbiotic to optimize their beneficial effects as well as to meet the needs of consumers to provide a safe product. The finding of recent studies suggests that postbiotics might be appropriate alternative agents for live probiotic cells and can be applied in medical, veterinary and food practice to prevent and to treat some diseases, promote animal health status and develop functional foods. Presently scientific literature confirms that postbiotics, as potential alternative agents, may have superiority in terms of safety relative to their parent live cells, and due to their unique characteristics in terms of clinical, technological and economical aspects, can be applied as promising tools in the drug and food industry for developing health benefits, and therapeutic aims.

Construction and immune efficacy of recombinant Lactobacillus casei strains expressing Malt from Aeromonas veronii

Aeromonas veronii is an important zoonotic pathogen that causes significant economic losses in the aquaculture industry. The use of probiotics in aquaculture is a practical alternative to antibiotics to promote animal health and aid in disease prevention. In the present study, we aimed to construct a recombinant Lactobacillus casei(surface-displayed or secretory) strain containing Malt from A. veronii TH0426 and assess its potential as an oral vaccine. A 1314-bp Malt gene fragment was successfully amplified and cloned into a prokaryotic protein expression system. Protein expression in resulting recombinant strains Lc-MCS-Malt (surface-displayed) and Lc-pPG-Malt (secretory) was then verified by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence. A single band was observed on the Western blots, with the molecular weight of the corresponding protein shown to be 48 kDa. Furthermore, a fluorescent signal for Lc-MCS-Malt was observed by fluorescence microscopy. At 0, 7, 16, 25, and 34 days post-immunization, tissue and blood samples were collected from common carp orally administered with the recombinant L. casei strains for immune-related index analyses. Treatment of common carp with the recombinant vaccine candidate stimulated high serum or skin mucus specific antibody titers and induced a higher lysozyme, ACP, SOD activity, while fish fed with Lc-pPG or PBS had no detectable immobilizing immune responses. Expression of IL-10, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ genes in the group immunized with recombinant L. casei were significantly (P < 0.05) up regulated as compared with control groups, indicating that inflammatory response and cell immune response were triggered. Results also showed that recombinant L. casei could stimulate the mucosa through colonization of the intestine, resulting in increased transcription of IL-10, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. Immunity and colonization assays also showed that after 34 days of fasting, recombinant L. casei were still present in the intestines of the immunized fish. Common carp that received Lc-MCS-Malt(53.3%) and Lc-pPG-Malt (46.7%) exhibited higher survival rates than the controls after challenge with the pathogen A. veronii. Our findings suggested that recombinant L. casei can adequately protect fish and improve immunity, providing a theoretical basis for the future development of an oral Lactobacillus vaccine for use in aquaculture.

Assessing the Adoption of Recommended Standards, Novel Approaches, and Best Practices for Animal Health Surveillance by Decision Makers in Europe.

Animal health surveillance is an important tool for disease mitigation and helps to promote animal health and welfare, protect human health, support efficient animal production, and enable trade. This study aimed to assess adoption of recommended standards and best practice for surveillance (including risk-based approaches) in Europe. It included scoping interviews with surveillance experts in Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland to gather information on knowledge acquisition, decisions and implementation of surveillance, and perceptions. This was followed by an online survey among animal health and food safety surveillance users in EU, EEA, and Schengen countries. A total of 166 responses were collected from 27 countries; 111 were eligible for analysis. A strong preference for legislation and established standards was observed, with peer-reviewed publications, conferences, symposia, and workshops to be major sources of information. The majority of respondents indicated a need for international evaluation for surveillance and implied that considerations of cost-effectiveness were essential when making a decision to adopt new surveillance standards. However, most of the respondents did not use a formal evaluation to inform the adoption of new standards or only conducted a descriptive assessment before their implementation or adaptation. Only a few respondents reported a quantitative economic evaluation despite economic efficiency being considered as a highly relevant criterion for surveillance implementation. Constraints mentioned in the adoption of new surveillance standards included insufficient time, financial and human resources, and lack of competency. Researchers aiming to achieve impact by their surveillance work are advised to consider ways of influencing binding standards and to disseminate their work pro-actively using varied channels of engagement tailored to relevant target audiences and their needs. Generally, a more formal linkage between surveillance information and disease mitigation decisions—for example, by using systematic evaluation—could help increase the economic value of surveillance efforts. Finally, a collaborative, international platform for exchange and learning on surveillance as well as co-design and dissemination of surveillance standards is recommended.

Influence of Daytime LED Light Exposure on Circadian Regulatory Dynamics of Metabolism and Physiology in Mice.

Light is a potent biologic force that profoundly influences circadian, neuroendocrine, and neurobehavioral regulation in animals. Previously we examined the effects of light-phase exposure of rats to white light-emitting diodes (LED), which emit more light in the blue-appearing portion of the visible spectrum (465 to 485 nm) than do broad-spectrum cool white fluorescent (CWF) light, on the nighttime melatonin amplitude and circadian regulation of metabolism and physiology. In the current studies, we tested the hypothesis that exposure to blue-enriched LED light at day (bLAD), compared with CWF, promotes the circadian regulation of neuroendocrine, metabolic, and physiologic parameters that are associated with optimizing homeostatic regulation of health and wellbeing in 3 mouse strains commonly used in biomedical research (C3H [melatonin-producing], C57BL/6, and BALB/c [melatonin-non-producing]). Compared with male and female mice housed for 12 wk under 12:12-h light:dark (LD) cycles in CWF light, C3H mice in bLAD evinced 6-fold higher peak plasma melatonin levels at the middark phase; in addition, high melatonin levels were prolonged 2 to 3 h into the light phase. C57BL/6 and BALB/c strains did not produce nighttime pineal melatonin. Body growth rates; dietary and water intakes; circadian rhythms of arterial blood corticosterone, insulin, leptin, glucose, and lactic acid; pO₂ and pCO₂; fatty acids; and metabolic indicators (cAMP, DNA, tissue DNA 3H-thymidine incorporation, fat content) in major organ systems were significantly lower and activation of major metabolic signaling pathways (mTOR, GSK3β, and SIRT1) in skeletal muscle and liver were higher only in C3H mice in bLAD compared with CWF. These data show that exposure of C3H mice to bLAD compared with CWF has a marked positive effect on the circadian regulation of neuroendocrine, metabolic, and physiologic parameters associated with the promotion of animal health and wellbeing that may influence scientific outcomes. The absence of enhancement in amelatonic strains suggests hyperproduction of nighttime melatonin may be a key component of the physiology.

Could probiotics be the panacea alternative to the use of antimicrobials in livestock diets?

Probiotics are most frequently derived from the natural microbiota of healthy animals. These bacteria and their metabolic products are viewed as nutritional tools for promoting animal health and productivity, disease prevention and therapy, and food safety in an era defined by increasingly widespread antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens. In contemporary livestock production, antimicrobial usage is indispensable for animal welfare, and employed to enhance growth and feed efficiency. Given the importance of antimicrobials in both human and veterinary medicine, their effective replacement with direct-fed microbials or probiotics could help reduce antimicrobial use, perhaps restoring or extending the usefulness of these precious drugs against serious infections. Thus, probiotic research in livestock is rapidly evolving, aspiring to produce local and systemic health benefits on par with antimicrobials. Although many studies have clearly demonstrated the potential of probiotics to positively affect animal health and inhibit pathogens, experimental evidence suggests that probiotics' successes are modest, conditional, strain-dependent, and transient. Here, we explore current understanding, trends, and emerging applications of probiotic research and usage in major livestock species, and highlight successes in animal health and performance.

Effects of Bacillus aryabhattai TBRC8450 on vibriosis resistance and immune enhancement in Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

The use of probiotics in aquaculture is a practical alternative to promote animal health and disease prevention. Meanwhile, this practice can also reduce the use of prophylactic antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to identify candidate probiotics that could control pathogen populations in host's gastrointestinal (GI) tract and stimulate host immunity in shrimp aquaculture. Bacillus aryabhattai TBRC8450, a bacterial strain isolated from the environment in a shrimp farm, has an antimicrobial activity against many pathogenic strains of Vibrio harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus. Supplementation of B. aryabhattai to Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) not only decreased the abundance of Vibrio populations, but also shifted the bacterial community in the shrimp GI tract. We found that supplementation of B. aryabhattai triggered shrimp innate immunity and antioxidant activities. mRNA expression of genes encoding microbial peptides and antioxidant enzymes, including C-type lectin, penaeidin-3, heat shock protein 60, thioredoxin, and ferritin, was significantly upregulated in the hepatopancreas of shrimp fed B. aryabhattai. Furthermore, phenoloxidase activity in the hemocytes and the total antioxidant activity in the plasma were increased, indicating enhanced immune and antioxidant responses at the systemic level. In contrast, supplementation of B. aryabhattai had no effect on the total hemocyte count and superoxide dismutase activity in the plasma and hepatopancreas. Importantly, a pathogen challenge test using V. harveyi 1562 showed a significant increase in survival rates of shrimp fed B. aryabhattai compared to the control group. Our findings suggest that B. aryabhattai TBRC8450 can likely be used as a probiotic to reduce the population of V. harveyi in the shrimp GI tract and to enhance shrimp innate immunity and antioxidant capacity for vibriosis resistance in shrimp aquaculture.

Ethnoveterinary study of medicinal plants used in animals from the microregion of Alto Médio Gurguéia - Piauí

The objective of this work was to investigate, rescue and document popular knowledge about the use of medicinal plants in the promotion of animal health in the Alto Médio Gurguéia microregion, Piauí. We interviewed people with experience at animal husbandry, and with knowledge about the use of medicinal plants, using non-random sampling. For this purpose, visits were made to rural properties and to support agencies for rural producers (ADAPI and EMATER). There were 61 interviews were conducted between producers and professionals in the agrarian sciences, regardless of sex or age. For the interviews, semi-structured forms with open and closed questions were used. During field research 43 species of plants used in the treatment of animal diseases or conditions were cited. Only at six most cited are described in the table, Aloe Vera L., Drimys brasiliensis, Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.), Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Gossypium hirsutum, Caryocar coriaceum Wittm, Hancornia speciosa Gomez, Guapira graciliflora, Mauritia flexuosa, detailing the taxonomy, therapeutic indications, the parts used, the methods of preparation and the treated animals. The species described were the most cited not by coincidence, are plants that stand out in several ethnobotanical researches and demonstrate a wide medicinal potentiality, even though they have scarce scientific evidence of their biological activities.

Editorial: New tools to confront future biothreats

The risks associated with the emergence or spread of animal diseases are hardly a new topic for veterinarians. In recent years, other scientific communities, experts and policy-makers have come to consider, quite rightly, that the benefits of actions to promote animal health are not restricted to improving animal health and productivity, they are also key components of any biothreat reduction policy. Animal pathogens can be used as biological weapons or for terrorism purposes.