Regional Veterinary Laboratory Research Articles

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИЯ И ПРОЯВЛЕНИЯ ЭШЕРИХИОЗА У ТЕЛЯТ

The aim of the work was to study the epizootological features, the spread and manifestation of escherichiosis in calves. The distribution, epizootological features, course, and clinical manifestation of escherichiosis in calves were studied. Patmaterial was taken from sick and fallen calves and sent to the GBU Kropotkin Regional Veterinary Laboratory to clarify the laboratory diagnosis." 32 infectious diseases have been identified, of which 13 are of viral etiology and 19 are bacterial infections. In livestock enterprises of the Krasnodar Territory, calves were found to have common infectious diseases leukemia, parainfluenza-3, viral diarrhea, adenovirus infection, oral and coronavirus disease, rabies. Among infectious diseases of bacterial etiology, the most common diseases were colibacteriosis, enterococcosis, streptococcosis, pseudomoniasis, campylobacteriosis, pasteurellosis and malignant edema. Escherichiosis in livestock farms of the Krasnodar Territory in the period 2017-2021 was found in calves in 22 districts of the region. At the same time, they were detected in the Caucasus (33%), Kanevsky (13%), Korenovsky (9%), Timashevsky (8%), Leningrad (7%) districts. Bacteriological and serological methods revealed 16 variants of E. coli O20 (17%), O55 (12%), O26 (8%), O86 (7%). Escherichiosis in the Krasnodar Territory is the most common disease in calves, manifested by a syndrome of damage to the respiratory tract and inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal system. In case of escherichiosis in sick calves, superacute, acute course of escherichiosis, enteritic and septic forms of manifestation were detected in two farms of the Leningrad and Caucasian districts of the Krasnodar Territory.

Design of a dry specialized dairy product and study of its physiology effect on the body

This article is devoted to the development of a dry specialized dairy product. This specialized dairy product will be made from organic raw materials. There are also some descriptions about effects of the ingredients on the human and animal physiology. The developed product must have the following requirements: it belongs to the group of organic products, i.e., produced from organic raw materials; have increased nutritional value, resistance to long-term storage, good transportability, high organoleptic and physico-chemical indicators, meet other quality and safety indicators. The product is made with the innovative technology based on powdered milk and high–fat cream has such requirements. Those facilitate of increased nutritional value and storage capacity. The product is produced by the gentlest method the freeze-drying method. This method of production can be used when you need to preserve all the useful and native properties of the finished product. The specialized product of a dry creamy vegetable spread with high nutritional value and long-term storage (up to 24 months) and its technology will be obtained. The results of the research were carried out at the of the Omsk State Agrarian University and the Omsk Region Budgetary Institution “Omsk Regional Veterinary Laboratory”.

Contribution of the one health approach to strengthening health security in Uganda: a case study

BackgroundThe One Health approach is key in implementing International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) and the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). Uganda is signatory to the IHR 2005 and in 2017, the country conducted a Joint External Evaluation (JEE) that guided development of the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) 2019–2023.AimThis study assessed the contribution of the One Health approach to strengthening health security in Uganda.MethodsA process evaluation between 25th September and 5th October 2020, using a mixed–methods case study. Participants were Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from government ministries, departments, agencies and implementing partners. Focus group discussions were conducted for five technical areas (workforce development, real-time surveillance, zoonotic diseases, national laboratory systems and emergency response operations), spanning 18 indicators and 96 activities. Funding and implementation status from the NAPHS launch in August 2019 to October 2020 was assessed with a One Health lens.ResultsFull funding was available for 36.5% of activities while 40.6% were partially funded and 22.9% were not funded at all. Majority (65%) of the activities were still in progress, whereas 8.6% were fully implemented and14.2% were not yet done. In workforce development, several multisectoral trainings were conducted including the frontline public health fellowship program, the One Health fellowship and residency program, advanced field epidemiology training program, in-service veterinary trainings and 21 district One Health teams’ trainings. Real Time Surveillance was achieved through incorporating animal health events reporting in the electronic integrated disease surveillance and response platform. The national and ten regional veterinary laboratories were assessed for capacity to conduct zoonotic disease diagnostics, two of which were integrated into the national specimen referral and transportation network. Multisectoral planning for emergency response and the actual response to prioritized zoonotic disease outbreaks was done jointly.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the contribution of ‘One Health’ implementation in strengthening Uganda’s health security. Investment in the funding gaps will reinforce Uganda’s health security to achieve the IHR 2005. Future studies could examine the impacts and cost-effectiveness of One Health in curbing prioritized zoonotic disease outbreaks.

Partipatory disease surveilance in Fentale & Adama Districts of East Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State

Livestock play a major role in the livelihoods of over 70% of the population. Small ruminants provide with a vast range of products and services, including milk, meat, skins, and wool throughout the year. Diseases of small ruminants are one of the common problems that hinder production. One is Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), or small ruminant plague, is a viral disease primarily affecting goats and sheep. The objectives of the study were to prioritize the major diseases of sheep and goat in selected districts of oromia Regional state based on producer’s perception in participatory manner and to understand the status of PPR through PDS technique to enlighten further epidemiological study and future control endeavor. Two districts were selected from the zone (Fentale and Adama) and the selection of the PAs (the lowest administrative level in Ethiopia) in each district was determined in discussion with the district livestock offices. A PDS team from Asella Regional Veterinary Laboratory was deployed to field and collected, reviewed of secondary data and participatory disease search at the zone. Participatory epidemiology techniques like Semi structured interviewing, Ranking and scoring, participatory mapping, proportional pilling and semi-structured interview and seasonal disease calendars were utilized. The major livestock species raised in Fentale are cattle, Sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, camels and poultry and whereas, major livestock species rose in Adama are cattle, Goat, Sheep, donkeys, Horse, mules and poultry. In all district, disease is mentioned the major challenge to the production of small ruminant. A disease like PPR, Fasciolosis, Pasterolosis, footrot, Sheep and Goat pox were the main small ruminant disease mentioned.

Serological Prevalence of Ovine Fasciolosis at Two Slaughterhouse in the Province of Djelfa in Algeria

The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence and some associated risk factors of Fasciola hepatica in sheep in the Algerian agro-pastoral region, Djelfa. For this, a total of 217 blood samples were taken from sheep (100 females and 117 males) aged on average ten months in two slaughterhouses in an Algerian agro-pastoral region, Djelfa during the period from January to October 2021 and analyzed by the ELISA method (BIOK 211-Monoscreen AbELISA Fasciola hepatica test) at the regional veterinary laboratory of Laghouat. The collected sera were numbered and stored at -20°C until analysis. Technical sheets were filled out with each sampled animal, including information on age, sex, locality and season. The results showed that the rate of positive seroprevalence of Fasciola hepatica was 0.46% in sheep. This positivity rate was found in April in a 2-year-old female. At the same time, two doubtful cases (0.92%) were identified, one in a five-year-old female during the month of August and the other in a six-month-old male during the month of September. These results indicate the possibility of fasciolosis infestation in sheep farms in the Djelfa region and the zoonotic risk that this represents, as well as the economic losses that result from it.

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Outbreaks

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an economically important transboundary viral infection of cloven-hoofed animals caused by foot and mouth disease virus belonging to the genus Aphthovirus & family Picornaviridae. It is a well-customary endemic infection globally since it was first time isolated in 1957. Ten (10) years (January 2011-December 2020) retrospective study was a shepherd with key objectives of recognizing the spatial & temporal distribution and forecasting the future patterns of FMD explosions in West Hararghe Zone (WHZ) of Eastern Ethiopia using data from outbreak reports obtained from Hirna Regional Veterinary Laboratory. Totality 45 FMD upsurges were noted to occur in WHZ between 2011 and 2020 with a mean & median of 4.5 & 3.5 upsurges every year, respectively. In that period, the FMD outbreak was noted at least once in each district of the Zone. The average prevalence of FMD explosions in the district area was 1.12 district year. The prevalence differed among districts, the lowest being in Anchar (0.68/10 district year) & highest in Chiro town (1.77/10 district year) and The long-period tendency of FMD explosions indicated a statistically significant increase over 10 years period (p<0.001). The level of the outbreak reached its peak in March & the low in June to August. The existence of FMD explosion was got to be seasonal whereby the levels of upsurges were relatively high during the hot season. The spatial & temporal disposition identified in this work showed those risky areas that are prone to the contingency of FMD upsurges & the time period in which they predominantly occur. The unregulated & frequent cattle movements could have been the likely basis of the increased level of upsurge contingency during the hot season. Therefore, animal movement biosafety regulations should be taken for the long-time benchmark of FMD in WHZ.

РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИЕ И ПРОЯВЛЕНИЕ ПАРАЗИТОЗОВ У ПЧЕЛ В КРАСНОДАРСКОМ КРАЕ

The article presents materials on the study of the distribution and manifestation of the main parasitosis in bees in the Krasnodar Territory in the period from 2019 to 2021. The studies were carried out in the farms of the Krasnodar Territory and in the Kropotkin Regional Veterinary Laboratory. For experimental studies, bees of the Caucasian breed Apis mellifera carnica were used. In laboratory studies, various methods were used: clinical, epizootological, bacteriological, pathomorphological, serological, luminescent and light microscopy. As a result of research during the study period, in 2019, out of 2010 bee colonies from different regions of the Krasnodar Territory, positive samples were found for colibacillosis 4, citrobacteriosis 17 and proteus infection 2. In 2020, out of 2010 bee colonies from different regions, 10 positive samples were found, of which 2 samples for colibacillosis, 5 tests for citrobacteriosis, 2 tests for proteus infection, one for hafniosis. In the study of bee colonies from different regions in 2021, out of 1500 samples of pathological material for various infectious diseases, a positive test for colibacillosis 2 samples, citrobacteriosis 6, proteus infection 2, hafniosis 1, nosematosis 108 samples was detected. In general, in the Krasnodar Territory, infection with varroosis averages 6.9%, in different regions from 4 to 9%. The defeat by American and European foulbrood was 3.5–4.4%. It has been established that it was varroosis that was one of the factors in the further development of American and European foulbrood of bees and that the development of these diseases proceeds mainly associatively with severe consequences. As a result, it was established that various diseases of bees are recorded in the Krasnodar Territory, among the most dangerous parasitosis varroosis, American and European foulbrood were found, more often they occur in an associative form, as well as ascospherosis, acarapidosis, braulosis, nosematosis. In the beekeeping farms of the Caucasus, Starominsk and Korenovsky districts in the Krasnodar Territory, the causative agents of varroosis were isolated mite Varroa jacobsoni, American foulbrood Bacillus larvae and European foulbrood Streptococcus pluton. The main clinical and pathoanatomical signs in the associative disease of bees with varroosis, American and European foulbrood: death of pupae, damage mainly to drone brood, deformity or absence of wings, uneven egg laying by the queen, damage to printed and open brood of bees, death and damage to larvae at the age of 3-4 and 8-9 days, the weakening of bee colonies and often their complete death.

Распространенность острых кишечных инфекций телят и поросят в Краснодарском крае

The scientific article presents statistical data on the results of laboratory studies for the presence of pathogenic microorganisms – causative agents of acute intestinal infections among young cattle and pigs in the Krasnodar Territory in the period from 2008 to 2022. The materials used to write the article were provided by GBU «Kropotkin Regional Veterinary Laboratory». In our work, the most frequently reported intestinal diseases of calves and piglets were highlighted, including escherichiosis, enterococcosis, staphylococcosis, streptococcosis, anaerobic enterotoxemia, citrobacteriosis, pseudomoniasis and edematous disease of piglets. A brief description of the pathogens was also given, the most common types of pathogenic bacteria were mentioned. Based on the available data, the frequency of occurrence of acute intestinal diseases was calculated, the percentage of registration of the most common pathogens of infections was established. It has been established that one of the most common acute intestinal pathologies among young cattle and pigs in the Krasnodar Territory over the past 15 years is escherichiosis. Pathogenic E. coli in pathological material was isolated in 41 % of cases in calves, and in 47 % in piglets. Enterococcal infection accounted for 43,3 % of studies in calves and 28,3 % in piglets. Pseudomoniasis, anaerobic enterotoxemia in calves, as well as edematous disease, staphylococcosis and citrobacteriosis in piglets have not been massively registered recently, but are manifested by sporadic outbreaks. Taking into account the current epizootic situation in the Krasnodar Territory for acute intestinal diseases in calves and piglets, it is necessary to conduct regular monitoring of them among the livestock, maintain the veterinary and sanitary condition of livestock farms at the proper level and seek effective, safe and environmentally friendly methods of controlling pathogens.

Mycotoxicological monitoring of feed and its role in prevention of animal mycotoxicoses

Mycotoxins can accumulate in raw materials of plant origin at different technological stages of its production. Most often, the producers of mycotoxins are fungi of the genera Aspergillus , Fusarium , Penicillium and some others. The clinical symptoms of mycotoxicoses vary significantly, and lethal outcomes are possible. For this reason, the mycotoxicological study of various types of feed under production conditions is an indispensable component of veterinary support of industrial animal husbandry. As part of this study, a retrospective analysis of the results of a mycotoxicological study of feed for different animal species was carried out in the Omsk region in 2017-2021. All feeds received by the Omsk Regional Veterinary Laboratory for 5 years for the determination of mycotoxins were examined for the presence of ochratoxin A, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, aflatoxin B 1, deoxynivalenol. It was established that almost 70 % of the studied samples contained mycotoxins, including their maximum allowable level was exceeded in 74 samples. Exceeding the permissible levels was noted for the content of T-2 toxin (34 samples), zearalenone (27 samples), ochratoxin A (6 samples), aflatoxin B 1 (4 samples) and deoxynivalenol (3 samples). The largest number of cases of contamination was recorded in the study of feed and feed mixtures. The greatest danger is the multiple contamination of feed with mycotoxins. This increases the risk of developing comorbid conditions and the spread of opportunistic infections.

Irish farmers’ interactions with regional veterinary laboratories- reasons, results, reactions: a survey

BackgroundAnimal health surveillance is important in ensuring optimal animal health and welfare. Monitoring of diagnostic submissions, including post-mortem examination of carcasses, at the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine laboratories, provides the basis for this type of passive surveillance in Ireland. The process requires engagement from veterinarians and farmers from all sectors of the agricultural spectrum. This study aims to identify the reasons why farmers engaged in dairy, beef, sheep, and mixed farming enterprises submit carcasses or not to the Regional Veterinary Laboratories.ResultsSurveys were distributed in hard copy format at Regional Veterinary Laboratories, and fifty Teagasc facilitated farmer discussion groups. There were 1179 responses collected in 54 locations. The top reasons participants submitted to the laboratories were 1) to guide treatment/ vaccination, 2) fear of a contagious disease, and 3) if their veterinarian advised them to. The top reasons for not submitting were 1) the vet making a diagnosis on the farm, 2) the distance from the laboratory, and 3) lack of time and labour. Implementation of vaccination protocols was the main change implemented based on results, followed by management changes and the use of different treatments, e.g., switching from antibiotic to parasite treatment. Sheep enterprises were more likely than dairy to choose distance and cost as a reason not to submit. Dairying enterprises were more likely than other enterprise types to submit if they feared a contagious or zoonotic disease.ConclusionPositively, this survey shows the desire of participants to submit to the laboratories to guide treatment and vaccination protocols, potentially indicating that positive engagement between stakeholders and the RVLs will help promote optimal animal health and promote responsible antimicrobial use. Results also show the critical role of veterinarians in continued disease surveillance on farms. Maintaining engagement with all farming sectors will be essential in promoting successful animal health surveillance.

Proof of Proficiency of Decentralized Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Diagnostics in Germany.

A proficiency test was performed to verify that the regional veterinary laboratories in Germany can provide reliable foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) diagnostics. Overall, 24 samples were to be analyzed for FMDV-specific nucleic acids by real-time RT-PCR, and 16 samples had to be tested by ELISA for antibodies against non-structural proteins of FMDV. For both methods, a range of dilutions of the original materials (inactivated FMDV vaccine or convalescent serum from infected animals, respectively) was prepared, and negative samples were included as well. All 23 participating laboratories were able to detect FMDV genome down to a dilution of 1:100,000 of the vaccine preparation. Even at a dilution of 1:1,000,000, FMDV genome was detected by more than half of the participants. With the antibody ELISA, all sera were correctly identified by all participating laboratories. No false-positive results were returned with either method. All participating laboratories were found to be fully proficient in FMDV diagnostics.

First Report of Lumpy Skin Disease in Myanmar and Molecular Analysis of the Field Virus Isolates.

Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) causes lumpy skin disease in cattle and buffaloes, which is associated with significant animal production and economic losses. Since the 2000s, LSDV has spread from Africa to several countries in the Middle East; Europe; and Asia; including, more recently, several south-east Asian countries. In November 2020, Myanmar reported its first LSD outbreak. This study reports on the first incursion of LSD in Myanmar and the molecular analysis of the LSDV detected. Staff from the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation collected samples from cattle with suspected LSD infection. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations’ Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) and the Joint International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)/FAO program’s Animal Health and Production laboratory provided LSDV diagnostic support to two regional veterinary diagnostic laboratories in Myanmar. Samples from 13 cattle tested positive by real-time PCR. Selected samples underwent sequence analysis in IAEA laboratories. The results show that the Myanmar LSDV sequences clustered with LSDV isolates from Bangladesh and India, LSDV Kenya, and LSDV NI-2490. Further characterization showed that the Myanmar LSDV is 100% identical to isolates from Bangladesh and India, implying a common source of introduction. These findings inform diagnosis and development of control strategies.

An investigation into bovine besnoitiosis (Besnoitia besnoiti) in an Irish pedigree Aberdeen Angus herd

AbstractThis case report describes the investigation of the first outbreak of bovine besnoitiosis in a beef/suckler herd in Ireland. Infection with Besnoitia besnoiti was suspected by the attending veterinarian following clinical examination of a chronically affected cow with areas of alopecia and marked skin thickening. Diagnosis of besnoitiosis was confirmed by Cork Regional Veterinary Laboratory based on histopathology of skin biopsies. Subsequent serological investigation using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay testing revealed a 17.8% seroprevalence within the herd, with 33% of adult cows seropositive. A clinical whole‐herd investigation found an overall clinical prevalence of besnoitiosis of 38.8%, based on the presence of sclerocysts and/or vulval cysts. There was poor agreement between serological and clinical findings. In contrast to serological findings, 83.8% of 18‐month‐old heifers and bulls had sclerocysts. Due to the high prevalence of besnoitiosis and the challenges of controlling spread, this pedigree herd was discontinued by the farmer.

Correlation between Testicular Morphometric Parameters and Sperm Reserves in Ghanaian West African Dwarf Rams.

The current study was conducted to investigate the association between testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in Ghanaian West African Dwarf rams. The intact scrotum along with testes and epididymides from twelve rams were collected immediately after slaughtering and transported to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory. The left testes and epididymides from all rams were dissected and the testes were individually weighed. The individual length, width, and volume of the testis and cauda epididymis were determined. Tissue samples were taken from testicular parenchyma, homogenized, and used to determine gonadal sperm concentration using a hemocytometer. Spermatozoa were recovered from the cauda epididymis by the incision method and used to determine the spermiogram. The weight, length, width, and volume of the testis were 63 ± 11 gram, 6.7 ± 0.44 cm, and 4.6 ± 0.40 and 74 ± 19 cm3, respectively, while the same parameters (except weight) for the cauda epididymis were 3.2 ± 0.35 cm, 1.8 ± 0.16 cm, and 5.48 ± 1.5 cm3, respectively. The sperm reserves per testis (SR), sperm reserves per gram testis (SRG), daily sperm production per testis (DSP), and daily sperm production per gram testis (DSPG) were (11,740 ± 386, 250 ± 6, 2350 ± 7.7, and 50 ± 1.0) million sperm cells, respectively. The cauda epididymal sperm reserves were 1,386 ± 456 million sperm cells, and the sperm motility (M%), morphologically normal viable cells (N%), dead sperm cells (D%), and morphologically abnormal sperm cells (A%) were 89 ± 3.2, 70.13 ± 8.0, 13.55 ± 5.05, and 16.33 ± 7.9, respectively. In conclusion, testicular morphometric parameters in Ghanaian West African Dwarf rams are highly and positively correlated (r = 0.7487–0.9354) with sperm reserves and production.

ДИАГНОСТИЧЕСКОЕ ЗНАЧЕНИЕ РЕАКЦИИ НЕПРЯМОЙ ГЕМАГГЛЮТИНАЦИИ (РНГА) В СРАВНЕНИИ С ИФА И ДРУГИМИ СЕРОЛОГИЧЕСКИМИ ТЕСТАМИ ПРИ ДИАГНОСТИКЕ БРУЦЕЛЛЕЗА КРУПНОГО РОГАТОГО СКОТА

The results of comparative diagnostic studies of blood sera from cattle for brucellosis from farms with different epizootic situations, performed in the laboratory of the Caspian zonal NIVI - a branch of the FGBNU "FANC RD" and the State Budgetary Institution "Kropotkin Regional Veterinary Laboratory", are presented. The diagnostic efficiency of the indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) with the use of erythrocyte antigen was studied in comparison with other serological methods, such as enzyme immunoassay (ELISA), agglutination test (RA), complement agglutination test (RSC), rose bengal test (RBP), immunodiffusion reaction with O-PS antigen (RID with O-PS antigen). In order to determine the specificity of serological tests, 52 blood serum samples from non-vaccinated animals from a safe farm were examined for brucellosis in RNGA, ELISA, RA, RSK, RBP and RID with O-PS antigen. All blood serum samples were tested with negative results. The sensitivity of the tested diagnostic tools was determined using 82 blood serum samples from cows immunized with the B. abortus 82 vaccine from a brucellosis-prone farm. The results of the studies showed that the infection in the herd proceeds in an acute form, as evidenced by a significant percentage of positively reacting to brucellosis of animals in the RID and high titers of RNHA, RA and RSK. Thus, a positive RNHA was obtained in 20 cases (24.4%), ELISA with the test system of LLC SPF "Sibbiotest" revealed 31 sick animals (37.8%), RSK - 20 (24.4%), RA and RBP - 17 (20.7%), ELISA test system from Biok - 15 (18.3%), RID with O-PS antigen - 9 (11%). It is important to note that the RNGA additionally identified animals that respond positively to brucellosis: to ELISA "Biok" - 5 (6.1%), RA and RBP - 3 (3.7%), RID - 11 (13.4%). The results of our studies have shown that the RNGA method is one of the most sensitive tests that allows to identify a high percentage of animals with brucellosis in a dysfunctional farm (24.4% of the studied ones), which is superior to the results of other serological methods. The results of comparative serological studies of bovine blood sera in RNHA, ELISA, RA, RSK, RBP and RID with O-PS confirmed the specificity of the tests and the high sensitivity of the RNHA method with brucellosis erythrocyte antigen.

Study of the Dynamics of Distribution, Seasonality, and Degree of Infection with Bovine Theileriosis in the Territory of Turkestan Region

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the need for rational planning and timely implementation of therapeutic and preventive measures with cattle in various geographical regions, to prevent the spread of ticks and to form an objective understanding of the real features of the epizootic situation in these regions. The purpose of the study is to investigate the dynamics of the spread, the seasonality, and the degree of infection with bovine theileriosis in the Turkestan Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The leading approach is a combination of the method of determining the species composition of ixodic mites using the technique developed by V.I. Pomerantsev, with a practical investigation of the seasonality of the spread of ticks, through a survey of various pastures, and regular collection of ticks from cattle during a certain period of the pasture season in stationary points, to establish the species composition of ticks and the degree of contamination of pastures. The research was carried out using the capabilities of the laboratory of the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the regional veterinary laboratory and on the farms of the Turkestan Region. Practical results were obtained in the course of this study, indicating the main trends in the dynamics of the spread, seasonality, and degree of infection with bovine theileriosis in the territory of the Turkestan Region and the country as a whole. The study results and the conclusions formulated on their basis have significant practical significance for livestock workers of the Turkestan Region of Kazakhstan, whose professional duties include monitoring the condition of cattle on these farms and preventing the occurrence and spread of various epidemics among animals.

THE COURSE OF ROTAVIRUS INFECTION IN SHEEP

The article presents data on the course of rotavirus infection of the sheep on sheep rearing farms in the Republic of Belarus. The influence of seasons, etiological causes, stages of infection, symptoms, pathomorphological and histological changes in internal organs were found. The wide incidence rate of diseases of mixed etiology in the digestive system of sheep and goats leads to enormous economic losses. Certain infectious diseases (rotavirus infection of sheep, etc.) cause a great economic damage in animal husbandry. The situation is aggravated by the fact that rotavirus infection very often manifests itself in association with other infectious diseases. The research was carried out in the conditions of the Department of Zoology, clinic of the Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, the Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, in the prosectorium of the Department of Pathological Anatomy and Histology, in the Serological Department of the Vitebsk Regional Veterinary Laboratory. The data of the Republican Center for Hydrometeorology, Control of Radioactive Contamination and Environmental Monitoring, Department of Production and Veterinary Control of the Vitebsk Meat Processing Plant were involved. The experiments were carried out in the conditions of the Senkovo sheep farm in the Vitebsk region. For this, three groups of animals were selected by the analogy model. In the 1st group, 3 ewes and 6 lambs with pathology of the respiratory organs were under observation. In the 2nd group there were 3 ewes and 6 lambs with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea). The 3rd group (control) included 3 ewes and 6 healthy lambs.

Monitoring of contamination of raw milk with residual quantities of antibiotics

Now in animal husbandry, more than 70 types of antibiotics are used, belonging to various groups. The most popular are longknown groups: penicillins, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins. The main reasons for the use of antibacterial agents are the presence of visible and latent pathologies in cows. Milk contaminated with antibiotics not only has significant restrictions on its use in processing, but also poses a serious threat to humans, as the end consumer of dairy products, as it provokes the development of antibiotic resistance. Laboratory studies were carried out on the basis of the Tyumen Regional Veterinary Laboratory in the Department of Microbiology, during 2019- 2020, the object of the study was 407 milk samples obtained from cows kept both in private farmsteads and in agricultural enterprises. It was found that 55.83% of raw milk samples delivered to the laboratory were contaminated with antibiotics. The most common antibiotic found in raw milk is amoxicillin (40.47% of all samples containing antibiotics), doxycycline (21.86%) was subdominant, erythromycin and azithromycin were encountered to a lesser extent (11.16% each), levofloxacin was encountered in 8.84% of milk samples with antibiotics, in rare cases the presence of streptomycin was recorded (6.51%). Most often, antibiotics were found in the summer. Thus, 54.42% of samples containing antibiotics were detected from June to August. Spring time accounted for 22.33% of all samples containing antibiotics. In autumn and winter, the proportion of samples with antibiotics was the smallest and amounted to 16.74 and 6.05%, respectively.

Gross testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in indigenous Ghanaian West African dwarf goats


 
 
 The West African Dwarf (WAD) goat has genetic potentials that can be exploited for improved goat production. However, their testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in Ghana are not well known. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sabtiu Musah abattoir in Kumasi, Ghana, to evaluate the gross testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in 10 indigenous WAD goats. The samples were stored on an ice chest and transported to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory for analysis on the day of collection. In the laboratory, the testes and epididymis were separated by dissection and then freed of all connective tissue and the Tunica albuginea. The weight, length, width and volume of the testis were determined. A segment of testicular parenchyma was incised and homogenized in a 20 ml normal saline solution. The resulting homogenate was stored in the refrigerator overnight and a filtered aliquot used for estimating spermatid concentration and sperm reserves. The weight, length, width, volume of the testis and the gonadosomatic index were 70.09 ±14.19 gm, 7.46 ± 0.52 cm, 5.08 ± 0.62, cm, 102.40 ± 29.40 ml and 5.09 ± 0.07%, respectively. The sperm reserves per the whole testis, sperm reserves per gramme testis, Daily Sperm production (DSP), and DSP per gramme testis of Ghanaian WAD bucks were 146.0 ± 50.95, 2.2 ± 0.62, 41.01 ± 14.3 and 0.62 ± 0.17 x109 spermatozoa, respectively. Indigenous West African Draft goats have a high potential for sperm production. It is recommended that further research be conducted on the semen quality parameters of this breed.
 
 

Features of clinical and pathomorphological picture in spontaneous infection of a domestic cat (lat. Félis cátus) with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

Today, cases of infection of various animal species with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus have become increasingly common. This virus has been isolated from numerous representatives of the feline family, European mink, ferret, raccoon dog, domestic dog, a number of primates and a number of other animals. In most susceptible animals, infection with this virus is manifested by certain clinical symptoms, the intensity of which depends on the type and age of the animals, on the presence of concomitant diseases. The pathological process can end in death with the development of characteristic pathoanatomical and histological changes. According to the results of preliminary studies conducted in the Republic of Belarus, the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in domestic cats. All the animals had a history of contact with COVID-19-infected owners. The aim of this work was to determine the features of clinical and pathoanatomical manifestations, histological changes in domestic cats infected with SARS-CoV-2. The studies were conducted among various sex and age groups of domestic cats. In total, we conducted a study of 300 flushes from various sexes and ages and pedigreed, autopsy of 10 corpses. The work was carried out in the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine, the Vitebsk Regional Veterinary Laboratory, the RSPC "Epidemiology and Microbiology" in Minsk, in the Belarusian State Veterinary Center. The circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in animals was determined by polymerase chain reaction (RT - PCR). When dissecting the corpses of animals, the nature and severity of pathomorphological changes were taken into account, a pathoanatomical diagnosis was made, and macrophotography was performed in natural light. The main clinical symptoms of the disease in adult animals are depression, refusal to feed, cough, shortness of breath; in young animals, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, diarrhea are often observed. When dissecting dead animals, macro-changes and micro-changes in organs and tissues are noted, indicating the development of pathological processes, both in the acute course of the disease and in the chronic one. Thus, the conducted studies and the results obtained confirmed and supplemented the data of world researchers, made it possible to determine the leading clinical symptoms of the disease and pathoanatomical changes in the domestic cat when infected with SARS-CoV-2. The obtained data of histological changes allowed a deeper and more detailed assessment and study of the pathogenesis of the disease, which will contribute to a rational approach in choosing the means of therapy of this disease. Key words: cats, coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, clinical symptoms, pathoanatomical changes, histological examination.