Bulbourethral glands (Cowper´s glands) are one of the accessory genital glands, which play an important role in the cleaning and neutralizing of the acidic environment of the urethra prior to ejaculation. The aim of the present work is to study the morphological features of the bulbourethral glands of donkey by using histological and histochemical methods by using different staining methods such as hematoxylin and eosin, trichrome stain, Verhoff’s stain and Gomoris reticulin stain, PAS, alcian blue, Combined PAS/ alcian blue and Best’s carmine satin. The bulbourethral glands of donkeys were of the combined tubuloalveolar type and lined by principal and basal cells. The activity of the bulbourethral glands varied according to the seasons. It showed maximal activity during spring, which manifested by an increase in the epithelial height and decreasing the nuclear/cell ratio, and the principal cells showed a strong reaction for PAS and aclian blue. Minimal activity was observed in winter, in which the epithelium reaches its minimal height, and the nuclear/cell ratio was increased, and the principal cells showed weak reaction for PAS and aclian blue. In conclusion, this first report describes the histomorphological features of the bulbourethral glands of the donkey. In addition, it showed its different activity during the seasons of the year.

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite, is the aetiological agent of toxoplasmosis, a disease that affects approximately 25% – 30% of the world’s population. At present, no safe and effective vaccine exists for the prevention of toxoplasmosis. Current treatment options for toxoplasmosis are active only against tachyzoites and may also cause bone marrow toxicity. To contribute to the global search for novel agents for the treatment of toxoplasmosis, we herein report the in vitro activities of previously synthesised benzyltriazole derivatives. The effects of these compounds against T. gondii in vitro were evaluated by using a expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) type I strain parasite (RH-GFP) and a type II cyst-forming strain of parasite (PruΔku80Δhxgprt). The frontline antitubercular drug isoniazid, designated as Frans J. Smit -isoniazid (FJS-INH), was also included in the screening as a preliminary test in view of future repurposing of this agent. Of the compounds screened, FJS-302, FJS-303, FJS-403 and FJS-INH demonstrated 80% parasite growth inhibition with IC50 values of 5.6 µg/mL, 6.8 µg/µL, 7.0 µg/mL and 19.8 µg/mL, respectively. FJS-302, FJS-303 and FJS-403 inhibited parasite invasion and replication, whereas, sulphadiazine (SFZ), the positive control, was only effective against parasite replication. In addition, SFZ induced bradyzoite differentiation in vitro, whilst FJS-302, FJS-303 and FJS-403 did not increase the bradyzoite number. These results indicate that FJS-302, FJS-303 and FJS-403 have the potential to act as a viable source of antiparasitic therapeutic agents.

No abstract is available.

Staphylococcosis infections are common in poultry worldwide because of the causative bacteria resisting a wide range of commonly used antibiotics. The formation of biofilm is the hallmark characteristic of staph infection. Biofilms constitute reservoir of pathogens and are associated with resistance to antimicrobial agent and chronic infections. In this study 90 multidrug resistant staphylococcus strains (61 coagulase- negative staphylococcus (CNS) and 29 S. aureus) were screened by tissue culture plate method for biofilm formation and presence of mecA, icaA, and icaD genes by PCR technique. 38 (42.2%) isolates were strongly positive for biofilm production, 49 (54.4%) were moderate biofilm producers and 3 (3.4%) were weak or negative for biofilm formation. All biofilm producing strains were positive for icaA and icaD genes, and all biofilm negative strains were negative for icaA gene. Biofilm production was higher in methicillin resistant strains as compared to the methicillin sensitive strains of Staphylococcus species. From this study attention should be given in treatment of staphylococcus because Staphylococci isolated showed a high extent of biofilm production. All biofilm producing Staphylococci are positive for icaA and icaD genes, which indicates the important role of ica genes as virulence markers in staphylococcal infections.

Corrigendum to “Personality in young horses and ponies evaluated during breeding shows: Phenotypic link with jumping competition results” Journal of Veterinary Behavior 44 (2021) 1–11/ JVEB_2018_190 paru dans Journal of Veterinary Behavior Volume 66, August 2023, Page 35 DOI:10.1016/j.jveb.2023.06.011 WOS:001068066200001 | International audience | Animal personality, the result of temperament being modulated by life events, is an important factor to be considered when breeding and using domestic horses. In the breeding of sport horses, personality appears as a secondary trait in selection objectives after competition performance. Moreover, the per-sonality trait of fearfulness may be viewed as a risk factor for riders. This study aimed to estimate the variability of personality characteristics measured during breeding shows and their phenotypic correla-tion with performance in jumping competitions. Data for personality characteristics were recorded during 67 breeding shows in France on 876 jumping horses, 424 jumping ponies and 45 leisure ponies aged 2 or 3 years. Their behavior was assessed during 1) customary rounds (CR) of breeding shows (conforma-tion, free jumping and height measurement at withers) and 2) specific tests (ST) conducted in-hand that measured fearfulness (novel object, novel surface and suddenness tests) and tactile sensitivity. Not all the animals were evaluated on all the behavior tests. Jumping performances from 4 to 7 years old were recorded for 724 of the horses and for 313 of the ponies in official competitions specific for horses or ponies. Environmental effects were estimated using general linear model taking into account breeding show, age and sex. The breeding show effect was significant on 23 out of 28 characteristics. Age and sex influenced approximately one third of the characteristics: younger animals were more fearful; males moved and whinnied more; geldings appeared slightly more fearful during ST. Jumping performances were mostly independent of personality characteristics. In horses, performances were phenotypically pos-itively linked with 3 characteristics during jumping CR (whinnies ( P = 0.05), main gait when entering ( P = 0.02), evasive behaviors ( P = 0.03)) and with posture during conformation evaluation CR ( P = 0.04). In ponies, jumping performances were phenotypically positively linked only with whinnies: during CR of height measurement ( P = 0.02) and during all ST ( P = 0.01). As no main fear variables were significantly related to jumping performances in the two studied populations, it seems that less fearful horses and ponies may perform well in show jumping.

Since April 2020, when the first SARS-CoV-2 infection was reported in mink and subsequently in mink farm workers in the Netherlands, it has been confirmed that human-to-mink and mink-to-human transmission can occur. Later, SARS-CoV-2 infections in mink were reported in many European and North American countries. Samples from 590 mink from a total of 28 farms were tested by real-time RT-PCR. Whole genome sequences from one positive farm were generated and genetic relatedness was established. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected on a breeder farm with stock of 5,850 mink. Active viraemia was confirmed in individually tested samples with Ct values respectively between 19.4 and 29.6 for E and N gene fragments. Further testing of samples from culled animals revealed 70% positivity in throat swabs and 30% seropositivity in blood samples. Phylogenetic analysis of full-length nucleotide sequences of two SARS-CoV-2 isolates revealed that they belong to the 20B Nextstrain clade. Several nucleotide mutations were found in analysed samples compared to the reference Wuhan HU-1 strain and some of them were nonsynonymous. We report the infection of mink with SARS-CoV-2 on one farm in Poland and the results of subsequent analysis of virus sequences from two isolates. These data can be useful for assessment of the epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 in Poland and how it endangers public health.

In our study, we evaluated the beneficial effect of luteolin in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in rat models induced by cerebral hypoperfusion by two-vessel occlusion (2-VO). Seventy-five male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to 2-VO surgery, in all but 15 (the sham group, group I) the ligation being permanent to impair cognitive abilities. The sham group rats received saline instead of a drug; 15 2-VO rats were not injected at all (the model group, group II); 15 2-VO rats were administered luteolin at 50 mg/kg b.w. (the lut 50 group, group III); to a further 15 luteolin was given at 100 mg/kg b.w. (the lut 100 group, group IV); and the final 15 received nimodipine at 16 mg/kg b.w. as positive controls (the nimodipine group, group V). Object recognition and Morris water maze tests were performed to investigate memory ability. A Western blot test was also conducted to assess expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), its downstream target protein kinase B (Akt), and the phosphorylated form (P-Akt) in cerebral cortex and hippocampus tissue samples. Significant variations in the discrimination index in the object recognition test, the escape latencies in the Morris water maze test, and expression levels of PI3K-p110α and PI3K-p85 were observed three months after 2-VO surgery in both lut groups, with a significant change in the nimodipine group compared to the model group. P-Akt and Akt were expressed significantly higher in both lut groups and the nimodipine group than in the model group. Luteolin treatment of rats cognitively dysfunctional after experimental cerebral hypo perfusion was neuroprotective by activating the PI3K/Akt signals which inhibit neuronal death in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal region.

Mycobacteriosis is a significant disease of companion and wild birds which causes emaciation and widely distributed lesions, as well as being a potential zoonosis. Its primary aetiological agents in birds are Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and the fastidious Mycobacterium genavense. This study monitored the therapy of birds naturally infected with Mycobacterium genavense to gain understanding of its effectiveness and the interrelation of co-infections with the disease course and pharmacotherapy. Five Atlantic canaries (Serinus canaria) and one Bengalese finch (Lonchura striata) with tentative diagnoses of mycobacteriosis resulting from M. genavense infection were treated twice daily with clarithromycin at 40 mg/kg, ethambutol at 30 mg/kg, and moxifloxacin at 10 mg/kg for 6 months. Two canaries were also found to be carriers of Cryptosporidium galli. Mycobacteria in faecal samples of all birds were investigated by bacterioscopy and quantitative PCR. Molecular tests yielded positive results for up to four months after treatment initiation for M. genavense and Cryptosporidium, but microscopy failed to detect the latter after four weeks in specimens from one canary. Co-infections with polyomavirus (in all birds) and circovirus and bornavirus (in canaries) were diagnosed. Two birds died during treatment and one was euthanised because of other disease, 1 month after treatment completion. Three canaries were in relatively good health a year after treatment. Canary circovirus and polyomavirus co-infection may suppress the immune system and this may facilitate the development of mycobacteriosis. The set of drugs used led to the complete cure of mycobacteriosis in three canaries. In one bird the disease returned. Clarithromycin was the active drug against C. galli. Molecular methods serve well to monitor mycobacteriosis therapy and identify M. genavense and C. galli carriage.

Introduction of an animal viral disease, especially a notifiable disease, into an importing country or region free from the disease may lead to serious epidemiological consequences and economic losses. Trade in live animals is historically considered one of the most important risk pathways. To estimate the magnitude of such risk, the likelihood of a virus’ entry into a country and the consequences of this event should be jointly evaluated. Depending on data availability, the urgency of the problem and the detail level of the objectives, a risk assessment may be conducted in a qualitative, semi-quantitative or quantitative way. The purpose of this review was firstly to provide a brief description of each step of the risk analysis process, with particular emphasis on the risk assessment component, and subsequently to supply examples of different approaches to the assessment of the risk of the introduction of selected animal viral diseases. Based on the reviewed models, the overall likelihood of introduction of particular diseases was generally estimated as low. The output risk value was strongly dependent on the duration of the silent phase of the epidemic in the country of origin. Other parameters with some bearing upon the risk derived from the epidemiological situation in the country of origin and the biosecurity or mitigation measures implemented in the country of destination. The investigated models are universal tools for conducting assessment of the risk of introduction of various animal diseases to any country. Their application may lead to timely implementation of appropriate measures for the prevention of the spread of a disease to another country or region.

Apocrine sweat gland carcinomas (ASGCs) are rare malignant skin tumours in dogs and humans. The literature published so far focuses mostly on the clinico-epidemiological aspect of these tumours, but little is known about their pathogenesis. In this study we aimed to determine whether the p53 gene is involved in the carcinogenesis of the apocrine sweat gland in dogs and whether ultraviolet radiation (UV) is related to it. Forty canine ASGCs were submitted to laser capture microdissection to isolate neoplastic cells, from which DNA was subsequently extracted. PCR amplification and sequencing of p53 exons 2–8 was then performed, followed by computer analysis of the obtained sequences. Sixteen mutations within the p53 gene were found in 13 tumours. The mutations involved C → T, T → C, G → A, and CC → TT transitions, C → G transversion and adenine deletion, which are gene alteration types known to be related to UV radiation in the process of skin carcinogenesis in humans. Six of the thirteen tumour cases displayed the C → T transitions in the same location in exon 4 and three of the thirteen cases displayed T → C in the same location in exon 5. The results of the present study indicate both the participation of the p53 gene and the influence of UV radiation in the formation of ASGCs in dogs.