A 5-year old Holstein Friesian cross breed cow was presented to Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital with the history of reduced milk yield. Clinical examination of udder revealed normal milk color and soft udder. The milk pH was 7.0, with California Mastitis Test score 3+, Electrical Conductivity 270U, and Somatic Cell Count as 328,000. Isolation and identification of causative agent revealed Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from the sub-acute mastitis sample. Agar disc diffusion method for antimicrobial susceptibility revealed that the MRSA was sensitive to Enrofloxacin, Gentamicin, Oxytetracycline and Amoxicillin+Sulbactam. On the other hand, the isolate was resistance to Amoxicillin, Penicillin G, Ceftriaxone and Methicillin. The isolate was positive for β-lactamase resistance by Nitrocefin test. The MRSA was confirmed for the presence of mecA and blaZ target genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The cow was treated with Enrofloxacin, Vitamin E and inorganic Selenium, and was recovered after 5 days of post-treatment.

Hibiscus (H.) sabdariffa (commonly known as “Karkadeh” in Arabic) is widely used in various pharmacological applications in Sudan. The present study was carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of H. sabdariffa seed extracts using rat models. In acute anti-inflammatory models, oral administration of petroleum ether extract of H. sabdariffa seeds inhibited the hind paw edema (p<0.01) which was induced by carrageenan. The petroleum ether extract exhibited significant (p<0.01) inhibition of vascular permeability in rats induced by intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid (0.6%). In cotton pellet granuloma method, the petroleum ether extract of H. sabdariffa seed showed significant inhibition of granuloma. The extract reduced (p<0.001) abdominal constrictions which was induced by injection of acetic acid (0.7%). Analysis of seed oil of H. sabdariffa using Gas Chromatography revealed the presence of three fatty acids; these were linolelaidic acid, arachidic acid, and palmitic acid. In conclusion, H. sabdariffa seeds possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in rat model.

Two cases with a history of cessation of feces for 2 weeks, depression, lethargy and anorexia in two different dogs; a Labrador male and a Doberman female, were presented. On physical examination, abdominal distension along with intense pain was observed. Blood samples were collected from the dogs for hematological and biochemical analyses. The examination revealed an increased percentage of packed cell volume (PCV). By radiological examination, radiopaque material was seen in the large intestinal tract. The condition was suggestive of fecolith. The cases were managed by means of non-surgical management. Through an 11-day long medicinal treatment, the dogs recovered uneventfully.

The study was conducted to identify the major reproductive health problems and its associated risk factors in indigenous Borena breed cows in Borena zone in Southern Ethiopia between September 2013 and February 2014. Out of the total 409 cows examined, 195 (47.7%) were having at least one of the reproductive problems identified by either questionnaire interview (n=329) or regular follow up (n=80) of individual cows. The major reproductive health problems identified in the present study were mastitis (21.3%; n=87/409), abortion (12.2%; n=50/409), repeat breeder (10.3%; n=42/409), anestrus (10.3%; n=42/409) and retained fetal membrane (RFM; 7.6%; n=31/409). The rate of abortion increased significantly (p=0.001) with the increase in the stage of gestation. Laboratory findings indicated that brucellosis and mastitis had great roles in reproductive health problems of dairy cows in the study area with prevalence rates of 2.91% and 68.41%, respectively. In conclusion, the study revealed that several reproductive health problems such as mastitis, abortion, repeat breeder, anestrus and RFM are mostly prevalent in dairy cows in Borena zone in southern Ethiopia.

This study was conducted to assess the healing of transverse ulna fracture when fixed with external skeletal fixation (ESF) in pigeon. Ulna fracture was created under Isoflurane anesthesia in pigeons. A total of 12 pigeons were used in this study, and they were divided into three equal groups: Group-1, Group-2 and Group-3. The birds of the three groups were sacrificed at 3, 6, and 12 weeks after successful fracture surgery. It was found that bone union occurred between three and six weeks in all groups. Bone alignment, and callus remodeling were evident at 12 weeks (p<0.05) post fracture fixation. There were no radiographic evidence of callus remodeling in any bird at 3 and 6 weeks post-surgery. The radiographic observations of fracture healing in this study have confirmed that ESF fixation is an effective method to stabilize ulna fracture in pigeons and results in faster fracture healing.

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection in the chicken population of Bhola district, Bangladesh, during the period from April 2011 to March 2012. A total of 480 blood samples from chickens were collected from different upazilas (sub-districts) of Bhola district. The sampling considered the types of chicken (backyard and commercial layer), age groups (pullet, adult and old) and seasons (summer and winter). On the basis of the serum plate agglutination test, 55.83% (n=268/480) chickens were found positive for MG. The MG infection was higher (62.5%) in backyard chickens as compared to those being reared in commercial farming systems (53.61%). With respect to age groups, the prevalence was highest in pullets (60.63%) followed by adults (55.63%) and old chickens (51.25%). Moreover, chickens reared in winter showed higher prevalence of MG (60.42%) as compared to those reared in summer (51.25%). In conclusion, MG infection is prevalent in the chicken population of Bhola district, Bangladesh. Appropriate strategies should be taken for successful prevention and control of this disease in Bangladesh.

The study was aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology and antibiotic resistance pattern of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) in bovines and their handlers in Jammu, India. A total of 173 samples comprising of 103 fecal samples from bovines (60 from cattle and 43 from buffaloes), 28 stools and 42 fingertip rinses from bovine handlers were collected during August 2011 to March 2012. The isolated 126 E. coli strains (86 from bovines and 40 from handlers) belonged to 25 different serogroups in addition to rough and untypeable strains. Using multiplex polymerase chain reaction, four EPEC strains were isolated; two each from bovines and their handlers, of which two possessed the hemolysin (hlyA) gene. The prevalence of EPEC was recorded as 1.66% (n=1/60) in cattle, 2.32% (n=1/43) in buffaloes, and 2.85% (n=2/70) in their handlers. Antibiogram studies with the EPEC revealed the presence of multi-drug resistant E. coli. The isolates were mostly resistant to Amikacin, Amoxicillin, Cefixime and Streptomycin, and sensitive to Chloramphenicol. This study indicates that bovines as well as their handlers in Jammu region harbor EPEC, many of which being multi-drug resistant and carrying the hemolysin gene could be of high pathogenic potential for humans.

This study was conducted for the detection of Cryptosporidium (C.) parvum infection in neonatal calves. A total of 220 fecal samples (diarrheic 110 and nondiarrheic 110) of neonatal calves were collected from Mosul city, Iraq over a period of 16 months from November 2010 to March 2012. The age of the calves ranged from 1 to 30 days. All the fecal samples were analyzed by capture direct ELISA. The infection was found in 29.0% (n=32/110) of the diarrheic calves. The infection was mostly prevalent (p<0.001) in the calves of three weeks of age. No C. parvum infection could be detected in the nondiarrheic animals.

The objective of current study was to evaluate the effects of Lepidium sativum (LS) on liver histopathology and serum biochemistry in rats fed with high cholesterol diet. A total of 32 rats were divided into four equal groups. The rats of first group (control group) were fed with basal diet, whereas the rats of second group were fed with basal diet mixed with cholesterol (1%). The rats of third and fourth groups were fed with high cholesterol (1%) diet mixed with Lepidium sativum powder at 3 g and 6 g/kg diet, respectively. Total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and alanine transaminase (ALT) activity were increased significantly in the rats fed with high cholesterol diet as compared to control group. LS reduced total cholesterol and ALT; however, higher dose (6 g/kg diet) was found better than lower dose (3 g/kg diet) in reducing serum triacylglycerol. Histopathological findings revealed that liver of cholesterol-treated rats showed varying degrees of vacuolar degeneration, fatty changes, fatty cysts, and lobular disarray. Livers of the LS-treated rats revealed mild to moderate degree of recovery. Conclusively, high dose of LS is recommended as hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic agent in rats.

The study was aimed at assessing the prevalence and distribution of bovine Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) serotypes in Ilesha Baruba, Kwara state-Nigeria. To identify the source of epidemics, geo-spatial analysis was done on the FMD outbreak locations (n=15) using Global Positioning Service (GPS) device (EtrexR). Randomly sampled bovine sera (n=64) from herd representatives were subjected to FMD 3ABC enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (FMD 3ABC ELISA) and solid-phase competitive ELISA (SP-cELISA), for the screening and serotyping of FMD virus, respectively. Through ELISA, the FMD serotypes detected in this study were- serotype O (83%; n=53/64), serotype A (7.8%; n=5/64), serotype vaccine O (1.6%; n=1/64)), and serotype vaccine SAT2 (1.6%; n=1/64). Multiple serotypes were observed in two different combinations; these were O and A (4.7%; n=3/64), and O and SAT2 (1.6%; n=1/64). FMD multiple serotype infections were associated with absence of cross-immunity between serotypes and cross reactivity enhanced by clustered herds, highland study area topography, road and river interconnectivity, possible human settlements, activities and traffic. This study provides baseline information on geo-spatial distribution, and identification of prevalent FMD serotypes in Ilesha Baruba, Kwara state-Nigeria.