Objective: An in vivo study was carried out to evaluate the possible anti-trypanosomal activity of Leptadenia hastata crude root extract with also its associated hematological changes particularly the packed cell volume (PCV) in experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection using Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty Wistar rats comprising of both males and females were categorized into six separate groups starting from A to F. Wistar placed in Group A and Group B were inoculated with T. brucei brucei and administered crude root extract of L. hastata at 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively, as the treatment. Group C was infected with the parasite but untreated, while Group D was not infected with the parasite and was not treated. The remaining groups E and F were inoculated with the parasite using diminazene diaceturate at 3.5 and 7.0 mg/kg, respectively. The extract was administered enterally when parasitemia was detected. Standard laboratory techniques were employed to determine parasitemia and PCV after collection of blood samples every 2 days via the tail vein. Results: Infected groups (A, B, C, E, and F) showed a pre-patent period 2 days post infection (P.I) with mean parasitic counts of 3.93 ± 2.38, 2.46 ± 2.20, 0.67 ± 0.77, 4.60 ± 4.45, and 1.53 ± 1.44, respectively, which continued unabated in groups treated with the extract.The pack cell volume did not decline significantly in the in groups A and B. Acute toxicity study revealed the absence of any clinical or behavioral changes suggesting toxicity. Conclusion: There was no effect on parasitemia of Wistar rats infected with the parasite after adminis¬tration of 100 and 200 mg, respectively, using the extract as the treatment. PCV of the groups infected remained fairly constant with the control groups throughout the study with the extract being non-toxic. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(2.000): 241-246]

Objective: As pecten oculi had great functional significances for ornithology, pecten oculi of Baladi duck was well-deserving of intensive morphological study. So, the aim of this study was to throw light on some anatomical and histological formation of the pecten oculi of Baladi ducks as well as use of scanning electron microscopy. Materials and Methods: Twenty eyeballs of 10 adult Baladi ducks were used to fulfill this work. Ten eyes were used to study the gross anatomy of pecten oculi, including the location, shape, and numbers of pleats. Five samples were embedded at 10% neutral buffered formalin. The speci¬mens were examined by regular histological procedures. The latter five samples were applied for electron microscopy. Results: Grossly, the pecten oculi is formed of three portions: the base, emerged from the optic disk; the pleats, sorted in fan shape; and the bridge. The essential histological ingredients of Baladi ducks pecten oculi are the blood vessels, lymph vessels, pigment cells, and hyalocytes. Conclusion: The current work explains the primary macro- and micro-morphological features of pecten oculi in Baladi duck and collates these features to those formerly explained in other birds. Generally, pecten oculi of Baladi duck was analogous to that of the diurnal birds. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(4.000): 456-462]

Objective: Parasitic infestation is a major cause of losses in livestock production in tropical regions. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Gastro-intestinal (GI) parasites of dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) and fat-tailed sheep (dhumba), and the prevalence of hemoparasites in camel from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 fecal samples (32 dhumba and 55 camel) and 55 camel blood samples were collected during SeptemberOctober 2015. Fecal samples were examined by direct smear, sedimentation method, flotation technique, and McMaster technique for GI parasite. Giemsa stained blood smears were examined under microscope for hemoparasite detection. Results: 62% camel (n = 34; 95% confidence interval (CI): 47.774.6) were infected with at least one genus of parasite. 15% camel were harboring more than one genus of parasite. The prevalence of GI parasite and hemoparasite in camel were recorded as Trichuris spp. (n = 16; 29%; 95% CI: 17.642.9), Balantidium coli (n = 12; 22%; 95% CI: 11.835.0), Trichostrongylus spp. (n = 7; 13%; 95% CI: 5.324.5), Strongyloides spp. (n = 5; 9%; 95% CI: 3.020.0), Anaplasma spp. (n = 5; 9%; 95% CI: 3.0220.0), Paragonimus spp. (n = 1; 2%; 95% CI: 0.059.7), Schistosoma spp. (n = 1; 2%; 95% CI: 0.059.7), Hymenolepis spp. (n = 1; 2%; 95% CI: 0.059.7), Moniezia spp. (n = 1; 2%; 95% CI: 0.059.7), and Babesia spp. (n = 1; 2%; 95% CI: 0.059.7). Mean EPG feces of camel was 291.76 ± 42.03 with a range of 01,400. Total 59.4% dhumba (n = 19; 95% CI: 4176) were positive for GI parasite, including Trichostrongylus spp. (n = 10; 31.3%; 95% CI: 16.150), Strongyloides spp. (n = 9; 28%; 95% CI: 13.846.8), B. coli(n = 5; 15.6%; 95% CI: 5.332.8), and Trichuris spp. (n = 4; 12.5%; 95% CI: 3.528.9). Conclusions: High percentage of parasitic infestation in camel and dhumba in the present study refers to the necessity of use of anthelmintic for health and production improvement and to prevent zoonotic parasite transmission to animal handler and workers. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(1.000): 142-147]

Despite the significant progress in the recent efforts toward developing an effective vaccine against toxoplasmosis, the search for new protective vaccination strategy still remains a challenge and elusive goal because it becomes the appropriate way to prevent the disease. Various experimental approaches in the past few years showed that developing a potential vaccine against the disease can be achievable. The combination of multi-epitopes expressing different stages of the parasite life cycle has become an optimal strategy for acquiring a potent, safe, and effective vaccine. Epitope-based vaccines have gained attention as alternative vaccine candidates due to their ability of inducing protective immune responses. This mini-review highlights the current status and the prospects of Toxoplasma gondii vaccine development along with the application of epitope-based vaccine in the future parasite immunization as a novel under development and evaluation strategy. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(2.000): 174-182]

Objective: The study was performed to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and prac¬tice among different professionals toward zoonotic diseases in selected coastal areas of Barguna district, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A total of 485 respondents were randomly selected from different upazilas (sub-districts) of Barguna district, Bangladesh. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to collect data about awareness of zoonosis, hygienic management, zoonotic disease transmission from different species of domestic animals and consumption of their products, consciousness on management of pet animals, disease transmission from wild animals, effects of natural disaster on zoonosis, and extension works on zoonosis provided by government or private sector. Results: Based on the level of knowledge of the different respondents, meat (43.92%) is the prime way for transmission of zoonotic disease followed by egg (18.14%) and milk (13.61%). The aware¬ness regarding management of pet animals (23.71%) and zoonotic disease from wild animals (26.69%) were more or less similar. It has been observed that 33.81% respondents were conscious about natural disaster causing zoonotic infection. The respondents also mentioned that extension services about zoonotic infection provided by government or private sector was 34.22%. Among all the respondents, the awareness of zoonotic infection was high in employee of livestock depart¬ment followed by employee of health department and teachers. Conclusion: The awareness of zoonoses was high in employee of livestock department followed by the employee of health department, teachers, and other professionals. The present study observed that low educational background of professionals or non-health educated professionals is not conscious on zoonotic diseases. Further work should be taken to assess the prevention and control strategies regarding zoonosis in study area. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(3.000): 284-289]

Objective: This study aimed to measure the anthelmintic effects of betel nut (Areca catechu) and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extracts against Fasciola spp. in vitro in comparison with the com-mercial dewormer, Albendazole, and the negative control, nutrient broth. The study determined the extract concentration that produced the highest efficacy based on the average recorded mean motility time, gross, and microscopic changes of the flukes treated with different concentrations of plant extracts. Material and Methods: The study consisted of eight treatments. Every treatment consisted of 10%, 20%, and 40% concentrations of both betel nut extract (BNE) and neem leaf extracts, positive control treatment (Albendazole-treated) and negative control treatment (25 ml nutrient broth). The motility of the flukes on all treatments was based on the established motility criteria scoring. The flukes subjected to all treatments were processed for histopathological analysis. Results: The result of the study revealed that after exposure of Fasciola spp. under 10%, 20%, and 40% extract concentrations, betel nut showed higher efficacy having the recorded mean motility time of 0.22, 0.07 min, and no movement upon contact, respectively, than Albendazole which produced mean motility time of 0.38 min. Nevertheless, the flukes treated with 10%, 20%, and 40% neem leaf extracts obtained the average mean motility time of 220, 151, and 98 min, respectively. Conclusions: The results gathered showed that 40% BNE concentration showed the highest efficacy based on the recorded mean motility time. All treatments of betel nut extract evidently showed marked changes in the gross and microscopic morphology of the flukes. However, the neem extract was ineffective in all concentrations although changes were observed microscopically. Furthermore, the nutrient broth was proven to be effective as a culture medium since the flukes remained active until 8 h of exposure. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(1.000): 44-49]

Objective: Vibrio spp., particularly, Vibrio cholerae is a major etiology of diarrhea in humans worldwide. In this study, we isolated and identified V. cholerae from the human stool of suspected cases along with antibiogram. Materials and Methods: In total, 25 stool samples from cholera suspected patients were ana¬lyzed. Isolation and molecular detection of Vibrio species were performed based on staining, motility, cultural and biochemical characteristics followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using groEL gene-specific primers. Results: Among the 25 samples, seven showed growth of yellow color colonies on Thiosulfate- Citrate-Bile salts-Sucrose agar plates. The isolates were Gram-negative, curved shaped, and motile. Biochemically, they were found positive for indole and Methyl Red tests and negative for VogesProskauer test. Out of the seven positive samples, only three isolates were confirmed as Vibrio spp. using genus-specific primers. Subsequently, these three isolates were confirmed as V. cholerae by PCR using V. cholerae groEL gene-specific primers. Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed these three isolates as highly sensitive to azithromycin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and norfloxacillin while resistant to streptomycin, tetracycline, and oxacillin. Conclusion: Vibrio cholerae were isolated from the stool of diarrheic human patients and confirmed by PCR targeting the groEL gene. The isolates were found resistant to streptomycin, tetracycline and oxacillin, and need further characterization to reveal the molecular basis of their origin and resistance. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(4.000): 451-455]

Objective: The present study was performed for isolation, identification, and molecular detection of Avipoxvirus [Turkeypox virus (TPV), Fowlpox virus (FPV), and Pigeonpox virus (PPV)] from field outbreaks in some selected areas of Mymensingh division, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 suspected cutaneous nodular samples (10 TPV, 20 PPV, and 30 FPV) were collected. The samples were then subjected to isolation and identification by chicken embryo propagation followed by confirmation using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The TPV, FPV, and PPV were successfully isolated and identified from the nodular samples using embryo propagation and PCR technique targeting pox virus p4b gene. Out of 10 Turkeypox suspected field samples, five (50%) were positive for TPV. Similarly, among 30 Fowl pox suspected field samples, 12 (40%), and out of 20 Pigeonpox suspected field samples, eight (40%) were found to be positive for FPV and PPV, respectively. The overall prevalence of avipox (TPV, FPV, and PPV) virus infections in Mymensingh division was 41.67% (n = 25/60). Conclusion: This study has shown that TPV, FPV, and PPV are circulating in Mymensingh division. The isolated TPV, FPV, and PPV field isolates can be used as vaccine candidates to develop an effective vaccine for effective controlling of the avipox in Mymensingh division and surrounding areas. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(1.000): 54-59]

Objective: This study was considered to explore the possible impacts of drinking water quality from different sources on the bioavailability of doxycycline. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four tap and ground drinking water samples collected from poultry farms were scrutinized for their water quality limits (TH, pH, total dissolved solids, electrical con¬ductivity, Clˉ, Ca⁺², Na⁺, and Mg⁺²) and heavy metals concentrations (Zn, Fe, Cu, and Ni). An in vitro study was conducted by adding the therapeutic concentrations of doxycycline to all tested water samples, and allowed to interact for 1 h, 3 h, 5 h, and 8 h followed by re-estimation of doxycycline concentrations after each contact time using thin layer chromatography. Results: The therapeutic concentration of doxycycline was decreased in tap water samples by 1.92%, 9.63%, 22.42%, and 30.83% for the aforementioned contact times, respectively, while the corresponding reduction percentages in ground water samples were 2.14%, 17.14%, 28.57%, and 40.09%. However, the control samples had never showed any recorded decrease in their doxy¬cycline concentrations overall contact times. All measured concentrations of doxycycline were significantly lower in tap and ground water than those of control at all times of contact. Both pH, Mg⁺² showed significant positive correlations with decreasing values of doxycycline in water. Conclusion: Different drinking water sources reduce the concentrations of doxycycline in vitro in a time dependent manner, which can be attributed to their different physico-chemical parameters, i.e., pH and Mg⁺² ions. This emphasizes the role of water quality on the stability of antibiotics concentrations administrated via drinking water. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(4.000): 438-444]

Objective: In this study, we investigated the potential immune-enhancing effects in addition to anti-oxidative stress properties of commercially accessible Bacillus subtilis supplementation in Barki lambs. Materials and Methods: Twenty apparently healthy weaned Barki lambs were used in this study and distributed randomly into two experimental groups: Negative control group, received control basal diet without any feed supplements and a supplemented group, received control basal diet supplemented with water added to commercially accessible bacilli at 1 gm/l/day for 30 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected from each lamb before starting the experiment (T0), 2 weeks (T15), and 4 weeks (T30) post-supplementation for serum biochemical analyses, total leucocytes and lymphocytes count, and real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. Results: The supplemented group showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the total number of leukocytes and the number of lymphocytes, lysozyme activity, reduced glutathione, total antioxidant capacity with a significantly lower malondialdehyde values at T30 and significantly higher levels (p < 0.05) of serum catalase and nitric oxide at T15 as compared with control ones. B. subtilis elicited maximal up-regulation of most of the studied genes compared with the control group. Conclusion: The results herein suggest that B. subtilis could be used as useful nutritional supplements to support the immune system in healthy lambs. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(3.000): 333-340]