Objective: This study evaluated the occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Salmonella species isolated from various poultry products including chicken meat, poultry eggs, poultry bird's drinking water, and poultry feed. Materials and methods: A total of 79 samples comprising of chicken meat (n=20), egg shell (n=15), poultry egg contents (n=18), drinking water (n=14), and poultry feed (n=12) were bacteriologically and microscopically analyzed for the isolation of Salmonella species. Results: Overall, this study reported a high prevalence of Salmonella species (62%) from various poultry products especially in poultry (chicken) meat and poultry egg contents where the percentage occurrence of Salmonella species was 100% and 20.4% respectively. The antibiogram conducted on the Salmonella species isolated from the various poultry samples reveal that all the isolates were multi-drug resistant to more than 50% of the tested antibiotics especially to tetracycline, gentamicin, tobramycin, nitrofurantoin and imipenem. However, most of the Salmonella species were also found to be highly susceptible to ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ertapenem and ceftazidime. It was also observed in this study that the highest level of resistance to the tested antibiotics was recorded in Salmonella species isolated from poultry meat samples. Conclusion: Salmonellosis due to the consumption of contaminated or infected poultry products could pose serious public health problem to the general public if allowed. Thus, poultry farms and other poultry product outlets should be operated under sanitized conditions that ward-off the incidence of foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella. The use of antibiotics as growth promoting agents and prophylaxis in the production of poultry birds in this region should be discouraged and ndash; since such practices allowed drug-resistant bacteria to emerge and spread in the community. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(4.000): 353-359]

Objective: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in cockroaches (Periplaneta americana), and to assess the antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolated bacteria. Materials and methods: A total of 150 cockroaches (P. americana) were randomly captured from three households and four restaurants in Chittagong City Corporation, Bangladesh during July to December 2014. The cockroaches were transported to the bacteriology laboratory at the Poultry Research and Training Centre (PRTC), Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. The isolation and identification of Staphylococcus spp. from the external surface wash and gut homogenates by pooling cockroaches were done by following conventional bacteriological examinations followed by biochemical characterization. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the isolates were determined using disc diffusion method. Results: In this study, the overall prevalence of S. aureus was 38% (n=57/150). Higher prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. was observed among the cockroaches from restaurant (49.3%; n=37/75) as compared to those of households (26.7%; n=20/75) having a significant difference (P<0.05). Highest level of resistance by the Staphylococcus spp. was found to Penicillin (68%) followed by Erythromycin (60%), Oxacillin (46%) and Clindamycin (31%). On the other hand, the Staphylococci isolates were highly sensitive to Cephalothin (84%) and Kanamycin (65%). Conclusion: The rational use of antibiotics needs to be adopted in both human and animal medicine practices to prevent the emergence of drug resistant Staphylococcus spp. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(3.000): 221-228]

Objective: Coenurosis is a parasitic disease that particularly affects sheep and goats. The disease is caused by Coenurus cerebralis which is the larval stage of Taenia multiceps. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical and the pathological lesions caused by C. cerebralis in a ewe. Materials and methods: Two-and-a-half year-old female ewe showing neurological signs was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt. Postmortem and histopathological examinations were done to investigate the pathological lessions caused by C. cerebralis. Results: Postmortem examination of the brain revealed Coenurus cyst measuring 5 and times;3 cm associated with dilated lateral ventricle. Histopathological examination revealed extensive areas of liquefactive necrosis in the cerebrum. The necrotic area was infiltrated with lymphocytes, microglia cells and eosinophils. Internal hydrocephalus and atrophy of the ependymal cells of both lateral ventricle and choroid plexus were also seen. Conclusion: It was concluded that coenurosis might be associated with internal hydrocephalus along with some clinical and pathological findings. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(2.000): 184-187]

Objective: Swine production is one of the most popular and promising livestock production industries in many parts of Nigeria. It prides itself in contributing to the supplementation of the overall national protein intake, gainfully engaging the citizenry in the industry and generating foreign exchange to the nation through export of produce and products. However, the swine production industry in Nigeria faced with religious and cultural constraints as well as several infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in swine in the North Central State of Nigeria. Materials and methods: A total of 920 pigs comprising of 874 (95%) and 46 (5%) foreign and indigenous breed of pigs respectively were investigated in this study. Quantitative Mcmaster egg-counting technique was used for counting eggs of parasites. Semi-structured questionnaires was used to generate demographic data during October 2014 to March 2015. Results: Fifty five percent pigs were found to be positive for Hyostrogylus rubidus, while Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis and other unidentified eggs were present in 23, 17 and 5% pigs, respectively. and lsquo;Red Stomach Worm' infection in swine was the highest parasitic burden observed as compared to other parasites. Spreading of infection within sexes had a P value of >0.5. Conclusion: The prevalence of parasites in pigs obtained in this work is a consequence of improper husbandry measures and irregular veterinary medical intervention. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(3.000): 278-281]

Objective: The identification of meat species in meat products is important for protection of human health, economic reasons, religious factors and for controlling the compliance with food regulations. For this purpose, DNA must be obtained in good quality and quantity. The aim of this study was to compare different DNA isolation methods from different meat products. Materials and methods: Comparison among different DNA isolation methods was done. DNA was isolated from different meat products (e.g., sucuk, salami, sausage, braised meet, meatball and pastrami). The methods included phenol/chloroform, DNA isolation kit, Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) and Dodecyle Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (DTAB). Results: Although DNA was obtained from all of these methods, the phenol/chloroform and DNA isolation kit methods were found to be the most effective methods for obtaining high quantity DNA. RNA contamination was determined to be common in DTAB method. High quantity of DNA and RNA contamination in terms of quality was detected in CTAB method. Ruminant specific 16S rRNA primer was used to amplify genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction and all samples were amplified except for some samples of DTAB. Conclusion: DNA isolation kit, another best method, is recommended due to quality and quantity of DNA for researchers who do not want that phenol/chloroform method have toxic substances. This study is also the first study in which DTAB method is used for DNA extraction from meat products. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(4.000): 368-374]

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of estradiol benzoate injection to intact and castrated male rabbits on LH, FSH, testosterone and prostate tissue. Materials and methods: A total of 72 mature male rabbits were used in this study. The rabbits were randomly divided into two groups (36 intact and 36 castrated) and each group was further divided into four sub-groups. The rabbits of each subgroup were injected estradiol benzoate dosed at 0, 40, 80 and 120 and micro;gm/rabbit, through intramuscular (IM) route, on each alternative day over a period of 30 days. The levels of LH, FSH, and testosterone were measured in serum samples. Prostate tissue samples were taken from each sub-groups, histological examination was done. Results: The mean serum levels of LH and FSH were not affected by injection of estradiol benzoate in all intact and castrated rabbits sub-groups (P>0.05). However, the results of testosterone levels were showed insignificant increase in all intact and castrated male rabbits sub-groups, except the intact male rabbit sub-group that received estradiol benzoate at 120 and micro;g/rabbit (P<0.05). Furthermore, the effects of estradiol benzoate in prostate tissues were ranged from hyperplasia with dysplasia or dysplasia only in intact male rabbits; hyperplasia was represented by papillary projection in castrated male rabbits. Conclusion: The present study revealed no difference in the serum levels of LH, FSH in intact or castrated male rabbits, however, testosterone hormone did not show any change except in sub-group of intact male rabbits that was injected dosed at 120 and micro;g estradiol benzoate. The effect of estradiol benzoate on prostate tissue was found to be induce hyperplasia in both intact and castrated males rabbits. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(4.000): 420-424]

Objective: Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) infection is existing worldwide causing economic loss in goat production. This work was conducted to investigate the prevalence of CAE in local and foreign goat breeds and sheep in different localities in Sudan. Materials and methods: A total of 368 sera samples were prepared; among these, 112 were collected from cross (n=39) and foreign (n=73) breeds of goat in Khartoum state, equal number of sera (n=23) were collected from goats and sheep from each of River Nile, Gedarif, Sinnar and North Kordofan states. Eighteen cross bred goats were tested from River Nile state. From foreign bred goats, 28 and 26 sera were collected from Gazira and Northern states, respectively. The collected sera were examined for the presence of antibodies to CAE virus using Enzymed-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: The overall seroprevalence of CAE was 2.99% (n=11/368). Positive results were found only in 11 of foreign breed of goats (Cyprus shami) collected from Gazira (39.29%; n=11/28). Statistically, there was an association between breed and location (P=0.001 and P=0.671, respectively). Conclusion: The CAE virus infection exists only in foreign goat breeds. Gazira state showed the highest seroprevalence as compared to other states considered in this study. Strict hygienic measures should be adopted to control the disease and to prevent its spread to local breeds. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(3.000): 259-262]

The livestock sector contributes largely to the economy of India. Different systemic diseases like renal diseases, neurological and cardiovascular diseases cause huge loss in production and productive potential of livestock in India, which is considered as a major concern for both small and large ruminants. Early detection of diseseses is essential to combat the economic loss. An efficient biochemical marker can be developed which would provide more specific, sensitive and reliable measurement of functions of different organs. Determination of endogenous marker Cystatin C may fulfill the above need which can provide a detection platform not only for Kidney function but also for assaying other organs' function. Cystatin C is a low molecular weight protein which is removed from the bloodstream by glomerular filtration in the kidneys. Thus, it may act as a potential biological tool in diagnosis of renal and other systemic diseases in livestock. This mini-review focuses on the Cystatin C and its clinical importance which can be extensively employed in the livestock sector. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(3.000): 200-205]

Objective: This study was designed to assess the prevalence and the associated risk factors (e.g., sex, age, breed, management system and climate) of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Makurdi metropolis in Nigeria. Materials and methods: Prevalence study of canine heartworm disease in dogs was conducted over a period of six months covering five localities of Makurdi metropolis in Benue State, Nigeria. A total of 186 blood samples were collected from apparently healthy and sick dogs, and the samples were examined for the presence of microfilaria between September 2015 and February 2016. Three methods (wet mount, Buffy coat and modified Knott's techniques) were used for the examination of the samples. The Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and complete blood count for each sample were also determined. Results: Out of the 186 dogs, 4 (2.15%) were found to be positive for the presence of microfilaria. Out of the 4 positive cases, 3 (1.61%) were microfilaria and 1 (0.54%) was unidentified motile parasite. A total of 104 females were examined and only 1 (0.96%) was positive, while 3 (3.66%) males out of 82 examined were positive. Out of 141 older dogs examined, 4 (2.84%) were positive. Hematology of the positive dogs revealed mild anemia and moderate thrombocytopenia with Mean+/-SD of 34.8+/-15.30% and 108+/-60.81x109/L, respectively. Conclusion: The study confirms Knott's technique to be the most sensitive in the diagnosis of dirofilariasis in dogs using parasitological techniques. The findings confirm the occurrence of D. immitis in dogs in Makurdi with low prevalence and that the general public are at high risk of spreading infection from the dogs. Infection is more in male and adult dogs. This work can assist in planning appropriate strategies for controlling and prevention of D. immitis infection in Nigeria. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(4.000): 338-344]

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth response and feed utilization of Clarias gariepinus juveniles fed graded levels of boiled Senna obtusifolia seed meal as replacement for soybean meal. Materials and methods: Five isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated. The diest were- control diet (with 0% inclusion level boiled S. obtusifolia seed meal i.e., 100% soybean meal), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% inclusion level (total replacement of soya bean meal). The feeds were fed to C. gariepinus juveniles at 5% of their body weight for 84 days in an indoor partial flow through system. Weight and standard length of C. gariepinus juveniles were taken every fortnight and water quality parameters were monitored weekly. Results: Experimental fish fed diets with 0 and 25% inclusion level of boiled S. obtusifolia seed meal gave the best results in terms of Mean Weight Gain (MWG) (20.22 and 19.79 g, respectively), Specific Growth Rate (1.82 and 1.83 respectively), Protein Efficiency Ratio (2.75 and 2.00, respectively) and the Lowest Feed Conversion Ratio (1.29 and 1.39 respectively). The lowest growth and feed utilization were observed in fish fed 100% inclusion level. The weight gain of fish decreased with increase in replacement level above 25%. There was no significant difference between control diet 0 and 25% inclusion level (P and #8805;0.05). Conclusion: Boiled S. obtusifolia seed meal is a nutritive source of plant protein and a good replacement for soybean meal at 25% inclusion level of boiled S. obtusifolia seed meal in formulating catfish feed for C. gariepinus juveniles without any deleterious effect. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(4.000): 345-352]