Background: Linguatula serrata is a zoonotic parasite causing Halazoun syndrome in humans. Consumption of raw or semi-cooked infected edible offal induces the infection in human. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to investigate the outbreak and molecular characterization of Linguatula serrata in sheep and goat of Yazd slaughterhouse. Methods: To determine the prevalence and severity of Linguatula serrata, mesenteric lymph nodes of 200 slaughtered sheep and 200 slaughtered goats in the Yazd industrial slaughterhouse were examined. DNA extraction was performed using commercially DNA extraction kit as manufacturers’ protocol. In order to genetic evaluation, the partially 18srRNA gene as a target was amplified using the specific primer pair which was designed by Primer3 software.The PCR product sent for sequencing and the sequence was BLAST. Data were then analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 and by the Pearson correlation test and χ2 at a significance level of 0.01.Results: In the present study, prevalence of the infection of slaughtered goats and sheep was 25.5% and 22.5%, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed between the prevalence of this parasite in different ages and sexes groups (goats and sheep). The results of genetic evaluation showed no variation between this isolate in comparison with the ones in GenBank. Conclusions: This study was the first report of molecular identification of Linguatula serrate in Iran. Considering high prevalence of infection in domestic animal and lack of knowledge and hygienic practice of the people about consumption of animal offal infection of the people to Linguatula serrata is probable. Therefore, in this context, using appropriate and reliable diagnostic methods for detection of infection in abattoirs as well as educating people on the proper use of animal offal is effective steps to prevent this disease.

OBJECTIVE To assess the immunogenicity of thermostable live-attenuated rabies virus (RABV) preserved by vaporization (PBV) and delivered to the duodenal mucosa of a wildlife species targeted for an oral vaccination program. ANIMALS 8 gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). PROCEDURES Endoscopy was used to place RABV PBV (n = 3 foxes), alginate-encapsulated RABV PBV (3 foxes), or nonpreserved RABV (2 foxes) vaccine into the duodenum of foxes. Blood samples were collected weekly to monitor the immune response. Saliva samples were collected weekly and tested for virus shedding by use of a conventional reverse-transcriptase PCR assay. Foxes were euthanized 28 days after vaccine administration, and relevant tissues were collected and tested for presence of RABV. RESULTS 2 of 3 foxes that received RABV PBV and 1 of 2 foxes that received nonpreserved RABV seroconverted by day 28. None of the 3 foxes receiving alginate-encapsulated RABV PBV seroconverted. No RABV RNA was detected in saliva at any of the time points, and RABV antigen or RNA was not detected in any of the tissues obtained on day 28. None of the foxes displayed any clinical signs of rabies. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results for this study indicated that a live-attenuated RABV vaccine delivered to the duodenal mucosa can induce an immune response in gray foxes. A safe, potent, thermostable RABV vaccine that could be delivered orally to wildlife or domestic animals would enhance current rabies control and prevention efforts.

Increased emergence in microbial resistance to antibiotics is a growing problem globally. A retrospective investigation was made of antimicrobial resistance in a total of 2,345 Escherichia coli isolates from clinical cases submitted to Regional Veterinary Laboratory of Bukit Tengah, Penang, Malaysia between January 2000 and December 2015. Analysis using WHONET 5.6 revealed that resistance to ampicillin, norfloxacin and aminoglycosides was detected in isolates from poultry and pigs more often than ruminants. Resistant to colistin was higher in ruminants compared to other animal groups. Nor floxacin susceptibility was very high in isolates from ruminants, pet birds (82.2%) and zoo animals (88.6%). Isolates from pet birds had higher resistant rate to all of the antimicrobials tested compared to zoo and companion animals. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli isolates (29.25%, 684/2345) were detected in this study. Further efforts, for instance, national monitoring and surveillance, are required to quantify the exposure of animals to antimicrobial agents and resistant pathogenic or commensal bacteria in the animals and also its environment. Such useful information indeed will assist the prudent use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary practice; therefore, suppress the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in animals.

In Peninsular Malaysia, footand-mouth disease (FMD) has been reported since early 1860 which then became sporadic, causing outbreaks every year. Since then, Peninsular Malaysia has become endemic with FMD. The aim of this study is to provide findings of the current FMD occurrence and its serotyping in Peninsular Malaysia. An identification of Foot and Mouth Disease serotype was carried out in Peninsular Malaysia by the Regional Veterinary Laboratory Kota Bharu (RVLKB) only. Epithelial tissue samples were received from 10 states throughout Peninsular Malaysia from 2012 until 2016. Indirect sandwich ELISA was performed using ELISA kit for FMDV antigen detection supplied from the Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright Laboratory. All findings and results in this paper were based on samples received by RVLKB and does not reflect overall cases reported to State DVS or to DVS Malaysia. From the results, 2013 had the highest samples positive for FMDV (35% from 43 samples), followed by 2014 (31% from 80 samples), 2012 (24% from 122 samples), 2015 (21% from 39 samples) and the lowest is 2016 (17% from 194 samples). The FMDV serotypes detected throughout 2012 to 2016 from 110 positive samples were Serotype O (80%), followed by Serotype A (20%) and none from Serotype Asia 1. Strict regulation, FMD vaccine evaluation by LPB ELISA and strict animal movement shall be considered to achieve FMD free for upcoming Year 2020.