Coinfection of goose parvovirus (GPV) and duck circovirus (DuCV) occurs commonly in field cases of short beak and dwarfism syndrome (SBDS). However, whether there is synergism between the two viruses in replication and pathogenicity remains undetermined. We established a coinfection model of GPV and DuCV in Cherry Valley ducks. Tissue samples were examined histopathologically. The viral loads in tissues were detected by qPCR, and the distribution of the virus in tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Coinfection of GPV and DuCV significantly inhibited growth and development of ducks, and caused atrophy and pallor of the immune organs and necrosis of the liver. GPV and DuCV synergistically amplified pathogenicity in coinfected ducks. In the early stage of infection, viral loads of both pathogens in coinfected ducks were significantly lower than those in monoinfected ducks (P < 0.05). With the development of the infection process, GPV and DuCV loads in coinfected ducks were significantly higher than those in monoinfected ducks (P < 0.05). Extended viral distribution in the liver, kidney, duodenum, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius was consistent with the viral load increases in GPV and DuCV coinfected ducks. These results indicate that GPV and DuCV synergistically potentiate their replication and pathogenicity in coinfected ducks.

Fowl adenovirus can cause important diseases in chickens such as inclusion body hepatitis, hepatitis hydropericardium syndrome, and gizzard erosion and ulceration. Inclusion body hepatitis has been regularly reported from many countries. This is the first case report from Turkey, describing an outbreak of inclusion body hepatitis in broiler farms due to fowl adenovirus-8b (FAdV-8b). Broiler flocks with mortality about 10% were visited in Turkey, and necropsy was performed on dead birds. Samples were subjected to PCR assay to detect FAdV and other viral pathogens. After sequencing, phylogenetic analysis was performed and the nucleotide sequences of hexon genes were compared with the FAdV sequences data available in GenBank. Clinical signs such as anorexia, depression, ruffled feathers, huddling, and greenish diarrhoea were observed. Mortality started at the 8ᵗʰ day of age and ranged from 10% to 14%. Necropsy showed severe hepatitis, jaundice, and pancreatitis. The main necropsy findings included a pale, enlarged, haemorrhagic, and friable liver along with swollen and haemorrhagic kidneys and spleen. PCR and sequence analysis revealed the presence of fowl adenovirus serotype 8b (FAdV-E). This is the first report on characterisation and the pathological lesions associated with FAdV in broilers in Turkey. Our findings suggest that FAdV strains could be an emerging pathogen in Turkish broilers and could actively contribute to hepatitis and immunosuppression.

Avian polyomavirus (APV) and psittacine beak and feather disease virus (PBFDV) induce contagious and persistent diseases that affect the beaks, feathers, and immune systems of companion birds. APV causes hepatitis, ascites, hydropericardium, depression, feather disorders, abdominal distension, and potentially death. PBFDV can induce progressive beak deformity, feather dystrophy, and plumage loss. We conducted the first prevalence survey of both APV and PBFDV infections in companion birds in eastern Turkey. A total of 113 fresh dropping samples from apparently healthy companion birds were collected in a random selection. The dropping samples were analysed for PBFDV and APV by PCR. Positive samples were sequenced with the Sanger method. The sequence was confirmed through alignment and the phylogenetic tree generated through the maximum likelihood method computationally. PBFDV and APV were detected in a respective 48.7% and 23.0% of samples. Coinfection was found in 12.4% of the samples, these all being from budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). APV and PBFDV were detected in budgerigar and cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) samples. This report provides a foundation for future studies on the influence of these viruses on the health of companion birds. These high positive rates for both pathogens emphasise that healthy M. undulatus and N. hollandicus in eastern Turkey may be prone to the emergence and spread of APV and PBFDV with subclinical potential.

Gastrointestinal parasites are some of the most common pathogens which are seriously harmful to the camel’s health. The infection status of gastrointestinal parasites in camels (Camelus bactrianus) in the Tianshan Mountains pastoral area in China is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the species and infection intensity of gastrointestinal tract parasites in local camels. A total of 362 fresh faecal samples were collected and examined for parasite eggs using the saturated saline floating and natural sedimentation method. The parasite eggs were subjected to morphological and molecular examination and identification, and the infection rate and mean intensity of the parasites were analysed. A total of 15 gastrointestinal tract parasite species’ eggs were identified, with a detection rate of 100%. Ostertagia spp. (100%) and Trichostrongylus spp. (98.1%) were dominant. Camels were often coinfected by 5–14 species. The average number of eggs per gram of faeces was higher for Ostertagia spp. (298), Haemonchus contortus (176) and Nematodirus spp. (138). The number of species of parasites infecting young camels was significantly lower than that of adult camels, but the infection intensity in young camels was significantly higher. Gastrointestinal parasites were highly prevalent in camels from the Tianshan Mountains pastoral area in China. This finding provides important epidemiological data for the prevention and control of associated infections in camels.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in fast activation of the immune response to a variety of pathogens, including parasites. In this study, we focused on TLR2, because this receptor is one of the best known and most frequently analysed members of the TLR family. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Trichinella spiralis on expression of TLR2 during the intestinal stage of infection. The experimental material consisted of isolates prepared from the intestines (jejunum and colon) of BALB/c mice infected with T. spiralis taken at 4, 8, and 16 days post infection. Our results based on quantitative real-time PCR showed that the mRNA level for TLR2 was statistically significantly higher in the jejuna of mice infected with T. spiralis than in this tissue of uninfected mice. In addition, the presence of TLR2 protein in the intestinal phase of trichinellosis was confirmed by a strong positive immunohistochemical reaction. Our results indicate that infection with T. spiralis changes the expression of TLR2 in the small intestine of the mouse host and suggest a contribution of these receptors to the host defence mechanisms during experimental trichinellosis.

Objective: The influence of intramammary infection (IMI) and types of bacteria was assessed on somatic cell count (SCC) in dairy cows milk with respect to breed, age, parity, stage of lactation, milk production, and mammary quarter location. Materials and methods: After recording data in a structured questionnaire, 360 samples of quar¬ter milk were collected. The samples were subjected to SCC and isolation and identification of bacteria. The data were analyzed to find out the significant influence of independent factors on SCC and IMI. Results: The infected quarters had a significantly higher mean SCC (210.52 × 103 cells/ml) compared to uninfected ones (32.72 × 103 cells/ml). The mean SCC was the highest for IMI with Enterobacter spp. (338.00 × 103 cells/ml) followed by Bacillus spp. (319.20 × 103 cells/ml), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) (268.17 × 103 cells/ml), Staphylococcus aureus (218.31 × 103 cells/ ml), and Escherichia coli (200.75 × 103 cells/ml) and the lowest for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (66.33 × 103 cells/ml). Milk of rear quarters had a significantly higher SCC than the front quarters. SCC increased with increasing age, parity, and lactation stage regardless of whether cows are infected or not. The IMI was more prevalent in rear quarters (42.2%) and cows at early (&#8804;7 days) lactation (100.0%). Cows having a parity of &#8805;5 and crossbred and high yielding (>5 l) cows had also a higher rate of IMI of 38.2%, 36.7%, and 38.2%, respectively. Conclusion: The IMI and type of bacteria were the principal factors for SCC variation. Besides, mammary quarter location, age, and parity should be taken into consideration during the inter¬pretation of SCC. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(2.000): 314-319]

Today, the use of components obtained from plant extracts is rapidly increasing, especially in the pharmaceutical industry. Eight different plants, which are used as winter tea and are frequently consumed among herbal teas, were selected in the study. The aim of study was to investigate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of teas obtained from medicinal and aromatic plants such as Linden, Ginger, Cinnamon, Sage, Daisy, Turmeric, Clove and Rosehip. Five different pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were selected from common disease-causing pathogens. A total of 21 combinations were made for each plant. Disc diffusion and Minimum inhibition concentration methods were used to determine antimicrobial activity. DPPH (2,2 Difenil-1Pikrohidrozil) method was used to determine antioxidant activity. The amount of total phenolic and tannins contents contained of herbal teas were also determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (FCR) method.The highest value among the antimicrobial activities of herbal teas (triple combination) was measured against E. faecalis (25.11 mm). The herbal combination with the highest value measured was found in the ginger+cinnamon+clove group. The highest antioxidant value was measured in this mixture (36.8 mg/mL).Because some plants have more bioavailability, these benefits can be suppressed in a mixture. When determining these mixtures, the consumption will be more beneficial for public health, given the recommendations of researchers and experts.

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system modulates the degree of injury caused by inflammation, while enhancing the activity of phagocytes that promote resolution of inflammation and tissue repair. In-vitro studies with the monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor JZL184 have suggested that increased eCB signaling might enhance the ability of the host immune system to clear invading pathogens. Although the neurochemical effects of JZL184 on the eCB system in rodents are well-known, its immuneregulating effects are less clear, especially in chickens. The primary objective of this study was to explore whether modulating the eCB system affects immune responses in chickens. To do this, we administered JZL184 [10 and 40 mg/kg body weight (BW), intraperitoneal injection] into chickens prior to a challenge with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) O78. Bacteria were isolated from livers, blood, air sacs, and hearts at 8, 28, and 56 h post-infection and the gross lesions in air sacs, livers, and hearts were also examined. Serum levels of JZL184 were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which indicated that the drug was distributed systemically. The number of birds positive for airsacculitis after APEC O78 challenge was marginally higher in groups treated with JZL184 than in the control group (P = 0.064). Rather than augmenting host defense and enhancing pathogen clearance, these results suggested that JZL184 might have immunosuppressive effects that exacerbated APEC O78 infection in chickens.