Objective: This work aimed to detect the frequency of pathogenic bacteria of zoonotic impor­tance in ducks’ dropping, their surrounding environment, and farmworkers in contact with them. Furthermore, the susceptibility pattern of isolated bacteria to antimicrobial drugs and the effi­ciency of disinfectants (CID 20, Durak® plus, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nano zinc oxide (ZnO NPs), and hydrogen peroxide loaded nano zinc oxide (H2O2/ZnO NPs) composites against isolated bacteria were evaluated.  Materials and Methods: A total of 271 samples were collected from duck pens, including 35 fecal droppings, 200 environmental samples, and 36 from the hands of pen workers for isolation and identification of bacterial strains using standard microbiological procedures. After that, the antibi­otic sensitivity testing of 40 bacterial isolates was carried out using disk diffusion assay. ZnO NPs and H2O2/ZnO NPs were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectrum and high-reso­lution transmission electron microscopy. The efficacy of disinfectants and nanocomposites was evaluated against enteropathogenic bacteria using the broth macro-dilution method.  Results: The results showed that the overall prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in duck pens was 62.73. The highest isolation rate was detected in duck fecal droppings (100%), while Escherichia coli was found to be the most isolated pathogen (56.47%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21.8%), Proteus mirabilis (15.29), and Salmonella species (6.47%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was detected in the majority of bacterial isolates. The efficiency of CID 20 and Durak® plus dis­infectants against all bacterial isolates was highly susceptible (100%) after 120 min of exposure time compared to the effectiveness of H2O2 on enteropathogenic bacteria which did not exceeded 60% at 5% concentration. Meanwhile, the sensitivity of Salmonella spp. to Durak® plus did not exceeded 80%.  Conclusion: The duck fecal droppings are the primary source of bacterial isolates. MDR isolates were susceptible to both CID 20 and Durak® plus disinfectants after 120 min of exposure time at a concentration of 1:100 ml. Besides, H2O2/ZnO NPs composite proved its lethal effect against all testing strains at 0.02 mg/ml after 120 min of exposure. Strict biosecurity guidelines are required to mitigate and prevent the transmission of potentially zoonotic pathogens through the farm envi­ronment and/or duck droppings. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(1): 105-115, Mar 2021 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2021.h492

Objective: This study aimed to explore the seroprevalence of Brucella spp. in goats in some selected areas of Bangladesh.  Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in different goat-populated regions of Bangladesh from July 2017 to June 2018. A total of 208 serum samples were randomly collected from goats in Jashore (n = 50), Jhenidah (n = 22), Tangail (n = 40), Savar (n = 46), Thakurgaon (n = 18), and Bandarban (n = 32) areas. The samples were subjected to determine the presence of antibodies against Brucella spp. by rose bengal plate test (RBPT) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA).  Results: Overall, the seroprevalence of Brucellosis in goats was 4.33% (n = 9/208) by RBPT and 2.40% (n = 5/208) by c-ELISA. The seroprevalence of brucellosis on the basis of RBPT was 6% (buck: 0%, doe: 6%) in Jashore, 4.5% (buck: 0%, doe: 4.5%) in Jhenidah, 2.5% (buck: 0%, doe: 2.5%) in Tangail, 4.35% (buck: 0%, doe: 4.35%) in Savar, 6.25% (buck: 0%, doe: 6.25%) in Bandarban, and 5.56% (buck: 0%, doe: 5.56%) in Thakurgaon. On the other hand, the seroprevalence of brucel­losis by c-ELISA was 4% (buck: 0%, doe: 4%) in Jashore, 4.5% (buck: 0%, doe: 4.5%) in Jhenidah, 3.13% (buck: 0%, doe: 3.13%) in Bandarban, and 5.56% (buck: 0%, doe: 5.56%) in Thakurgaon. Brucellosis was more prevalent (p > 0.001) in does aging 3–4 years.  Conclusion: Goats from different areas of Bangladesh are caring antibodies against Brucella organisms. Further bacteriological investigations are necessary. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(1): 123-128, Mar 2021 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2021.h494

Objective: Indonesia is one of the Newcastle disease (ND) endemic countries in the world. An outbreak of the ND virus (NDV) was first reported in Indonesia in 1926. This study aimed to detect, isolate, and classify the NDV by molecular approaches from poultry farms in South Sulawesi Province of Indonesia in 2019.  Materials and Methods: As many as 36 pooling samples from the cloacal swab, trachea swab, proventriculus, and spleen tissues obtained from ND-suspected chickens were isolated in 11-day-old embryonated chicken eggs type-specific antibody-negative. The viruses were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), followed by sequencing.  Results: The results showed that 18 out of 36 pooling samples were NDV-positive based on the isolation result and RT-PCR test. The sequencing results showed that 10 NDV isolates had a motif 112R-R-Q-K-R-F117 in the fusion protein cleavage site region, which suggested that the NDV isolates were of virulent pathotype. The phylogenetic studies based on the F gene’s partial nucleotide sequence classified the study isolates into NDV virus genotype/subgenotype VII.2.  Conclusion: These findings are expected to help provide the latest characteristic information of NDV in South Sulawesi Province to determine the seed vaccine for control strategies of ND. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(1): 129-137, Mar 2021 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2021.h495

Objectives: Probiotics are well documented for their health benefits by developing a balanced intestinal microbiota and boosting immunity. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of a probiotic preparation EnzimsporinTM (consisting of spore-forming bacteria Bacillus sub­tilis B-2998D, B-3057D, and Bacillus licheniformis B-2999D) on the biochemical, hematological, immunological parameters, intestinal microbiota, and growth dynamics of sheep and lambs.  Materials and methods: Enzimsporin was fed to lambs and sheep at different doses to determine the bacteria’s probiotic effects. Sheep were divided into three groups (six each), which received 0, 1, and 3 gm of Enzimsporin/per head/day, respectively, and two groups of lambs (10 each), who received 0 gm and 1 gm of Enzimsporin/per head/day for 30 days in addition to their regular ration. On day 30, blood samples were collected, followed by the determination of biochemical, hematological, and natural resistance indicators. Fecal samples were examined to determine the intestinal microflora, and animals were weighed daily to determine their growth dynamics.  Results: Supplementation of probiotics (EnzimsporinTM) improved the lambs’ body weight gain by 18.8%. Analysis of the clinical parameters showed improvements in the levels of total pro­tein, globulins, and urea by 5.3%, 10.8%, and 6.2%, respectively, in the blood of probiotic-supple­mented lambs. Similarly, an increment in the total protein, albumins, and globulins was observed in the sheep with EnzimsporinTM supplementation. The decrease in bilirubin and cholesterol levels in the blood and increased bactericidal and phagocytic index in the sheep and lambs with pro­biotic supplementation indicated a positive influence of EnzimsporinTM on the liver function and natural resistance. Furthermore, an increase in Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and a decrease in the Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, and Yeast in the fecal contents of experimental sheep and lambs indicated the potentiality of EnzimsporinTM on maintaining good gut health.  Conclusion: Spore-forming bacteria B. subtilis B-2998D, B-3057D, and B. licheniformis B-2999D can be used in feeding sheep and lambs of 2 months of age to increase body weight gain, improve intestinal microbiota, strengthen the immune system, and maintain normal metabolic processes. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(1): 146-157, Mar 2021 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2021.h497

Objective: This research work aimed to assess the histopathological features and degree of gas­tritis severity in a rat model, induced by Helicobacter pylori infection after administering omepra­zole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin as the standard first-line eradication regimen.  Material and Methods: Twenty-one male rats were adapted for 7 days and randomly divided into three equal groups. Group 1 was considered a negative control. Group 2 and Group 3 were treated as H. pylori-inoculated groups. Group 2 was set as a positive control. Group 3 was admin­istered omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin as a first-line eradication regimen. Gastric histopathological examination was conducted. The difference in the severity of gastritis among the groups was examined using the one-way analysis of variance test. The significance was deter­mined to be p < 0.05.  Results: Gastritis was found in all inoculated groups. The severity of gastritis was highest in Group 2 (p < 0.05). We could see a refinement in gastritis severity after administering omeprazole, amox­icillin, and clarithromycin as a first-line eradication regimen (Group 3 vs. Group 2; p <0.05).  Conclusion: Gastritis, induced by the H. pylori rat model, was found in all inoculated groups. There was a refinement in the degree of gastritis severity after the administration of omeprazole, amox­icillin, and clarithromycin as a first-line eradication regimen. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(1): 158-163, Mar 2021 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2021.h498

Objectives: The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary energy and protein level growth performances of selected indigenous Ethiopian sheep breeds.  Materials and Methods: Fifty intact ram lambs, 25 from each breed with 12 months of age and a mean initial body weight (IBW) of 19.31 ± 1.7 kg, were employed for this experiment. Animals were distributed randomly into five dietary treatments, i.e., minimum Energy and Protein (mEmP), medium energy and protein (MEMP), medium Energy and high Protein (MEHP), high energy and medium protein (HEMP), and high Energy and high Protein (HEHP) diets in randomized complete block design with 2 * 5 factorial arrangements. The minimum, medium, and high energy diets were 2.388, 2.866, and 3.344 Mcal/kg dry matter (DM) with the corresponding 10%, 16%, and 20% crude protein (CP) diets, respectively. The diets were formulated in a total mixed ration from wheat bran (WB), maize grain, peanut cake, and pasture hay feed ingredients. Diet offer was at the rate of 3% of lambs’ live weight and revised biweekly as per the attained body weight changes. Digestibility trial was conducted for 7 days of actual fecal data collection, followed by 90 days of feeding trial.  Results: The animals fed on the MEHP diet had a maximum DM and nutrient intakes (CP and organic matter) and the best final body weight (FBW), total gain, gain rate, average daily gains, and feed conversion efficiency (31.3, 12.9 kg, 41.2%, 143.3 gm, and 23.13, respectively), followed by HEMP, HEHP, MEMP, and mEmP diets. Digestibility of DM and nutrients linearly followed similar trends (p < 0.01). Hararghe sheep was heavier (p < 0.01) by 4.3 and 3.1 kg in its FBW and total gain and more efficient in nutrients utilization (22.57 vs. 18.18) as compared to Afar sheep (AS).  Conclusion: It is concluded that MEHP and MEMP are superior and optimum diets for sheep breeds, and Hararghe sheep is carried out better than AS in most growth performance parameters. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(2): 185-194, June 2021

Objective: The work aimed to determine the state of lipid peroxidation products and the activity of the antioxidant system in cats with aseptic inflammation and purulent-inflammatory processes of varying severity.  Materials and Methods: The intensity of the process of lipid peroxidation- antioxidant system processes in blood plasma was evaluated using commercial kits. The level of diene conjugates (DC), the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), the level of medium-weight molecules were deter­mined from lipid peroxidation indices. The state of antioxidant protection was assessed by indi­cators of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CT), ceruloplasmin (CP) concentration, glutathione peroxidase activity, glutathione reductase (GLR), and total antioxidant activity (AOA).  Results: With aseptic inflammation in the blood of cats, a slow activation of peroxidation reactions occurred. The DC indicator increased by 1.4 times, the SOD level rose by 1.38 times, the amount of GLR by 1.04 times, and the activation of total AOA by 9.06. In sepsis, the values of DC, MDA, and medium-weight molecules increased by 4.4, 8.4, and 8.8 times, respectively. With abscesses in the blood of cats, an increase in CT, CP, and GLR is observed against a background of a decrease in glutathione peroxidase. With purulent wounds, the total AOA of plasma increases by 2.5 times; with abscesses, the total AOA increases by 1.9 times, and with sepsis, it decreases by 1.5 times.  Conclusion: With surgical infections in cats, deep biochemical changes or irreversible biochemical changes (in sepsis) occur that indicate a significantly enhanced catabolic orientation of metabolic processes and the accumulation of toxic metabolites, which leads to damage and a decrease in tissue regenerative capacity. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(2): 210-217, June 2021

Objective: This research aimed to study the multi-level ammoniation on the digestibility of palm press fiber (PPF) through in vitro methods.  Materials and Methods: This research was determined using a complete randomized design of three ammoniation treatments on PPF with three replications: (1) untreated PPF (Con), (2) ammo­nia treatment 4% (A-4), and (3) ammonia multi-levels of 6%, 4%, and 2% (A-Mul).  Results: The results showed a significant effect on the chemical composition of feed in the A-Mul treatment compared to Con (p < 0.05) and a non-significant effect when compared to the A-4 treatment. Overall, the content of crude protein, ether extract, and crude fiber in the A-Mul treat­ment increased. Except in the dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber decreased. The results of the in vitro analysis showed an increase in digestibility of DM, Organic matter digestibility, N-NH3, and volatile fatty acids (VFA) in ammoniation treatment. N-NH3 and VFA showed non-significant differences between treatments A-4 and A-Mul (p > 0.05).  Conclusion: Multi-level ammoniation has affected the loosening of the fiber fraction bonding in the PPF, thereby changing the value of the chemical composition and the digestibility of PPF. Multi-level ammonia can be used as an alternative to processing high-fiber feed. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(2): 230-236, June 2021

Objective: The purpose of this work was to investigate the combination of early-age acclimation and linseed dietary inclusion in enriching polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in broilers’ meat as a strategy to mitigate heat stress.  Materials and Methods: A total of 400 broiler chicks were assigned to four experimental groups with four duplicates (25 animals each): C: control (basal diet), AC: early-age acclimated (basal diet), Cl: fed 5% ground linseed, and Acl: early-age acclimated and fed 5% ground linseed. The lipid and fatty acid contents of different parts (breast, thigh, liver, subcutaneous, and abdominal fat) of broilers were determined.  Results: Low levels of lipids and unsaturated fatty acids have been found in the meat of accli­mated broilers. Higher levels of linolenic acids were noted in Cl thigh meat compared to C (6% vs. 2.68%, respectively). The results showed that oleic and linoleic acids constitute a large part of the PUFAs of different meats. The most elevated levels of monounsaturated fatty acids were recorded in the breast meat of AcL animals. The highest content of omega-3 was recorded in the liver of AcL animals compared to that of C (14.98% vs. 7.8%, respectively).  Conclusion: We suggest that the combination of treatments during hot conditions has led to the reversion of the environment-affected variables to accepted values, and yields better ther­moresistance, PUFA-enriched meat, and safeguard animal health which conferred to birds’ better solutions to reduce fatigue and hypoxic activities, which induces a considerable consumption of oxygen. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(2): 237-245, June 2021

Objective: This work investigated the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in communally consumed cheeses in Egypt.  Materials and Methods: This study examined 100 samples of Domiati, Tallaga, Cheddar, and Ras cheese collected from several shops and supermarkets. Samples were spread on selective media to isolate bacterial strains. Molecular characterization of bacterial isolates was carried out using polymerase chain reaction to determine Shiga toxin 1 (stx1), Shiga toxin 2 (stx2), eaeA, and nuc genes. The isolates were tested for susceptibility to 14 antibiotics by disk diffusion assay.  Results: In this study, several E. coli serotypes were identified. E. coli O26:H11, O103:H2, and O111:H2 expressed stx1/2, E. coli O114:H4 expressed stx1, E. coli O17:H18, O21:H7 and O146:H21 expressed stx2, while only E. coli O26:H11 and O111:H2 expressed eaeA. The E. coli isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, while most isolates (82.4%) showed multidrug resistance (MDR). AMR to erythromycin was the highest (100%), followed by nalidixic acid (94.1%), cefotax­ime (82.4%), vancomycin and cephalothin (64.7%), penicillin G (52.9%), sulfamethoxazole (47.1%), amikacin and kanamycin (35.3%), ampicillin (29.4%), tetracycline and ciprofloxacin (23.5%), and doxycycline (11.8%), while gentamicin showed the least resistance (5.9%). The multiple antibi­otic resistance (MAR) index of the isolated E. coli ranged from 0.071 to 1 (mean = 0.478). All S. aureus isolates expressed the nuc gene and demonstrated resistance to at least one antibiotic, and 90% of isolates were MDR. AMR to kanamycin and cephalothin was the highest (100%), fol­lowed by penicillin (90%), doxycycline (70%), nalidixic acid and sulfamethoxazole (60%), erythro­mycin (50%), tetracycline, cefotaxime, and gentamicin (40%), ciprofloxacin and ampicillin (30%), and amikacin (20%). In comparison, vancomycin showed the least resistance (10%). MAR index of isolated S. aureus ranged from 0.143 to 1 (mean = 0.529).  Conclusion: The antimicrobial-resistant E. coli and S. aureus are potential risks for public health and may have a role in disseminating AMR to other pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbes. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 8(2): 246-255, June 2021