Avian paramyxovirus type-1 (APMV-1) viruses of the lentogenic pathotypes are often isolated from wild aquatic birds and may mutate to high pathogenicity when they cross into poultry and cause debilitating Newcastle disease. This study characterised AMPV-1 isolated from fresh faecal droppings from wild aquatic birds roosting sites in Uganda. Fresh faecal samples from wild aquatic birds at several waterbodies in Uganda were collected and inoculated into 9-10-day-old embryonated chicken eggs. After isolation, the viruses were confirmed as APMV-1 by APMV-1-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The cleavage site of the fusion protein gene for 24 representative isolates was sequenced and phylogenetically analysed and compared with representative isolates of the different APMV-1 genotypes in the GenBank database. In total, 711 samples were collected from different regions in the country from which 72 isolates were recovered, giving a prevalence of 10.1%. Sequence analysis of 24 isolates revealed that the isolates were all lentogenic, with the typical 111GGRQGR'L117 avirulent motif. Twenty-two isolates had similar amino acid sequences at the cleavage site, which were different from the LaSota vaccine strain by a silent nucleotide substitution T357C. Two isolates, NDV/waterfowl/Uganda/MU150/2011 and NDV/waterfowl/Uganda/MU186/2011, were different from the rest of the isolates in a single amino acid, with aspartate and alanine at positions 124 and 129, respectively. The results of this study revealed that Ugandan aquatic birds indeed harbour APMV-1 that clustered with class II genotype II strains and had limited genetic diversity.

African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious haemorrhagic disease associated with causing heavy economic losses to the swine industry in many African countries. In 2017, Zambia experienced ASF outbreaks in Mbala District (Northern province) and for the first time in Isoka and Chinsali districts (Muchinga province). Meanwhile, another outbreak was observed in Chipata District (Eastern province). Genetic analysis of part of the B646L gene, E183L gene, CP204L gene and the central variable region of the B602L gene of ASF virus (ASFV) associated with the outbreaks in Mbala and Chipata districts was conducted. The results revealed that the ASFV detected in Mbala District was highly similar to that of the Georgia 2007/1 isolate across all the genome regions analysed. In contrast, while showing close relationship with the Georgia 2007/1 virus in the B646L gene, the ASFV detected in Chipata District showed remarkable genetic variation in the rest of the genes analysed. These results suggest that the Georgia 2007/1-like virus could be more diverse than what was previously thought, underscoring the need of continued surveillance and monitoring of ASFVs within the south-eastern African region to better understand their epidemiology and the relationships between outbreaks and their possible origin.

Lactococcus garvieae is a Gram-positive bacterium that causes mortalities in freshwater and marine fish worldwide and therefore results in severe economic losses in the aquaculture industry. Apart from the apparent integral role of the exopolysaccharide (EPS) capsule in pathogenesis, factors associated with virulence of this bacterium are poorly understood. However, recent studies have indicated that the ability of L. garvieae to cause disease does not depend on the presence of the EPS capsule. Lack of knowledge of virulence factors, pathogenesis and serology of L. garvieae is an impediment to the development of effective typing methods and control measures. This study, therefore, aimed to detect the presence of EPS capsules and other putative virulence factors in South African L. garvieae fish pathogenic isolates and a non-virulent isolate, and to identify possible candidates for subunit vaccine development. No indication of the presence of the EPS capsule was detected by negative staining or amplification of the EPS biosynthesis gene cluster in the virulent isolates or the avirulent strain, discrediting the notion that the EPS capsule is the sole determinant of virulence. However, a set of putative virulence factor genes was detected in all isolates, and candidates for subunit vaccine development (enolase, lactate dehydrogenase phosphoenolpyruvate-protein phosphotransferase) were identified by identification of extracellular proteins of virulent strains.

Canine babesiosis and ehrlichiosis are important tick-borne infections in South Africa. Many South African general veterinary practitioners perceive co-infection with Ehrlichia spp. as a common occurrence in dogs with babesiosis. Studies about the prevalence of co-infection in South African dogs are lacking. This retrospective study aimed to determine the prevalence of Ehrlichia co-infection in dogs with babesiosis. Additionally, the predicative value of specific haematological variables for co-infection was evaluated. The study population consisted of 205 dogs diagnosed with canine babesiosis presented to the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH) in 2006 and between 2011 and 2013. The Babesia-infected dogs were grouped based on presence or absence of an Ehrlichia spp. co-infection. Ehrlichia spp. co-infection was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction. Positive and negative predictive values (PPVs and NPVs) of leukopenia or thrombocytopenia for co-infection were also calculated. The prevalence of Babesia spp. and Ehrlichia spp. co-infection in this cohort of dogs was 2%. In the babesiosis dogs, the PPV of leukopenia for co-infection with Ehrlichia spp. was 1.3%, and the NPV 97.4%. Similarly, the PPV and NPVs of thrombocytopenia for co-infection were 2.1% and 100%, respectively. Co-infection with Ehrlichia spp. was a rare occurrence in dogs with babesiosis presented to the OVAH. Normal leukocyte or platelet counts confidently ruled out the presence of concurrent ehrlichiosis in this cohort of dogs. However, the diagnosis of Ehrlichia co-infection based on the presence of thrombocytopenia or leukopenia would have been associated with false positive results in more than 97.4% of cases.

The aim of this study was to draw attention to the clinical course of the disease and some laboratory findings in cats diagnosed with Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma gondii seropositive 14 cats were used in this study. A serological evaluation was carried out to determine the presence of Toxoplasma gondii specific IgG using commercial diagnostic kits, by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Hematological and clinical changes of those cats were recorded.Of 14 cats, neural symptoms such as behavioral changes, seizures, ataxia and nystagmus were detected in 11 cats, uveitis in 5 cats and diarrhea in 4 cats. Serum urea, creatinine and bilirubin levels were normal in all cats. However, Anemia (decreased Hb, RBC, PCV) in 8 cats (57.1%), monocytosis in 6 cats (42.8%), neutrophilia in 5 cats (35.7%), hypoalbuminemia in 5 cats (35.7%) and increased AST and ALT levels in 3 cats (21.4%) were detected.It was concluded that clinical Toxoplasmosis in cats is characterized by neurological, ocular and gastrointestinal sings and hematological sings such as anemia, monocytosis, neutrophilia and hypoalbuminemia that clinically patient cats should also be evaluated in terms of Toxoplasmosis in cats.

In this study, the effect of vitamin E plus selenium (Se) application on malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), vitamin E, C, A and -carotene were aimed to investigate in exercised horses. For this purpose, 50 healthy Anatolian type local horse breed aged between 3-5 from Altındere Study Farm were used. The animals were divided into two equal groups. While 1st group received nothing, horses in second group were received vitamin E+Se intramuscularly. Then animals in both groups were exercised for 1500 meters. Blood samples were taken handily from all animals before and after exercise. This samples were analyzed for MDA, GSH, vitamin E, C, A and β-caroten spectrophotometrically.MDA and GSH concentration in 1st group were found to increase significantly (p<0.001) after exercise. On the other hand, serum vitamin E, C, A and β-carotene levels did not changed significantly. In the second group, serum vitamin E levels increased significantly (p<0.001) after vitamin E+selenium application. Furthermore, MDA (p<0.05) and GSH (p<0.001) levels increased significantly after exercise in the second group. Vitamin E levels decreased significantly (p<0.01) after exercise. However, vitamin A and C levels did not change significantly. In addition, in the second group, β-carotene levels were also changed significantly (p<0.05) when the values obtained before vitamin E application compared with the values obtained after vitamin E application. When comparison made between groups, while MDA and vitamin E values were statistically important (p<0.05), GSH, vitamin C, A and β-carotene values were not important statisticallyAs a result, acute exercise can increase free-radical production which, the results shows that increase in both MDA and GSH can be shown as the indicator of it. Furthermore, decrease in MDA level in vitamin E applied group the indicator of the rise in antioxidant defense and protective effect of vitamin E.

Infection with Neospora caninum in a dog is described. The predominant clinical findings were proprioception deficit, involuntary and continuous contracture of the pelvic extremity muscles. N. caninum is structurally similar to Toxoplasma gondii, but it is immunologically distinct. Therefore, infections had been misdiagnosed as toxoplasmosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by an immunofluorescence antibody test. The parasite is sensitive to clindamycin and trimethoprim/sulphonamide, however the prognosis is poor especially if the muscle contractures have occurred.

In this study, normal values of important blood parameters in the clinical direction of blood samples of Van cats living in Van and around Van were investigated.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of glucose, total cholesterol, total lipid, total protein, total bilirubine, urea, creatinine quantities, α-Amylase, GOT, GPT, γGT, CK, ALP, LDH, α-HBDH, Che, SDH enzyme activities, GOT/GPT, γGT/GOT, CK/GOT, LDH/GOT, HBDH/LDH ratios and serum protein fractions in 10 Van cats; albumin, α-1globulin, α-2 globulin, β-globulin, γ-globulin and albumin / globulin ratio were determined.In order for Van cats that are an important cultural asset and protected rather not to become extinct but to provide them with healthy conditions for living and breeding, we believe that the values we identify will contribute to practice associated with Van cats and generate collective reference values in scientific studies and will help veterinary clinicians.