Objectives: This study was performed to probe the antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes profiling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa recovered from the cases of pericarditis in broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: The samples (n = 250) collected from the cases of pericarditis in broiler chickens were bacteriologically examined. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disc diffusion technique. The isolates were genotypically studied for the presence of antimicrobial resistance and virulence gene traits. Finally, the nucleotide sequence of representative resistance gene (mexR gene) and virulence genes (toxA and lasI genes) was analyzed. Results: P. aeruginosa was isolated from 45 samples (18%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed multidrug resistance in most of the recovered P. aeruginosa isolates, whereas colistin and imipenem were the furthermost in vitro-sensitive antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance genes, such as blaCTX, fox, and mexR, were prevalent in 100%, 80%, and 100% of the isolates, respectively. PCR confirmed virulence genes such as toxA, exoY, lasB, and lasI in 100%, 60%, 80%, and 80% of the isolates, respectively. Nucleotide sequence analysis of representative resistance gene (mexR gene) and virulence genes (toxA and lasI genes) revealed a high correlation between P. aeruginosa recovered from pericarditis in broiler chickens in the present study with PAO1 (reference strain) and with other sequences published on the GenBank representing different localities worldwide. Conclusion: It could be concluded that P. aeruginosa recovered from pericarditis in broiler chick¬ens in the current study is highly virulent bacteria, resisting most of the therapeutic agents which not only bear hazards for poultry industry but also represent a public health concern. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(3.000): 452-463]

Objectives: This study was performed to probe the antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes profiling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa recovered from the cases of pericarditis in broiler chickens.  Materials and Methods: The samples (n = 250) collected from the cases of pericarditis in broiler chickens were bacteriologically examined. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disc diffusion technique. The isolates were genotypically studied for the presence of antimicrobial resistance and virulence gene traits. Finally, the nucleotide sequence of representative resistance gene (mexR gene) and virulence genes (toxA and lasI genes) was analyzed.  Results: P. aeruginosa was isolated from 45 samples (18%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed multidrug resistance in most of the recovered P. aeruginosa isolates, whereas colistin and imipenem were the furthermost in vitro-sensitive antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance genes, such as blaCTX, fox, and mexR, were prevalent in 100%, 80%, and 100% of the isolates, respectively. PCR confirmed virulence genes such as toxA, exoY, lasB, and lasI in 100%, 60%, 80%, and 80% of the isolates, respectively. Nucleotide sequence analysis of representative resistance gene (mexR gene) and virulence genes (toxA and lasI genes) revealed a high correlation between P. aeruginosa recovered from pericarditis in broiler chickens in the present study with PAO1 (reference strain) and with other sequences published on the GenBank representing different localities worldwide.  Conclusion: It could be concluded that P. aeruginosa recovered from pericarditis in broiler chick­ens in the current study is highly virulent bacteria, resisting most of the therapeutic agents which not only bear hazards for poultry industry but also represent a public health concern. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 7(3): 452-463, Sep 2020 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2020.g441

Objective: Bilateral ureteral calculi, hydronephrosis, pyometra, pyocolpos, vestibulovaginal steno¬sis, and imperforate hymen in a dog are uncommon and can be difficult to diagnose. The aim of this article is to report diagnostic challenges and successful surgical treatment of this rare event and the long-term outcomes. Materials and methods: A 5-year-old, spayed (partial ovariohysterectomy) female dog was pri¬marily diagnosed with bilateral hydronephrosis and ureter obstruction due to urolithiasis along with pyometra. The urolith was removed carefully by the right-side ureterectomy, an appropriate ureteral stent was inserted from the bladder to the right kidney, and then, a vasectomy and hys¬terectomy were performed. The dog improved and was discharged. However, 50 days after surgery, pyocolpos due to imperforate hymen and vestibulovaginal stenosis were diagnosed and sur¬gically corrected, and the ureteral stent was removed because the ureter had completely healed. Results: During the first admission, serum biochemistry results revealed the increased blood urea nitrogen (5.9 mg/dl), creatinine (116.2 mg/dl), amylase (1,345 U/l), and lipase (141 U/l) values. After surgical correction, all parameters returned to normal. However, 50 days after surgery, the C-reactive protein concentration (143 mg/l) and white blood cell level increased (18.4 × 109/l). After a second surgical correction, the dog recovered fully within 10 days, and no postoperative complications were observed during the follow-up of 6 months. Conclusion: This report provides diagnostic assistance and surgical treatment options for a com¬plex urogenital case. Careful examination during puberty is recommended to prevent the associ¬ated complications of this disorder. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(3.000): 384-390]

Objective: Bilateral ureteral calculi, hydronephrosis, pyometra, pyocolpos, vestibulovaginal steno­sis, and imperforate hymen in a dog are uncommon and can be difficult to diagnose. The aim of this article is to report diagnostic challenges and successful surgical treatment of this rare event and the long-term outcomes.  Materials and methods: A 5-year-old, spayed (partial ovariohysterectomy) female dog was pri­marily diagnosed with bilateral hydronephrosis and ureter obstruction due to urolithiasis along with pyometra. The urolith was removed carefully by the right-side ureterectomy, an appropriate ureteral stent was inserted from the bladder to the right kidney, and then, a vasectomy and hys­terectomy were performed. The dog improved and was discharged. However, 50 days after sur­gery, pyocolpos due to imperforate hymen and vestibulovaginal stenosis were diagnosed and sur­gically corrected, and the ureteral stent was removed because the ureter had completely healed.  Results: During the first admission, serum biochemistry results revealed the increased blood urea nitrogen (5.9 mg/dl), creatinine (116.2 mg/dl), amylase (1,345 U/l), and lipase (141 U/l) values. After surgical correction, all parameters returned to normal. However, 50 days after surgery, the C-reactive protein concentration (143 mg/l) and white blood cell level increased (18.4 × 109/l). After a second surgical correction, the dog recovered fully within 10 days, and no postoperative complications were observed during the follow-up of 6 months.  Conclusion: This report provides diagnostic assistance and surgical treatment options for a com­plex urogenital case. Careful examination during puberty is recommended to prevent the associ­ated complications of this disorder. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 7(3): 384-390, Sep 2020 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2020.g432

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the comparative larvicidal efficacy of com¬mercial ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oils from India and Thailand against the Aedes aegypti mosquito to be used as a guideline for Aedes mosquito control. Materials and Methods: The bioassay for the larvicidal activity of commercial ylang-ylang essen¬tial oils in this experiment was modified from the World Health Organization standard protocols. The concentration ranges at 0.025, 0.050, 0.075, 0.100, 0.125, and 0.150 ppm in each treatment were used for testing, and four replicates were used per concentration. The larval mortality was observed and recorded 24- and 48-h after exposure. Results: The results of this study clearly revealed that commercial ylang-ylang essential oils from India and Thailand were highly toxic to the larvae of the dengue vector Ae. aegypti, and Indian ylang-ylang had an LC50 value of 0.064 ppm, whereas Thai ylang-ylang had an LC50 value of 0.042 ppm after 24-h exposure. Conclusion: This study revealed the efficacy of commercial Indian and Thai ylang-ylang essential oils as natural vector control for the larval stage of the dengue vector Ae. aegypti. Usually, natural larvicide products are not commonly found in the market due to complex production processes. The results of this research support the use of commercial essential oils to aid in further control of Aedes mosquito larvae populations in the community. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(3.000): 391-396]

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the comparative larvicidal efficacy of com­mercial ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oils from India and Thailand against the Aedes aegypti mosquito to be used as a guideline for Aedes mosquito control.  Materials and Methods: The bioassay for the larvicidal activity of commercial ylang-ylang essen­tial oils in this experiment was modified from the World Health Organization standard protocols. The concentration ranges at 0.025, 0.050, 0.075, 0.100, 0.125, and 0.150 ppm in each treatment were used for testing, and four replicates were used per concentration. The larval mortality was observed and recorded 24- and 48-h after exposure.  Results: The results of this study clearly revealed that commercial ylang-ylang essential oils from India and Thailand were highly toxic to the larvae of the dengue vector Ae. aegypti, and Indian ylang-ylang had an LC50 value of 0.064 ppm, whereas Thai ylang-ylang had an LC50 value of 0.042 ppm after 24-h exposure.  Conclusion: This study revealed the efficacy of commercial Indian and Thai ylang-ylang essential oils as natural vector control for the larval stage of the dengue vector Ae. aegypti. Usually, natural larvicide products are not commonly found in the market due to complex production processes. The results of this research support the use of commercial essential oils to aid in further control of Aedes mosquito larvae populations in the community. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 7(3): 391-396, Sep 2020 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2020.g433

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the veracities of most admired strategy dis¬criminant analysis (DA), in comparison to the artificial neural network (ANN) for the anticipation and classification of milk production level in Holstein Friesian cattle using their performances. Materials and Methods: A total of 3,460 performance records of imported and locally born Holstein Friesian cows were gathered during the period from 2000 to 2016 to compare two alter¬native techniques for predicting the level of production based on performance traits in dairy cattle with the use of statistical software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 20.0). Results: The findings of the comparison indicated that ANN was more impressive in the expec¬tancy of milk production level than did an imitator statistical method based on DA. The accuracy of the ANN model was high for the winter season (79.5%), whereas it was 47.3% for DA. The cur¬rent findings were assured via the areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) for DA and ANN. AUROC curves were smaller in the condition of the DA model across different calving seasons compared with the ANN model. The inaccuracies of variations were significant at a 5% significance level utilizing paired sample t-test. Conclusion: ANN model can be used efficiently to predict the level of production across the differ¬ent calving seasons compared to the DA model. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(3.000): 429-435]

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the veracities of most admired strategy dis­criminant analysis (DA), in comparison to the artificial neural network (ANN) for the anticipation and classification of milk production level in Holstein Friesian cattle using their performances.  Materials and Methods: A total of 3,460 performance records of imported and locally born Holstein Friesian cows were gathered during the period from 2000 to 2016 to compare two alter­native techniques for predicting the level of production based on performance traits in dairy cattle with the use of statistical software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 20.0).  Results: The findings of the comparison indicated that ANN was more impressive in the expec­tancy of milk production level than did an imitator statistical method based on DA. The accuracy of the ANN model was high for the winter season (79.5%), whereas it was 47.3% for DA. The cur­rent findings were assured via the areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) for DA and ANN. AUROC curves were smaller in the condition of the DA model across different calving seasons compared with the ANN model. The inaccuracies of variations were significant at a 5% significance level utilizing paired sample t-test.  Conclusion: ANN model can be used efficiently to predict the level of production across the differ­ent calving seasons compared to the DA model. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 7(3): 429-435, Sep 2020 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2020.g438

Objective: Infertility caused by reproductive pathologies plays a significant role in animal breeding and could result in massive economic losses to livestock owners. Hence, this study was designed to allocate various pathological lesions in the female reproductive tract of she-camels (Camelus dromedarius) slaughtered in Egypt and isolate the causative agents associated with those pathologies. Materials and Methods: A total of 500 genitalia of adult nonpregnant she-camels aged between 6 and 15 years old were collected from three slaughterhouses at the Giza Governorate, Egypt, from August 2017 to August 2019. The uterus, cervix, and vagina were examined pathologically and microbiologically. Results: The uteri of 152 cases (30.4%), cervices of 24 cases (4.8%), and vaginae of 20 cases (4.2%) showed pathological abnormalities. The uterine inflammatory lesions were detected in 119 cases (23.8%), and the non-inflammatory lesions were detected in 58 cases (11.6%). Pathological changes of the cervix comprised 4.8%, whereas vaginal abnormalities represented 4%. The total microbial recovery rate was 28.4%, and the isolated organisms included Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in addition to Candida albicans. Trials to isolate Brucella and Salmonella species were negative; however, virological examination revealed the isolation of bovine herpes¬virus type-1 in two cases. Conclusion: Inflammatory lesions were the most prevailing pathological lesions observed along the genital tract of she-camels, and E. coli was the most prevalent isolate. The microbiological burden from the genital discharge could be of zoonotic importance to the examiner and could be a contaminant to the environment and, consequently, human. In addition, attention should be paid toward the possibility of infected she-camels to transmit such infections to farm animals in contact. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(4.000): 633-646]

Objective: Infertility caused by reproductive pathologies plays a significant role in animal breeding and could result in massive economic losses to livestock owners. Hence, this study was designed to allocate various pathological lesions in the female reproductive tract of she-camels (Camelus dromedarius) slaughtered in Egypt and isolate the causative agents associated with those pathologies.  Materials and Methods: A total of 500 genitalia of adult nonpregnant she-camels aged between 6 and 15 years old were collected from three slaughterhouses at the Giza Governorate, Egypt, from August 2017 to August 2019. The uterus, cervix, and vagina were examined pathologically and microbiologically.  Results: The uteri of 152 cases (30.4%), cervices of 24 cases (4.8%), and vaginae of 20 cases (4.2%) showed pathological abnormalities. The uterine inflammatory lesions were detected in 119 cases (23.8%), and the non-inflammatory lesions were detected in 58 cases (11.6%). Pathological changes of the cervix comprised 4.8%, whereas vaginal abnormalities represented 4%. The total microbial recovery rate was 28.4%, and the isolated organisms included Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in addition to Candida albicans. Trials to isolate Brucella and Salmonella species were negative; however, virological examination revealed the isolation of bovine herpes­virus type-1 in two cases.  Conclusion: Inflammatory lesions were the most prevailing pathological lesions observed along the genital tract of she-camels, and E. coli was the most prevalent isolate. The microbiological burden from the genital discharge could be of zoonotic importance to the examiner and could be a contaminant to the environment and, consequently, human. In addition, attention should be paid toward the possibility of infected she-camels to transmit such infections to farm animals in contact. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 7(4): 633-646, Dec 2020 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2020.g462

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effects of wet-to-dry bandages for the treatment of surgical wounds in goats. Materials and Methods: Three types of bandages, i.e., the calcium alginate gel, the homogenous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel dressing, and saline dressing, were used to promote the healing process for the management of wounds. Artificial circular wounds were created and treated with bandages to evaluate their effects on the wound healing process in 12 goats. The morphological parameters, i.e., diameters (cm), duration of healing, and wound contraction (cm), were evalu¬ated to differentiate the postoperative sequelae on wound healing process up to day 30 in three different treatment groups of goats. Tissue specimens from the wounds were examined histo¬pathologically on 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 30th postoperative days. Finally, the obtained data were ana¬lyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 19 software. Results: The current study revealed that the contraction diameter was higher in calcium alginate gel and PRP gel treated group when compared to the saline dressing group. Aggregation of immu¬noreactive cells (neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes), collagen fiber bundles among the cells, and proliferation of blood vessels were observed in the epidermis of calcium alginate gel, PRP gel treated and saline dressing wounds, which promote the healing process of wounds. In visual inspection, the number of reactive cells and proliferation of blood vessels were higher in the calcium alginate gel and PRP gel treated group than the saline dressing. Conclusion: In terms of epithelialization, epidermal characteristics, neovascularization, and infil¬tration of immunoreactive cells, the calcium alginate gel and the homogenous PRP gel dressings showed the best healing performance. Therefore, the present study suggests that clinicians could consider the calcium alginate gel dressing and homogenous PRP gel dressing as beneficial for wound care. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(4.000): 647-654]

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effects of wet-to-dry bandages for the treatment of surgical wounds in goats. Materials and Methods: Three types of bandages, i.e., the calcium alginate gel, the homogenous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel dressing, and saline dressing, were used to promote the healing process for the management of wounds. Artificial circular wounds were created and treated with bandages to evaluate their effects on the wound healing process in 12 goats. The morphological parameters, i.e., diameters (cm), duration of healing, and wound contraction (cm), were evalu­ated to differentiate the postoperative sequelae on wound healing process up to day 30 in three different treatment groups of goats. Tissue specimens from the wounds were examined histo­pathologically on 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 30th postoperative days. Finally, the obtained data were ana­lyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 19 software.  Results: The current study revealed that the contraction diameter was higher in calcium alginate gel and PRP gel treated group when compared to the saline dressing group. Aggregation of immu­noreactive cells (neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes), collagen fiber bundles among the cells, and proliferation of blood vessels were observed in the epidermis of calcium alginate gel, PRP gel treated and saline dressing wounds, which promote the healing process of wounds. In visual inspection, the number of reactive cells and proliferation of blood vessels were higher in the calcium alginate gel and PRP gel treated group than the saline dressing.  Conclusion: In terms of epithelialization, epidermal characteristics, neovascularization, and infil­tration of immunoreactive cells, the calcium alginate gel and the homogenous PRP gel dressings showed the best healing performance. Therefore, the present study suggests that clinicians could consider the calcium alginate gel dressing and homogenous PRP gel dressing as beneficial for wound care. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 7(4): 647-654, Dec 2020 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2020.g463

Objective: The study of an in vitro embryosis is crucial in genetics for breed improvement and reproduction in livestock, identifying the causes of infertility, and stem cell application. Meanwhile, the problem of nucleic acid denaturation observed during embryo development is yet to be resolved. This study was set out to analyze the nucleic acid denaturation during the development of in vitro embryos. Materials and Methods: Using an in-vitro fertilization-embryo in porcine, the cell development and apoptosis were evaluated by adding rapamycin by concentration to the TCM-199 containing 10% FBS or 10% porcine follicle fluid (pFF). Real-time PCR, zymography, DNA fragment, Western blot, and immunofluorescence analysis were also carried out to determine the development rate of inner cell mass in the in-vitro fertilization-embryo. Results: The findings indicated that the addition of rapamycin to the 10% pFF group during in vitro maturation led to an increase in the rates of cleavage and blastocyst development and the expression of active matrix metallopeptidase (MMP-9), while nucleic acid denaturation was suppressed. In other words, the addition of rapamycin was found to increase the expression of MMP-2 in the inner cell mass and trophoblast, while it inhibited apoptosis. Conclusion: The addition of rapamycin influences the regulation of apoptosis and MMPs, and based on this, it is presumed to have a positive effect on blastocyst development. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(4.000): 614-620]

Objective: The study of an in vitro embryosis is crucial in genetics for breed improvement and reproduction in livestock, identifying the causes of infertility, and stem cell application. Meanwhile, the problem of nucleic acid denaturation observed during embryo development is yet to be resolved. This study was set out to analyze the nucleic acid denaturation during the development of in vitro embryos.  Materials and Methods: Using an in-vitro fertilization-embryo in porcine, the cell development and apoptosis were evaluated by adding rapamycin by concentration to the TCM-199 containing 10% FBS or 10% porcine follicle fluid (pFF). Real-time PCR, zymography, DNA fragment, Western blot, and immunofluorescence analysis were also carried out to determine the development rate of inner cell mass in the in-vitro fertilization-embryo.  Results: The findings indicated that the addition of rapamycin to the 10% pFF group during in vitro maturation led to an increase in the rates of cleavage and blastocyst development and the expres­sion of active matrix metallopeptidase (MMP-9), while nucleic acid denaturation was suppressed. In other words, the addition of rapamycin was found to increase the expression of MMP-2 in the inner cell mass and trophoblast, while it inhibited apoptosis.  Conclusion: The addition of rapamycin influences the regulation of apoptosis and MMPs, and based on this, it is presumed to have a positive effect on blastocyst development. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 7(4): 614-620, Dec 2020 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2020.g459

Objective: This case report aims to discuss the veterinary approach taken to control a case of aspergillosis outbreak on a duck farm. Materials and Methods: A broiler duck farm with a population of 900 Muscovy ducks was having a complaint of a 5% mortality rate in their 3-week-old ducklings. Upon presentation, 10% of the ducks appeared to be listless, dyspneic, ruffled feathers, and cyanotic. Postmortem examination of the dead birds was conducted. The collected samples were subjected to isolation and iden¬tification of the associated Aspergillus fumigatus under the microscope using the scotch tape method. Results: Postmortem examination revealed whitish to creamy caseous nodules in the lungs, tho¬racic air sacs, gizzard, proventriculus, and intestines. Granuloma lesions and infiltration of inflam¬matory cells were observed in the lung and liver tissues. As for therapeutic management, all ducks were treated with copper sulfate, erythromycin, and multivitamins as the fungicide, antibiotic, and supplement, respectively, via drinking water. Conclusion: There is no effective treatment for Aspergillosis as the spores are difficult to destroy completely. Nonetheless, the disease can be controlled and prevented effectively with proper farm sanitation and providing a suitable feed storage environment to inhibit the growth of this opportunistic fungus. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(4.000): 692-697]

Objective: This case report aims to discuss the veterinary approach taken to control a case of aspergillosis outbreak on a duck farm.  Materials and Methods: A broiler duck farm with a population of 900 Muscovy ducks was having a complaint of a 5% mortality rate in their 3-week-old ducklings. Upon presentation, 10% of the ducks appeared to be listless, dyspneic, ruffled feathers, and cyanotic. Postmortem examination of the dead birds was conducted. The collected samples were subjected to isolation and iden­tification of the associated Aspergillus fumigatus under the microscope using the scotch tape method.  Results: Postmortem examination revealed whitish to creamy caseous nodules in the lungs, tho­racic air sacs, gizzard, proventriculus, and intestines. Granuloma lesions and infiltration of inflam­matory cells were observed in the lung and liver tissues. As for therapeutic management, all ducks were treated with copper sulfate, erythromycin, and multivitamins as the fungicide, antibiotic, and supplement, respectively, via drinking water.  Conclusion: There is no effective treatment for Aspergillosis as the spores are difficult to destroy completely. Nonetheless, the disease can be controlled and prevented effectively with proper farm sanitation and providing a suitable feed storage environment to inhibit the growth of this opportunistic fungus. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 7(4): 692-697, Dec 2020 http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2020.g469