A survey of 95 wild rats which were captured from various locations was conducted to determine the diversity and distribution of ectoparasites and endoparasites infesting wild rat population around the city of Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur. The rodents captured were Rat tus norvegicus and post mortem was carried out immediately after capture, with skin and organs examined for parasite infection. Ectoparasites recovered were blood sucking louse (Polyplax spinulosa) and mites (Myocoptes musculinus). Endoparasites recovered were nematodes (Aspiculuris tetraptera, Trichuris sp., and two strongyles, one of which is Strongyloides sp.) And three intestinal protozoan parasites (Blastocystis sp., Trichomonas sp., and a coccidia). Low diversity of ecto- and endoparasites were observed infecting wild rat population caught in Ipoh as compared to Kuala Lumpur.

Data over a period of eleven years was analysed for Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) virus isolated from chicken samples submit ted to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory at Bukit Tengah, Malaysia (RVLBT) for diagnosis. A total of 247 suspect IBD cases were tested by Virology Section, RVLBT between years of 2006 to 2016. IBD virus has been isolated by using Agar Gel Precipitation Test (AGPT), a bursal homogenate which has been used as an antigen against a known positive antiserum. About 27 cases (11%) from a total of 247 suspect cases in chickens were positive for the presence of IBD. The rate of IBD may be influenced by age of chickens with an increase in the possibility of IBD occurring in chicken older than 3 weeks. Apart from that, both broiler and local chickens are highly susceptible to this disease. Therefore, awareness on the existing IBD cases indicates the importance of strict management procedures, proper management programmes, vaccination and immunisation for chickens in Malaysia.

Identification of microorganisms, including bacteria, are widely used especially in environmental studies, biotechnology, clinical microbiology, microbial forensics, and in research study. The conventional method of bacteria identification is based on phenotypic observation techniques by profiling an organism’s metabolic attributes or some aspect of its chemical composition. Then, interpretation of test results involves substantial subjective judgement. Currently, general 16S rRNA sequencing and specific PCR play an important role in the accurate and faster identification of bacteria. The aim of this study is to compare the identification of the genus or species of bacteria from agricultural waste using conventional microbiology biochemical test and molecular techniques PCR 16S rRNA universal amplified ribosomal region (UARR) sequencing. A total of 72 agricultural waste samples and 2 ATCC culture as positive control were tested. Out of two ATCC bacteria and fifteen bacteria isolates identified by the biochemical test, twelve species (71%) of bacteria gave exactly the same bacteria genus as the 16S rRNA sequencing results. Aeromonas hydrophilia, Alcaligenes faecalis and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus was revealed as Pseudomonas sp. from the sequencing results. As for Alcaligenes sp., the results from the sequencing is Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Previous reports also showed different results of the same isolate which were from similar classification, and closely related to each other. The limited number of biochemical tests available in a laboratory will contribute to misidentification of a proposed specie.

A Survey of gastrointestinal helminthes/ parasites in camel migrated from Tehsil Jalapur Pir Wala to Multan Tehsil, was carried out during May, 2012.A total number of 50 samples (20 males and 30 females) were collected from various places at Multan. The revealed parasites were mixed helminthic infection and identified as strongylidae spp, trichostrongyle spp, coccidian/eimeria spp and isospora spp.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an endemic infectious disease of cattle in Egypt. This survey aimed to define the prevalence of clinical and sub-clinical LSD virus (LSDV) infection among cattle and investigate their contact with water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in order to improve the understanding of LSD epidemiology. Cattle and buffalo were examined owing to the appearance of skin lesions. Because clinical signs were consistent with LSDV infection, samples from cattle in a non-grazing dairy farm (n = 450) were submitted for LSDV testing together with those from the in-contact buffaloes (n = 100). Results revealed that the intra-herd percentage of cattle infected with LSDV varied with the detection method. This ranged from 22.4% to 65.4% by virus isolation (VI) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively, in clinical cattle samples, compared to 0% and 10% by VI and PCR in non-clinical cases. Using the neutralising index (NI), LSDV antibodies were found in 100% (n = 100) of the tested cow's sera (NI = > 2.0 and ≥ 3.0), whereas buffalo's sera (n = 34) displayed little increase in antibody level (NI ≥ 1.5). None of the buffalo were positive for LSDV by VI and PCR. In addition, there were no significant differences in LSD prevalence among the cattle with regard to age and sex. In conclusion, the occurrence of LSD in cattle warrants a further epidemiological study of the spread of the disease in the area and adoption of control and prevention strategies. In addition, the PCR assay was confirmed to be useful in the diagnosis of LSDV and for wider epidemiological studies.

Contagious ecthyma is a highly contagious disease affecting domestic and wild ruminants such as sheep, goats and camels. The identification and characterisation of a parapoxvirus (PPV) infecting camels is described here. The virus was detected in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Kerman and Shiraz in Iran. PPV-specific amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) further confirmed that the disease was associated with PPV infection. Phylogenetic analysis of ORF011 (B2L) gene sequences showed 99.79% and 82.13% similarity of the PPV identified in this study with the Jodhpur isolate and the bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV) isolates (CE41), respectively. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of the ORF045 gene indicated that the Shiraz sample was in all probability closely related to VR634 and to F00.120R and PCPV776. In conclusion, the results suggest that camel PPV (CPPV) is a likely cause of contagious ecthyma in dromedary camels in Iran.

The intensification of cattle production has raised concern for animal welfare due to the stress that is associated with farming practices. The welfare of an animal is determined by the animal's ability to cope with or adapt to its continuously changing environment and the biological cost that is associated with this adaptation and maintenance. Stressors arise from various psychological, physiological and physical aspects of farming practices due to management and human-cattle interactions. Measuring the activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis with plasma cortisol levels is a useful method for determining the effects of stress on animals as it is stimulated at the onset of a perceived stress. The activation of the HPA axis affects various target tissues or systems and can result in suppression of the immune system, increased susceptibility to disease and adverse effects on reproductive success in prenatal and neonatal calves. Although some levels of stress associated with farming practices are unavoidable, improvements in farming methods need to be implemented in order to maintain or increase the efficiency of cattle production in a way that does not compromise the welfare of the animal.

African animal trypanosomiasis causes significant economic losses in sub-Saharan African countries because of livestock mortalities and reduced productivity. Trypanosomes, the causative agents, are transmitted by tsetse flies (Glossina spp.). In the current study, we compared and contrasted the virulence characteristics of five Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei isolates using groups of Swiss white mice (n = 6). We further determined the vectorial capacity of Glossina pallidipes, for each of the trypanosome isolates. Results showed that the overall pre-patent (PP) periods were 8.4 ± 0.9 (range, 4-11) and 4.5 ± 0.2 (range, 4-6) for T. congolense and T. brucei isolates, respectively (p < 0.01). Despite the longer mean PP, T. congolense-infected mice exhibited a significantly (p < 0.05) shorter survival time than T. brucei-infected mice, indicating greater virulence. Differences were also noted among the individual isolates with T. congolense KETRI 2909 causing the most acute infection of the entire group with a mean ± standard error survival time of 9 ± 2.1 days. Survival time of infected tsetse flies and the proportion with mature infections at 30 days post-exposure to the infective blood meals varied among isolates, with subacute infection-causing T. congolense EATRO 1829 and chronic infection-causing T. brucei EATRO 2267 isolates showing the highest mature infection rates of 38.5% and 23.1%, respectively. Therefore, our study provides further evidence of occurrence of differences in virulence and transmissibility of eastern African trypanosome strains and has identified two, T. congolense EATRO 1829 and T. brucei EATRO 2267, as suitable for tsetse infectivity and transmissibility experiments.

Query (Q) fever is a globally distributed zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a bacterial agent for which ruminants are the most prevalent natural reservoir. Data regarding Q fever infection in camels in Algeria are limited. Therefore, a survey to detect seroprevalence of C. burnetii antibodies was conducted among healthy camel populations in a vast area in southeastern Algeria to determine distribution of the Q fever causative organism and to identify risk factors associated with infection. Between January and March 2016, blood samples were collected from 184 camels and serum samples were subsequently analysed using a commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. At the time of blood collection, a questionnaire investigating 13 potential predisposing factors associated with C. burnetii seropositivity was completed for every dromedary camel and herd. Results were analysed by a chi-square (&#967;²) test and multivariate logistic regression. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii at the animal level was 71.2% (95% CI: 65.2-78.3) and 85.3% (95% CI: 72.8-97.8) at the herd level. At the animal level, differences in seroprevalence were observed because of herd size, animal age, animal sex, presence of ticks and contact with other herds. A multivariable logistic regression model identified three main risk factors associated with individual seropositivity: (1) age class > 11 years (OR = 8.81, 95% CI: 2.55-30.41), (2) herd size > 50 head (OR = 4.46, 95% CI: 1.01-19.59) and (3) infestation with ticks (OR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). This study of seroprevalence of C. burnetii infection in camels in Algeria revealed a high seroprevalence of Q fever in camel populations in southeastern Algeria and provided strong evidence that Q fever represents an economic, public health and veterinary concern. Appropriate measures should be taken to prevent the spread of C. burnetii and to reduce the risk of Q fever in farm animals and humans in this agro-ecologically and strategically important region of North Africa.

The present study was conducted to identify the prevalence of brucellosis among buffaloes in Basra governorate, via examination of serum samples from 250 she buffaloes reared in different Basra reigns. Sera were examined firstly by rose Bengal test (RBT) followed by indirect enzyme linked immunsorbent assay (Elisa). The result of RBT indicated that from 250 buffaloes serum samples there were 27(10.8%) positive against Brucella abortus antigen. Elisa test was performed on 88 sera samples that included a 27 RBT positive sera and other 61 negative sera, and the result revealed that 21( 23.8%) seropositive sera for Brucella abortus. According to the regions of Basra Governorate the percentage rate of brucellosis were indicated in: Al Hartha 6(5,28%) then Al Qurna 5(4,4%), Al Dear 4(3.5), Al Zubair 3(2.6%), Al Medaina 2(1.76%) and Al Tanooma 1(0.88%). More over, infection in older animals found more significant ( P < 0.05) than in youngness, beside that infection rate were high in pregnant buffaloes in compared with non pregnant animals. Conclusion: the brucellosis of buffaloes in Basra governorate were caused by B. abortus and were more prominent in pregnant animals, therefore animals screening of suspected animals was advised,