Objective: This short study describes the occurrence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in two major wet markets in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. Materials and Methods: 30 rodents (20 rats and 10 shrews) were caught in 2 wet markets, and a postmortem was performed to extract both kidneys. Molecular diagnosis via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted to detect leptospiral DNA using universal and pathogenic Leptospira primers, respectively. Results: The results showed that 20/28 (72%) rat samples were detected positive for Leptospira spp, and all shrews were negative. Further sequencing analysis identified L. interrogans and L. borgpetersenii as the most frequently Leptospirosis species from kidney samples. Conclusions: The presented study here sheds light on the presence of pathogenic leptospires har¬boring the rat population in both wet markets in Kelantan, which presents a great public health risk to wet market workers and visitors. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 275-281]

Objective: To study the impact of early metabolic profiling and intervention measures in the peri¬parturient period on the occurrence of postparturient metabolic diseases in cows. Materials and Methods: Using a cohort of dairy cows from two selected areas of Bangladesh, we routinely tested the serum calcium level and ketone bodies in the urine at periparturient periods. In addition, milk samples were tested for the presence of mastitis at different stages of lactation. Animals showing reduced serum calcium levels, high ketone bodies in the urine or the presence of clinical and subclinical mastitis received appropriate therapeutic intervention immediately after detection. After the intervention, the number of animals that got sick with diseases or conditions like milk fever, ketosis, mastitis, and dystocia, which are caused by metabolic problems, was recorded. Results: In the periparturient period, most of the animals had lower serum calcium levels (8.13 ± 1.2 mg/dl), which were significantly increased by the following intervention (10.05 ± 1.4 mg/dl). On the other hand, there was a higher number of ketosis-affected animals (33.9%, 20/59) during the periparturient period, which decreased (18.6%, 11/59) during the postparturient period. Similarly, the number of mastitis-affected cows was also decreased in postparturient cows (30.9%, 13/42) than in periparturient cows (59.5%, 25/42), following improved hygienic measures. After early intervention, the number of study animals with metabolic diseases decreased from 51.7% before intervention to 15.3% after intervention. Conclusions: Early metabolic profiling significantly reduced the occurrence of metabolic diseases in cows. Therefore, we recommend regular metabolic profiling of dairy cows and receiving early intervention measures to reduce the occurrence of metabolic diseases on the farm. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 295-300]

Objective: A 35-day-long trial was conducted to compare the consequences of supplementing citric acid (CA), Spirulina platensis, and their combination as natural substitutes for antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) on the productive performance, dressing percentage, and blood serum metabolites of broilers. Materials and Methods: A total of 150-day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatment groups, each having 30 chicks in it (10 chicks per replicate cage). The dietary groups were as follows: 1- Control (corn–soybean-based), 2- Control + antibiotic (Enrofloxacin, 10 mg/kg bodyweight), 3- Control + 1% S. platensis, 4- Control + 0.5% CA, and 5- Control + 1% spirulina + 0.5% CA. Starting from day 7 up to day 21, antibiotics were administered via water; spirulina and CA were offered via feed. Results: When compared to the control, all dietary supplements significantly (p < 0.05) improved broiler growth performance. However, dressing characteristics and serum metabolites (serum creatinine, albumin, and uric acid) were not influenced (p > 0.05) by dietary changes, except cholesterol level (p < 0.05). Supplementation with antibiotics, CA, and spirulina produced com-parable results. Among them, the CA-fed group recorded the highest live weight, weight gain, feed intake, improved feed conversion ratio, and the lowest serum cholesterol level (106.5 mg/ dl). The combination group performed better than the control, but not as well as their single supplementations. Conclusions: CA and S. platensis might both be good candidates as natural alternatives to AGP (Enrofloxacin). But, among them, CA performed better in terms of production performance. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 1-7]

Objective: The information about risk factors for a high stillbirth rate in piglets is inadequate. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine important risk factors for an extremely high stillbirth rate in a commercial pig farm in Vietnam. Materials and Methods: This study included 628 piglets and 45 Landrace × Yorkshire sows. Data including parity number, gestation length (GL), litter size (LS), piglet's gender, stillbirth, birth order, birth interval (BI), cumulative farrowing duration (CFD), birth weight (BW), crown-rump length (CRL), body mass index, and ponderal index (PI) were collected. To deal with hierarchical data where several piglets might be born from a sow, Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) were used to examine the association between stillbirth and investigated risk factors. Results: The stillbirth rate was 14.3%, and the incidence of stillbirth at the litter level was 68.9%. The final multivariate GLMM selected eight factors, including CFD, BI, CRL, BW, PI, GL, LS, and parity, as significant risk factors for stillbirth in the piglet. CFD >90 min, BI > 30 min, CRL [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 13-18]

Objective: This study aimed to determine acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus decoloratus ticks collected from grazing cattle between November 2018 and May 2019 in Elundini, Senqu, and Walter Sisulu Local Municipalities in the northeastern region of the Eastern Cape Province. Materials and Methods: A sample of 20–30 adult engorged female R. decoloratus ticks were collected from at least 10 randomly selected cattle (highly tick-infested) at each dip tank and placed into the labelled plastic collection bottles containing absorbent paper and with a perforated lid at a constant room temperature of ±28&#xb0;C and >70% relative humidity until resistance testing commenced. The Shaw larval immersion test method was used to determine R. decoloratus larvae resistance to various acaricide concentration levels [amidines, organophosphate (OP), and synthetic pyrethroids (SPs)]. Results: This study found that most ticks were susceptible to exposure to different acaricide field concentrations of amidines (49% at 250 ppm), OPs (33% and 47% at 300 ppm and 500 ppm, respectively), and SPs (44% and 23% at 150 ppm and 300 ppm, respectively). The resistance test¬ing results showed no resistance to amidines at any localities and no resistance to OP in the Senqu region. However, resistance development of the larvae to amines, OPs, and SPs was extensively observed in Senqu (18%, 6%, and 7%), Elundini (15%, 15%, and 17%), and Walter Sisulu (13%, 19%, and 9%) regions, respectively. Conclusions: The larvae's resistance is a cause for worry. Hence, the continuous monitoring of tick resistance to commonly used acaricides will help mitigate widespread acaricidal resistance and sustain livestock productivity. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 33-41]

Objective: This work investigated the impact of acidified turmeric on growth, blood profile, and gut bacterial counts of broiler chickens stocked in an overcrowding stress condition. Materials and Methods: A total of 285 14-day-old Lohmann broiler strains were distributed to T0 (chicks receiving basal feed raised at a density of 9 chicks/m2), T1 (chicks receiving basal feed raised at 16 chicks/m2), T2 (chicks receiving 1% turmeric powder raised at 16 chicks/m2), and T3 (chicks receiving 1% acidified turmeric powder raised at 16 chicks/m2). Body weight and feed intake were determined weekly. On day 37, blood and intestinal content were collected and analyzed. Results: Body weight was higher while feed conversion ratio was lower in T0 than in other groups. Compared to T0, T1 had a lower thymus weight. Erythrocytes and hematocrits were greater in T0 than in T2 and T3. Hemoglobin was higher in T0 than in T3. Serum superoxide dismutase differed as T0 < T1 < T2. Ileal coliform was higher in T0 than in T1 and T3. Lactic acid bacteria counts were higher in T0 and T1 than in T2 and T3. Conclusions: Acidified turmeric was capable of maintaining the relative weight of the immune organ and ameliorating the oxidative stress of the broiler during overcrowding stress. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 87-94]

Objectives: Streptococcus agalactiae is a zoonotic human and animal pathogen that causes global economic losses in aquaculture and fatal outcomes in Tilapia. This study aimed to identify S. agalactiae isolated from different fish sources intended for human consumption phenotypically and genotypically and to characterize the virulence-associated genes fbsA (fibrinogen-binding protein FbsA), cfb (CAMP factor), and pbp1A/ponA (penicillin-binding protein 1A). Materials and Methods: Three hundred Nile Tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) were collected from different farms and retail shops in Dakahlia and Damietta, Egypt, during the summer of 2020. The samples were examined using routine phenotypic methods, then characterized using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting S. agalactiae-specific dltS gene. All S. agalactiae isolates were examined for the susceptibility to ten antimicrobial agents by the disc diffusion method. The virulence-associated genes (fbsA, cfb, and pbp1A/ponA) were characterized using multiplex-PCR. Results: Streptococcus agalactiae was detected in 7% (n = 21/300) samples. The isolates showed high resistance against ampicillin and erythromycin (20/21; 95%) for each. The most predominant antibiotypes through isolates were P, CN, SXT, CRO, TE, CTX, E, AMP, at 10.5% for each antibiotype. A total of 19 (90.5%) of S. agalactiae isolates showed multi-drug resistance (MDR), and those were recovered from market Tilapia fish. The virulence-associated genes (fbsA, cfb, and pbp1A/ ponA) were identified in the S. agalactiae as 100%, 76%, and 52%, respectively. Conclusions: The MDR S. agalactiae detected in raw Tilapia fish pose a significant health hazard to consumers due to their zoonotic characteristics. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 95-103]

Objectives: The goal of this research was to figure out the effect of the local sorghum as silage on the performance of Bligon goats. Microbial protein synthesis, digestible nutrients, and average daily weight gain (ADWG) were measured to evaluate the goats' performance. Materials and Methods: The study was designed in a completely randomized design with a one-way pattern. Twelve female Bligon goats with 24.33 ± 2.83 kg (mean ± SEM) initial body weight were divided into three groups of total mixed ration (TMR) treatments. Group 1 received fresh Napier grass (FNG) as a control, group 2 received imported sorghum silage (ISS) of brown midrib resistance (BMR), and group 3 received local sorghum silage (LSS) of super-2. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the data on microbial protein synthesis and feed intake during the research. On the contrary, analysis of covariance was used to analyze ADWG with initial weight as a covariate. Results: Microbial protein synthesis, feed-intake, and ADWG of goats that received TMR based on silage of two varieties of sorghum, namely BMR (ISS) and super-2 (LSS), were lower (p < 0.05) than control. However, there was no significant difference between both TMR based on sorghum silages. ISS's feed conversion was better than LSS (p < 0.05), and FNG was the best. Sorghum silage as a basal ration in TMR had lower microbial protein synthesis but higher total digestible nutrient content than fresh forage, such as Napier grass. The sorghum varieties did not affect the microbial protein synthesis, digestible nutrients, and ADWG of Bligon goats. However, ISS treatment had higher feed efficiency than LSS. Conclusion: The local sorghum (super-2) silage can be used as ruminant feed as well as imported sorghum (BMR) offered as TMR. However, regardless of the cultivar, TMR based on sorghum silage cannot replace TMR based on fresh Napier grass. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 175-183]

Objectives: This study aimed to prove the effects of Escherichia coli isolates isolated from dis¬eased broilers to form biofilms, describe their antimicrobial sensetivity, and determine the effect of allicin and cinnamon essential oils on the expression of some genes (fimH, int1, and luxS) through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR). Materials and Methods: 140 samples were obtained from diseased broilers in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt. These samples were examined by conventional bacteriology methods to detect the causative agent. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated bacteria was assessed using the disc diffusion method, The ability of yeast extract-casamino acids Congo Red Agar to generate phenotypic biofilms was next tested. The presence of resistance and virulence genes in some multidrug resistant isolates was genotypically investigated. The antibacterial effects of allicin and cinnamon oil were evaluated against the growth of multidrug-resistant E. coli. Finally, q-PCR was utilized to assess changes in some genes' expression. Results: Escherichia coli was isolated from 61 samples (43.6%). An antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed that multidrug-resistance (MDR) (could resist more than three antimicrobial classes) E. coli prevalence was 100%. 40.8% of isolates phenotypically produce biofilms. The detection of resistance and virulence genes by PCR showed that all tested isolates carry aadB, fimH, int1, qnrS, and luxS genes, while only 40% harbor iss genes. q-PCR showed that after treatment with allicin and cinnamon oils, gene expression went down. Conclusion: This investigation highlights that E. coli showed resistance against most of the tested antimicrobials; all isolates were MDR. The study showed wide dissemination of virulence and resistance genes among E. coli. Allicin and cinnamon oils have antimicrobial activities and could be used as alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial agents. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 191-202]

Objective: This experiment investigated the effect of microencapsulated turmeric by maltodextrin as an amorphous matrix material on the health status of broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: The broilers used were 144 healthy 1-day-old males. The average body weight was 47.8 ± 1.42 gm. The statistical design was based on a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replications. There were six broiler chickens in each experimental unit. The treatments were TM0 = 0 gm/kg of basal feed, TM1 = 1 gm/kg of basal feed, TM2 = 2 gm/kg of basal feed, and TM3 = 3 gm/kg of basal feed. The growth performance, physical traits, internal organs, microbial population, intestinal morphology, hematological parameters, and anti¬oxidant profile were examined. Results: The results reported that microencapsulated turmeric by maltodextrin as an amorphous matrix significantly improved the hematological parameters, growth performance, antioxidant profile, LAB, immune organs, and intestinal morphology. The results also show decreasing coli¬form and pH of the cecum. Conclusions: Dietary addition of maltodextrin microencapsulated turmeric of 3 gm/kg in basal feed can be used as a natural feed additive to improve the health status of broiler chickens. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 221-229]