The objectives of the present study were to determine the infection rate of equine piroplasmosis (EP) in horses and ponies in Kelantan,Malaysia and compare the microscopic examination with competitive enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) test as methods for diagnosis of EP. 306 blood samples were randomly collected from equids including 148 horses and 158 ponies in various districts of Kelantan, from September 2013 to March 2014. Based on microscopic examination of the staining blood smears, the infection rates ofTheileria equi, Babesia caballi and of both infections in horses were 19.59%, 25% and 8.78% respectively, whereas in ponies theinfection rates were 14.55%, 19.62%, and 5.69% respectively. Based on cELISA test, the infection rates of T. equi, B. caballi and of both infections in horses were 50.67%, 62.16% and 33.10% respectively,whereas in ponies, the infection rates were 51.89%, 63.92% and 35.44% respectively. No significant difference were observed between equids species associated with a seroprevalence of T. equi, B. caballi andof both infections (P≤ 0.05). According to the Kappa value there was no compatibility between microscopic examination and cELISA on the diagnosis of T. equi, B. caballi and of both infections which were 0.235, 0.013 and 0.080 respectively. In conclusion, the current results for this research work indicate that equine piroplasmosis is widespread in Kelantan, Malaysia and cELISA test is more efficientthan microscopic examination for diagnosis of EP.

This study was conducted to observe the occurrence of aflatoxin in chicken feed from Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 336 samples of chicken feed from Peninsular Malaysia were conveniently collected in this survey. The chicken feed represented the following three categories which are starter, grower and finisher. All samples werecollected from local poultry farms in East Coast Region (Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang), Northern Region (Perlis, Kedah, Penang, and Perak), Southern Region (Malacca, Johor) and Central Region (Selangor, Negeri Sembilan) of Peninsular Malaysia for a periodof six months (July-December 2015). Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for screening of total aflatoxin (TA) in the samples. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detector was used for determination of aflatoxin B and G. Moisture content of samples was determined using the hot airoven method (AOAC International, 2011). Overall, the incidence of positive TA >20 µg/kg in chicken feed is 14.9% (50 samples). The average level of TA was found significantly different between different states at p<0.05 for both broiler grower and finisher. Thechromatograph results showed that positive samples were found in broiler finisher from Kedah (94.6 µg/kg and 42.1 µg/kg) and Penang(56.4 µg/kg) with aflatoxin B1. In this study, the range of moisture content were around 6.5-27.3%. About 40% samples have more than12% moisture content. One of the predisposing factors for aflatoxin accumulation in chicken feed is moisture content. The results warrantthe need for surveillance and constant monitoring programmes for the prevention of aflatoxin incidence in poultry farms.

A study was conducted to identify the current status of Fasciolaand Paramphistomum infections in small ruminants in Terengganu. A total of 267 faecal samples from small ruminants were collected and subjected to sedimentation technique. Serum samples were diagnosed for detection of IgG antibody for Fasciola infection using sELISA method. Results showed that there were 4% of the goats positive with Paramphistomum eggs whereas Fasciola egg was not observed in any of the faecal samples. However, it was found that 89% of the serum samples from goats were positive with IgG antibody for Fasciola infection. Small ruminants in Terengganu were not infected with severe Fasciola and Paramphistomum infections yet the results obtained from this study will update the current status of the infections. This information will help the farmers and the Department of Veterinary Services to plan on management to maintain the animals’ health.

In Peninsular Malaysia, footand-mouth disease (FMD) has been reported since early 1860 which then became sporadic, causing outbreaks every year. Since then, Peninsular Malaysia has become endemic with FMD. The aim of this study is to provide findings of the current FMD occurrence and its serotyping in Peninsular Malaysia. An identification of Foot and Mouth Disease serotype was carried out in Peninsular Malaysia by the Regional Veterinary Laboratory Kota Bharu (RVLKB) only. Epithelial tissue samples were received from 10 states throughout Peninsular Malaysia from 2012 until 2016. Indirect sandwich ELISA was performed using ELISA kit for FMDV antigen detection supplied from the Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright Laboratory. All findings and results in this paper were based on samples received by RVLKB and does not reflect overall cases reported to State DVS or to DVS Malaysia. From the results, 2013 had the highest samples positive for FMDV (35% from 43 samples), followed by 2014 (31% from 80 samples), 2012 (24% from 122 samples), 2015 (21% from 39 samples) and the lowest is 2016 (17% from 194 samples). The FMDV serotypes detected throughout 2012 to 2016 from 110 positive samples were Serotype O (80%), followed by Serotype A (20%) and none from Serotype Asia 1. Strict regulation, FMD vaccine evaluation by LPB ELISA and strict animal movement shall be considered to achieve FMD free for upcoming Year 2020.

A monitoring program for melamine in milk and feed was conducted in response to global melamine alertness in the year 2008. Two screening methods were adopted i.e., a liquid chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and enzyme-linked&#xD;immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The liquid chromatography method developed by several international research centers was adapted. This method consisted of an initial extraction with 10%trichloroacetic acid (TCA) for milk samples or 60% methanol/water for feed samples, followed by a series of centrifugation, dilution and filtration steps. Melamine was analysed in the chromatographic program using a zwitterionic HILIC LC column. Electrospray ionisation in positive ion mode was used. The quantity of melamine&#xD;present was determined with a calibration curve consisting of sample extracts from milk or feed fortified from 25 to 50 ppb that were taken through the extraction procedure. The ranges of recovery from&#xD;fortified raw milk samples (n=20) and feed samples (n=21) was 70–80% and 68%, respectively. The limit of detection was estimated at 10 ppb for both matrixes. Milk samples were found negative for melamine,&#xD;however 4.5% of feed samples were found to contain the compound at concentrations between 1 to 5 ppm.