Objective: This study was conducted to assess hygienic cow milk handling practices of milk producers, traders (informal collectors, transporters and vendors) and consumers across the milk supply chain in the Eastern Ethiopia. Materials and methods: A total of 160 milk producers in Babile district were selected using multistage stratified sampling technique. Moreover, a total of 54 milk collectors and transporters (5, 40, 9 from Jigjiga, Harar and Dire Dawa town, respectively), 152 vendors (40 from Bable, Harar and Dire Dawa town and 32 from Jigjiga town) and 160 consumers (40 from each town) were selected using snowball sampling technique. Data from the selected actors were collected using focus group discussion, questionnaire survey and observations. Results: The study revealed that the majority of milk handling operations in the study area is carried out by females. The majority of respondent milk producers (87.5-92.5%), collectors and transporters (88.9-100%), vendors (77.5-90.7%) and some consumers (37.5-47.5%) performing milk handling operations were illiterate. Most of the observed actors in the study area perform malpractices (such as failure to stop milk handling while showing disease symptoms, improper hand washing and handling of risk factors) while working with milk. Majority of respondent milk producers (87.5-97.5%), all traders and some consumers (12.5-32.5%) use plastic containers for milk handling. Milk handling equipments were commonly washed using warm water, detergent and sand; however, in most case they were not properly protected from risk factors after washing. Majority of respondent milk producers (55-65%), collectors and transporters (60-66.7%), and some vendors (0-50%) and consumers (0-55%) use water from non-tap sources for hygienic practices. Conclusion: In general; the findings indicated that milk handling practices performed across the supply chain in the study area were unhygienic and therefore suggested the need for improving hygienic practices. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(2.000): 112-126]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the histomorphological structure and functional significance of various special regulatory devices of the vascular terminal branches of the skin in one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius). Materials and methods: Skin samples from different body parts (e.g., front, neck and shoulder, back, belly, chest, thigh, flank and tail) of camel were used in this study. The samples were stained with Harris hematoxylin and trichrome stain. Semithin sections were also prepared from these samples. Results: The vascular elements demonstrated in the current study included- throttle arteries within the dermis on the level of the hair papillae, glomus bodies within the dermis on the level mid-length of the hair follicles, medium-sized arteries on the level of the secretory end-pieces of the epitrichial sweat glands, and tufts of spirally-oriented arterioles in the nearby of the hair follicles. Conclusions: These vascular elements are either designed to control blood pressure (Hemo-dynamic mechanism) or patterned to control body temperature (Thermo-regulatory mechanism). [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(2.000): 106-111]

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the contamination of enterovirulent Escherichia coli with table eggs at Mansoura, Egypt. Materials and methods: A total of 100 commercially available table eggs were randomly collected from various groceries and supermarkets at Mansoura, Egypt. The samples were screened for the presence of E. coli through conventional bacteriological and biochemical analyses followed by confirmation by polymerase chain reaction. Results: Overall, 18% (n=18/100) samples were found to be contaminated with one or more E. coli isolates. All possible E. coli colonies (n=52) appeared on MacConkey agar plates during the screening process were picked for further analysis. Among the 52 suspected isolates, 24 were confirmed as E. coli, which were further serotyped using polyvalent E. coli antisera. In this study, 9 different E. coli serotypes namely O78, O114, O2, O44, O1, O125, O128, O124 and O26 were identified. Out of these 9 serological strains, 5 (O78, O2, O44, O125, O124 and O26) were positive for eae gene, and 3 (O44, O1 and O128) were positive for stx2 gene. Two serological strains (O44 and O1) were positive for both stx1 and eae genes, while O125 and O114 were positive for stx2 and eae genes. Two strains (O78 and O128) were found to be positive for all three genes (stx1, stx2 and eae). Conclusion: Ensuring hygienic measures can effectively reduce the microbial load from table eggs. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(1.000): 1-7]

Objective: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to July 2014 in Khartoum state, the Sudan, to investigate aerobic bacteria and fungi of skin lesions of fish in 3 different areas in Khartoum. Material and methods: A total of 50 samples were collected from the skin lesions of different types of fish including Synodontis species (n=17), Tilapia niloticus (n=15), Labeo niloticus (n=10), Hydrocynus species (n=4), and Clarias species (n=4). Liquid, semi-solid, and solid culture media like nutrient broth, blood agar, MacConkey agar, sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), and Simmons citrate medium were used for the isolation and identification of bacteria and fungi. Besides, Gram staining and biochemical characterization were also conducted. Results: Culturing of the collected samples revealed growth of bacteria from all (100%), and growth of fungi could be found from 32% samples. A number of 188 bacteria were isolated, mainly Staphylococcus species, Bacillus species, Aeromonas species, Pseudomonas species, and Vibrio species. Besides, 16 fungi could be identified containing Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and Phycomycete. Conclusion: Fishes with skin lesions are harboring many pathogenic bacteria and fungi and may act as a source of zoonotic infections and can transmit several pathogens to workers in fish industry and consumers. Therefore, thorough and strict routine inspection of fish is recommended to ensure safety and that there are no serious risks to consumers. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(4.000): 375-385]

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify Pasteurella multocida from fowl cholera (FC) suspected chicken, and to prepare and efficacy determination of formalin killed fowl cholera vaccine using the isolated P. multocida strain. Materials and methods: A total of five suspected dead chickens were collected from Brothers Poultry Farm located at Gazipur district, Bangladesh. The samples were processed and the P. multocida was isolated through conventional bacteriological techniques, were finally confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using P. multocida specific primers targeting cap gene. The P. multocida isolate was used to develop a formalin killed fowl cholera vaccine. The efficacy of the newly prepared vaccine was determined in Starcross-579 chickens (n=30) aging 15 weeks either by injecting 1 mL (group-A; n=10) or 0.5 mL (group-B; n=10) vaccine containing approximately 3.2x108 CFU/mL P. multocida organism; 10 birds were kept as unvaccinated control. The sera from the vaccinated and control birds were collected and were subjected for antibody titre determination by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Finally the vaccinated birds were challenged using virulent strains of P. multocida to confer the protection against FC. Results: P. multocida could be isolated from both the samples. The formalin killed vaccine prepared from the isolated bacteria was subjected for the determination of antibody titre in chicken, and found that the antibody titres in the birds of group A and group B were 4.513 and 4.07 respectively after primary vaccination, and 4.893 and 4.37 respectively after booster vaccination. Most of the vaccinated birds were found to be survived after challenging with virulent strain of P. multocida. Conclusion: It is concluded that the causal agent of FC (P. multocida) was successfully isolated from FC affected dead chickens. The prepared formalin killed fowl cholera vaccine induces protective immune response and conferred protection against challenge infection caused by the virulent strain of P. multocida. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(1.000): 45-50]

Objective: A cross sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) and Newcastle Disease (ND) in poultry of Narsingdi district, Bangladesh. Materials and methods: Post mortem of a total of 208 dead birds were done for the diagnosis purpose. Different poultry species included in this study included broilers, layers, pigeon, duck etc. Results: Among the examined birds, 38% were found to be affected with IBD, and 11% were affected with ND. Age of the birds for both IBD (19.95; 95%CI: 16-23) and ND (122.23; 95%CI: 98.62-145.83); and flock size only for IBD (1317; 95%CI: 1175-1460) was found significantly associated. The chicks aging between 16-23 days and flock size between 1175-1460 were found to be the most susceptible group to IBD, and adult poultry (98.62-145.83 days old) was mostly susceptible to ND. Conclusion: IBD and ND are highly prevalent in the study area. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct effective control measures to reduce the prevalence of these diseases. This study can help in designing appropriate control measures considering risk factors of these diseases. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(4.000): 406-412]

Objective: This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of daily intake of vitamin C or selenium against deleterious effects of nicotine toxicity on pregnant albino rats. Materials and methods: Forty albino pregnant rats were equally distributed into four groups. Group A was considered as control. Group B was administered with nicotine dosed at 1 mg/kg body weight (bwt) daily for 7 weeks (wks) from 1st day of gestation until the postnatal 4 wks. Group C was treated with nicotine and vitamin C dosed at 1 mg/kg bwt orally for 7 wks, group D was treated with nicotine and sodium selenite dosed at 1 ug/100 g bwt concurrently for 7 wks. The levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), protein carbonyl (PC) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), were estimated in homogenates of the lung, kidney and liver. Histopathological studies using hematoxylin and eosin as well as immunohistochemical studies using p53 antibody were also done. Results: Nicotine significantly elevated the levels of TBARS and PC as compared to control rats. Groups C and D showed decrease in these levels significantly. CAT and SOD activities of group B were decreased significantly. Significant elevation of CAT and SOD activities was detected in both groups C and D. Vitamin C elevated the antioxidant enzymes activities to normal levels, however selenium administration improved these levels but still lower than those of group A. Expression of p53 was decreased in group B as compared to group A. Vitamin C completely reversed the expression of p53 as group A. However, group D did not showed any significant changes in expressions as compared to group B. Conclusion: It is concluded that vitamin C intake was useful than selenium in prevention against nicotine-induced oxidative stress including p53 expression in the lung, kidney and liver of pregnant rats. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(4.000): 321-331]

Objective: The objectives of this study was to investigate phenotypically the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin Resistance S. aureus (MRSA) in ruminants and animal handlers in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Materials and methods: A total of 937 samples (900 nasal and skin swabs of cattle and 37 humans samples) were collected in Maiduguri metropolis. The samples were inoculated onto mannitol salt agar (MSA) and blood agar, and the cultrue plates were incubated at 37oC for 24 h. The S. aureus colonies showing golden yellow color on MSA were primarily identified as S. aureus, which were then subjected for catalase and coagulase tests. All S. aureus were finally screened for the presence of MRSA on oxalate resistant screening agar (ORSAB) medium. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the MRSA were measured by disc diffusion method. Results: The overall prevalence of S. aureus was 44.3% (n=414/937). The MRSA could be detected in 12.1% (n=113/937) samples. Considerign different species, S. aureus could be isolated from 137 (45.6%), 148 (49.3%) and 119 (39.7%), 11 (29.7%) cattle, sheep, goat and humans, respectively. In ruminants, 27.7% (n-83/300) bulls were positive for S. aureus. Similarly, 10.7% (n=32/300) and 22.3% (n=67/300) were positive for S. aureus in rams and bucks, respectively. On the other hand, 18% (n=54/300), 38.7% (n=116/300) and 17.3% (n=52/300) samples from cows, ewes and does were positive for S. aureus. The highest MRSA could be isolated from ewes (9.3%; n=28/300) follwed by bulls (7%; n=21/300) and bucks (6.7%; n=20/300). In humans, 13.5% (n=5/37) samples were positive for MRSA. Conclusion: S. aureus and MRSA infections in ruminants and animal handlers are documented in this study. The MRSA may exert public health threat to humans. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(2.000): 152-159]

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of tube cystotomy along with medical dissolution of calaculi as a sole strategy for correction of obstructive urolithiasis in young ruminants. Materials and methods: Young bull calves (n=24; 10 Ongole claves and 14 Murrah buffalo calves) suffering from complete/partial urinary retention aging between 1 to 6 months were treated by tube cystotomy along with oral administration of ammonium chloride dosed at 10 gm/Kg body weight (bwt) orally for 15 days, streptopencillin dosed at 100 mg/10 Kg bwt through intramuscular (im) route for 5 days, and meloxicam dosed at 0.2 mg/Kg bwt through im route for 3 days. Results: Total 23 (95.83%) out of 24 calves started passing urine normally through the natural orifice 10-15 days postoperatively. None of the recovered animals (n=23) exhibited recurrence of symptoms, establishing the superiority of the technique in resolving the condition. Conclusion: Tube cystotomy, when performed at an early stage can prevent mortality of calves due to cystorrhexis, uroperitoneum and consequent uremia. This can avoid the painful and most tedious cysto-urethrotomy in young ruminants. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(2.000): 188-191]

Objective: Sopi and Moke are two traditional wines in Indonesia. The present study aimed at investigating the antimicrobial effects of Sopi and Moke as compared to other commercial disinfectants. Materials and methods: The alcohol level and pH of the traditional wines (Sopi and Moke) were determined by alcohol meter and pH meter, respectively. The susceptibility test was perfomed to determine the antimicrobial activity of Sopi against Escherichia coli which was isolated from cattle, and the activity of Moke was tested against Salmonella sp. which was a local isolate of poultry. Results: In susceptibility test, Sopi showed 17.5 mm in zone of inhibition against E. coli, while Formades and reg;, a commercial disinfectant showed 16 mm of zone of inhibition against the same bacteria. Moke showed 17.5 mm inhibition zone against Salmonella sp., whereas Antisep and reg;, a commercial disinfectant had 28 mm of inhibition zone against the same isolate. Conclusion: The results indicate that Sopi and Moke have antimicrobial effects on E. coli and Salmonella sp., respectively. The findings of this study suggest that Sopi and Moke can be used as potential antimicrobial agents. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(3.000): 282-285]