BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoon with worldwide distribution that infects human and a wide spectrum of warm- blooded animals. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to survey the prevalence of T.gondii antibody in slaughtered livestock in slaughterhouse with modified agglutination test in Sanandaj in 2015. Methods: Totally 343 serum samples were collected from 130 cows, 111 sheep and 102 goats from May to July 2015 in Sanandaj slaughterhouse. Sera were examined with modified agglutination test (MAT) for T.gondii antibody and 1.40 titer antibody and above was considered as positive. Results: Antibodies of T.gondii were found in sera of 51 out of 343 (15.45%) samples. From 51 seropositive sera, 13 cows (23.84), 13 goats (12.74%) and 9 sheep (8.1%) were infected. The differences among species were statistically significant (P≥.002). Conclusions: Results indicate that T. gondii in sheep, goats and especially cows is prevalent, so consumption of undercooked meats should be avoided, also the prevention methods of infection should be taught to the people and due to the possibility of limitations in the results of serological tests, repetition of the study using molecular techniques is recommended

BACKGROUND: Dicrocoeliasis is one of the commonest parasitic diseases of the bile ducts and gallbladder in a wide range of mammals including ruminants and sometimes human being. The disease is really important in medicine, economy, and veterinary medicine. Annually, slaughter house loses a huge amount because of losing a great deal of valuable proteins in people daily diets. In order to bring the disease under control, morphological and molecular analysis of parasite in endemic districts is essential. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to determine the morphological as well as molecular characterization of cattle, sheep and goats isolated from Dicrocoelium by applying ND1 genetic marker in the Markazi province, Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study 480 fresh adult worms were collected from livers of 120 cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in abattoirs in Markazi province. To diagnose the species of parasite, morphometric indices of mature worms were calculated based on standard parameters. Then DNA of 60 isolates with different morphometric characteristics was extracted and PCR reaction was performed for a part of ND1 (mtDNA). PCR was purified and its sequence was defined, the percentage of genetic similarity was compared to cases registered by GenBank and the exact species of parasite was recognized. RESULTS: The morphometric analysis in all isolates was as follows: testicles were sequential, the length and the width of the worm for all cattle, sheep and goat isolates were 7994±967µm, 6844±100µm, 6570±110µm (P<0.0001) and 1649±339µm, 1490±221µm and 1430±252µm (P<0.0001) respectively. The proportion of the length to the width was 4.87±0.641, 4.58±0.625, and 4.64±0.622 respectively. All the results mentioned above confirmed Dicrocoelium dendriticum in the hosts of the district under investigation. The analysis of the gel electrophoresis in all isolates showed the existence of band 200pb.The percentage of genetic similarity to the registered items, cases were determined by the Gen bank between 97 and 99 percent. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular identification and morphometric assays clearly showed that D. dendriticum is the only agent of Dicrocoeliasis among cattle, sheep and goats in the Marakazi province, Iran. Molecular diagnosis of parasite by applying genetic marker of the nucleus is recommended.

We investigated the biochemical composition of blood from Holstein cows, native breed (criollas), and cows descended from fighting bulls (Vacas de lidia) raised at an altitude of 3,000 m (moderately high altitude, MHA), and compared the results with those from Holsteins and cows of similar genetic ancestry as the criollas (scrub cows), both raised at sea level (SL), to determine blood biochemical values characteristic of adaptation to high altitude. Only potassium and calcium concentrations were similar among groups. Glucose concentration was lower in MHA cows, with the exception of Vacas de lidia. Serum bicarbonate concentration was lower in MHA cows; this finding can be explained by hyperventilation in the hypoxic environment. Serum magnesium concentration was lower in SL and MHA Holsteins than in other groups. Serum phosphate concentration was lower in scrub cows, MHA Holsteins, and criollas than in other groups. Cholesterol concentrations were lower in SL Holsteins, whereas triglycerides were higher in scrub cows and MHA Vacas de lidia. Concentration of high-density lipoprotein was significantly greater in Vacas de lidia and less in MHA criollas than in the other groups. Uric acid and total protein were higher in MHA groups. Using radioimmunoassay for human proteins, thyroxine-binding globulin was undetectable. Total and free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine were higher in scrub cows, followed by Vacas de lidia; lower values were detected in SL and MHA Holsteins and MHA criollas.

Eperythrozoonosis is a small ruminant disease caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma ovis (formerly known as Eperythrozoon ovis). Whilst acute infection in sheep may result in an anaemia and ill thrift syndrome, most animals do not develop clinical signs. Molecular methods were used to compare and evaluate the prevalence of infection with M. ovis in sheep and goats in Tunisia. A total of 739 whole blood samples from 573 sheep and 166 goats were tested for the M. ovis 16S rRNA gene using PCR. The overall prevalence was 6.28% ± 0.019 (36/573). Only sheep were infected with M. ovis (p < 0.001), and the prevalence was significantly higher in central Tunisia (29.2%) compared with other regions (p < 0.05). The prevalence revealed significant differences according to breed and bioclimatic zones (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the prevalence in young sheep (35/330; 10.6%) was higher than in adults (1/243; 0.41%) (p < 0.001). Only sheep of the Barbarine breed were infected, with a prevalence of 11.8% (p < 0.001). This is the first molecular study and genetic characterisation of M. ovis in North African sheep breeds.

In developing countries, foetal wastage from slaughtered ruminants and the associated economic losses appear to be substantial. However, only a limited number of studies have comprehensively evaluated these trends. In the current study, secondary (retrospective) and primary data were collected and evaluated to estimate the prevalence of foetal wastage from cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered at an abattoir in Minna, Nigeria, over a 12-year period (January 2001 – December 2012). Time-series modelling revealed substantial differences in the rate of foetal wastage amongst the slaughtered species, with more lambs having been wasted than calves or kids. Seasonal effects seem to influence rates of foetal wastage and certain months in the year appear to be associated with higher odds of foetal wastage. Improved management systems are suggested to reduce the risk of foetal losses.

Rhipicephalus bursa is a common tick parasite of small-to-medium size ungulates, principally in warm, temperate, and subtropical areas. Although common in livestock and showing a wide geographic distribution, its epidemiological role in tick-borne bacterial disease is barely known. This study addressed the knowledge gap and aimed to screen for the presence of Anaplasmataceae and spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia species in R. bursa ticks collected from domestic animals in Romania, Eastern Europe. A total of 64 pools of R. bursa ticks collected from small ungulates were tested by PCR for Anaplasmataceae DNA presence using group-specific primers. Specific testing was performed for Anaplasma marginale/A. centrale/A. ovis, A. platys, A. phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, and SFG Rickettsia. The positive samples were purified and sequenced, and sequences analysis was used to identify the species and to confirm the PCR results. The only pathogen identified in this study was E. canis. The obtained sequences confirmed the PCR results. The presence of E. canis in R. bursa in Romania and in ticks from sheep was shown for the first time in this study. Based on these findings, it may be presumed that the E. canis DNA originated from ticks; however, the vectorial role of R. bursa (and other arthropod species) in the transmission of E. canis should be proved experimentally.

Rhipicephalus bursa is a common tick parasite of small-to-medium size ungulates, principally in warm, temperate, and subtropical areas. Although common in livestock and showing a wide geographic distribution, its epidemiological role in tick-borne bacterial disease is barely known. This study addressed the knowledge gap and aimed to screen for the presence of Anaplasmataceae and spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia species in R. bursa ticks collected from domestic animals in Romania, Eastern Europe.

The organic food sector and consumer interest in organic products are growing continuously. The safety and quality of such products must be at least equal to those of conventional equivalents, but attaining the same standards requires overcoming a particular problem identified in organic food production systems: the occurrence of bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and pathogenic Escherichia coli. These food-borne microorganisms were detected in the production environments of such food. The prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in organic livestock and products may be higher, but may also be the same as or lower than in like material from conventional farms. Furthermore, the incidence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria was more often detected in conventional than in organic production. The aim of this review was to present the recent information on the microbiological safety of food of animal origin produced from raw materials from organic farms.

An attempt was made to overview the conduct, components and output of various livestock research activities conducted in TANUVAS for the period from 2008 to 2018. Among 152 projects completed during the study period, there were 52 health projects, 36 production, 25 social science, 16 clinical science, 14 infrastructure, six processing, two environment and one education related projects. The research investment of projects completed from 2008 to 2018 was found to be the highest for Health (Rs.1767.70 lakhs), followed by Infrastructure (Rs.1723.40 lakhs), Production (Rs.668.72 lakhs), Social science (Rs.393.82 lakhs), Clinical science (Rs.360.28 lakhs), Education (Rs.221.47 lakhs), Processing (Rs.87.50 lakhs) and Environment (Rs.14.64 lakhs). Among various livestock species, Poultry research occupied predominant position with 39 numbers of projects with outlay of Rs.791.25 lakhs. It should be noted that the research on companion animals and fodder were less than 10 in last ten years. A total of 44 patents were filed in TANUVAS during last decade, among which seven were granted. It is concluded that the focus should also be made on fodder, swine and companion animal and fodder research.