Objectives: Here we determined the prevalence of Salmonella in cloacal swabs and pharyngeal swabs of apparently healthy pigeons sold in the live bird markets and villages in and around Bangladesh Agricultural University Campus, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Materials and methods: A total of 50 samples, comprised of cloacal swabs (n=24) and pharyngeal swabs (n=26) were collected. The samples were processed, and Salmonella was isolated through a series of conventional bacteriological techniques and biochemical tests followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The prevalence rate of Salmonella was found to be 37.5% (n=9/24) in cloacal swabs and 30.77% (n=8/26) in pharyngeal swabs with an overall prevalence rate of 34% (n=17/50). The prevalence rate of Salmonella pigeon varied slightly among locations; 34.62% (n=9/26) in live bird markets, and 33.33% (n=8/24) in villages. Molecular detection of 17 Salmonella isolates obtained from biochemical test was performed by genus specific PCR, where all of them amplified a region of 496-bp segment of the histidine transport operon gene. Antibiogram study revealed multi-drug resistant traits in most of the isolates tested. The highest resistance was found against Ampicillin (88.23%) followed by Cephalexin (82.35%). The rate of sensitivity of the isolates to Ciprofloxacin was 100% followed by Azithromycin (82.35%), Gentamicin (76.47%) and Nalidixic acid (76.47%). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that pigeons carry multi-drug resistant Salmonella that may transfer to the humans and animals.http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/javar.2016.c131

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the Sero-prevalence of Schistosoma species in cattle in Maiduguri Metropolis (MMC) and Jere Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno State, Nigeria. Materials and Method: Blood samples (n=200) from cattle were collected using a multistage sampling technique; 100 samples each were collected from MMC and Jere LGAs, respectively. The samples were subjected to screening for Schistosoma antibodies using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Age, sex, breed and location of cattle were recorded. Results: The overall prevalence of Schistosoma infection among cattle in MMC and Jere LGAs was 10%. Jere LGA had a prevalence rate of 14% and MMC had 6%. At the ward levels, Custom Area in Jere LGA had the highest number of Schistosoma positive (50%). Out of 103 female and 97 male cattle screened, the prevalence of Schistosoma infection in female and male were 9.71% (n=10/103) and 10.31% (n=10/103). Out of the 177 serum samples from cattle aging >1-year (adult) examined, 16 (9.04%) were positive, while only 4 (17.39%) out of 23 serum samples from cattle aging <1-year (young) were positive. Out of the eight (8) breeds screened, the highest number of cases was recorded in Kuri breed (16.22%). This was followed by Sokoto Gudali (10.9%) breed. The prevalence in other breeds was as follows: Abore- 10%, Red Bororo- 5.26%, and White Fulani- 6.67%.  Conclusion: It is concluded that schistosomiasis in cattle was prevalent in MMC and Jere LGAs of Borno State. A regular checking program is suggested to constantly check out whether the prevalence rate is increasing, so that effective control measures can be strenthened. http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/javar.2016.c132

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).http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2016.c137

Objective: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to July 2012 to estimate the prevalence of brucellosis and investigate the risk factors that enhance its occurrence in cattle in Khartoum state, the Sudan.Material and methods: A total of 300 serum samples were taken from jugular veins of cattle and screened by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Serum Agglutination Test (SAT). The RBPT-positive samples were all tested using c-ELISA.Results: Antibodies were detected with an overall seroprevalence of 25.7% using RBPT and 22.7% using SAT while slightly less than two thirds of the RBPT-positive samples were cELISA-positive. The herd and within-herd seroprevalences were 76.7% (n=23) and from 10.0-80.0%. Moreover, significant statistical dissimilarities were not observed between the seroprevalence of the different categories of the investigated risk factors by RBPT. Only milking method (?2=3.976; P=0.046) was found to have an influence on the RBPT-positive status for brucella infection in the univariate analysis. Additionally, natural breeding (OR=3.61; 95% CI 1.192–10.96; P=0.023) was the only observed risk factor with an increased odd of being RBPT positive. The Kappa analysis showed an almost perfect agreement between the results of the RBPT and the SAT tests.Conclusion: The prevalence of anti-brucella antibodies in Khartoum state was relatively higher; therefore, brucellosis in cattle is, perhaps, a significant public health problem. It is recommended to raise awareness of cattle owners and/or herders on the routes of transmission of brucellosis.http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2016.c141

Objective: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in cockroaches (Periplaneta americana), and to assess the antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolated bacteria.Materials and methods: A total of 150 cockroaches (P. americana) were randomly captured from three households and four restaurants in Chittagong City Corporation, Bangladesh during July to December 2014. The cockroaches were transported to the bacteriology laboratory at the Poultry Research and Training Centre (PRTC), Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. The isolation and identification of Staphylococcus spp. from the external surface wash and gut homogenates by pooling cockroaches were done by following conventional bacteriological examinations followed by biochemical characterization. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the isolates were determined using disc diffusion method. Results: In this study, the overall prevalence of S. aureus was 38% (n=57/150). Higher prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. was observed among the cockroaches from restaurant (49.3%; n=37/75) as compared to those of households (26.7%; n=20/75) having a significant difference (P<0.05). Highest level of resistance by the Staphylococcus spp. was found to Penicillin (68%) followed by Erythromycin (60%), Oxacillin (46%) and Clindamycin (31%). On the other hand, the Staphylococci isolates were highly sensitive to Cephalothin (84%) and Kanamycin (65%).Conclusion: The rational use of antibiotics needs to be adopted in both human and animal medicine practices to prevent the emergence of drug resistant Staphylococcus spp.http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2016.c153

Objective: This study was carried out to assess the pathogenicity of local isolates of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae  and M. arginini in West African dwarf goats (kids) in Nigeria.Materials and methods: A total of 22 goats aged less than 1-year were purchased from markets. The goats were divided into six groups comprising of four experimental groups (EG; 4 in each) and two control groups (CG; 3 in each). The goats were fed ad libitum with standard diets and safe water. Groups EG1 and EG2 were infected with M. ovipneumoniae through trans-tracheal (TT) and intravenous (IV) routes, respectively, while those in groups EG3 and EG4 were infected with M. arginini through the same routes. Goats in groups CG1 and CG2 were inoculated with sterile Mycoplasma broth through TT and IV routes, respectively. In all cases, the amount of bacteria inoculated was 1.5x108 cells/mL. After the onset of the disease in goats, re-isolation of Mycoplasma was performed by culturing on mycoplasma agar supplemented with mycoplasma supplement G. The goats were monitored for 14 days post-infection (PI) to observe respiratory signs and mortality. Post-mortem (PM) examination was performed on each animal that died, while one surviving goat from each of the groups was sacrificed at 14 days PI for PM. After PM, histopathology was performed to observe the changes in tissues.  Results: Cough and nasal discharges were observed in all the experimentally infected goats seven days PI. Mortalities were recorded in goats in EG1 (two goats), EG2 (one goats), EG3 (two goats) and EG4 (one goat). At PM, pneumonic lesions were observed in the lungs of all the experimentally infected goats.Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the local isolates of M. ovipneumoniae  and M. arginini strains are pathogenic for goats in Nigeria.http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2016.c161

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and typing of brucellosis in lactating cows in some dairy farms in Kuwait.Materials and methods: A total of 4671 serum samples were collected from 4671 apparently healthy lactating cows comprising of 486 from Al-Wafra, 348 from Al-Kabed and 3837 from Al-Salebia areas. The sera were tested by Buffered Acidified Plate Antigen Test (BAPAT), Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Complement Fixation Test (CFT) for the presence of brucellosis. Besides, Milk Ring Test (MRT) was done with 60 milk samples collected from 60 lactating cows comprising 18 from Al-Wafra, 5 from Al-Kabed and 37 from Al-Salebia areas. The stomach content of aborted feti were tested for typing of Brucella organism by using specific antisera.Results: The results showed that the overall seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis was 339 (7.25%) by BAPAT, 332 (7.1%) by RBPT, and 329 (7.04%) by CFT. The results revealed that, 42 (8.6%), 5 (1.4%) and 292 (7.6%) sera were positive for brucellosis by BAPAT in the cows of Al-Wafra, Al-Kabed and Al-Salebia areas, respectively. Whereas, their respective number and seroreactive cases by RBPT were 39 (8.02%), 5 (1.4%) and 288 (7.4%). Similarly, as confirmatory test by CFT, the number and seroreactive cases in these areas were 39 (8.02%), 5 (1.4%) and 285 (7.46%). MRT revealed that the average positive case was 61.67% (59.46% in Al-Wafra; 60% in Al-Kabed and 66.6% in Al-Salebia). Two Brucella isolates could be recovered from the stomach content of the two aborted feti and typed as Brucella melitensis biovar 2.Conclusion: Brucellosis is prevalent among lactating cows in Kuwait. This indicates the potential role of these dairy animals in disseminating and spread of such zoonosis to human. Considering public health significance, appropriate preventive measures are suggestive for combating brucellosis in Kuwait.http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2016.c159

Objectives: Bovine anaplasmosis is an arthropod-borne hemolytic disease of cattle  which  is caused by a rickettsia; Anaplasma marginale. Anaplasmosis is also called "Yellow bag" or yellow fever, where the affected animals usually develop a jaundiced appearance. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical findings, treatment and gross pathology of a severe anaplasmosis in a dairy cow.  Materials and methods: In this report, a rare case of fatal anaplasmosis in a 4 year old Jersey-Friesian cow, weighing about 200 kg was reported. Diagnosis was done based on clinical symptoms, blood examination for the presence of A. marginale, and biochemical analyses of blood. Leishman staining was done to check the A. marginale at the margin of erythrocytes. Treatment was instituted with blood transfusion and Oxytetracyline dosed at 20 mg/kg body weight and iron supplement containing 20 mL Cobaphos (containing Phosphorus 125mg + Cyanocobalamine 0.05 mg) and 20 mL Fercobsang containing Iron (as ammonium citrate) 1.75 mg, Cyanocobalamine (Vitamin B12) 0.025 mg, Nicotinamide (vitamin PP) 20 mg, Cobalt (as digluconate) 0.0067 mg, Benzyl Alcohol (E1519) 20.8 mg) were given intramuscularly.Results: The cow did not survive the infection as it eventually died of the disease. Post mortem examination showed gross evidence of splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, distended bile duct and generalized jaundice.Conclusion: Based on the consequence of this case report, preventive vector control,  prompt and appropriate treatment and improved management practices are recommended in order to prevent clinical anaplasmosis cases among cattle.http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2016.c150

Objective: This case report describes the management of a clinical case of trypanosomosis in an adult Friesian Sahiwal cow.Materials and methods: An adult cow aging 3 years was presented with a complain of wound infection, weakness and inappetence. Physical examination was carried out and samples were collected for laboratory investigations.Results: The clinical history revealed generalised enlargements of the pre-scapular and pre-femoral lymph nodes, pale mucous membrane and weight loss. Laboratory investigation showed that the cow had normocytic normochromic anemia with hyperproteinemia. Thin blood smear examination revealed the presence of Trypanosoma evansi. Treatment was instituted with Diminazene aceturate dosed at 3.5 mg/kg bwt through intramuscular (IM) route for 3 days, 20 mL of Fercobsang for 3 days, IM, Flunixin meglumine dosed at 1.1 mg/kg bwt, IM, and Oxytetracycline dosed at 20 mg/kg bwt, IM once. The wounds were cleaned daily for one week. Examination of the blood film after therapy showed no parasite.Conclusion: The findings of this case report demonstrate the importance of an effective treatment regimen in managing bovine trypanosomosis in an endemic farm.http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2016.c164

An unpredicted outbreak of African animal trypanosomosis or nagana in 1990 in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal necessitated an emergency control programme, utilising the extensive cattledipping system in the area, as well as a reassessment of the tsetse and trypanosomosis problem in the province. Since 1990, sporadic blood sampling of cattle at the dip tanks in the naganainfested areas were undertaken to identify trypanosome species involved and to determine the infection prevalence in cattle. The distribution and species composition of the tsetse populations in the area were also investigated. From November 2005 to November 2007 selected dip tanks were surveyed for trypanosome infection prevalence. During April 2005 to August 2009 the distribution and abundance of tsetse populations were assessed with odour-baited H traps. The tsetse and trypanosome distribution maps were updated and potential correlations between tsetse apparent densities (ADs) and the prevalence of trypanosomosis were assessed. Glossina brevipalpis Newstead and Glossina austeni Newstead were recorded in locations where they have not previously been collected. No significant correlation between tsetse relative abundance and nagana prevalence was found, which indicated complex interactions between tsetse fly presence and disease prevalence. This was epitomised by data that indicated that despite large differences in the ADs of G. austeni and G. brevipalpis, trypanosome infection prevalence was similar in all three districts in the area. This study clearly indicated that both tsetse species play significant roles in trypanosome transmission and that it will be essential that any control strategy, which aims at sustainable management of the disease, should target both species.Keywords: Tsetse distribution; Glossina brevipalpis; Glossina austeni; trypanosome infection prevalence