This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection in the chicken population of Bhola district, Bangladesh, during the period from April 2011 to March 2012. A total of 480 blood samples from chickens were collected from different upazilas (sub-districts) of Bhola district. The sampling considered the types of chicken (backyard and commercial layer), age groups (pullet, adult and old) and seasons (summer and winter). On the basis of the serum plate agglutination test, 55.83% (n=268/480) chickens were found positive for MG. The MG infection was higher (62.5%) in backyard chickens as compared to those being reared in commercial farming systems (53.61%). With respect to age groups, the prevalence was highest in pullets (60.63%) followed by adults (55.63%) and old chickens (51.25%). Moreover, chickens reared in winter showed higher prevalence of MG (60.42%) as compared to those reared in summer (51.25%). In conclusion, MG infection is prevalent in the chicken population of Bhola district, Bangladesh. Appropriate strategies should be taken for successful prevention and control of this disease in Bangladesh.

A number of animals with genetically identical appearance can be produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). From current advancement of SCNT and molecular techniques, production of a transgenic animal becomes easier. Although cloning efficiency in goat is low, the ability to propagate genetically identical animals, with a gene or genes of interest, would be important for increasing productivity and ultimately the economic livelihood. In this paper, the potential applications and uses of SCNT technology like production of transgenic goat for production of quality milk and meat are discussed.

According to the WHO- “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity”. The good health is the fundamental right of all the people on earth. The concept of ‘One Medicine’ coined by Calvin W. Schwabe evolves towards ’One Health’ which comprises collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines to achieve perfect health of people, animals, and our environment. ‘One Health’ deals with the challenges at the intersection of animal, human and environment health including the infectious diseases, the global food crises, and climate change due to global warming. The cordial and active association of various disciplines such as medicine, veterinary, public health, environment, wildlife, ecology, and food hygiene is highly emphasized in order to achieve the goal of ‘One Health’. This mini-review describes brief history of ‘one health’, the roles of veterinary, medical and environmental professionals, and developing collaboration with various concern professionals to achieve ‘one health’. In addition, the selected achievements of ‘one health’ in the past 10 years have been described along with the challenges ahead for the successful implementation of such concept.

The study was conducted in Mokwa, Nigeria, to estimate the live body weight (LBW) of Nigerian breeds of sheep using cannon bone length (CBL), and other linear body measurements (LBM). A total of 116 sheep were measured for LBW and LBM. The animals were categorized into two sex groups as male and female, and four age groups as <12 months, 13-24 months, 25-36 months and ≥37 months. The current findings showed that in almost all the age groups, the chest depth and heart girth alone or in combination gave the best fitted prediction equation(s). However, the CBL negatively correlated with LBW in the male and female (combined) of <12 months age group, and positively correlated with LBW in the age groups of 25-36 and ≥37 months.

Neospora caninum is an Apicomplexan parasite which may cause abortion in cattle. This study investigated occurrences of antibodies against N. caninum in Iranian native cattle. From September 2010 to September 2011, blood samples (n=768) of native cows were collected randomly from different rural regions of Hamedan (n=400) and Kurdistan provinces (n=368) located to the western part of Iran. All the samples were evaluated for IgG antibodies against N. caninum using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. The IgG antibodies to N. caninum were found in 14.2% (n=109/768) of serum samples (95% CI: 11.74 - 16.66). There was a significant difference between seropositivity and abortion history (p<0.0001, OR=2.9), unlike to age groups (p=0.105). This is the first report of N. caninum infection in Iranian native cattle. In conclusion, N. caninum is an important factor in abortion in Iranian native cattle. Further comprehensive studies and designing control strategies for improving management in cattle farms are highly recommended.

In this study, efficacies of different therapeutic regimens along with 10% zinc-sulfate footbath for the treatment of acute foot rot in adult sheep were evaluated. The research work conducted on the adult sheep (n=104) of both sexes which were presented to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex during April 2013 to May 2014. Foot rot was confirmed based on clinical and physical examinations. The sheep were divided into four equal groups; G-I, G-II, G-III, and G-IV. The animals of the G-I, II and IV were treated with a mixture of amoxicillin and cloxacillin at 15 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) through intramuscular (IM) route, oxytetracycline at 20 mg/kg b.wt., IM, and enrofloxacin at 5 mg/kg b.wt., IM, respectively. The animals of G-III were treated with gamma benzene hexachloride cream. Along with the above treatments, all four groups were given footbath with 10% zinc-sulfate. Mean recovery time (days) was recorded as lowest in G-II (3.83±0.64) followed by G-I (4.17±0.31), G-IV (4.38±0.0.79) and G-III (5.67±0.98), respectively. The mean±SE values of rectal temperature and ruminal motility that were recorded before and after the treatment showed significant (p<0.05) differences. In conclusion, administration of parenteral antibiotics in combination with footbath was highly effective to treat combination with footbath was highly effective to treat the acute foot rot in sheep.

The objective of current study was to evaluate the effects of Lepidium sativum (LS) on liver histopathology and serum biochemistry in rats fed with high cholesterol diet. A total of 32 rats were divided into four equal groups. The rats of first group (control group) were fed with basal diet, whereas the rats of second group were fed with basal diet mixed with cholesterol (1%). The rats of third and fourth groups were fed with high cholesterol (1%) diet mixed with Lepidium sativum powder at 3 g and 6 g/kg diet, respectively. Total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and alanine transaminase (ALT) activity were increased significantly in the rats fed with high cholesterol diet as compared to control group. LS reduced total cholesterol and ALT; however, higher dose (6 g/kg diet) was found better than lower dose (3 g/kg diet) in reducing serum triacylglycerol. Histopathological findings revealed that liver of cholesterol-treated rats showed varying degrees of vacuolar degeneration, fatty changes, fatty cysts, and lobular disarray. Livers of the LS-treated rats revealed mild to moderate degree of recovery. Conclusively, high dose of LS is recommended as hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic agent in rats.

A total of 186 samples comprising of poultry feed ingredients (n=114) and finished poultry feeds (n=72) were analyzed for the detection of total aflatoxin (TA) and ochratoxin A (OTA). The concentrations of TA and OTA in the samples were determined using direct competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Overall incidence of TA was recorded as 80.64% (n=150/186); whereas, in the feed ingredients, it was 86.84% (n=99/114), and in the finished feeds, the incidence of TA was 70.83% (n=51/72). Corn, cotton seed meal, sunflower meal, and cotton gluten meal were found to be highly (100%) contaminated with TA. The OTA was determined in 63.15% (n=72/114) and 29.17% (n=21/72) feed ingredients, and finished feed samples, respectively, with an overall incidence of 50% (n=93/186). Maximum level of OTA contamination (100%) was recorded in corn gluten meal. However, no feed contained OTA above the acceptable level as set by the European Union on OTA contamination in poultry finished feed. On the other hand, a number of samples contained TA above the acceptable limit. Thus, immediate control measures should be taken to ensure safe poultry for human consumption.

The study was aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology and antibiotic resistance pattern of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) in bovines and their handlers in Jammu, India. A total of 173 samples comprising of 103 fecal samples from bovines (60 from cattle and 43 from buffaloes), 28 stools and 42 fingertip rinses from bovine handlers were collected during August 2011 to March 2012. The isolated 126 E. coli strains (86 from bovines and 40 from handlers) belonged to 25 different serogroups in addition to rough and untypeable strains. Using multiplex polymerase chain reaction, four EPEC strains were isolated; two each from bovines and their handlers, of which two possessed the hemolysin (hlyA) gene. The prevalence of EPEC was recorded as 1.66% (n=1/60) in cattle, 2.32% (n=1/43) in buffaloes, and 2.85% (n=2/70) in their handlers. Antibiogram studies with the EPEC revealed the presence of multi-drug resistant E. coli. The isolates were mostly resistant to Amikacin, Amoxicillin, Cefixime and Streptomycin, and sensitive to Chloramphenicol. This study indicates that bovines as well as their handlers in Jammu region harbor EPEC, many of which being multi-drug resistant and carrying the hemolysin gene could be of high pathogenic potential for humans.

The comparative efficacy of Diazepam, Ketamine, and Ketamine-Diazepam combination was assessed in adult chickens. The chickens (n=30) were divided into three equal groups (G-1, G-2 and G-3), and were administered with Diazepam dosed at 0.5 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.), Ketamine HCL dosed at 20 mg/kg b.wt., and Ketamine HCL (dosed at 10 mg/kg b.wt.) combined with Diazepam (dosed at 2 mg/kg b.wt.) through intramuscular (IM) route. The means of induction period, duration of sedation or anesthesia, full recovery period and duration of analgesia were significantly (p≤0.05) differed among the groups. Also, the clinical and hematological parameters measured before and after the sedation or anesthesia within the groups were found to be differed significantly (p≤0.05) from each other. It was concluded that Diazepam dosed at 0.5 mg/kg b.wt. (IM) can be used in cockerels. However, combination of Ketamine (at 10 mg/kg IM)-Diazepam (at 2 mg/kg b.wt. IM) is preferably recommended as this combination is comparatively safer, and minimizes the pains elicited from the surgical procedure of using Diazepam alone.