Objective: This study investigated the comparative morphological analysis of the vomeronasal organ and the accessory olfactory bulb in dogs and rabbits. Materials and Methods: A total of 15 heads obtained from each adult healthy Balady dog (Canis familiaris) and New Zealand rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) of both sexes. The animals were sedated and anesthetized. Then, the heads were removed for computing topography, gross, and cross-sectional anatomy and histological techniques. Results: The vomeronasal organ was blind bilateral tubes enclosed by J-shaped cartilage on each side of the nasal septum. In dogs, it extended from the level of the upper third premolar teeth to the third incisive teeth. While in rabbits, it had no relation with the upper teeth. In cross section, the vomeronasal organ was pear-shaped in dogs and oval in rabbits. The accessory olfactory bulb was a small oval-shaped in dogs, but larger and ovoid in rabbits with clear lamination in its struc­ture. The vomeronasal epithelium in rabbits was higher in its thickness than that of the dog. The vomeronasal duct had medial sensory and lateral respiratory epithelium. The vomeronasal glands were voluminous and of serous type in rabbits other than were seromucous in dogs. Conclusion: The most characteristic structural variations achieved in the vomeronasal organ and the accessory olfactory bulb of the dog and rabbit gave an indication that the organ was more functional in rabbits than in dogs. The detection and response to the pheromonal stimuli were referred to as the occurrence of olfactory epithelium in the vomeronasal organ. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(4): 506-515, December 2019

Objective: This study investigated the comparative morphological analysis of the vomeronasal organ and the accessory olfactory bulb in dogs and rabbits. Materials and Methods: A total of 15 heads obtained from each adult healthy Balady dog (Canis familiaris) and New Zealand rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) of both sexes. The animals were sedated and anesthetized. Then, the heads were removed for computing topography, gross, and cross-sectional anatomy and histological techniques. Results: The vomeronasal organ was blind bilateral tubes enclosed by J-shaped cartilage on each side of the nasal septum. In dogs, it extended from the level of the upper third premolar teeth to the third incisive teeth. While in rabbits, it had no relation with the upper teeth. In cross section, the vomeronasal organ was pear-shaped in dogs and oval in rabbits. The accessory olfactory bulb was a small oval-shaped in dogs, but larger and ovoid in rabbits with clear lamination in its struc¬ture. The vomeronasal epithelium in rabbits was higher in its thickness than that of the dog. The vomeronasal duct had medial sensory and lateral respiratory epithelium. The vomeronasal glands were voluminous and of serous type in rabbits other than were seromucous in dogs. Conclusion: The most characteristic structural variations achieved in the vomeronasal organ and the accessory olfactory bulb of the dog and rabbit gave an indication that the organ was more functional in rabbits than in dogs. The detection and response to the pheromonal stimuli were referred to as the occurrence of olfactory epithelium in the vomeronasal organ. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6(4.000): 506-515]

Reports on the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in dogs in South Africa are non-existent. This study investigated the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in 481 dogs visiting four rural community veterinary clinics in South Africa. Dogs were screened for Campylobacter spp. by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between sex, clinic, breed and age and the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in dogs. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was 41.50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37.39% – 46.04%). Campylobacter jejuni, C. upsaliensis and C. coli were detected in 29.31% (95% CI, 25.42% – 33.54%), 13.10% (95% CI, 10.37% – 16.42%) and 5.41% (95% CI, 3.71% – 7.82%) of dogs, respectively. Dogs carrying more than one species of Campylobacter spp. accounted for 6.23% (95% CI, 4.40% – 8.78%). Campylobacter upsaliensis and C. jejuni were detected in 3.74% (95% CI, 2.37% – 5.86%), whereas C. coli and C. jejuni were found in 2.49% (95% CI, 1.42% – 4.34%) of dogs. Age and clinic were the risk factors significantly associated with Campylobacter spp. occurrence, while age, breed and clinic were predictors of C. jejuni carriage. Furthermore, age was the only risk factor associated with a higher likelihood of carrying C. upsaliensis. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. C. jejuni and C. upsaliensis increased significantly as dogs grew older. In addition, the odds of carrying Campylobacter spp. were higher in the Staffordshire bull terrier breed compared to crossbreed dogs. In conclusion, this study shows that dogs visiting rural community veterinary clinics in South Africa are reservoirs of Campylobacter spp. and may be potential sources of Campylobacter spp. for humans living in close proximity of the dog populations under study.

Reports on the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in dogs in South Africa are non-existent. This study investigated the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in 481 dogs visiting four rural community veterinary clinics in South Africa. Dogs were screened for Campylobacter spp. by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between sex, clinic, breed and age and the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in dogs. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was 41.50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37.39% – 46.04%). Campylobacter jejuni, C. upsaliensis and C. coli were detected in 29.31% (95% CI, 25.42% – 33.54%), 13.10% (95% CI, 10.37% – 16.42%) and 5.41% (95% CI, 3.71% – 7.82%) of dogs, respectively. Dogs carrying more than one species of Campylobacter spp. accounted for 6.23% (95% CI, 4.40% – 8.78%). Campylobacter upsaliensis and C. jejuni were detected in 3.74% (95% CI, 2.37% – 5.86%), whereas C. coli and C. jejuni were found in 2.49% (95% CI, 1.42% – 4.34%) of dogs. Age and clinic were the risk factors significantly associated with Campylobacter spp. occurrence, while age, breed and clinic were predictors of C. jejuni carriage. Furthermore, age was the only risk factor associated with a higher likelihood of carrying C. upsaliensis. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. C. jejuni and C. upsaliensis increased significantly as dogs grew older. In addition, the odds of carrying Campylobacter spp. were higher in the Staffordshire bull terrier breed compared to crossbreed dogs. In conclusion, this study shows that dogs visiting rural community veterinary clinics in South Africa are reservoirs of Campylobacter spp. and may be potential sources of Campylobacter spp. for humans living in close proximity of the dog populations under study.

Reports on the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in dogs in South Africa are non-existent. This study investigated the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in 481 dogs visiting four rural community veterinary clinics in South Africa. Dogs were screened for Campylobacter spp. by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between sex, clinic, breed and age and the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in dogs. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was 41.50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37.39% – 46.04%). Campylobacter jejuni, C. upsaliensis and C. coli were detected in 29.31% (95% CI, 25.42% – 33.54%), 13.10% (95% CI, 10.37% – 16.42%) and 5.41% (95% CI, 3.71% – 7.82%) of dogs, respectively. Dogs carrying more than one species of Campylobacter spp. accounted for 6.23% (95% CI, 4.40% – 8.78%). Campylobacter upsaliensis and C. jejuni were detected in 3.74% (95% CI, 2.37% – 5.86%), whereas C. coli and C. jejuni were found in 2.49% (95% CI, 1.42% – 4.34%) of dogs. Age and clinic were the risk factors significantly associated with Campylobacter spp. occurrence, while age, breed and clinic were predictors of C. jejuni carriage. Furthermore, age was the only risk factor associated with a higher likelihood of carrying C. upsaliensis. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. C. jejuni and C. upsaliensis increased significantly as dogs grew older. In addition, the odds of carrying Campylobacter spp. were higher in the Staffordshire bull terrier breed compared to crossbreed dogs. In conclusion, this study shows that dogs visiting rural community veterinary clinics in South Africa are reservoirs of Campylobacter spp. and may be potential sources of Campylobacter spp. for humans living in close proximity of the dog populations under study.

International audience | Reports on the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in dogs in South Africa are non-existent. This study investigated the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in 481 dogs visiting four rural community veterinary clinics in South Africa. Dogs were screened for Campylobacter spp. by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between sex, clinic, breed and age and the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in dogs. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was 41.50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37.39% - 46.04%). Campylobacter jejuni, C. upsaliensis and C. coli were detected in 29.31% (95% CI, 25.42% - 33.54%), 13.10% (95% CI, 10.37% - 16.42%) and 5.41% (95% CI, 3.71% - 7.82%) of dogs, respectively. Dogs carrying more than one species of Campylobacter spp. accounted for 6.23% (95% CI, 4.40% - 8.78%). Campylobacter upsaliensis and C. jejuni were detected in 3.74% (95% CI, 2.37% - 5.86%), whereas C. coli and C. jejuni were found in 2.49% (95% CI, 1.42% - 4.34%) of dogs. Age and clinic were the risk factors significantly associated with Campylobacter spp. occurrence, while age, breed and clinic were predictors of C. jejuni carriage. Furthermore, age was the only risk factor associated with a higher likelihood of carrying C. upsaliensis. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. C. jejuni and C. upsaliensis increased significantly as dogs grew older. In addition, the odds of carrying Campylobacter spp. were higher in the Staffordshire bull terrier breed compared to crossbreed dogs. In conclusion, this study shows that dogs visiting rural community veterinary clinics in South Africa are reservoirs of Campylobacter spp. and may be potential sources of Campylobacter spp. for humans living in close proximity of the dog populations under study.

The classification and description of digenean trematodes are commonly accomplished by using morphological features, especially in adult stages. The aim of this study was to provide an analysis of the genetic composition of larval digenean trematodes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from clinostomatid metacercaria, 27-spined echinostomatid redia, avian schistosome cercaria and strigeid metacercaria from various dams in the proximity of Tshwane metropolitan, South Africa. Polymerase chain reaction was performed using the extracted DNA with primers targeting various regions within the larval digenean trematodes’ genomes. Agarose gel electrophoresis technique was used to visualise the PCR products. The PCR products were sequenced on an Applied Bioinformatics (ABI) genetic analyser platform. Genetic information obtained from this study had a higher degree of discrimination than the morphological characteristics of seemingly similar organisms.

The classification and description of digenean trematodes are commonly accomplished by using morphological features, especially in adult stages. The aim of this study was to provide an analysis of the genetic composition of larval digenean trematodes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from clinostomatid metacercaria, 27-spined echinostomatid redia, avian schistosome cercaria and strigeid metacercaria from various dams in the proximity of Tshwane metropolitan, South Africa. Polymerase chain reaction was performed using the extracted DNA with primers targeting various regions within the larval digenean trematodes’ genomes. Agarose gel electrophoresis technique was used to visualise the PCR products. The PCR products were sequenced on an Applied Bioinformatics (ABI) genetic analyser platform. Genetic information obtained from this study had a higher degree of discrimination than the morphological characteristics of seemingly similar organisms.

Mastitis is the most costly disease of dairy cows. A pro-active approach includes insuring adequate levels of selective trace minerals. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of two different commercially available, injectable selenium products, (sodium) Na-selenite (inorganic) and (selenium) Se-methionine (organic), on milk composition and on serum and milk selenium concentrations in high-yielding Holstein cows on total mix ration. Sixty multiparous cows were randomly selected into three groups of 20, one control group and two groups supplemented with injectable trace minerals. Blood and milk samples were collected over a period of 60 days. No specific change was indicated in milk yield, lactose, milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and milk pH levels compared with baseline values. The Se-methionine supplemented group showed a numerical increase in total milk protein percentage. In the group injected with Se-methionine, a negative correlation was present for the initial 72 hours between serum selenium concentration and somatic cell count (SCC) and a highly significant (p 0.001) increase in milk selenium concentration for the initial 24 hours. Serum selenium concentration of Se-methionine-supplemented cows was however not significantly changed. Injection of Na-selenite led to a 60-day initial increase in serum selenium concentration above baseline levels and a significant milk selenium concentration on day 1 but to a negative correlation between serum selenium concentration and SCC. Differences in serum and milk selenium concentrations followed with the use of organic and inorganic selenium injectables. Injectable Na-selenite, as selenium, can be of important value for cattle farmers if supplemented on strategically physiological periods to improve production, reproduction and immunity.

Mastitis is the most costly disease of dairy cows. A pro-active approach includes insuring adequate levels of selective trace minerals. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of two different commercially available, injectable selenium products, (sodium) Na-selenite (inorganic) and (selenium) Se-methionine (organic), on milk composition and on serum and milk selenium concentrations in high-yielding Holstein cows on total mix ration. Sixty multiparous cows were randomly selected into three groups of 20, one control group and two groups supplemented with injectable trace minerals. Blood and milk samples were collected over a period of 60 days. No specific change was indicated in milk yield, lactose, milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and milk pH levels compared with baseline values. The Se-methionine supplemented group showed a numerical increase in total milk protein percentage. In the group injected with Se-methionine, a negative correlation was present for the initial 72 hours between serum selenium concentration and somatic cell count (SCC) and a highly significant (p 0.001) increase in milk selenium concentration for the initial 24 hours. Serum selenium concentration of Se-methionine-supplemented cows was however not significantly changed. Injection of Na-selenite led to a 60-day initial increase in serum selenium concentration above baseline levels and a significant milk selenium concentration on day 1 but to a negative correlation between serum selenium concentration and SCC. Differences in serum and milk selenium concentrations followed with the use of organic and inorganic selenium injectables. Injectable Na-selenite, as selenium, can be of important value for cattle farmers if supplemented on strategically physiological periods to improve production, reproduction and immunity.

Malignant ovine theileriosis is caused by Theileria lestoquardi, which is highly pathogenic in sheep. Theileriosis involves different organs in ruminants. Little is known about the role of proinflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of T. lestoquardi infection. The aim of this study was to measure concentration changes of proinflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulin G (IgG) during an ovine experimental theileriosis and correlate it with clinical and haematological parameters. During an experimental study, seven healthy Baluchi sheep (four females and three males) about 6–8 months old were infected with T. lestoquardi by feeding of infected unfed ticks on the sheep’s ears. The infected sheep were clinically examined during the study and blood samples were collected on days 0, 2, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17 and 21. The haematological parameters were analysed by an automatic veterinary haematology cell counter and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IgG were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All infected sheep had temperatures above 40 °C on days 3–4 post infection (PI). The maximum temperature was noted on day 7, and it remained high until day 21. The parasitaemia of T. lestoquardi infection increased from 0.01% (day 7 PI) to 3.3% (day 21 PI). The mean white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), lymphocyte, neutrophil and platelet values slightly increased on day 2 PI and decreased by day 17 and day 21 PI. The percentage parasitaemia and fever had a negative correlation with the numbers of WBCs, RBCs, lymphocytes, neutrophils and platelets. The serum concentration of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ cytokines increased and peaked on day 12 and thereafter decreased to levels lower than 0. Out of all tested cytokines, the concentration of IL-6 was significantly higher, as early as day 2 PI. No significant changes were observed for the IgG levels during the course of disease. A significant and strong correlation was observed between IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ values and a moderate correlation between IL-6 and the numbers of lymphocytes in the present study. A strong correlation was determined between the percentage parasitaemia and haematological parameters in T. lestoquardi-infected sheep. In addition, preliminary results indicate that the measurement of the serum concentrations of IL-6 in combination with haematological parameters could be considered a good marker to estimate the pathogenicity of T. lestoquardi strain.

Malignant ovine theileriosis is caused by Theileria lestoquardi, which is highly pathogenic in sheep. Theileriosis involves different organs in ruminants. Little is known about the role of proinflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of T. lestoquardi infection. The aim of this study was to measure concentration changes of proinflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulin G (IgG) during an ovine experimental theileriosis and correlate it with clinical and haematological parameters. During an experimental study, seven healthy Baluchi sheep (four females and three males) about 6–8 months old were infected with T. lestoquardi by feeding of infected unfed ticks on the sheep’s ears. The infected sheep were clinically examined during the study and blood samples were collected on days 0, 2, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17 and 21. The haematological parameters were analysed by an automatic veterinary haematology cell counter and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IgG were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All infected sheep had temperatures above 40 °C on days 3–4 post infection (PI). The maximum temperature was noted on day 7, and it remained high until day 21. The parasitaemia of T. lestoquardi infection increased from 0.01% (day 7 PI) to 3.3% (day 21 PI). The mean white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), lymphocyte, neutrophil and platelet values slightly increased on day 2 PI and decreased by day 17 and day 21 PI. The percentage parasitaemia and fever had a negative correlation with the numbers of WBCs, RBCs, lymphocytes, neutrophils and platelets. The serum concentration of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ cytokines increased and peaked on day 12 and thereafter decreased to levels lower than 0. Out of all tested cytokines, the concentration of IL-6 was significantly higher, as early as day 2 PI. No significant changes were observed for the IgG levels during the course of disease. A significant and strong correlation was observed between IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ values and a moderate correlation between IL-6 and the numbers of lymphocytes in the present study. A strong correlation was determined between the percentage parasitaemia and haematological parameters in T. lestoquardi-infected sheep. In addition, preliminary results indicate that the measurement of the serum concentrations of IL-6 in combination with haematological parameters could be considered a good marker to estimate the pathogenicity of T. lestoquardi strain.