Rabies is a zoonotic disease that remains endemic in large parts of southern Africa because of its persistence in wildlife and domestic dog vectors. The black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) is primarily the wildlife vector responsible for rabies outbreaks in northern parts of South Africa. Two trials were carried out to investigate antibody responses to the oral rabies vaccine Raboral V-RG® in black-backed jackals under captive and free-ranging conditions. In captive jackals 10/12 (83%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 52% – 98%), seroconverted after single oral vaccination. Nine captive jackals had protective antibody titres ( 0.5 IU/mL) at 4 weeks (median: 2.1 IU/mL; inter quartile range [IQR]: 0.6–5.7) and 10 jackals had at 12 weeks (median: 3.5 IU/mL; IQR: 1.5–8.3) and three maintained antibody titres for up to 48 weeks (median: 3.4 IU/mL; IQR: 2.0–6.3). Four sites were baited with Raboral V-RG® vaccine for wild jackals, using fishmeal polymer and chicken heads. Baits were distributed by hand or from vehicle at three sites in north-eastern South Africa, with an average baiting density of 4.4 baits/km2 and at one site in central South Africa, at 0.12 baits/km2. This resulted in protective antibody titres in 3/11 jackals (27%; 95% Cl: 6–61) trapped between 3 and 12 months after baiting in north-eastern South Africa, compared with 4/7 jackals (57%; 95% Cl: 18–90) trapped after 3–18 months in central South Africa. This study shows the potential utility of oral rabies vaccination for the control of wildlife-associated rabies in north-eastern and central South Africa, but extensive studies with wider distribution of bait are needed to assess its potential impact on rabies control in wild jackals.

No abstract available.

Water quality is critical for poultry farming. This study assessed the physical, chemical and microbiological quality of drinking water in small-layer farms in Southern Mozambique and identified potential risk factors for total coliform (TC) and Escherichia coli contamination of drinking water. In 20 farms, 57 samples were collected and examined for pH, nitrate content (NC), nitrite level (NL) and total hardness contents (TH). Furthermore, TC and E. coli growth were assessed at 37 °C. One hundred per cent of the drinking water was of acceptable quality in terms of pH (6.5–8.5), NC (50 mg/L) and NL (3 mg/L). Total hardness contents exceeded the recommended standard in 37.5% of borehole water samples and 91.7% of tap water samples, respectively. Total coliform and E. coli were found in 40% and 15% of water samples. Tap water samples had the greatest contamination, with TC and E. coli levels of 41.7% and 16.7%, respectively. Although not statistically significant, sampling from the beginning of the nipple line (p = 0.101, OR = 7.357, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.678–79.886) and not cleaning the rearing equipment regularly (p = 0.098, OR = 3.966, 95% CI: 0.766–20.280) were factors affecting the TC growth. Sampling from the tank water source (p = 0.001, OR = 0.005, 95% CI: 0.000–0.121) and borehole water source (OR = 13 585) and not cleaning the equipment consistently (p = 0.073, OR = 9.682, 95% CI: 0.810–115.68) were all factors affecting E. coli growth. It is concluded that the TH and microbiological quality of the drinking water of the study region are inadequate. Regular water quality assessments should be incorporated into Mozambican layer farm management to limit the potential for health concerns, and farmers should thoroughly clean and disinfect their rearing equipment. Contribution: We should incorporate regular water quality assessments into Mozambican layer farm management to limit the potential for health concerns, and farmers should thoroughly clean and disinfect their rearing equipment.

Background: Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) strains are a major cause of diarrheal diseases in both developed and developing countries. Healthy asymptomatic animals may be reservoirs of zoonotic DEC, which may enter the food chain via the weak points in hygiene practices. Aim: We investigated the prevalence of DEC along the pig production continuum from farm-to-fork. Methods: A total of 417 samples were collected from specific points along the pig production system, that is, farm, transport, abattoir and food. E. coli was isolated and enumerated using Colilert. Ten isolates from each Quanti-tray were selected randomly and phenotypically identified using eosin methylene blue agar selective media. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to confirm the species and to classify them into the various diarrheagenic pathotypes. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined against a panel of 20 antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and EUCAST guideline. Results: The final sample size consisted of 1044 isolates, of which 45.40% (474/1044) were DEC and 73% (762/1044) were multidrug-resistant. Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) was the most predominant DEC at all the sampling sites. Conclusion: The presence of DEC in food animal production environments and food of animal origin could serve as reservoirs for transmitting these bacteria to humans, especially in occupationally exposed workers and via food. Adherence to good hygienic practices along the pig production continuum is essential for mitigating the risk of transmission and infection, and ensuring food safety.

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the levels of interleukins such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12β in sheep with Jaagsiekte by immunohistochemical methods. In this way, it will be revealed whether interleukins are effective in the progression of Jaagsiekte and how useful they are in the diagnosis of the disease. The material of the current study consisted of lung tissues of 26 sheep (Control, n=6 and Jaagsiekte, n=20) brought to the Department of Pathology for routine histopathological diagnosis. Tissue samples taken were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde solution. 5 µm-thick sections were taken from the paraffin blocks prepared after routine tissue follow-up procedures. Hematoxylin & Eosin staining was applied to the sections in order to detect histopathological changes. Sections were examined and photographed under a light microscope. The routine streptavidin–biotin peroxidase complex method was used.In sheep with Jaagsiekte, tumoral foci with large and small acinar or papillary growths were observed in the alveolar and bronchiole lumens. The control group was negative for IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12β immunoreactivity. IL 1β-6-10 and 12β levels were dramatically increased in the Jaagsiekte group compared to the control group.It was determined that interleukins were produced from tumoral cells and tumor microenvironment elements, and these interleukins showed pro-inflammatory effects, except for IL-10.

This study aimed to monitor oxidative stress parameters including total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) level during the healing process in hair goats with metritis. This study was carried out on a total of 25 hair goats with metritis (n=10; Group 1) and healthy (n=15; Group 2). The beginning of the study was accepted as day 0. In both Group 1 and Group 2, blood samples were collected on days 0 (first measurement day), 14 (second measurement day) and 28 (third measurement day) of the study for TAS, TOS and TNF-α analyzes. In addition, oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated using TAS and TOS values.It was found that TAS level decreased in Group 1 compared to Group 2 at the first measurement day (p<0.05). However, TOS, OSI and TNF-α levels increased in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p<0.01). At the second measurement day, TOS and OSI values were higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (p<0.05).In conclusion, the antioxidant system weakened, oxidative stress and TNF-α levels increased in animals with metritis compared to healthy animals. However, at the third measurement time, all parameters became similar between groups.

Objective: This study aimed to reveal the coronary veins and the branches that join it to provide venous drainage of the heart in Southern Karaman sheep. Material-Method: Eight Southern Karaman sheep’s heart tissues were used in the study. Latex injection techniques were used to determine the coronary veins and the branches that join it for providing venous drainage of the heart.Result: In the study, vena cordis magna, vena cordis media, and vv. cordis dextra was observed as venous drainage providing vessels. The vena cordis magna began in the lower third of the sulcus interventricularis paraconalis, called vena interventricularis paraconalis. This vein reached the sulcus coronarius and continued as vena circumflexus sinister. Vena cordis media was named as vena interventricularis subsinosus in sulcus interventricularis subsinosus. The vv. cordis dextra was responsible for the venous drainage of the facies atrialis of the heart.Conclusion: In the evaluation of the study findings, it was determined that the coronary veins and the branches joined it of Southern Karaman sheep were mainly similar to other sheep breeds in the literature. Still, there were some anatomical differences, for example; vena distalis ventriculi sinistri was opening into vena circumflexus sinister, vena apicis cordis was absent, vena semicircumflexa dextri was present.

To investigate the possible effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment on rat diabetes-induced liver damage and immune reactivity of asprosin hormone in the liver. Twenty-eight Wistar albino male rats were used in the study. They were separated into 4 groups as Control (n=7), Diabetes (n=7), Diabetes+NAC (n=7), and NAC (n=7). The rats in all groups were dissected after the treatment, and liver tissues were taken for pathological examination. Tissue sections were stained with immunohistochemistry for detecting asprosin immunoreactivity, hematoxylin-eosin and picrosirius red staining were performed to determine the changes in the tissues.In the microscopical examination of hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections normal histological hepatic tissues were seen in the Control and NAC groups. Pathological examination of liver tissue from diabetic rats showed marked dissociation, fibrosis, degeneration, inflammation, necrosis, Kupffer cells activation, bile duct proliferation, and congestion. A significant decrease in these lesions was observed in the DM+NAC group. Immunohistochemical studies showed that asprosin immunoreactivity was increased in the DM group in a significant manner. Asprosin expression was observed to be significantly reduced in the DM+NAC group in comparison to the DM group.Our findings show that NAC administration reduces liver damage in diabetic rats and can be used to reduce/eliminate the negative effects of diabetes in rat liver tissue..

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) oil and Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale) extract on Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) release in liver tissue of diabetic rats. Experimental groups were created as control, sham, chia, dandelion, diabetes (DM), diabetes+chia (DC), and diabetes+dandelion (DD). Body weight and blood glucose measurements were taken on the 1st, 3rd, and 17th days of the study and evaluated statistically. A one-way ANOVA test was performed to determine the differences between the groups. The Duncan test was used to compare significant differences between groups. At the end of the study, Masson's trichrome staining and Hematoxylin-Eosin staining were employed for histological examinations of liver tissues, and the distribution of TNF-α and IL-6 was examined by applying the Streptavidin-biotin peroxidase method.It was determined that body weight and blood glucose measurements were significantly decrease for the DC group compared to other groups. Immunoreactivity of TNF-α and IL-6 was found to decrease in DC and DD groups at close to the control levels.Based on our results, it was thought that the use of chia and dandelion in diabetes may contribute to the alleviation of disease-related complications by having a positive effect on proinflammatory cytokine levels.

In this study, it was aimed to determine the prevalence of ear diseases in cats and dogs brought to clinics in Kocaeli provinces. For this purpose, a general ear examination of 66 cats and 46 dogs brought to the clinic in Kocaeli were performed and the ear canal and eardrum were examined with an otoscope. In addition, a radiographic imaging method (x-ray), as well as microbiological and histopathological examinations were performed. After diagnosing the diseases, they were recorded and evaluations about ear diseases were analyzed statistically.