The aim of this study was to develop a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) method to detect African swine fever virus (ASFV). The methods of ASFV real-time PCR and ddPCR were established and optimal reaction conditions were confirmed. Each method was evaluated for linearity, limit of detection, and specificity. The results indicated that ASFV ddPCR had a high degree of linearity (R2 ≥ 0.998) and specificity. The detection limit was 10 copies/reaction, which was approximately a 10-fold greater sensitivity than real-time PCR. This sensitive method could be used as an efficient molecular biology tool to diagnose ASFV, which is very important for preventing the spread of diseases across borders.

OBJECTIVE To assess effects of photobiomodulation, silver sulfadiazine, and a topical antimicrobial product for the treatment of experimentally induced full-thickness skin wounds in green iguanas (Iguana iguana). ANIMALS 16 healthy subadult green iguanas. PROCEDURES Iguanas were anesthetized, and three 5-mm cutaneous biopsy specimens were obtained from each iguana (day 0). Iguanas were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups, each of which had a control treatment. Wounds in the topical treatment group received silver sulfadiazine, a topical antimicrobial product, or no treatment. Wounds in the laser treatment group received treatment with a class 4 laser at 5 or 10 J/cm2 or no treatment. Wound measurements were obtained daily for 14 days. Iguanas were euthanized, and treatment sites were evaluated microscopically to detect ulceration, bacterial contamination, reepithelialization, necrosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and collagen maturity. RESULTS On day 14, wounds treated with a laser at 10 J/cm2 were significantly smaller than those treated with silver sulfadiazine, but there were no other significant differences among treatments. Histologically, there were no significant differences in ulceration, bacterial infection, reepithelialization, necrosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and collagen maturity among treatments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Photobiomodulation at 10 J/cm2 appeared to be a safe treatment that was tolerated well by green iguanas, but it did not result in substantial improvement in histologic evidence of wound healing, compared with results for other treatments or no treatment.

Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer is one of the reproductivetechnologies which is important to increase animal production. In this case report, four cows were selected as donors while elevencows were selected as recipients. Both donors and recipients had undergone the same procedures and steps for multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET), such as cow preparation, synchronisation and where only donor cows follow the superovulation protocol. Cows were artificially inseminated and the embryos were flushed and graded. Out of four selected cows for donor, one of them was pregnant and only two cows actuallyproduced the embryos. The recovery rate for the embryo collection was 70.1%, and from 13 embryos (including unfertilised ova), 84.6% of the embryos was classified as good quality and suitable for embryo transfer. The overall results showed that out of eight recipients, five cows were detected pregnant, a 62.5% pregnancy rate. The aim of this report is to describe the procedures aswell as the factors that affect the successful of the MOET programme.

The local river terrapins (Batagur affinis) are an important aspect of the river ecosystem. The Turtle Conservation Centre in Bota Kanan noted morbidity and mortality in its terrapin population and some were sent for full laboratory investigationto diagnose cause of death. The faecal samples were subjected to faecal floatation technique whereby ascarid eggs were observed indicating that the turtles had helminth infection. Ascarid eggs had thick walls and measured at 140.6 μm to 149.7 μm in diameter. Apart from this, post-mortem examination of intestinal contents also showed presence of nematodes identified as Oesophagostomum sp. Treatment and control have to be instituted to prevent further morbidity and losses.

In the Malaysian environment horses are primarily used in sports activities such as racing, endurance, dressage and show jumping as well as in recreational pursuits and police work. Recently, the Perak Turf Club witnessed the death of a four-yearold thoroughbred mare which was given enrofloxacin injection as treatment and was regularly dewormed and vaccinated againstequine influenza, Japanese encephalitis and tetanus. Post-mortem examination of intestinal contents revealed presence of worms. The sample was then sent to the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), Perak for morphological identification of the worm. The worm was identified as Parascaris equorum. Thus, awareness ongastrointestinal parasites should be raised especially by recommending improved management practices such as proper manure disposal and deworming procedures to control parasite infestations as well as good management and nutrition.

The present study describes the use of electrochemiluminescenceimmunoassay (ECL) with the specific human kit for measuring plasma testosterone and progesterone in ovine. This study wascarried out on 16 mixed age animals of the local breed. They were divided into two groups of both sexes, namely Male-1 Group,Male-2 Group, Female-1 Group and Female-2 Group. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein into tubes containing EDTAand centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 20 min. Plasma was rapidly separated and stored at -20° C until assayed. The reproducibilityinter- and intra-assay of the P4- and T-ECL is satisfactory (2.11-7.3 %). The accuracy (93-102 %) and the test of parallelism were largely acceptable. No cross-reaction was observed with the different hormones including PMSG,hCG, progesterone,testosterone, oxytocin and PGF2α when concentrations of 10 UI/ml and 10-3 UI/ml were used. T concentrations were higher in Male-1 Group than in Male2 Group (1.67 ± 1.15 and 0.38 ± 0.45 ng/ml, respectively). The female-1 Group showed very high P4 concentrations (15.17 ± 4.91 ng/ ml) compared to the Female-2 Group (0.08 ± 0.04 ng/ml). The results obtained clearly show that human ECL system can be used to measure progesterone and testosterone in plasma ovine

A preliminary study on the effect of probiotics in fermented palm kernel meal (FPKM) and total mixed ration (TMR) to improve milk production in dairy cattle was carried out. TMR feeding enhances feed intake, improves the ecology of the rumen leading to stimulated microbial activity to digest more feed, and then finally increases productivity of the cows. Probiotics ofBacillus spp. was given through concentrate after a fermentation process for three days. The trial was carried out at the Dairy Unit, Veterinary Institute, Kluang, Johore. Twenty Mafriwal cows with low milk production were selected and divided into twoequivalent groups. Each group consisted of 10 cows. Group A were fed with TMR. Group B received TMR and 100 grams perhead/day FPKM (FPKM, probiotics Bacillus spp. and mollases). The cows were given TMR daily which consisted of 20 kg per headof fresh Napier grass, 5 kg per head palm kernel meal, 1 kg per head soya bean meal, 1 kg per head corn, 0.5 kg per head molassesand 0.5 kg per head of enalac. Feeding trial period was carried out for four weeks. Feed was given twice a day, morning and lateafternoon, meanwhile water was given adlibitum. Animals were given the same diet for seven days for an adaptation period.Milk was sampled twice a day for four weeks and were recorded accordingly. The average of daily and weekly milk productionwere calculated. The animals from Group B showed an improvement of milk production before trial to the fourth week from 5.2litres/head/day to 6.99 litres/head/day i.e. 14.80% to 34.44% as compared to Group A.

Zoonotic parasitic gastroenteritis has been well-known as a serious limitation to humans as well as livestock productivityin terms of man-power, pathology and fiscal losses, as human infection with these helminths from cattle can resultfrom consumption of meat containing the infective stage of the worm. This study therefore investigates the presence ofzoonotic helminth infections among cattle in Minna metropolis, and scientific basis for their potential transmission to humanpopulation. A total of 184 diarrhoeic faecal samples from cattle were collected from September 2014 to June 2015 in Minna,Niger state and processed using the direct faecal microscopic examination techniques. The obtained results showed that a total of 81 (44%) samples were positive including Ascaris sp, Fasciola gigantica, Trichuris sp. and Taenia sp. with infection rates of 22.3%, 12%, 2.2% and 0.5% respectively, and mixed infections of Fasciola gigantic with Ascaris sp. (4.3%) , and Ascaris sp. with Trichuris sp. (2.7%). Poor human hygiene, inadequate livestock husbandry managements and restriction of animals to residential areas are the major factors responsible for the high prevalence of zoonotic helminths and geo-helminths in the study area. Therefore veterinarians, animal handlers and livestock owners should practice personal hygienic and safe management practices for animal rearing and treatments.

Animal-to-human brucellosis transmission methods in Kajiado NorthSub - Count y, Kenya are inadequately documented. The Sub- County’s main livelihood is livestock-keeping, putting it at risk to brucellosis infections. Objective of this study was to determine the knowledge of brucellosis among animal and humanhealth workers. These workers were stationed in Kajiado North Sub-County and were the key informants of this study from whom qualitative data was collected. The data was analysed based on emerging themes, e.g. brucellosis significance in the community, livestock birthing and milk hygiene. Results revealed that brucellosis a significant disease in the community, informants were knowledgeable on the need for pre-purchase livestock examination, the need for proper disposal of livestock abortive material and on good milk hygiene measures. However, it was found that not all had adequate knowledge about brucellosis transmission through livestock birthing. The results indicated that measures to control and prevent brucellosis transmission to man, and between animals were inadequate as health workers were unable to adequately advise the community. It is recommendedthat health workers should be trained on all methods of brucellosis transmission, especially transmission during livestock births.

Septicaemic pasteurellosis is a fatal, sometimes epidemic, bacterial disease of domestic and wild animals including deer, bison, elk, and pronghorn antelope caused by Pasteurella multocida. This is the case report of septicaemic pasteurellosisin a captive sambar deer. The carcass was sent from Royal Endurance Stable, Bachok, Kelantan to the Kota Bharu RegionalVeterinary Laboratory for post-mortem. Gross examination of organs was followed by collection of specimens from lung, kidney,liver, spleen and heart for histopathology and bacterial examination. Pooled organ samples with rumen content were collected and sent to the nearest Chemistry Department for investigation. For histology, the liver, lung, spleen, kidney, and heart specimens were fixed in 10% neutral formalin, and routinely embedded in paraffin. Fivemicrometer sections were stained with H&E. Other tests such as worm and ectoparasiteidentification were conducted to identify the parasites. Post-mortem lesions revealed generalised haemorrhage in the organs.Pasteurella multocida serogroup B and E. coli were isolated from multiple tissues of the animal. Histological examination alsorevealed severe congestion and haemorhage of multiple tissues with infiltration of the inflammatory cells. The most likely mode of transmission of these bacteria is through an infected wound and into the bloodstream, thereby causing severe septicemia and death to the animal.