The prevalence of Cryptosporidium species in diarrhoeic lambs in Kars province and potential risk factors

Protective Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on Rooster Semen Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation of avian semen is a useful reproductive technique in the poultry industry. However, during cooling, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels have destructive effects on both quality and function of thawed sperm. The aim of the current study is to investigate the antioxidant effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) during rooster semen cryopreservation. Semen samples were collected from ten Ross 308 broiler breeder roosters (32 weeks) and mixed. The mixed samples were divided into five equal parts and cryopreserved in Lake Buffer extender that contained different concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mM) of NAC. The optimum concentration of NAC was determined based on quality parameters of mobility, viability, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial membrane potential after the freeze-thaw process. There was a higher percentage (p < 0.05) of total motility (TM) (60.9 ± 2.4%) and progressive motility (PM) (35.6 ± 1.9%) observed with the NAC-0.1 group compared to the other groups. Significantly higher percentages of viability (74.4 ± 2.3% and 71 ± 2.3%), membrane integrity (76.4 ± 1.5% and 74.7 ± 1.5%) and mitochondrial membrane potential (67.1 ± 1.6% and 66.3 ± 1.6%) were observed in the NAC-0.1 and NAC-1 groups compared to the other frozen groups (p < 0.05). The lowest percentage of lipid peroxidation and nonviable sperm was found in the NAC-0.1 and NAC-1 groups compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). The average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), and acrosome integrity, were not affected by different concentrations of NAC in the thawed sperm (p > 0.05). Both NAC-0.1 and NAC-1 appear to be beneficial for maintaining the quality of rooster sperm after thawing.

Cryptosporidium and agriculture: A review

Cryptosporidiosis is a significant contributor to global foodborne and waterborne disease burden. It is a widespread cause of diarrheal diseases that affect humans and animals worldwide. Agricultural environments can become a source of contamination with Cryptosporidium species through faecal material derived from humans and animals. This review aims to report the main findings of scientific research on Cryptosporidium species related to various agricultural sectors, and highlights the risks of cryptosporidiosis in agricultural production, the contamination sources, the importance of animal production in transmission, and the role of farmed animals as hosts of the parasites. Agricultural contamination sources can cause water pollution in groundwater and different surface waters used for drinking, recreational purposes, and irrigation. The application of contaminated manure, faecal sludge management, and irrigation with inadequately treated water are the main concerns associated with foodborne and waterborne cryptosporidiosis related to agricultural activities. The review emphasizes the public health implications of agriculture concerning the transmission risk of Cryptosporidium parasites and the urgent need for a new concept in the agriculture sector. Furthermore, the findings of this review provide valuable information for developing appropriate measures and monitoring strategies to minimize the risk of infection.

Epidemiology of Brucellosis in Small Ruminants of Rural and Peri-Urban Areas of Multan, Pakistan

Brucellosis is a widespread zoonotic disease of veterinary and public health importance with considerably higher prevalence in developing/underdeveloped countries. This study reports the prevalence and risk determinants of brucellosis in small ruminants of peri-urban and rural areas of district Multan, Southern Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose, sera samples (n = 392) of small ruminants were collected and subjected to preliminary screening using commercially available RBPT reagents followed by serodetection of brucellosis using multispecies i-ELISA kit (ID.vet, France). All the ELISA positive samples were confirmed by PCR using genus-specific primers, and frequencies of Brucella species in positive samples were enumerated using species-specific primers. Results indicated seropositivity rates of 9.69, 9.95, and 10.20% in study population using RBPT reagents of IDEXX-USA, ID.Vet-France, and VRI-Pakistan, respectively, with a statistically nonsignificant difference (p > 0.05). Results of ELISA showed an overall seroprevalence rate of 7.14% in target population with a slightly higher rate in sheep (7.65%) as compared to goat (6.63%) population (p = 0.695; OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.53, 2.57). Results revealed that out of total positive samples, B. abortus was detected in 60.71% of seropositive samples and B. melitensis was detected in 14.28% of positive samples. It was revealed that risk factors including body condition scores, hygienic conditions of the housing facility, farming system, reproductive disorders, educational status of farmers, and awareness of farmers about brucellosis had significant association with brucellosis in small ruminants of study area (p < 0.05). Conversely, farm/herd size, locality, gender, age, weight, and parity showed a nonsignificant association (p > 0.05) with brucellosis. In conclusion, brucellosis is prevalent in small ruminants of Multan, Pakistan. It is recommended to devise and implement effective control strategies with a major focus on raising awareness about brucellosis in farmers for the containment of infection in the region.

Molecular detection of genotypes and subtypes of Cryptosporidium infection in diarrheic calves, lambs, and goat kids from Turkey

The studies on Cryptosporidium infections of animals in Turkey mostly rely on microscopic observation. Few data are available regarding the prevalence of Cryptosporidium genotypes and subtypes infection. The aim of this study is to analyse the detection of Cryptosporidium genotypes and subtypes from young ruminants. A total of 415 diarrheic fecal specimens from young ruminants were examined for the Cryptosporidium detection by use of nested PCR of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene and the highly polymorphic 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene followed by sequence analyses. The results of this study revealed that 25.6% (106 of 415) of the specimens were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. infection. We identified 27.4% (91/333), 19.4% (13/67), and 13.4% (2/15) of positivity in calves, lambs and goat kids, respectively. Genotyping of the SSU rRNA indicated that almost all positive specimens were of C. parvum, except for one calf which was of C. bovis. Sequence analysis of the gp60 gene revealed the most common zoonotic subtypes (IIa and IId) of C. parvum. We detected 11 subtypes (IIaA11G2R1, IIaA11G3R1, IIaA12G3R1, IIaA13G2R1, IIaA13G4R1, IIaA14G1R1, IIaA14G3R1, IIaA15G2R1, IIdA16G1, IIdA18G1, IIdA22G1); three of them (IIaA12G3R1, IIaA11G3R1 and IIaA13G4R1) was novel subtypes found in calves and lambs. Additionally, three subtypes (IIaA11G2R1, IIaA14G3R1, and IIdA16G1) were detected in young ruminants for the first time in Turkey. These results indicate the high infection of Cryptosporidium in Turkey and propose that young ruminants are likely a major reservoir of C. parvum and a potential source of zoonotic transmission.

Molecular detection and epidemiological risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection among cattle in Peninsular Malaysia

Enteric protozoa infection among cattle may pose a threat to productivity and survival leading to negative impacts on the livestock industry. A number of these pathogens are also known to be zoonotic and are of public health concern. Despite the importance of these enteric protozoa to both animal and human health, there remains a paucity of published information on the epidemiological risk factors that may be associated with bovine cryptosporidiosis in Southeast Asia. The present study was undertaken to determine the molecular prevalence and associated risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection among beef and dairy cattle in Peninsular Malaysia. Faecal samples were collected from 824 cattle in 39 farms (526 beef and 298 dairy) situated in 33 locations throughout the country, and subjected to PCR detection for Cryptosporidium using primers targeting the 18S SSUrRNA gene. Epidemiological variables including host, environment and management factors were subjected to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine the potential risk factors for infection. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium among the cattle was 12.5%, with significant difference in the infection rate among the various breeds. There was no significant effect of gender, and both the beef and dairy cattle were at similar odds for infection. The younger cattle had a significantly higher infection rate compared to the older animals. Multivariate analysis revealed that deworming practice, distance to human settlement, geographical location (zone) and farm management system were significant risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection. The cattle that were reared on farms located in the northeast of the country, closest (≤200 m) to human settlements, reared extensively, and dewormed every four months were at highest risk of infection. The present study constitutes the first attempt to analyze the multivariable epidemiological risk factors involved in bovine cryptosporidiosis in Malaysia and in Southeast Asia. It is envisaged that the data obtained will facilitate better control and prevention measures for Cryptosporidium infection among cattle in the region. Due to the potential zoonotic nature of the infection, serious steps should be instituted for animal treatment and biohazard waste management on local cattle farms.

Epidemiological Observations on Cryptosporidiosis in Diarrheic Goat Kids in Greece

This study aimed at investigating the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in diarrheic goat kids in Greece and the risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis. Altogether, 292 diarrheic 4–15-day-old goat kids from 54 dairy goat herds of Northern Greece were examined. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 223 of 292 (76.4%) goat kids and the intensity of infection was scored as “high” in 142 samples, “moderate” in 45 samples, and “low” in 36 samples. Larger herds (>200 animals) had higher infection rates than smaller ones, although this difference was not statistically significant. Significantly higher infection rates were observed in herds during late kidding season (1 January to 30 April) compared to the early one (1 September to 31 December). These results suggest that cryptosporidiosis is very common in diarrheic goat kids in Greece, especially in large herds during the late parturition season.

Cryptosporidiosis in Farmed Animals

Cryptosporidiosis was first identified as a disease of veterinary, rather than human medical, importance, and infection of farmed animals with different species of Cryptosporidium continues to be of veterinary clinical concern. This chapter provides insights into Cryptosporidium infection in a range of farmed animals – cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, cervids, camelids, rabbits, water buffalo and poultry – presenting not only an updated overview of the infection in these animals, but also information on clinical disease, infection dynamics and zoonotic potential. Although extensive data have been accrued on, for example, Cryptosporidium parvum infection in calves, and calf cryptosporidiosis continues to be a major veterinary concern especially in temperate regions, there remains a paucity of data for other farmed animals, despite Cryptosporidium infection causing significant clinical disease and also, for some species, with the potential for transmission of infection to people, either directly or indirectly.