Anticoccidial efficacy of naringenin and a grapefruit peel extract in growing lambs naturally-infected with Eimeria spp

Acute phase response and oxidative stress in coccidiosis: A review in domestic animals

Coccidiosis is a highly significant disease in domestic animals due to its global distribution and economic impact. The occurrence of oxidative stress (OS) and the acute phase response (APR) play crucial roles in the development of coccidiosis, thereby contributing to the pathogenicity of coccidia. A range of triggers including parasitic infection, can induce the APR. This response encompasses a set of hormonal and metabolic changes to restore body stability and improve the body's healing capabilities. Ovine coccidiosis has the potential to cause OS, which can be prevented and treated through the use of dietary additives. By including Curcuma longa in the diets of infected sheep, it is possible to reduce lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO) production, while simultaneously improving serum antioxidant capacity and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels. Caprine coccidiosis can activate the APR. Research indicated that goats suffering from coccidiosis exhibited elevated concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total homocysteine, along with reduced levels of some enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as decreased levels of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), vitamin C, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Bovine coccidiosis is linked to elevated MDA concentrations and reduced serum glutathione (GSH) and TAC levels. Eimeria can induce OS and inflammatory damage in infected birds by releasing pro-inflammatory mediators from cells, resulting in a significant increase in CAT and SOD activity, lipid peroxidation and damage to the intestinal epithelium. To promote the antioxidant system of infected birds, some herbal food additives such as grape seed proanthocyanidine extract, Curcuma longa and Rumex nervosus leaf extract, can be used. Research on the APR in birds is not as extensive as in ruminants. Currently, there is a lack of studies on the occurrence of OS and APR in camels, horses, dogs, and cats with coccidiosis.

Metaphylactic strategies using toltrazuril against coccidiosis in goat kids

Goat coccidiosis compromises animal welfare, reduces productivity and may cause mortality and delayed growth rates in goat kids around the weaning period worldwide. This field study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of metaphylactic treatments with two doses of toltrazuril (20 or 40 mg/kg body weight - BW, p. o.), at different timing, in kids naturally infected with Eimeria spp. A total of 97 healthy goat kids (Majorera milk aptitude breed) were divided into five groups, depending on the age of treatment (2 or 7 weeks). One group remained untreated as a negative control until the end of the study. Faecal oocyst shedding, faecal consistency, and body weight of the animals were monitored at day 0 and at weekly intervals. Counts of oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG) were determined by a modified McMaster technique. Morphometric identification of Eimeria species was carried out on individual faecal samples from each experimental group after oocyst sporulation. Goat kids treated at two weeks of age maintained OPG values close to zero during the 5 weeks post-treatment and, overall, had lower faecal oocyst counts than untreated control animals. No significant differences were observed between the two doses of toltrazuril used in two-week-old treated animals. By contrast, when treatment was carried out at seven weeks of age, the dose of 40 mg/kg BW of toltrazuril reduced oocyst levels for longer and to a greater extent than the 20 mg/kg dose. Irrespectively of the treatment and dose, toltrazuril delayed the appearance of pathogenic Eimeria species, i. e. Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae and Eimeria arloingi. As a whole, Eimeria christenseni, with a rather moderate pathogenicity, was highly predominant throughout the study period, including the untreated control group, which was probably the reason why clinical signs of coccidiosis were barely observed throughout the experiment. Under these circumstances, the positive effect of toltrazuril on body weight condition observed in some treated groups was difficult to correlate to the timing and doses. Metaphylactic treatments with 20 mg/kg BW toltrazuril given at two weeks of age are sufficient to control oocyst excretion in goat kids; whereas if administered later in 7-week-old animals, thereby coinciding with the frequently observed peak of oocyst elimination in goat kids under field conditions, a higher dose might be advisable to prevent environmental contamination with infectious oocysts.

Epidemiological Survey on Post Mortem Coccidiosis in Broiler Chicken in Bejaia Province, Northern Algeria

AIM

The epidemiological survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of eimeriosis in broiler chickens slaughtered depending the season, to determine the different Eimeria species causing the coccidiosis in poultry farms; and to assess the impact of Eimeria parasite on histomorphological structure and oxidative stress parameters of the intestine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted from December 2018 to December 2019 in the province of Bejaia, Algeria. The intestines chickens (n = 366) were obtained immediately after slaughter, each cut into different segments (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and caecum). Microscopic and parasitological examinations were performed according to standard procedures. Histomorphometric measurements of intestine were obtained using Image J software. Oxidative stress parameters were carried out from intestine tissue.

RESULTS

Eimeria spp. were detected in 73.77% (95% CI 71.20-76.34) of broiler gut samples. The prevalence varied significantly according to the season, with the lowest rates in winter (42.81%, 95% CI 40.35-45.27) and the highest in autumn (97.92%, 95% CI 97.6-99.4). All seven Eimeria species were identified, most commonly E. necatrix (27.70%), E. brunetti (26.47%), and E. tenella (20.96%). The mean lesion score ranged from 1.51 ± 0.05 to 1.79 ± 0.04. Significant differences in VH/CD ratio of intestinal epithelium (P < 0.001) were observed in different intestinal portions of infested broiler chickens compared to non-infested. The mean MDA concentration of intestinal segments was significantly higher in Eimeria species infested broilers compared to non-infested (P < 0.05). The results show at least one difference in CAT, SOD, and ABTS-+ concentrations (P < 0.05) in both chicken's groups.

CONCLUSION

Our results revealed that coccidiosis is extremely prevalent in slaughtered broilers, with an abundance of pathogenic Eimeria species. Also, it was concluded that infestation induces tissue structure alterations which coincides with the oxidative damage.

Effects of Radix dichroae extract supplementation on growth performance, oocysts output and gut microbiota in growing lambs with coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is an intestinal protozoan disease of sheep, that causes substantial economic losses in the industry due to its intestinal protozoan origins. Many anti-protozoan drugs including ionophores, triazines, and sulfonamides have been widely used to treat sheep coccidiosis. Still, anticoccidial resistance and drug residues in edible tissues have prompted an urgent search for alternatives. In this study, the anti-coccidial effectiveness of the Radix dichroae extract was compared to that of the conventional anti-coccidial drug diclazuril. Here, eighteen 45-day-old lambs naturally-infected with Eimeria spp. were randomly allocated in three groups: control group, Radix dichroae extract group and diclazuril group. The results showed that the body weight gain (BWG) during the treatment and withdrawal periods was considerably improved in the coccidiosis-infected sheep treated with Radix dichroae extract and diclazuril compared to the control group, respectively. Additionally, the Radix dichroae extract and diclazuril had fewer oocysts per gram (OPG) than the control group, showing similar anti-coccidial effects on days 14, 21, 28, 35 and 78, respectively. Furthermore, Radix dichroae extract and diclazuril treatment altered the structure and composition of gut microbiota, promoting the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota, Firmicutes, Alistipes, and Bifidobacterium, while decreasing the abundance of Bacteroidota, Marinilaceae, Helicobacteraceae, and Prevotella. Moreover, Spearman's correlation analysis further revealed a correlation between the OPG and BWG and gut microorganisms. Collectively, the results indicated that Radix dichroae extract had similar anti-coccidial effects as diclazuril, and could regulate gut microbiota balance in growing lambs.

Antimicrobial Potential of Aqueous Extract of Giant Sword Fern and Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Vibriosis and parasitic leech infestations cause the death of various farmed fish, such as groupers, hybrid groupers, sea bass, etc., in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. In the absence of natural control agents, aquaculture operators rely on toxic chemicals to control Vibrio infections and parasitic leeches, which can have a negative impact on the environment and health. In the present study, we investigated the antivibrio and antiparasitic activities of the aqueous extract of giant sword fern (GSF) (Nephrolepis biserrata, Nephrolepidaceae, locally known as "Paku Pedang") against four Vibrio spp. and the parasitic leech Zeylanicobdella arugamensis, as well as its metabolic composition using the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry system (UHPLC-HRMS). The data show that the aqueous extract of GSF at a concentration of 100 mg/mL exhibits potent bactericidal activity against V. parahaemolyticus with a zone of inhibition of 19.5 mm. In addition, the extract showed dose-dependent activity against leeches, resulting in the complete killing of the parasitic leeches within a short period of 11-43 min when tested at concentrations ranging from 100 to 25 mg/mL. The UHPLC-HRMS analysis detected 118 metabolites in the aqueous extract of GSF. Flavonoids were the primary metabolites, followed by phenolic, aromatic, fatty acyl, terpenoid, vitamin and steroidal compounds. Notably, several of these metabolites possess antibacterial and antiparasitic properties, including cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, apigenin, quercetin, cynaroside, luteolin, naringenin, wogonin, 6-gingerol, nicotinamide, abscisic acid, daidzein, salvianolic acid B, etc. Overall, our study shows the significant antibacterial and antiparasitic potential of the GSF aqueous extract, which demonstrates the presence of valuable secondary metabolites. Consequently, the aqueous extract is a promising natural alternative for the effective control of Vibrio infections and the treatment of parasitic leeches in aquaculture systems.

Eimeria infections in domestic and wild ruminants with reference to control options in domestic ruminants

Eimeria infections are commonly seen in a variety of mammalian hosts. This genus of unicellular sporozoan parasites causes significant disease (coccidiosis) in different livestock species leading to economic losses for agricultural producers. Especially the production of cattle, sheep, and goat is strongly dependent on efficient coccidiosis control. However, many other livestock hosts like, e.g., camelids, bison, rabbits, and guinea pigs may benefit from reduced parasite transmission and targeted control measures as well. Besides livestock, also wildlife and pet animals may be affected by Eimeria infections resulting in clinical or subclinical coccidiosis. Wildlife herd health is crucial to conservation efforts, and Eimeria species are a prevalent pathogen in multiple mammalian wildlife species. This review aims to highlight the epidemiology of mammalian Eimeria infections in both wild and domestic ruminants, including host specificity, transmission, survival of environmental oocysts, occurrence, and risk factors for infection. Understanding general drivers of Eimeria infection may support adequate livestock and wildlife management. Furthermore, control options for livestock with reference to management factors, drug application, and alternative approaches are discussed. The goal of Eimeria control should be to reduce pathogen transmission in different host species and to improve sustainable livestock production. Controlling Eimeria infections in livestock is important considering both their animal welfare impact and their high economic relevance.

Administration of spruce bark (Picea abies) extracts in young lambs exhibits anticoccidial effects but reduces milk intake and body weight gain

Background

Eimeria spp. are widespread apicomplexan parasites known to cause coccidiosis in livestock, resulting in reduced animal welfare and productivity, particularly in sheep. The treatment options are limited, and there is an emerging development of resistance against registered pharmaceuticals. Spruce bark is rich in plant secondary metabolites (PSM), such as condensed tannins, which are bioactive compounds previously shown to have antiparasitic activity. Here, we examined the anticoccidial properties of bark extract of Norway spruce (Picea abies) against a field isolate of ovine Eimeria spp. by treating Eimeria-infected pre-ruminant lambs with water-extracted bark daily for 12 days. We hypothesised that the bark extract would reduce the faecal oocyst excretion and, consequently, the severity of diarrhoea.

Results

Oral administration of spruce bark extract significantly reduced the excretion of Eimeria oocysts in milk-fed lambs post treatment till the end of the trial 22 days post infection. This difference in oocyst excretion between the treated and the untreated infected animals increased with time.

Compared to the untreated and the sham-infected control group, the group treated with bark extract had softer faeces and reduced milk intake during the treatment period. After discontinuing the treatment, the treated animals got a more solid and formed faeces compared to that of the untreated control group, and the milk intake increased to the level of the sham-infected, untreated control group. The bark extract treated animals had a lower body weight and a lower mean daily body weight gain throughout the whole duration of the experiment.

Conclusions

Bark extract from Norway spruce showed marked anticoccidial properties by reducing the faecal oocyst count and associated diarrhoea in young lambs. Simultaneously we experienced detrimental effects of the treatment, displayed as reduced feed intake and daily body weight gain. Therefore, we suggest conducting similar studies with lower bark extract dosage to explore the possibilities of a better trade-off to reduce the negative impact while maintaining the antiparasitic effect.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13028-022-00629-y.

Antimicrobial effects of Cynara scolymus essential oil: In vitro analysis

By benefits of using silicon and vermicompost based biofertilizers and also induction of drought stress for growing more efficient medicinal plants, we investigated such issues on growing Cynara scolymus (C. scolymus), as one of the most significant edible medicinal plants. In this regard, the antimicrobial effects of grown C. scolymus essential oil was investigated against some foodborne pathogens. Different concentrations of silicon and vermicompost with and without drought stress were considered for growing the plant and the extracted essential oils were extracted to examine their antimicrobial effects against different bacterial agents. Using vermicompost and silicon and 50% moisture discharge yielded significant increase in the mean diameter of growth inhibition zone and significant decrease in the minimum inhibitory concentration of tested bacteria (P <  0.05). The highest diameters of the inhibition zones of S. aureus, S. saprophyticus, P. aeruginosa, S. dysenteriae, and S. typhi were found for C. scolymus essential oil treated with 8 mmol silicon and conventional irrigation (14.92 mm), 4 mmol silicon and 50% moisture discharge (15.28 mm), 50% vermicompost and 50% moisture discharge (15.71 mm), 8 mmol silicon and conventional irrigation (17.34 mm) and 25% vermicompost, and 50% moisture discharge (15.48 mm), respectively. Antimicrobial effects of some treatments of C. scolymus were higher than some kinds of referenced antibiotics such as erythromycin. These findings could be used for the production of antibiotic drugs for specific purposes against certain bacteria.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a flavonoid-rich dried extract of Citrus × aurantium L. fruit (bitter orange extract) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl)

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a dried flavonoid-rich extract of Citrus × aurantium L. fruit (bitter orange extract), when used as a sensory additive for all animal species. The use of the additive in feed was not expected to increase the exposure to furocoumarins of those target species that are already fed citrus by-products to a relevant extent (< 5%). For dog, cat and ornamental fish, not normally exposed to citrus by-products, no conclusion could be drawn. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive under assessment is safe up to the maximum proposed use level of 400 mg/kg for veal calf (milk replacer), sheep, goat, horse and salmon. For the other species, the calculated maximum safe concentration in complete feed is 102 mg/kg for chicken for fattening, 151 mg/kg for laying hen, 136 mg/kg for turkey for fattening, 182 mg/kg for piglet, 217 mg/kg for pig for fattening, 268 mg/kg for sow, 259 mg/kg for dairy cow and 161 mg/kg for rabbit. The FEEDAP Panel considered that the use in water for drinking is safe provided that the total daily intake of the additive does not exceed the daily amount that is considered safe when consumed via feed, except dog, cat and ornamental fish. No concerns for consumer safety were identified following the use of the additive up to highest safe level in feed for the target animals. The extract under assessment should be considered as irritant to skin, eyes and the respiratory tract, and as a skin sensitiser. Since the additive contains 5-methoxypsoralen, it may cause phototoxicity. The use of the extract in animal feed under the proposed conditions was not expected to pose a risk for the environment. Bitter orange extract was recognised to flavour food. Since its function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.

Growth-promoting effect of water-washed neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) fruit inclusion in West African dwarf rams

In a study to determine the growth-promoting effect of water-washed neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) fruit (WN) in West African Dwarf (WAD) rams, a total mixed ration was formulated with 0 (WN0), 2.5 (WN2.5), 5.0 (WN5), 7.5 (WN7.5), and 10.0 (WN10) % of WN inclusion. Twenty-five yearling rams (12.3 ± 2.0 kg) were assigned to one of the five dietary groups with five animals per group in a completely randomized design. Each group received the diet for 90 days inclusive of the initial 28 days used for anticoccidial efficacy trial. After the growth trial, three rams from each group were used for digestibility and nitrogen metabolism trial. Anticoccidial efficacy linearly increased (P = 0.002) with increased inclusion of WN and duration of feeding (P = 0.003). Feed intake (P = 0.018) and weight gain (P = 0.009) quadratically increased with WN5 inclusion compared to WN10. Optimal inclusion level of WN for daily weight gain was 5.1% (R² = 0.30). Digestibility of crude protein was linearly and quadratically increased (P = 0.032; P = 0.031, respectively) with up to WN7.5 inclusion. Nitrogen retention was similar among the treatments. Incorporation of water-washed neem fruit in the diets of West African dwarf rams improved nutrient utilization and animal health by increasing anticoccidial efficacy, feed intake, and weight gain. This is an indication that water-washed neem fruit could be used as growth promoter in sheep production.

Acacia farnesiana pods (plant: Fabaceae) possesses anti-parasitic compounds against Haemonchus contortus in female lambs

Acacia farnesiana pods are rich in secondary metabolites and their biological activities have been recorded as antibacterial, antioxidant and anthelmintic. Previously, an in vitro bioguided study showed the important ovicidal and larvicidal effects of an organic fraction (EtOAc-F) from a hydroalcoholic extract of A. farnesiana pods against Haemonchus contortus. The present study aimed to assess the in vivo anthelmintic effect of EtOAc-F from A. farnesiana pods on the H. contortus faecal egg elimination in female lambs and on the infective larvae (L₃) population reduction in coprocultures. The EtOAc-F was obtained from a hydroalcoholic extract from A. farnesiana pods through chromatographic procedures; additionally, some secondary compounds were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Twenty-one 'Katahdin' crossbred female lambs ranging from three to four months of age, with body weights 21.9 ± 0.39 kg were used. Animals were orally infected with H. contortus (L₃) by a single dose of 350 L₃/kg BW. Three experimental groups (n = 7) were assigned as follows: 1) Control (untreated), 2) Albendazole, as a positive control (at 7.5 mg/kg BW, unique dose) and 3) EtOAc-F (at 100 mg/kg BW, once every third day, with three applications in total). Individual faecal samples were collected once a week for 5 weeks (at days 38, 45, 52, 59 and 66) post-treatment, to measure the faecal egg counts (FEC) and to obtain the H. contortus (L₃) population from faecal cultures. The highest FEC reduction caused by EtOAc-F was 67.7%; meanwhile, albendazole showed a total FEC reduction after the second week post-treatment (day 45). On the other hand, the fraction caused an important reduction in the larval population in coprocultures (54.3-68.5%). The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of galloyl derivatives and flavonoids as major compounds. The A. farnesiana pods could serve as a natural anthelmintic for the control of H. contortus, and perhaps for controlling other parasites of veterinary importance.

Correlation of the rumen fluid microbiome and the average daily gain with a dietary supplementation of Allium mongolicum Regel extracts in sheep1

Plant extracts can affect the rumen microbiome and ADG in ruminants, and studies of the association between the rumen microbiome and ADG provide information applicable to improving ruminant growth performance. The objectives were to investigate the effects of Allium mongolicum Regel extracts on the rumen microbiome and ADG and their association in sheep. Forty healthy, male, small-tailed Han sheep (6 mo, 34 ± 3.5 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to 1 of the following 4 dietary treatments: basal diet as control group (CK, n = 10), basal diet supplemented with 3.4 g·sheep-1·d-1A. mongolicum Regel powder extract as PAM group (PAM, n = 10), basal diet supplemented with 10 g·sheep-1·d-1A. mongolicum Regel powder as AM group (AM, n = 10), and basal diet supplemented with 10 g·sheep-1·d-1A. mongolicum Regel powder extract residue as RAM group (RAM, n = 10). The ADG for individual sheep was calculated using the sum of the ADGs observed during the experimental period divided by the number of days in the experimental period. At the end of the experiment, sheep were randomly selected from each treatment for slaughter (n = 6), and the rumen fluids were collected and stored immediately at -80 °C. Illumina HiSeq was subsequently used to investigate the changes in the rumen microbiome profile, and the associations with ADG were analyzed by Spearman correlation coefficient analysis. The results demonstrated that, compared with that in CK group, the ADG in AM and RAM significantly increased (P = 0.0171). The abundances of Tenericutes and Mollicutes ([ρ] = 0.5021, P = 0.0124) were positively correlated with ADG. Within Mollicutes, the abundances of Anaeroplasmatales ([ρ] = 0.5458, P = 0.0058) and Anaeroplasmataceae ([ρ] = 0.5458, P = 0.0058) were positively correlated with ADG. The main negatively correlated bacteria were Saccharibacteria ([ρ] = -0.4762, P = 0.0187) and Betaproteobacteria ([ρ] = -0.5669, P = 0.039). Although Anaeroplasmatales and Anaeroplasmataceae were positively correlated with ADG, Saccharibacteria and Betaproteobacteria were negatively correlated with ADG. In conclusion, supplementation with A. mongolicum Regel powder and extracts will influence the rumen microbiome and increase the ADG.

Anticoccidial efficacy of Canary rue (Ruta pinnata) extracts against the caprine apicomplexan Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae

Continuous use of anticoccidial treatments against Eimeria infections has resulted in the development of drug resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the anticoccidial efficacy of a methanolic extract derived from the endemic Canary rue (Ruta pinnata) plant of the Canary Islands, Spain, against Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae using in vitro assays. Freshly unsporulated oocysts were exposed to different concentrations of R. pinnata extract and thereafter evaluated for sporulation inhibition. Additionally, anticoccidial activity was examined by testing the viability of the E. ninakohlyakimovae sporozoites and their ability to infect bovine colonic epithelial cells after incubation with different concentrations of R. pinnata plant extract. The inhibition of oocyst sporulation by the extract was both time and concentration dependent, with certain combinations affording the same levels of sporulation inhibition as formaldehyde used as positive control (P < 0.001). Moreover, concentrations >0.1 mg/mL also affected not only the viability of the sporozoites but also their cell invasion capacity (P < 0.001). Altogether, these results show that methanolic fruit extracts from R. pinnata have important anticoccidial activity against oocysts and sporozoites of Eimeria. The potential efficacy of the extracts against other animal/human parasites remains to be elucidated, and further studies are needed to better understand its mode of action against coccidian parasites.

Controlled efficacy trial confirming toltrazuril resistance in a field isolate of ovine Eimeria spp

BACKGROUND

Coccidiosis due to Eimeria spp. infections in lambs causes increased mortality and substantial production losses, and anticoccidials are important for control of the infection. Anticoccidial resistance has been reported in poultry and swine, and we recently described reduced toltrazuril efficacy in ovine Eimeria spp. in some Norwegian sheep farms using a newly developed faecal oocyst count reduction test (FOCRT). The aim of the present study was to use a controlled efficacy trial to assess the efficacy of toltrazuril against a field isolate suspected of being resistant.

METHODS

Twenty lambs, 17-22 days old and raised protected against exposure to coccidia, were infected with a field isolate of 100,000 Eimeria spp. oocysts. This isolate was obtained from a farm with a previously calculated drug efficacy of 56% (95% confidence interval: -433.9 to 96.6%). At day 7 post-infection, 10 of the lambs were orally treated with 20 mg/kg toltrazuril (Baycox Sheep vet., Bayer Animal Health), while the other 10 lambs (controls) were given physiological saline. Clinical examinations were conducted, and weight gains recorded. Daily faecal samples were scored for diarrhoea on a scale from 1 to 5, and oocyst excretion was determined using a modified McMaster technique. Oocysts were morphologically identified to species level. At 17-24 days post-infection, the lambs were euthanized and necropsied.

RESULTS

The tested Eimeria isolate was resistant against toltrazuril, and resistance was seen in both pathogenic and non-pathogenic species. In addition, no significant differences in faecal score, growth, gross pathology or histological changes were identified between the two groups. The pathogenic E. ovinoidalis was the dominant species, and no significant difference in the individual prevalence of E. ovinoidalis post-treatment was found between treated (66.9%) and control lambs (61.9%). Other species identified included E. crandallis/weybridgensis, E. parva, E. marsica, E. faurei, E. pallida, E. ahsata and E. bakuensis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms toltrazuril resistance in ovine Eimeria spp.; in addition, the data support the use of FOCRT as an appropriate tool for field evaluation of anticoccidial efficacy. Due to limited anticoccidial treatment alternatives, these findings may have important implications for the sheep industry, particularly in northern Europe.

Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential Oils

Citrus fruits have been a commercially important crop for thousands of years. In addition, Citrus essential oils are valuable in the perfume, food, and beverage industries, and have also enjoyed use as aromatherapy and medicinal agents. This review summarizes the important biological activities and safety considerations of the essential oils of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), bitter orange (Citrus aurantium), neroli (Citrus aurantium), orange petitgrain (Citrus aurantium), mandarin (Citrus reticulata), lemon (Citrus limon), lime (Citrus aurantifolia), grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi), bergamot (Citrus bergamia), Yuzu (Citrus junos), and kumquat (Citrus japonica).

Antibacterial activities of tannic acid against isolated ruminal bacteria from sheep

This present study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of tannic acid (TA) against isolated ruminal bacteria from adult sheep. Rumen samples were collected from two (2) adults sheep, and a total of nine (9) ruminal bacteria were isolated from the sample. The sensitivity of the ruminal bacteria isolates to 0.63, 1.25, 2.50, 5.00 and 10.00 mg TA/mL of growth medium was determined using clearance zone (CZ) of Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion susceptibility test. There was observable increase in the sensitivity of all bacterial isolates as the level of TA increases. Not all bacterial isolates have the capacity to tolerate more than 1.25 mg TA/mL. The result shows that only 20% of the bacterial isolates had the capacity to tolerate 0.63 and 1.25 mg of tannic acid per liter. This concentration of tannic acid would be equivalent to 2% tannin in the diet of ruminant. Our findings shows that increase in concentration of tannic acid completely inhibited the ruminal bacteria from the sheep rumen.

Grapefruit and its biomedical, antigenotoxic and chemopreventive properties

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Mcfad) is a perenifolium tree 5-6 m high with a fruit of about 15 cm in diameter, protected by the peel we can find about 11-14 segments (carpels), each of which is surrounded by a membrane and each containing the juice sacs, as well as the seeds. The fruit is made up of numerous compounds, and is known to have nutritive value because of the presence of various vitamins and minerals, among other chemicals. The fruit is also used in the field of gastronomy. Information has been accumulated regarding the participation of the fruit structures in a variety of biomedical, antigenotoxic and chemopreventive effects, surely related with the presence of the numerous chemicals that have been determined to constitute the fruit. Such studies have been carried out in different in vitro and in vivo experimental models, and in a few human assays. The information published so far has shown interesting results, therefore, the aims of the present review are to initially examine the main characteristics of the fruit, followed by systematization of the acquired knowledge concerning the biomedical, antigenotoxic and chemopreventive effects produced by the three main structures of the fruit: peel, seed, and pulp.