Serological and molecular surveys of Anaplasma spp. in Egyptian cattle reveal high A. marginale infection prevalence

BACKGROUND

Bovine anaplasmosis is an infectious disease with worldwide distribution. It spreads by various routes mainly through tick bites.

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate bovine related Anaplasma spp. in cattle from three northern governorates of Egypt by serological and molecular assays, to evaluate the associated risk factors and to analyze the phylogeny of revealed A. marginale isolates.

METHODS

During 2020, a total of 650 blood samples were collected from asymptomatic cattle in the governorates of Kafr El-Sheikh (n=240), Menofia (n=230), and Al-Gharbia (n=180). Sera samples were examined using the Anaplasma antibody test kit, cELISA v2. Blood genomic DNA of seropositive cattle was then examined by PCRs specific to A. marginale, A. centrale, and A. bovis. Selected positive samples were subjected to nucleotide sequencing. Risk factors (i.e. geographical area, breed, type of production, sex, age, herd size, season, husbandry system, tick infestation, and application of acaricides) were evaluated by logistic regression approach.

RESULTS

In total, 130 cattle (20%, 95% CI: 17.1-23.3) were recorded seropositive for Anaplasma species. Major risk factors associated with seropositivity were being crossbred, dairy cattle, aged more than 5 years, summer season, herd size of below 300, pasture grazing, tick infestation, and not being subjected to regular treatment with acaricides. By using species-specific PCR, only A. marginale was detected. Nucleotide sequencing showed the occurrence of two different msp4 genotypes.

CONCLUSION

This study shows the high prevalence of A. marginale in cattle of Kafr El-Sheikh, Al-Gharbia, and Menofia. However, the connection between Anaplasma species and their tick vectors remains unknown in Egypt and merits further investigations. Since these infections primarily spread through ixodid tick bites, effective ectoparasite control strategies, regular examination of cattle and successful chemoprophylaxis are recommended.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for lumpy skin disease in cattle in Northern Egypt

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an endemic infectious viral disease of cattle in African and Middle East countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of LSD among cattle in Northern Egypt and assessed the associated risk factors with LSD infection. A total of 1000 sera samples were collected from cattle and examined serologically with commercial ELISA kit. Overall, the true seroprevalence of LSD among cattle in Egypt was 19.5% (n = 180). The true seroprevalence rate was varied significantly between different geographical studied areas, and the highest level was observed in Kafr El-Sheikh (26.7%) and Gharbia (23.7%) governorates. Moreover, the risk of getting LSD infection was increased among Holstein breed (OR = 4.586; 95%CI, 1.83-11.48) and adult cattle (OR = 2.498; 95%CI, 1.17-5.32) during summer season (OR = 7.303, 95%CI: 3.97-13.42). Furthermore, communal grazing (OR = 1.546; 95%CI, 0.91-2.60), communal water points (OR = 3.283; 95%CI, 2.11-5.09), introduction of new animal (OR = 2.216; 95%CI, 1.32-3.71), and contact with other animals (OR = 3.401; 95%CI, 1.62-7.10) were identified as significant risk factors for the occurrence of LSDV infection in cattle. Moreover, the present study revealed that no significant (P > 0.05) association between sex or type of herd and occurrence of LSD infection.

Seroprevalence of bovine leukemia virus in cattle, buffalo, and camel in Egypt

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the causative agent of enzootic bovine leukosis. It causes significant economic losses associated with losses due to slaughter and eradication of infected animal from infected area and other indirect economic losses such as restriction on importation of animals and semen from infected area. The main objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of BLV antibodies in cattle, buffaloes, and camels in Egypt using ELISA test. Serum samples were collected from 350 cattle, 100 buffaloes, and 100 camels during 2018. The seropositivity for BLV-specific antibody was 20.8%, 9%, and 0% in cattle, buffaloes, and camels, respectively. The result revealed significant association (p < 0.05) between age and seroprevalence of BLV infection in cattle > 4 years (24%) compared with those < 4 years (13%). We found no significant association between pregnancy and herd size and seroprevalence of BLV infection in this study (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the age, pregnancy state, and herd size had significant effect on seroprevalence of BLV infection in buffaloes. This study contributes that BLV is detected in cattle and buffaloes in Egypt and confirms that the camels has resistance against BLV infection. Hence, the control measures are very necessary to combat the transmission of the disease and reduce its economic impact.

Pain relief following thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis: a prospective randomised double-blind study

BACKGROUND

Acute pain management following thoracoscopic sympathectomy (TS) has been described in the literature. The combination of interpleural (IP) injection of bupivacaine and intramuscular injection. (I.M) NSAIDs has not been reported. Therefore we conducted this randomized controlled trial to compare this technique to other reported techniques described for postoperative analgesia following TS.

METHODS

40 patients scheduled to have TS under general anesthesia for the treatment of hyperhidrosis were randomly allocated into 4 groups. Group 1 received 1.5 mg/kg b.w I.M pethidine at end of surgery. Group 2 received ketoprofen 100 mg I.M at end of surgery. Group 3 received 0.4 ml/kg b.w interpleural bupivacaine 0.5%. Group 4 received a combination of I.M ketoprofen (100 mg) in addition to interpleural bupivacaine (0.4 ml/kg). Postoperative pain was assessed using the 11- point numeric rating score (NRS) at 7 different intervals. First, immediately on admission to PACU, every 2 hours for the next 8 hours then at 12 and at 24 hours. Pain was assessed at rest, during deep inspiration and while coughing. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis and Chi-square test for comparing of the data where P values <0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

The NRS at rest was 3.2 (1.9), 2.4 (1.6), 3 (1.9) and 0.7 (0.9) at Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively with significant difference in Group 4 versus other Group (P < 0.05) at 2 hours postoperatively and up to 24 hours postoperatively. The same trend was also found during maximal inspiration and while coughing. Opioid consumption in 24 hours was significantly reduced in Group 4 compared to other Groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination of IP bupivacaine and I.M ketoprofen provided superior analgesia when compared to each modality alone and was better than intramuscular pethidine injection in terms of NRS and the consumption of rescue morphine postoperatively. Further studies are needed on large sample size to confirm our results.