Antioxidant supplementation during treatment of outpatient dogs with parvovirus enteritis ameliorates oxidative stress and attenuates intestinal injury: A randomized controlled trial

A prospective randomized controlled clinical study was conducted to determine whether antioxidant supplementation as an adjunct therapy alters hemogram, oxidative stress, serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein-2 (IFABP-2) level, fecal viral load, clinical score (CS) and survivability in outpatient canine parvovirus enteritis (CPVE) dogs. The dogs with CPVE were randomized to one of the five treatment groups: supportive treatment (ST) alone, ST with N-acetylcysteine (ST+NAC), resveratrol (ST+RES), coenzyme Q10 (ST+CoQ10) or ascorbic acid (ST+AA). The primary outcome measures were reduction of CS and fecal HA titre, and enhancement of survivability. Secondary outcome measures were reduction of oxidative stress indices and IFABP-2 level from day 0 to day 7. The mean CS and HA titre were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased from day 0 to 7 in ST and all antioxidant groups. The supplementations of NAC, RES and AA along with ST markedly (P < 0.05) reduced the concentrations of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and IFABP-2 on day 7 as compared to ST alone. Additionally, NAC and RES supplementations markedly (P < 0.05) improved the total leukocyte count and neutrophil count in CPVE-affected dogs. NAC and RES could serve as better antioxidants for the amelioration of oxidative stress in CPVE but, the antioxidants did not confer any additional benefits in reduction of CS, fecal HA tire, or survivability when compared with ST alone.

Prognostic Potential of Thrombocyte Indices, Acute Phase Proteins, Electrolytes and Acid-Base Markers in Canine Parvovirus Infected Dogs With Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome

Dogs with canine parvovirus enteritis (CPVE) that develop systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) frequently have a poor prognosis. The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic potential of thrombocyte indices, acute phase proteins, electrolytes, and acid-base markers in CPVE puppies with SIRS (CPVE-SIRS+) at admission. A case-controlled, prospective, and observational study was performed on 36 CPVE puppies. Mean concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, thrombocyte count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-) and ionized calcium (iCa) were measured and strong ion difference 3 (SID3), ATOT-albumin and ATOT-total protein were determined in CPVE-SIRS+ survivors and nonsurvivors. A prognostic cut-off value for predicting the disease outcome was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The mean values of MPV, PDW and CRP were significantly higher and the mean values of albumin, Cl- and ATOT-albumin were significantly lower in CPVE-SIRS+ nonsurvivor than CPVE-SIRS+ survivor puppies on the day of admission, but the thrombocyte count, Na+, K+, iCa, SID3 and ATOT- total protein values did not differ significantly. The positive predictive values (PPVs) for survival using cut-off value of MPV (≤15.08 fL), PDW (≤14.85%), CRP (≤180.7 mg/L), albumin (≥1.795 g/dL), Cl- (≥96.00 mmol/L), and ATOT-albumin (≥7.539) were determined as 100%, 100%, 100%, 80%, 100%, and 80%, respectively with better area under ROC curve and sensitivity. Based on sensitivity, specificity, and PPVs from ROC analysis, it is concluded that the determination of Cl- concentration and MPV at admission followed by CRP will serve as the most appropriate biomarkers in predicting the disease outcome of CPVE puppies that develop SIRS.

Effects of oral probiotic and lactoferrin interventions on iron-zinc homeostasis, oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium and diarrhoea incidence of neonatal piglets

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of early-life host specific probiotic and lactoferrin (LF) supplementations on diarrhoea incidence, iron (Fe)-zinc (Zn) balance and antioxidant capabilities in serum of neonatal piglets. A total of eight sow litters obtained from parity matched sows were randomly divided into four groups and assigned to one of the four interventions: control (2.0 ml normal saline), bovine lactoferrin (bLF) (100 mg bLF in normal saline), probiotic (Pb) (1×10⁹ cfu of swine origin Pediococcus acidilactici FT28 strain) and bLF+Pb (both 100 mg bLF and 1×10⁹ cfu of P. acidilactici FT28). All the piglets received supplementations once daily orally for first 7 days of life. The incidence of diarrhoea markedly decreased in bLF group compared to control group. Notably, no incidences of diarrhoea were recorded in Pb and bLF+Pb groups. The Zn and Fe concentrations were significantly increased from day 7 to 21 in bLF and on day 21 in bLF+Pb group. No such changes were noted in Pb group. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in serum was significantly increased on days 7 and 15 in bLF group and on days 7 and 21 in bLF+Pb group. Malonaldehyde concentration was markedly reduced from day 7 to 21 in bLF and bLF+Pb groups. The concentrations of nitrate on days 15 and 21 and malonaldehyde on day 7 were significantly higher in Pb group, but mean TAC was unaltered from day 0 to 21. Although no correlation between the incidence of diarrhoea and Zn/Fe and oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis was noted in the Pb group, the supplementation of P. acidilactici FT28 alone was sufficient to prevent the incidence of diarrhoea in neonatal piglets. Taken together, it is concluded that strategic supplementation of P. acidilactici FT28 in early life could help in preventing diarrhoea until weaning of piglets.

Hematological and serum biochemical parameters and profiling of cytokine genes in lumpy skin disease in Vrindavani cattle

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a notifiable re-emerging transboundary viral disease of bovines that inflicts heavy losses in affected livestock farms. Genetic variations contribute substantially to the inter-individual differences in the immune response against disease agents. The present study aimed to evaluate the genetic basis of differential immune response in Vrindavani cattle by comparing the hematological, biochemical and cytokine genes' expression profiles of LSD-affected and unaffected animals. After 21 days of the outbreak at the farm, the animals were grouped as affected (those who developed symptoms) and unaffected/healthy (those who did not). Standard hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated in both the groups. Expression profiling of important Th1 (IL2, INFG and GMCSF) and Th2 (IL4, IL6 and IL10) cytokines was also performed via a relative quantification approach using real-time PCR. Erythrogram and leucogram analyses revealed significant differences in total leucocyte count (TLC: 14.18 ± 0.74 versus 11.38 ± 0.68 x10³/µL), hemoglobin (Hb: 8.66 ± 0.42 versus 10.84 ± 0.17 g%) and percentage of neutrophils (46.40 ± 1.98 versus 35.40 ± 2.11%), lymphocytes (49.40 ± 1.99 versus 62.40 ± 1.86) and monocytes (4.20 ± 0.37 versus 2.40 ± 0.40) between the affected and healthy animals, respectively. The production of liver enzymes (SGOT and SGPT) was significantly higher in affected animals (74.18 ± 4.76 and 59.51 ± 2.75) when compared to the healthy counterparts (65.95 ± 9.18 and 39.21 ± 3.31). The expression profiling of Th1 and Th2 cytokines revealed significant differences between the two groups, except IL10. The expression of IL2, GMCSF and IL6 were upregulated in healthy animals while that of INFG, IL4 and IL10 were upregulated in LSD-affected animals. The highest abundance was observed for IL2 transcripts in healthy animals among all assessed cytokines with log₂fold change of 1.61 as compared to affected counterparts. Overall, the immune response in healthy animals (after exposure to LSD virus) was predominated by the expression of Th1 cell proliferation and there was an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines as compared to the affected counterparts. The results revealed that the effective immune response to LSD in cattle consists of changes in hematological and biochemical parameters and altered expression profile of cytokines with enhanced phagocytosis and lymphocyte recruitment. Furthermore, optimal expression of Th1 cytokines is required for maintaining optimal health against infectious insult with LSD virus in cattle.

Early-Life Intervention of Lactoferrin and Probiotic in Suckling Piglets: Effects on Immunoglobulins, Intestinal Integrity, and Neonatal Mortality

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of early-life bovine lactoferrin and host specific probiotic interventions on growth performance, mortality, and concentrations of immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G and transforming growth factor beta 1 (a marker of intestinal integrity) in serum of neonatal piglets. A total of eight piglet litters from parity matched sows were randomly divided into four groups and assigned to one of the four interventions: control (sterile normal saline), bovine lactoferrin (100 mg bovine lactoferrin), probiotic (1 × 109 colony forming unit (cfu) of swine origin Pediococcus acidilactici FT28 probiotic), and bovine lactoferrin + probiotic (100 mg bovine lactoferrin and 1 × 109 CFU of P. acidilactici FT28 probiotic). All the interventions were given once daily through oral route for first 7 days of life. The average daily gain (p = 0.0004) and weaning weight (p < 0.0001) were significantly improved in the probiotic group. The piglet survivability was significantly higher in bovine lactoferrin and probiotic groups than control group in Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. The concentrations of immunoglobulin A on day 21 in bovine lactoferrin, probiotic, and bovine lactoferrin + probiotic groups increased significantly (p < 0.05). Immunoglobulin G concentrations on day 7 and 15 in bovine lactoferrin and bovine lactoferrin + probiotic groups and on day 15 in probiotic group were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated, whereas, the concentration of transforming growth factor-β1 was significantly (p < 0.05) increased from day 7 to 21 in all the supplemented groups. In conclusion, the early-life bovine lactoferrin and P. acidilactici FT28 probiotic interventions reduced the mortality in the suckling piglets by promoting the systemic immunity and enhancing the intestinal integrity.

Efficacy of Microencapsulated Probiotic as Adjunct Therapy on Resolution of Diarrhea, Copper-Zinc Homeostasis, Immunoglobulins, and Inflammatory Markers in Serum of Spontaneous Rotavirus-Infected Diarrhoetic Calves

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a microencapsulated probiotic as an adjunct therapy in rotavirus-positive diarrhea of neonatal calves that received supportive treatment or supportive along with microencapsulated probiotic treatment, for 5 days. We examined whether microencapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC15 probiotic treatment in rotavirus-infected diarrhoetic calves led to faster resolution of diarrhea, amelioration of zinc-copper imbalance, improved the immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G, and decreased the inflammatory markers in serum. Calves with rotavirus-positive diarrhea < 4-week age and fecal scores ≥ 2 were randomly assigned into two groups. The supportive along with microencapsulated probiotic treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased zinc and immunoglobulin A concentrations and decreased copper, tumor necrosis factor-α, and nitric oxide level in serum on days 3 and 5 from pretreatment values; the immunoglobulin G concentration was elevated (p < 0.05) on day 5. The mean resolution time of abnormal fecal score was 5.3 and 3.3 days in supportive treatment and supportive along with microencapsulated probiotic groups, respectively, in log-rank Mantel-Cox test. The calves in the supportive along with microencapsulated probiotic treatment group had faster resolution of diarrhea than supportive treatment group in Dunn's multiple comparisons test. This study demonstrates that supportive treatment along with microencapsulated probiotic administered to naturally rotavirus-infected diarrhoetic calves at onset of diarrhea led to faster resolution of diarrhea, improved zinc and immunoglobulin levels, and decreased the inflammatory parameters in serum of rotavirus-infected diarrhoetic calves.

Canine parvovirus-2: An Emerging Threat to Young Pets

Canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) is a highly contagious and key enteropathogen affecting the canine population around the globe by causing canine parvoviral enteritis (CPVE) and vomition. CPVE is one of the the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in puppies and young dogs. Over the years, five distinct antigenic variants of CPV-2, namely CPV-2a, CPV-2b, new CPV-2a, new CPV-2b, and CPV-2c, have emerged throughout the world. CPV-2 infects a diverse range of wild animals, and the newer variants of CPV-2 have expanded their host range to include felines. Despite the availability of highly specific diagnostics and efficacious vaccines, CPV-2 outbreaks have been reported globally due to the emergence of newer antigenic variants, expansion of the viral host range, and vaccination failures. The present chapter describes the latest information pertaining to virus properties and replication, disease manifestations in animals, and an additional recent updates on diagnostic, prevention and control strategies of CPV-2.

Use of lambda pMu bacteriophages to isolate lambda specialized transducing bacteriophages carrying genes for bacterial chemotaxis

A general method for constructing lambda specialized transducing phages is described. The method, which is potentially applicable to any gene of Escherichia coli, is based on using Mu DNA homology to direct the integration of a lambda pMu phage near the genes whose transduction is desired. With this method we isolated a lambda transducing phage carrying all 10 genes in the che gene cluster (map location, 41.5 to 42.5 min). The products of the cheA and tar genes were identified by using transducing phages with amber mutations in these genes. It was established that tar codes for methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein II (molecular weight, 62,000) and that cheA codes for two polypeptides (molecular weights, 76,000 and 66,000). Possible origins of the two cheA polypeptides are discussed.