Revista de Salud Animal

Scientific evidence to improve avian influenza surveillance in Cuba based on the One Health approach

Damarys de las Nieves Montano Valle — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The risks of pathogen spillover with sustained transmission are increasing, as evidenced in the current panzootic by the H5N1 subtype, clade 2.3.4.4b of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. In Cuba, there was insufficient knowledge on the interfaces between different species to establish mitigation measures based on scientific evidence, as part of an integrated surveillance system from the One Health perspective. To address this gap, models were developed to predict disease occurrence, as well virus transmission from wild birds to domestic birds or pigs and from them, to caretakers and general population. These models were implemented country-wide, at the resolution of the Consejo Popular, the smallest administrative level. Suitable ecozones for virus infections in poultry were identified, as well areas with increased risk of species spillover. An intersectoral and transdisciplinary participatory constellation analysis was also applied, identifying demands and innovative ideas in epidemiological surveillance. These studies provided relevant knowledge for the early warning of risks and the development and implementation of an integrated surveillance system for avian influenza virus from a One Health perspective, the reduction of associated risks and capacity building for resilience.

Use of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus, Lam) in the production of Rhode Island Red hen eggs

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Jackfruit is a good source of bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of jackfruit pulp (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam) powder in the diet of Rhode Island Red hens on egg quality. Thirty 34-week-old hens were used, distributed in two treatments (control and 6 % jackfruit pulp), which were fed for 6 weeks. Feed consumption, weight gain, laying percentage and egg quality were determined. The results indicate that the inclusion of jackfruit pulp in the diet for laying hens improved laying percentage and there was color modification in the L* and b* values, without causing eggshell fracture problems. Due to the above mentioned, it is concluded that jackfruit pulp is a good alternative for the feeding of laying hens, since it does not negatively affect their productive parameters and improves egg yolk quality.

Cough index in pre-fattening pigs

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of the present study was to standardize the monitoring of cough index (CI) in a pre-fattening swine raising. Seven batches of crossbred pigs of 40 animals each, weaned at 26 days of age were kept in cubicles on grooved plastic flooring in a closed facility with mechanical ventilation by means of exhaust fans. Feeding was based on flour concentrate and drinking water supplied by means of nipples. Coughing was recorded in replicates for five and ten minutes at different times (morning and afternoon) by two scorers. The audible coughs per batch of pigs at a given time were expressed as the average number of coughs per pig per minute. Once the method was established, two batches of pigs were monitored kinetically by measuring CI indicator for 10 minutes. Differences between measurement times, morning and afternoon, and scorers with respect to CI, as the dependent variable, were not statistically significant for p < 0.05 by Mann Whitney's U test. CI showed lower interquartile range in measurements during 10 minutes regardless of the evaluator, while higher values were obtained in the morning. CI kinetics revealed a range between 0.018 and 0.03 coughs/pig*minute. It was concluded that CI has the potential to identify moments in the rearing process that may require interventions to reverse or control the worsening of respiratory problems, as well as to measure the effect of actions to control them.

Helminths and economic losses due to condemnation of food animals in Cajamarca, Peru

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Under optimal environmental conditions for animal husbandry, parasites that adversely affect animal productivity also thrive. This study evaluated the presence of parasites and estimated economic losses due to the condemnation of viscera from cattle, sheep, and swine, which were slaughtered in Cajamarca, Peru. Viscera and carcasses from 2,810 cattle, 3,267 sheep, and 3,858 pigs were inspected. In cattle, Fasciola hepatica was found in liver (77.54 %), hydatid cyst in liver (0.18 %) and lung (0.07 %) and Dictyocaulus spp. in lung (0.04 %). In sheep, F. hepatica (50 %), hydatid cyst (0.03 %), Thysanosoma actinioides (0.10 %) and Cysticercus tenuicollis (0.12 %) were found in the liver. In swine, F. hepatica was found in liver (2.64 %), lesions by Ascaris suum (12.36 %) and C. tenuicollis (0.75 %), hydatid cyst in liver (0.16 %) and kidney (2.72 %), Cysticercus cellolosae in carcass-tongue-heart (0.05 %) and Metastrongylus spp. in lung (1.48 %). Total economic losses per species were USD 28,971.90 in cattle (annual economic loss [AEL]: 173,831.38), USD 4,051.30 in sheep (AEL: 24,307.79), and USD 2,013.90 in swine (AEL: 12,083.39). Total losses attributable to F. hepatica amounted to USD 33,184.89 (AEL: 199,109.32), A. suum to USD 1,191.63 (AEL: 7,149.80), C. cellulosae to USD 354.78 (AEL: 2,128.67), hydatid cysts to USD 287.70 (AEL: 1,726.22), T. actinioides to USD 7.43 (AEL: 44.57), Dictyocaulus spp. to USD 5.54 (AEL: 33.22), Metastrongylus spp. to USD 3.71 (AEL: 22.24), and C. tenuicollis to USD 1.42 (AEL: 8.52). The overall economic loss across all three species totaled USD 35,037.09 (AEL: 210,222.56). It was concluded that F. hepatica was highly prevalent and caused the greatest financial losses in cattle and sheep, while A. suum led to significant losses in swine. The presence of hydatid cysts and C. cellulosae represents a public health concern.

Bacterial diversity in goat milk with clinical mastitis in Ecuador

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland that significantly affects goat milk production and quality, leading to economic losses for Ecuadorian farmers. This study aimed to research the bacterial diversity associated with clinical mastitis in goats from Ecuador. Milk samples were collected from goats showing macroscopic evidence of clinical mastitis for subsequent DNA extraction. The 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq technology for metagenomic analysis. Sequences were quality filtered and clustered into Zero-radius Operational Taxonomic Units (zOTUs). They were then taxonomically grouped to classify the bacterial species present in the milk. The analysis revealed a high diversity of bacterial communities, with 550 zOTUs belonging to 12 phyla. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes emerged as the predominant phyla, harboring diverse families which include: Enterobacteriaceae (Proteobacteria) and Staphylococcaceae (Firmicutes). Notably, a significant portion (86.91%) of the zOTUs identified belonged to families with unknown functionalities related to mastitis. These findings offer an initial and valuable overview of the bacterial diversity associated with clinical mastitis in goats, as well as highlighting the potential presence of uncharacterized mastitis-related bacteria that could be relevant for this disease. Future studies focusing on species level identification and functional characterization are needed to develop strategies for the prevention and control of mastitis in Ecuadorian goat production.

Quality indicators of Queen Conch (Aliger gigas) dough processed by Cuban fishing industries

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This research aimed to evaluate the quality indicators (in seven batches) of conch dough processed by Cuban fishing industries during the year 2022. For this purpose, hygiene and pathogenic microorganisms were determined according to NC 585: 2017, and the nutritional value. In addition, a quantitative descriptive analysis of the product was carried out. . A correlation was established using the Spearman Coefficient between the levels of mesophilic aerobes in the conch dough and its sensory quality. Of the seven batches analyzed, 58 % were within the permissible range for mesophilic aerobes, as established in the standard. The presence of Salmonella spp. was observed in one of the batch. . All samples were free of E. coli, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. With respect to the sensory analysis, 85.7 % of the batches were rated as excellent and very good. Nutritional values: 75.5 % moisture, 1.5 % ash, 14.9 % protein, 0.5 % fat, 7.6 % carbohydrates, and an energy value of 95 Kcal/g were obtained. Batches 1, 3 and 6 presented excellent quality indicators. There was a negative correlation between the levels of mesophilic aerobes in the conch dough and color, flavor and texture, being the odor attribute the most influential.

Combined efficacy of ivermectin and triclabendazole against bovine fasciolosis

Roger Bueno, Teofilo Torrel, Juan Rojas-Moncada, Luis Vargas-Rocha — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aimed to evaluate the combined efficacy of triclabendazole (TCBZ) and ivermectin (IVM) against Fasciola hepatica in dairy cattle. Four groups of 15 Holstein cattle were formed: the first was the control (T0); TCBZ (12 mg/kg b.w.) was administered orally in the second (T1); TCBZ, fenbendazole and IVM (12, 10 and 0.2 mg/kg b.w.) were administered orally in the third (T2); and TCBZ (12 mg/kg b.w.) was administered orally and IVM (0.2 mg/kg b.w.) was administered subcutaneously in the fourth group (T3). The efficacy observed was 51.75 % (95 % CI: 42.41 - 61.09) in T1, 56.64 % (95 % CI: 47.42 - 65.86) in T2 and 69.93 % (95 % CI: 61.40 - 78.46) in T3. IVM increased the efficacy of TCBZ by 9.45 % in T2 and 35.13 % in T3 compared to T1. Although the addition of IVM, whether administered orally or subcutaneously, enhanced the efficacy of TCBZ, this combination as a pharmacological control strategy for F. hepatica in dairy cattle in Cajamarca was not encouraging.

Protozoa (Sporozoasida: Coccidiasina) in pet dogs from Cajamarca city, northern Peru

Teófilo Torrel, José Ramírez, Juan Rojas-Moncada, Luis Vargas-Rocha — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and describe the morphometric characteristics of coccidia found in pet dogs from Cajamarca city. Fecal samples were collected from 196 dogs and analyzed by the Faust method. The prevalence of animals with coccidia was 27.04 % (95 % CI: 20.82 - 33.26), with 8.67 % (95 % CI: 4.73 - 12.61) corresponding to Eimeria spp., 16.33 % (95% CI: 11.13 - 21.53) to Cystoisospora spp., and 2.04 % (95% CI: 0.06 - 4.02) to Sarcocystis spp. Eimeria spp. oocysts were one- or two-layered walls, yellow-green in color, and ovoid (21.32 ± 4.34 × 17.49 ± 4.13 µm) and ellipsoidal (28.00 ± 2.69 × 18.39 ± 2.24 µm) shapes. Cystoisospora spp. oocysts exhibited a single-layered wall, yellow-green in color, and ovoid (38.73 ± 4.16 × 31.92 ± 2.56 µm) and subspherical (37.98 ± 3.64 × 34.79 ± 3.21 µm) shapes. Meanwhile, the sporocysts of Sarcocystis spp. contained four sporozoites, with a granular residual body at one of their poles. The sporocysts measured 14.16 ± 0.88 × 9.15 ± 0.81 µm. The presence of coccidia in pet dogs from Cajamarca city underscores the importance of simple recognition of at least the parasitic genus for its targeted prevention and treatment.

Pregnancy rate of Nelore heifers under artificial insemination combined with mineral and vitamin supplementation

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of this study was to evaluate the pregnancy rate of Nelore heifers subjected to artificial insemination combined with mineral and vitamin supplementation. The study was conducted in a rural property in the municipality of Uruará in the state of Pará. Two hundred forty-two Nelore heifers, 24 months old, with an average weight of 320±2.5 kg, were used. Heifers were divided into a control group (n = 121 animals) and a group (n = 121 animals) treated with vitamin and mineral supplementation (Anabolic^®), at a dose of 10 mL per animal, by subcutaneous route, at the beginning (D0) of the Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination (FTAI) protocol. Pregnancy diagnosis was made by transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS). The pregnancy rate of the groups was contrasted by comparison analysis of expected proportion using the chi-square test, with continuity corrections at 5 % significance. Pregnancy rate results were 44,62 % for the control group and 55,38 % for the treated group (p > 2373). However, regarding economic terms, the supplemented cows generated 13 more calves than the control group, with a gross profit of 38,805.60. Vitamin and mineral supplementation administered before FTAI did not promote a significant increase in the pregnancy rate of Nelore cows with moderate body condition score. However, regarding the economic bias, the implementation of the supplementation protocol provided considerable gains to the producer.