ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure the anthelmintic effects of betel nut (Areca catechu) and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extracts against Fasciola spp. in vitro in comparison with the commercial dewormer, Albendazole, and the negative control, nutrient broth. The study determined the extract concentration that produced the highest efficacy based on the average recorded mean motility time, gross, and microscopic changes of the flukes treated with different concentrations of plant extracts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study consisted of eight treatments. Every treatment consisted of 10%, 20%, and 40% concentrations of both betel nut extract (BNE) and neem leaf extracts, positive control treatment (Albendazole-treated) and negative control treatment (25 ml nutrient broth). The motility of the flukes on all treatments was based on the established motility criteria scoring. The flukes subjected to all treatments were processed for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: The result of the study revealed that after exposure of Fasciola spp. under 10%, 20%, and 40% extract concentrations, betel nut showed higher efficacy having the recorded mean motility time of 0.22, 0.07 min, and no movement upon contact, respectively, than Albendazole which produced mean motility time of 0.38 min. Nevertheless, the flukes treated with 10%, 20%, and 40% neem leaf extracts obtained the average mean motility time of 220, 151, and 98 min, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results gathered showed that 40% BNE concentration showed the highest efficacy based on the recorded mean motility time. All treatments of betel nut extract evidently showed marked changes in the gross and microscopic morphology of the flukes. However, the neem extract was ineffective in all concentrations although changes were observed microscopically. Furthermore, the nutrient broth was proven to be effective as a culture medium since the flukes remained active until 8 h of exposure.
ABSTRACT
In the Philippines, bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is currently undetected and considered as an exotic disease of both cattle and water buffaloes. The Philippines until now has no official data regarding the occurrence of BEF. There were no existing control programs or vaccine used for the prevention of the disease. However, there are claims of BEF existence in different water buffalo and cattle farms based on the clinical signs but never confirmed using laboratory test yet. Detection of BEF virus in cattle and water buffalo blood samples was conducted using reverse-transcription PCR targeting the glycoprotein (G) gene, a conserved region in the BEF virus genome. The samples were collected from 22 cattle and 50 water buffaloes with clinical signs suggesting of BEF infection. All water buffalo blood samples were negative while four cattle blood samples turned positive for BEF virus. The G gene partial sequence analysis from two BEF virus positive samples showed close relationship to Australian isolates.
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina infection in blood samples of cattle and water buffaloes using nested polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR). It also aimed to generate a spot map showing areas in Nueva Ecija, the Philippines where B. bovis and B. bigemina were detected. Whole blood samples of cattle (148) and water buffalo (65) were collected for DNA extraction and subsequent nested-PCR to detect B. bovis and B. bigemina. To further confirm and validate the nested-PCR results, three selected positive samples for each B. bovis and B. bigemina were sequenced and examined for homology analysis. The results showed that the prevalence of B. bovis, B. bigemina and mixed infection in cattle were 11.49% (17/148), 10.81% (16/148) and 5.41% (8/148), respectively. Homology analysis of nucleotide sequence of three selected DNA samples for each B. bovis showed two 99% and one 96% (partial sequence analysis) identities with B. bovis Thailand strain, while B. bigemina positive samples showed all 100% identities with B. bigemina Philippine strain. The result did not demonstrate in all water buffalo samples. These findings provide information about the prevalence of B. bovis and B. bigemina in cattle and water buffaloes in Nueva Ecija, which can be beneficial for strategic planning, disease management, and control and prevention.
Subject(s)
Babesiosis/epidemiology , Buffaloes , Cattle Diseases/parasitology , Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary , Animals , Babesiosis/diagnosis , Cattle , Cattle Diseases/epidemiology , Philippines/epidemiology , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , PrevalenceABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys and Babesia spp. in dogs. It describes the practice of veterinarians in detecting tick-borne diseases in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Seventy blood samples were collected and were subjected to multiplex PCR for the detection of E. canis, Babesia spp. and A. platys. The prevalence of babesiosis is the highest in Cabanatuan City (2/10), while a 10% prevalence (1/10) was observed in Science City of Muñoz, Talavera and Sta. Rosa. E. canis were only detected in Cabanatuan City. However, no anaplasmosis was detected in any area. The prevalence of babesiosis and ehrlichiosis in Nueva Ecija is 7.14% (5/70) and 2.85% (2/70) respectively. In addition, 70% (7/10) of the Nueva Ecija veterinary practitioners encountered cases of suspected ehrlichiosis in their practice. The diagnosis of ehrlichiosis is based primarily on presented clinical signs and complete blood counts, which include a platelet count. Of the 10 respondents, half utilized test kits while 90% interpreted blood samples. Meanwhile, only 60% of the respondents used an ELISA test kit for ehrlichiosis. For some practitioners, the main reason for not utilizing a kit is the high cost. None of the respondents had previously attended cases of suspected anaplasmosis. Only one respondent diagnosed a case of babesiosis by blood smear microscopy.
