Monoglyceride reduces viability of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus in feed and prevents disease transmission to post-weaned piglets.

Outbreaks of African swine fever virus (ASFv) and porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDv) have revealed the susceptibility of livestock to disease transmitted through feed. Several viruses, including PEDv, survive in feed and may introduce disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality. In 2013, PEDv, which causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, reached North America after spreading for decades across Eurasia. The global exchange of ingredients has created demand for products that prevent disease transmission from feed. Formaldehyde-based products are highly effective at inactivating enveloped viruses when applied at 3.25 kg/t. Alternative products to formaldehyde, including carboxylic acids, essential oils and medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), have exhibited mixed efficacy against PEDv and require application rates higher than formaldehyde. Amphiphilic molecules like MCFAs disrupt the bilayer-lipid membranes that protect viral nucleic acids through the formation of micelles. Monoglycerides form micelles at lower concentrations than MCFAs, which suggests they may be more potent against enveloped viruses. The potential efficacy of monoglycerides against enveloped viruses in feed led to the development and examination of an experimental monoglyceride blend. The proprietary monoglyceride blend significantly (p < .0001) reduced PEDv viability in vitro after application to feed at 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 kg/t. The monoglyceride was tested in a natural feeding behaviour challenge model in piglets. The feed was contaminated with ice-blocks containing viable PEDv, and the piglets were exposed to PEDv through the feed bin for 20 days. At the end of the 20-day challenge period, all pigs were rectally swabbed and tested for PEDv by qPCR. In the untreated control group 54.8% of the piglets tested positive for PEDv, whereas none of the MCFA-treated feed (10 kg/t inclusion) transmitted PEDv. Strikingly, the monoglyceride-treated groups (1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 kg/t) all exhibited 100% protection from PEDv. These data support the use of this proprietary monoglyceride blend in mitigation and prevention of viral disease transmission to piglets from contaminated feed.

Type I IFNs: A Blessing in Disguise or Partner in Crime in MERS-CoV-, SARS-CoV-, and SARS-CoV-2-Induced Pathology and Potential Use of Type I IFNs in Synergism with IFN-γ as a Novel Antiviral Approach Against COVID-19.

Since the end of 2019, the emergence of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has accelerated the research on host immune responses toward the coronaviruses. When there is no approved drug or vaccine to use against these culprits, host immunity is the major strategy to fight such infections. Type I interferons are an integral part of the host innate immune system and define one of the first lines of innate immune defense against viral infections. The in vitro antiviral role of type I IFNs against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus) is well established. Moreover, the involvement of type I IFNs in disease pathology has also been reported. In this study, we have reviewed the protective and the immunopathogenic role of type I IFNs in the pathogenesis of MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. This review will also enlighten the potential implications of type I IFNs for the treatment of COVID-19 when used in combination with IFN-γ.

Isolation and identification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for fermentation of rice polishing in Livestock feeding.

Biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae wasenhancedin rice polishing by fermentation to increase protein contents of feedfor its use in livestock. Broth culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (2.6×108CFU/mL) was prepared from culture obtained by continuous streaking. The isolated culture was identified morphologically by Gram staining and confirmed by biochemical characteristics. Rice polishing was sieved to remove larger particles. Then it was distributed to 4 treatments in triplicates. Treatments were represented as rice polishing (RP), rice polishing plus Saccharomyces culture (RPSC), rice polishing plus ammonium sulphate (RPAS), rice polishing plus Saccharomyces culture plus ammonium sulphate (RPSCAS).Fermentation was provided for 144 hours at 320C,while samples were collected after every 24 hours. Samples were dried, ground and subjected to proximate analysis. It was observed that protein content was increased from 11% to 21.51% and maximum increment was obtained after 144 hours of incubation in RPSC treatment. Ether extract and ash were increased from 14% and 10% to 16.96% and 11.11% in RPSCAS respectively. A significant reduction in neutral detergent fiber was observed after fermentation. It is concluded that Saccharomyces cerevisiae has potential to improve mineral and protein contents of rice polishing by fermentation process with or without addition of nitrogen source.

Anti-chicken type I IFN countermeasures by major avian RNA viruses.

Chicken type I interferons (type I IFNs) are key antiviral players of the chicken innate immune system and are considered potent antiviral agents against avian viral pathogens. Chicken type I IFNs are divided into three subtypes namely, chIFN-α, chIFN-ß, and chIFN-κ. Viral pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) recognized by their corresponding specific PRRs (pattern recognition receptors) induce the expression of chicken type I IFNs. Interaction of chicken type I IFNs with their subsequent IFN receptors results in the activation of the JAK-STAT pathway, which in turn activates hundreds of chicken interferon-stimulated genes (chISGs). These chISGs establish an antiviral state in neighboring cells and prevent the replication and dissemination of viruses within chicken cells. Chicken type I IFNs activate different pathways that constitute major antiviral innate defense mechanisms in chickens. However, evolutionary mechanisms in viruses have made them resistant to these antiviral players by manipulating host innate immune pathways. This review focuses on the underlying molecular mechanisms employed by avian RNA viruses to counteract chicken type I IFNs and chISGs through different viral proteins. This may help to understand host-pathogen interactions and the development of novel therapeutic strategies to control viral infections in poultry.

Novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): new challenges and new responsibilities in developing countries.

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which belongs to the genus Coronaviridae with its high mutation rate. From the current perspective, we discuss the current status of COVID-19, new challenges, and potential interventions to control the pandemic in developing counties such as Pakistan.

Enhancement in humoral response against inactivated Newcastle disease vaccine in broiler chickens administered orally with plant-derived soyasaponin.

The present study aimed to evaluate the immunopotentiating effect of plant-derived soyasaponin and its immunogenicity in chickens challenged with Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Soyasaponin was extracted from soybean seeds and detected using the phytochemical tests, followed by quantification through the dry-weight method. One-day-old broiler chicks (n = 90) were divided into 3 groups, named as A, B, and C. Group A birds were orally administrated with soyasaponin (5 mg/kg), followed by immunization with inactivated ND vaccine intramuscularly (IM), whereas group B birds were vaccinated with inactivated ND vaccine alone. Group C birds were kept unvaccinated. A booster dose on day 21 was also administered IM to group A and B birds. At day 35, all 3 groups were challenged with NDV. To determine the immunogenicity potential of soyasaponin, antibody titer was measured using the hemagglutination inhibition test before and after the NDV challenge. Histochemical examination was performed to determine the pathological changes associated with NDV infection. Foam formation and hemolytic activity confirmed the presence of saponin in soya bean extract. Group A birds showed a higher antibody response compared with group B and C birds. The disease challenge study showed that soyasaponin-adjuvanted NDV vaccine provided complete protection to group A birds against ND. Moreover, no side effects of soyasaponin were observed on the growth performance of birds during the experiment. Therefore, we can conclude that soyasaponin is a potential immunogenic agent and therefore could be a promising candidate to launch a protective humoral response against ND in chickens.

Antimicrobial profiling and molecular characterization of antibiotic resistant genes of Proteus vulgaris isolated from tertiary care hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections acquired from hospitals and community. Pseudomonas and Proteus species are the common cause of these UTIs. Generally, UTIs are self-limiting but have potential to re-occur. Extensive treatment therapy with antibiotics lead to the development of resistance in uropathogens. The development of antibiotic resistance is leading to the failure of currently available antibiotic based therapies thus making the situation worse. The objective of the present study was to access antimicrobial sensitivity and to characterize antibiotic resistant genes of Proteus vulgaris (P. vulgaris) isolated from patients suffering with UTIs. A total of 150 urine samples were collected and cultured on MacConkey agar medium followed by isolation and identification on blood agar medium. Biochemical characterization of all presumptive Proteus isolates was done using Remel Rap ID one kit. Antibiotic sensitivity for P. vulgaris isolates was performed by disc diffusion method. Presence of blaTEM and qnr antibiotic resistant genes was determined by PCR. The results showed that the overall prevalence of P. vulgaris in clinical samples was 11.3%. It showed maximum resistance (94%) to three antibiotics i.e. ampicillin, tigecycline and chloramphenicol, while least resistance was observed against imipenem (12%). Statistical analysis depicted that imipenem had a significantly larger zone of inhibition (P=.01), while ampicillin had significantly smaller zone of inhibition (P=.0004) followed by chloramphenicol (p-value = 0.002). Imipenem should be considered as an effective antibiotic to treat urinary tract infections associated with P. vulgaris. Both blaTEM and qnr genes were found to be involved in conferring resistance to ß-lactam and quinolones antibiotics.