Bacteriophages (phages/viruses) need host bacteria to replicate and propagate. Primarily, a bacteriophage contains a head/capsid to encapsidate the genetic material. Some phages contain tails. Phages ...encode endolysins to hydrolyze bacterial cell wall. The two main classes of phages are lytic or virulent and lysogenic or temperate. In comparison with antibiotics, to deal with bacterial infections, phage therapy is thought to be more effective. In 1921, the use of phages against bacterial infections was first demonstrated. Later on, in humans, phage therapy was used to treat skin infections caused by Pseudomonas species. Furthermore, phages were successfully employed against infections in animals – calves, lambs, and pigs infected with Escherichia coli. In agriculture, for instance, phages have successfully been used e.g., Apple blossom infection, caused by Erwinia amylovora, was effectively catered with the use of bacteriophages. Bacteriophages were also used to control E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter contamination in food. Comparatively, phage display is a recently discovered technology, whereby, bacteriophages play a significant role. This review is an effort to collect almost recent and relevant information regarding applications and complications associated with the use of bacteriophages.
The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), combined or loaded with chitosan (COS), in broiler chickens reared under standard management protocols. The ...parameters under investigation were production performance, organ development, components of the intestinal barrier, and ileal microbial count. Two hundred and forty day-old chicks were raised in five groups, with each group containing eight replicates (n＝6/replicate). The control group received a basal diet whereas the other four groups received basal diets supplemented with SeNPs (0.5 mg/kg), COS (200 mg/kg), SeNPs+COS (0.5 mg/kg SeNPs + 200 mg/kg COS), and SeNPs-loaded COS (SeNPs-L-COS) (200 mg/kg) respectively. On day 35, two birds/replicate were sampled to collect the viscera under investigation. The results revealed that dietary inclusion of SeNPs-L-COS increased (p<0.05) the body weight gain and improved (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio. Similarly, SeNPs-L-COS supplementation increased (p<0.05) the small intestinal villus surface area as well as the count of acidic goblet cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes when compared with the control group. Whereas the total goblet cell count was higher (p<0.05) in the small intestines of both the SeNPs+COS and SeNPs-L-COS groups. Microbial analysis of ileal contents also revealed an increase (p<0.05) in Lactobacilli species count with a concurrent decrease (p<0.05) in Escherichia coli count in the SeNPs-L-COS group when compared with the COS and control groups. Based on the results of the current trial, we can conclude that supplementation with SeNPs-L-COS is a superior combination for promoting the gut health and performance of broilers.
Abstract Objective/background To determine the occurrence of active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) due to Mycobacterium bovis in abattoir workers, butchers, livestock farmers, and veterinarians and to ...document their knowledge and practices regarding bovine TB (bTB). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among abattoir workers, butchers, livestock farmers, veterinary doctors, and veterinary assistants. Sputum samples were collected from the respondents with a chronic cough and data on sociodemographic conditions, knowledge, and practices regarding TB were obtained. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 141 abattoir workers, 317 butchers, 50 livestock farmers, five veterinary doctors, and three veterinary assistants took part. Four of 16 coughing abattoir workers and one of 50 coughing livestock farmers were positive for M. bovis by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Duration of work as an abattoir worker was significantly associated ( p < 0.05) with prevalence of zoonotic TB. Age, education, and type of work carried out by workers were not significantly associated with zoonotic TB. None of the abattoir workers, butchers, and livestock farmers had undergone any sort of formal training related to their work. The knowledge of abattoir workers, butchers, livestock farmers, and veterinary assistants regarding transmission of bTB from animals to humans and the symptoms of TB in humans was very poor. Most of these workers did not use protective equipment and appropriate safe working techniques and were considered at high risk of acquiring zoonotic TB. Conclusion Zoonotic TB is a significant public health issue among professionally exposed groups in Peshawar, Pakistan, and suggests a need for further detailed investigations of the disease in this and similar areas.
The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), combined or loaded with chitosan (COS), in broiler chickens reared under standard management protocols. The ...parameters under investigation were production performance, organ development, components of the intestinal barrier, and ileal microbial count. Two hundred and forty day-old chicks were raised in five groups, with each group containing eight replicates (n=6/replicate). The control group received a basal diet whereas the other four groups received basal diets supplemented with SeNPs (0.5 mg/kg), COS (200 mg/kg), SeNPs+COS (0.5 mg/kg SeNPs + 200 mg/kg COS), and SeNPs-loaded COS (SeNPs-L-COS) (200 mg/kg) respectively. On day 35, two birds/replicate were sampled to collect the viscera under investigation. The results revealed that dietary inclusion of SeNPs-L-COS increased (p<0.05) the body weight gain and improved (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio. Similarly, SeNPs-L-COS supplementation increased (p<0.05) the small intestinal villus surface area as well as the count of acidic goblet cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes when compared with the control group. Whereas the total goblet cell count was higher (p<0.05) in the small intestines of both the SeNPs+COS and SeNPs-L-COS groups. Microbial analysis of ileal contents also revealed an increase (p<0.05) in Lactobacilli species count with a concurrent decrease (p<0.05) in Escherichia coli count in the SeNPs-L-COS group when compared with the COS and control groups. Based on the results of the current trial, we can conclude that supplementation with SeNPs-L-COS is a superior combination for promoting the gut health and performance of broilers.
Twelve different vaccines were prepared from hydro pericardium syndrome (BPS) infected liver homogenate by using two different virus concentrations (1x10(2) and 1x10(3) ALD50) and two virus ...inactivants (0.1% formalin and 0.01% binary ethyleneimine) with and with out different adjuvants. These vaccines were evaluated in 13 groups of broilers (8 in each group) for their comparative immunogenicity and protection. At day 14 of age, chicks of groups A1, B1, C1 and D1 were vaccinated with 4 oil based vaccines (OB-HPSV) with two different virus concentrations (1x10(2) & 1x10(3) ALD50) and two different inactivants (0.1% formalin and 0.01% binary ethyleneimine), respectively. Chicks of groups A2, B2, C2 and D2 were vaccinated with 4 aluminized vaccines (AH-HPSV) using two virus concentrations and two inactivants. Similarly, chicks of groups A3, 133, C3 and D3 were vaccinated with non-adjuvanted vaccines (NA-HPSV) with two virus concentrations and two inactivants. Group E was kept as unvaccinated control. All the vaccinated birds were found sero-positive 7 days post vaccination (PV). IHA GMT results indicated no difference for different virus concentrations and different virus inactivants with same adjuvant (P greater than 0.05). The IHA GMT recorded weekly during 0-28 days PV was the highest and more consistent (52-181) for OB-HPSV, followed by AH-HPSV (52-147) and NA-HPSV (73.3-104). The protection recorded for OB-HPSV vaccine was 100%, for AH-HPSV vaccine it 87.5% and with NA-HPSV vaccine it was 62.5% when challenged at 21 days post vaccination (PV). It was concluded that 1x10(2) ALD50 oil based vaccines inactivated with either formalin or binary ethyleneimine can be recommended for commercial use.
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