Toxoplasma gondii, the cause of toxoplasmosis is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite of veterinary and public health importance. Ground feeding birds play an active role in the epidemiology of the disease and are the best indicators of soil contamination with the oocysts. Thirteen (14.1%; 95% CI = 7.7-23.0) of the 92 wild birds (6 of Coliformes; 4 of Columbiformes; 67 of Passeriformes and 15 of Piciformes) captured from Shere hills and 43 (9.3%; 95%CI = 4.9-12.4) of the 460 local chickens obtained across 3 senatorial regions of Plateau State, Nigeria were positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Varying prevalence (16.7-100%) of anti-T. gondii antibodies were recorded across 10 of 35 wild bird species; 2 (28.6) of 7 African thrush (Turdus pelios), 2 (33.3) of 6 speckled mouse bird (Colius striatus), 1 (20.0%) of 5 speckled fronted weaver (Sporopipes frontalis), 1 (33.3%) of 3 Northern Red bishop (Euplectes franciscanus), 1 (50.0%) of 2 village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), 2 (28.6%) of 7 common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus), 1 (50.0%) of 2 black crowned tchagra (Tchagra senegalus), 1 (50.0%) of 2 black billed wood dove (Turtur abyssinicus), 1 (100.0%) of 1 mocking cliff chat (Thamnolaea cinamomeiventris), 1 (16.7) of 6 vieillot's barbet (Lybius vieilloti). The prevalence did not vary significantly based on the sex (p = 0.14), feeding guild (p = 0.53) and the taxonomic order (p = 0.62) of the wild birds. Regional based prevalence among local chickens ranged between 8.0 and 11.8% across the 3 senatorial zones. The source (p = 0.513; 95% CI = 4.9-16.8) and age (p = 0.797; 95% CI = 4.9-16.8) of local chickens were not associated with T. gondii seropositivity. Seropositivity was higher in the females (95% CI = 9.1-18.3) than in the males (p = 0.004; 95% CI = 3.0-9.4). This is the first report of the serological evidence of exposure to T. gondii infection in a wide variety of wild birds and local chickens in the area. It suggest that birds in this region are important asymptomatic intermediate hosts and play a role in the maintenance of the organism in the ecosystem.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100601 | DOI Listing |
Animals (Basel)
January 2025
College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, Dali University, Dali 671000, China.
This study investigated the effects of residue (PAR) on the immune function, antioxidant capacity, and transcriptome of Sanhuang chickens. Six hundred 30-day-old Sanhuang chickens were divided into six groups with diets of varying PAR replacement of soybean meal from 0 to 100% in increments of 20%. Samples were taken on day 100.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPoult Sci
December 2024
School of Animal Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, PR China. Electronic address:
Tibetan chicken, an indigenous breed, inhabit highland regions and are crucial livestock for local Tibetans. Compared with other chicken breeds that have migrated from lowlands to highlands, Tibetan chicken exhibits superior physiological adaptations to high-altitude environments. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying these adaptations remain unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Department of Economics, Kardan University, Kabul, Afghanistan.
The Internet of Things (IoT) has recently attracted substantial interest because of its diverse applications. In the agriculture sector, automated methods for detecting plant diseases offer numerous advantages over traditional methods. In the current study, a new model is developed to categorize plant diseases within an IoT network.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroorganisms
November 2024
Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
The significance of as a foodborne pathogen is increasingly acknowledged, but the assessment of its occurrence and transmission remains challenging due to the lack of validation of selective isolation, detection, and identification methods. The aim of the present study was to examine its presence on various meat samples at the retail level in order to assess a potential foodborne transmission and its occurrence in clinical stool samples. First, the evaluation and selection of a selective enrichment broth and isolation medium, combined with an optimized identification by MALDI-TOF MS, as well as a suitable DNA extraction method and a PCR-based detection strategy were developed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomedicines
December 2024
Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Background: Pimozide is a conventional antipsychotic drug of the diphenylbutylpiperidine class, widely used for treating schizophrenia and delusional disorders and for managing motor and phonic tics in Tourette's syndrome. Pimozide is known to block dopaminergic D2 receptors and various types of voltage-gated ion channels. Among its side effects, dizziness and imbalance are the most frequently observed, which may imply an effect of the drug on the vestibular sensory receptors, the hair cells.
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