2026-03-15
Fahad K.Y. AL-DULAIMI, Janan K. AL-TARJUMAN, Donea Abdulrazak ABDULLAH, Shola David OLA-FADUNSIN, Fufa Ido GIMBA
Saprolegniasis caused by Saprolegnia species is a major fungal disease affecting fish in aquaculture systems, and it leads to significant economic losses due to its detrimental effects on both fish health and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) bulbs and sesame (Sesamum indicum) seeds ethanol extracts as natural antifungal agents, comparing their performance with the chemical antifungals malachite green and cycloheximide in treating saprolegniasis in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The extracts were screened for their phytochemical properties. The fungal pathogen was isolated and identified from infected fish using microscopic and macroscopic methods. The efficacy of the chemical antifungals and the extracts (at different concentrations) was analyzed using in vitro and in vivo studies. Flavonoids and phenolic acids were the most abundant phytochemicals isolated from the extracts. The results showed significant differences (p < .05) for all treatments compared to the control group. Garlic extract at 200 mg/L was the most effective among the plant extract treatments, reducing fungal growth by 90% and improving survival rates by 85% compared to the control group. Sesame extract at 200 mg/L reduced fungal growth by 80% and improved survival rates by 70% compared to the control group. These results suggest the potential use of these plant extracts (garlic bulbs and sesame seeds) as a safe and sustainable alternative for treating fungal diseases in aquaculture. Cite this article as: Al-Dulaimi, F. K. Y., Al-Tarjuman, J. K., Abdullah, D. A., Ola-Fadunsin, S. D., & Gimba, F. I. (2026). Evaluation of the efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) and sesame (Sesamum indicum) extracts compared with malachite green and cycloheximide against common carp (Cyprinus carpio) infected with saprolegnia species. Acta Veterinaria Eurasia, 52, 0208, doi:10.5152/actavet.2026.25208.
2026-03-12
Izza Muflika UTAMI, Yeocelin Meida UTAMI, Tri KOMALA SARI
Newcastle Disease is a highly contagious viral disease in poultry caused by Newcastle Disease Virus, which remains a major concern due to recurrent outbreaks and the limited effectiveness of current vaccination strategies. This study aimed to molecularly characterize the Fusion (F) gene fragment of Newcastle Disease Virus from Bali in 2024 through analysis of nucleotide composition, virulence motifs, and phylogenetics. Viral RNA was isolated from the allantoic fluid of embryonated chicken eggs inoculated with a field sample originated from diseased broiler chickens collected in Banjar Suka Jiwa, Yangapi Village, Tembuku District, Bangli in 2024, using Trizol reagent, and subsequently amplified by one-step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Polymerase chain reaction products of 316 bp were sequenced using the Sanger method, and the results were analyzed using MEGA 11 software. The nucleotide composition showed adenine dominance (30.17%) and a GC content of 50.56%. The virulent motif ^112RRQKRF^117 was detected at the cleavage site of the F gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Bali/2024 isolate belongs to genotype VII.2 and clusters closely with other Indonesian isolates from Garut, East Java, Tabanan, and Gianyar. The closest genetic distance was 0.01 substitutions/site with the Garut/2019 isolate, while the farthest distance was 0.34 substitutions/ site with the Canadian/1987 isolate from Class I. Moreover, this isolate showed a 23% difference from the LaSota vaccine strain (genotype II). The Bali/2024 Newcastle Disease Virus isolate is virulent and genetically close to local genotype VII.2 strains, highlighting the need for local stra-in-based vaccination strategies. Cite this article as: Utami, I. M., Utami, Y. M., & Komala Sari, T. (2026). Molecular characterization of a Newcastle disease virus fusion gene fragment from Bali, Indonesia, 2024. Acta Veterinaria Eurasia , 52, 0180, doi:10.5152/actavet.2026.25180.
2026-03-02
Qimeng HU, Yixin LI, Zhiqing GAO
Polystyrene nanoplastics are known to exert impact on the mammalian reproductive system, primarily via oxidative damage; however, the specific mechanisms underlying these effects have yet to be determined. Here, the mechanisms responsible for the oxidative damage experienced by mammalian sperm when exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics were investigated, along with how these effects could be mitigated by supplementation with antioxidants. The influence of Astragalus polysaccharides on the toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on boar sperm was investigated by evaluating sperm quality, antioxidant functionality, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Exposure of capacitated boar sperm to polystyrene nanoplastics at doses of 1 and 2 μg/mL significantly reduced the proportion of progressive sperm, antioxidant capacity, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the sperm flagellum. Sperm were then exposed to different doses of Astragalus polysaccharides (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mg/mL); analysis revealed that the supplementation of 1 mg/mL of Astragalus polysaccharides in the presence of 1 μg/mL of polystyrene nanoplastics increased the proportion of progressive sperm, antioxidant capacity, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the sperm flagellum. Collectively, Astragalus polysaccharides was confirmed to improve the quality, antioxidant capacity, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics by increasing total antioxidative capacity activity and reducing total reactive oxygen species. The in vitro exposure of boar sperm to polystyrene nanoplastics was not affected by other metabolic factors and directly reflects the relationship between Astragalus polysaccharides and polystyrene nanoplastics exposed sperm. Cite this article as: Hu, Q., Li, Y., & Gao, Z. (2026). Astragalus polysaccharides ameliorate the toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on boar sperm. Acta Veterinaria Eurasia , 52, 0153, doi:10.5152/actavet.2026.25153.
2026-02-04
Ibrahima Mahamane ABDOURHAMANE, Dilek ARSOY
Milk quality is crucial in the dairy industry, affecting nutritional value, consumer preference, and revenue. Several non-genetic factors, such as region, season, farm size, and temperature-humidity index (THI), influence milk composition and microbiological quality. This study aimed to evaluate somatic cell count, standard plate count (SPC), and key milk composition parameters in non-chilled/chilled commingled goat milk from Northern Cyprus farms. Milk samples were collected once or twice monthly from bulk tanks. Somatic cell count and standard plate count were determined using fluoro-opto-electronic counter methods, while milk composition was assessed using standard laboratory procedures. The results showed that somatic cell count was significantly affected by farm size, season, and raw milk type, with higher somatic cell count levels observed in large farms and non-chilled milk. Standard plate count varied significantly by year but was not affected by season, farm size, or region factors. Temperature-humidity index had a significant impact on milk composition, increasing temperature-humidity index values leading to declines in lactose, protein, and casein, confirming the negative effects of heat stress. Although farm size and raw milk type had no significant effect on most milk components, large farms exhibited higher titratable acidity. The study highlights the impact of climatic change and multifactorial effects on goat milk quality and the interaction effects between years, season, THI, and management practices. It emphasizes the importance of providing proper management practices to mitigate the negative effects of harsh environmental conditions on milk contents and somatic cell count. Cite this article as: Abdourhamane, I. M., & Arsoy, D. (2026). Impact of climate change and non-genetic factors on somatic cell count, standard plate count, and chemical composition of non-chilled commingled goat milk in northern Cyprus. Acta Veterinaria Eurasia, 52, 0151, doi:10.5152/actavet.2026.25151.
2026-01-27
Michael Haryadi WIBOWO, Yeocelin Meida UTAMI, Aditya Ahkami PRATOMO, Aprilia KUSUMASTUTI, Rio Rianto UTOMO, Arini NURHANDAYANI, Steffi ONG, Suhesti ROZA
Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a significant viral infection in poultry caused by infectious bursal disease virus, resulting in immunosuppression and economic losses. The development of a safe and effective vaccine, particularly for very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV), is crucial for mitigating its impact. This study aimed to molecularly characterize, attenuate, and evaluate the safety of selected very virulent infectious bursal disease virus strains for potential vaccine development. The virus, previously confirmed as very virulent infectious bursal disease virus, was attenuated through serial passages in specific pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs. Molecular characterization was conducted via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the VP2 gene. The safety evaluation included vaccinating specific pathogen-free chickens with a 10-dose regimen and determining the index of the bursal body weight ratio. The virus exhibited successful attenuation after 40 serial passages, resulting in reduced pathogenicity and stable mortality rates. Molecular analysis revealed the genetic stability of the VP2 gene during the attenuation process. The index of the bursal body weight ratio values exceeded the safety standards established in the Indonesian Veterinary Pharmacopoeia, confirming the safety of the strain for further vaccine development. This study demonstrated that the attenuated very virulent infectious bursal disease virus strain is a promising candidate for vaccine development, combining genetic stability, reduced pathogenicity, and safety in specific pathogen-free chickens. These findings provide a foundation for further evaluation of the strain as a potential vaccine seed. Cite this article as: Utami, Y. M., Pratomo, A. A., Kusumastuti, A., Utomo, R. R., Nurhandayani, A., Ong, S., Roza, S., & Wibowo, M. H. (2026). Molecular characterization, attenuation, and safety testing of very virulent infectious bursal disease virus as an active infectious bursal disease vaccine candidate. Acta Veterinaria Eurasia, 52, 0129, doi:10.5152/actavet.2026.25129.