A cross-sectional study was used to identify and assess prevalence and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of Escherichia coli and other enterobacteria isolated from healthy wildlife and livestock cohabiting at a 10,000 acres game ranch near Lusaka, Zambia. Purposive sampling was used to select wildlife and livestock based on similarities in behavior, grazing habits and close interactions with humans. Isolates (n = 66) from fecal samples collected between April and August 2018 (n = 84) were examined following modified protocols for bacteria isolation, biochemical identification, molecular detection, phylogenetic analysis, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disc diffusion method. Data were analyzed using R software, Genetyx ver.12 and Mega 6. Using Applied Profile Index 20E kit for biochemical identification, polymerase chain reaction assay and sequencing, sixty-six isolates were identified to species level, of which Escherichia coli (72.7%, 48/66), E. fergusonii (1.5%, 1/66), Shigella sonnei (22.7%, 14/66), Sh. flexinerri (1.5%, 1/66) and Enterobacteriaceae bacterium (1.5%, 1/66), and their relationships were illustrated in a phylogenetic tree. Phenotypic antimicrobial resistance or intermediate sensitivity expression to at least one antimicrobial agent was detected in 89.6% of the E. coli, and 73.3% of the Shigella isolates. The E. coli isolates exhibited the highest resistance rates to ampicillin (27%), ceftazidime (14.3%), cefotaxime (9.5%), and kanamycin (9.5%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was detected in 18.8% of E. coli isolates while only 13.3% Shigella isolates showed MDR. The MDR was detected among isolates from impala and ostrich (wild animals in which no antimicrobial treatment was used), and in isolates from cattle, pigs, and goats (domesticated animals). This study indicates the possible transmission of drug-resistant microorganisms between animals cohabiting at the wildlife–livestock interface. It emphasizes the need for further investigation of the role of wildlife in the development and transmission of AMR, which is an issue of global concern.

Enzootic bovine leukosis is a lethal neoplastic disease caused by bovine leukemia virus (BLV), belongs to family Retroviridae. The BLV proviral load (PVL) represents the quantity of BLV genome that has integrated into the host’s genome in BLV-infected cells. Bovine leukocyte antigen (BoLA) class II allelic polymorphisms are associated with PVLs in BLV-infected cattle. We sought to identify relationships between BoLA-DRB3 allelic heterozygosity and BLV PVLs among different cattle breeds. Blood samples from 598 BLV-infected cattle were quantified to determine their PVLs by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results were confirmed by a BLV-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction identified 22 BoLA-DRB3 alleles. Multivariate negative binomial regression modeling was used to test for associations between BLV PVLs and BoLA-DRB3 alleles. BoLA-DRB3.2*3, *7, *8, *11, *22, *24, and *28 alleles were significantly associated with low PVLs. BoLA-DRB3.2*10 was significantly associated with high PVLs. Some heterozygous allele combinations were associated with low PVLs (*3/*28, *7/*8, *8/*11, *10/*11, and *11/*16); others were associated with high PVLs (*1/*41, *10/*16, *10/*41, *16/*27, and *22/*27). Interestingly, the BoLA-DRB3.2*11 heterozygous allele was always strongly and independently associated with low PVLs. This is the first reported evidence of an association between heterozygous allelic combinations and BLV PVLs.

The cattle industry is suffering economic losses caused by bovine leukemia virus (BLV) and enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), the clinical condition associated with BLV infection. This pathogen spreads easily without detection by farmers and veterinarians due to the lack of obvious clinical signs. Cattle movement strongly contributes to the inter-farm transmission of BLV. This study quantified the farm-level risk of BLV introduction using a cattle movement analysis. A generalized linear mixed model predicting the proportion of BLV-infected cattle was constructed based on weighted in-degree centrality. Our results suggest a positive association between weighted in-degree centrality and the estimated number of introduced BLV-infected cattle. Remarkably, the introduction of approximately six cattle allowed at least one BLV-infected animal to be added to the farm in the worst-case scenario. These data suggest a high risk of BLV infection on farms with a high number of cattle being introduced. Our findings indicate the need to strengthen BLV control strategies, especially along the chain of cattle movement.

This study sheds the light on the potential of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root aqueous extract as a cornerstone for mitigating and detoxifying the residues of the widely used agricultural Glyphosate-based pesticides (GBPs). This study examined the GBPs toxic effects on kidney, liver, thyroid functions, and apoptosis using 50 adult male albino rats. All rats were divided into 5 groups, with 10 each. Control: served as untreated rats. GBP: rats were treated with 1 mL glyphosate solution 24 % orally for three weeks. The glyphosate-treated rats were gavaged with licorice root aqueous extractsolution (100, 200, and 300 mg/mLdistilled water, respectively) daily for three weeks. Licorice root aqueous extract solution (300 mg/mL distilled water) yielded notable reductions in liver, kidney enzymes, albumin, and AFP levels within the serum. Immunological tests, including immunohistochemical evaluations of caspase-3 and TNF-α expressions revealed a dose-dependent attenuation of apoptosis and inflammation with licorice intervention. This will provide a valuable perspective for agricultural practices future and paving the way for a more sustainable approach for using GBPs in animal agriculture industries.

Aim of our study is to establish models for predicting the number of migratory wild birds based on the meteorological data. From 136 species of wild birds, which have been observed at Futatsudate in Miyazaki, Japan, from 2008 to 2016, we selected the potential high-risk species, which can introduce highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus into Miyazaki; we defined them as “risky birds”. We then performed regression analysis to model the relationship between the number of risky birds and meteorological data. We selected 10 wild bird species as risky birds: Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ), Northern pintail ( Anas acuta ), Eurasian wigeon ( Anas penelope ), Eurasian teal ( Anas crecca ), Common pochard ( Aythya ferina ), Eurasian coot ( Fulica atra ), Northern shoveler ( Anas clypeata ), Common shelduck ( Tadorna tadorna ), Tufted duck ( Aythya fuligula ), and Herring gull ( Larus argentatus ). We succeeded in identifying five meteorological factors associated with their migration: station pressure, mean value of global solar radiation, minimum of daily maximum temperature, days with thundering, and days with daily hours of daylight under 0.1 h. We could establish some models for predicting the number of risky birds based only on the published meteorological data, without manual counting. Dynamics of migratory wild birds has relevance to the risk of HPAI outbreak, so our data could contribute to save the cost and time in strengthening preventive measures against the epidemics.