Salinity intrusion into the freshwater system due to climate change and anthropogenic activities is a growing global concern, which has made humans and domesticated animals more susceptible to diseases, resulting in less productivity. However, the effects of salinity on domesticated and wild birds, especially in terms of production and immunity, have not been fully elucidated yet. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the effects of salinity on the production and immunity of birds and the mechanisms by which immunity is compromised. Broiler chicks were subjected to different concentrations of salty water (control = normal water, treatment = 5 g/L, treatment = 10 g/L, and treatment = 15 g/L). The collected blood and organs from different groups of broilers were biochemically and histopathologically examined. Birds in salt-treated groups consumed significantly less feed than the control group, while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly higher. Body weight gain was significantly lower in salt-treated groups compared to control. Serum analysis revealed a lower systemic antibody titer in the salt-treated groups compared to the control. Primary lymphoid organs (thymus and bursa of Fabricius) were reduced in size in the salt-treated group due to cellular migration and depletion from these organs. Importantly, most of the parenchyma of lymphoid organs was replaced with fibrotic tissue. Gut microbes, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella spp., from salt-treated groups, showed less viability but developed antibiotic resistance. Levels of salinity were significantly and negatively correlated with feed intake, body weight gain, antibody titer, lymphoid organ size, and viable count of gut microbes, while FCR, fibrosis of lymphoid organs, and antibiotic resistance were significant positively correlated. In conclusion, increased salinity is a possible threat to food security and safety as it decreases body weight gain, reduces immunity, and influences the development of multi-drug resistance in gut microbes.

Cattle farming is a significant contributor to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. However, infectious diseases continuously challenge cattle farming, causing tremendous losses to farmers. Among the diseases, Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has become a major burden in recent years. This study was conducted to reveal the prevalence of LSD in cattle in Netrokona Sadar Upazila. Data were collected directly from the cattle farmers at Upazila Veterinary Hospital (UVH), by visiting farms, and retrospectively from the register book of UVH from November 2022 to October 2023. Of the total of 2511 observed cattle, the prevalence of LSD was the second highest (16.97%). We further investigated the prevalence of LSD according to age, sex, breed, season, vaccination status, nutrition, hygiene, and deworming. LSD was more prevalent in young (17.67%), females (18.25%), cross-breed (23.96%), and non-vaccinated (17.28%) cattle. A higher prevalence was also found in the summer (38.77%) than in other seasons. Furthermore, we found more prevalence in cattle provided with traditional diets (18.22%), in unhygienic management (17.33%), and non-dewormed (18.63%) cattle. The findings illustrated that sex, immunization status, season of the year, and diet were significantly (p<0.01) associated with the prevalence of LSD. The study will aid stakeholders in evaluating the current state of LSD in the area and developing effective control strategies against it. Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 11, No. 2, August 2024: 137-147

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally prevalent zoonotic protozoan parasite with a complex life cycle, using felids as definitive hosts and various warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts. This study aimed to assess the sero-molecular prevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection in domestic cats in the Dhaka Metropolitan Area, Bangladesh. Blood and fecal samples from 184 cats were collected and analyzed using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the REP-529 gene. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was determined as 9.78% (18/184), while molecular analysis detected a slightly lower prevalence of 8.15% (15/184) among the sampled cats. Several host- and management-related factors were significantly associated with T. gondii infection in cats. ELISA positivity was significantly higher in non-dewormed cats, those with outdoor access, and those defecating outdoors, while PCR positivity was significantly associated with outdoor access and outdoor defecation. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that age, deworming status, and outdoor access were significant risk factors based on ELISA. In contrast, outdoor access alone was identified as a risk factor by PCR detection. The results indicate that T. gondii infection is common among domestic cats in Bangladesh, posing a potential risk of zoonotic transmission to humans. These findings highlight the importance of raising cat owners' awareness, enhancing public health education, and promoting preventive veterinary care to reduce the transmission of T. gondii between cats and humans.