International Journal of Molecular Veterinary Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 194-201 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmvr 197 et al., 2021; Cadavid et al., 2024). These findings suggest that molecular diagnostics can enhance the detection accuracy of bTB in water buffaloes, providing a more reliable alternative to traditional methods. 4.2 Molecular tools in brucellosis detection Brucellosis, caused by Brucella abortus, poses significant health risks to water buffaloes and can be transmitted to humans. Molecular diagnostics, particularly the use of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs), have emerged as promising tools for non-invasive detection. A study identified specific miRNA signatures in Brucella-infected buffaloes, which were validated using RT-qPCR. These miRNAs showed potential as biomarkers for brucellosis, with ROC curve analyses supporting their diagnostic value (Craig et al., 2015; Lecchi et al., 2019). Additionally, immunophenotyping has revealed significant alterations in lymphocyte subsets in brucellosis-positive buffaloes, further aiding in the disease's diagnosis (Grandoni et al., 2023). These molecular approaches offer a novel and effective means of diagnosing brucellosis in water buffaloes. 4.3 Foot-and-mouth disease diagnostics: pcr and beyond Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in water buffaloes is a highly contagious viral disease, with the SAT-2 serotype being particularly prevalent. Molecular diagnostics, such as reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), have been instrumental in identifying and characterizing FMDV strains. In Egypt, RT-PCR was used to confirm the presence of the SAT-2 serotype in water buffaloes, revealing a new lineage with high virulence (Figure 2) (Damaty et al., 2021). This molecular characterization is crucial for understanding the epidemiology of FMD and for developing effective control strategies. The study highlights the importance of continuous molecular surveillance to detect new FMDV topotypes and lineages, which can inform vaccination and outbreak management efforts (Elhaig and Elsheery, 2014; Zeedan et al., 2020; Wong et al., 2020). In summary, molecular diagnostics offer significant advantages in the detection and characterization of diseases in water buffaloes. These methods provide higher sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional diagnostic approaches, enabling more accurate disease management and control. Figure 2 Clinical and histopathological signs in FMD-infected buffaloes (Adopted from Damaty et al., 2021) Image caption: (A) Blisters and ulcers in the dental pad. (B) Blisters in teats. (C) Heart of buffalo showing grayish-white stripping, particularly in the left ventricle near the septum (Tiger heart). (D) Heart of buffaloes showing pericarditis and myocarditis ×120 H&E; and (E) Heart of buffaloes showing non-suppurative myocarditis characterized by replacement of necrotic cardiac myocytes by edema, lymphocytes, and some plasma cells ×400 H&E (Adopted from Damaty et al., 2021) 5 Case Study: Application of Molecular Diagnostics in a Specific Outbreak 5.1 Outbreak background and initial diagnosis approach In a recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Egyptian water buffaloes, the disease was characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly affecting smallholder production systems. The initial diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms such as oral lesions and lameness, which are typical of FMD. However, due to the high mutation rate of the FMD virus, traditional diagnostic methods faced challenges in accurately identifying the specific serotype responsible for the outbreak (Damaty et al., 2021).
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