Ankit Kumar

Concurrent infection of bluetongue and peste-des-petits-ruminants virus in small ruminants in Haryana State of India

Bluetongue (BT) and peste-des-petits-ruminants (PPR) are major transboundary diseases of small ruminant, which are endemic in India. Testing of bluetongue virus (BTV) and peste-des-petits-ruminants virus (PPRV) from recent outbreaks (2015-2016) in different regions of Haryana State of India revealed that 27.5% of the samples showed the presence of dual infection of BTV and PPRV. Analysis of Seg-2 of BTV (the serotype-determining protein) showed the presence of BTV-12w in several isolates. However, analysis of N gene fragment amplicons showed that viruses belong to lineage IV were most closely related to a pathogenic strain of PPRV from Delhi. This is the first report of co-circulation of PPRV lineage IV and bluetongue virus serotype 12 in the state.

Emerging status of anaplasmosis in cattle in Hisar.

Aim: Anaplasma marginale is a rickettsial pathogen responsible for progressive anemia in ruminants leading to huge economic losses. The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine the prevalence of anaplasmosis and therapeutic evaluation of traditional line of treatment. Materials and Methods: A total of 168 cattle presented to Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Hisar during the period of 3 months (July-September, 2014) with history of fever, anorexia, reduced milk yield and tick infestation were analyzed for prevalence of hemoprotozoan diseases using classical giemsa stained thin blood smear parasitological method. Results: Out of these 168 animals, 7 (4.17%) were found to be suffering from anaplasmosis on the basis of presence of dense, rounded, intra-erythrocytic bodies situated on or near the margin of the erythrocytes. Overall prevalence of theileriosis and babesiosis were found to be 42.9% and 1.8%, respectively. Level of parasitemia was noticed to be 1.2%, 0.8% and 0.9% in babesiosis, theileriosis, and anaplasmosis, respectively. The most marked and common clinical signs reported in all the cases were severe anemia (hemoglobin=3-6 g/dl) and history of fever, followed by normal body temperature. Following treatment with oxytetracycline parenterally along with supportive therapy out of seven cases six got recovered without any side-effects. Conclusion: The current study indicates the emerging status of anaplasmosis in this part of the country as during the past few years there are very few reports showing the prevalence of clinical cases of anaplasmosis. Treatment with oxytetracycline yielded excellent result showing recovery in most of the clinical cases.

Inhibition of bovine platelets aggregation in response to Hyalomma anatolicum salivary gland proteins/peptides.

Aim: Ticks are obligate ectoparasites that have an impact on wide range of vertebrates and also act as a potential vector for the transmission of tropical theileriosis, babesiosis, etc., causing significant loss to livestock production worldwide. While feeding, they introduce their saliva containing different bioactive molecules into the host. These molecules have the capability to counteract the host hemostatic mechanism to suck host blood successfully. Therefore, the study was aimed to isolate anti-platelet aggregating peptides from salivary gland extract (SGE) of Hyalomma anatolicum ticks, a commonly available tick in India. Materials and Methods: Female H. anatolicum salivary glands were dissected out and SGE was prepared by homogenizing it in a suitable buffer under ice. Extract so obtained was fractionated by gel filtration chromatography using Sephacryl S-200 column. Total protein concentration in fractions was estimated and bovine platelets were isolated, stimulated with thrombin (positive control), treated with Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro amide (negative control) and with salivary gland fractions for identification of proteins/peptides having anti-platelet aggregating activities. Results: Proteins/peptides present in various salivary gland fractions inhibited the bovine platelet aggregation and the percent inhibition ranged between 33% and 35.8%. Conclusion: The results suggests that the fractions of H. anatolicum salivary glands possess thrombin-induced anti-platelet aggregating activity and which could be further exploited for raising anti-tick vaccine and also for therapeutic purpose.

Study on development of accessory sex glands in prepubertal kids using two-dimensional ultrasonography

Aim: The present study was undertaken to study growth pattern of accessory sex glands in prepubertal kids from 2 weeks to 6 months of age using two-dimensional ultrasonography. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on six Beetal kids. The scanning of accessory sex glands was done in standing position using rectal probe and measurements were recorded. Data collected were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan multiple range test was performed using the SPSS (16.0) system for windows. Results: With the advancement of age all the dimensions of glands increased. Both the lobes of prostate gland showed an increase in width with advancement of age. Width of prostate above the urethra (W1) showed a significant increase at 2, 10, and 20 weeks of age, whereas non-significant increase from 2 to 8, 10 to 19, and 20 to 24 weeks of age was recorded. Width of prostate below the urethra (W2) showed a significant increase at 20 weeks of age, whereas non-significant increase was recorded during rest of period of growth. Left and right bulbourethral gland showed a similar pattern of growth with the advancement of age. The circumference dimensions increased significantly at 2, 16, 20, and 21 weeks of age for both glands. The increase was non-significant from 4 to 14, 16 to 19, and 20 to 23 weeks of age. The same pattern was observed for left and right seminal vesicular gland. Conclusion: Significant growth in three accessory sex glands in prepubertal kids was not observed at the same age. The trend observed was that the prostate was the first gland to show significant growth at 10 weeks of age followed by a significant increase in seminal vesicles and bulbourethral gland at 14 and 16 weeks of age, respectively.

Morphological and physico-chemical characteristics of guava genotypes

The present investigation deals with the morphological and physico-chemical characterization of eight guava genotypes. Significant variations were present with reference to various morphological and biochemical characteristics among the genotypes. Different plant characters ranged as; tree height from 2.04 m in RCGH-11 to 3.52 m in RCGH-1, tree spread from 2.88 m in RCGH-11 to 6.13 m in RCGH-1, stem girth from 22.67 cm in MPUAT-Sel-2 to 33.65 cm in RCGH-1, cross sectional trunk area from 34.49 cm2 in MPUAT Sel-2 to 71.25 cm2 in RCGH-1, number of petals per flower from 4.2 in Arka Kiran to 10.20 in RCGH-1, number of stamens per flower from 440.4 in MPUAT Sel-2 to 536.60 in RCGH7, leaf length from 10.75 cm in RCGH-11 to 13.96 cm in MPUAT Sel-1, leaf width from 4.36 cm in CISH-G-25 to 7.08 cm in MPUAT Sel-2, length: width from 1.87 in RCGH-11 to 2.73 in RCGH-1, leaf area from 65.1 cm2 in CISH-G-35 to 95.71 cm2 in MPUAT Sel-2, number of veins from 19.60 in MPUAT Sel-2 to 26.60 in RCGH-11, leaf fresh weight from 1.10 g in MPUAT Sel-1 to 1.99 g in MPUAT Sel-2, leaf dry weight from 0.66 g in MPUAT Sel-1 to 1.02 g in MPUAT Sel-2, chlorophyll from 0.005 mg/g in Arka Kiran to 0.010 mg/g in CISH-G-35, nitrogen from 0.134% in Allahabad Safeda to 0.329% in MPUAT Sel-2, phosphorus from 0.119% in RCGH-7 to 0.179% in MPUAT Sel-2, potassium from 0.202% in RCGH-11 to 0.812% in CISH-G-35, boron from 49.90 ppm in Arka Kiran to 76.67 ppm in RCGH-7, zinc from 140.24 ppm in Allahabad Safeda to 279.55 ppm in Arka Kiran, iron from 645.67 ppm in Allahabad Safeda to 1382.23 ppm in Arka Kiran, leaf colour from light green in MPUAT Sel-1 and RCGH-1 and dark green in CISH-G-35 and RCGH-11 to green in rest. However, petiole length did not vary significantly. Leaf shape varied from lanceolate in MPUAT Sel-1, oblanceolate in Arka Kiran and RCGH-1 to oblong in rest, leaf apex from acute in MPUAT Sel-1, rounded in CISH-G-35 to obtuse in rest, leaf base from obtuse in MPUAT Sel-1 to rounded in rest, colour of young leaves from light green in Allahabad Safeda, dark green in RCGH-11 to green in rest, tree growth habit from spreading in MPUAT Sel-1, MPUAT Sel-2 and Arka Kiran to upright in rest and flower colour remained white among different genotypes.

Incidence and clinical vital parameters in primary ketosis of Murrah buffaloes

Aim: The present study was undertaken to ascertain the incidence and clinical vital parameters in cases of primary ketosis in Murrah buffaloes brought to teaching veterinary clinical complex, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar and from adjoining villages of the district Hisar, Haryana, India. Materials and Methods: The investigation was conducted on 24 clinical cases (out of total 145 screened) of primary ketosis. The diagnosis was confirmed on the basis of clinical signs and significantly positive two tests for ketone bodies in urine (Rothera’s and Keto-Diastix strip test). Data collected were statistically analyzed using independent Student’s t-test. Results: Overall incidence of disease in these areas was found to be 16.55% and all the animals were recently parturited (mean: 1.42±0.14 month), on an average in their third lactation (mean: 2.38±0.30) and exhibited clinical signs such as selective anorexia (refusal to feed on concentrate diet), drastic reduction in milk yield (mean: 64.4±5.35%), ketotic odor from urine, breath, and milk and rapid loss of body condition. All the clinical vital parameters in ketotic buffaloes (body temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, and rumen movements) were within normal range. Conclusion: Primary ketosis in Murrah buffaloes was the most common seen in the third lactation, within the first 2 months after parturition with characteristics clinical signs and no variability in vital parameters. The disease has severe effect on the production status of affected animal.

Clinical and hemato-biochemical studies on fever of unknown origin in buffaloes.

Aim: The present study was undertaken to ascertain the clinical observation and haemato-biochemical studies on fever of unknown origin (FUO) in buffaloes which were presented for treatment at the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex (TVCC), Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS), Hisar. Materials and Methods: The investigation was conducted on total 106 clinical cases presented at “TVCC, LUVAS, Hisar.” Diseased animals having history of fever and increased rectal temperature were considered for the current study. Diagnosis of FUO was done on the basis of negative parasitological examination, culture examination, fecal and urine test. The cases in which etiology could not be established (such as pneumonia, metritis, traumatic reticuloperitonitis, urinary tract infection, trypanosomosis, diaphragmatic hernia, Brucellosis, and foreign body) were considered as true cases of FUO. Results: Out of 106 clinical cases different etiologies were identified in 76 (71.70%) cases including pneumonia, traumatic pericarditis, trypanosomosis, bacteremia, etc. and 30 cases (28.30%) remained undiagnosed even after detailed investigation. The mean rectal temperature (104.43±0.16°F), respiration rate (56.57±1.51/min) and pulse rate (83.40±1.77/min) of animals (n=30) suffering from FUO were significantly higher, whereas ruminal movement (1.00±0.23) was significantly lower compared to healthy control group. The mean value of hemoglobin, lymphocytes, and packed cell volume were significantly lower, whereas mean value of neutrophils was significantly higher compared to that of healthy control animals. Mean value of serum levels of glucose, phosphorus, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine were found to be significantly higher, whereas mean value of calcium value was significantly lower in all clinically affected animals compared to the healthy control group. Conclusion: About 28.30% cases of fever in buffaloes were found to be of unknown origin. Haemato-biochemical findings in cases of FUO in buffaloes revealed relative neutrophilia with lymphopenia, hyperglycemia, hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, significantly increased AST, ALT, and CPK along with adversely altered kidney function indicators (elevated BUN and serum creatinine).

Biology of whitebacked plant hopper, Sogatella furcifera on basmati rice under agroclimatic condition of Haryana

The whitebacked planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera (Horvath) is an important pest of rice ( Oryza sativa L.). The objective of this study was to examine the biology of pest under agro-climatic condition of Haryana, India during Kharif -2012. Observations were taken to examine the site of oviposition, hatching, per cent larval duration, pupal period, longevity etc. The colour of adult was dull-white with blackish spot on dorsal side of abdomen with average fecundity of 132.8 eggs/female in cluster of 5 to 30 eggs. The highest number of eggs (71.96%) were laid on leaf sheath of plants followed by midrib (16.66%) and stem (11.36%). The average incubation period was 8.6±0.24 days with 84.21 per cent hatching. Maximum hatching of eggs was observed during morning hours. WBPH completed its post-embryonic development in 42.09 days (male) and 44.4 days (female) and passed through five nymphal instars to become an adult with 89 per cent larval survival and 89±0.05 per cent moth emergence. Adult male was short lived 14.4 days as compared to female (15.9) days with 1.0:0.78 sex ratio. This study provides detailed information on the morphological peculiarties of immature stages with the duration required for the completion of life cycle.