Daya Shanker

First molecular evidence of the transplacental transmission of Theileria annulata

Bovine tropical theileriosis (BTT) is a serious hindrance in the cattle upgradation programme using the exotic germplasm. There is a wide range of variations in the pathobiology alongside clinical symptoms of the animals suffering from BTT. The present paper communicates the first report about the transplacental transmission of T. annulata in a cross bred 2-day old calf. T. sergenti, T. lestoquardi and T. equi are known to undergo transplacental transmission, but baring a single citation in literature, there are no records about the transplacental transmission of T. annulata.

A rare clinical presentation of transplacental transmission and subsequent abortion by Babesia ( Theileria ) equi in a mare

The present article deals with the rare presentation of transplacental transmission and subsequent abortion by Babesia (Theileria) equi. A pregnant mare was brought with the history of fever and inappetence. Per rectal examination revealed absence of fremitus of the foetus. The foetus was removed using foetotomy. Blood smear examination of the dam and contact smear of the aborted foetus revealed characteristic Maltese cross appearance of B. equi. The possible routes of transmission of parasite, its pathogenesis and future strategies are described in the present article.

Infection rates of Linguatula serrata nymphs in mesenteric lymph nodes from water buffaloes in North India.

The literature pertaining to prevalence of Linguatula serrata in large ruminants is limited. In abattoir survey, the infection rate of L. serrata in 1440 mesenteric lymph nodes collected from 480 buffaloes from North India was investigated. Results revealed 88 (18.3%) buffaloes and 288 (20.0%) mesenteric lymph nodes having parasites nymphs. Nonsignificant difference (P>0.05), between 1 and 3 years age (51.5%) and above three years of age (48.5%) groups was observed. Nonsignificant difference (P>0.05) between the infection rate of male (51.5%) and female (48.5%) was also observed. Infection in haemorrhagic (57.2%) and black-coloured (67.5%) nymph nodes were significantly (P<0.05) higher than normal-coloured nodes (8.8%). When compared based on consistency, the results showed soft lymph nodes (61.3%) were significantly (P<0.05) more infected than normal (12.8%) and hard (30.0%) lymph nodes. The intensity of infection in normal, haemorrhagic and black lymph nodes were 1.81 ± 0.21, 4.23 ± 0.0.62 and 5.12 ± 0.73, nymphs respectively. The mean numbers of parasites in haemorrhagic and black-coloured lymph nodes were significantly (P<0.0005) more than mean number of parasites in normal-coloured nodes. Again intensity of infection in normal, soft and hard lymph nodes was 2.31 ± 0.18, 5.84 ± 0.74 and 3.21 ± 0.68, respectively. When compared based on lymph nodes consistency, the soft lymph nodes were significantly (P<0.0005) more severely infected than normal and hard ones. The study has generated some vital data about the prevalence of this underreported disease amongst the bubaline intermediate hosts along with important gross changes in the affected lymph nodes.

First report of molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of RoTat 1.2 VSG of Trypanosoma evansi from equine isolate

Rotat 1.2 variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) is considered to be an important VSG expressed in most of the isolates of Trypanosoma evansi. This makes the molecule an important candidate for both molecular- and serological-based detection of surra. There are ample reports of existence of this gene in isolates from cattle, buffalo, and camel across the world. Of late, there are reports of its absence from a fewer isolates of T. evansi of murine and wildlife origin. Search of literature revealed no reports from horses. The present communication presents the first report of molecular cloning and characterization of Rotat 1.2 VSG from horse isolate of T. evansi from semi-arid region of India. Alongside, the gene was compared with various other isolates across the world. Interestingly, the isolate was found to be closer to camel isolates from Egypt than the other known isolates from India and Kenya.

Classico-molecular targeting of oligopeptidase B, cysteine protease and variable surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes of Trypanosoma evansi

Trypanosomosis or Surra can rightly be attributed as the most economically important vector-borne haemoprotozoan disease encountering India. Surra infected chronic cases show almost similar types of signs and symptoms often confusing it with other haemoprotozoan infections, thereby, making it prerequisite for the development of aspecific and sensitive technique for its detection in susceptible animals. Blood microscopy and serology suffers from the hands of lack of sensitivity and specificity thereby leaving molecular detection techniques as one of the promising alternative. Alongside, there is utmost need for exploring of new molecular gene targets for the development of a putative alternative for diagnosis and immunoprophylaxsis. The present communication describes the identification and amplification of oligopeptidase B, cysteine protease and variable surface glycoprotein genes of T. evansi so as to exploit them in future as potential candidates for immune protection and/or molecular detection.

Bovine hypodermosis in indigenous cattle herd and its successful therapeutic management

Warble fly infestation in cattle is a serious problem throughout the world. In India, it is mainly reported from northern parts of the country and is caused by the larvae of Hypoderma lineatum. The disease causes huge economic losses to animal production like milk and leather industry. The present article reports the outbreak and subsequent successful treatment of Warble fly infestation from an indigenous cattle herd. The animals were clinally examined for the presence of warbles and the larvae were collected by pressing the swellings on the back. The larvae were brought to the laboratory and were morphologically examined and morphometry was done. The animals were administered specific therapy consisting of two doses of subcutaneous injection of Ivermectin at weekly intervals. The epidemiology of the disease, its patho physiological impact on the animal and various strategies for clinical management are being described in the article.

Sex dependent alterations in the protein characterization patterns of Haemonchus contortus

The aim of the study was to highlight the sex dependent differences in the electrophoretic protein patterns of male and female Haemonchus contortus worms SDS based polyacrylamide gels of both male and female worms were run side by side for comparison. A total of 33 and 35 polypeptides were detected in polyacrylamide gels stained with coomassie brilliant blue R-250, respectively. Besides many of the fundamental homologies in protein profile, some of the polypeptides specific to either sex were also observed. Most of the characteristic polypeptides were of low molecular weight. These polypeptides needs deeper unrevealing regarding the nature of protein, through well planned zymographic studies, so as to ascertain the true nature and/or type of protein involved in those bands. This will help us in better understanding of parasite immunology and sex influenced differences amongst the worm and the possible variations in their pathogenesis contributed thereof, if any.

Evaluation of clinical, biochemical and haematological markers in natural infection of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis

Caanine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia canis has gained wider significance owing to its potential to inflict significant deleterious effect on the health of companion animals. In the present study, 46 confirmed ehrlichiosis positive dogs were evaluated for the alterations in clinical, haematological and biochemical attributes. Depression, anorexia, pyrexia, anaemia, weakness, jaundice, melana, vomition and diarrhoea were the main clinical symptoms onserved. Haematological alterations included pancytopenia especially thrombocytopenia. Significant changes were noticed in WBC, RBC, Hgb, McHc, Platelets, ALT values while rest all the studied haematological and biochemical parameters showed non-significant alterations within normal range in comparison to normal healthy controls. The findings substantiate that ehrlichiosis cause significant clinical, haematological and biochemical alterations of the varied intensity in dogs, even with lower grades of parasitaemia.

Diagnostic potential of low molecular weight excretory secretory proteins of Paramphistomum epiclitum for caprine amphistomosis

In the present study, the 75% alcoholic fractionation of excretory-secretory (ES) antigen isolated from 200 to 300 live P. epiclitum was assessed for its diagnostic potential for the detection of caprine amphistomosis by using antibody detection enzyme immunoassay. Prior to enzyme immunoassay, 75% alcoholic fractionation of excretory-secretory (ES) antigen was subjected to SDS- PAGE and western blot analysis for the presence of immunoreactive polypeptides. SDS-PAGE analysis of ES antigen resolved a total 7 polypeptides bands of size 56, 27, 25, 22.5, 12, 11 and 10 kDa. Western blot analysis revealed only two immunoreactive polypeptides (11 kDa and 12 kDa) when polypeptides resolved in SDS-PAGE were probed with known positive pooled serum. None of the polypeptides showed reactions with pooled known negative serum. The working dilutions of antigen, sera and conjugates were determined by checkerboard titration for employing ELISA and cut-off O.D. was calculated 0.616 by using the mean absorbance value of 11 negative kid sera. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA was found to be 100% and 86.76%, respectively. As per kappa value estimation, the strength of agreement was found to be good. Antibodies to 75% alcoholic fractionation of ES antigen was detected in 20% goats (n = 160) of either sex, although faecal examination detected 10.6% goats to be infected with amphistomosis. The study confirmed that 75% alcoholic fractionation of ES antigen of P. epiclitum based ELISA had good value for serodiagnosis of caprine amphistomosis.

Variation in cardiac markers and electrocardiographic alterations in young calves naturally infected with bovine tropical theileriosis

The present study was designed to assess the deleterious effects of bovine tropical theileriosis on the cardiovascular system and the consequent myocardial involvement in young calves. Myocardial effects in parasitic diseases are often neglected. Hemolytic anemia, associated secondary hypoxia, and vasculitis are cardinal features of bovine theileriosis. In the present study, electrocardiogram (ECG) alongside serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatinine phosphokinase-myocardial band (CPK-MB) concentrations were analyzed in infected, treated, and control groups of young calves. Non-significant alterations were noticed in ECG. However, certain signs like sinus tachycardia, first-degree AV block, atrial premature complex, left atrial hypertrophy, and right atrial hypertrophy were found on consistent basis in infected calves. A significant increase in the serum concentration levels of cTnI and CPK-MB was noticed in infected calves followed by significant fall in both these biomarkers post treatment. cTnI and CPK-MB can definitely be used as myocardial markers in theileriosis-affected animals.