Gautam Patra

Single nucleotide polymorphism and expression studies of the interferon gamma gene and its role against Haemonchus contortus in Garole and Sahabadi sheep

Abstract Objective To evaluate the role of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) gene in Haemonchus contortus ( H. contortus ) resistant in Garole/Sahabadi breed of sheep. Methods Five Garole sheep (Group I) consistently showing low egg per gram in faeces (≤ 150) and another five Garole sheep(Group II) which had high egg per gram (≥ 500) were challenged with third-stage (L3) H. contortus larvae with 500 larvae/kg body weight. Five Sahabadi sheep (Group III) which were known to be susceptible to H. contortus were also fed with the same dose. Blood was collected from each group at different date of infection, viz . 0 day, 7 days and 14 days of post infection. The ovine IFN-γ was partially isolated and sequenced including intron and exon regions from six Garole sheep and three Sahabadi sheep prior to infection. The level of messenger ribonucleic acid of IFN-γ was evaluated by means of real-time PCR at different days of post infection. Results In addition to one single nucleotide polymorphism at exon 3 of IFN-γ gene in three resistant Garole sheep, the level of mRNA in two susceptible groups was found significantly higher ( P ≤ 0.05) as compared to the resistant group in the present study. Conclusions We could clearly identify a single cytokine gene which is differentially expressed between the resistant and the susceptible animals that could be a potential target for identifying the genetic marker of Haemonchus resistance. Finding of one single nucleotide polymorphism at exon 3 in three resistance Garole sheep might have novelty.

Prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of Mizoram, India

Abstract The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of Mizoram from April 2017 to March 2018. The prevalence of hard tick infestations was studied in relation to sex and age of animals and seasonal changes in a year. Cattle of selected places were examined carefully for the presence of ticks and in positive cases ticks were collected manually and identified on the basis of morphological characters. A total of 713 cattle were examined and out of which 452 (63.39%) cattle were found to be infested with hard ticks and the prevalent tick species was Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. A significantly (p < 0.01) higher infestation was observed in female cattle (66.43%) than males (48.83%). Age-wise highest prevalence of tick infestations was found in 1–5 years (73.41%) age group followed by >5 years age group (61.92%) and < 1 year (42.65%) age group, respectively. Seasonally, the prevalence of hard tick infestation was found highest (p < 0.01) in monsoon (77.91%) and lowest in winter (43.16%). The present study provides data on tick infestation in cattle of Mizoram, India.

Prevalence of haemoprotozoa in goat population of West Bengal, India

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of haemoprotozoa in goat population of West Bengal from April 2017 to March 2018. The prevalence was studied in relation to age, sex breed of animals and seasonal changes in a year. Random blood samples were collected from both organized farms and unorganized goat farms. A total of 1053 goats were screened and out of which 340 (32.28%) animals were found to be positive for haemoprotozoa. Significantly, (p < 0.05) higher infection was observed in does (39.67%) than bucks (10.78%). Age-wise, highest prevalence of haemoprotozoa was found in 1–3 years (36.39%) age group followed by >3 years age group (27.95%) and <1 year (23.52%) age group, respectively. Seasonally, the prevalence of haemoprotozoa was found highest in monsoon (42.84%) and lowest in winter (15.10%). The present study describes an overview data on haemoprotozoa in goat population of West Bengal, India.

Prevalence of haemoprotozoa in cattle of Mizoram, India

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of haemoprotozoa in cattle of Mizoram from April 2017 to March 2018. The prevalence was studied in relation to age, sex breed of animals and seasonal changes in a year. Random blood samples were collected from both organized farms and unorganized cattle farms. A total of 1,153 cattle were screened and out of which 384 (33.30%) cattle were found to be positive for haemoprotozoa. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher infection was observed in female cattle (33.67%) than males (28.73%). Age-wise highest prevalence of haemoprotozoa was found in 1–5 years (44.33%) age group followed by > 5 years age group (25.06%) and < 1 year (22.92%) age group, respectively. Seasonally, the prevalence of haemoprotozoa was found highest in monsoon (51.29%) and lowest in winter (15.09%). The present study provides data on haemoprotozoa in cattle of Mizoram, India.

Prevalence of Plasmodium relictum in four common bird species in India

ABSTRACT The increasing emergence of wildlife diseases with the possibility to ecological threats as well as domestic animals and human health has prompted the importance of understanding disease dynamics and associated risks in biological conservation. The present study was undertaken from North Eastern part of India from January, 2017 to March, 2018 to identify Plasmodium relictum based on blood smear examination in various wild birds. The birds were captured by netting system. After blood was collected from wing veins, birds were released from the cages. Blood samples were examined after staining with Giemsa stain. Out of 350 birds examined, 73 (20.85%) were found positive for P. relictum based on morphological characteristics. It can be inferred from the study that P. relictum is fairly common in wild birds.

Prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in domestic dogs in North-Eastern region of India

ABSTRACT In order to detect the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in dogs, a total of 525 dog blood samples were examined by peripheral blood examination during different seasons. The survey was carried out from July, 2017 to June, 2018 in different parts of North-Eastern (NE) regions of India. Dogs were also closely inspected on their body surface for presence of ticks, if any. Out of 525 dog blood samples examined, 12.19% (64/525) were found positive for at least one type of tick transmitted pathogens as revealed by microscopic examination of stained blood smears. Twenty-eight dogs (5.33%) screened positive for Ehrlichia canis, eleven (2.09%) for Anaplasma platys, nine (1.71%) for Babesia gibsoni, eight (1.52%) for Babesia canis and eight (1.52%) for Hepatozoon canis. Dogs above two years age group showed higher rate of infection than dogs either between 1 and 2 years or below 1 year age group. Infection was higher during rainy season. Male dogs showed a higher proportion of infection than females. The only tick found during the study period was Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The results clearly indicate that vector-borne haemoprotozoa and rickettsia are prevalent in the study area in apparently healthy dogs without showing any obvious symptoms.

Studies on antigenic cross-reactivity of Trichuris ovis with host mucosal antigens in goat

Abstract Objective To ascertain whether immunodominant antigens of Trichuris ovis might share and cross react with host molecule. Methods Two crude protein preparations from anterior and posterior parts of Trichuris ovis were characterized along with host mucosal antigen by double immunodiffusion, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting technique. Conventional scanning electron microscopy was performed as per standard procedure. Results Sharp and distinct bands of three antigens have been found in double immunodiffusion using hyperimmune serum raised in rabbit indicating the presence of specific antibody against each antigen. All three antigens have shown major and minor bands with molecular weight ranging from 15 to 110 kDa during sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Conclusions The antigenic cross-reactivity was thought to result from shared antigens. The existence of paracloacal papillae found in the anterior part of the male was not a unique feature for species differentiation.