Muhammad Ali Shah

Role of aflatoxin toxicity on transmissibility and pathogenicity of H9N2 avian influenza virus in turkeys.

The study was conducted to investigate the role of aflatoxin on the infectivity and transmissibility of H9N2 AI virus. The experiment was performed on 80 non-vaccinated turkeys, divided into 4 groups of 20 birds each. Group A was kept as non-infected and a non-treated negative control; Group B was inoculated intratracheally with H9N2 AI virus (1 × 107 EID50) at 4 weeks of age; Group C was fed on a diet containing 0.5 ppm aflatoxin from Day 1 through the entire experiment period and Group D was fed on diet containing 0.5 ppm aflatoxin as for Group C but inoculated intratracheally with H9N2 AI virus (1 × 107 EID50) at the fourth week of age and then mixed with naïve birds. Infected and contact birds showed clinical signs of different severity, showing the most prominent disease signs in birds of the aflatoxin + H9N2 group. All infected birds showed virus shedding, however, the pattern of virus shedding was different for birds of the aflatoxin + H9N2 group showing pronounced virus secretion. Similarly, efficient transmission of virus was observed between infected and contact birds, but more prominent virus transmission was seen in those birds inoculated and fed aflatoxin-treated diet. Moreover, significantly lower antibody titres against H9N2 AIV were observed in birds fed aflatoxin-treated diet, indicating an immunotoxic nature of aflatoxin as the reason for poor seroconversion. Similarly, decreased IFNγ mRNA expression and higher mortality (35%) suggest an immunotoxic and immunosuppressive effect of aflatoxin leading to enhanced pathogenesis of H9N2 viruses in aflatoxin-fed birds. The immunosuppressive nature of aflatoxin might delay influenza virus clearance and this may be one of the reasons for increased pathogenicity of H9N2 LPAI viruses in turkeys under field conditions.

Variation in viral shedding patterns between domestic and wild terrestrial birds infected experimentally with reassortant avian influenza virus (H9N2)

Avian influenza (H9N2) virus infection is an emerging respiratory problem and its prevalence varies significantly among different species of birds. The current knowledge about virus shedding parameters in terrestrial birds is limited. With this in mind, the present study was conducted in different domestic and wild terrestrial birds to investigate species-related differences in infectivity and pattern of viral shedding associated with H9N2 AI virus. Groups of terrestrial birds (domestic Guinea Fowl Numida meleagridis, Japanese Quail Coturnix coturnix japonica, House Sparrows Passer domesticus, House Crows Corvus splendens and Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus) were inoculated intra-nasally with A/chicken/Pakistan/10RS3039-284-48/2010 (H9N2) AI virus (106 EID50) and then examined for infectivity and virus shedding patterns. With the exception of House Crows, all infected birds showed clinical signs of different severity, showing the most prominent disease signs in Japanese Quail. All infected birds showed positive results for virus shedding, however, the pattern of virus shedding was different among wild terrestrial birds. Japanese Quail showed the highest levels of virus shedding while samples collected from House Crows revealed only very low levels. Interestingly, virus shedding was observed predominantly via the gastrointestinal tract in House Sparrows and Bank Myna and via the buccal cavity route in Guinea Fowl and Japanese Quail. Here we investigated that the novel genotype of H9N2 AI virus circulating in Pakistan causes clinical disease signs in domestic and wild terrestrial birds. The results of this study suggest that virus shedding varies between different related avian species and highlights the potential role of Guinea Fowl, Japanese Quail, House Sparrows and Bank Myna as mixing bowls for the transmission and maintenance of H9N2 AI viruses between premises.

Recent Advances in Development of DNA Vaccines Against Hepatitis C virus

Hepatitis C is one of the foremost challenging diseases all over the world. No vaccine has been developed, yet against Hepatitis C virus (HCV). This is partly due to the high mutation rate in the HCV genome, which generates new genotypes and sub genotypes. A mass of efforts have been devoted for the development of an efficient vaccine against HCV. DNA Vaccines, an emerging field of Vaccinology, grasp strong potential to be the most reliable and efficient mode of vaccination in the future. This technology is under investigation currently. Incredibly diverse approaches have been applied as an endeavor to develop a potent DNA vaccine against HCV. The HCV structural genes and the virus like particles have been attempted and so far the results are quite promising in the Lab animals. As there is no proper animal model for HCV infection except chimpanzees, it is very difficult to articulate whether these vaccines will also be pertinent in humans or not. This review will focus on different approaches being used for the development of DNA vaccines, the major tribulations in designing a DNA vaccine against HCV as well as the future prospects for the improvement of under trials DNA vaccines developed against HCV.

Role of Wheat Based Diet on the Pathology of Necrotic Enteritis in Turkeys

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of wheat based diet on the pathology of necrotic enteritis in turkeys. Turkeys were divided into four groups. Groups A and B were kept as noninoculated and fed normal commercial diet while groups C and D were challenged orally with C. perfringens and fed wheat based diet to promote the development of experimental disease. Infected turkeys showed clinical signs of depression, ruffled feathers, and dark yellowish faeces showing the most prominent disease signs in turkeys of group D with 30% mortality. Similarly, turkeys of group D showed more striking gross and histopathologic lesions as compared to turkeys of group C. The most severe gross lesions comprised intestinal distension, small necrotic spots and haemorrhages on intestine, fragile intestinal wall, and gas bubble formation in the small intestine. Histologically, inoculated turkeys showed patchy necrosis, desquamation of intestinal epithelium, and intense leukocyte infiltration in the intestine. Microscopic examination showed significant decrease in the height of intestinal villi of inoculated birds. Haematological studies showed significant influence of necrotic enteritis on the blood profile of turkeys in group D. The findings revealed that simultaneous feeding of wheat enhanced the pathology of necrotic enteritis in turkeys.

Cutting Edge Protein and Carbohydrate-Based Materials for Anticancer Drug Delivery

Materials derived from biological sources not only offer biocompatibility but also adjust with the disease for elongated treatments and more effective therapies. These materials can be utilized as building blocks to construct state of the art drug delivery vehicles like nanoparticles, hydrogels, and nanofibers capable of dramatically enhancing the therapeutic efficiency in cancer treatment. New emerging trends in drug delivery design are constantly reported in recent literature using carbohydrates like cellulose, chitosan, and alginate and proteins like albumin, collagen, gelatin, and zein. In addition, drug vehicles with combination of carbohydrates and proteins have proved extremely effective. This article reviews carbohydrate and protein-based materials in fabrication of cutting edge drug delivery systems and clarifies their future impact in therapeutic methods to cure cancer.

Haematology and blood chemistry references values for clinically healthy red-wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus)

Red-wattled lapwings (Vanellus indicus) are medium-sized birds endemic to the wetlands of south and west Asia. Their population is decreasing due to loss of habitat, shrinkage of wetlands and poaching. Fifty-two red-wattled lapwings (RWL) were captured from wetlands of Punjab province during summer, 2014 (n = 52). All birds appeared to be in good body condition and no abnormalities were noted during physical examination. Haematological and plasma biochemical parameters of RWL of both sexes were analysed in order to determine reference values, taking sex and age into account. No statistical differences in haematology and blood chemistry parameters were observed between genders within age groups except for CH and TG which were significantly higher in females. Differences between juveniles (J) and adults (A) were identified for TPP (J < A), MCH (J > A) and MCHC (J > A), urea (J < A), uric acid (J < A) and creatinine (J < A). These results provide reliable reference values for the clinical interpretation of haematologic results for the species. Haematology and blood chemistry may be important tools for population health investigations on wetland RWL populations and will also be essential to differentiate health and diseased status of birds in future disease surveillance programmes.

Effect of route of inoculation on replication of avian influenza virus (H9N2) and interferon gene expression in guinea fowl (Numida meleagridis).

Abstract The study was designed to investigate the replication of a re-assortant H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) and induction of the interferon (IFNγ) response after aerosol or intranasal inoculation with the virus in guinea fowl. To determine virus shedding pattern, oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs and tissue specimens of trachea, lungs, spleen and caecal tonsils were collected post-inoculation (pi). Infected guinea fowl showed mild clinical signs, while negative control guinea fowl remained healthy and active throughout the experiment irrespective of the inoculation route. However, the clinical signs were more prominent in guinea fowl infected through the aerosol route. Virus was detected in all oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs up to 7 d pi in guinea fowl from both inoculation groups. However, virus was detected more frequently and in higher titres in oropharyngeal swabs and specimens of trachea and lungs from the group exposed to aerosols than in the group given intranasal drops. In accordance with viral replication findings, expression of IFNγ was up-regulated on 1, 2 and 4 d pi to a significantly higher level in lung tissue specimens from the group exposed to virus aerosol than from controls treated with PBS intranasally. On the other hand, IFNγ was up-regulated above that of controls in lung tissue specimens from the group treated with intranasal drops of virus only on 4 d pi. These findings indicate that virus administered in aerosols was more efficient in infecting the lower respiratory tract and in inducing activity of the IFNγ gene than virus administered as intranasal drops. The results of this study suggest that virus aerosols cause more intense respiratory infection and increase the shedding of the H9N2 AIV in guinea fowl, highlighting the potential role of guinea fowl as a mixing bowl for transmission and maintenance of H9N2 AIV between poultry premises.