Muhammad Avais

Prevalence and chemotherapy of Balantidium coli in cattle in the River Ravi region, Lahore (Pakistan).

The prevalence of Balantidium coli in cattle from the River Ravi region of Lahore was examined and the efficacy of three treatments measured. A total of 200 fecal samples were collected from cattle and examined microscopically; 50 (25%) were positive for B. coli cysts. The final efficacy of treatment with metronidazole, oxytetracycline, or secnidazole was 37.5%, 62.5%, and 87.5%, respectively, making secnidazole the most effective.

Prevalence, hematology, and treatment of balantidiasis among donkeys in and around Lahore, Pakistan

The prevalence of Balantidium coli among donkeys in Lahore and adjoining areas was surveyed and a trial conducted to determine the efficacy of two antiprotozoal drugs: secnidazole (Dysen Forte) and Kalonji (Nigella sativa). Four-hundred donkeys were examined, and 73 (18.3%) were found positive for Balantidium coli. A slight decrease in PCV and an increase in Hb values of infected donkeys were found after antiprotozoal treatment. Secnidazole was 89.5% effective for the treatment of equine balantidiasis compared to 40.0% for Nigella sativa. This is the first report of balantidiasis in equines from Pakistan. It is not known if balantidiasis is an emerging problem in equines or whether it is a newly reported infection.

Evaluation of changes in blood flow of the uterine artery by Doppler ultrasonography during the estrous cycle in lactating Bos indicus cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in uterine blood flow (UBF) based on the resistance index (RI) and the pulsatility index (PI) by Doppler ultrasonography throughout the estrous cycle in lactating Sahiwal cows (n=9). Cows were randomly selected during their spontaneous estrus. UBF was examined on alternate days in all cows during the estrous cycle. The results revealed that the mean RI values were higher (P<0.05) on day -1 (estrus) than on day 0 (ovulation). The mean RI values followed a consistent pattern on days 2, 4, 6, and 8 (metestrus to early diestrus) and were lower (P<0.05) than on days 10, 14 16, and 18 (diestrus to early proestrus). The RI and corpus luteum (CL) size negatively correlated during its static phase (r=-0.99; P<0.05). The mean RI was greater (P<0.05) in high producers than in low producing cows. The mean PI value was higher (P<0.05) on day 10 than on day -1 and day 0. Similarly, the mean PI values were lower (P <0.05) on days 2 and 4 than on day 10. The PI value remained significantly lower (P<0.05) on day 2 than on day 8 of the estrous cycle. There was a positive correlation between RI and P4 (r=0.70; P<0.05) and PI and P4 (r=0.56; P<0.05) during the estrous cycle. It is concluded that the RI of uterine arteries, as a measure of blood flow, is considerably lower, while the PI is substantially elevated during diestrus compared to estrus and ovulation in Sahiwal cows.

Comparative efficacy of different antidotes against experimental nitrate intoxication in rabbits

&NA; The antidotal efficacy of aqueous garlic extract, methylene blue, and velenium (Vitamin E + sodium selenite) was compared against experimental nitrate intoxication in rabbits. Forty‐two, albino rabbits of identical age, gender, and body weight were randomly divided into 7 groups (A to G) and subjected to experimental treatments for a period of 40 days. Rabbits of group A were offered only normal feed and served as negative control, while, rabbits of group B constituted the positive control group and received feed supplemented with sodium nitrate at 400 mg/kg body weight. Sodium nitrate‐containing feed and intraperitoneal injection of 1% methylene blue solution at 2 mg/kg body weight were administered to group C. Rabbits of group D were given sodium nitrate‐supplemented feed and aqueous garlic extract at 500 mg/kg body weight through oral route. Group E was treated with sodium nitrate‐added feed, intraperitoneal injection of 1% methylene blue solution at 2 mg/kg body weight, and oral administration of garlic extract at 500 mg/kg. Velenium (25 mg of Vitamin E + 2.2 mg of sodium selenite per ml) was intraperitoneally injected at 1 ml/kg body weight to rabbits of group F along with the provision of sodium nitrate‐supplemented feed. In addition to being fed with sodium nitrate‐containing feed, group G obtained intraperitoneal injection of velenium at 1 ml/kg body weight and oral administration of garlic extract at 500 mg/kg body weight. The efficacy of antidotes was assessed on the basis of changes in blood nitrite level, biochemical profile, and gross pathological lesions manifested by the treated rabbits. The combination of methylene blue and garlic extract was highly effective in treating nitrate toxicity followed by methylene blue, garlic extract, and velenium, respectively. Whereas, the concurrent administration of garlic extract and velenium was least efficacious in terms of antidotal efficacy. In conclusion, aqueous garlic extract can be effectively used either alone or in combination with methylene blue when treating rabbits diagnosed with nitrate toxicity.

Sero-epidemiology of bluetongue virus (BTV) infection in sheep and goats of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan

Bluetongue virus (BTV) infection is an emerging hazard in small ruminants having socio-economic impacts on animals and associated people. The current study was aimed to estimate the sero-prevalence and associated risk factors in sheep and goat from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. Three distinct zones (northern, central and southern) with four districts (Mansehra, Abbottabad, Swabi, and Kohat) with a higher population of small ruminants were selected. A total of n = 408 sera originating from sheep (n = 212) and goats (n = 196) were randomly collected for detection of BTV group specific antibodies through competitive ELISA (c-ELISA). Univariable and multiple logistic regressions were applied to assess the potential risk factors associated with the occurrence of this disease. Results showed an overall prevalence of 50.00% (CI = 44.17-54.83) of BTV in both sheep and goats with a significant difference (p < 0.05) among different districts. The prevalence of BTV in sheep was found higher (56.60%, CI = 49.6-63.4) than goats (42.86%, CI = 35.8-50.1). The risk factors identified based on chi-square test were; 1-2 year of animals, herd size and location in sheep while, milking status, ticks infestation, location and herd size for goats (p < 0.05). On the basis of univariable analysis, 1-2 year of animals, and location for sheep while, ticks infestation and location for goats (OR > 1). Multiple logistic regressions conferred only herd size and location as potential risk factors (OR > 1) for BTV in sheep and goats. The study concluded higher prevalence of BTV in sheep than the goats, the risk factors were significantly associated with the occurrence of disease, and together ascertaining the needs to design appropriate disease management and control strategies in sheep and goats.

Effectiveness of bacterial inoculation for improving grain yield and quality of chickpea

Field experiments were carried out for three consecutive Rabi seasons (2011-12 to 2013-14) at Pulses Research Institute, Faisalabad to study the effect of bacterial inoculation on grain yield and quality of chickpea (desi). One variety (Pb-2008) and four advanced lines viz. D-03009, D-06002, D-06003 and D-06052 were tested with and without bacterial inoculation (Mesorhizobium ciceri, Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp.). On a loamy soil (EC = 1.8 dS m-1, pH = 7.6), a consortium of three bacteria spp. was applied as seed coating at the time of sowing. The experiments were laid out in split plot design with three replications. Results showed a significant increase in nodulation (17.5%), plant height (4.0%), number of pods per plant (7.8%) and grain yield (7.5%) due to bacterial inoculation. The increase/decrease in the number of branches per plant (3.8%), 100 grain weight (1.9%), protein (- 4.5%), carbohydrate (0.0%), crude fiber (2.0%) and mineral matter (2.5%), remained statistically non-significant. The interaction among local cultivar / advanced lines and microbial inoculation was significant for improving grain yield. The advanced line D-06052 yielded with highest grains (2890 kg ha-1) due to bacterial inoculation. Hence, it can be argued that the bacterial inoculation positively influenced the grain yield and its components without fading the quality of produce. Bacterial inoculation is recommended for better chickpea yield.

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ISOLATES RECOVERED FROM NATURAL CASES OF SUBCLINICAL MASTITIS IN CHOLISTANI CATTLE AND THEIR ANTIBACTERIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY

Mastitis being the most significant disease of dairy animals largely affects the farm economics by decreasing milk production, and increasing the treatment costs (Mohammadian, 2011; Singh et al., 2015). Mastitis is a multi-etiological disease, however, Staphylococcus aureus is the most important and lethal agent (Jaradat et al., 2014) that causes chronic and deep infections in mammary tissue and becomes difficult to treat successfully and it is responsible for dairy scourge in the livestock industry (Hussain et al., 2012a; Raza et al., 2013). Staphylococcus aureus is the most commonly isolated pathogen in subclinical mastitis (Amin et al., 2011; Dieser et al., 2014; Cengiz et al., 2015). Economic significance to dairy business on account of Staphylococcal udder infection results from the subclinical mastitis escorted with a decrease in milk quantity and quality (He et al., 2014; Kucukonder et al., 2015). Staphylococcus aureus remains a major issue under different tropical and sub-tropical management situations. Staphylococcus aureus possesses several proteins which are virulent in nature and transmits simply in lactating animals (Maksymiec and Mikolajczyk, 2012). Coagulase and spa proteins are virulence factors found in S. aureus which induces mastitis (Karahan et al., 2011) and spa is a surface protein of cell wall that impairs the opsonisation and the phagocytosis process by binding with IgG antibody (Gao and Stewart, 2004). Eradication of S. aureus is very difficult despite the conduction of intense measures for control purpose. Consequently, control of the S. aureus mastitis has fundamental importance and remains as essential (Waller et al., 2009; Hussain et al., 2013b; Jaradat et al., 2014). Several approaches regarding phenotyping and genotyping procedure are being used to sub-type the Staphylococcus Pak. J. Agri. Sci., Vol. 53(4), xxx-xxx; 2016 ISSN (Print) 0552-9034, ISSN (Online) 2076-0906 DOI: 10.21162/PAKJAS/16.4828 http://www.pakjas.com.pk

Molecular characterisation of Leptospira strains in Pakistan

Abstract Introduction: Leptospirosis affects a wide range of mammals, humans, and even a few poikilothermic animal species. In Pakistan, serological studies of equine leptospirosis have reported a prevalence of over 40%, but no study has ever been conducted towards molecular detection of Leptospira in horses. Material and Methods: Blood samples from 128 horses were screened using ELISA and 41 positive samples were examined for the presence of leptospiral DNA using specific primers for 16S rRNA gene. Results: Out of 41 tested samples, 20 samples were found to be PCR-positive, revealing a fragment of 306 bp after gel electrophoresis. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of positive samples revealed circulation of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in Pakistani horses. No evidence of circulation of intermediate species was found in this study. Conclusion: This study reports the first molecular evidence of equine leptospirosis in Pakistan and lays ground for further research in this area. It also confirms the efficiency of 16S rRNA for the diagnosis of equine leptospirosis.