Rabinder Singh Aulakh

Determination of Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Freshwater Fish Species in Punjab, India

The levels of organochlorine pesticides residues were determined in five freshwater fish species in Punjab State, India. These species were selected in view of their importance to local human fish consumer. DDTs were the predominant organochlorine contaminants in all species with pp DDT and pp DDE as the main pollutants. Other organochlorines, such as HCH isomers and dieldrin were also found at lower levels in fish species. The α-HCH was the dominant isomer of HCH in all fish species followed by γ-, β- and δ-HCH. The residues of aldrin, chlordane, heptachlor and endosulphan were not detected in any fish sample. The levels of organochlorines detected in present study were below the tolerance limits recommended at National and International standards.

Human hydatidosis: an under discussed occupational zoonosis in India

SummaryHuman hydatidosis is an important public health issue in India and many other developing countries. There is lack of data related to occurrence of this disease in certain risk groups. The present study was therefore designed to assess the seroprevalence of human hydatidosis among occupational risk groups in Punjab (India). One hundred and forty nine human serum samples from dog handlers, veterinarians/para veterinarians, dairy farmers, patients with liver disorders, HIV positives and control group (visiting hospital for other problems) were collected and analyzed using a commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results revealed that 23 (15.43 %) subjects were seropositive for human hydatidosis. High seropositivity were recorded in dog handlers (30 %), followed by the other risk group populations. Relative risk of being infected was found to be 4.80 times high in dog handlers when compared to control group population. Future studies must be planned to determine the significance of these findings and the status of human hydatidosis in India.

Detection and sequencing of plasmid encoded tetracycline resistance determinants (tetA and tetB) from food–borne Bacillus cereus isolates

OBJECTIVE To investigate the detection and sequencing of plasmid encoded tetracycline resistance genes (tetA and tetB) from food-borne and standard strains of Bacillus cereus (B. cereus). METHODS A PCR was carried out to detect the tetracycline resistance genes (tetA and tetB) in food-borne B. cereus strains and the amplified products were sequenced. RESULTS The phenotypic resistance against tetracycline was observed in 39 of the 118 food-borne isolates and two reference strains (MTCC 430 and MTCC 1307) of B. cereus. Among the phenotypically resistant isolates, tetA was detected in 36 food-borne isolates and two reference strains (MTCC 430 and MTCC 1307), whereas, tetB was detected in 12 food-borne isolates and MTCC 1307 strain. CONCLUSIONS A close association was therefore found between phenotypic resistance against tetracycline and presence of tetracycline resistance genes. The tetA and tetB gene fragments were amplified, purified and sequenced. The gene sequences of the isolates studied herein were found similar to tetA and tetB gene sequences of other bacteria available in NCBI. The occurrence of tetA and tetB genes in B. cereus indicate the horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance determinants from other bacteria into B. cereus. The transfer of these resistant determinants to other potentially pathogenic bacteria may be a matter of great concern.

Emerging issue of antibiotic resistance from food producing animals in India: Perspective and legal framework

ABSTRACT Intensification of the animal husbandry sector in India has coincided with increased administration of antibiotics in food-producing animals for the treatment and prevention of diseases or to promote growth and enhance productivity. Antibiotics are an important tool for the livestock sector to meet the increased domestic demand of food for the burgeoning human population. The irrational use of antibiotics in food-producing animals has resulted in the occurrence of the residues in milk, meat, eggs, etc., and may lead to adverse health effects in consumers. Also there is growing concern that nonprudent use of antibiotics is linked with the escalating emergence of human infections with antibiotic-resistant pathogens of zoonotic importance. Regulations controlling the use of antibiotics in human and animal medicine in India are very weak and in its initial phases. The aim of this review is to investigate the Indian scenario with regards to the occurrence of antibiotics residues and emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens from foods of animal origin. Studies conducted in various parts of the country revealed varying concentrations of antibiotic residues and varying occurrence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in animal-originated foods highlighting the need of effective control strategies for combating this potentially serious problem.

Evaluation of pesticide residues in human blood samples from Punjab (India).

Aim: The present study was undertaken to estimate the current status of residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphates (OPs) and synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) pesticides in human blood. Materials and Methods: Human blood samples were analyzed by gas chromatography and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in selective ion monitoring mode. Results: The gas chromatographic analysis of human blood samples collected from Punjab revealed the presence of p,p’-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE), p,p’ dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane (DDD), o,p’ DDE and β-endosulfan at mean levels of 15.26, 2.71, 5.62 and 4.02 ng/ml, respectively. p,p’ DDE residue was observed in 18.0% blood samples, and it contributes 55% of the total pesticide burden in human blood. The difference of total dichlorordiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) between different age groups of humans was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The difference of DDT and endosulfan between dietary habits, gender and spraying of pesticides was found statistically non-significant, however endosulfan residues were observed only in pesticide sprayer’s population. Conclusion: Occurrence of p,p’ DDE, p,p’ DDD, o,p’ DDE in human blood indicated restricted use of DDT. However, presence of endosulfan residues in occupationally exposed population is a matter of public health concern.

Estimation of the health and economic burden of human brucellosis in India

High seroprevalence estimates of brucellosis in livestock species and humans in India suggest that the disease is a significant public health concern in the country. We developed an economic model and conducted an assessment of the impact of human brucellosis in India to describe the current situation to help formulate prevention and control strategies. Economic losses of human brucellosis were calculated based on the official records and the data from epidemiological surveys conducted in India. These data were used to estimate the disability adjusted life years (DALYs) due to human brucellosis. Uncertainty was incorporated in the model by applying probability distributions for certain input parameters. The analyses were further supplemented by conducting sensitivity analyses to determine which parameters had the biggest influence on the outcome of economic losses. The annual median losses due to human brucellosis were estimated to be Rs 627.5 million (uncertainty interval [95% UI] Rs 534.8-741.2 million; US

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fresh water farm fish species from Punjab (India) and evaluation of their dietary intake for human risk assessment

10.46 million) with a loss of Rs 442.3 million (95% UI 371.0-516.0; US

Validation of HPLC Multi-residue Method for Determination of Fluoroquinolones, Tetracycline, Sulphonamides and Chloramphenicol Residues in Bovine Milk

7.37 million) among adults and Rs 185.0 million (95% UI 124.0-255.0; US

Pesticide residues in human breast milk: risk assessment for infants from Punjab, India.

3.08 million) among children. Human brucellosis in India caused a loss of 177 601 (95% UI 152 695-214 764) DALYs at the rate of 0.15 (95% UI 0.13-0.17) DALYs per thousand persons per year. The DALYs were found to be 0.29 (95% UI 0.08-0.70) per thousand persons per year in occupational and 0.13 (95% UI 0.06-0.18) in non-occupational adult population. This is the first systematic analysis of the health impact of human brucellosis in India and of indirect/production losses occurring due to human brucellosis anywhere in the world. The results indicate that brucellosis causes considerable economic losses and has a reasonable health impact, particularly among occupational groups. Intervention policies need to be strengthened to reduce the socio-economic impact of human brucellosis in India.

Climate change, zoonoses and India

ABSTRACT In India, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been used extensively in both agricultural and industrial sectors, resulting in deterioration of terrestrial and aquatic environment. In the present study, analysis of POPs in fresh water ecosystem comprising samples of fish, sediments, and water was done from fish farms in Punjab, India. POP residues comprising lindane, p,p’-DDE, p,p’-DDD, endosulfan sulfate, and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (PCB-28, PCB-138, PCB-180) were detected in fish samples. Residues of p,p’ DDE and p,p’ DDD were recorded utmost in fish flesh with mean levels of 13.8 and 5.8 ng g−1, respectively. PCB residues were estimated in 20 fish samples with values in the range ND–46.3 ng g−1. The mean residue levels detected in this study were lower than the recommended maximum residue limits (MRLs) described by EU-MRLs, Italian-MRLs, FDA-2001, and FAO-1983. At the current levels of POP residues in fish flesh, the human health risk assessment based on both deterministic (mean residue levels) and probabilistic (95th percentile upper bound limit) approaches, reflected that cancer and non-cancer risks were within United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) prescribed limits. The presence of POP residues in fish farm sediments and water elucidated the relationship between occurrence of POP residues in fish and its aquatic environment.