S. V. S. Malik

Synthesis of gum kondagogu-g-poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) and its evaluation as a mucoadhesive polymer.

The purpose of the present study was to synthesize gum kondagogu-g-poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) and to evaluate its mucoadhesive properties. UV-assisted graft co-polymerization of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone on gum kondagogu was carried out employing three-factor, three-level central composite experimental designs. It was observed that the concentrations of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and ammonium persulphate exerted a significant antagonistic and synergistic influence on grafting efficiency respectively. The graft co-polymer was characterized by FT-IR, DSC and SEM study. Mucoadhesive properties of the graft-copolymer were evaluated by formulating buccal discs employing metronidazole as the model drug. On comparative evaluation buccal discs formulated using gum kondagogu-g-poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) showed higher ex vivo bioadhesion time than the discs formulated using gum kondagogu. In vitro release study showed an almost similar release profile of metronidazole from the buccal discs of gum kondagogu and gum kondagogu-g-poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone). Thus, grafting of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone on gum kondagogu enhances its mucoadhesion without significantly affecting the release behaviour.

Isolation and identification of Salmonella from diarrheagenic infants and young animals, sewage waste and fresh vegetables

Aim: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, distribution, and identification of Salmonella serotypes in diarrheagenic infants and young animals, including sewage waste and fresh vegetables. Materials and Methods: A total of 550 samples were processed for the isolation of Salmonella spp., using standard microbiological and biochemical tests. Further polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of Salmonella genus was carried out using self-designed primers targeting invA gene and thereafter identification of important serotypes namely Salmonella Enterica serovar Typhimurium, Salmonella Enterica serovar Enteritidis, Salmonella Enterica serovar Typhi was performed using published standardized multiplex PCR. Results: An overall low prevalence of 2.5% (14/550) was observed. The observed prevalence of Salmonella spp. in diarrheagenic infants was 1.2% (05/400), diarrheagenic young animals 4% (02/50), sewage waste 10% (05/50), and fresh vegetables 4% (02/50), respectively. In diarrheagenic infants, of the five Salmonella isolates identified, two were Salmonella Typhimurium, two Salmonella Enteritidis, and one was unidentified and hence designated as other Salmonella serovar. All the Salmonella isolates identified from diarrheagenic young animals and sewage waste belonged to other Salmonella serovar, whereas, of the two isolates recovered from fresh vegetables, one was identified as other Salmonella serovar, and one as Salmonella Typhimurium, respectively. Conclusion: Isolation of Salmonella spp. especially from sewage waste and fresh vegetable is a matter of great concern from public health point of view because these sources can accidentally serve as a potential vehicle for transmission of Salmonella spp. to animals and human beings.

Apparent prevalence and risk factors associated with occurrence of Coxiella burnetii infection in goats and humans in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, India

Coxiella burnetii is one of the most contagious pathogen associated with Q fever in humans, while, ruminants act as important source of infection for humans. In the present cross sectional study, a total of 464 samples were collected from 218 goats comprising of 218 sera, 218 blood and 28 milk from various parts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha region, India. Besides, environmental (33; soil- 4, faecal- 10, feed-6, drainage water- 6, drinking water- 7) and rodent (38) samples were also collected from the premises of the animals. Human sera samples (93) were collected from same sampling area comprised of workers at an organized dairy farm (43), and farmers (50). The samples were subjected to PCR targeting the trans and com1 genes and detection of antibodies using commercial ELISA kits. An overall 14.22% (95% CI: 10.2-19.47%) of the goat samples were positive using either PCR or ELISA. While, by using PCR and ELISA, 11.93% (26/218) and 9.63% (21/218) of the samples were positive for C. burnetii. A higher seropositivity (46.24%; 95% CI: 36.46-56.32%) was observed for antibodies against C. burnetii in samples collected from humans. None of the human, environmental and rodent samples were positive for C. burnetii using PCR. This seems to be the first cross sectional study to focus the hidden threat of coxiellosis among goat population and associated risk factors in India.

Isolation, Genotyping and Antibiogram Profile of Clostridium perfringens Isolates Recovered from Freshwater Fish and Fish Products from Kolkata Region

1Division of Veterinary Public Health, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243122, India. 2Veterinary Public Health Laboratory, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Belgachia road, Kolkata 700 037, India. 3Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala 680 651, India. 4Division of Livestock Products Technology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute,Izatnagar-243122, India. 5Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, India.