Saher Islam

Economic Significance of Tropical Theileriosis on a Holstein Friesian Dairy Farm in Pakistan

Abstract The dairy industry in Pakistan is booming, and investors are anxious to fund dairy farms that are using high-milk-producing (exotic) cattle breeds such as Holstein Friesians that are not native to the country. Unfortunately, the benefits of increased milk production do not provide resistance to pathogens present in regions where the exotic breeds are introduced. Therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate the economic impact of Theileria annulata on a commercial Holstein Friesian dairy farm in the District of Ranjanpur, in the Province of Punjab, Pakistan. The economic impact of T. annulata infection was calculated for cattle with subclinical and clinical theileriosis. Losses were estimated based on milk production, morbidity, mortality, and tick control costs (organophosphate sprays). Animals were classified into groups after screening for mastitis, teat abnormality, abnormal parturition, intestinal parasites, and hemoparasites (T. annulata, Babesia spp., and Anaplasma spp.). Microscopy was done for hemoparasites and intestinal parasites. PCR was used to confirm microscopic identification of T. annulata. Animals were classified into 3 groups: group A (normal), group B (subclinical theileriosis), and group C (acute theileriosis). Hemoparasites were observed microscopically in 28.7% of cows. Theileria annulata was found in 8%, and the herd incidence (new cases) of T. annulata was 2.8%. Milk production, animal rectal temperature, and body condition scores between group A and groups B and C were significantly different (P < 0.05). But the enlargement of sub-scapular lymph node and interval of body condition score of the 3 groups were not significant (P > 0.05). The total expenditure incurred due to theileriosis was US

Induction of Th1 type-oriented humoral response through intranasal immunization of mice with SAG1-Toxoplasma gondii polymeric nanospheres

74.98 per animal and 13.83% of total farm costs. Hence theileriosis caused significant economic loss of US

First report of the molecular detection of Ancylostoma caninum in Lahore, Pakistan: the threat from pets

18,743.76 (0.02 million) on this Holstein Friesian dairy.

FIRST REPORT OF TRYPANOSOMA EVANSI INFECTION (SURRA) IN A PUMA (FELIS CONCOLOR) OF LAHORE ZOO, PAKISTAN

Abstract About one-third of the world population is prone to have infection with T. gondii, which can cause toxoplasmosis in the developing fetus and in people whose immune system is compromised through disease or chemotherapy. Surface antigen-1 (SAG1) is the candidate of vaccine against toxoplasmosis. Recent advances in biotechnology and nano-pharmaceuticals have made possible to formulate nanospheres of recombinant protein, which are suitable for sub-unit vaccine delivery. In current study, the local strain was obtained from cat feces as toxoplasma oocysts. Amplified 957 bp of SAG1 was cloned into pGEM-T and further sub-cloned into pET28-SAG1. BL21 bacteria were induced at different concentrations of isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside for the expression of rSAG1 protein. An immunoblot was developed for the confirmation of recombinant protein expression at 35 kDa that was actually recognized by anti-HIS antibodies and sera were collected from infected mice. PLGA encapsulated nanospheres of recombinant SAG1 were characterized through scanning electron microscopy. Experimental mice were intraperitoneally immunized with rSAG1 protein and intra-nasally immunized with nanosphere. The immune response was evaluated by indirect ELISA. In results intra-nasally administered rSAG1 in nanospheres appeared to elicit elevated responses of specific IgA and IgG2a than in control. Nanospheres of rSAG1 are found to be a bio-compatible candidate for the development of vaccine against T. gondii.

Induction of specific humoral immune response in mice immunized with ROP18 nanospheres from Toxoplasma gondii

The molecular prevalence of Ancylostoma caninum was determined in stray and pet dogs in Lahore, Pakistan from July 2014 to August 2015. A total of 500 dog faecal samples were first evaluated using a sedimentation technique and further through a PCR assay targeting the ITS-2 region of the A. caninum genome. Overall, 130 (26%) samples were positive for hookworm infestation by microscopic examination. Only microscopically positive samples were processed for PCR and 89 (17.6%) were positive for A. caninum. Sequence analysis of amplicons showed 100% homology with A. caninum and the genotypes clustered in one clade with Brazilian A. caninum hookworms. There was a significantly (P < 0.05) increased prevalence in male dogs younger than six months old. Labrador retrievers had higher A. caninum incidence compared to German shepherds and other breeds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the molecular prevalence of A. caninum in dogs in Pakistan. The novel results of the present study allow us to conclude that A. caninum is more prevalent in pet dogs, especially puppies, and this can be a potential threat for humans that come into contact with such animals. Therefore, the routine monitoring of pets, especially the more susceptible breeds, is essential for disease control.

Toxoplasmosis a global threat to all vertebrates: trends in diagnostic methods.

Abstract The blood protozoan Trypanosoma evansi, which is transmitted by biting flies, is frequently neglected due to subclinical infections. This report describes a case of trypanosomiasis due to T. evansi in a 9-yr-old male puma (Felis concolor) housed at the Lahore Zoo in Pakistan. Early in January 2015, this male puma presented with chronic lethargy, weight loss, incoordination, hyperthermia, anorexia, sunken eyes, and unthriftiness. Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears showed numerous Trypanosoma parasites. The puma was treated with diminazene aceturate subcutaneously twice. A few days later, a blood smear examination showed absence of trypanosomes. Five months later the cat presented with acute epistaxis and died. Postmortem examination showed emaciation, pale liver and kidneys, and hemorrhages on the spleen. Examination of a blood smear taken at the time of death showed numerous Trypanosoma parasites. PCR testing confirmed the presence of Trypanosoma DNA. DNA sequencing of two amplicons confirmed the presence of Trypanosoma in the blood smears with a 98–99% identity with the previously identified GenBank sequences. A phylogenetic tree was then constructed. Further studies are needed to improve our knowledge about the epidemiology and pathogenesis of T. evansi infection in wild animal species.