Sonjoy Kumar Borthakur

Prevalence and molecular epidemiological data on Dirofilaria immitis in dogs from Northeastern States of India.

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in stray, pet, and working dogs (n = 413, 266, and 103, resp.) from Guwahati (Assam) and Aizawl (Mizoram), areas located in two Northeastern States of India. Diagnostic methods applied were microscopy (wet film and Knotts concentration technique), immunological test (Ag ELISA by SNAP 4Dx ELISA kit), and molecular tools (polymerase chain reaction and sequencing), which evidenced 11.38, 18.03, and 13.93% of positive animals, respectively. No significant differences were observed by area (18.23% versus 17.68%) nor by sex (18.1% versus 17.9%), whereas stray dogs proved more infected than other groups (P < 0.05). ELISA test evidenced an overall 22.69% of occult infections, mainly in working dogs (60%), and molecular techniques detected Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens in 4 stray dogs from Guwahati. Characterization of D. immitis isolates for ITS-2 region showed close identity with South Asian isolates.

Single nucleotide polymorphism and expression studies of the interferon gamma gene and its role against Haemonchus contortus in Garole and Sahabadi sheep

Abstract Objective To evaluate the role of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) gene in Haemonchus contortus ( H. contortus ) resistant in Garole/Sahabadi breed of sheep. Methods Five Garole sheep (Group I) consistently showing low egg per gram in faeces (≤ 150) and another five Garole sheep(Group II) which had high egg per gram (≥ 500) were challenged with third-stage (L3) H. contortus larvae with 500 larvae/kg body weight. Five Sahabadi sheep (Group III) which were known to be susceptible to H. contortus were also fed with the same dose. Blood was collected from each group at different date of infection, viz . 0 day, 7 days and 14 days of post infection. The ovine IFN-γ was partially isolated and sequenced including intron and exon regions from six Garole sheep and three Sahabadi sheep prior to infection. The level of messenger ribonucleic acid of IFN-γ was evaluated by means of real-time PCR at different days of post infection. Results In addition to one single nucleotide polymorphism at exon 3 of IFN-γ gene in three resistant Garole sheep, the level of mRNA in two susceptible groups was found significantly higher ( P ≤ 0.05) as compared to the resistant group in the present study. Conclusions We could clearly identify a single cytokine gene which is differentially expressed between the resistant and the susceptible animals that could be a potential target for identifying the genetic marker of Haemonchus resistance. Finding of one single nucleotide polymorphism at exon 3 in three resistance Garole sheep might have novelty.

Prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of Mizoram, India

Abstract The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of Mizoram from April 2017 to March 2018. The prevalence of hard tick infestations was studied in relation to sex and age of animals and seasonal changes in a year. Cattle of selected places were examined carefully for the presence of ticks and in positive cases ticks were collected manually and identified on the basis of morphological characters. A total of 713 cattle were examined and out of which 452 (63.39%) cattle were found to be infested with hard ticks and the prevalent tick species was Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. A significantly (p < 0.01) higher infestation was observed in female cattle (66.43%) than males (48.83%). Age-wise highest prevalence of tick infestations was found in 1–5 years (73.41%) age group followed by >5 years age group (61.92%) and < 1 year (42.65%) age group, respectively. Seasonally, the prevalence of hard tick infestation was found highest (p < 0.01) in monsoon (77.91%) and lowest in winter (43.16%). The present study provides data on tick infestation in cattle of Mizoram, India.

Prevalence of haemoprotozoa in goat population of West Bengal, India

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of haemoprotozoa in goat population of West Bengal from April 2017 to March 2018. The prevalence was studied in relation to age, sex breed of animals and seasonal changes in a year. Random blood samples were collected from both organized farms and unorganized goat farms. A total of 1053 goats were screened and out of which 340 (32.28%) animals were found to be positive for haemoprotozoa. Significantly, (p < 0.05) higher infection was observed in does (39.67%) than bucks (10.78%). Age-wise, highest prevalence of haemoprotozoa was found in 1–3 years (36.39%) age group followed by >3 years age group (27.95%) and <1 year (23.52%) age group, respectively. Seasonally, the prevalence of haemoprotozoa was found highest in monsoon (42.84%) and lowest in winter (15.10%). The present study describes an overview data on haemoprotozoa in goat population of West Bengal, India.

Prevalence of haemoprotozoa in cattle of Mizoram, India

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of haemoprotozoa in cattle of Mizoram from April 2017 to March 2018. The prevalence was studied in relation to age, sex breed of animals and seasonal changes in a year. Random blood samples were collected from both organized farms and unorganized cattle farms. A total of 1,153 cattle were screened and out of which 384 (33.30%) cattle were found to be positive for haemoprotozoa. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher infection was observed in female cattle (33.67%) than males (28.73%). Age-wise highest prevalence of haemoprotozoa was found in 1–5 years (44.33%) age group followed by > 5 years age group (25.06%) and < 1 year (22.92%) age group, respectively. Seasonally, the prevalence of haemoprotozoa was found highest in monsoon (51.29%) and lowest in winter (15.09%). The present study provides data on haemoprotozoa in cattle of Mizoram, India.

Prevalence of Plasmodium relictum in four common bird species in India

ABSTRACT The increasing emergence of wildlife diseases with the possibility to ecological threats as well as domestic animals and human health has prompted the importance of understanding disease dynamics and associated risks in biological conservation. The present study was undertaken from North Eastern part of India from January, 2017 to March, 2018 to identify Plasmodium relictum based on blood smear examination in various wild birds. The birds were captured by netting system. After blood was collected from wing veins, birds were released from the cages. Blood samples were examined after staining with Giemsa stain. Out of 350 birds examined, 73 (20.85%) were found positive for P. relictum based on morphological characteristics. It can be inferred from the study that P. relictum is fairly common in wild birds.

Prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in domestic dogs in North-Eastern region of India

ABSTRACT In order to detect the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in dogs, a total of 525 dog blood samples were examined by peripheral blood examination during different seasons. The survey was carried out from July, 2017 to June, 2018 in different parts of North-Eastern (NE) regions of India. Dogs were also closely inspected on their body surface for presence of ticks, if any. Out of 525 dog blood samples examined, 12.19% (64/525) were found positive for at least one type of tick transmitted pathogens as revealed by microscopic examination of stained blood smears. Twenty-eight dogs (5.33%) screened positive for Ehrlichia canis, eleven (2.09%) for Anaplasma platys, nine (1.71%) for Babesia gibsoni, eight (1.52%) for Babesia canis and eight (1.52%) for Hepatozoon canis. Dogs above two years age group showed higher rate of infection than dogs either between 1 and 2 years or below 1 year age group. Infection was higher during rainy season. Male dogs showed a higher proportion of infection than females. The only tick found during the study period was Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The results clearly indicate that vector-borne haemoprotozoa and rickettsia are prevalent in the study area in apparently healthy dogs without showing any obvious symptoms.

Scrub typhus in Mizoram, India

(‘tsutsuga’ means something small and dangerous and ‘mushi’ means insect/mite/creature) which circulates mainly between human and rodents. Clinical signs and symptoms include febrile condition, headache, eschar, lymphadenopathy, muscular pain and gastrointestinal disorders which in severe and untreated case may end into fatal multiple organ failure1–7. The observation of the eschar is often missed and other symptoms of the disease are not characteristic thus posing the problem of delayed diagnosis by the clinician. Although, scrub typhus is known since 1889 in Japan, the severe epidemics of scrub typhus in Burma (Myanmar) and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) during World War II intensified the interest of studying about this disease8. Scrub typhus is endemic in a region called ‘tsutsugamushi triangle’ which extends from northern Japan and far-eastern Russia in the north, to the territories around the Solomon Sea into northern Australia in the south and to Pakistan and Afghanistan in the west1–2. In India, scrub typhus was first reported from Assam and West Bengal states during World War II9. The disease is being reported in many endemic pockets of different states of India such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland and Meghalaya1–6. Vaccination against this scourge faces challenging obstacles such as extensive antigenic diversity and short duration of immune protection following immunity stimulated by naturally acquired scrub typhus infection. Moreover, immunity to the homologous strain wanes over a period of few years7. In the present situation, early diagnosis and chemotherapy is the only choice for combating scrub typhus infection and reducing associated mortality. Diagnosis of scrub typhus is carried out mainly by serological assays, though in recent years, there are specific molecular detection techniques employing amplification of different target genes by polymerase chain reaction. The immunofluorescence assay (IFA) is considered as ‘gold standard’ for diagnosing rickettsial infections but faces certain demerits like its cost-effectiveness in developing countries and technical expertness. One of the most widely used serological assay, Weil-Felix test suffers from poor sensitivity and specificity. Scrub typhus ELISA, which uses O. tsutsugamushi recombinant p56 kD typespecific antigen of Karp, Kato, Gilliam and TA716 strains has > 90% sensitivity and specificity for detecting specific antibodies10–11. However, the samples are usually examined multiple times for ELISA test thereby causing delay in diagnosis. On the contrary, rapid detection in immunochromatographic test format can identify a single sample in short span of time. The present study was carried out to know the current status of the prevalence of scrub typhus in Mizoram from clinically suspected patients who were admitted to Synod Hospital, Aizawl, Mizoram by rapid-ICT test kit. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2014 to December 2016 on serum samples of patients with undifferentiated fever from different parts of Mizoram admitted to the Synod Hospital, Mizoram. The samples were examined for detection of anti-OrientiaIgM antibody in rapid-ICT test having sensitivity of 98.6% and specificity of 98.2% (ImmuneMed scrub typhus rapid test kit, South Korea)12. Clinical samples were collected after taking informed consent from the patients. A total of 4081 sera samples were examined for the presence of anti-Orientia IgM antibody in the human subjects. The result revealed that 6.9% (n = 283) samples were positive in the test kit, irrespective of age and gender. The percentage of seropositivity was higher during the winter (November–February) at 13.5% (154/1141) followed by autumn (September–October) at 10.9% (141/1287). In summer and spring seasons the percentages were comparatively lower at levels of 4.8 and 5.5%, respectively. Age wise comparison of the prevalence indicated that 21–30 yr age group were most affected (prevalence Scrub typhus in Mizoram, India

Theileriasis in crossbred cows and its therapeutic management: first report from Lushai hill district of Mizoram

To know the prevalence of theileriosis infection, haemato-biochemical alteration and efficacy of Oxytetracycline in combination with Diaminazene aceturate injection against theileriosis in Lushai hill district of Mizoram; fifty five cross bred cattle were screened during July, 2013 to November, 2013. The prevalence of tropical theileriosis was 9.09xa0% based on blood smear examination. Clinical features of the disease were manifested by high rise of body temperature 104.8xa0±xa01.2xa0°F, lymphadenopathy, inability to walk, anorexia, listlessness, moderate anaemia, nasal discharge, edema of eye and corneal opacity. There were marked decline (Pxa0<xa00.01) in the haemoglobin 5.28xa0±xa01.81xa0gm/dl, total erythrocytic count 2.14xa0±xa00.7xa0×xa0106/ul, packed cell volume 18.10xa0±xa00.8xa0% and total leukocyte count 6.95xa0±xa01.05xa0×xa0103/ul, respectively. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly increased (Pxa0<xa00.01) up to 104.5xa0±xa012.4xa0mm/1st hour. The percentage of neutrophils increased 62.75xa0±xa02.77 and lymphocytes decreased drastically 28.69xa0±xa01.45 as compared with un-infected cross bred cattle. Clinically infected cattle with Theileria annulata had significantly low levels of total proteins and albumin, (Pxa0<xa00.05) but AST, total, direct and indirect bilirubin, BUN, creatinine levels and Ck-MB activity were significantly high (Pxa0<xa00.05). Oxytetracycline in combination with Diaminazene aceturate was found effective against T. annulata and could control fever and temperature returns to normalcy by 7th day post treatment along with some haemato-biochemical profiles. In brief, the study revealed that tropical theileriosis was prevalent in Lushai hill district of Mizoram especially among cross breed cattle and had effect on hepatic, renal and cardiac function which can be effectively controlled by Oxytetracycline and Diaminazene aceturate injection.

Therapeutic evaluation of homoeopathic drug Crotalus horridus 200C against Ehrlichiosis-infected dogs in Mizoram

Objective: To study, the effect of a homoeopathic medicine Crotalus horridus 200C on ehrlichiosis in dogs in an endemic area of Aizawl district of Mizoram state of India. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the efficacy of Crotalus horridus 200C against ehrlichiosis dogs. 12 positive cases confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were divided into two groups comprising six dogs in each group. One group was treated with standard therapy (doxycycline) and other group was treated with Crotalus horridus 200C at 4 pills orally for 20 days. Clinical improvement of affected dogs was recorded after therapy. Important haemato-biochemical parameters before and after therapy such as haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leukocyte count (TLC), differential leukocyte count (DLC), platelet count, total protein, albumin, globulin, A:G ratio, total bilirubin, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and liver-specific enzymes namely alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assessed following standard protocol. All the parameters were compared with a control healthy group (T3). All experiment dogs were from different age with different breeds and bloods were collected at forenoon only. Results: PCR test yielded 13 dogs positive out of 67 suspected samples screened (19.40%) with an amplification of 387 bp fragment from 16S rRNA gene of E. Canis. Off total positive, only 8 (61.53%) could be detected in peripheral blood smear. Crotalus horridus-treated group of dogs showed clinical recovery from fever and temperature to normalcy by the 14th day posttreatment. Haemato-biochemical profiles of affected dogs such as Hb, PCV, TEC, TLC, DLC, platelet count, total protein, albumin, globulin, A:G ratio, total bilirubin, serum creatinine, BUN, and liver-specific enzymes namely ALT and ALP were turned to normalcy within 21 days of post-treatment. Conclusion: Nested PCR assay had been shown to be sensitive and specific for detection of Ehrlichia canis. Crotalus horridus 200C may be an effective and choice of drug for control of canine ehrlichiosis.