Vikrant Sudan

First molecular evidence of the transplacental transmission of Theileria annulata

Bovine tropical theileriosis (BTT) is a serious hindrance in the cattle upgradation programme using the exotic germplasm. There is a wide range of variations in the pathobiology alongside clinical symptoms of the animals suffering from BTT. The present paper communicates the first report about the transplacental transmission of T. annulata in a cross bred 2-day old calf. T. sergenti, T. lestoquardi and T. equi are known to undergo transplacental transmission, but baring a single citation in literature, there are no records about the transplacental transmission of T. annulata.

A rare clinical presentation of transplacental transmission and subsequent abortion by Babesia ( Theileria ) equi in a mare

The present article deals with the rare presentation of transplacental transmission and subsequent abortion by Babesia (Theileria) equi. A pregnant mare was brought with the history of fever and inappetence. Per rectal examination revealed absence of fremitus of the foetus. The foetus was removed using foetotomy. Blood smear examination of the dam and contact smear of the aborted foetus revealed characteristic Maltese cross appearance of B. equi. The possible routes of transmission of parasite, its pathogenesis and future strategies are described in the present article.

Haemato-biochemical and oxidative status of buffaloes naturally infected with Trypanosoma evansi.

Blood samples were collected from 05 clinically healthy and 10 adult female water buffaloes naturally infected with Trypanosoma evansi. Confirmation of disease free and infected status of buffaloes was made on clinical signs, observation of T. evansi parasites in the blood smear and duplex PCR based assay. Blood samples were evaluated for levels of haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), differential leucocytes count (DLC), lipid peroxidation (LPO), calcium, phosphorous, magnesium sodium and potassium and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The results of the study revealed substantial decrease in levels of Hb, PCV and increase in LPO, SOD, CAT and AST in infected animals compared to healthy animals. However other haematological and biochemical indices did not show significant variations in infected and healthy buffaloes. The enhanced erythrocytic oxidation and reduction of hematological indices, suggests that the enhanced oxidation of the erythrocytes may be a contributory factor in erythrocytic destruction and progression of the anaemia in T. evansi infection in water buffaloes.

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION AND SEQUENCE PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF SURFACE ANTIGEN 3 (SAG3) GENE OF LOCAL INDIAN ISOLATES (CHENNAI AND IZATNAGAR) OF Toxoplasma gondii

Context and objective: The molecular characterization of local isolates of Toxoplasma gondii is considered significant so as to assess the homologous variations between the different loci of various strains of parasites. Design and setting: The present communication deals with the molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the 1158 bp entire open reading frame (ORF) of surface antigen 3 (SAG3) of two Indian T. gondii isolates (Chennai and Izatnagar) being maintained as cryostock at the IVRI. Method: The surface antigen 3 (SAG3) of two local Indian isolates were cloned and sequenced before being compared with the available published sequences. Results: The sequence comparison analysis revealed 99.9% homology with the standard published RH strain sequence of T. gondii. The strains were also compared with other established published sequences and found to be most related to the P-Br strain and CEP strain (both 99.3%), and least with PRU strain (98.4%). However, the two Indian isolates had 100% homology between them. Conclusion: Finally, it was concluded that the Indian isolates were closer to the RH strain than to the P-Br strain (Brazilian strain), the CEP strain and the PRU strains (USA), with respect to nucleotide homology. The two Indian isolates used in the present study are known to vary between themselves, as far as homologies related to other genes are concerned, but they were found to be 100% homologous as far as SAG3 locus is concerned. This could be attributed to the fact that this SAG3 might be a conserved locus and thereby, further detailed studies are thereby warranted to exploit the use of this particular molecule in diagnostics and immunoprophylactics. The findings are important from the point of view of molecular phylogeny.

Infection rates of Linguatula serrata nymphs in mesenteric lymph nodes from water buffaloes in North India.

The literature pertaining to prevalence of Linguatula serrata in large ruminants is limited. In abattoir survey, the infection rate of L. serrata in 1440 mesenteric lymph nodes collected from 480 buffaloes from North India was investigated. Results revealed 88 (18.3%) buffaloes and 288 (20.0%) mesenteric lymph nodes having parasites nymphs. Nonsignificant difference (P>0.05), between 1 and 3 years age (51.5%) and above three years of age (48.5%) groups was observed. Nonsignificant difference (P>0.05) between the infection rate of male (51.5%) and female (48.5%) was also observed. Infection in haemorrhagic (57.2%) and black-coloured (67.5%) nymph nodes were significantly (P<0.05) higher than normal-coloured nodes (8.8%). When compared based on consistency, the results showed soft lymph nodes (61.3%) were significantly (P<0.05) more infected than normal (12.8%) and hard (30.0%) lymph nodes. The intensity of infection in normal, haemorrhagic and black lymph nodes were 1.81 ± 0.21, 4.23 ± 0.0.62 and 5.12 ± 0.73, nymphs respectively. The mean numbers of parasites in haemorrhagic and black-coloured lymph nodes were significantly (P<0.0005) more than mean number of parasites in normal-coloured nodes. Again intensity of infection in normal, soft and hard lymph nodes was 2.31 ± 0.18, 5.84 ± 0.74 and 3.21 ± 0.68, respectively. When compared based on lymph nodes consistency, the soft lymph nodes were significantly (P<0.0005) more severely infected than normal and hard ones. The study has generated some vital data about the prevalence of this underreported disease amongst the bubaline intermediate hosts along with important gross changes in the affected lymph nodes.

First report of molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of RoTat 1.2 VSG of Trypanosoma evansi from equine isolate

Rotat 1.2 variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) is considered to be an important VSG expressed in most of the isolates of Trypanosoma evansi. This makes the molecule an important candidate for both molecular- and serological-based detection of surra. There are ample reports of existence of this gene in isolates from cattle, buffalo, and camel across the world. Of late, there are reports of its absence from a fewer isolates of T. evansi of murine and wildlife origin. Search of literature revealed no reports from horses. The present communication presents the first report of molecular cloning and characterization of Rotat 1.2 VSG from horse isolate of T. evansi from semi-arid region of India. Alongside, the gene was compared with various other isolates across the world. Interestingly, the isolate was found to be closer to camel isolates from Egypt than the other known isolates from India and Kenya.

Classico-molecular targeting of oligopeptidase B, cysteine protease and variable surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes of Trypanosoma evansi

Trypanosomosis or Surra can rightly be attributed as the most economically important vector-borne haemoprotozoan disease encountering India. Surra infected chronic cases show almost similar types of signs and symptoms often confusing it with other haemoprotozoan infections, thereby, making it prerequisite for the development of aspecific and sensitive technique for its detection in susceptible animals. Blood microscopy and serology suffers from the hands of lack of sensitivity and specificity thereby leaving molecular detection techniques as one of the promising alternative. Alongside, there is utmost need for exploring of new molecular gene targets for the development of a putative alternative for diagnosis and immunoprophylaxsis. The present communication describes the identification and amplification of oligopeptidase B, cysteine protease and variable surface glycoprotein genes of T. evansi so as to exploit them in future as potential candidates for immune protection and/or molecular detection.

Bovine hypodermosis in indigenous cattle herd and its successful therapeutic management

Warble fly infestation in cattle is a serious problem throughout the world. In India, it is mainly reported from northern parts of the country and is caused by the larvae of Hypoderma lineatum. The disease causes huge economic losses to animal production like milk and leather industry. The present article reports the outbreak and subsequent successful treatment of Warble fly infestation from an indigenous cattle herd. The animals were clinally examined for the presence of warbles and the larvae were collected by pressing the swellings on the back. The larvae were brought to the laboratory and were morphologically examined and morphometry was done. The animals were administered specific therapy consisting of two doses of subcutaneous injection of Ivermectin at weekly intervals. The epidemiology of the disease, its patho physiological impact on the animal and various strategies for clinical management are being described in the article.

Sex dependent alterations in the protein characterization patterns of Haemonchus contortus

The aim of the study was to highlight the sex dependent differences in the electrophoretic protein patterns of male and female Haemonchus contortus worms SDS based polyacrylamide gels of both male and female worms were run side by side for comparison. A total of 33 and 35 polypeptides were detected in polyacrylamide gels stained with coomassie brilliant blue R-250, respectively. Besides many of the fundamental homologies in protein profile, some of the polypeptides specific to either sex were also observed. Most of the characteristic polypeptides were of low molecular weight. These polypeptides needs deeper unrevealing regarding the nature of protein, through well planned zymographic studies, so as to ascertain the true nature and/or type of protein involved in those bands. This will help us in better understanding of parasite immunology and sex influenced differences amongst the worm and the possible variations in their pathogenesis contributed thereof, if any.

Evaluation of clinical, biochemical and haematological markers in natural infection of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis

Caanine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia canis has gained wider significance owing to its potential to inflict significant deleterious effect on the health of companion animals. In the present study, 46 confirmed ehrlichiosis positive dogs were evaluated for the alterations in clinical, haematological and biochemical attributes. Depression, anorexia, pyrexia, anaemia, weakness, jaundice, melana, vomition and diarrhoea were the main clinical symptoms onserved. Haematological alterations included pancytopenia especially thrombocytopenia. Significant changes were noticed in WBC, RBC, Hgb, McHc, Platelets, ALT values while rest all the studied haematological and biochemical parameters showed non-significant alterations within normal range in comparison to normal healthy controls. The findings substantiate that ehrlichiosis cause significant clinical, haematological and biochemical alterations of the varied intensity in dogs, even with lower grades of parasitaemia.