Digital infrared thermal imaging of udder skin surface temperature: a novel non-invasive technology to monitor calving process in Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Quantifiable decline in the maternal body temperature during the pre-calving offers the possibilities for predicting the calving that can improve the calving management. As infrared thermography (IRT) is a simple non-contact tool for precise measurement of surface temperature, we investigated the use of IRT to establish thermal signatures around calving in the Murrah buffalo. The IRT of eye, right lateral, left lateral and rear side of udder skin surface temperature (USST) were recorded at 6 h interval from 96 h before the expected date of calving, at the time of calving and 24 h post-calving in Murrah buffaloes (n = 28). In parallel, blood samples were collected for progesterone (P4) assay. The results revealed that the IRT of the eye, right and left lateral and rear side of USST showed a significant decrease in the temperature from 48 h pre-calving till the onset of calving with a ΔT (°C) of 0.56, 0.91, 0.70, and 0.90, respectively. Mean USST significantly declined from 48 h pre-calving with a ΔT of 0.85 °C. The residual temperature of both eye and various ROI of the udder also followed a similar and significant declining trend from 48 to 0 h of calving indicating that circadian influence on the USST was minimum. Plasma P4 concentration significantly decreased from 72 h pre-calving till calving. It is concluded that a marked reduction in the IRT of the USST at 6-12 h pre-calving would be useful in predicting the onset of calving in the Murrah buffalo.

Balantidium coli in urine sediment: report of a rare case presenting with hematuria.

Balantidium coli (B. coli) is the only trophic ciliate of low virulence causing dysentery in human. However, may be due to their active motility and invasive nature, they have been rarely described to cause infection in extraintestinal sites also. We herein describe a case where trophozoites of B. coli were detected in urinary sediment examination of an elderly female presenting with mild fever, dysuria and hematuria for last 1 week. The parasites were identified by their characteristic morphology and rapid spiraling motility. This is only the third case described in literature to detect B. coli in urine sediment.