Canine Toxocariosis: Its prevalence, incidence and occurrence in the Indian subcontinent.

Toxocariosis is an important neglected tropical helminth disease of zoonotic significance for which canids are the definitive hosts. Dogs are also considered the sentinel host for the occurrence of T. canis infections in humans. Therefore, understanding its prevalence in canine population is imperative for any effective disease control in humans. A comprehensive review of literature on the prevalence of T. canis in canids was lacking from the Indian subcontinent which necessitated our efforts to compile available data published on this topic. Data on prevalence, incidence and occurrence of this helminths in canids were presented in this review as tabular format for easy comprehension. Moreover, the data were categorized based on the region where the studies were conducted with an aim to understand the spatial distribution of this parasite in the subcontinent. Factors influencing the regional prevalence/occurrence of T. canis such as type of canids (stray or pet), age, sex, breed, season and the choice of analytical methods were also discussed. In addition, data on the prevalence of T. canis in environmental samples and in zoo canids were also compiled and presented. We anticipate such an exhaustive review of literature available mostly in the journals published from the subcontinent would become a point source of information necessary for prioritizing future surveillance efforts in this region and for making informed policy decision to control this zoonotic helminth infection.

Diagnosis of bovine sarcocystosis by immunoflourescent antibody technique.

Studies on sarcocystosis showed an overall sero-prevalence of 79.46% by IFAT which included 80.14% in cattle and 78.59% in buffaloes out of 716 animals screened. The antibody titers of six randomly selected positive samples from different age groups of <2, 2-5, 5-10 and >10 years old bovines ranged from 16 to 64, 32 to 256, 32 to 128 and 16 to 64 with an average titer of 32 ± 2.92, 106.6 ± 34, 74.6 ± 17 and 34.6 ± 9, respectively. Significantly, lower rates of infection were observed in the cattle of below 2 years (60%) age and an ascending rate of infection in the age groups of 2-5 years (81.33%), 5-10 years (80.52%) and above 10 years (90.9%).

Prevalence and microscopic studies of Sarcocystis infection in naturally infected water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) of Andhra Pradesh.

Sarcocystis species are the obligate tissue protozoan parasites of livestock causing clinical and subclinical disease resulting in downgrading of the meat and their products thereby leading to economic losses. The present study reveals the prevalence and distribution of sarcocystosis in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) slaughtered at local abattoirs in A.P for a period of 1 year from June 2014 to May 2015. A total of 137 buffalo carcasses were screened grossly and microscopically organ wise viz., esophagus, tongue, heart, diaphragm and intercostal muscles. Out of 137 screened, 91 were infected with an overall prevalence of 66.42 %. Age wise analysis of 89 young male calves aged about 18-36 months old revealed 65.16 % (58/89) and 48 old she buffaloes (5-8 years) showed 68.75 % (33/48). The organ wise prevalence was highest in esophagus (51.82 %) followed by tongue (47.44 %), heart (29.92 %), diaphragmatic muscles (28.46 %) and intercostal muscles (18.24 %), respectively. Morphometric studies revealed the presence of two Sarcocystis species, i.e., S.levinei and S.fusiformis infection with a prevalence of 43.79 and 22.62 %, respectively, along with mixed infection rate of 43.06 %. Microscopic studies of S.levinei showed sarcocyst length/width/cyst wall thickness ranged between 0.31-0.69/0.09-0.12 mm/<1 µm, respectively, and bradyzoites with an average of 6.25 µm length/2.5 µm width. Similarly, S.fusiformis cyst ranged between 2 and 8.5 mm/1-3 mm/2-5 µm and bradyzoites with an average of 10 µm length/2.5 µm width. The histopathological studies revealed congestion and degenerative changes of myocytes along with infiltration of mononuclear cells.

Polypeptide profiles of South Indian isolate of Trypanosoma evansi.

The field isolates of Trypanosoma evansi was collected from the infected cattle and it was propagated in rats. Trypanosoma evansi parasites were separated from the blood of infected rats by using diethylaminoethyl cellulose column chromatography. Whole cell lysate antigen (WCL) was prepared from purified trypanosomes by ultrasonication and centrifugation. The prepared WCL antigen was further purified by 50 % ammonium sulphate precipitation. Protein concentration of WCL antigen of T. evansi was 60 mg/ml. Protein concentration was adjusted to 1.0 mg/ml in PBS, pH 8.0 and stored at -20(0) C.   Polypeptide profiles of WCL antigen of T. evansi was determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A total of eight polypeptide bands of the size ranging from 25 to 85 kDa in WCL antigen of T. evansi were obtained. Five prominent bands with molecular weight of 74, 60, 53, 42 and 37 kDa and three light bands with molecular weight of 85, 34 and 25 kDa were observed.

Study on impression smears of hepatic coccidiosis in rabbits.

Hepatic coccidiosis is a contagious and lethal disease condition in rabbits. The disease was recorded in six rabbits suffering with watery diarrhoea. Clinically, affected rabbits showed decreased growth rate, anorexia, debilitation, diarrhea and rough hair coat. Examination of the faecal samples revealed the presence of unsporulated oocysts of Eimeria spp. After sporulation Eimeria stiedae oocysts were identified. Postmortem examination revealed hepatomegaly with presence of discrete yellowish-white nodules on the surface of the liver. Impression smears from the liver revealed the presence of numerous developmental stages of E. stiedae corresponding with the stage of the liver lesion and also represent the histological changes of the liver. Rabbits were treated with a combination of sulphaquinoxaline and diaveridine for five days.

Haemato-biochemical and thyroxin status in Trypanosoma evansi infected dogs.

In one year period of study, dogs with inappetence, fever, ocular discharges, dullness, enlarged lymph nodes were screened for the presence of haemoprotozoans at College Hospital of College of Veterinary Science, Tirupati. Wet blood film examination and stained blood smear examination was done to confirm the condition. Peripheral blood smears of dogs revealed the presence of Trypansomes. Trypanosoma evansi was confirmed based on the morphology and measurements of the organisms in the stained blood smears.  Haematology revealed decreased total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin and total leucocyte count values. Total serum proteins, albumin and glucose levels were decreased significantly (P < 0.01), but a significant increase (P < 0.01) in cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum aspartate aminotransferase and serum alanine aminotransferase levels were observed. Decreased total T4 and free T4 were also observed in the T. evansi infected dogs.

Diagnosis of Trypanosoma evansi in bovines by indirect ELISA.

The diagnosis of Trypanosoma evansi in animals with low parasitaemia is hampered by low diagnostic sensitivity of traditional detection methods. The present study was undertaken with an objective to improve the diagnostic tools for detection of antibodies against T. evansi infection using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in bovines. The optimum concentration of antigen, test sera and conjugate were determined as 5 µg per well, 1:10 and 1: 6,000 dilutions, respectively. Among 320 cattle and 382 buffaloes examined in different parts of Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh for T. evansi infection, 36.12 and 31.87 percent were found positive by indirect ELISA, respectively.

Demodicosis caused by Demodex canis and Demodex cornei in dogs.

Two mongrel dogs aged between 7 and 9 months in a same house were presented to the clinics with a history of chronic dermatitis associated with pruritus. Clinical examination revealed presence of primary and secondary skin lesions on the face, around the ears, chin, neck, fore limbs and lateral abdomen. Examination of skin scrapings revealed Demodex cornei (majority) and D. canis (minority) in both the dogs. By using hair pluck examination D. canis were detected and by tape impression smears examination large number of adult short-tail Demodex mites were found. D. cornei was identified by based on the morphological characters including short opisthosoma with blind and round terminal end. Mean length of total body, opisthosoma of both types of the mites were differed statistically significant (P < 0.01) but gnathosoma and podosoma did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). Dogs were treated with daily oral ivermectin @ 500 µg/kg/day, external application of amitraz along with supportive therapy. After completion of 45 days of therapy dogs were recovered completely without any side effects.

Clinical coccidiosis in adult cattle.

Coccidiosis is caused by the protozoan parasite belongs to the genous Eimeria spp. which parasitizes the epithelium lining of the alimentary tract. Infection damages the lining of the gut causing diarrhoea and possibly dysentery. Coccidiosis is primarily a disease of young animals but can affect older animals that are in poor condition. In a farm, seven adult cattle had foul smell bloody diarrhoea, anorexia, emaciation condition, smudging of the perineum and tail with blood stained dung. Laboratory examinations of the dung samples revealed the presence of coccidian oocysts. Animals were treated with 33.33 % (w/v) sulphadimidine, along with supportive and fluid therapy. After completion of 1 week of therapy all the affected cattle were recovered from the diarrhoea.

Haematological and biochemical changes in experimental Trypanosoma evansi infection in rabbits.

New Zealand white rabbits (N = 4) were challenged with the local strain of Trypanosoma evansi. Each rabbit was infected with 5 × 10(5) trypanosomes subcutaneously. The infection was characterized by intermittent pyrexia, undulating parasitaemia, anorexia and emaciation. The infected rabbits were examined daily for development of clinical signs and infection status by wet blood-films made from the ear veins. Thick and thin blood smears were also examined daily until the end of the experiment for description of blood cells. Differential leukocyte count (DLC) was also done. The parasite was observed in the blood during the acute phase only. Leukocytosis in the acute phase followed by leukopenia during the chronic phase was recognized. Haematological studies revealed reduced TEC, Hb and PCV. The main changes in the erythrocytes were macrocytes, hypochromic cells, Howell-Jolly bodies, target cells, stomatocytes and burr cells. Serum chemistry revealed hypoproteinemia, hypocholesterolaemia, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, elevated creatinine, BUN, increased AST and ALT.

Prevalence of canine trypanosomiasis in certain areas of Andhra Pradesh.

A total of 937 dogs were screened for Trypanosoma evansi infection by wet blood film, blood smear staining techniques and micro haematocrit centrifugation technique (MHCT). In the present study, 2.28 % of male dogs and 2.40 % of female dogs were found positive by MHCT method. The findings indicated that there was no effect of T. evansi infection on sex of dogs. Higher prevalence of T. evansi infection was observed in Mongrel than in Pomeranian, Cross breeds, German Shepherd, Doberman and Labrador breeds. Age wise prevalence of T. evansi infection in dogs revealed that younger ones, below the 2 years age group recorded the highest prevalence than the above the 2 years age group dogs.

Notoedres cati in cats and its management.

Notoedres cati was observed in two domestic cats. Cats exhibited crust formation, hyperkeratosis, alopecia and intense pruritus. Distribution of lesions observed at the ear margins, face, and legs. Owners also had intense pruritus over the hands, small erythematic crusted papules on the wrists and both the legs. Laboratory examination of skin scrapings from the cat revealed the presence of ova, adult mites of N. cati. The infected cats were treated with weekly twice oral administration of ivermectin at 200 µg/kg body weight, oral administration of 2 ml of multi-vitamin and mineral syrup daily. Improvement was noticed by complete clinical recovery along with absence of mites in skin scrapings, after completion of four doses of oral ivermectin along with supportive therapy.

Efficacy of cefpodoxime with clavulanic Acid in the treatment of recurrent pyoderma in dogs.

In the present study on recurrent pyoderma, dogs with a history of more than three episodes of skin infections in a period of one year were selected. The associated conditions and (or) underlying factors revealed upon thorough investigation were demodicosis, Malassezia dermatitis, flea infestation, hypothyroidism, keratinization disorder (seborrhea), combination of Malassezia dermatitis and tick infestation, and a combination of scabies and tick infestation. Therapy was given with cefpodoxime with clavulanic acid along with appropriate simultaneous medication for the underlying associated conditions. In all the cases response to therapy was excellent. Improvement was noticed by 9 to 19 days and 17 to 21 days in recurrent superficial and deep pyoderma, respectively. In one dog, relapse occurred by 45 days due to the associated condition of hypothyroidism which was confirmed through laboratory findings. Cefpodoxime with clavulanic acid proved to be an effective, safe, and convenient antibiotic for the treatment of recurrent pyoderma in dogs without any side effects.