Comprehensive genetic diversity and molecular evolutionary analysis of Theileria annulata isolates based on TAMS 1 gene.

Molecular epidemiological studies related to the phylogenetic characterization of Theileria annulata are important in delineating the evolutionary history of the parasite. In the current study, the Theileria annulata (T. annulata) merozoite surface antigen 1 (TAMS 1) gene from 14 bovine isolates of T. annulata originating from semi-arid zone of northern India were amplified and sequenced. TAMS 1 gene sequences (n= 337) reported from 16 countries were subsequently analyzed for haplotype network along with genetic diversity. A total of five haplotypes out of the 14 sequenced isolates and 92 haplotypes out of 337 worldwide sequences are documented in this study. Phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary analyses based on TAMS 1 gene sequences showed that T. annulata is dissipated across different countries and numerous strains are closely linked, even though they belong to different geographical locations. The nucleotide homology between 14 isolates from northern India varied between 91.3 and 100%, whereas it was between 31.5 and 100% when sequences across the globe were compared. Haplotype 14 was recognized as most widely distributed haplotype, with 46 isolates circulating in 10 countries. Globally, negligible genetic distance (FST˂0.15) and very high gene flow (Nm˃1) was found in the five populations of the world (South Asia, East Asia, West Asia, Europe and Africa), supporting the absence of clearly defined subgroups in the phylogenetic analysis. Significant negative values of neutrality tests; Tajima's D (D) and Fu and Li's F (F) provided evidence for recent population expansion through positive selection of advantageous variations.

Dietary Chromium Picolinate Supplementation Improves Glucose Utilization in Transition Calf by Ameliorating Insulin Response.

The decrease in insulin sensitivity during the transition of preruminant calves into ruminant animals is the common denominator. Meanwhile, this adaptation predisposes dairy calves towards various health issues and metabolic disorders that occur in later life. Chromium (Cr) has been shown to potentiate insulin functioning and is thereby helpful in reducing the risk of these metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Cr supplementation on the insulin sensitivity and health status in Hariana calves during their transition period. A total of 24 preruminant Hariana calves were randomly allocated into four groups (6 calves per group) for a period of 90 days. Calves either received a basal diet devoid of supplemental Cr (control; Cr0.0 group) or were supplemented with 0.05 mg (Cr0.05 group), 0.10 mg (Cr0.10 group), and 0.15 mg (Cr0.15 group) of Cr per kg BW0.75 as Cr-picolinate (Cr-Pic). To determine the effect of Cr supplementation on the insulin response, glucose-insulin-non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) kinetics was studied during the intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A rapid glucose disappearance (p < 0.05) with unaltered insulin kinetics during IVGTT and OLTT indicates greater insulin sensitivity in calves supplemented with 0.10 and 0.15 mg of Cr per kg BW0.75. Improved insulin sensitivity in the Cr0.10 and Cr0.15 groups was further confirmed by higher (p < 0.05) values of the insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (RQUICKI), and lower (p < 0.05) values of the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) during IVGTT. Mean serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAm), and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) levels were the highest (p < 0.05) and cortisol concentrations were the lowest (p < 0.05) in the Cr0.15 groups. Unlike IVGTT, there was no effect of treatment, period, and treatment × period interaction on mean serum glucose and insulin levels during OGTT. However, Cr-supplemented calves had a higher (p < 0.05) glucose clearance rate (gCR). Serum IRS-1 concentrations during OGTT were also higher (p < 0.05) in the Cr0.10 and Cr0.15 groups than in the other groups. Serum Cr levels increased dose dependently and were the highest (p < 0.05) in calves fed a diet supplemented with 0.15 mg Cr per kg BW0.75. There was no effect of treatment on average daily gain (ADG) and body condition score (BCS) while frequency and duration of diarrhea were lower and fecal score was better in Cr-supplemented calves. The current findings show that Cr supplementation improved glucose utilization and health status in calves during their transition period by improving insulin sensitivity.

An endpoint visualization loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for detecting bubaline theileriosis.

Background: Tropical theileriosis is a significant disease affecting the health and production levels of buffaloes in India. It is caused by an apicomplexan-Theileria annulata. The timely and accurate detection of infection is vital for implementing a mass vaccination or control programme in a given area under outbreak. Most of the literature concerned with diagnosis of theileriosis revolves around cattle, and practically, there are very limited assays available for detecting bubaline theileriosis. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay certainly amplifies the targeted deoxyribosenucleic acid (DNA) with a comparatively higher efficacy, rapidity and sensitivity. Alongside, minimal use of sophisticated instruments in performing LAMP assay is certainly an add on. The present study describes the application of LAMP assay in diagnosing tropical theileriosis in buffaloes alongside, its comparison with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and blood microscopical examination. Results: No cross-reaction was seen with DNA of other haemoprotozoan. LAMP was compared with blood microscopy and PCR. LAMP detected infection in 27 out of 100 buffaloes, while blood microscopy and PCR detected disease in 16 and 24 buffaloes, respectively. Conclusion: The sensitivity, specificity and kappa value prediction of LAMP were found to be much higher than the PCR and blood microscopy. The present communication reports the first use of LAMP in detecting theileriosis in buffaloes in the world.

Variation in cardiac markers and electrocardiographic alterations in young calves naturally infected with bovine tropical theileriosis.

The present study was designed to assess the deleterious effects of bovine tropical theileriosis on the cardiovascular system and the consequent myocardial involvement in young calves. Myocardial effects in parasitic diseases are often neglected. Hemolytic anemia, associated secondary hypoxia, and vasculitis are cardinal features of bovine theileriosis. In the present study, electrocardiogram (ECG) alongside serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatinine phosphokinase-myocardial band (CPK-MB) concentrations were analyzed in infected, treated, and control groups of young calves. Non-significant alterations were noticed in ECG. However, certain signs like sinus tachycardia, first-degree AV block, atrial premature complex, left atrial hypertrophy, and right atrial hypertrophy were found on consistent basis in infected calves. A significant increase in the serum concentration levels of cTnI and CPK-MB was noticed in infected calves followed by significant fall in both these biomarkers post treatment. cTnI and CPK-MB can definitely be used as myocardial markers in theileriosis-affected animals.

Control and therapeutic management of bovine tropical theileriosis in crossbred cattle.

Bovine tropical theileriosis (BTT) is a disease of worldwide economic importance in cattle, caused by Theileria annulata, a protozoan parasite, and transmitted cyclically by ticks. The disease is one of the serious constraints to dairy industry in endemic areas like India, leading to fatal infections in exotic cattle and significant mortality in cross-bred cattle and zebu cattle. The present report demonstrates the clinical manifestation, haematological alteration and therapeutic management of theileriosis cases in a cross-bred cattle dairy farm at district Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. Clinical examination of affected animals revealed high rectal temperature (104-106 °F), generalized enlargement of superficial lymph nodes, pallor mucous, apathy and watery blood. The affected animals were severely infested with Hyalomma anatolicum ticks. The blood smears examination after staining with Leishman stain revealed the presence of typical Theileria organisms. Buparvaquone along with symptomatic and supportive therapy could cure all the animals.

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.

Assay of alterations in oxidative stress markers in pigs naturally infested with Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis.

The present study aimed to examine the status of antioxidant systems of the pigs naturally suffering from sarcoptic mange. Fifty nine pigs were divided into three groups, healthy control (group I, n=15), subclinical sarcoptic mange (group II, n=22) and clinical sarcoptic mange (group III, n=22). To assess the status of antioxidant systems; lipid peroxides (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), ascorbic acid, zinc and copper concentrations in the blood samples as well as LPO, SOD, CAT and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) activities in the skin were measured. The GSH, SOD, GPx, ascorbic acid, zinc, copper concentrations in blood were significantly lower in the pigs suffering from clinical and subclinical sarcoptic mange, when compared with the healthy control. However, LPO content of these infested pigs was significantly higher. The CAT, SOD and GST activities in the skin of the diseased pigs were significantly lower, whereas LPO was significantly higher as compared to the healthy control. From the present study, it may be concluded that sarcoptic mange bestows remarkable alterations in the oxidative stress markers and imposes compromisation of the antioxidant status of the infested pigs.

Hematological and serum biochemical profile of apparently healthy hariana cattle heifers in northern India.

The 'Hariana' breed of cattle has been proved to be highly adaptable to harsh climatic conditions and resistant to common diseases prevalent in India. In this study, the normal reference values of hematological and serum proteins and other blood biochemical parameters were determined in the heifers of Hariana breed maintained at Instructional livestock farm complex, DUVASU, Mathura, India. A total of twenty four animals were used in this study. Blood was taken aseptically from all the animals and transported to laboratory for hematological and biochemical analysis. The hematological parameters (Hemoglobin, total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, packed cell volume) and biochemical parameters (Total protein, total albumin, albumin globulin ratio, urea, creatinine, calcium, phosphorous, calcium phosphorous ratio, AST, ALT) values were statistically analyzed, mean and standard deviations were calculated and set as reference values. This study reported hematological and serum biochemical values which could serve as baseline information for comparison in conditions of nutrient deficiency, physiological and health status of Hariana cattle heifers in India.

Psoroptes cuniculi induced oxidative imbalance in rabbits and its alleviation by using vitamins A, D3, E, and H as adjunctive remedial.

The oxidant/antioxidant balance of rabbits naturally infected with Psoroptes cuniculi and treated with ivermectin +/- vitamins A, D(3), E, and H supplementation was investigated. Two groups of seven mixed ♂ and ♀, 6-to-8 month-old New Zealand White rabbits, diagnosed Psoroptes mites-positive by skin scraping examination and seven clinically healthy control rabbits were examined. Blood samples were obtained on day 0 and at 28 days post-therapy to determine oxidative stress indices. On day 0, the levels of lipid peroxides were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) in the Psoroptes-infected rabbits compared with the healthy controls while those of reduced glutathione and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01). Vitamin supplementation of the ivermectin-treated rabbits revealed both faster clinical (14 days) and parasitological (10 days) recovery. It was concluded that significant alteration of oxidant/antioxidant balance is a factor in the pathogenesis of P. cuniculi infestation of rabbits, and recovery can be enhanced by combining ivermectin treatment with vitamin A, D(3,) E, and H supplementation.

The curative and antioxidative efficiency of ivermectin and ivermectin + vitamin E-selenium treatment on canine Sarcoptes scabiei infestation.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the curative and antioxidative efficacy of ivermectin and ivermectin + vitamin E-selenium, and the influence of these agents on oxidative stress parameters in canines infested by Sarcoptes scabiei. Twenty two sarcoptic mites infested dogs and nine healthy dogs of 6 months to 2 years of age were divided into three groups. Group I comprised of healthy dogs (n=9) whereas animals in group II (n=11) and III (n=11) were positive for scabies. Group II animals were treated with only 1% ivermectin @ 0.2 mg/kg SC whereas group III were additionally treated with Vitamin E and selenium (tocopherol 50 mg + Se 1.5 mg/ml) @ 0.5 ml/20 kg IM at weekly intervals for three times. Blood samples were collected on day 0 and 28 post therapy. The values for hemato-biochemical parameters and activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly decreased (P<0.05) whereas level of lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in all the infested dogs in comparison to the healthy dogs on day 0 which approached normalcy by day 28 post therapy. The dogs of group III showed better clinical recovery in comparison to group II at the end of therapy. Thus, administration of vitamin E and selenium in addition to standard therapy can alleviate these alterations hastening the clinical recovery of diseased dogs and can be recommended as an adjunct therapy with miticides for canine sarcoptic mange.