Comparative efficacy of ivermectin and Nigella sativa against helminths in Aseel chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus).

In this study, we evaluated the in vivo comparative efficacy of ivermectin and Nigella sativa extract against helminths in Aseel chickens, and the effects of helminths on blood parameters before and after treatment in Aseel chickens. Forty naturally infected adult Aseel chickens were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 each): group A (ivermectin at 300 µg/kg); group B (N. sativa extract at 200 mg/kg); group C (ivermectin at 300 µg/kg + N. sativa extract at 200 mg/kg); group D was kept as a positive control to monitor time-related changes. On day 28 post treatment, the mean percentages of faecal egg-count reduction (FECR %) in groups A, B and C were recorded as 93.58, 88.09 and 100.00%, respectively. Further data analysis showed significantly higher efficacy in group C (100 ± 0.00%) than in groups A and B (P < 0.001). Highly significant (P < 0.001) improvements in mean percentage values of packed cell volume (PCV %) were recorded in groups A and C on days 14 and 28 post treatment. Meanwhile, the improvements in mean values of haemoglobin (Hb) concentration in groups A, B and C were highly significant (P < 0.001) when compared to that of group D on day 28 post treatment. The synergistic combination of ivermectin and N. sativa extract possessed greater efficacy than either ivermectin or N. sativa extract used alone. Furthermore, both PCV % and Hb concentration values gradually increased in the treated groups compared to the control group, in which PCV % and Hb concentration gradually decreased throughout the trial.

Pathological effect on naturally infected kidneys of freshwater murrels by Euclinostomum heterostomum metacercariae.

Present investigation was carried out to study the histo-pathological alterations induced by metacercariae of digenetic trematode, Euclinostomum heretostomum on the kidney of Channa striatus and Channa marulius in natural condition. Histo-architectural alterations induced by parasite included reduced size of glomeruli, severe degeneration and necrosis of haemopoietic tissue and tubule cells with hypertrophied nuclei in C. striatus. Whereas, infected kidney of C. marulius exhibited the development of several melano-macrophage centers, hypertrophied nuclei of tubule cells and detached epithelial cells of renal tubules. Therefore an attempt has been made to record the first naturally occurring pathogenicity of E. heterostomum in kidney of freshwater murrels.

Pathological effects of Eustrongylides sp. larvae (Dioctophymatidae) infection in freshwater fish, Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) with special reference to ovaries.

Present study was conducted to investigate the pathological effects of Dioctophymatid nematode (Eustrongylides sp.) in the freshwater fish, Glossogobius giuris. It is bright red colored nematode, measuring 30-55.26 mm in length and 0.525-0.630 mm in width, was found encapsulated or free in the body muscles, swim bladder, liver, intestine and ovaries of host fish. The overall prevalence of parasite was 38.47 ± 18.234 % and high prevalence of 68.75 and 50.0 % was observed in month of November, 2008 and March, 2008 respectively i.e. maximum infection of parasite was during pre-spawning and post-spawning period. Only the ovaries of host fish were found infected with encapsulated larvae. Ovaries showed 11.2 ± 0.088 % of prevalence and 0.259 ± 1.176 of relative intensity. The gonado-somatic index and fecundity of infected fishes were observed to decrease as compared to the uninfected ones. The histo-pathological damage caused by parasites in ovaries is characterized by damaged and disrupted germinal epithelium, damaged oocytes showing the sign of necrosis, liquification of yolk globules and reduction in the formation of yolk. The present observation attributes towards the reduction in fecundity and further decline in the population of the host fish.

Histo-architectural alterations induced by Euclinostomum heterostomum (metacercariae) infected liver of Channa punctata (Bloch).

Present investigation was carried out to study the effect of digenetic trematode, Euclinostomum heretostomum on the histo-architecture of liver of Channa punctata. In case of mild infection, the metacercariae were found attached to the external surface of hepatic tissue. While in case of acute or chronic infection, the encysted metacercariae of Euclinostomum heterostomum were found deeply embedded in the entire hepatic tissue due to which liver appeared thin, compressed and pale with yellowish- black nodules of encysted metacercariae. A space occupying cavity is created by the metacercarial cysts due to which tissue appeared in the form of lumps. Histo-architectural alterations induced by parasite included degeneration, compression and loosening of hepatic tissue with enucleated and deshaped hepatocytes.

Seasonal variation in physicochemical parameters and heavy metals in water of Upper Lake of Bhopal.

Heavy metal pollution of fresh water is the single most important environmental threat to the future. Upper Lake is a freshwater lake, which is the major source of drinking water in the city of Bhopal, the capital city of M.P., the central province of India, but due to anthropogenic activities this lake is being polluted. During the investigation heavy metals and physicochemical parameters were analyzed to determine the water quality seasonally in the year of 2006 and 2007. All the physicochemical parameters except DO (6.50-6.97 mg l⁻¹), Free CO2 (0.8-1.6 mg l⁻¹) and BOD (5.47-6.85 mg l⁻¹) were below the prescribed limit as recommended by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for drinking water standards. In case of heavy metals, Ni (0.173-0.253 mg l⁻¹) and Cr (0.047-0.087 mg l⁻¹) were found beyond the prescribed limits (0.02 and 0.05 mg l⁻¹, respectively), whereas Pb (0.057-0.087 mg l⁻¹), Cu (0.016-0.020 mg l⁻¹) and Hg (0.0006-0.0011 mg l⁻¹) were within the safe limit. This study reveals that water of upper lake is partially polluted with heavy metals. It is recommended that strict vigilance and constant monitoring are needed to maintain water quality of the lake, which is a major source of potable water for the Bhopal city.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish tissues of a freshwater lake of Bhopal.

Contamination of heavy metals, namely, lead, cadmium, zinc, nickel, copper, chromium and mercury was evaluated in the samples of water and tissues of Labeo rohita and Ctenopharyngodon idella of Upper Lake of Bhopal collected during summer, rainy and winter seasons of 2005-2006. Different organs of the fishes accumulated varying quantities of different heavy metals. In L. rohita, accumulation of heavy metals was in the sequence liver>kidney>gills>muscles, and in C. idella, it was gills>liver>kidney>muscles. Zn was the highest accumulating metal in fish, whilst Hg was the lowest and was well corroborated with those of water. The values of heavy metals were so far well within the maximum permissible standard value of heavy metals for drinking water and for fish culture as prescribed by various national and international agencies.

A studies on chemical control of S. mansoni intermediate host.

This study was conducted to screen different snail species to determine their susceptibility for different parasitic infections and also to determine LC50 and LC90 values. The screening of snail species infected with Schistosome parasite and mean number of cercariae shed by individual infected snail was 184+12. The experiment on relationship of snail size and dose of Niclosamide showed that juvenile snails were more susceptible to chemical when compared with adult snails. A series of seven experiments indicated that concentration of 0.067 and 0.109 mg L(-1) were required to kill 50 and 90% snails, respectively in an exposure period of 24 h and no death occurred in recovery period.

Observations on the histological alterations in various tissues of EUS affected fish, Channa striatus (Bloch).

Histopathological investigations have been made on the skin, liver, kidney and intestine of, (EUS) affected fish, Channa striatus and following anomalies have been observed. Varying degree of degeneration has been observed in the epidermis, dermis, hypodermis and underlying musculature. In all the cases, the skin lost the scales and epidermis completely at the site of infection. The dermis along with hypodermis showed the signs of necrosis. Necrosis also took place in subcutaneous layer underlying the hypodermis. Necrotization and formation of granulomas can clearly be seen in circular and longitudinal muscle layers. The liver exhibited the loosening of tissue and distension in cell bodies. While in case of kidney, shrinkage took place in all the components. Similarly, the intestinal villi got necrotised alongwith their constituent elements.

Role of bacteria in the epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) of fishes.

Bacteriological examination of certain water bodies and fishes carrying EUS was carried out. As a whole, 17 species of bacteria were isolated from the investigated water bodies and EUS affected fishes. The species of bacteria isolated from fishes are common to those isolated from water. Experimental infection trials conducted suggested that Aeromonas hydrophila in association with Pseudomonas fluorescens, may be playing the role of primary aetiological agent in producing EUS in fishes.

Haematological investigations on fishes infested with fungal growth.

Considerable changes have been observed in the haematological parameters of Labeo rohita, Mystus cavasius, Nandus nandus and Puntius sarana infested with Aphanomyces sp., Saprolegnia parasitica, Achlya prolifera and Dictyuchus monosporus, respectively. Substantial decline have been observed in the number of erythrocytes and lymphocytes. The number of granulocytes and monocytes were noticed significantly increased. The amount of haemoglobin has also been decreased drastically in all the cases.

Pemphigus vulgaris in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) affects primarily middle-aged persons in North America. Conventional therapy suggests use of high doses of systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. We have observed a group of older patients with PV and determined their clinical characteristics, treatment, and clinical course. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen patients with PV, in whom the onset of the disease was at age 65 or older, were observed and followed at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, between 1985 and 1992. We determined sex and race distribution, disease severity, clinical presentation, autoantibody levels, treatment, response to treatment, and clinical course in these patients. RESULTS: Men and women were affected equally. All the patients were white, and 50% were Jewish. Extensive disease was observed in only 27.8%. The disease was localized in 44.4%; in eight patients (44.4%), the use of sublesional corticosteroid (SLS) injection alone produced satisfactory clinical response. In patients with severe disease, the maximum dose of 60 mg/day of prednisone was sufficient. Patients with moderate disease responded to 20 to 40 mg/day of prednisone. Immunosuppressive agents were used in only four patients. The patients were followed for 3 to 15 years (mean 5.2 years). None of them died of the disease or the complications of therapy. At the time we reported this experience, most of the patients were in clinical remission without any therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest that prognosis for older patients with PV is favorable. In several older patients, PV was controlled by SLS or lower doses of systemic corticosteroids. Systemic agents should be used cautiously and judiciously, and supportive measures should be offered frequently and aggressively.

Infertility in women with pemphigus vulgaris and other autoimmune diseases.

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases may adversely affect reproductive function and could result in infertility. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to describe nine young women with PV and infertility. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed. Clinical characteristics, immunopathologic features, treatment, clinical course, and long-term follow-up were determined. RESULTS: Eight of nine patients were unable to become pregnant. One patient became pregnant during a period of remission. In eight of the nine patients, the cause of infertility was ovarian. Anti-sperm antibodies were present in two of the patients. CONCLUSION: Some patients with PV may have infertility. No definitive conclusion about the frequency of infertility in these patients or its relation to PV can be drawn. However, these observations indirectly demonstrate that there may be important interactions between the immune and hormonal systems.

Head-kidney thyroid in some Indian teleosts.

Six species of fishes, with different habits and belonging to different habitats and families, have been investigated. Only four, namely Discognathus lamta, Carassius auratus, Glossogobius giuris and Polynemus sexfilis have shown the presence of heterotopic thyroid follicles in their head-kidneys. The heterotopic thyroid follicles of Discognathus lamta appear to be functional while those of the rest of fishes are in non-functional state.

Caudal neurosecretory system and the neurohemal organ of Tor tor (Ham.).

The Caudal neurosecretory system and the neurohemal organ of a fresh water fish, Tor tor, is described. In this fish the neurosecretory system is well developed which extends upon an stretch of the last 6--7 caudal vertebrae. This region of the spinal cord is characterised by the presence of large Dahlgren cells. These cells send off long processes into a ventrally situated storage release centre, "the neurohemal organ" termed as "urophysis". In Tor tor the urophysis is a distinct, whitish, unpaired and ventral prominence of typical teleostean type. It remains located in a shallow concavity formed at the urostyle and communicates with the spinal cord broadly. Gross morphology of this system provides the evidence that the caudal spinal cord is composed of Dahlgren cells, glial cells, ependymal cells, blood capillaries, ordinary nerve fibres and the central with Reisnner's fibres. The Dahlgren cells are recognized to be of two types--small and large. These cells are polymorphic and usually multinucleated. Polymorphic and lobulated nuclei have also been encountered. Histologically the urophysis can be divided into two regions--an outer cortex and inner medulla. The cortex is composed of epedymal cells, glial cells, connective tissue and the blood capillaries while the medulla consists of the neurosecretory processes of the Dahlgren cells, connective tissue fibres, secretory droplets including large size herring bodies and abundantly present blood capillaries. A few of the herring bodies are also observed with vacuoles, a feature suggesting them to be in the functional state.

Histo-physiological studies on the interrenal gland of a catfish, Clarias batrachus (Linn.).

The effects of three drugs namely, reserpine, atropine, and adrenaline have been investigated on the interrenal gland of Clarias batrachus. All the drugs bring about lesser or greater degree of hypertrophy in the interrenal gland of this fish. Atropine exhibits more vigorous effect than reserpine and adrenaline.

Thyroid follicles in the head-kidney of teleosts.

Out of five species of fishes, selected for this investigation, only two have shown the presence of thyroid follicles in their head-kidneys. In Tor tor the thyroid follicles are larger than those of Cyprinus carpio. They are elliptical in shape in T. tor while spherical in C. carpio. The follicular epithelium in T. tor is thick and prominently built while in C. carpio it is weak in its appearance and structure. The colloid of the follicles in both the cases is uniformely homogeneous, non-vacuolated ans acidophilic in nature. The follicles are almost always located in close proximity to the posterior cardinal veins and their branches. It is, for this reason, argued that they might have migrated along these blood vessels. there is no any regular distribution and proper arrangement of these follicles.

Heterotopic thyroid follicles in the accessory mesonephric lobes of Heteropneutes fossilis (Bloch).

The presence of heterotopic thyroid follicles is reported in the accessory mesonephric lobes of Heteropneustes fossilis. They are found rarely and singly, scattered in the substance of these lobes, in the early stages of development; but in the adult organ they occur in groups. There is no regular distribution and proper arrangement of these follicles. They are mainly located in close proximity to blood vessels and are considered to have migrated to their heterotopic positions along them. They show some signs of functional activity in the adult animal.