Prospects of control and eradication of capripox from the Indian subcontinent: a perspective.

Sheeppox and goatpox, two endemic capripox infections in India, pose a significant economic threat to small ruminant productivity in the subcontinent. Vaccination of all susceptible sheep and goats is the feasible and sustainable means of control. Availability of effective live attenuated vaccines that are inherently thermostable and development of improved diagnostics provide the opportunities to initiate effective control measures for capripox. All animals older than 4 months can be vaccinated with the current homologous vaccines using a single vaccination by intradermal or subcutaneous routes. The success of the control program needs to be monitored by active surveillance particularly for the presence of virus, as sero-monitoring does not enable the differentiation of infection and vaccination. And also the sero-conversion following capripox vaccination is not detectable enough by the available tools. Sustained control efforts call for socio-economic and political stability, adequate infrastructure and logistic support to store and transport vaccines for reaching out vaccines to the remote end users. Availability of veterinary services, improved extension services for increased awareness among farmers, contribute significantly to the control campaigns. Poor vaccination coverage and in-adequate infrastructure in major parts of the country are some of the major elements that come in the way of effective implementation of building herd immunity through immunization.

Protective effect of partially purified 35 kDa protein from silk worm (Bombyx mori) fecal matter against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity and in vitro anti-viral properties.

CONTEXT: It has been found that many proteins from silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) fecal matter have been active against human immunodeficiency virus, Sendai virus, herpes simplex virus type-1, and nuclear polyhedrosis virus. OBJECTIVE: A partially purified 35 kDa protein from silkworm was screened for its hepatoprotective activity, and in vitro antioxidant, and antiviral properties against camelpox and goatpox viruses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study investigated the efficiency of the partially purified 35 kDa protein from silk worm fecal matter against CCl4-induced liver damage measured in terms of enzyme levels such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase(ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin, which maintain liver integrity. In vitro antioxidant potential of this protein was determined based on its ability to scavenge 2, 2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide anions scavenging activity. Further, in vitro cytotoxic effect on Vero cells and antiviral activity against goatpox and camelpox viruses were also studied. RESULTS: The protein had significant hepatoprotection against CCl4-induced liver damage and scavenging of DPPH radical and superoxide anion activity. However, the protein did not inhibit the multiplication of either virus tested at its maximum non-toxic concentration (MNTC) in vitro. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The partially purified 35 kDa protein from silk worm Bombyx mori L fecal matter possessed protective effect against CCl4-induced oxidative stress in rat model. The protein was found to be ineffective against camelpox and goatpox viruses at its MNTC in vitro.

In vitro antiviral activity of plant extracts on goatpox virus replication.

Four plants having known medicinal properties were screened for inhibition of goatpox virus (GTPV) replication in vitro. Of the 4 plants, extract of Acacia arabica (Babul) and Eugenia jambolana (Jamun) leaves had inhibition (%) 99.70 and 99.92 at their maximum non toxic concentrations, 99.93 +/- 0.38 and 1999.73 +/- 0.50 microg/ml, respectively in all cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assays. Inhibition of GTPV virus replication was further confirmed by PCR and SYBR Green based quantitative real-time QPCR assays specific for GTPV. Results indicated that the extract of Acacia arabica and Eugenia jambolana leaves inhibited GTPV replication in vitro.

Trials for preparation of inactivated sheep pox vaccine using binary ethyleneimine.

Binary ethyleneimine (BEI) was used to inactivate the local Egyptian strain of sheep pox virus. The inactivation process was applied using final concentrations of BEI at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3% for different incubation periods at 37 degrees C. The virus was completely inactivated after 7 hours incubation with by 2% BEI final concentration; the inactivated virus was adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide gel when incubated for 6 hours in a concentration 1:1. The antibody levels were estimated by virus neutralization test and ELISA. Specific antibodies appeared from the 1st week post vaccination and remained until the 4th week post challenge. The prepared vaccine was evaluated for safety, sterility and potency. The vaccine proved to be safe, sterile and inducing protection for the vaccinated lambs when challenged by the virulent sheep pox virus up to 6 months post vaccination.