Theileria orientalis Buffeli pathotype in cows in a theileriosis-endemic region of India.

Oriental theileriosis caused by Theileria orientalis is a growing health concern of lactating cows in its endemic areas. Rapid and sensitive diagnostic tests are demand areas for appropriate and effective prophylactic and therapeutic measures. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is the answer for both detection and quantification of parasites. Present study deals with qPCR for detection of parasitemia level of T. orientalis in apparently healthy and clinically affected cows. Major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene present in T. orientalis was cloned in pUC57 vector and transformed into E. coli Top 10 cells. Single and mixed infections of hemoprotozoa other than T. orientalis, causing anemia were differentiated through blood smear examination and PCR tests. T. orientalis was detected in 108 (63.15%) ill and 48 (26.66%) healthy cows. Piroplasms detected per 1000 red blood cells (RBCs) was 0-1 in the healthy group as compared to 3-22 in those showing clinical signs. Parasitemia in ill cows ranged between 6.9 × 102 and 4.5 × 103 parasites / µl of blood which was significantly higher (p<0.05) than healthy group (2.6 × 102 - 5.7 × 102 parasites / µl of blood). Phylogenetic study of the isolates showed similarity with Buffeli type that unfolded its pathogenic form in apparently healthy and ill cows.

Comparative efficacy of ivermectin and fenbendazole against ancylostomiasis in dogs.

The present experiment was carried out to assess the comparative efficacy of ivermectin and fenbendazole individually for anthelmintic therapy for the hookworm infested dogs. Dogs presented to the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine or Veterinary Clinical Complex, Bhubaneswar were randomly screened for Ancylostoma caninum infection and the positive dogs were selected for the therapeutic trial Faecal samples were collected randomly from presented dogs immediately after defaecation or from the rectum directly using a faecal scoop. The collected sample was examined by floatation technique to detect the positive cases of Ancylostoma caninum infection. The dogs with normal clinical parameters and no eggs or ova in the faeces were included in in group 1 (n = 12). Dogs with faecal sample positive for Ancylostoma caninum ova were recruited for the comparative study (n = 24) which were grouped into two groups consisting of 12 dogs in each (group 2 and 3). Group 2 dogs (n = 12) were treated with ivermectin at 200 µg/kg body weight once orally repeated after 15 days with proper supportive therapy each time. Group 3 (n = 12) were treated with fenbendazole at 50 mg/kg body weight once orally repeated after 15 days with proper supportive therapy each time. Haematological examinations and serum biochemical tests were carried out in all groups each time on day 0, 15 and 30 of the experiment. The therapeutic efficacy of both the drugs was calculated on the basis of number of animals found free of Ancylostoma infection as determined by reduction in EPG count of the faeces of the group following the treatment. The reduction in eggs per gram (EPG) count on day 15 and day 30 was more significant in group 2 than group 3. The mean EPG count reduced significantly to 24.17 ± 11.44 on day 15 from day 0 level of 1650.00 ± 247.25 in fenbendazole-treated dogs. On day 30, the mean value further reduced to become nil.The 15th day after treatment, mean (± SE) value of protein, albumin and globulin was changed to 5.63 ± 0.12, 2.64 ± 0.12 and 2.99 ± 0.15 g/dl, respectively. The 30th day after treatment, the values were 6.23 ± 0.14, 3.20 ± 0.18 and 3.03 ± 0.21 g/dl, respectively. The total protein and albumin values were significantly changed from day 0 level in group 2 and 3 by 15th day and 30th day, respectively, at 1% level of significance. Following treatment with ivermectin, the 15th day haematological values increased significantly at 1% level (P < 0.01) of significance. There was significant increase in the values at 1% level on the 30th day compared to day 0 and the mean values were non-significantly comparable to the healthy control group except PCV and TEC.

Theileria orientalis Buffeli pathotype in cows in a theileriosis-endemic region of India

@#Oriental theileriosis caused by Theileria orientalis is a growing health concern of lactating cows in its endemic areas. Rapid and sensitive diagnostic tests are demand areas for appropriate and effective prophylactic and therapeutic measures. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is the answer for both detection and quantification of parasites. Present study deals with qPCR for detection of parasitemia level of T. orientalis in apparently healthy and clinically affected cows. Major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene present in T. orientalis was cloned in pUC57 vector and transformed into E. coli Top 10 cells. Single and mixed infections of hemoprotozoa other than T. orientalis, causing anemia were differentiated through blood smear examination and PCR tests. T. orientalis was detected in 108 (63.15%) ill and 48 (26.66%) healthy cows. Piroplasms detected per 1000 red blood cells (RBCs) was 0-1 in the healthy group as compared to 3-22 in those showing clinical signs. Parasitemia in ill cows ranged between 6.9 × 102 and 4.5 × 103 parasites / µl of blood which was significantly higher (p<0.05) than healthy group (2.6 × 102 - 5.7 × 102 parasites / µl of blood). Phylogenetic study of the isolates showed similarity with Buffeli type that unfolded its pathogenic form in apparently healthy and ill cows.

Concurrent infestation of Notoedres, Sarcoptic and Psoroptic acariosis in rabbit and its management.

Acariotic mange in rabbits is one of the important constraints in rabbit husbandry. Sarcoptes scabies var. cuniculi and Psoroptes cuniculi are most common mites prevailed in rabbits, but Notoedres cati, is the rarest mite ever been reported in rabbit. Two New Zealand white rabbits were presented with clinical signs of pruritus, alopecia, scab and crust formation and lichenification on the upper lip, ear pinnae, eyelids, lower jaw and limbs. Deep skin scraping was taken separately from 4 to 5 different skin lesions from each rabbit, revealed mixed infestations of N. cati, S. cuniculi and P. cuniculi. Subcutaneous injection of ivermectin at weekly intervals for four weeks resulted in remission of clinical signs and improvement of health condition in rabbits. This is the first report of N. cati infestation of rabbit in Odisha.

Comparative anthelmintic efficacy of ivermectin delivered through different routes in gastrointestinal nematode infected dogs.

Ivermectin is one of the most effective and widely used antiparasitic agents ever discovered because of its broad spectrum activity against nematodes and arthropods. Therefore, the study was conducted to determine the comparative anthelmintic efficacy of ivermectin by giving through oral and subcutaneous routes in clinically infected dogs and also to check the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode in dogs in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Total 154 dogs with clinical signs of gastroenteritis were examined for the presence of nematodal ova in their faecal sample and 64 were found positive (41.56 %). The screened dogs were divided in to two groups (n = 10 each), first group of animals were treated with ivermectin @ 0.5 mg/kg body weight by subcutaneous route and the second group with same dose of ivermectin through oral route. Efficacy of ivermectin was evaluated based on egg per gram (EPG), haematological and biochemical parameters. It is concluded that, Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes are high in dogs in the climatic condition of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Ivermectin was found effective when administered through either of the routes. Haemato-biochemical parameters were restored after administration of ivermectin and also significant reduction in EPG was found in dogs treated with ivermectin by both the routes, but no significant difference was observed in EPG between oral and subcutaneous treated dogs in various intervals of study.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in Banaraja fowls reared in semi-intensive system of management in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.

AIM: Studies on the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths infection in Banaraja fowls of three blocks (Chandua, Shamakhunta and Bangriposi) of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha with respect to semi-intensive system of rearing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 160 Banaraja birds (30 males and 130 females) belonging to two age groups (below 1 month age and above 1 month) were examined for the presence of different species of gastrointestinal helminth infection over a period of 1-year. The method of investigation included collection of fecal sample and gastrointestinal tracts, examination of fecal sample of birds, collection of parasites from different part of gastrointestinal tract, counting of parasites, and examination of the collected parasites by standard parasitological techniques followed by morphological identification as far as possible up to the species level. RESULTS: Overall, 58.75% birds were found infected with various gastrointestinal helminths. Total five species of parasites were detected that included Ascaridia galli (25.63%), Heterakis gallinarum (33.75%), Raillietina tetragona (46.25%), Raillietina echinobothrida (11.87%), and Echinostoma revolutum (1.87%). Both single (19.15%) as well as mixed (80.85%) infection were observed. Highest incidence of infection was observed during rainy season (68.88%) followed by winter (66.66%) and least in summer season (41.81%). Sex-wise incidence revealed slightly higher occurrence among females (59.23%) than males (56.67%). Age-wise prevalence revealed that chicks were more susceptible (77.77%) than adults (51.30%) to gastrointestinal helminths infection. CONCLUSIONS: Present study revealed that mixed infection with gastrointestinal helminths of different species was more common than infection with single species and season-wise prevalence was higher in rainy season followed by winter and summer. Chicks were found to be more prone to this parasitic infection and a slight higher prevalence among female birds was observed.

Reinforcement of endocrine surgery training: impact of telemedicine technology in a developing country context.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Technology-based outreach programs for knowledge sharing and skill development using telemedicine is a novel approach to developing subspecialties in regions where there is a lack of specialists and dedicated departments. Endocrine surgery is one such emerging subspecialty. There are few dedicated surgeons and centers even in the developed world. India has only one such center. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and impact of telemedicine on the reinforcement of endocrine surgery training at distant places to develop this subspecialty in a developing country such as India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two faculty members from the General Surgery Department at SCB Medical College in Cuttack, Orissa, India registered at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow for a short 3-month training course in endocrine surgery in 1998 and thereafter consulted through telephone calls and e-mail when required. Telemedicine-based mentoring was introduced in 2001 as a reinforcement method for continuing training and skills development. Various training modules were used, including tele-consultation, case presentation, treatment planning, tele-radiology, tele-pathology, and tele-continuing medical education (CME) programs and workshops. The outcome was assessed in terms of the increase in the number of patients with endocrine disorders seen and operated on by trainees and the complication rates. RESULTS: A total of 70 telemedicine sessions were held between 2001 and 2005. They included tele-education and surgical treatment planning (n = 44), tele-consultation including tele-pathology and tele-radiology (n = 26), and tele-surgical conferences/CME (n = 6). The number of endocrine surgical cases performed by trainees after training (phase II) increased significantly compared to those before training (phase I), with a further increase after starting telemedicine-enabled mentoring (phase III). Most of the patients operated on by the trainees had thyroid problems, although these surgeons started operating on a few patients with parathyroid and adrenal disorders as well. The morbidity figures for the thyroidectomy operations (including total thyroidectomy) were comparable to those at the training institution. CONCLUSION: The concept of training a group of motivated general surgeons to practice safe endocrine surgery at a remote center via telemedicine-aided reinforcement of their training is thus feasible. This is particularly true in the case of thyroidectomy operations, which constitute the major workload of endocrine surgery in our country. The same program might be applicable to the development of other medical subspecialties in a developing country as well.

Attachment of spermatozoa to in vitro matured bovine oocytes in TCM-199 and MEM media.

Investigation was undertaken to study the efficacy of TCM 199 and MEM media in the process of oocyte maturation and fertilization after harvesting the oocytes from slaughtered cow and heifer ovaries by aspiration and mincing techniques. Out of 354 number of ovaries, mincing method could yield 1.35 (50.98%) of good quality oocytes per ovary as comparison to 0.61 (55.45%) by aspiration method. The TCM 199 and MEM could record the maturation of 85.71% and 60.26% of oocytes and the rate of sperm penetration was higher in TCM 199 matured oocytes (97.21%) as compared to MEM matured ones (74.46%). The staining of oocytes by aceto-orcein stain was also employed.