Enhancement of immune responses to infectious bursal disease vaccine by supplement of an extract made from Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng. seeds.

The immunological effect of an extract from Momordica cochinchinensis seed (ECMS) on immune responses against infectious bursal disease (IBD) in chickens was evaluated. Fifty-two birds were equally divided into 4 groups and immunized with inactivated IBD vaccine alone (controls) or IBD vaccine emulsified with ECMS (20, 40, and 80 microg). Serum IgG antibody levels against IBD and BW were measured on 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 d after immunization. The ELISA results revealed that the chickens that received 20 microg of ECMS had significantly enhanced antibody levels on 14, 21, 28, and 35 d when compared with controls (P<0.05). A significant increase in mitogenic stimulated lymphocyte proliferation was also recorded in all ECMS groups as compared with controls (P<0.05; P<0.01). No adverse effect of ECMS was noted on growth performance, although average weight gain was significantly higher in 20 microg (7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 d) and 40 or 80 microg (14 d) of ECMS groups as compared with controls (P<0.05; P<0.01). Further studies are suggested for the investigation of immunological effects of ECMS.

Ctenocephalides felis in dogs and cats in Tandojam region.

One hundred dogs and equal number of cats was examined in Tandojam town and its surroundings, with an object to record the flea infestation in these hosts. During this study, only one species of flea, i.e., Ctenocephalides felis was founding infesting both host animals. Pooled compilation of data revealed that 34% of dogs and 28% cats were infested. However, categorical compilation of results showed that in case of dogs, the higher rate of infestation (50%) was recorded in females than in males (10%). Similar trend was also found in cats, where 25% females were found infested as against 11.11% in males. The trend of female bias infestation was also observed down to the level of young population of animals under study. The rate of infestation was higher in female puppies (40%) than in male puppies (26.66%). It was also higher in female kitten (37.84%) than in male kitten (12.43%).

Host-parasite relationship of S. mansoni and B. glabrata.

Experiments were conducted to study the host-parasite compatibility of various isolates of Biomphalaria glabrata snail and Schistosoma mansoni parasite isolates. A series of experiments conducted on 12 S. mansoni isolates have shown a range of infectivity potential for B. glabrata snail and 9 isolates of B. glabrata were found differentially susceptible to infection with S. mansoni trematode parasite.

Inactivation of infectious bursal disease virus by binary ethylenimine and formalin.

In this experiment conducted to study the inactivation dynamics of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) by binary ethylenimine (BEI) in comparison with formalin, IBDV was isolated from the bursa of infected chickens and its confirmation was done by agar gel precipitation test. Viral suspensions were subjected to inactivation with BEI and formalin for pre-set time intervals. BEI was employed at concentrations of 0.001 and 0.002 mol/L while formalin was used at 0.1% and 0.2%. Sampling was done at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h of incubation and samples were tested for their inactivation status in 9-day-old embryonated eggs and 3-week-old broiler chickens. IBDV was completely inactivated by 0.001 and 0.002 mol/L BEI after 36 h of incubation at 37 degrees C, whereas formalin at 0.1% and 0.2% concentrations inactivated IBDV in 24 h.

Comparative study of Anaplasma parasites in tick carrying buffaloes and cattle.

A comparative study on the prevalence of Anaplasma parasite was conducted on ticks carrying buffaloes and cattle. Five hundred blood samples of both animals (250 of each) were collected during February, March and April. Thin blood smears on glass slides were made, fixed in 100% methyl alcohol and examined. Microscopic examination revealed that 205 (41%) animals had Anaplasma parasites, out of which 89, 44 and 72 animals had Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale and mixed infection respectively. Infected buffaloes and cattle were 75 and 130 respectively. The infection in female was 53 and 92 in buffaloes and cattle respectively. Twenty-two and 92 blood samples of male were found positive in buffaloes and cattle respectively. Comparative study revealed that the cattle were 26.82% more susceptible than buffaloes. The parasite prevailing percentage in female of both animals was slightly higher than that of the male. This investigation was aimed at studying the comparative prevalence of Anaplasma parasite in tick carrying buffaloes and cattle.