Beyond parasitism: Exploring the microbial profile of Haemonchus contortus and its predilection site (abomasum) in Kashmir Merino sheep.

Gastrointestinal helminth infection, particularly by Haemonchus contortus, poses significant challenges to sheep farming worldwide. While anthelmintic drugs have been traditional control measures, the emergence of resistance calls for alternative strategies. Understanding the interaction between parasites, host, and their microbiome is crucial for management of helminth infection. This study intricately explores the interactions between microbial communities in Kashmir Merino sheep infected with H. contortus, to understand the complex interplay between host, parasite, and their microbiome. Sheep abomasal contents and H. contortus were collected from infected and control groups, processed for DNA extraction, and subjected to metagenomic sequencing of the 16 S rRNA gene. Downstream analysis unveils distinct microbial patterns, where Proteobacteria were dominant in H. contortus, while Bacteroidota and Firmicutes prevailed in the sheep abomasum. The revelation of unique genera and shifts in diversity indices underscored helminth-induced disruptions in the host. Beta diversity analysis further showed significant variations in bacterial profiles, providing insights into the intricate host, parasite, and microbiome dynamics. Additionally, this study elucidated the presence of pathogenic bacteria within H. contortus, accentuating their potential role in exacerbating sheep health issues. This finding underscores the complexity of the host-parasite-microbiome interaction showing helminth-induced microbiome alterations of the host.

Genetic diversity and occurrence of Eimeria species causing cattle coccidiosis in Kashmir, India.

This study focuses on the occurrence, identification, and molecular characterization of Eimeria species causing coccidiosis in cattle in the Kashmir Valley, India. Coccidiosis, caused by apicomplexan parasites of the genus Eimeria, poses a significant threat to global cattle farming. Conventional techniques for identification, which rely on the morphology of sporulated oocysts, have drawbacks, leading to the adoption of molecular techniques to accurately delimit species. A total of 190 cattle were sampled in nine farms and parasitological examination revealed an occurrence of 45.7% for Eimeria spp. Molecular analysis using PCR and sequencing identified three predominant species: E. zuernii, E. alabamensis, and E. bovis. The study highlights the widespread occurrence of these species globally, as supported by previous research conducted in Bangladesh, Austria, Egypt, and Brazil. The phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) gene sequences revealed distinct clusters for E. zuernii and E. bovis, while E. alabamensis formed a separate clade. The genetic diversity and phylogenetic connections provide insights into the evolutionary relationships among these Eimeria species. This study contributes valuable information for understanding the epidemiology and genetic diversity of cattle coccidiosis in the Kashmir Valley, emphasizing the importance of molecular characterization for accurate species identification.

Gastrointestinal parasites of the wild ungulates (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla) in the Hemis National Park, Ladakh, India.

We evaluated the gastrointestinal parasitic prevalence and intensity of wild ungulates in the Hemis National Park of Ladakh by examining their fresh faecal samples. A total of 327 fresh faecal samples from three wild ungulates, blue sheep Pseudois nayaur (n = 127), Ladakh urial Ovis vignei vignei (n = 110), and Himalayan ibex Ibex siberica (n = 90) were collected between June 2021 and May 2022. The techniques of flotation and sedimentation were used to find parasite eggs and oocysts from the faecal samples. Out of 327 samples examined, 165 samples were infected with gastrointestinal parasites making an overall prevalence of 50.45%. Seven parasitic taxa, including one protozoan (Eimeria spp.), five nematodes (Nematodirus spp., Strongyloides spp., Haemonchus sp., Trichuris sp., and Trichostrongylus spp.), and one cestode (Monezia spp.), were found during the current investigation. Mixed infection was reported in 36 (11%) of the total examined samples. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was found to be highest in blue sheep (55.11%), followed by Ladakh urial (49.09%) and Himalayan ibex (45.55%). The highest prevalence was recorded in the summer (64.42%), and the lowest in the winter (33.82%). A significant difference in parasitic prevalence was observed across seasons in each of the three wild ungulate hosts. However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of parasites between these hosts.

A coprological survey on helminths of Jackal Canis aureus Linnaeus 1758 in Kashmir Himalaya.

A coprological examination was carried out between February 2017 and January 2019 to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in jackals of Kashmir Himalaya, India. Fecal floatation and sedimentation technique revealed helminths in 215 scats out of 879 examined scats, with overall helminth prevalence of 24.45%. In the study, five different species of helminths were detected in scats of jackal: Toxocara canis (22.86%), Ancylostoma caninum (20.47%), Dipylidium caninum (17.17%), Trichuris vulpis (19.34%), and taeniid eggs (13.65%). One helminth species was found in (0.11%) of the jackal scats, two were in (1.25%), three were in (4.77%), four were in (16.38%), and five were in (1.92%). Toxocara canis, a nematode with great zoonotic significance, was most common helminth found in scats of jackal during the study. We observed significant seasonal fluctuation (p < 0.05) in the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths, with summer having high frequency followed by autumn, spring, and winter having lowest prevalence. The study area's jackal population's preponderance of zoonotic helminth species suggests a high risk of zoonotic infection by canine intestinal helminths. This study will aid veterinarians in better plan preventative strategies with regard to wild animal intestinal parasites.

Gastrointestinal helminth parasites of wild ungulates in Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Kashmir, India.

Parasitic infection represents an emerging threat to wild ungulates and a challenge to their management. Although a lot of work has been carried out on helminth parasitic infestation of domestic ungulates of Kashmir but the data pertaining to this aspect of wild ungulates has been ignored. The study on gastrointestinal helminth parasitic infestation of wild ungulates was carried out during post livestock grazing period (November to May) of 2018/2019 in Hirpora Wildlife sanctuary (HWLS) to fill the gap in the existing literature. During the study fresh faecal samples of musk deer Moschus spp. (n = 44) and markhor Capra falconeri (n = 41) were collected and examined qualitatively and quantitatively for gastrointestinal helminth parasites. A total of seven helminth parasites were recorded which are arranged in the descending order of their overall prevalence as Haemonchus spp. (44.70%), Nematodirus spp. (40%), Trichuris spp. (37.64%), Strongyloides spp. (34.11%) Trichostrongylus spp. (28.23%) Moniezia spp. (23.52%) and Fasciola spp. (20%). The mean EPG (eggs per gram) of different parasites showed a considerable variation in both the wild ungulates. The highest mean EPG was that of Haemonchus spp. and the lowest mean EPG was that of Fasciola spp. in both hosts. A statistically significant difference was observed in the mean EPG of different parasites between two wild hosts (t = 3.606, p = 0.01) .

Seroprevalence of human cystic echinococcosis in South Kashmir, India.

Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease that causes economic losses and public health problems throughout the globe. Present study was undertaken to estimate the seroprevalence of cystic echinococcosis in humans of South Kashmir and to determine the risk factors associated with this disease. The present study was carried out from April 2017 to March 2018, during which 458 blood samples (from 222 males and 236 females) were collected from selected subjects from 12 villages of four districts along with demographic characteristics. Samples were analyzed by an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) (commercially prepared kit) for detection of immunoglobulin IgG against cystic echinococcosis. Out of 458 samples, 20(4.36%) samples were found positive. Results implied that the seroprevalence of cystic echinococcosis in South Kashmir had significant relationship with age, gender and occupation (P < .05). Seroprevalence for cystic echinococcosis was significantly higher among males, children, and illiterate persons.

Evaluation of anthelmintic antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Chenopodium album.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Chenopodium album against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and some pathogenic microbes. A worm motility inhibition assay was used for in vitro study, and a faecal egg count reduction assay was used for an in vivo study. Various concentrations ranging from 100 to 500 µg/ml of the extract were subjected to antimicrobial screening by disc diffusion method against four selected bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas multocida and Escherichia coli) and two fungal (Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans) strains in order to estimate the medicinal potential of the herb. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), riboflavin photo-oxidation, deoxyribose, lipid peroxidation assays were used for antioxidant activity. The extracts exhibited dose- and time-dependent anthelmintic effects on the Haemonchus contortus as compared to levamisole. The extract showed maximum inhibitory effect against S. aureus (28 ± 0.14 mm), while as mild inhibitory effect was observed against E. coli among the selected microbial strains. The effect produced by the different extract concentrations was comparable with the standard antibacterial agent streptomycin sulphate and antifungal agent nystatin, which were used as effective positive control in the study. The antioxidant activity showed that the extracts exhibited scavenging effect in concentration-dependent manner on superoxide anion radicals and hydroxyl radicals leading to the conclusion that the plant has broad spectrum anthelmintic, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and could be a potential alternative for treating various diseases.

Prevalence of Trichuris spp. in small ruminants slaughtered in Srinagar District (J&K).

The present study aims to determine the age- wise, sex- wise and month-wise prevalence along with seasonal fluctuations of Trichuris spp. in ovines and caprines slaughtered during a 12 month period in local abattoirs in Srinagar region from August 2011 to July 2012. Adult parasites were identified on the basis of morphological characters (Soulsby Helminths, arthropods and protozoa of domes- 229 ticated animals, CLBS and Bailliere Tinda, London,1982). The highest prevalence (66.6 %) was in the month of Jan, 2012 whereas prevalence was lowest in the month of August 2011. Trichuris count in ovines increased in autumn (42.02 %), reached maximum levels in winter (59.37), and then tended to decline until spring (53.22 %) and reached minimum levels in summer (30.6 %), before increasing again in mid-autumn. Thus with respect to climatic conditions of area from which exotic ovines were imported, Trichuris prevalence was more prevalent in dry season(55.5 %) than in wet season (36.36 %). Moreover, an association was observed between sex and age of the host with prevalence of Trichuris infection. Of the representative examined samples, Trichuris infection was 44.07 % in female host comparative to 38.07 % infection in males (p > 0.05). Likewise young animals were more infected (53.8 %) than the adult ones (32.9 %) and kids (37.5 %). Moreover, Trichuris spp. were more prevalent in goats than in sheep(p < 0.05). Hence, it was concluded that prevalence of Trichuris spp. infecting ovines varied with respect to season, age and sex.

A field survey on the status of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in hangul (Cervus elaphus hanglu) in Dachigam National Park of Kashmir.

One year crossectional survey was carried out to determine and describe the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasite infections in hangul (Cervus elaphus hanglu) in Dachigam National Park of Kashmir through faecal examinations. Out of 153 faecal samples examined, 82 (53.59 %) were found infected with GIT helminthes. In present study seven helminth species were found, including five nematode [Haemonchus contortus (55.39 %), Trichuris ovis (39.75 %), Dictyocaulus viviparus (28.4.00 %), Oesophogostomum circumcincta (13.7 %) and Chabertia ovina (4.02 %)] one trematode [Fasciola hepatica (17.3 %)] and one cestode species [Moneizia expansa (6.05 %)]. Based on the severity of infection 81.7 % of hangul positive samples were severely infected (epg > 1,500), 8.3 % heavily infected (epg = 1,100-1,500), 3.8 % moderately infected (epg = 800-1,000) and 7.2 % mildly infected (epg = 500). Season, sex and age were the factors that influenced the epidemiological prevalence of GIT helminths in hangul in the present study. The maximum helminth infection was observed in summer season and lowest in winter (P = 0.003). Lower age groups were more infected than adult animals (P > 0.05). Prevalence was higher in males than females (P > 0.05). The present study will initially be of great significance to add to existing knowledge of the epidemiology of GIT helminth of hangul which is the pioneering study on this animal in the valley and the findings will be quite helpful to devise the appropriate control and prophylactic strategies for GIT helminthiasis of hangul in the Dachigam national park.

Abattoir survey of abamossal nematodes of sheep in Srinagar district (J & K).

Gastrointestinal trichostrongyles of small ruminants are one of the major causes of productivity loss. Epidemiological study was carried out to determine parasitic infection of sheep with abamossal nematodes at various abattoirs in Srinagar district of Kashmir Valley from August 2011 to July 2012. On the basis of necroscopy, out of representative 281 abamossa, 53.3 % were recorded to be infected with Haemonchus species and 41.2 % with Ostertagia spp. Thus, Haemonchus spp. were more prevalent than Ostertagia spp. in ovines (P > 0.05). Infection prevalence percentage of Haemonchus spp. was highest in late summer season and early rainy season (62.85 %) with peak value in the month of July (71.42 %) and lowest in winter (42.85 %) with minimum value in the month of February (40 %). Similar trend was seen with Ostertagia spp. having highest infection prevalence value during summer season (52.8 %) with peak values in the month of July (64.2 %) and lowest infection in winter (34.2 %) with minimum value in February (30 %). Moreover, non-local breeds were more prevalent than local ones (P = 0.05).

Anthelmintic and antimicrobial activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Euphorbia helioscopia L.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic and antimicrobial efficacy of Euphorbia helioscopia crude extracts. A worm motility inhibition assay and egg hatch assay were used for in vitro study, and a faecal egg count reduction assay was used for in vivo study. The in vitro study revealed anthelmintic effects of crude methanolic extracts of E. helioscopia on live Haemonchus contortus worms as evident from their paralysis and/or death at 8 h after exposure. Different concentrations (12.5 mg ml(-1), 25 mg ml(-1) and 50 mg ml(-1)) of aqueous and methanolic extracts were used against H. contortus which exhibited dose-dependent anthelmintic effects on H. contortus. Different extracts of E. helioscopia on percent inhibitory egg hatching was very low as compared to levamisole. The antimicrobial activity of extracts ranging from 100 to 500 mg ml(-1) screened by disc diffusion method against four selected bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas multocida and Escherichia coli) and two fungal strains (Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans) was also dose dependent with the extract showing more inhibitory effects against S. aureus and E. coli and a minimum inhibitory effect against A. flavus. It is concluded that the entire plant of E. helioscopia possesses significant anthelmintic and antimicrobial activity and could be a potential alternative for treating cases of helminth infections in ruminants.

In vitro and in vivo anthelmintic activity of Euphorbia helioscopia L.

The anthelmintic potentials of the aqueous and methanol extracts of Euphorbia helioscopia were investigated. In folklore medicine, E. helioscopia (Euphorbiaceae) is used in the treatment of various gastrointestinal ailments and diseases. A worm motility inhibition (WMI) assay and egg hatch assay (EHA) were used for in vitro assessment, and a faecal egg count reduction (FECR) assay was used for an in vivo study. The in vitro study revealed anthelmintic effects of crude methanolic extracts of E. helioscopia on live Haemonchus contortus worms as evident from their paralysis and/or death at 8h after exposure, different concentrations (12.5 mg ml(-1), 25 mg ml(-1) and 50 mg ml(-1)) of aqueous and methanolic extracts were used against H. contortus which exhibited dose-dependent anthelmintic effects on H. contortus. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of aerial parts (stem, leaves and flowers) of E. helioscopia were found to have very low percent inhibitory egg hatching as compared to levamisole. It is concluded that the entire plant of E. helioscopia possesses significant anthelmintic activity and could be a potential alternative for treating cases of helminth infections in ruminants.

Soil-transmitted helminths in relation to hemoglobin status among school children of the Kashmir Valley.

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) remain a major threat to the health of children throughout the world, mostly in developing nations. The aim of the present study was to determine any relationship between STHs and hemoglobin status in school children of Kashmir Valley (India). Stool and blood samples were collected from 382 male and female school children in the age group of 5-15 yr from all 6 school districts of the Kashmir Valley. Finger-prick blood samples were used to collect the hemoglobin, which was then measured on-site by Sahli's acid hematin method; stool samples were processed using both simple smear and zinc sulphate concentration methods. Of the 382 children surveyed, 299 (78.27%) were infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, or both. Children infected by STHs were found to have lower mean values of hemoglobin than uninfected children. The present study reveals that STHs are abundant among school children of Kashmir Valley, creating a negative effect on the hemoglobin values and indicating the necessity of implementing control measures.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in Srinagar City, Kashmir, India.

Surveys on the prevalence of various intestinal parasitic infections in different geographic regions is a prerequisite for developing appropriate control strategies. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren enrolled in various schools in Srinagar City, Kashmir, India, and to assess epidemiological factors associated with the extent of endemic disease. Stool samples were collected from 514 students enrolled in 4 middle schools. The samples were processed with the use of both simple smear and zinc sulphate concentration methods, and then microscopically examined for intestinal parasites. Of the 514 students surveyed, 46.7% had 1, or more, parasites. Prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was highest (28.4%), followed by Giardia lamblia (7.2%), Trichuris trichiura (4.9%), and Taenia saginata (3.7%). Conditions most frequently associated with infection included the water source, defecation site, personal hygiene, and the extent of maternal education. The study shows a relatively high prevalence of intestinal parasites and suggests an imperative for the implementation of control measures.