A cross-sectional study on prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Indian and crossbred cattle in Gangetic delta region of West Bengal, India

Research (Published online: 16-01-2018)

1. A cross-sectional study on prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Indian and crossbred cattle in Gangetic delta region of West Bengal, India - Ratan Das, Premanshu Dandapat, Arijit Chakrabarty, Pramod Kumar Nanda, Samiran Bandyopadhyay and Subhasish Bandyopadhyay

International Journal of One Health, 4: 1-7

  doi: 10.14202/IJOH.2018.1-7

Abstract

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Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of bovine tuberculosis (BTB), an old chronic disease having zoonotic potential, covering four districts in Gangetic delta region of West Bengal, India, and to find the prevalence in organized as well as backyard herds and variation in relation to their age, sex, and breeds.

Methods: The incidence of BTB in exotic and indigenous breeds of cattle (n=173) of various age groups was investigated employing tuberculin (single intradermal tuberculin and comparative cervical tuberculin) tests and gamma interferon assay. Further, milk samples (n=96) from milching animals and antemortem (n=519) samples (nasal swab, buccal swab, and aspirates from pre-scapular lymph nodes) were also screened employing bacteriological and molecular techniques.

Results: In total, 36 (25.4%) animals from organized and one (3.2%) from backyard farming sector were found positive to BTB. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of milk samples based on 16S rRNA amplified the 1030 bp band in four samples indicating them belonging to genus Mycobacterium. Species-specific primers used to differentiate between Mycobacterium bovis and M. tuberculosis confirmed the presence of M. bovis. Prevalence of BTB in exotic crossbred animals (34.6%) was significantly higher (p<0.001) compared to indigenous cattle (10.5%). Further, gender-wise analysis of data with respect to BTB revealed higher positivity (p<0.05) among cows/heifers (25.8%) compared to bulls/bullocks (7.3%). Although BTB-positive cattle were detected in all the age groups, no statistical difference (p=0.779) was found among them.

Conclusion: The findings indicate a higher prevalence of BTB in exotic crossbred animals in Gangetic delta and variation in breed susceptibility, thereby suggesting an urgent review of the present policy on adopting national crossbreeding program and implementation of “One Health” approach.

Keywords: bovine tuberculosis, cattle, India, prevalence, West Bengal.

Prevalence and bacterial etiology of subclinical mastitis in goats reared in organized farms

Research (Published online: 13-01-2018)

5. Prevalence and bacterial etiology of subclinical mastitis in goats reared in organized farms

A. K. Mishra, Nitika Sharma, D. D. Singh, K. Gururaj, Abhishek, Vijay Kumar and D. K. Sharma

Veterinary World, 11(1): 20-24

ABSTRACT

Aim: Assessment of the status of subclinical mastitis (SCM) in Jamunapari and Barbari goats in Indian organized farms, the involvement of bacterial pathogens and their sensitivity to antibiotics.

Materials and Methods: A total of 181 composite milk samples were aseptically collected from the apparently healthy Barbari (n=95) and Jamunapari (n=86) goats. The California mastitis test (CMT) and somatic cell count (SCC) were used to diagnose SCM. The milk samples with CMT scores of 0 and +1 were considered as negative, while the samples with the score of +2 or +3 were taken as positive, and further, the positive samples were used for the bacteriological examination. An antibiotic sensitivity test was performed by disk diffusion method using seven commercially available antibiotic discs.

Results: All the samples having CMT score of +2 or +3 demonstrated SCC more than 1 million. Overall, the prevalence of SCM in the goats was assessed as 19.89% (36/181). The prevalence of SCM in Barbari and Jamunapari goats was found as 24.21% (23/95) and 15.12% (13/86), respectively. Out of 11 isolates of Staphylococci, 9 isolates were identified as coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS), whereas 2 isolates were found as Staphylococcus aureus. The identified bacterial isolates (n=30) did not show antibiotic resistance.

Conclusion: The current investigation showed the considerable prevalence of SCM among Jamunapari and Barbari goats which may have a negative impact on quantity and quality of the milk. CNS was found as the most prevalent cause of SCM in the goats. Negligible antibiotic resistance was found among the identified udder pathogens.

Keywords: California mastitis test, coagulase-negative Staphylococci, goat, somatic cell count, subclinical mastitis.

Detection of Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Babesia spp. in dogs of Cebu, Philippines

Research (Published online: 12-01-2018)

4. Detection of Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Babesia spp. in dogs of Cebu, Philippines

Rochelle Haidee D. Ybanez, Adrian P. Ybanez, Lyra Lee A. Arnado, Laila Monika P. Belarmino, Knowlie Gay F. Malingin, Paul Bien C. Cabilete, Ziggy Ryan O. Amores, Maxfrancis G. Talle, Mingming Liu and Xuenan Xuan

Veterinary World, 11(1): 14-19

ABSTRACT

Background: Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Babesia spp. are canine pathogens transmitted by the Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick which can cause varied clinical signs. These pathogens have been investigated in the Philippines, but coinfection has not been reported yet.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Ehrlichia/Anaplasma and Babesia spp. in Philippine dogs.

Materials and Methods: A total of 100 dogs from seven different veterinary establishments in Cebu, Philippines, were examined for Ehrlichia/Anaplasma and Babesia spp. infection using peripheral blood smear examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Inclusion criteria included a history or presence of tick infestation, anemia, and/or thrombocytopenia. Clinical signs were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed between PCR positivity and clinical signs and hematological results.

Results: A total of 10 and 18 dogs were found to be positive for Ehrlichia/Anaplasma and Babesia spp., respectively. One animal was PCR positive for both pathogens, which is the first report of coinfection in the country. The most common clinical signs observed include inappetence (89%), lethargy (80%), thrombocytopenia (85%), and anemia (74%). Analyses revealed that inappetence (p=0.044) and weight loss (p=0.028) were found statistically significant with Ehrlichia/Anaplasma infection. Basophil (p=0.001) and eosinophil counts (p=0.000) were also found significantly different between Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp.-positive and -negative dogs. On the other hand, differential monocyte count (p=0.009) was found significantly different between Babesia spp.-positive and -negative dogs.

Conclusion: The present study showed low infection rates of canine ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis and babesiosis and provided additional evidence for the presence of the pathogens in the area.

Keywords: Babesia, Cebu, dogs, Ehrlichia/Anaplasma, Philippines.

Veterinary World reviewer acknowledgment 2017

Reviewer Acknowledgment (Published online: 12-01-2018)

3. Veterinary World reviewer acknowledgment 2017

A. V. Sherasiya and Nazir

Veterinary World, 11(1): 10-13

Third wave of African swine fever infection in Armenia: Virus demonstrates the reduction of pathogenicity

Research (Published online: 11-01-2018)

2. Third wave of African swine fever infection in Armenia: Virus demonstrates the reduction of pathogenicity

M. A. Sargsyan, H. E. Voskanyan, E. M. Karalova, L. H. Hakobyan and Z. A. Karalyan

Veterinary World, 11(1): 5-9

ABSTRACT

Aim: First cases of clinically uncommon African swine fever (ASF), caused by virus genotype II are described in this article. These cases occurred in Armenia, Tavush region, Dilijan municipality in 2011. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the new pathogenic forms of ASF in Armenia.

Materials and Methods: The isolation and identification of ASF virus (ASFV) were carried out using conventional techniques. Clinical signs of infection were recorded daily. Gross anatomical pathology characteristics were observed during routine postmortem examinations. Blood and serum were obtained by puncture of the jugular vein using a vacutainer system.

Results: The presence of ASFV DNA in the spleens was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Sequenced sections of p72 showed phylogenetic identity to genotype 2. The pathology exhibits unusual manifestations of the main disease. The unusual form of ASF demonstrates characteristics of a subacute form of the disease, with the possibility of conversion to a chronic form. Decreased lethality, low level of hemorrhages, and absence of severe pancytopenia in smears from spleen, lymph nodes, and blood are common features of the new form of ASF. Unlike severe thrombocytopenia in the typical ASF, the unusual form exhibited moderate or minor decrease of this feature. Despite a moderate decrease in hemadsorption titers, the unusual pattern of the disease was characterized by viremia and the presence of the virus in the visceral organs, including the brain.

Conclusion: Our data allow assuming that new nosological form of ASF (genotype II) may present as a transitional form of the disease with the possibility of chronization.

Keywords: African swine fever, chronization, new isolate, viremia.

In vitro potential anthelmintic activity of Biophytum petersianum on Haemonchus contortus

Research (Published online: 11-01-2018)

1. In vitro potential anthelmintic activity of Biophytum petersianum on Haemonchus contortus

Priyo Sambodo, Joko Prastowo, Kurniasih Kurniasih and Sudarmanto Indarjulianto

Veterinary World, 11(1): 1-4

ABSTRACT

Aim: Haemonchus contortus is a major problem in small ruminants in Indonesia. The frequent use of the anthelmintic drugs has given rise to drug-resistant populations which increase the need for new anthelminthic compounds, particularly from endemic plants. This study evaluated the in vitro effects of Biophytum petersianum crude aqueous extract (BAE) as an anthelmintic compound against H. contortus adult worm isolated from goats.

Materials and Methods: Adult worm collected from naturally infected abomasums were obtained from slaughtered goats on the day of slaughter. BAE was prepared in six different concentrations (10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg/ml) which were tested for their efficacies on ten actively moving worms. Ivermectin (1 mg/ml) was included as a reference drug, while saline water was included as a control. The dead worms from anthelmintic test then went through sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Results: Highest mean mortality in treatments group both at 2 h and 4 h observations was BAE 10%. The SDS-PAGE analysis revealed the presence of five protein bands with molecular weights 9.3, 17.1, 50.0, 63.2, and 72.7 kDa based on BAE 10%. The SEM changes observed in the in vitro trials revealed the occurrence of interactions between the BAE and the cuticle.

Conclusion: The SEM and SDS-PAGE analysis revealed ultrastructural structural changes and the decrease numbers of polypeptides on treated worms when compared to the control worms. It can thus be concluded that the BAE exhibits good anthelmintic activity against H. contortus adult worm.

Keywords: Biophytum petersianum, crude aqueous extract, Haemonchus contortus, scanning electron microscopy, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.