Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium xiaoi in goat kids in Bangladesh by nested PCR amplification of 18S rRNA gene

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in goat kids in selected areas of Bangladesh and to elucidate the potential zoonotic hazards. Methods: In the present study, we have used Ziehl-Neelsen staining and nested PCR approach to identify and characterize the Cryptosporidium sp. from diarrhoeic feces of goat kids. A total of 100 diarrhoeic feces samples were collected from Chittagong region in Southern Bangladesh. For nested PCR analysis, specific primers for amplification of 581 base pair fragments of 18S rRNA gene were used. Results: A total of 15% and 3% samples were found positive in microscopic study and in nested PCR analysis respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of sequence data showed similarity with that of Cryptosporidium xiaoi recorded from sheep and goat. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of Cryptosporidium xiaoi responsible for diarrhoea in goat kids in Bangladesh. Further study can highlight their zoonotic significance along with genetic diversity in other host species inside the country.

Effects of lead on growth of some vegetable crops

Pot experiments were carried out to study the effects of lead [Pb] on growth of Amaranth, Chinese Amaranth and Spinach. Six levels of Pb [0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg kg [-1]] were used in the pot experiments. Lead application in soil significantly decreased the number of leaves plant [-1] of Amaranth, Chinese Amaranth and Spinach. Shoot height and root length of the tested vegetables crops were also significantly decreased by Pb application except for root of spinach. The present decline in shoot height at 100 mg Pb kg[-1] soil treatment as compared to the control was about 57, 75 and 47% for Amaranth, Chinese Amaranth and Spinach, respectively. The reduction of root length of Amaranth and Chinese Amaranth was 34 and 59%, respectively at the highest rate of Pb application from that of the control. In general, a gradual decrease in shoot and root biomass of all the crops with increasing rates of Pb application was observed. Shoot and root biomass of amaranth were reduced by 49 and 45% respectively with 100 mg Pb kg[-1] soil treatment over control. The corresponding reductions for Chinese Amaranth were 27 and 48% and for Spinach were 39 and 45%, respectively

Effect of G.O.1 on prolonged routine coagulation parameters [prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time] in rabbits

George Ohsawa One [G.O.1] is a natural product [macrobiotic] made up of powdered carbonized aubergine and unrefined sea salt in a ratio of 3:1, and is extremely inexpensive and easy to make. It is claimed that G.O.1 is an anti-hemorrhagic agent that can be used in accidents, trauma, rectal and internal hemorrhages

Study Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the sample size for large scale study to find effect of G.O.1 and to verify the effectiveness of dosage of G.O.1, Warfarin and Heparin in rabbits

Study Design: Randomized Control trial

Sample Size: 8 male rabbits, 6 - 10 weeks of age, with an average weight of 1300 to 1500 grams were selected to see the effect G.O.1

Study Setting: Department of Pharmacology, Federal Post Graduate Medical Institute and National Health Research Complex, PMRC, Shaikh Zayed Hospital Complex, Lahore

Results: In group 1 rabbits, warfarin was given for 7 days; more than double the baseline values of PT were achieved. The prolonged prothrombin time in the experimental group [group 1A], came down successively after the first and second dose of G.O.1, indicating that G.O.1 did have some effect on bringing down the raised prothrombin time after administration of warfarin. In group 1B, the control group rabbits, where normal saline was used in place of G.O.1, the prothrombin time remained elevated to more than double the baseline value. Thus, normal saline had no effect on prothrombin time raised by warfarin. Mean PT values for Group 1 given warfarin in Interventional group [1 A] given G.O.1 was 12.75+/- SD 4.6. In control group given normal saline [1 B], it was 17.0 +/- SD 2.0. In group 2, the activated partial thromboplastin time was raised to almost three times the baseline value after administration of heparin for 7 days. In both, group 2 A, the experimental group and 2B the control group, both G.O.1 and normal saline had no effect on raised activated partial thromboplastin time. Mean APTT value for Group 2 given heparin in interventional group [2A] given G.O.1 was 29.3 +/- SD 9.3. In control group given normal saline [2B], it was 36.5 +/- SD 2.0

Conclusion: The prolonged prothrombin time in experimental group, was successively reduced after the first and second doses of G.O.1, indicating that G.O.1 did have some effect on bringing down the raised prothrombin time after administration of warfarin. G.O.1 did not have any effect on prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time

Diagnostic accuracy of three consecutive sputum smear for AFB among TB patients visiting chest OPD

Background: sputum smear examination: for acid-fast bacilli [AFB] can diagnose up to 50-60% of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis .in well-equipped laboratories. In low-income countries, poor access to high, quality microscopy services contributes to, even lower rates of AFB detection

Objective: to assess diagnostic accuracy of three consecutive sputum smear for tuberculosis taking sputum culture as gold standard

Study Design: cross Sectional retrospective study. Study Setting: Study conducted in tertiary care, teaching hospitals outpatient department of Tuberculosis and Chest. Study Duration: Three months from June - August 2008

Material and Methods: data was collected retrospectively after fulfilling the inclusion criteria in a structured questionnaire of 88 patients who presented to outdoor department for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and was investigated for presence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Reports of three consecutive sputum examinations were taken along with sputum culture for and diagnostic accuracy of sputum for Acid Fast Bacilli was calculated taking sputum culture as Gold standard. Demographic information and symptoms were also taken into account

Results: 88 patient's reports were recruited for the study. 55.6% of the respondents were between age group of 15-44 years. 51.1% were male in our study groups and 48.9% were females. Diagnostic accuracy of three consecutive sputum for AFB was calculated. Sensitivity turned out to be 93.2%. Specificity was 80.0%. Positive predictive value of sputum turned out to be 95.8% and negative predictive value was 70.6%

Conclusions: sputum smear examination for AFB has appreciable sensitivity, specificity and predictive values and three sputum smears is sufficient for the early detection of AFB in outpatient setting

Comparison between open and closed methods of herniorrhaphy in calves affected with umbilical hernia

Umbilical hernias in calves commonly present to veterinary clinics, which are normally secondary to failure of the normal closure of the umbilical ring, and which result in the protrusion of abdominal contents into the overlying subcutis. The aim of this study was to compare the suitability of commonly-used herniorrhaphies for the treatment of reducible umbilical hernia in calves. Thirty-four clinical cases presenting to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chittagong, Bangladesh from July 2004 to July 2007 were subjected to comprehensive study including history, classification of hernias, size of the hernial rings, presence of adhesion with the hernial sacs, postoperative care and follow-up. They were reducible, non-painful and had no evidence of infection present on palpation. The results revealed a gender influence, with the incidence of umbilical hernia being higher in female calves than in males. Out of the 34 clinical cases, 14 were treated by open method of herniorrhaphy and 20 were treated by closed method. Complications of hernia were higher (21%) in open method-treated cases than in closed method-treated cases (5%). Hernia recurred in three calves treated with open herniorrhaphy within 2 weeks of the procedure, with swelling in situ and muscular weakness at the site of operation. Shorter operation time and excellent healing rate (80%) were found in calves treated with closed herniorrhaphy. These findings suggest that the closed herniorrhaphy is better than the commonly-used open method for the correction of reducible umbilical hernia in calves.

Suppressive effect of culture supernatant of erythrocytes and serum from dogs infected with Babesia gibsoni on the morphological maturation of canine reticulocytes in vitro

The present study evaluated the effects of infected culture supernatant of erythrocytes, fractionation of culture supernatant and serum from dogs infected with Babesia gibsoni (B. gibsoni) on the maturation of canine reticulocytes in vitro. The SDS-PAGE demonstrated that significantly broader bands were generated by both the infected culture supernatant of erythrocytes and the serum from dogs chronically infected with B. gibsoni. The culture supernatant of erythrocytes infected with B. gibsoni strongly suppressed the maturation of reticulocytes. Prior studies showed that chronically infected serum had inhibitory effects on both the maturation of reticulocytes and the canine pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase subclass I and purine-specific 5'-nucleotidase activity. In addition, serum free infected culture supernatant of erythrocytes had an inhibitory effect on the morphological maturation of reticulocytes. These results suggest that infected serum and culture supernatant of erythrocytes might accumulate excess proteins and/or metabolites as a result of the inhibited maturation of reticulocytes and decreased activity of erythrocyte 5'-nucleotidase. Furthermore, the fractions observed at >150 kDa- and 150-70 kDa- in the infected culture supernatant and serum retarded the maturation of canine reticulocytes in vitro. The results obtained from the in vitro examinations, in the present study, suggested that B. gibsoni itself and/or its metabolites might release certain proteins in the infected culture supernatant and serum from infected dogs and as a result delay morphological maturation of canine reticulocytes.