ABSTRACT
Cryptococcus spp. is a pathogenic fungus which is an increasingly important cause of infection, particularly in the immunocompromised hosts. Diagnosis of cryptococcosis in animals can be carried out by isolation of the fungus but this requires several days to detect and identify the organism. Detection of cryptococcal antigen by latex agglutination test and enzyme immunoassay in serum is a rapid and easy method for diagnosis of cryptococcosis. In the present study, a total of 142 blood samples were collected from apparently healthy (n=89) and diseased dogs (n=53) for diagnosis of cryptococcosis. Latex agglutination test and enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA) were carried out for the detection of cryptococcal antigen in serum. Of the 142 serum samples tested, six samples tested positive by Latex agglutination test while one sample tested positive by EIA. The sample which was positive by EIA was also positive by Latex agglutination test. The serum samples of dogs that tested positive for cryptococcal antigen were obtained from dogs suffering from symptoms like bloody faeces and vomit, emesis, chronic ear infection and discharge. Based on our findings, we conclude that the latex agglutination test in combination with the enzyme immunoassay can be used for the diagnosis of Cryptococcosis in dogs
ABSTRACT
Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, the causative agent of Johne’s disease is a degenerative chronic granulomatous disease of bovines. In the present study, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using TaqMan chemistry targeting the IS900 sequence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) was employed for the molecular diagnosis of the disease in bovine faecal samples. Out of 200 bovine faecal samples processed, 7 samples were tested as positive by IS900 qRT-PCR. The sensitivity limit of detection of MAP DNA in faecal samples by qRT-PCR TaqMan assay was found to be 0.05pg. No amplification was observed in other Mycobacterial spp. viz. M. phlei, M. smegmatis, M. intracellulare and M. kansasii.
ABSTRACT
Cholecystocolic fistula is a rare biliary-enteric fistula with a variable clinical presentation. Despite modern diagnostic tools a high degree of suspicion is required to diagnose it preoperatively1,2. Biliary-enteric fistulae have been found in 0.9% of patients undergoing biliary tract surgery. The most common site of communication of the fistula is a cholecystoduodenal (70%), followed by cholecystocolic (10-20%), and the least common is the cholecystogastric fistula accounting for the remainder of the cases. Even a case of choledochocolonic fistula through a cystic duct remnant has been reported3. These fistulae are treated by open as well as laparoscopic surgery with no difference in intraoperative and postoperative complications. We report a case of obstructive jaundice, which was relieved by itself and was investigated with abdominal ultrasonography and routine investigations but none of these gave us any clue to the presence of the fistula which was discovered incidentally during an open surgery and was appropriately treated.