Dark fermentation of pretreated hydrolysates of pineapple fruit waste for the production of biohydrogen using bacteria isolated from wastewater sources.

In the present study, both acidic and alkaline hydrolysate of pineapple waste was utilised for the production of biohydrogen using locally isolated bacterial strains. The bacteria were isolated from different wastewater sources and were identified as Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus altitudinus, Bacillus subtilis, Paenibacillus alvei, and Lysinibacillus sphaericus. Experimental results showed that the highest biohydrogen yield of 836.33 ± 48.02 mL H2 was produced from alkaline hydrolysate with Bacillus altitudinis during the 96thhr of fermentation. Among the different bacterial strains, B. altitudinis showed higher H2 production. Comparatively alkaline hydrolysates exhibited a higher yield of hydrogen than acidic hydrolysates. The final pH of the experiment was found to be in acidic range. The total VFA concentration ranged between 930 ± 207.85 mg/L to 3050 ± 476.97 mg/L. Both sugar degradation and COD reduction were more than 80% in the acidic and alkaline hydrolysates while the lowest sugar degradation and COD reduction were observed for the untreated biomass. The rationale behind this study was to convert the waste biomass into energy by utilising the potential of native bacterial communities.

Acute insulin-responsive hyperglycemia and hypocalcemia in Theileria spp. infected goat.

Theileriosis can be manifested in appreciably variable clinical forms among domestic ruminants and may often become life-threatening. The present report narrates, the quick remarkable clinical recovery of a lactating goat infected with Theileria spp., exhibiting acute insulin-responsive hyperglycemia and hypocalcemia, by providing intensive therapy. A four year old doe was presented with the complaint of acute manifestation of weakness, ventroflexion of neck with flaccid muscles, recumbency, hypersalivation, severe abdominal breathing, anorexia and polyuria since last eighteen hours. The animal kidded three kids one month before, out of which one was mummified. Clinical examination revealed severe depression, dehydration, dyspnoea, congested mucous membrane, sluggish rumen motility and reduced pupillary light reflex. Laboratory investigation revealed severe granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypocalcemia, hyperglycemia and Theileria spp. infection. The animal showed significant improvement within a few minutes of initiating the evidence-based stabilization therapy to correct hydration status, cellular glucose uptake, calcium levels and Theileria spp. infection. This case indicates the significance of investigating the metabolic status of animals suffering from theileriosis for achieving better clinical responses. Also, future studies may focus on the endocrinological perspectives of metabolic impact of Theileria spp. infection in goats.

Evaluation of oxidative stress in caprine anaplasmosis and effect of vitamin E-selenium in monitoring oxidative stress.

Caprine anaplasmosis is an economically important tick-borne rickettsial disease that affects goats all over the world. Microscopic examination of stained blood smears from 162 animals revealed inclusion bodies of Anaplasma spp. in 24 cases. Genus specific PCR for Anaplasma spp. yielded positive results in 22 cases. All the diseased animals showed a significant fall in the mean values of antioxidants such as reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase and a significant increase in the level of lipid peroxidation. Out of the 22 animals positive for anaplasmosis both in blood smear and PCR, 16 female non pregnant goats selected for study were divided into two groups consisting of eight animals each. Animals belonging to groups I and II were treated with oxytetracycline dihydrate. In addition, animals of group II were supplemented with vitamin E-selenium combination. Oxidative stress parameters were rechecked on the 10th day of treatment. At the end of the study period, a significant reduction in malondialdehyde level and a significant increase in mean value of superoxide dismutase were detected in group II. While there was a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and a significant increase in superoxide dismutase and catalase values within both the groups after treatment, reduced glutathione showed no significant difference within the group.

Detection of human filarial parasite Brugia malayi in dogs by histochemical staining and molecular techniques.

Human filariasis caused by Brugia malayi is still a public health problem in many countries of Asia including India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The World Health Organization (WHO) has targeted to eliminate filariasis by the year 2020 by Mass annual single dose Diethylcarbamazine Administration (MDA). Results of the MDA programme after the first phase was less satisfactory than expected. Malayan filariasis caused by B. malayi is endemic in the south of Thailand where domestic cat serves as the major reservoir host. There is no report about the occurrence of B. malayi in dogs. The present work was carried out to find out the incidence of microfilariasis in dogs and also to detect the presence of human filarial infection in dogs, if any. One hundred dogs above 6 months of age presented to the veterinary college Hospital, Mannuthy, Kerala, with clinical signs suggestive of microfilariasis - fever, anorexia, conjunctivitis, limb and scrotal oedema - were screened for microfilariae by wet film examination. Positive cases were subjected to Giemsa staining, histochemical staining and molecular techniques. Results of the study showed that 80% of dogs had microfilariasis; out of which 20% had sheathed microfilaria. Giemsa and histochemical staining character, PCR and sequencing confirmed it as B. malayi. High prevalence of B. malayi in dogs in this study emphasized the possible role of dogs in transmission of human filariasis.