Molecular identification and genetic characterization of Theileria and Anaplasma infection in sheep and goat of North Gujarat, India.

Hemoprotozoal diseases are significant health concerns in small ruminants. The present study was conducted to identify and characterize the species of Theileria and Anaplasma in sheep and goats located in different districts of North Gujarat, India. A total of 226 (Banaskantha = 175, Patan = 26, and Bhuj = 25) blood samples were collected from sheep (n = 78) and goats (n = 148), and 46 ticks were collected and identified from sheep and goats. PCR assays were carried out using genus and species-specific primers for Theileria targeting 18S rRNA locus and for Anaplasma targeting the msp5 gene. Overall, 37.2% sheep (29/78) and 10.8% of goats (16/148) were positive for Theileria by PCR, whereas 15.4% of sheep (12/78) and 25.7% goats (38/148) were positive for Anaplasma infection. Moreover, mixed infection was found in 4.4% (10/226) of sheep and goats by PCR. Sanger sequencing of Theileria and Anaplasma positives revealed a high similarity to T. ovis and A. ovis using NCBI blast, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the Anaplasma spp. DNA sequences belonged to the A. ovis group and closely associated with the A. ovis nucleotide sequence strain Haibei isolated in China from sheep (GQ483471). The phylogenetic analysis based on the SSU rRNA locus revealed that the Theileria ovis DNA sequences belonged to the T. ovis group and closely related to MW440586 isolated in Kerala, India, from a goat. The majority of ticks (91.3%) were identified as Hyalomma. In conclusion, Theileria ovis and Anaplasma ovis were commonly identified species in sheep and goats and transmitted mainly by Hyalomma ticks in North Gujarat, India, which is important baseline data for future research and control strategies. This is the first report on Theileria and Anaplasma co-infections in sheep and goats from North Gujarat, India.

Maggot debridement therapy as primary tool to treat chronic wound of animals.

Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) is a safe, effective, and controlled method ofhealing of chronic wounds by debridement and disinfection. In this therapy live, sterile maggots of green bottle fly, Lucilia (Phaenicia) sericata are used, as they prefernecrotic tissues over healthy for feeding. Since centuries, MDT is used in humanbeings to treat chronic wounds. Lately, MDT came out as a potent medical aid in animals. In animals, although, this therapy is still limited and clinical studies are few. However, with the increasing antibiotic resistance and chronic wound infections in veterinary medicine, maggot therapy may even become the first line of treatment for some infections. This paper will present a brief discussion of MDT and its role in veterinary medicine that may add one more treatment method to utilize in non-healing wounds of animals and overcome the use of amputation and euthanasia. The objective of this review paper is to assemble relevant literature on maggot therapy to form a theoretical foundation from which further steps toward clinical use of maggot therapy in animals for chronic wounds can be taken.

Morphological and histological identification of Paramphistomum cervi (Trematoda: Paramiphistoma) in the rumen of infected sheep.

AIM: This study was undertaken to identify Paramphistomum cervi on the basis of its morphology and histology to be the common cause of paramphistomosis in infected sheep and its differentiation from other similar Paramphistomes in Gujarat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult rumen flukes were recovered from the rumen of naturally infected sheep slaughtered in various abattoirs in Gujarat. Some adult flukes were flattened and stained in Borax carmine, and some were sectioned in the median sagittal plane and histological slides of the flukes were prepared for detailed morphological and histological studies. RESULT: Microscopic pictures of the parasite used in identification define the similarity in the morphology and histology of the anterior sucker, pharynx, esophagus, genital atrium, posterior sucker (acetabulum) and testes to the P. cervi. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the most common species found in sheep infected with Paramphistomosis is P. cervi on the basis of its histo-morphological appearance in Gujarat.

Study on hematological alterations induced by amphistomosis in buffaloes.

AIM: The study was undertaken to compare the alterations in the hematological parameters in buffaloes suffering from Amphistomosis with normal buffaloes and to correlate it with the subclinical infection that is hard to diagnose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples from 50 amphistomes infected as well as 50 non-infected buffaloes from slaughter houses were taken into vacutainer tubes containing ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid for estimation of various hematological parameters by Automatic Analyzer Hema-2062 manufactured by Analytical Technologies Ltd. RESULT: There was a significant reduction in the mean hemoglobin, total leukocyte count, total erythrocyte count and packed cell volume and significant increase in the neutrophils count and eosinophil count of infected buffaloes as compared to the non-infected buffaloes respectively. CONCLUSION: Amphistomosis is characterized by severe neutrophilia, eosinophilia, and anemia. Anemia of high intensity along with hepatic damage can lead to the death of the animal in severe cases. Alterations in the Hematological parameters can be used as an indicator to diagnose and check the severity of amphistomosis especially in young ones and in subclinical infection.

Study on prevalence of Fasciolosis in buffaloes at Anand and Ahmedabad districts, Gujarat, India.

AIM: This study was undertaken to derive the prevalence rate of Fasciolosis in buffaloes by a collection of fecal and liver samples from Anand and Ahmedabad districts' local slaughter houses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fecal and liver samples were collected during ante- and post-mortem examination, respectively, and brought to the department laboratory preserved in 10% formalin for further processing. Fecal samples were processed with qualitative examination viz.; sedimentation technique for identification of the ova. Liver samples were also examined for the presence of gross parasites. RESULTS: The highest prevalence rate was observed in the month of December (25.97% fecal and 33.33% liver samples) and lowest in the month of May (10.71% fecal and 11.76% liver samples) at Anand district. In the area of Ahmedabad district, the highest prevalence rate was recorded in the month of October and February (26.98%) and lowest in the month of May (10.34%) for the fecal and highest prevalence was observed in the month of February (26.98%) and lowest in May (11.11%) for the liver samples. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the heavy infection is present in Anand and Ahmedabad districts, especially in the month of winter followed by monsoon and the least in summer.