Lack of immunological cross-reactivity of 36-kDa secretory salivary gland antigen of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum with Hyalomma dromedarii and Boophilus microplus ticks.

During feeding of ticks of the species Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, most of the proteins in salivary gland extracts (SGEs) remained unchanged from the unfed to the fully fed state (from day 1 to day 7 of the experiment), as revealed by SDS-PAGE. However, a 45-kDa protein band disappeared and 26-, 32- and 33-kDa bands appeared when feeding commenced. Some of the protein bands changed their intensity. When probed with anti-H. anatolicum anatolicum hyperimmune sera, transblotted SGE proteins of unfed H. anatolicum anatolicum and Hyalomma dromedarii revealed two common bands of 105 and 80 kDa. A 36-kDa protein band present in H. anatolicum anatolicum SGE could not be detected in H. dromedarii. None of these proteins were detected in partly fed Boophilus microplus when probed with anti-H. anatolicum anatolicum hyperimmune serum. This H. anatolicum anatolicum specific 36-kDa protein was strongly recognized throughout feeding, and thus may be an immunogen of importance for the development of an H. anatolicum anatolicum specific serodiagnostic assay.

Haematological and biochemical studies on experimental Theileria annulata infection in crossbred calves.

Administration of ground-up tick tissue stabilate (0.75 tick equivalent) by the subcutaneous route to crossbred calves aged 1 week to 1 month led to the development of acute theileriosis. Haematological studies revealed significant progressive decreases in haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and red blood cell count, whereas the total leukocyte count showed an initial non-significant leukocytosis followed by a significant leukopenia. Analysis of serum revealed significant increases in levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine kinase and gamma-glutamyltransferase, and in the concentrations of uric acid, blood urea nitrogen and bilirubin. The concentrations of total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol and calcium showed non-significant decreases, while phosphorus decreased significantly during the terminal stages of the disease.

Lowered vaccine dose for immunisation of calves against tropical theileriosis using Theileria annulata lymphoblasts.

Bovine tropical theileriosis is of high incidence in calves below 2 months old in India. The Theileria cell culture vaccine evolved by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) was evaluated previously for its efficiency and safety in younger calves, both experimentally and in the field. The dose of cells used for vaccination was regulated at 1.75 to 2 x 10(6) cells. This study, which was undertaken to assess the minimum number of cells which would be effective and safer for vaccination, showed that optimal protection was given by a dose of 1 x 10(6) cells.

Enhanced immunity to Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum ticks in cross-bred (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) calves using ascaris extract immunomodulator with the tick salivary gland extract antigens.

Development of acquired immunity in cross-bred (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) calves against Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, a tick vector of bovine tropical theileriosis was studied using ascaris extract (AE), an immunomodulator of IgE responses, along with the tick salivary gland extract (SGE) antigens in Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) emulsion. Calves immunised with SGE + FIA showed significant rejection (47.4 +/- 2.8%) of larvae, whereas only marginal rejection (12.47 +/- 1.5%) of nymphs was observed. In contrast, calves immunised with the immunomodulator AE in addition to SGE + FIA showed significant enhanced rejection of nymphs (50.25 +/- 5.2%), while the rejection of larvae was only slightly higher (55.8 +/- 11.4%), and not statistically different. In addition, incorporation of the immunomodulator AE also resulted in significant enhancement in the percentage recovery of abnormally fed larvae and nymphs. This abnormal feeding was characterised by their white to pale-yellow colour instead of the dark-grey colour of normally fed ticks. It may possibly be attributed to their inability to gain access to the blood vessels owing to the host immunological reaction at the bite sites. Consequently, the ticks fed on extravascular fluid devoid of red blood cells resulting in their white to pale-yellow colour. Difference in the disease transmission potential of normally and abnormally fed ticks is of future interest. Sera from all the immunised calves after 2 weeks of immunisation were positive for anti-tick SGE antibodies in the dot enzyme immunoassay (DOT-EIA). The immunised calves were positive for immediate type hypersensitivity (ITH) skin reaction on intradermal inoculation of the tick SGE antigens. There was no apparent difference in the DOT-EIA antibody titres between the two immunised groups. However, ITH skin swelling was significantly higher in AE + SGE + FIA immunised calves. The study indicates that use of the AE as an immunomodulator along with the tick SGE antigens enhanced anti-tick immunity.

Effect of some pesticides on in-vitro lipid and protein synthesis by the liver of the freshwater teleost, Channa punctatus (Bl.).

In vitro incorporation of (14)C-glucose/acetate into lipids and (14)C-leucine into proteins by the liver of Channa punctatus, exposed to safe application rate (SAR) and sublethal (SL) concentrations of malathion and carbaryl for 30 days (mid-February to mid-March) during the preparatory phase of the reproductive cycle, declined more in the fish exposed to SL concentrations than to SAR concentrations of the pesticides. The decline in incorporation was more marked in the malathion-exposed fish, than in those exposed to was more marked in the malathion-exposed fish, than in those exposed to carbaryl. Hence, malathion is considered more toxic than carbaryl in inhibiting the de-novo synthesis of lipids and proteins by the liver.

Effect of vegetable oil factory effluent on the gonads of a freshwater teleost, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bl.) --a biochemical study.

The effects of three sublethal concentrations (5,10,15% v/v) of vegetable oil factory effluent on biochemical changes in the gonads (ovaries/testes) of a freshwater teleost were studied. The results reveal a significant decline in the total lipid, cholesterol, phospholipid, and glycerine levels, but an increase in the free fatty acid levels, both in the ovaries and the testes of H. fossilis, following 150 days (mid-January through mid-June) of exposure to 10% and 15% concentrations of the effluent. This decrease/increase in the biochemical parameters was more or less dependent on the concentration of the effluent. The functional significance of any decrease/increase in the biochemical parameter(s) has been discussed.

Effect of a vegetable oil factory effluent on in vitro lipid and protein synthesis by the liver of the freshwater teleost Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch).

Following exposure to three sublethal concentrations (5, 10, and 15% v/v) of vegetable oil factory effluent for 30 days (March 1 through March 30, 1984), during the preparatory phase of the annual reproductive cycle of Heteropneustes fossilis, the in vitro incorporation, of [14C]glucose/[14C]/acetate into the lipids and of [14C]leucine into the proteins by the liver declined when compared with the control. In the three concentrations of the effluent used, the decline in the incorporation of radiolabelled substances increased with increase in the concentration.

Effect of safe application rate (SAR) concentrations of some biocides on the gonads of the fresh water murrel, Channa punctatus (Bl.)--a biochemical study.

The effect of safe application rate (SAR) concentrations of fenitrothion 50% EC--an organo-phosphate and carbofuran 3% G--a carbamate on the gonads (ovaries/testes) of Channa punctatus was studied for 120 days (mid-April through mid-August) extending over the preparatory, prespawning, and spawning phases of annual reproductive cycle. The studies have revealed that the levels of total proteins, RNA, total lipids, and ascorbic acid decreased, while those of the cholesterol and the phospholipids increased following exposure to the two biocides. Furthermore, it was observed that in both treatments the decline in the levels of total total proteins, RNA, total lipids, and ascorbic acid was relatively more marked in the testes than in the ovaries. On the contrary, increase in the levels of cholesterol was relatively more in the ovaries, while increase in the levels of phospholipids was more in the testes in both treatments. The results suggest that the decrease/increase in the levels of the above-mentioned biochemical parameters was more in the fenitrothion treatment than in the carbofuran treatment and, therefore, may be considered relatively more toxic to this species.

Acute toxicity of vegetable oil factory effluent to some freshwater teleosts in relation to size.

Specimens of Cirrhina mrigala (Ham.), Labeo rohita (Ham.) and Channa punctatus (Bl.) falling in the size (total length) range of 5.5 +/- 1.0 cm to 27.0 +/- 2.0 cm were exposed to different concentrations of the vegetable oil factory effluent for evaluating the influence of size on the acute toxicity of the factory effluent. The results suggest that relative toxicity of the effluent decreased with increase in the size of the fish. However, for specimens exceeding 20.0 +/- 1.6 cm in size, the toxicity of the effluent increased with an increase in size of the fish. The results also indicate that C. mrigala was most susceptible, while C. punctatus was least susceptible to the effluent.