Parasitic pneumonia caused by Paragonimus spp. in a wild Royal Bengal Tiger, Mysuru, South India.

Parasitic pneumonia induced by genus Paragonimus involves many species, which affects both humans and animals and it is a food borne zoonotic disease. In this report, we have described the gross and histopathological findings of Paragonimus fluke infection in lungs of tiger. The postmortem examination of sub adult male wild tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) died in captivity was conducted, earlier which was rescued by Forest Department, Mysuru, Karnataka, India. External examination of carcass revealed pale oral and conjunctival mucous membranes with sunken eye balls. During necropsy, moderate congestion, consolidation and numerous transparent to dark encysted lesions were found in the parenchyma of all lobes of lungs visible grossly on pleural surface. Lungs were hemorrhagic with necrotic foci around the cysts. The incision of encysted lesions revealed the presence of flukes (2-3 in numbers) in each cyst with brownish exudate. The lung tissues with lesions were collected in 10% formalin and haematoxylin and eosin staining was done for histopathological evaluation. The flukes were identified as Paragonimus spp. based on the morphology and micrometry. The histopathological examination revealed presence of longitudinal sections of flukes in bronchial lumen (in pair) with tegument and tegumental spines surrounded by connective tissue capsule as cystic encapsulation and numerous eggs in adjacent lung parenchyma. Necrosis and moderate fibrosis of lung parenchyma with infiltration of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear inflammatory cells were observed around fluke as well as eggs. The squamous cell metaplasia of lining bronchial epithelium and atelectasis of alveoli were also prominently seen.

Seasonal prevalence of blood parasitic diseases in crossbred cattle of Mysore and its surrounding districts of Karnataka.

The present study report the seasonal prevalence of blood parasitic diseases in cross bred cattle in Mysore and its surrounding districts of Karnataka such as Mandya, Chamaraj Nagar and Kodagu. The study was undertaken for a period of 2 years from August 2013 to July 2015. A total of 1655 blood samples were collected from clinically suspected cattle for blood parasitic diseases with clinical symptoms of anorexia, high fever, anaemia, salivation, enlargement of superficial lymphnodes, haemoglobinuria and sudden drop in milk yield. The blood samples were examined by giemsa's staining technique. Of the 1655 blood samples screened, 673 (40.22%) blood samples were found positive for blood parasites. Amid 673 positive samples, 609 (90.49%), 19 (2.82%) and 45 (6.68%) were found positive for Theileria annulata, Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale respectively. The season wise prevalence revealed that, the highest prevalence was observed in summer months (March-June) (43.17%) followed by rainy (July-October) (39.53%) and winter season (November-February) (39.35%). Further, the month wise prevalence showed highest in August (77.64%) (Rainy month) followed by November (38.23%) and January (35.93%). During August-2013 to July 2014 and between August-2014 and July 2015, the highest was found in the month of May (85%) followed by July (70%) and April (69.81%). Theileriosis was most prevalent in summer (92.73%) followed by rainy (90.95%) and winter season (87.61%). Babesiosis was most prevalent in winter season (5.04%) followed by rainy (1.8%) and summer season (1.7%) whereas, Anaplasmosis was most prevalent in rainy season (7.23%) followed by winter (6.88%) and summer season (5.55%) during two years of study period.

Prevalence of ectoparasites in dogs of Shimoga, Karnataka.

A study was carried out to ascertain the status of ecto-parasites infesting dogs of Shimoga region. A total of 120 dogs with the history of skin problems presented to the local hospitals and local pet clinics of Shimoga region were screened for different ecto-parasites. The ticks, fleas and lice were collected, processed and identified. The skin scrapings were also collected from the affected dogs and processed for identification of mites. Out of 120 dogs examined, 59 (49.1 %) had harboured ecto-parasites. Among 59 infested pet dogs, 22 (37.28 %) positive for Fleas, 18 (30.5 %) for ticks, 09 (15.2 %) for Lice, 07 (11.8 %) for Sarcoptic mange and 03 (5.0 %) were for Demodectic mange conditions. The two species of fleas were identified as Ctenocephalides canis 13 (59 %) and Ctenocephalides felis 9 (41 %). The ticks and lice species were identified as Riphicephalus sanguineus and Trichodectus canis respectively. The mite species infecting dogs were identified as Sarcoptes scabeii and Demodex canis based on the morphological character. The Prevalence of ectoparasites was more in stray and adults dogs compared to pet dogs and puppies respectively.

Studies on gastrointestinal parasites of pigs in Shimoga region of Karnataka.

The study was conducted to ascertain the actual status of gastro-intestinal parasites in pigs maintained under different rearing systems in Shimoga region, Karnataka state. A total of 150 Pigs fecal samples were examined, which includes 50 from organized piggery farm, Veterinary College Shimoga, 50 from private piggery farm of Shimoga and 50 from free range desi pigs of Shimoga city. The fecal samples were processed and examined by direct and sedimentation method. Out of 50 fecal samples examined from organized piggery farm, 19 were found positive for different parasitic eggs, Out of 50 fecal samples screened form private farm, 28 harbored different parasites, whereas from 50 free range desi pigs fecal samples examined, all showed one and other parasitic eggs/ova. The percent prevalence of parasitic infection is more in free range desi pigs compared to Yorkshire breeds maintained under stall fed condition.

Prevalence of Haemoprotozoan infections in bovines of Shimoga region of Karnataka state.

A study was conducted to record the prevalence of Haemoprotozoan infections in bovines of Shimoga region for a period of 1 year from April 2012 to March 2013. A total of 300 blood samples were examined for the presence of haemoprotozoan parasites, of which 215 from cattle and 85 from buffaloes were examined by Giemsa staining technique. Out of 300 blood samples examined, 130 (43.3 %) were found positive for Haemoprotozoan infections. Out of 215 cattle blood samples examined, 62 (28.8 %) were positive for Theileria annulata, 27 (12.5 %) were harbored Babesia bigemina, 15 (6.9 %) were found positive for Trypanosoma evansi and 06 (2.7 %) samples showed Anaplasma marginale. Among 85 buffalo samples examined, 11 (12.9 %) were showed Theileria spp, 04 (4.7 %) found positive for B. bigemina, 03 (3.5 %) were found positive for T. evansi and 02 (2.3 %) were positive for A. marginale. Among haemoprotozoan parasites, the highest prevalence was observed with T. annulata followed by B. bigemina and T. evansi infection. The lowest prevalence was observed with A. marginale infection.

Incidence of gastro-intestinal parasites in horses of Shimoga region, Karnataka state.

A study was conducted to ascertain the incidence of gastrointestinal parasites in horses of Shimoga region, to generate the data regarding status of parasitic infections of equines in Karnataka state due to paucity of information. A total of 100 fresh fecal samples of equines were collected and examined by direct and sedimentation method for the detection of parasitic egg/ova. Among 100 samples examined, 84 (84.0 %) were found positive for various gastrointestinal helminths. Out of 84 positive cases, 44 (52.38 %) were found positive for Strongylus spp. eggs, 09 (10.71 %) showed Parascaris equorum eggs, 06 (7.14 %) had Gastrodiscus spp. eggs, 04 (4.76 %) harbored Oxyuris equi and the remaining 21 (25.0 %) had a mixed infection of Strongylus spp., Strongyloides spp. and Gastrodiscus spp.

Sero-diagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs using faecal supernatant antigen.

In the present study, sero-diagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs was studied using 250 field serum samples, collected from stray dogs. The three serological techniques viz., latex agglutination test (LAT), Dot-ELISA and enzyme immunotransfer blot (EITB) were used to detect E. granulosus specific anti-bodies using fecal supernatant antigen. The LAT detected positivity in 53 (21.2 %) serum samples with the sensitivity and specificity of 100 and 78.80 % respectively. Whereas, the Dot-ELISA, showed positivity in 45 (18.0 %) samples and the sensitivity and specificity were 100 and 82.0 % respectively. The specific antibodies were detected in 47 (18.80 %) serum samples by EITB and the polypeptides of 45 and 34 kDa were identified in all the positive serum samples. The sensitivity and specificity of EITB were found to be 100 and 86.80 %, respectively.