A retrospective study on Schistosoma spindale infection in domestic ruminants, Andhra Pradesh, India.

The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Schistosoma spindale infection in domestic ruminants in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh by coprological and necropsy examination. Examination of 177 buffaloes, 283 sheep and 166 goats faecal samples (n = 626) revealed 2.25, 2.82 and 1.80% of S. spindale infection, respectively. Necropsy examination of 21 buffaloes, 185 sheep and 217 goats revealed 14.2, 1.08 and 3.68% of S. spindale infection, respectively. Overall, microscopic examination of faecal smears revealed 2.39% (n = 15) prevalence of S. spindale infection in ruminants in the study area, while 3.07% (n = 13) of ruminants were found to be positive for S. spindale during postmortem examination. Adult worms collected from the mesenteric veins were processed and identified as S. spindale. Grossly, the infected livers were found with petechial haemorrhages, cirrhotic changes and pinpoint granulomas in parenchymatous tissue. Histological sections of livers revealed microgranulomas with infiltration of mononuclears, eosinophils and fibroblast cells surrounding the Schistosome ova. The intestinal mucosa was thickened, edematous and haemorrhagic with copious mucous exudates. Cut section of infected intestines revealed severe inflammatory reactions in the mucosa and sub mucosa and granulomatous changes surrounding the Schistosoma eggs.

Contracaecum rudolphii Hartwich, 1964 (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in a wild spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis): a case report.

Post mortem examination of a spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) revealed the presence of numerous anisakid nematodes in the proventriculus. The nematodes were processed in lactophenol as temporary mounts and were identified as Contracaecum rudolphii Hartwich, 1964 based on micrometry and morphological description of the anterior end, the sinuous uterus with sub globular thick-shelled eggs in female parasite and the tips of the spicules in male parasite. This is the first record of C. rudolphii in a wild spot-billed pelican from Andhra Pradesh, India.

Occurrence of Knemidokoptes mutans and Laminosioptes cysticola in backyard poultry in India.

Birds reared in backyard poultry farming system are more prone to parasitic infestation resulting in economic losses to rural community. The present study reports occurrence of Knemidokoptes mutans and Laminosioptes cysticola mites in a male Aseel bird. Clinical signs observed in the affected bird include hyperkeratosis with whitish film layer on shank and hock region of legs. Focal areas of sloughing of skin with oozing of blood were also observed on the back and on the legs. Examination of skin scrapings from the affected sites revealed different developmental stages of Knemidokoptes mutans and Laminosioptes cysticola mites. This paper reports occurrence of L. cysticola for the first time from India. The bird was treated with ivermectin injection through intramuscular route.

Seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in desi fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) in and around Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh.

A study was carried out to know the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in desi fowl in and nearby villages of Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh for a period of 1 year. Screening of 492 samples comprising faecal samples and gastrointestinal tracts from freshly slaughtered desi birds at local poultry shops and samples from post mortem examinations at NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram revealed 63.21 % of gastrointestinal parasites. Faecal samples were examined by floatation technique using salt solution and samples positive for coccidian oocysts were sporulated in 2.5 % potassium dichromate solution for species identification. Adult worms were identified after routine processing and mounting. The species identified includes Davainea proglottina, Raillietina cesticillus and Raillietina echinobothrida in cestodes (32.47 %), Ascaridia galli, Capillaria annulata, Heterakis gallinarum in nematodes (39.87 %), Eimeria tenella, Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria necatrix in Eimeria spp. (39.87 %). Ascaridia galli and R. cesticillus and A. galli and Eimeria spp. were common in mixed infection (12.86 %). Ascaridia galli was the more prevalent species. No trematode parasite was identified during the study period. Significant (p = 0.001) relationship between the seasonality and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was observed (χ2 = 17.46, df = 2). Data revealed high prevalence in rainy season (43.41 %) followed by summer (38.91 %) and winter (17.68 %) seasons for all parasites except for A. galli and C. annulata infections which were higher in summer season. Results indicated high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in desi fowl in study area emphasizing the need of improved management practices of backyard poultry.

A rare case of spleenic hydatidosis in a buffalo: patho-morphological study.

Hydatidosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus is considered an economically important disease due to the condemnation of affected visceral organs of domestic animals. The lungs and liver are the most commonly affected organs and is less frequently observed in spleen particularly in buffaloes compared to cattle. Out of 980 slaughtered buffaloes screened for hydatidosis a case of spleenic hydatidosis was noticed. A single cyst projecting from the surface of the spleen was observed. On incision clear watery fluid along with granular structures (protoscolices) escaped out. The inner surface of cyst contained thin, white, translucent membrane studded with cluster of brood capsules. Microscopic examination revealed germinal layer with protoscolices along with eosinophilic laminated layer. There was fibrous connective tissue proliferation around the laminated layer and a mild depletion of the lymphoid cells in the surrounding white follicles.

Notoedres cati in cats and its management.

Notoedres cati was observed in two domestic cats. Cats exhibited crust formation, hyperkeratosis, alopecia and intense pruritus. Distribution of lesions observed at the ear margins, face, and legs. Owners also had intense pruritus over the hands, small erythematic crusted papules on the wrists and both the legs. Laboratory examination of skin scrapings from the cat revealed the presence of ova, adult mites of N. cati. The infected cats were treated with weekly twice oral administration of ivermectin at 200 µg/kg body weight, oral administration of 2 ml of multi-vitamin and mineral syrup daily. Improvement was noticed by complete clinical recovery along with absence of mites in skin scrapings, after completion of four doses of oral ivermectin along with supportive therapy.

Hymenolepiosis in a group of albino rats (Rattus albus): a study.

A study was carried out on adult albino Wistar laboratory rats to know the incidence of hymenolepiosis, a zoonotic disease which were brought for experiment purpose. Faecal samples of 95 rats examined for parasitic infection by simple floatation technique in which 32 were positive (33.68 %) for hymenolepiosis. Identification of species of Hymenolepis was done based on morphology of egg. The highest prevalence of Hymenolepis diminuta (23.15 %) was recorded followed by Hymenolepis nana (10.52 %). Heavy infection with Hymenolepis in rats draws attention in view of public health importance in contact persons.

Development and evaluation of flow through assay for detection of antibodies against porcine cysticercosis.

A flow through assay (FTA) was developed on cellulose acetate membrane for the serodiagnosis of porcine cysticercosis using cyst fluid (CFA) and whole cyst antigens (WCA) of Taenia solium metacestode. The assay consisted of antigen of T. solium metacestode coated onto membrane, mounted on a flow-through test device to provide assay capture matrix. The optimum concentration of coating antigen was 250 ng. The protein A colloidal gold conjugate served as antigen-antibody detecting reagent. A total of 225 serum samples were tested using two antigens. Results were better with CFA (96.0% sensitivity; 96.0% specificity) compared to WCA (92.0% sensitivity; 96.0% specificity). The test was also compared with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The ELISA showed 96 per cent sensitivity with both the antigens whereas; the specificity was 96 and 92 per cent with CFA and WCA respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of flow through assay agrees closely with those of the ELISA. The cross-reaction was observed in one out of eight hydatidosis positive pigs (12.5%) with CFA by both the assays. The highest diagnostic accuracy (96%) was obtained with CFA-FTA and CFA-ELISA. For its high sensitivity and sporadic cross-reactions, CFA-FTA appears to be suitable for practical use at field level without instrumentation.

Hepatoprotective studies on Sida acuta Burm. f.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sida acuta Burm. f. (Malvaceae) is used in Indian traditional medicine to treat liver disorders and is useful in treating nervous and urinary diseases and also disorders of the blood and bile. AIM OF THE STUDY: Evaluation of the hepatoprotective properties of the methanolic extract of the root of Sida acuta (SA) and the phytochemical analysis of SA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The model of paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats, liver histopathological observations, hexobarbitone-induced narcosis and in vitro anti-lipid peroxidation studies were employed to assess the hepatoprotective efficacy of SA. Phytochemical assay of SA was conducted following standard protocols. RESULTS: Significant hepatoprotective effects were obtained against liver damage induced by paracetamol overdose as evident from decreased serum levels of glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin in the SA treated groups (50, 100, 200mg/kg) compared to the intoxicated controls. The hepatoprotective effect was further verified by histopathology of the liver. Pretreatment with Sida acuta extract significantly shortened the duration of hexobarbitone-induced narcosis in mice indicating its hepatoprotective potential. Phytochemical studies confirmed the presence of the phenolic compound, ferulic acid in the root of Sida acuta, which accounts for the significant hepatoprotective effects observed in the present study. CONCLUSION: The present study thus provides a scientific rationale for the traditional use of this plant in the management of liver disorders.