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Abstract Background Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic disease that results from infection with any member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Infected animals are typically diagnosed with tuberculin-based intradermal skin tests according to World Organization of Animal Health which are presently in use. However, tuberculin is not suitable for use in BCG-vaccinated animals due to a high rate of false-positive reactions. Peptide-based defined skin test (DST) antigens have been identified using antigens (ESAT-6, CFP-10 and Rv3615c) which are absent from BCG, but their performance in buffaloes remains unknown. To assess the comparative performance of DST with the tuberculin-based single intradermal test (SIT) and the single intradermal comparative cervical test (SICCT), we screened 543 female buffaloes from 49 organized dairy farms in two districts of Haryana state in India. Results We found that 37 (7%), 4 (1%) and 18 (3%) buffaloes were reactors with the SIT, SICCT and DST tests, respectively. Of the 37 SIT reactors, four were positive with SICCT and 12 were positive with the DST. The results show that none of the animals tested positive with all three tests, and 6 DST positive animals were SIT negative. Together, a total of 43 animals were reactors with SIT, DST, or both, and the two assays showed moderate agreement (Cohen’s Kappa 0.41; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.23, 0.59). In contrast, only slight agreement (Cohen’s Kappa 0.18; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.34) was observed between SIT and SICCT. Using a Bayesian latent class model, we estimated test specificities of 96.5% (95% CI, 92–99%), 99.7% (95% CI: 98–100%) and 99.0% (95% CI: 97–100%) for SIT, SICCT and DST, respectively, but considerably lower sensitivities of 58% (95% CI: 35–87%), 9% (95% CI: 3–21%), and 34% (95% CI: 18–55%) albeit with broad and overlapping credible intervals. Conclusion Taken together, our investigation suggests that DST has a test specificity comparable with SICCT, and sensitivity intermediate between SIT and SICCT for the identification of buffaloes suspected of tuberculosis. Our study highlights an urgent need for future well-powered trials with detailed necropsy, with immunological and microbiological profiling of reactor and non-reactor animals to better define the underlying factors for the large observed discrepancies in assay performance, particularly between SIT and SICCT.

Abstract Intermediate plus live strain infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) vaccines are used to control IBDV endemic infections in India. In the present study, immunopathological changes induced by commercial infectious bursal disease live vaccines with different immunization regimes were compared. A total of days old 108 Cobb broiler chicks were randomly divided into five groups with 24 chicks each in groups I, II, III and 18 chicks each in group IV and V. Group I served as control I (no immunization) and group II and III chicks were immunized with a single dose of vaccines 1 and 2 on 17th day of age (DOA), respectively. The group IV and V chicks were immunized with vaccines 1 and 2, respectively with primary dose on 17th DOA followed by booster dose on 24th DOA. Both intermediate plus live vaccines produced gross and histopathological lesions in lymphoid organs (bursa of Fabricius, thymus, spleen and caecal tonsils). Increased CD4 + , CD8 + T cells in affected bursa of Fabricius was evidenced by immunohistochemistry. Further, up-regulation in relative mRNA expression of IFN-γ, IL-1β and IL-6 were observed in bursa of Fabricius of treated birds, with maximum alteration particularly on 14th day post single immunization and 7th day post booster immunization. The findings suggest that single immunization regime on the 17th day of age showed immunization equivalent to booster immunization with lesser lesions, therefore, may be practiced and promoted in the field conditions for the better economic returns and animal welfare.

The present study was carried out to compare two minimally invasive surgical in situ castration techniques in dogs. Male dogs (n-12) brought to the department for elective castration were randomly divided into two groups comprising six in each group. In Group I, pinhole (PH) castration, and section ligation release (SLR) castration in group II were performed. Physiological parameters, testicular dimensions, haemato-biochemical analysis, ultrasonographic examination and pain scores were recorded on 0th, 3rd, 14th and 28th day. Testicular tissue biopsy sample for histopathological examination were taken on 0th and 28th day. Physiological parameters, testicular breadth and height revealed non-significant variation, while significant difference was observed in testicular circumference and volume in both the groups. Non-significant difference was noted in haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total leucocyte count and differential leucocyte count within or in between the groups. Cortisol and MDA were significantly higher on 3rd day, whereas GSH was significantly lower on 3rd day in comparison to other time intervals in both the groups. Pain scores were significantly higher on 3rd day in both the groups and were also significantly more in group II. Testosterone levels were markedly reduced in both the techniques, but values were significantly lesser in group II as compared to group I. Ultrasonographic and histopathological examination revealed marked testicular degeneration in both the techniques. It was concluded that pinhole castration technique is minimally invasive, less time consuming, economical and has less post-operative complications in comparison to section ligation and release technique.

We developed dithranol nanosponge integrated Carbopol hydrogel (DTHNS-HG) as a novel perspective for psoriasis management. Dithranol was chosen as antipsoriatic moiety for this system. In this study, our objective was to fabricate and evaluate DTHNS-HG for in vivo anti-psoriatic activity using mouse tail model. Nanosponges (NSs) were synthesized using diphenyl carbonate and β-cyclodextrin employing melt method and appropriately characterized. The selected nanosponges were then embedded into Carbopol hydrogels and assessed for viscosity, spreadability and texture analysis. The developed formulations were further evaluated in vivo for antipsoriatic potential (% drug activity,% orthokeratosis and relative changes in epidermal thickness). Additionally, oxidative stress markers were also checked in mouse tail samples. DTH loaded cyclodextrin nanosponges were successfully fabricated and displayed acceptable mean particle size (274.6 ± 43.54 nm with 0.545 PDI) and zeta potential (-28.3 ± 6.34 mV). Further, DTHNS amalgamated hydrogel showed satisfactory results in terms of spreadability, viscosity and texture profiles. The degree of orthokeratosis was significantly (p < 0.05) increased with DTHNS-HG (0.5 and 1.0% w/v) and marketed ointment, as compared to the untreated group (control). Similarly, the drug activity and changes in epidermal thickness were found significant. Our findings from present investigations suggested a new cargo for delivery of DTH in topical medicinal strategies for psoriasis. Hence, this novel hydrogel showed promising outcomes for psoriasis.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) remains endemic in domestic water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in India and elsewhere, with limited options for control other than testing and slaughter. The prescribed tuberculin skin tests with purified protein derivative (PPD) for diagnosis of bTB preclude the use of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-based vaccination because of the antigenic cross-reactivity of vaccine strains with Mycobacterium bovis and related pathogenic members of the M. tuberculosis complex (MTBC). For the diagnosis of bTB in domestic water buffaloes, we here assessed a recently described defined-antigen skin test (DST) that comprises overlapping peptides representing the ESAT-6, CFP-10 and Rv3615c antigens, present in disease-causing members of the MTBC but missing in BCG strains. The performance characteristics of three doses (5, 10 or 20 μg/peptide) of the DST were assessed in natural tuberculin skin test reactor (n = 11) and non-reactor (n = 35) water buffaloes at an organized dairy farm in Hisar, India, and results were compared with the single intradermal skin test (SIT) using standard bovine tuberculin (PPD-B). The results showed a dose-dependent response of DST in natural reactor water buffaloes, although the SIT induced a significantly greater (P < 0.001) skin test response than the highest dose of DST used. However, using a cut-off of 2 mm or greater, the 5, 10, and 20 μg DST cocktail correctly classified eight, 10 and all 11 of the SIT-positive reactors, respectively, suggesting that the 20 μg DST cocktail has a diagnostic sensitivity (Se) of 1.0 (95% CI: 0.72–1.0) identical to that of the SIT. Importantly, none of the tested DST doses induced any measurable skin induration responses in the 35 SIT-negative animals, suggesting a specificity point estimate of 1.0 (95% CI: 0.9–1.0), also identical to that of the SIT and compares favorably with that of the comparative cervical test (Se = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.55–0.98). Overall, the results suggest that similar to tuberculin, the DST enables sensitive and specific diagnosis of bTB in water buffaloes. Future field trials to explore the utility of DST as a defined antigen replacement for tuberculin in routine surveillance programs and to enable BCG vaccination of water buffaloes are warranted.

Aim: To assess the effect of feeding live Saccharomyces cerevisiae on serum biochemistry in early weaned cross bred (Landrace × Desi) piglets Materials and Methods: 48 piglets assigned to four different groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4: n=12) following completely randomized design. T1 and T2 were weaned at age of 28 days while T3 and T4 were weaned at age of 42 days. T1 and T3 were fed basal diet without S. cerevisiae, however, T2 and T4 were supplemented with live S. cerevisiae (200 g/d/h containing 2- 3×106 cfu/g). Results: The period-wise comparison of mean values of serum albumin and globulin were similar, however, period-wise comparison of protein was significant. The mean glucose value of T4 was statistically higher than T1 and comparable with T2 and T3. The serum total cholesterol level was found to be lower in T2 and T4 as compared to T1 and T3. Conclusion: Results of study suggest that supplementation of live Saccharomyces cerevisiae was effective in improving the health status of early weaned piglets. [Vet World 2012; 5(11.000): 663-666]