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An epidemiological study was performed to determine the role of dogs and ticks infesting dogs in the transmission of Q fever in humans and animals from April 2019 to March 2020 in the northeastern hill states of India. In total, 245 pet and stray dogs irrespective of age or sex were sampled, without specific inclusion or exclusion criteria. In total, 478 ticks belonging to three species were detected, namely Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum. The DNA extracted from blood and tick samples was assayed for molecular characterization of Coxiella burnetii targeting the 16S rRNA and superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes. Amplified PCR products were purified, cloned and custom sequenced. PCR assay showed 3.3% (8/245) of the dogs were positive for Coxiella-like bacteria. Coxiella-like bacterial DNA was detected in adult fully engorged females of R. sanguineus (7.7%, 13/168), R. (B.) microplus (3.3%, 4/123) and H. anatolicum (1.9%, 1/54). Coxiella-like bacterial DNA lacked in adult male or nymphal stage. The infection rate did not vary significantly between seasons, nor according to sex or age of the host. Six nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA and SOD genes are discussed.

and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato are intracellular bacteria of great zoonotic importance. To detect these two pathogensin ticks as well as in blood samples, a nested PCR and conventional PCR was...

For detection and molecular characterization of Babesia microti in laboratory mice from India.A total of 625 mice were screened by peripheral blood smear examination and subsequently was confirmed by PCR using a piroplasm conserved primer set (Piro A/B). Nested PCR was done using a species-specific primer targeting the gene encoding the small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA). The PCR products were cloned, purified and sequenced. A total of 12 isolates were obtained. The sequences were aligned and phylogenetic trees were prepared with other published Babesia spp. sequences.B. microti was detected with a total infection rate of 8.80%. The higher rate of infection was observed by species specific PCR (8.80%) than examined by blood smear (7.20%). Sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed that Babesia species detected in mice were genetically identical to the genotypes of B. microti and can be easily distinguished from other genotypes of Babesia parasites by neighbour joining and maximum likelihood method. Intra-species analysis indicated that all the twelve isolates from six North-Eastern states of India have a close identity but inter-species showed genetic reservoir host for transmission of babesial infection to humans.The detection of Babesia microti may suggest that laboratory mice may serve as potential reservoir host for human infection and possibility of innovative way of diagnosing and control of human babesiosis.

The present study reports the prevalence of ecto- and endo-parasites in small wild ruminants from various NE region of India. A total of 565 wild small ruminants in captivity were examined between ...

The prevalence of endoparasitic infections of birds in different zoological gardens in North-Eastern region of India was investigated from February 2018 to January 2019. Coprological examination in...

The increasing emergence of parasitic diseases with the possibility of ecological threats as well as domestic animals and human health has influence on the importance of understanding disease dynam...

The increasing emergence of wildlife diseases with the possibility of ecological threats as well as domestic animals and human health has prompted the importance of understanding disease dynamics a...

In order to detect the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in dogs, a total of 525 dog blood samples were examined by peripheral blood examination during different seasons. The survey was ca...

The increasing emergence of wildlife diseases with the possibility to ecological threats as well as domestic animals and human health has prompted the importance of understanding disease dy...

The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of haemoprotozoa in cattle of Mizoram from April 2017 to March 2018. The prevalence was studied in relation to age, sex breed of animals ...

The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of haemoprotozoa in goat population of West Bengal from April 2017 to March 2018. The prevalence was studied in relation to age, sex bree...

The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hard tick infestations in cattle of Mizoram from April 2017 to March 2018. The prevalence of hard tick infestations was studied in rel...

Objective: To describe the morphological and molecular characterization of a newly isolated Gordius spp. from of the northeastern states of India. Methods: Identification of the parasite was based on light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. For molecular identification a partial sequence of ITS2 region was amplified. The product was cloned in cloning vector and subsequently phylogenetic analysis was done. Results: Based on the morphological and molecular analysis, the nematode infesting cricket was confirmed to be Gordius species. Grossly the length of those nematodes ranged between 15.1 and 35.5 cm. The present study also described the light microscopy and fine structural morphological study of the isolated species. Molecular amplification targeting ITS2 region of Gordius was found to be approximately 1 048 bp. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Gordius species is a close relative (100%) to Malaysian species. Conclusions: Occurrence of Gordius species in Indian cricket has been confirmed and found 100% similarity with Malaysian species.

To evaluate the role of IL-13 gene in Garole/Sahabadi sheep against resistant/susceptibility to Haemonchus contortus five Garole sheep (Group I) with consistently showing low egg per gram of faeces (EPG) (≤ 150) and another five Garole sheep (Group II) with high EPG (≥ 500) were selected and fed orally with active H . contortus third stage (L 3 ) larvae at the dose rate of 500 larvae/kg body weight. Five Sahabadi sheep (Gr-III) known susceptible to H . contortus were also challenged with the same dose as the previous groups. Blood was collected from each group on day 0, 7 and 14 days post infection (dpi). The serum level of IL-13 cytokine was evaluated by ELISA at different days of post infection. The ovine IL-13 was partially isolated and the RNAm level of IL-13 expression was studied by real-time PCR at different days post infection. In the resistant Garole sheep (Gr-I) the concentration of IL-13 cytokine increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) 14 days PI compared to susceptible Garole (Gr-II)/Sahabadi (Group-III). In similar way the relative expression of IL-13 in group I (Gr-I) was found more than seven fold higher than Gr-II and Gr-III on 14 dpi. The Th 2 type immune response to H . contortus characterized by higher serum level of IL-13 cytokine and IL-13 gene expression indicated that IL-13 gene plays a vital role for the reduced establishment and/or survival of established H . contortus in resistant Garole sheep.

Canine demodicosis is a parasitic condition affecting the skin of dogs. The present study was designed to characterize chitin synthase gene of Demodex canis. The molecular technique was used for better understanding of this gene. A total of 75 dogs which are reared as pets with or without showing any skin lesions were examined during the study period. Skin scrapings were examined by indirect method using 10% potassium hydroxide solution under 10 × microscope. DNA samples were extracted from positive skin samples and were subjected to PCR for molecular identification. A total of 25 dogs irrespective of age, sex, breed or coat showed positive result for D. canis. The PCR revealed a single amplified product of 339 bp length which exactly matched with D. canis. The chitin synthase gene was amplified by PCR, subsequently cloned, sequenced, and compared with available data in GenBank for the particular gene of D. canis. Only one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was noticed at 231 position of the chitin synthase gene sequence when compared to other isolates. The molecular technique confirms with the morphological identity of D. canis. This report signifies the value of peculiar tool to identify ‘follicular mite’ even from apparently healthy skin.

Objective To ascertain whether immunodominant antigens of Trichuris ovis might share and cross react with host molecule. Methods Two crude protein preparations from anterior and posterior parts of Trichuris ovis were characterized along with host mucosal antigen by double immunodiffusion, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting technique. Conventional scanning electron microscopy was performed as per standard procedure. Results Sharp and distinct bands of three antigens have been found in double immunodiffusion using hyperimmune serum raised in rabbit indicating the presence of specific antibody against each antigen. All three antigens have shown major and minor bands with molecular weight ranging from 15 to 110 kDa during sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Conclusions The antigenic cross-reactivity was thought to result from shared antigens. The existence of paracloacal papillae found in the anterior part of the male was not a unique feature for species differentiation.

Information pertaining to parasitic fauna and parasitic diseases in Manipuri ponies in India is not available. Moreover, no systematic studies have been undertaken on cutaneous habronemosis in Manipuri ponies which is a common skin problem of Manipuri ponies as reported by pony owners. Keeping in the view of the importance of parasitic infections in veterinary health coverage particularly in Manipuri ponies, the present study was planned. A survey of natural cases of cutaneous habronemosis followed by molecular confirmation of species involved and treatments were done. Out of 200 ponies examined, nine cases (4.5%) of cutaneous habronemosis was recorded. Gross examination revealed raised and ulcerated wounds with necrotic tissues covered with yellowish-tan granulation. Histopathological study revealed eosinophilic granuloma and in the center of the granuloma with necrotic debris. Remnants of the Hebronema larvae with infiltrating neutrophils surrounded by proliferating fibrous tissue with numerous eosinophils, macrophages and lymphocytes were also observed. Molecular detection of Habronema sp. was confirmed by semi-nested PCR. Sequence analysis revealed larvae of H. muscae was the common spirurid species responsible for producing cutaneous habronemosis in Manipuri ponies. Subsequently, sequence submitted to NCBI GenBank and accession number obtained (MH038181). Surgical removal of necrotic tissue, ivermectin injection along with antibiotics successfully cured all the lesions in infected ponies.Results confirmed occurrence of cutaneous habronemosis in Manipuri ponies in India.

A survey was carried out to detect the overall incidence of histomoniasis in broiler birds in different parts of Mizoram, India. Out of 4000 birds examined, 40 birds were found positive for Histomonas meleagridis revealing 1% infection rate. Heterakis gallinarum was recovered from the caeca of positive birds. Gross lesions were found in caeca and liver. Microscopic examination of stained section of liver tissue revealed numerous circular amoeboid Histomonas meleagridis together with cellular infiltration. The PCR selectively amplified 209 BP of the small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence of Histomonas meleagridis.

A study was carried out in broiler chicken for comparative anthelmintic efficacy of neem and pineapple leave powder with piperazin hydrate for treatment of experimental Ascaridia galli infection. The affected birds had lower levels of Hb, PCV, Ca and P. The profile changed after treatment with neem and pineapple leave powder which was comparable to that observed after treatment with piperazine hydrate. Neem and pineapple leave powder treatment caused cent percent evacuation of the worms on 28 and 56 th th

2 Abstract: The present work describes isolation, cell wall preparation, morphological as well as molecular detection of oocyst of Eimeria tenella. Based on transmission electron microscopy, the oocyst of this species showed the outer and inner wall without veil forming bodies; cross section of sporozoites with different organelles and macrogamete structure at ultrastructural level. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based on Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITSI) regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) demonstrated 270 bp specific for E. tenella. Results of this study provide the basis for further ultrastructural studies of the organism. The present study also suggested that morphological characteristics along with molecular identification are prerequisite for validation and identification of Eimeria species.

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate histo-pathological, haemotological and biochemical changes in broiler chicken naturally infected with Eimeria tenella. A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based assay was also done for the detection, identification and differentiation of pathogenic species of Eimeria in poultry. Post mortem examination revealed petechial haemorrhages, oedema, necrosis and sloughing of caecal epithelium. Histopathological evidence showed leakage of blood, oedema and necrosis. Haemotological studies revealed that coccidial infection caused significant decrease in the value of haemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume (PCV). The value of Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) revealed that caecal coccidiosis resulted in macrocytic hypochromic anaemia. Biochemical serum analysis of coccidial infected chicken showed a significant increase in level of glucose, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) while there was a significant decrease in the level of alkaline phosphatase (SAP) and cholesterol. In PCR using specific primers for E. tenella only the ITS 1 regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) could be amplified.

A biochemical study was made to elucidate the biochemical composition of the inner wall of oocyst of Eimeria necatrix and then compared with cellular component of the oocyst. In addition to total protein, glucose and cholesterol, several electrolyte components have been estimated in the present study. The investigation also revealed high activity of Alanine and Asparate aminotransferases in the inner wall of the oocyst of Eimeria necatrix. It seems that the biochemical composition and the enzymes in the inner wall of the oocyst of Eimeria necatrix are of significant value for better metabolic processes in Eimeria spp. as well as for better understanding of possible drug-parasite interaction.

Studies were undertaken to evaluate the clinical, gross, histopathological and some biochemical parameters in broiler birds suffered from E. necatrix infection in a local broiler farm in the Aizawl district. Clinically, 20 birds out of 100 no. (aged between 4-6 weeks) showed loss of appetite, unthriftiness and bloody diarrhoea with mucus. Postmortem examination revealed anaemic pale musculature, distended small intestine with petechial haemorrhages. Similar changes were also observed in some areas of th e large intestine and caecum. Histopathological examination showed severe haemorrhagic enteritis with necrosis and disintegration of glandular epithelial cells. Several schizonts were observed in the epithelial cells along with merozoites, infiltrating neutrophils and eosinophils. Biochemically, the infected broilers presented hypoglycaemia associated with a reduction in liver glycogen level. Biochemical serum analysis of coccidia infected chickens also showed a significant increase (p