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Evaluation of the effectiveness of vaccination of animals against rabies is not routinely implemented. In cases where it is carried out, the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) or the fluorescent antibody virus neutralization (FAVN) test are the recommended tests. However, both of these tests require handling of live rabies virus (RABV), and are cumbersome to perform. In view of this, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been proposed as a surrogate test; however, availability of appropriate antigen is a major impediment for the development of ELISAs to detect anti-rabies antibodies. The most widely used antigen is the RABV glycoprotein (G) purified from cell culture-propagated virus, which requires a biosafety level 3 containment. The alternative is to use recombinantly expressed G, which needs to be to be properly glycosylated and folded to serve as the best antigen. The most suitable system for its production is the baculovirus expression system (BVES). However, purification of RABV G is challenging. We therefore tested partially purified preparations in the form of extracts of insect cells infected with baculovirus expressing RABV G, against sera from vaccinated dogs in an indirect ELISA. The results showed good concordance against RFFIT, with sensitivity and specificity of 90.48% and 80.00%, respectively. The system may be used for quick screening to determine the presence and an approximate level of antibodies, and can be modified to enable monitoring of mass dog vaccination programs, as well as to facilitate certification of dogs intended for international travel and transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An insecticidal efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) synthesised from aqueous leaf extract of Eucalyptus tereticornis, was carried out against adults, larval and pupal stages of Haematobia flies. In in vitro adulticidal and larvicidal assays the mortality ranged between 30.0 to 67.0 and 5.0 to 75.0 per cent in treated groups after 24 hours at different concentrations, respectively. The inhibition of pupation ranged between 5.0 to 30.0 per cent after 24 hours by dipping method. The lethal concentration values were calculated for all the assays. The probit analysis revealed the significant (p<0.05) effect at different concentrations of AgNPs synthesised from aqueous leaf extract of E. tereticornis on adults, larvae and pupal mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since decades, Newcastle disease (ND) has become endemic in the poultry population of the Indian subcontinent. ND is a highly contagious disease of poultry and other avian species. However, the genetic nature of ND viruses circulating in the rock pigeons is unraveled. The present investigation is a part of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) surveillance in wild birds. Two velogenic NDV strains could be isolated from apparently healthy rock pigeons, thus establishing the status of carrier/reservoir host. The fusion protein cleavage site in the fusion protein has multiple basic amino acid (RRRKRF) motifs similar to velogenic isolates. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete fusion gene sequences confirmed that the isolates belong to NDV sub genotype XIII 2.2. Further analysis revealed several amino acid substitutions in the hypervariable region, heptad repeat regions and neutralizing epitopes of the fusion protein and heptad repeat regions and antigenic sites of the hemagglutinin - neuraminidase (HN) protein that are critical for fusion. A unique D170A substitution in the neutralizing epitope is identified that is critical for structure and function of the fusion protein. Mutations within the virulence determinants including fusion (F) and HN, elucidate continuous evolution of the viruses among the rock pigeons. Accidental spillover of these mutated viruses into commercial poultry operations may result in disease outbreaks with economic breakdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycoplasmosis is one of the economically important diseases in small ruminants. Mycoplasma affects respiratory system predominantly apart from synovial joints, udder and mucus membrane bearing surface. In the current study, a total of 514 samples consisting of 465 nasal swabs, 18 lung tissues, 16 milk, 11 synovial fluids, 3 ear swabs, and one fetal fluid were subjected for isolation of Mycoplasma in PPLO broth and PPLO agar. Inoculated samples were incubated at 37°C for 24-48 h under 5% CO2, until turbidity and colour change was observed. Broth cultures were also subjected for Mycoplasma genus specific and species specific PCR. Of the 514 samples that were cultured, 32 (6.22%) produced characteristic 'fried egg' microcolonies on the agar surface. Of the 32 isolates, 21 were M. ovipneumoniae, 7 were M. arginini and 4 unidentified mycoplasma species. Seventy five (14.59%) samples were positive for genus specific PCR. By species specific PCR, 21 (28%) samples were identified as M. ovipneumoniae, 13 (17.33%) M. arginini, whereas 41 (54.66) samples did not amplify with either of the clusters specific primers or other species specific primers and remain unidentified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dogs presented to outpatient medicine unit, Veterinary College, Bengaluru, with clinical signs suggestive of Malassezia dermatitis (such as rancid odor, erythema, greasiness, hyperkeratinisation, hyperpigmentation and lichenification) were screened by cytological examination and these dogs comprised the study group. Upon cytological examination, 24 dogs that were found positive for Malassezia spp. were divided into three groups of eight dogs each. Skin swabs from these 24 dogs were cultured on Modified Dixon's Agar (MDA) for the isolation of Malassezia spp. Treatment was initiated with Itraconazole @ 5 mg/kg b. wt. orally once daily for 21 days for group I and itraconazole @ 5 mg/kg once orally, two days in a week for three consecutive weeks for group II and twice daily application of topical imidazole antifungal luliconazole, for 21 days for group III. All the 24 dogs were treated with systemic broad spectrum antibacterial cefadroxil @ 22 mg/kg b. wt. twice daily for 14 days and antihistamine, hydroxyzine @ 0.5 mg/kg twice orally for 5 days with supportive care. The study proved that topical luliconazole and itraconazole pulse therapy are more effective clinically than conventional itraconazole on 21 day treatment regimen.v [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, rabies in cattle is under-reported. Religious sentiments hamper its diagnosis, discouraging post-mortem examination, particularly opening the cranium. Specimens of peripheral tissue innervated by the cranial nerves could potentially be used as alternative diagnostic specimens to the brain. Herein, we present a case study of a novel approach for diagnosing rabies in a cow suspected of having rabies, using skin tissue specimens of the nasolabial plate obtained post-mortem. Brain and nasolabial tissue specimens tested positive for rabies using conventional reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. This approach has been previously shown to have a high diagnostic sensitivity in animals. We encourage further studies with more nasolabial plate skin specimens for both post- and antemortem diagnosis of rabies in cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]