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Poultry is considered as one of the major food animals which are reared by administering the antibiotics recklessly to whole flocks which in turn harbor high proportion of resistant bacteria in gastrointestinal tract. Escherichia coli is one such bacteria and is a prevalent commensal bacterium found in the gastrointestinal microflora of warm-blooded animals; the most common communityacquired pathogen among humans. In this study total 160 E. coli isolates of different age intervals (0, 10, 20 and 30 day) of poultry were identified using the MALDI-TOF MS (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry). Antibiotic profiling was done using 29 different antibiotics belonging to various groups i.e. cell wall synthesis inhibitor (cephalosporin, natural penicillin, penicillinae stable, aminopenicillin, carboxypenicillin, uredopenicillin, polypeptide, monobactums, carbapenems and glycopeptides); protein synthesis inhibitor (aminoglycosides, macrolides, lincosamides, phenicoles and tetracycline); DNA synthesis inhibitor (quinolone); RNA synthesis inhibitor and antimetabolites (sulphonamide and combination of sulpha + trimethoprim). All isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Beside that number of isolates having drug resistance to maximum number of antibiotics increased from 0 day to 30 day of age. All the isolates had MAR (Multiple antibiotic resistance) index greater than 0.2 showing that the isolates have originated from an environment where several antibiotics have been used carelessly. Careful administration of antibiotics must be encouraged to only diseased animal and not to the whole flock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study species specific unique Hypothetical Proteins (HPs from 15 mastitis causing organisms viz. Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella oxytoca, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hyicus, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus chromogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis and Enterococcus aerogenes were identified and characterized. The HPs were selected on the basis of their in vivo stability, species specificity and uniqueness. These HP were characterized in silico for their physico-chemical properties and functions. The results showed well-defined functions of the selected HPs and categorized them either as enzyme, transporter and cellular regulatory proteins. Three HPs showed adhesion properties which can be crucial for the persistence of the organisms and pathogenicity. The outcome of the present study gave better understanding of selected HPs whose functions otherwise had not been predicted. Most of the HPs were related to survival or pathogenesis of the bacteria to which they belonged and being unique to a species of bacteria they can further be used as biomarkers for species identification [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Genomic and Antigenomic Promoter (GP and AGP) regions of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) are composed of 107 bp and 109 bp, respectively. They play crucial role in replication and transcription of PPRV genome and in its pathogenesis. We attempted amplification of GP and AGP of PPRV from different field samples of sheep and goat origin, using 3' and 5' RACE PCR. The GP region was successfully amplified though, we could not amplify AGP region of the field isolate probably due to fast degradation of terminal region of RNA genome. Subsequently, amplicons were sequenced and compared with corresponding sequences of standard PPR vaccine strain (PPRV/Sungri96 strain) to identify potential base substitutions. The Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA) of the GP region of vaccine strain PPRV/Sungri/96 (KJ867542.1), PPRV isolates (Bikaner-Khajuwala: Sheep origin and Hanumangarh-Nohar: Goat origin) from field samples and published sequences of Indian/PPRV strains (KX033350.1, KT270355.1, KT860063.1 KT860064.1 and KT860065.1) were undertaken by Clustal W in MEGA7. On comparative evaluation with the PPRV/Sungri/96, 4 base substitutions were observed in it; these were at position 5 (A & gt; G), 24 (A & gt; C), 47 (A & gt; G) and 102 (C & gt; T) in GP region. We hypothesized that base mutations found in the genomic promoter regions may be associated with attenuating properties of PPRV vaccine strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In present study, six different protocols for bacterial DNA extraction from milk including classical PCI protocol and one commercial kit, were compared. The assessment was done on the basis of estimated quantity and quality using spectrophotometric measurements and their amplification in PCR. Although, all the methods extracted DNA successfully but Guanidine thiocyanate-Dithioerythritol method and commercial kit were found to be more efficient in terms of time taken for the extraction, purity and concentration of DNA obtained. The DNA extracted was efficiently detected in PCR using both the protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study a novel antimicrobial peptide identified from β defensin of Tharparkar breed of cattle in our laboratory was studied for its efficacy in combination with two antibiotics (Gentamicin and Ceftazidime) on Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Both the antibiotics in combination with KK-20 gave a synergistic effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, however the extent of the effect varied with both the antibiotics. KK-20 in combination with Ceftazidime, was highly effective against both planktonic and biofilm form of bacteria where as in combination with the Gentamicin it showed synergistic effect only against planktonic form as there was reduction in minimal inhibitory concentraton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Genetic variability of Marwadi sheep was studied using 18 microsatellite markers, proposed by The Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Society for Animal Genetics (FAOISAG). A total of 158 alleles ranging between 4 to 15 were found across 18 microsatellite loci. The most polymorphic marker was OarFCB48 with a total of 15 alleles and least polymorphic loci was TGLA377 with 4 alleles were detected. The high genetic variation (MNA=8.7) was observed in Marwadi sheep compare to other reported breed in Rajasthan. All studied loci contained high PIC value (>0.5) in the present study, where mean PIC value (0.751) is higher than earlier reported study on sheep in India, which indicates highly informativeness of markers to characterize Marwadi sheep breed population and showed abundant genetic diversity in this population. Further, the expected gene diversity (Hexp) ranged from 0.637 (OarHH35) to 0.900 (OarFCB48) with an overall mean of 0.797 and observed heterozygosity (Hobs) across 18 loci ranged between 0.300 (TGLA137) and 0.900 (OarVH72, BM757) with a mean of 0.602 were estimated. The present study has shown a high level of genetic variability in Marwadi sheep, suggesting good breeding practices were carried out in the farms and other places where samples were collected. Similarly, all the loci were detected highly polymorphic with 100% value of polymorphism observed in Marwadi sheep breed. The high polymorphic information content (PIC) value indicating informativeness of markers to characterize Marwadi sheep population. Hence, these markers could be used in various applications like conservation programmes, biodiversity studies and disease diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repetitive extragenic palindromic-PCR (REP-PCR) is polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of noncoding, multi-locus, interspersed repetitive DNA elements by a set of defined primers in prokaryotic genomes. In the present study, typing of 43 Campylobacter jejuni isolates from poultry was carried out by REP-PCR. It showed 100% type ability amongst the isolates with production of 12 different REP patterns (REP1-REP12) on the basis of different arrangements of band sizes ranging from 80 to 700 bp. The discriminatory power of REP-PCR method was recorded as 0.9181. The REP8 pattern comprised maximum number of 7 isolates whereas REP4 and REP9 patterns had a single isolate only. The number of bands produced in all REP patterns ranged from one to four where maximum numbers of four bands were produced in REP11 and REP12 with different band sizes. Single amplicon of different sizes were produced by REP1, REP2 and REP3 patterns. In the present study REP-PCR was found to be an appropriate method for C. jejuni typing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, a total of 54 tissue biopsy of neoplastic growths of dogs were examined along with their histopathological observations. Squamous cell carcinomas were recorded in 3.71 per cent cases. Grossly, these tumours were of variable size usually irregular and nodular in shape, poorly demarcated and non-encapsulated. Microscopically, the basic pattern of fibrosarcoma consists of whorls and interwoven bundles of immature fibroblasts and moderate number of collagen fibres. These tumours were more cellular and fibre formation generally minimal particularly in highly anaplastic fibrosarcomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noroviruses are a leading cause of acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis throughout the world. So far, in vitro growth of these viruses has not been achieved in human origin cell lines and limited efforts have been made to evaluate the susceptibility of animal origin cell cultures. The main objective of this study was to evaluate primary and established cell cultures from a variety of animal species for in vitro growth of human noroviruses. A total of 19 cell cultures from 11 different animal species were evaluated. Cell monolayers were inoculated with one of the two fecal samples known to contain noroviruses. The infected cell monolayers were observed daily for up to 5 days for any cytopathological effects (CPE) after which the infected cell suspension was inoculated in their respective fresh cells for a total of five blind passages. At fifth blind passage RT-PCR assay was used to detect the presence of norovirus RNA. None of the blind passage in any cell culture showed the evidence of any morphological change. When tested by RT-PCR, fifth cell culture passages from all cells were negative for norovirus RNA. These results indicate that the 19 cell types used in this study are not susceptible to noroviruses and that search should continue for a suitable cell culture system in which noroviruses can be isolated, propagated, and titrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Multiple antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli of wild vertebrates is a global concern with scarce assessments on the subject from developing countries that have high human-wild species interactions. We studied the ecology of E. coli in a wintering population of Egyptian Vultures in India to understand temporal changes in both E. coli strains and patterns of antimicrobial resistance. Methods and Results: We ribotyped E. coli strains and assessed antimicrobial resistance from wintering vultures at a highly synanthropic carcass dump in north-west India. Both E. coli occurence (90.32%) and resistance to multiple antimicrobials (71.43%) were very high. Clear temporal patterns were apparent. Diversity of strains changed and homogenized at the end of the Vultures’ wintering period, while the resistance pattern showed significantly difference inter-annually, as well as between arrival and departing individuals within a wintering cycle. Significance of study: The carcass dump environment altered both E. coli strains and multiple antimicrobial resistance in migratory Egyptian Vultures within a season. Long-distance migratory species could therefore disseminate resistant E. coli strains across broad geographical scales rendering regional mitigation strategies to control multiple antimicrobial resistance in bacteria ineffective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Norovirus (NoV) transmission occurs mainly through food and fomites. Contaminated human fingers can transfer the virus to inanimate objects, which may then spread the virus to susceptible persons. However, no information is available on the survival of NoVs on fomites, which may be of importance in the transmission of NoVs in institutional settings such as hospitals and nursing homes., Methods: In the absence of any in vitro cultivation system for NoVs, feline calicivirus (FCV) was used as a surrogate. Several fomites such as computer mouse, keyboard keys, telephone wire, telephone receiver, telephone buttons, and brass disks representing faucets and door handle surfaces were artificially contaminated with known amounts of FCV. Samples were taken at regular time intervals, and virus was titrated in feline kidney cells to determine its survival on these surfaces., Results: Survivability of FCV varied with fomite type. The virus survived for up to 3 days on telephone buttons and receivers, for 1 or 2 days on computer mouse, and for 8 to 12 hours on keyboard keys and brass. The time for 90% virus reduction was <4 hours on computer keys, mouse, brass, and telephone wire; 4 to 8 hours on telephone receiver; and 12 to 24 hours on telephone buttons., Conclusion: The results of this study confirm that FCV (and perhaps NoV) can survive on fomites such as computers, telephones, and faucets and may be transmitted to humans using these contaminated materials. This may necessitate regular cleaning or disinfection of these items, especially in hospitals and nursing homes and after known outbreaks of NoVs.