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Contagious pustular dermatitis is a disease that primarily infects small ruminants and possesses zoonotic potential. It is caused by orf virus (ORFV), a member of the genus Parapoxvirus. In this study, we evaluated an ORFV outbreak in goats in Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India, during 2017. The transboundary potential of this virus was evaluated by constructing phylogenetic trees. The complete genome sequence of an ORFV isolate named Ind/MP/17 was found to be 139,807 bp in length with 63.7% GC content and 132 open reading frames (ORFs) flanked by 3,910-bp inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). An investigation into evolutionary parameters such as selection pressure (θ = dN/dS) and nucleotide diversity (π) demonstrated that ORFV has undergone purifying selection. A total of 40 recombination events were identified, 21 of which were evident in the Ind/MP/17 genome, indicating its ability to generate new variants.

A five-year old, apparently healthy male Indian Wolf Canis lupus pallipes of Nandankanan Zoological Park, Odisha became ill with acute signs of anorexia, lethargy, staggering gait, and was non-responsive to external stimuli. Microscopic examination of Giemsa stained blood smear revealed presence of extracellular flagellates having morphological similarity to Trypanosoma spp. Haematological parameters showed anaemia (Hb 6.0 g%), mild leucopenia (total leukocyte count 5 × 103 / mm3) and thrombocytopenia (180 x 103 / µl). Serum biochemistry revealed high aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (830 IU/L), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (178.2 mg/dl), creatinine (4.44 mg/dl), and low glucose (25.7 mg/dl) levels. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis targeting internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) region followed by National Centre for Biotechnology Information blast confirmed Trypanosoma evansi infection in the captive Indian Wolf. The animal showed clinical recovery with the administration of single dose of quinapyramine sulphate and quinapyramine chloride @ 4.0 mg/kg b wt subcutaneously. The wolf started taking meat from the very next day with improved activity. No trypanosomes could be detected in the stained blood smears as well as through PCR carried 25 days post treatment. The occurrence became an eye opener for the zoo and henceforth, all canids were included under chemoprophylaxis protocol against trypanosomosis.

Background: Theileriosis is a haemoprotozoan illness that poses severe economic loss to dairy farmers due to its negative impact on mortality and productivity, especially in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Methods: The present study was conducted for a period of one year (June 2020 to July 2021) during which 55 blood samples of cattle showing clinical signs suggestive of theileriosis were examined and quantified by using multiplex real time PCR for Theileria orientalis and Theileria annulata using Taq-Man probe. Result: Prevalence of theileriosis in three Theileria-endemic districts of Odisha due to Theileria annulata and Theileria orientalis were 26.11 per cent (11/42) and 57.14 per cent (24/42), respectively. Mixed infection were reported in 16.6 percent (7/42) cases. Parasite load for T. annulata in clinically affected cases ranged from 2.85 x 103 to 1.51 x 105 parasites per ml of blood while for T. orientalis, it ranged from 1.94 x 104 to 5.88 x 105 parasites per ml of blood. Ten cattle positive for T. orientalis were administered two doses of buparvaquone (Butalex) @2.5 mg/kg b.w. at an interval of 48 hours after which degree of parasitemia were quantified ten days post treatment. The parasitic load in blood ten days post treatment decreased significantly from 4.04 x 104 to 2.21 x 102 per ml of blood.

In the present research pathology and molecular diagnosis of elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus-haemorrhagic disease (EEHV-HD) among Asian elephants was studied. Out of 76 cases, 20 were positive for EEHV infection in PANPOL and POL1 based semi-nested PCR. Out of 20 samples, 10 samples were fatal cases of EEHV-HD while 10 were of either subclinical or latent infection. Acute onset haemorrhagic disease with EEHV-HD had anorexia, facial and neck swelling, cyanotic buccal mucosa and tongue, nasal and ocular discharge, and colic. The hallmark of gross finding in all cases were severe haemorrhagic lesions in the internal organs viz. cyanosis of tongue with multifocal petechial haemorrhages, diffuse epicardial and endocardial haemorrhages, swollen liver (rounded edges) with parenchymal haemorrhages, serosal and mucosal haemorrhages in gastrointestinal tract, congested kidneys with corticomedullary haemorrhages, highly congested meninges, and brain capillaries with haemorrhages. Microscopic findings in all the cases had severe vascular changes in the visceral organs. Microthrombi was present in the vasculature of tongue, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and brain. The endothelial lining of most of the blood vessels were swollen with apoptotic changes. Amphophilic to basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in the endothelial cells. Immunostaining using anti-EEHV DNAPOL hyperimmune sera revealed intense positive signals in the endothelium of blood vessels and their walls. Quantification of viral load in necropsy tissue samples revealed highest in the heart (7.4 × 10

Study was undertaken in a theileriosis-endemic region of India during May 2018 to April 2019 among milch cows. Blood samples collected from apparently healthy (n = 65) and Theileria-suspect cows (n...

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) can infect approximately 250 avian species and causes highly contagious Newcastle disease (ND) in domestic poultry, leading to huge economic losses. There are three different pathotypes of NDV, i.e., lentogenic, mesogenic, and velogenic. Wild resident (wild) and migratory birds are natural reservoirs of NDV and are believed to play a key role in transmitting the virus to domestic poultry. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of NDV in wild and migratory birds in the state of Haryana, India, during two migratory seasons (2018-19 and 2019-20). In total 1379 samples (1368 choanal swabs and 11 tissue samples) were collected from live (in/i= 1368) or dead birds (in/i= 4) belonging to 53 different avian species. These samples belonged to apparently healthy (in/i= 1338), sick (in/i= 30), and dead (in/i= 4) birds. All samples were tested for NDV by real-time reverse transcription-PCR using M gene specific primers and probe. Of the 1379 samples, 23 samples from wild birds [iColumba livia domestica/i(in/i= 12, 52.17%),iPavo cristatus/i(in/i= 9, 39.13%), andiPsittaciformes/i(in/i= 2, 8.69%)] were found positive for NDV. Only one of the 23 samples (fromiP. cristatus/i) was positive for F gene, indicating it to be a mesogenic/velogenic strain. These results indicate that both lentogenic and velogenic strains of NDV are circulating in wild birds in Haryana and that further studies are needed to characterize NDV strains from wild/migratory birds and domestic poultry to determine the extent of virus transmission among these populations. This study considers the disease transmission risk from domestic pigeons and parrots to commercial poultry and vice versa, and the results emphasize the need for strict biosecurity strategies to protect commercial poultry in the region.Prevalencia del virus de la enfermedad de Newcastle en aves silvestres y migratorias en Haryana, India. El virus de la enfermedad de Newcastle (NDV) puede infectar aproximadamente a 250 especies de aves y causa la enfermedad de Newcastle (ND) altamente contagiosa en la avicultura comercial, lo que genera enormes pérdidas económicas. Hay tres patotipos diferentes del virus de Newcastle, que incluyen, lentogénico, mesogénico y velogénico. Las aves silvestres residentes (silvestres) y migratorias son reservorios naturales del virus de Newcastle y se cree que desempeñan un papel clave en la transmisión del virus a las aves domésticas comerciales. El presente estudio se realizó para determinar la prevalencia del virus de Newcastle en aves silvestres y migratorias en el estado de Haryana, India, durante dos temporadas migratorias (2018-19 y 2019-20). En total, se recolectaron 1379 muestras (1368 hisopos coanales y 11 muestras de tejido) de aves vivas (in/i= 1368) o muertas (in/i= 4) pertenecientes a 53 especies de aves diferentes. Estas muestras pertenecían a aves aparentemente sanas (in/i= 1338), enfermas (in/i= 30) y muertas (in/i= 4). Todas las muestras se analizaron para detectar al virus de Newcastle mediante transcripción reversa y PCR en tiempo real utilizando iniciadores y una sonda específicos del gene M. De las 1379 muestras, 23 muestras de aves silvestres [iColumba livia domestica/i(in/i= 12, 52.17 %),iPavo cristatus/i(in/i= 9, 39.13 %) yiPsittaciformes/i(in/i= 2, 8.69 %)] resultaron positivas para el virus de Newcastle. Solo una de las 23 muestras (deiP. cristatus/i) fue positiva para el gene F, lo que indica que se trata de una cepa mesogénica/velogénica. Estos resultados indican que tanto las cepas lentogénicas como las velogénicas del virus de Newcastle están circulando en las aves silvestres de Haryana y que se necesitan más estudios para caracterizar las cepas del virus de Newcastle de las aves silvestres/migratorias y de las aves domésticas para determinar el alcance de la transmisión del virus entre estas poblaciones. Este estudio considera el riesgo de transmisión de la enfermedad de las palomasdomésticas y loros a las aves comerciales y viceversa, y los resultados enfatizan la necesidad de estrategias estrictas de bioseguridad para proteger las aves comerciales en la región.

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus hemorrhagic disease (EEHV HD) is an acute viral infection of growing Asian elephants (

Study was undertaken in a theileriosis-endemic region of India during May 2018 to April 2019 among milch cows. Blood samples collected from apparently healthy (

Bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) is an evolving arbovirus reported across tropical, subtropical and temperate climatic zones globally. This study reveals prominent BEFV outbreaks in India, emerging annually during monsoons in subtropical areas accompanied by a congenial abundance of the vector population. PCR-based detection of viral genomic RNA in the blood samples collected during outbreaks of 2018-2019 for the first time confirmed the presence of BEFV in India. Phylogenetic analysis based on the glycoprotein gene of BEFV showed the current isolates to have high sequence homology with Middle Eastern lineage with nearly 97%, identity to Turkey (BEFV Ad12/TUR) and Israel (Israel 2006) isolates.

Paratuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis (MAP) and is a chronic, intestinal tract infection in the ruminant sector globally. A total of 122 EDTA mixed blood samples, 121 serum and 16 pooled faecal samples were collected from farms of 4 different districts i.e. Nayagarh, Cuttack, Khordha and Angul and a blind review was conducted at the Animal Health Division, CIRG, Mathura. Microscopic examination of 16 pooled faecal samples revealed +2 reactivity to Acid-Fast Bacilli. All the serum samples were subjected to indirect ELISA. Out of them, 23 (19.01%), 85 (70.25%), shows strongly positive, positive, antibody titre respectively. EDTA blood samples of 23 ELISA-strongly positive were subjected to 413 bp IS900 PCR and 11 (9%) of them were found positive for Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis (MAP). MAP isolates were further subjected to genotyping using 608 bpIS1311 PCR and restriction endonuclease analysis (IS1311 PCR-REA) and 2 (1.64%) of them matched with “Indian Bison Type”. Genotyping of the isolates using IS1311 PCR-REA revealed that goat population of Odisha are primarily infected with “Indian Bison Type” strains.

Aim: The study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of antibodies to Capripoxviruses among small ruminants of Odisha, India. Materials and Methods: A total of 500 random serum samples collected from 214 sheep and 286 goats across 10 agro-climatic zones of Odisha, were screened using whole virus antigen-based indirect ELISA for antibodies against Capripoxviruses. Results were analyzed by suitable statistical methods. Results: Screening of 500 serum samples showed seropositivity of 8.88% and 31.47% in sheep and goats, respectively, for Capripoxviruses. The prevalence rate according to agro-climatic zone ranged from 0% (North Eastern coastal plain zone) to 48.57% (North central plateau zone) for goat pox, and 0% (Western undulating zone and North central plateau) to 22.22% (South Eastern ghat zone) for sheep pox. The difference in prevalence rates among the various agro-climatic zones was statistically significant (p

Aim: The objective of this study was to examine the carrier status of theileriosis among apparently healthy cross-bred jersey cattle population of Odisha using conventional blood smear examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Materials and Methods: A total of 34 apparently healthy cross-bred Jersey lactating cows were considered in this study. Blood samples were subjected to microscopic examination after staining with Giemsa stain and PCR based molecular diagnosis using two sets of primer, i.e., N516/N517 and TorF1/TorF2 specific for Theileria annulata and Theileria orientalis, respectively. Results: Examination of blood samples revealed presence of theileria parasites to a magnitude of 20.59% for T. annulata, 8.82% for T. orientalis, and 2.94% for both. Conclusion: Molecular diagnosis was found to be much more sensitive than conventional method for diagnosis of theileriosis. T. annulata was found to be the predominant species affecting the exotic cattle. T. orientalis was detected in apparently healthy cows.

The molecular characterization of three Newcastle disease viruses (NDV) isolated from backyard chickens in the state of Haryana, India, was undertaken. Two genotype II strains and one genotype XIIIc class II isolate with genome sizes of 15,186 and 15,192 nucleotides (nt), respectively, were identified.

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the seroprevalence of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) among small ruminant population of Odisha. The disease is endemic in the state and in India causing huge economic loss to the farming community. A total of 506 serum samples (from 217 sheep and 289 goats) from unvaccinated flocks were collected between October-2015 and April-2016 across 10 agroclimatic zones of Odisha through random sampling and subjected to competitive ELISA to detect antibodies against PPR virus (PPRV). The result indicates an overall seroprevalence rate of 48.42%, with 44.7% contributed by sheep (45.74% male and 43.90% female) and 51.21% by goats (48.15% males and 53.89% females). The agroclimatic zone wise prevalence rate among sheep varied between 100% and 0%, while among goats varied between 69.44% and 29.63%. The study indicates a high prevalence rate of PPR in the state of Odisha and warrants regular vaccination of small ruminants to develop better immunity to prevent the infection.

The objective of the present study was to predict gestational age of female dogs by real time ultrasonography using measurements of placental thickness, evaluating the correlation between observed and calculated gestational age as well as the accuracy of placental thickness measurement (Biometry) with fetal morphologic parameters in bitches. Bitches were divided into 3 groups, small, medium and large and total 30 bitches were taken and examined at 20-30 days, 30-40, 40-50 and 50-60 days interval. Gestational age was calculated by using gestational equations derived from the linear regression analysis. The expression that presents the best correlation coefficient and explanation for thickness of placenta “Y= 0.021x-0.314” . Results clearly demonstrated that biometric parameter placental thickness significantly (p

The captive tiger population of Nandankanan Zoological Park, Odisha was taken into study to identify the deleterious effect of inbreeding on litter size, mortality, survivability, death due to different diseases and other fitness traits. The path of pedigree and inbreeding coefficient for 342 tigers were calculated from the available information of tiger national studbook. The correlation values between inbreeding coefficient and different fitness traits were estimated. The litter size of tiger was found to be positively and significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with inbreeding coefficient. However, age at death, survivability of cubs upto weaning and total numbers of cubs born throughout lifetime were negatively and significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with inbreeding coefficient. The death due to a disease conditions like stress, accidental injury, nephritis and senility were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with inbreeding of a tiger. It is recommended for zoos and other captive institutions to reduce inbreeding and inbreeding depression in their captive animal populations as much as possible by using species-specific breeding plans and using minimising kinship as captive breeding strategy.