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Destructive human activities have been ravaging nature and have also in certain situations paved the way towards emergence of diseases hitherto unknown. While a substantial number of the emerging diseases are known to originate from animals, there are many instances where humans have been responsible for causing infection in animals. Such "spill over" encountered in SARS CoV-2 raises alarm as it complicates the process of understanding the disease dynamics. Many other pathogens have been known to cause reverse zoonoses including Influenza viruses. The knowledge that have been gathered throughout the years from previous such occurrences can help the scientific community in designing the control and preventive protocols for arresting the spread of SARS CoV-2 among the human and animal population. In humans extensive vaccination is being practiced as an effective intervention strategy and the reverse zoonotic nature of the virus has given an impetus for assessing the feasibility of using similar vaccines in animals. However, to break the reverse zoonotic cycle capable of causing pandemics, a holistic approach is required to understand the pathogen movement at the man-animal interface which not only includes the viral properties like mutation rate, virulence characteristics etc but various other factors such as environmental changes, human interference etc. Effective biosecurity measures, artificial intelligence based monitoring systems and robust molecular epidemiological surveillance can help in preventing as well as predicting "spillover" of pathogens which will be critical for preventing pandemics in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study was undertaken to study the effect of different packaging methods on the shelf-life of iron fortified mozzarella cheese prepared from cow milk, goat milk and mixed milk using kiwi fruit extract. Methods: Mozzarella cheese samples were packed both aerobically and under vacuum packaging condition and microbiological load (Total viable count, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, yeast and moulds and spores count) were monitored throughout the storage period in order to determine its shelf-life. Result: The total viable count (TVC) increased gradually from 0 day till 15 days of refrigerated storage for all the samples of iron fortified mozzarella cheese under both aerobic and vacuum packaging conditions irrespective of the types of milk and enzymes used. Under aerobic packaging condition, highest total viable count was observed for goat's milk sample in both control and treatment groups all throughout the storage period. Mixed milk iron fortified mozzarella cheese exhibited least count in both the groups. The TVC of all the cheese samples were higher in aerobic packaging compared to vacuum packaging condition. The shelf-life or best before use of the product could judged as 15d from the date of manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted on a total of 909 crossbred cows maintained in various private farms from Kamrup, Darrang and Lakhimpur districts of Assam. Breeding records provided by the farmers and characteristic genital changes detected on per rectum examination of 133 reported infertile cows were analyzed. The study revealed that the incidence of infertility due to different types of reproductive disorders was 14.63 per cent in cross bred cow under field conditions. Common clinically detectable reproductive disorders were repeat breeding with uterine infection, repeat breeding without uterine infection, true anoestrus and silent oestrus with the percentage frequencies of 36.09, 23.30, 20.30 and 17.29 respectively when estimated out of total number of infertile cows. Less frequent reproductive disorders were pyometra, ovarian cyst, infantile genitalia and ovario-bursal adhesion occurring in the frequencies of 36.09, 23.30, 20.30 and 17.29 per cent respectively. Irrespective of type the incidence of anoestrus and repeat breeding was 37.59 and 59.39 per cent respectively. Palpable corpus luteum was present in the ovary of silent oestrous cows but totally absent in cows affected with true anoestrus. Mucopurulent vaginal discharge was a distinct clinically detectable genital characteristic observed in 62.50 per cent repeat breeder cows with uterine infection. Of the infertile cows 53.38 per cent had body condition score between 2.5 and 3.5 and 46.61 per cent had the score less than 2.5. Out of repeat breeder cows with uterine infection 43.66 per cent had good body condition and 27.41 per cent poor body condition. Level of serum calcium, zinc, leptin, ghrelin and IGF-1 did not vary significantly between types of infertility. Level of phosphorus and iron was lower in cows affected with repeat breeding due to infection. Serum oestrogen level remained low in cows affected with silent oestrus and true anoestrus while level of progesterone was higher in cows affected with silent oestrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine tuberculosis (BT) is a bacterial zoonotic disease which causes serious animal health problem and enormous economic loss to the dairy sector in India. Present investigation was conducted to study the pathological alterations of different organs in bovine tuberculosis. Lungs were observed to be the most affected organs and their lesions included protrusive, hard, whitish to whitish yellow nodules ranging from 2-5mm to 2cm in diameter. Liver, lymph node, spleen, pleura, peritoneum, stomach and genital organs also revealed similar type of lesions. Microscopically, pulmonary lesions were graded in four stages i.e viz. I, II, III and IV on the basis of accumulation of epithelioid macrophages, lymphocytes, presence of multinucleated giant cells, connective tissue rim, central necrosis and mineralization. Liver showed extensive fibrosis and necrosis (caseous and/or coagulative) with infiltration of epithelioid cells, macrophages and formation of giant cell. Lymph nodes revealed the presence of central caseo-necrotic area with varying degree of calcification. Granulomatous changes have also been observed in spleen, pleura, peritoneum, uterus and fore-stomach. Large number of acid-fast rod shaped bacteria was seen within the cytoplasm of macrophages, giant cells and also in the necrotic masses with Ziehl- Neelsen's stain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of certain phytoingredients on the physico-chemical and sensory qualities of dry pork cubes dried by solar and oven drier. Oven-drying was done at 60°C while solar drying was done at 55-60°C. The results showed that during oven-drying and solar-drying the dry matter and protein contents of the dried samples decreased (p<0.05). Due to addition phytoingredients there are certain changes in the proximate composition of the dry products. TBARS values of the samples were affected due to antioxidant contents of the phytoingredients. The solar-dried samples had higher acceptability level than the oven-dried samples. The products were kept in aerobic and vaccum packaging method at room temperature and changes were observed during storage up to six months. The results were attributed to the various changes that occurred during the drying process. Solar-drying of meat samples could be adopted under the hot humid environment done under hygienic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field investigation was conducted in the Experimental Garden for Plantation Crops, Department of Tea Husbandry & Technology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam to study the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds in organic tea cultivation and yield of tea. Organic culture in tea was found to influence the ecology of the cultivated area. Incidence of tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis theivora) and red spider mite (Oligonyclus coffeae) was relatively higher in the organically treated plots. Disease symptoms were not observed in these plots. Significantly higher predator population, weed intensity and weed biomass were also recorded in organic tea cultivation. Plants under organic treatments produced comparable yield as that of inorganic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of polymerase chain reaction to screen the presence of virulence genes stn, invA, sopB and sefC from 41 Salmonella isolates. In the study conducted by the authors, they found that isolates detected positivity to stn gene, with sefC gene present only in serovar Salmonella Enteritidis. They also revealed that cytosin gene, stn and virulent fimbriae sefC and pefA were found in Salmonella Enteritidis from acute turkey gastroenterititis.

Clinical case of fungal dermatitis in dogs was recorded and diagnosed with laboratory investigation. The different fungi involved were Microsporum canis (6.59%) and non-dermatophyte isolated were Aspergillus species (7.69%) and Candida species (5.49%). The cases were treated with Fluconazole and Ketoconazole for a period of 20 days and found to be highly effective against fungal dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of a healthy frame and sustained productivity are the main objectives of different methods of bringing-up of young tea during formative years of tea cultivation. The present study was carried out to study the effects of different heights of pruning and tipping on growth, development and yield of young tea plants. The study revealed that the tea plants could be lung pruned at 15-20 cm height from the ground followed by first and final frame formation prune at 35-40 cm and 45-50 cm ground height respectively to achieve healthy leaf growth and higher yield of the plant. Lung pruning of tea plants below 15 cm height would produce deleterious effect and affects growth and yield of tea plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotic Dermatitis was diagnosed in 18 (19.78%) canines out 91 cases reported for dermatological disorders. The different fungi involved were Microsporum canis (6.59%) and non-plural isolated were Aspergillus species (7.69%) and Candida species (5.49%). The cases were treated with Fluconazole and Ketoconazole for a period of 20 days and found to effective against fungal dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on a study of microbiological qualities of wastewaters from animal slaughterhouses in India in 2015 to assess their effect in receiving drainage systems and rivers. The most probable number (MPN) indices of coliform organisms from wastewaters was recorded at >2400 MPN index/100 milliliters. The most predominant in isolated bacteria was E. coli at 81.99%, followed by Staphylococcus and Streptococcusspp.

The article presents a study which examined the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs in the treatment of colibacillosis in calves, as well as intravenous (i/v) rehydration fluid and multivitamins. The drugs are amoxicillin, gentamicin, tetracycline and furazolidone. Based on the study, the tetracycline drug was seen to be least effective.

The article discusses a study on the isolation, antibiogram and some virulence characteristics of anaerobic C. perfringens recovered from diarrhoeic yak calves and healthy non-diarrhoeic yaks. Ninety three faecal samples and rectal swabs from 37 diarrhoeic yak calves below one year of age and 56 healthy non-diarrhoeic yaks were collected from a yak farm in Arunachal Pradesh, India. The frequency of isolation of C. perfringens was found to be higher from diarrhoeic yak calves.

The article discusses a research study which investigated the prevalence of Escherichia coli septicaemia in Kalinga Brown chicken. The researchers described the morphological characteristics of the bacterial isolates including size, shape, arrangement and staining reaction of the organisms. Findings showed the histopathology of infected ovary, necrobiotic changes in the mucosa and submucosa, and cases of advanced stages of autolytic changes.

The article presents a study which examined the antibiogram and virulence characteristics of Escherichia (E) coli isolated from yaks. The study collected 93 faecal samples and rectal swabs from diarrhoeic yak calves of below one year of age and healthy adult yaks. It was found that the percentage of E. coli strains positive for Congo red (CR) dye binding were similar in diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic yaks.

The article discusses a study on an avian influenza outbreak in Kalinga Brown chicken breed in Assam, India. A total of 33 Kalinga birds suspected to have died of bird flu were presented for post-mortem examination as part of the study. Haemorrhages in internal organs were observed among the dead birds. It was found that cyanotic comb and wattle were linked with conjunctivitis. Histopathological examination revealed vascular congestion and perivascular cuffing with mild gliosis in cerebrum.

One hundred and seventeen faecal samples from pet dogs (pup = 21 and adult = 96) brought for treatment to a veterinary clinic were examined for Clostridium difficile. A total of 16 (13.67%) samples were positive. Nine (56.25%) isolates were obtained from 17 adult dogs undergoing antibiotic treatment and this was significantly higher (p < 0.01) as compared to isolates from dogs without antibiotic treatment. Ten isolates (62.5%) were toxigenic (all toxinotype 0) and six were non-toxigenic. None of the isolates were positive for binary toxin genes. PCR ribotyping revealed three different ribotypes (012, 014 and 046) among A(+)B(+) isolates and five different ribotypes (010, SLO 131, and ACD 001 to ACD 003) among A(-)B(-) isolates. The PFGE analysis of toxigenic isolates revealed three different pulsotypes corresponding to the PCR ribotypes., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional, and controlled freezing method adopting three freezing rates 20°C, 40°C and 60°C/min for cryopreservation of boar semen. Sixty sperm-rich fractions of ejaculates from six boars were utilized for freezing of semen with different freezing methods in lactose-egg yolk glycerol extender using 0.5 ml straws. Semen samples were evaluated for sperm motility, live sperm, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity (PMI) by carboxyfluorescein diacetate plus propidium iodide (PI) staining, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by combined JC-1 plus PI staining and lipid peroxidation (LPO) by BODIPY (581/591)-C11 probe after equilibration and after freezing. The results revealed that the post thaw sperm motility, live sperm, live intact acrosome and plasma membrane integrity were significantly (p<0.05) higher in all the three controlled freezing methods (20°C, 40°C and 60°C/min) as compared to that in conventional method. In addition, the controlled freezing methods yielded higher (p>0.05) mean values of live sperm with high MMP as compared to conventional freezing. However, the post thaw sperm LPO did not influence by difference in freezing methods. No significant difference on the post thaw sperm qualities was recorded among the three controlled freezing rates. All the sperm parameters assessed declined significantly (p<0.05) after freezing as compared to that after equilibration irrespective of freezing method employed. In conclusion, cryopreservation of boar semen with controlled freezing methods conferred better post thaw sperm quality as compared to conventional method, and the freezing rates of either 20, 40 or 60°C/min could provide better freezability of boar semen., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Seven strains of Y. enterocolitica were screened for their enterotoxic activity. Three strains belonging to serogroups 0:3 and 0:9 elicited enterotoxic response in rabbit ligated gut segments and in infant mice. The enterotoxin resisted heat at 65 degrees and 100 degrees C for 20 min. The toxin was eluted in the second beak material during Sephadex G-75 gel filtration. On the basis of polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis the toxic component had a molecular weight of about 12,400.