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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...

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...

Background DMBT1 is a gene that shows extensive copy number variation (CNV) that alters the number of bacteria-binding domains in the protein and has been shown to activate the complement pathway. It lies next to the ARMS2/HTRA1 genes in a region of chromosome 10q26, where single nucleotide variants have been strongly associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the commonest cause of blindness in Western populations. Complement activation is thought to be a key factor in the pathogenesis of this condition. We sought to investigate whether DMBT1 CNV plays any role in the susceptibility to AMD. Methods We analysed long-range linkage disequilibrium of DMBT1 CNV1 and CNV2 with flanking single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using our previously published CNV and HapMap Phase 3 SNP data in the CEPH Europeans from Utah (CEU). We then typed a large cohort of 860 AMD patients and 419 examined age-matched controls for copy number at DMBT1 CNV1 and CNV2 and combined these data with copy numbers from a further 480 unexamined controls. Results We found weak linkage disequilibrium between DMBT1 CNV1 and CNV2 with the SNPs rs1474526 and rs714816 in the HTRA1/ARMS2 region. By directly analysing copy number variation, we found no evidence of association of CNV1 or CNV2 with AMD. Conclusions We have shown that copy number variation at DMBT1 does not affect risk of developing age-related macular degeneration and can therefore be ruled out from future studies investigating the association of structural variation at 10q26 with AMD.

The aim of this study was to quantify the expression level of genes involved in antioxidant defenses during inorganic arsenic (iAs) exposure in the blood of goats and to evaluate the regulative activity on these genes of antioxidant vitamin E in the diet. Twenty-four crossbred lactating goats (Alpine × Beetal) were distributed randomly into four equal groups (Control, T(1), T(2) and T(3)) of six in each, on the basis of average body weight (36.10 ± 0.11 kg) and milk yield (1.61 ± 0.004 kg/day). The animals in T(1), T(2) and T(3) were given 50 mg/kg dry matter arsenic daily, while in T(2) and T(3), vitamin E @100 IU and 150 IU/kg dry matter, respectively, was also supplemented additionally for the period of 12 months. Blood was sampled at 0 day then at 3 months interval and analyzed for the expression level of superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) using real-time PCR technique. Initially there was no difference (p0.05) in relative expression of the two genes. But, at 3 months, relative expression of Cu/Zn SOD increased (p0.05) in T(1) groups then, at 6 and 9 months expression was decreased (p0.05) in all the iAs treated groups whereas at 12 months, vitamin E supplementation increased (p0.05) the expression which is comparable to control groups. IL-2 mRNA expression was decreased (p0.05) at 6 months in all iAs treated groups, at 9 months there was decline trend but not significantly different whereas at 12 months decline trend was less (p0.05) in vitamin E supplemented groups. The result suggests that vitamin E may have a controlling effect on oxidative stress through modulation of SOD and IL-2 expression.

The present study was designed for screening polymorphism of known fecundity genes in prolific Indian Bonpala sheep. Employing tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system PCR, 11-point mutations of BMP1B, BMP15, and GDF9 genes of 97 Bonpala ewes were genotyped. The FecB locus of the BMPR1B gene and two loci (G1 and G4) of GDF9 gene were found to be polymorphic. In FecB locus, three genotypes, namely, wild type (Fec++, 0.02), heterozygous (FecB+, 0.23), and mutant (FecBB, 0.75) were detected. At G1 locus of GDF9 gene, three genotypes, namely, wild type (GG, 0.89), heterozygous (GA, 0.10), and mutant (AA, 0.01) were detected. At G4 locus of GDF9 gene, three genotypes, namely, wild type (AA, 0.01), heterozygous (AG, 0.14), and mutant (GG, 0.85) were detected. Statistically no significant correlation of polymorphism of FecB, G1, and G4 loci and litter size was found in this breed. All five loci of BMP15 and three loci of GDF 9 genes were monomorphic. This study reports Bonpala sheep as the first sheep breed where concurrent polymorphism at three important loci (FecB, G1, and G4) of two different fecundity genes (BMPR1B and GDF9) has been found.

A polymerase chain reaction, amplifying a fragment of the mitochondrial DNA D loop region was developed for species specific detection of cattle and buffalo milk. The method was simultaneously extended for detection of HTST pasteurized milk samples and cheeses of bovine and buffalo origin. A common forward primer was used with two different species specific reverse primers that resulted amplification of a 126 bp and 226 bp products for cattle and buffalo, respectively, in simplex as well as in multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The primers successfully amplified DNA extracted by conventional protocol from minimal amount of raw milk, heat treated milk and cheese of either bovine or buffalo origin. The primers showed a high degree of specificity. The sensitivity of the assay was excellent with detection level of 0.1 percent adulteration of cow and buffalo milk or cheese (0.15 ng buffalo and 0.04 ng cattle DNA). The assay represents a sensitive and simple method for identification of adulteration in milk and cheese.

The Black Bengal is a prolific goat breed in India. Natural mutations in prolific sheep breeds have shown that the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) super family ligands such as growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and their type I receptor (bone morphogenetic protein receptor, BMPR1B) are crucial for ovulation and as well as for increasing litter size. Mutations in any of these genes increased prolificacy in sheep. Based on the known mutation information in sheep PCR primers were designed to screen known polymorphism in 88 random Black Bengal goats. Only the BMPR1B gene was polymorphic. Three genotypes of animals were detected in tested animals with mutant ( FecB B ) and wild type ( FecB + ) alleles were 0.57 and 0.43, respectively. Non-carrier, heterozygous carrier and homozygous carrier Black Bengal does had 2.7, 3.04 and 3.11 kids, respectively. All known point mutations of BMP15 and GDF9 genes were monomorphic in the animals tested. These results preliminarily showed that the BMPR1B gene might be a major gene that influences prolificacy of Black Bengal goats.

Previous work has shown that the gene DMBT1, which encodes a large secreted epithelial glycoprotein known as salivary agglutinin, gp340, hensin or muclin, is an innate immune defence protein that binds bacteria. A deletion variant of DMBT1 has been previously associated with Crohn's disease, and a DMBT1(-/-) knockout mouse has increased levels of colitis induced by dextran sulphate. DMBT1 has a complex copy number variable structure, with two, independent, rapidly mutating copy number variable regions, called CNV1 and CNV2. Because the copy number variable regions are predicted to affect the number of bacteria-binding domains, different alleles may alter host-microbe interactions in the gut. Our aim was to investigate the role of this complex variation in susceptibility to Crohn's disease by assessing the previously reported association. We analysed the association of both copy number variable regions with presence of Crohn's disease, and its severity, on three case-control cohorts. We also reanalysed array comparative genomic hybridisation data (aCGH) from a large case-control cohort study for both copy number variable regions. We found no association with a linear increase in copy number, nor when the CNV1 is regarded as presence or absence of a deletion allele. Taken together, we show that the DMBT1 CNV does not affect susceptibility to Crohn's disease, at least in Northern Europeans.European Journal of Human Genetics advance online publication, 27 January 2016; doi:10.1038/ejhg.2015.280.

Aim: The Research was undertaken to find the association between FecB and high prolificacy in Raighar goats. Materials and Methods: DNA was extracted from blood, collected from does (n=101) with history of high prolificacy. Further tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system (T-ARMS) PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis were followed to screen the mutation. Results: Raighar goats were found to be wild homozygotes suggesting absence of FecB mutation. Conclusion: Prolificacy in case of Raighar goats is not due to the mutation at FecB locus. It is thought to search for other genes or loci in goat fecundity. [Vet World 2013; 6(8.000): 479-481]

Mutation studies in different prolific sheep breeds have shown that the transforming growth factor beta super family ligands viz. the growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9/FecG), bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15/FecX) and associated type I receptors, bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPR1B/FecB), are major determinant of ovulation rate and consequent increase in litter size. The Garole sheep is a highly prolific sheep breed of India. Characterization of fecundity genes in these animals could substantially improvise the breeding programme in these animals as well as other sheep breeds of the region. The present study was therefore designed with the objective of polymorphism study of fecundity genes in these prolific microsheep. A total of 11 point mutations were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method. A competitive technique called tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-PCR was adapted to type a total of ten points of two ovine fecundity genes (GDF9 and BMP15). The FecB locus of the BMPR1B gene and G1 locus of GDF9 gene were found to be polymorphic. In FecB locus, two genotypes, wild type (FecB(+)) and mutant (FecBB), were detected with allele frequencies of 0.39 and 0.61, respectively. At G1 locus, two genotypes, mutant (A) and wild types (G) were detected with allele frequencies of 0.18 and 0.82, respectively. This study reports Garole sheep as the fourth sheep breed after Belclare/Cambridge, Lacaune and Small-tailed Han sheep, where coexisting polymorphism has been found in two different fecundity genes (BMPRIB and GDF9 genes).