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Bovine Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland, usually due to microbial infection, which causes economic loss to dairy producer every year. Staphylococcus is one of the most common pathogens responsible for contagious mastitis in bovines. The aim of this study was to identify coagulase positive Staphylococci isolated from bovine subclinical mastitis. In vitro biofilm forming ability of the isolates, an important virulence factor of mastitogen and prevalence of biofilm marker icaD gene among the isolates. In the present study, 70 isolates were biochemically identified as S. aureus. Biochemically characterized strains of S. aureus were screened for biofilm formation. Phenotypic detection of biofilm formation of S.aureus were done by two methods, namely, Congo Red Agar (CRA) method and Tube Method (TM). The frequency of biofilm formation in S. aureus strains was 28.57 per cent on CRA plates while 71.42 per cent were biofilm non-producers. The frequency of biofilm formation in S. aureus strains was 38.57 per cent in total as shown by tube method while 61.42 per cent were biofilm non-producers. Employing PCR, molecular detection technique of icaD gene was carried out. In this study, 72.85 per cent S. aureus strains were found to be positive for icaD gene which produced an amplicon of 381bp.

Early and rapid field diagnosis of CPV-2 infection is essential for preventing disease transmission from infected to susceptible dogs. In the present study total 91 fecal samples and rectal swabs collected from a diarrheic and non-diarrheic dog from clinics located in and around Nagpur. Polymerase Chain Reaction Rapid Antigen detection kit, and Haemagglutination test (HA) were able to detect CPV-2 in 41 (45.05%), 34 (37.36%) and 22 (24.17%) samples, respectively. The evaluation revealed that the PCR method was found to be most sensitive followed by antigen detection kit and HA field test. Sensitivity and specificity of antigen detection kit with respect to PCR method were found to be 78.08% and 96.00%, respectively. The finding suggests PCR with the highest sensitivity may be taken as a gold standard test of CPV-2 relative to other diagnostic tests. HA test could be employed for the preliminary screening in field because of its rapid response and low cost.

Limited experimental evidences are available on the use of peptides as vaccines to boost BCG induced immunity for protection against tuberculosis. The present study therefore evaluated protective efficacy of booster dose of N-terminal peptides of Ag85B, using prime boost approaches in murine model of tuberculosis. Using earlier established subcutaneous murine model of TB in our laboratory, we compared the protective vaccination efficacy of peptides of Ag85B with that of booster dose of whole Ag85B and BCG by evaluating both antibody and cell-mediated immune response. Groups of mice primed by BCG and boosted with Ag85B peptides showed limited pulmonary bacillary burden and reduced lung pathology after challenge with virulent dose of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mice. Significant levels (p

Listeria monocytogenes, an opportunistic food borne pathogen can cause serious infections in immunocompromised individuals. L. monocytogenes is capable of producing biofilm on the surface of food processing lines and instruments.The biofilm transfers contamination to food products and impose risk to public health. In the present study biofilm producing ability of L. monocytogenes isolates were investigated phenotypically and genotypically by microtiter assay and multiplex PCR, respectively. Out of 38 L. monocytogenes isolates 14 were recovered from animal clinical cases, 12 bovine environment and 12 from milk samples. A total of 3 (21.42%) clinical, 2 (16.66%) environment and 3 (25%) milk samples respectively, revealed biofilm production in microtiter assay. Cumulative results showed that 23 (60.52%) out of 38 strains of L. monocytogenes were positive for luxS and flaA gene and 1 (2.63%) was positive only for the flaA gene.

In the environment of the farms, feed, fodder and water could be contaminated with fecal material especially which could constitute a reservoir of Enterobacteriaceae bacteria.Total of 80 fecal samples collected from diarrheic calves, normal calves, diarrheic cattle, healthy cattle and shed of cattle were included in this study. Of which 67 (83.75%) isolates were biochemically identified as E.coli. Among 67 E.coli isolates, 12 (17.91%) isolates were of diarrheic cases (10 isolates from 1 month-6 months calf and 2 isolates from diarrheic cow), 51 (76.11%) isolates were of healthy cows (14 isolates from 1 month-6 months calf and 37 isolates from normal cows), 2(2.98%) from water samples, one isolate (1.49%)each from cow manure and air sample at farm respectively, from cow shed. Eleven (16.41%) out of 67 isolates were found to cause lysis on sheep erythrocytes and 55 (82.089%) out of 67 isolates were found to be biofilm producers on Congo red. Twenty-four (35.82%) isolates out of 67 were positive for bfpA gene, eight (11.94%) for eaeC gene, while five (7.46%) for both the genes of E.coli strain.

PURPOSE: In the present study booster efficacies of Ag85 B, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), and Ag85B peptides were evaluated using prime boost regimes in BALB/c mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were primed with BCG vaccine and subsequently boosted with Ag85B, BCG and cocktail of Ag85B peptides. RESULTS: Based on analysis of immune response it was observed mice boosted with Ag85B peptides showed significant (p < 0.001) cytokines levels (interferon γ, interleukin 12) and BCG specific antibodies (anti-BCG and anti-purified protein derivative titre) compared to booster dose of BCG, Ag85B and BCG alone. CONCLUSION: Our pilot results suggest that prime boost regimes with Ag85B peptides can boost waning BCG induced immunity and may improve immunogenicity of BCG vaccine. However, lot of work is further needed using experimental model of tuberculosis infection to justify the result.

An experiment was conducted to study the protective role of polyherbal feed supplement (Growell) during induced mycotoxicosis in broilers. A total of 240 Vencobb broilers were divided at day old stage into eight equal groups. Group A served as control and was given plain feed, group B, D, F and H were given Growell at 0.35 g/kg of feed. Group C, D, G and H were given dietary aflatoxin B1 at 0.2 ppm and groups E, F, G and H were given ochratoxin A at 0.2 ppm in feed to study effect of Growell on individual aflatoxicosis, ochratoxicosis and combined mycotoxicosis of broilers. The chicks were given their respective feeds from 1st day to 6th week of age and were vaccinated at 7th and 28th day of age with Lasota strain of Newcastle disease virus. There was no statistically significant effect of mycotoxins individually or in combination on body weight of broilers. However, body weights were highest in group B and lowest in co-mycotoxicated group G. Feed conversion ratio was best in group B followed by A, D, F, E, H and G. Significant improvement in haemoglobin values was observed in broilers due to feeding of Growell in ochratoxin and co-mycotoxicated groups. There was no significant effect of mycotoxin treatment on PCV, TEC and TLC of broilers. Due to single and combined mycotoxicosis, there was reduction in serum total protein, albumin, cholesterol and triglyceride and rise in alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and uric acid levels. Supplementation of diets with Growell reduced the alterations induced due to mycotoxins. There was a significant rise in per cent organ weight of liver and reduction of that of spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus of broilers fed mycotoxins. Protection from alteration in per cent organ weight of these organ by supplementation of Growell was recorded. The observed impaired immune response and histopathological changes in liver, kidney, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus of broilers given mycotoxins were protected by supplementation of Growell. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 3 : 375-383)