Documentation and determination of consensus about phytotherapeutic veterinary practices among the Tharu tribal community of Uttar Pradesh,India

Purpose  

The aim of the present investigation was to document the phytotherapeutic knowledge and veterinary healthcare management practices among the Tharu tribal community of Uttar Pradesh, India and to determine the consensus of such practices, in order to evaluate the potential for new veterinary drugs of herbal origin.     

The incidence of adult and larval stage Taenia hydatigena in Uttar Pradesh (India)

A total of 1023 dogs of different breeds from different parts of Uttar Pradesh State were examined for the presence of Taenia hydatigena, and 810 sheep, 1015 goats and 1040 pigs were examined for the presence of Cysticerus tenuicollis, to determine the incidence of these parasites. In dogs, the incidence of T. hydatigena was found to be 40.95%. The rate of infection was higher in street dogs than in dogs kept indoors.Cysticercus tenuicollis was found in 37.03% of sheep, 27.29% of goats and 8.30% of pigs. The rate of infection was higher in sheep than in goats or pigs. A high incidence of infection was found in the rainy season. The intensity of infection was higher in old than in young animals.     

Serosurveillance for Japanese encephalitis virus infection among equines in India

The seroprevalence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) among equines was evaluated from January 2006 to December 2009 in 13 different states of India by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and virus neutralization test (VNT). Antibodies against JEV were detected in 327 out of 3,286 (10%) equines with a maximum prevalence reported in the state of Manipur (91.7%) followed by Gujarat (18.5%), Madhya Pradesh (14.4%), and Uttar Pradesh (11.6%). Evidence of JEV infection was observed in equines in Indore (Madhya Pradesh) where a 4-fold or higher rise in antibody titer was observed in 21 out of 34 horses in November 2007 to October 2006. In March 2008, seven of these horses had a subsequent 4-fold rise in JEV antibody titers while this titer decreased in nine animals. JEV-positive horse sera had a JEV/WNV (West Nile virus) ratio over 2.0 according to the HI and/or VNT. These results indicated that JEV is endemic among equines in India.     

Prevalence,molecular fingerprinting and drug resistance profile of enterovirulent <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> isolates from free-ranging yaks of Tawang district,Arunachal Pradesh,India

Of 273 samples (rectal swab) collected from free-ranging yaks of Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh, 42 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), six enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and 27 enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) strains were isolated. All the STEC and EPEC strains were further investigated for respective stx variants (for STEC only) and additional putative virulence factors. The 27 ETEC strains were also screened for characteristic enterotoxin gene(s) and colonization factors. Occurrence of ETEC was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the diarrheic yaks and yaks of less than 1 year of age. Majority of enterovirulent E. coli isolates were resistant to amikacin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, colistin, doxycycline, furazolidone, nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, streptomycin and tetracycline. Dendrogram, constructed with molecular fingerprinting profiles obtained from RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA) and ERIC (Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus) PCR, placed the isolates in different clusters irrespective of their serotypes, virulence gene and drug resistance pattern. Collectively, the study indicates that yaks, being a potential reservoir of multidrug resistant STEC and EPEC, may represent significant risk to public health in this region. Higher recovery of ETEC isolates from yaks with diarrhea points out that ETEC may be a major determinant for repeated occurrence of diarrhea in yaks.     

Molecular prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in dairy calves in Southern states of India

Dung samples were collected from dairy calves of south Indian states viz., Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and union territory, Puducherry and are subjected to nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 18S rRNA gene for detection of Cryptosporidium infection. Of the 459 dung samples screened 182 were found positive with a prevalence of 39.65%. Highest prevalence of Cryptosporidium was observed in Puducherry (86.67%) and lowest in Kerala (17.65%). Genotyping by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence analysis revealed the presence of all the four major Cryptosporidium species of cattle viz., Cryptosporidium andersoni, Cryptosporidium ryanae, Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium bovis. C. andersoni was widely distributed in calves of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Puducherry whereas in Andhra Pradesh C. ryanae was the major species. Of the 64 samples subjected to PCR-RFLP, 39 (60.94%) could be classified as C. andersoni, 18 (28.13%) as C. ryanae, 4 (6.25%) as C. parvum and 3 (4.69%) were confirmed as C. bovis. The results were also confirmed by sequencing of 19 Cryptosporidium DNA samples.     

Virulence repertoire of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) from diarrhoeic lambs of Arunachal Pradesh,India

A total of 107 faecal samples were collected from diarrhoeic lambs of high altitude terrains (2,000 to 5,000 m above the mean sea level) of Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Total 234 Escherichia coli were isolated and further subjected to PCR for the study of virulence repertoire characteristics of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). Out of the 234 isolated E. coli, 32% were found positive for STEC, and 9% were carrying virulence gene for ETEC. The isolated STEC serogroups were O159, O127, O120, O113, O60, O30, O25, O8 and O2. Of all the 74 STEC strains, PCR showed that 18% isolates carried stx ₁ , 26% possessed stx ₂ and 47% produced positive amplicon for both. Other virulent attributes like intimin (eaeA), enterohaemolysin (ehxA) and STEC auto-agglutinating adhesin (saa) were present in 18%, 43% and 44% of the isolates, respectively. The isolated ETEC serogroups were O172, O170, O159, O146, O127, O120, O113, O86, O75, O60, O30, O25, O8, O2, OR and OUT. Of the 22 ETEC-positive isolates, 23%, 18% and 4.5% possessed the gene only for LT, STa and STb, respectively, whereas 54% carried genes for both LT and STb. Some serogroups of E. coli like O159, O127, O120, O113, O60, O30, O25, O8 and O2 possessed genes for both Shiga toxin and enterotoxin. This study is the first report of ETEC isolation from diarrhoeic lambs in India. The moderately high proportion of STEC and ETEC in the diarrhoeic lambs implicated that these animals are important reservoir of STEC and ETEC. This is really a grave concern for the ‘brokpas’ and nomads (shepherds) who share a close relationship with this animals for their livelihood. This study also indicates that ETEC may be a major cause for frequent diarrhoeal episodes in lambs of this region.     

Prevalence of latent cases of Babesia equi infection in some parts of North West India as measured by the capillary agglutination test

The prevalence of Babesia equi infection in north west India was assessed by means of the capillary tube agglutination (CA) test. The particulate antigen used in the test was potent and no cross reaction with other related haemaprotozoa was observed. The serological survey showed that from 323 horses from 3 localities there was an overall incidence of 50.1 per cent. In Haryana the incidence was 38.3 per cent in the 196 horses tested, in Uttar Pradesh it was 47.2 per cent from 72 animals and in Rajasthan it was 96.4 per cent from 55 horses.     

Pathological study of non-neoplastic urinary bladder lesions in cattle and buffaloes: a preliminary report

A total of 236 urinary bladders (94 cattle and 142 buffaloes) collected from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India, were studied for spontaneous lesions. These adult animals belonged to Institute’s organized dairy farm and rural areas in the Rohilkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. Grossly, congestion, hemorrhages, and cystoliths in urinary bladders were diagnosed. Histopathologically, the major conditions diagnosed were acute cystitis, 44 (18.64%), including, congestion, hemorrhages, sub-acute cystitis; chronic cystitis, 74 (31.35%), including chronic cystitis un-complicated type, lymphocytic cystitis, plasmolymphocytic cystitis, follicular cystitis, hyperplasia, nodular/acinar hyperplasia, and cystolithiasis; and nothing unusual diagnosed, 118 (50.00%). Similar types of pathological conditions were diagnosed in both species of animals with exception of follicular cystitis and nodular/acinar hyperplasia which was diagnosed respectively only in buffaloes and cystoliths in cows. In addition, a good number of 17/25 (68%) urinary bladder samples tested were found positive for presence of bovine papillomavirus type-2 (BPV-2) by polymerase chain reaction. These included eight cases of acute cystitis, an equal number of cases of chronic cystitis, and one normal bladder. BPV-2 is known as potential source of enzootic bovine hematuria along with other co-factors in enzootic areas. Lesions of zoonotic significance, like tuberculosis, etc., were not diagnosed. None of the observed lesions represented conditions, which, by themselves, would warrant carcass condemnation in buffaloes.     

Bovine urolithiasis in Andhra Pradesh

Urinary calculi from three bulls, six bullocks and one male buffalo from the Guntur district were investigated. By chemical analysis only CO₃², Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and a trace of PO¾^- were found. X-ray analysis showed that all samples consisted of magnesian calcite with an atomic percentage of magnesium between 14.5 and 21.9. The size of the crystallites varied approx. from 200 to 400 Å.     

Detection of OvHV-2 from an outbreak of sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever from crossbred cattle of Southern India

An outbreak of sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever in crossbred cattle in a village of Andhra Pradesh, southern India, affected thirteen adult cows and two calves from a population of forty animals. All the affected animals were died between December and January 2013–14. The clinical and gross postmortem findings were typical of MCF in Indian crossbred cattle. Migrating sheep flocks were suspected source of infection for the cattle. The diagnosis was confirmed by heminested PCR in all the affected cattle and the suspected sheep flock. The PCR provided evidence of ovine herpes virus type 2.     

Seroprevalence of brucellosis in yaks (Poephagus grunniens) in India and evaluation of protective immunity to S19 vaccine

The present study was carried out to explore the seroprevalence of brucellosis in yaks of North-Eastern hilly yak tracts of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Of 374 animals tested, 23.79, 21.11 and 18.98% were found positive for brucellosis using avidin-biotin ELISA (AB-ELISA), Rose-Bengal plate test (RBPT) and standard tube-agglutination test (STAT), respectively. The relative sensitivity and specificity for STAT were 79.77 and 100%, respectively and the same for RBPT were 88.76 and 100%, respectively in comparison to AB-ELISA. The alarming prevalence as recorded was highest among the yak cows (31.42%) followed by heifers (23.85%) and bulls (8.88%). The immune response in yaks following standard dose of calfhood vaccination with Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine showed that protective antibody level persisted up to 210 days. This is the first report from India on prevalence of brucellosis and immunization with B abortus strain 19 vaccine in yaks. The present investigation would be a valuable guideline for future control measure and eradication programme of brucellosis in yaks.     

Genotyping of benzimidazole susceptible and resistant alleles in different populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haemonchus contortus</Emphasis> from Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions of North-West India

An allele-specific PCR was standardized to diagnose the mutation (Phe to Try) at residue 200 of the isotype 1 beta tubulin gene responsible for benzimidazole resistance in Haemonchus contortus adult and infective larvae. Adult and infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus were collected from sheep under different managemental practices (intensive and extensive) in temperate Himalayan regions (Mukteshwar and Kedarkhatta), sub-himalayan region (Pantnagar) of Uttarakhand state and subtropical region of Uttar Pradesh (Bareilly) in north-west India. Genotyping of adult H. contortus, collected from abomasi of slaughtered sheep reared under extensive management, by AS-PCR revealed that the frequency of resistant (r) alleles was significantly higher (P < 0.001) at Pantnagar (0.57) as compared to Bareilly (0.25) and Mukteshwar (0.08). Also, genotyping of infective larvae of the parasite from intensively managed sheep farms indicated that the frequency of resistant (r) alleles was significantly higher (P < 0.001) at Pantnagar (0.85) as compared to Kedarkattha (0.70) and Bareilly (0.62). The results revealed that managemental practices followed in the areas under study have a direct bearing on the spread of benzimidazole resistant alleles.     

Epidemiology of Parasitoses in Dairy Animals in the North West Humid Himalayan Region of India with Particular Reference to Gastrointestinal Nematodes

A systematic survey was conducted during two spells of 5 years each (1986–1990 and 1993–1997) to study the prevalence of parasitoses with particular reference to gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes and flukes in dairy animals (crossbred and native cattle, and buffaloes) belonging to 12 villages in the Kangra valley (Himachal Pradesh). Flukes (Fasciola, amphistomes and Dicrocoelium) and strongyles were the most important parasitic infections. Fasciola was endemic throughout the year, with a higher percentage infection in buffaloes than in cattle. Other fluke and nematode infections showed a seasonal pattern in prevalence, with a small peak in March–April followed by a high peak in July–September. The faecal egg counts (eggs per gram, epg) of flukes (Fasciola/amphistomes) ranged from 50 to 300 in cattle and 50 to 400 in buffaloes, with high loads during the rainy and post-rainy seasons. The GI nematode egg counts (excluding Toxocara) revealed a similar trend, with the overall monthly mean epg ranging from 85 to 1720 in cattle and 90 to 1625 in buffaloes, with a high peak during the months of July to September. On coproculture of positive samples, the nematode infections in order of prevalence were: Strongyloides, Trichostrongylus, Haemonchus, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum and Mecistocirrus. The prevalence of most of the parasites was lower during the second 5-year period.     

Characterization of shiga toxin producing (STEC) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) in raw yak (Poephagus grunniens) milk and milk products

Thirty-one shiga toxin-producing (STEC) and 6 enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) were isolated from 87 raw yak milk and 63 'churpi' samples. Of 18 stx(1) positive isolates (48.6%), 14 carried stx(1c) (77.7%). Subtyping of 28 stx(2) positive isolates (75.7%) revealed the presence of stx(2c) (9, 32.1%), stx(2d) (3, 10.7%), stx(2e) (1, 3.57%) and stx(2f) (3, 10.7%) variants. Furthermore, intimin (eaeA), enterohaemolysin (ehxA), autoagglutinating adhesin (saa), iha (adherence conferring protein), efa1 (EHEC factor for adherence), bundle forming pilli (bfpA) and toxB (type III secreted protein encoded on LEE Island, similar to toxin B of Clostridium difficile) genes were detected in 14, 16, 12, 4, 3, 2 and 2 isolates, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis depicted that both stx(1) and stx(2) or their variants were more likely to occur in isolates from Arunachal Pradesh (p<0.04) rather than Sikkim. Dendogram constructed on the basis of RAPD and ERIC PCR profile distributed the STEC and EPEC isolates in separate clusters irrespective of their sources and serotypes. The STEC and EPEC isolates exhibited resistance against erythromycin, amikacin, azithromycin, amoxicillin, ampicillin+cloxacillin, cephalothin, furazolidone, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin and tetracycline. This is the first ever report on occurrence and characterization of STEC and EPEC isolated from yak milk and milk products.