Bovine brucellosis – a comprehensive review

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of great animal welfare and economic implications worldwide known since ancient times. The emergence of brucellosis in new areas as well as transmission of brucellosis from wild and domestic animals is of great significance in terms of new epidemiological dimensions. Brucellosis poses a major public health threat by the consumption of non-pasteurized milk and milk products produced by unhygienic dairy farms in endemic areas. Regular and meticulous surveillance is essentially required to determine the true picture of brucellosis especially in areas with continuous high prevalence. Additionally, international migration of humans, animals and trade of animal products has created a challenge for disease spread and diagnosis in non-endemic areas. Isolation and identification remain the gold standard test, which requires expertise. The advancement in diagnostic strategies coupled with screening of newly introduced animals is warranted to control the disease. Of note, the diagnostic value of miRNAs for appropriate detection of B. abortus infection has been shown. The most widely used vaccine strains to protect against Brucella infection and related abortions in cattle are strain 19 and RB51. Moreover, it is very important to note that no vaccine, which is highly protective, safe and effective is available either for bovines or human beings. Research results encourage the use of bacteriophage lysates in treatment of bovine brucellosis. One Health approach can aid in control of this disease, both in animals and man.     

Acidification of Surface Water in Central India

The results of the seasonal analysis of the chemistry of rain, fog and surface water of central India for the two years: June 1996 to May 1998 are presented. A total of 636 rain water samples, 146 fog water samples and 226 surface water samples of 8 locations: namely, Ambikapur, Baikunthpur, Korba, Bilaspur, Raipur, Bhilai, Dallirajhara and Kanker, from different sites were collected for the present study. This paper documents the occurrence of acidic rain and fog events and their effect on surface water pH and aquatic life in central India. Most of the rain and fog water samples collected from Baikunthpur and Korba sites were found to be acidic in nature (i.e. pH < 5). The volume weighted mean pH of rain and fog water samples of these sites was 4.8 and 4.4 with lowest pH 4.4 and 4.0, respectively. However, samples from Ambikapur, Bilaspur, Raipur and Bhilai were slightly acidic and their pH values were always around 5.8. One reservoir (mean pH 5.8) and two stop dams (mean pH 4.4 and 4.2) in Baikunthpur area were found to be acidic. The effect of acidification of water on metal-accumulation in muscles of fishes was studied. Concentrations of Al, Hg, Mn, Cd and Pb were higher in fish from acid, than from less acid waters. Causes of acidification of the atmospheric water and surface water are critically discussed.     

Genetic parameter estimates for reproductive traits in Chokla ewes of India

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Early selection of ewes for better reproductive performance may reduce generation interval and increase genetic gains. Considering this, the present study...     

Mixed feeding schedules in semi‐intensive pond culture of Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus,L.: is it necessary to have two diets of differing protein contents?

Two semi‐intensive grow‐out trials of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), each consisting of seven mixed feeding schedules (rhythmic presentation of high and low protein) and two constant, a high‐protein and the other low‐protein feeding schedules, were carried out simultaneously for 60 days. Mixed feeding schedules were achieved, in Trial 1, by alternating the presentation of a high feed ration (H; 2.3% body weight (BW)) with a low feed ration (L; 1.5% BW) of a single diet A (crude protein content 33%), and in Trial 2, by alternating the presentation of diet A with diet B of a relatively low protein content (crude protein content 22%). In both trials, significant improvements in protein utilization parameters, such as apparent protein conversion efficiency and protein efficiency ratio against continuously high protein feeding were obtained because of the adoption of mixed feeding schedules without any significant decline in the growth parameters such as net fish yield or daily weight gain. In both trials, the mixed feeding schedule ensuring 2 days of high followed by 3 days of low protein presentation, viz. 2H/3L of Trial 1 and 2A/3B of Trial 2 performed the best. Improvement in nutrient utilization in both trials was comparable; however, at existing market prices cost saving because of adoption of mixed feeding schedules was greater in Trial 1.     

Effects of full-stream carbon filtration on the development of head and lateral line erosion syndrome (HLLES) in ocean surgeon

Head and lateral line erosion syndrome (HLLES) is a common but very poorly understood disease of marine aquarium fish. One suspected etiology is the use of granulated activated carbon (GAC) to filter the water. Seventy-two ocean surgeons Acanthurus bahianus were distributed among three carbon-negative control systems and three GAC-treated systems such that each tank contained approximately the same total body mass. Each replicate system was made up of two 250-L circular tanks with a common filtration system (6 fish per tank, 12 fish per replicate system). The GAC-treated tanks were exposed to full-stream, extruded coconut shell activated carbon, which produced a mean total organic carbon content of 0.4 mg/L. The results of this study indicate that extruded coconut shell activated carbon filtering at full-stream rates can cause HLLES-type lesions in ocean surgeons. The HLLES developed exponentially over 15 d, beginning in the chin region. This was followed by pitting in the cheek region, which expanded until erosions coalesced. Once the carbon was discontinued, the processes reversed in a mean time of 49 d. As the lesions healed, they reverted from the coalesced to the pitted stage and then darkened before returning to normal.     

Effect of Sources and Levels of Zinc on the Yield and Composition of Rice (Oryza sativa) on Alfisol under Field Condition

Significant increase in yield of rice and straw was obtained with zinc application during two years of experimentation. Among different sources tried, zinc sulphate proved better. An increase in the concentration and uptake of zinc and nitrogen was found with the application of zinc, whereas there was a reverse trend in the concentration and uptake of phosphorus and potassium.     

Explaining photodermatosis: cyclopentenone vs. alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone natural products.

The possible role of cyclopentenone-containing sesquiterpene lactones in the cause of photochemical chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) is examined in light of recent reports that the alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone group of these natural products forms 2+2 photoadducts with the DNA base thymine. Neither cyclopentenone nor tenulin (a cyclopentenone-containing sesquiterpene lactone) form such photoadducts with thymine either with sunlight or a UV lamp (300 nm). In contrast, alpha-methylenebutyrolactone readily forms the 2+2 photoadduct with thymine in sunlight. Thus, the photochemical role of the alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone group (rather than cyclopentenone) is strongly implicated in the CAD disease.     

The location of primary replication of the herpesvirus of bovine malignant catarrhal fever in rabbits

The herpesvirus of malignant catarrhal fever (MCFV) was isolated from the spleen of $\text{2}\text{3}$ rabbits 4 days after the intravenous inoculation of infectious lymph node suspension, while no virus could be isolated at 2 and 6 days post inoculation (p.i.). Indirect immunofluorescence identified the antigen-positive cells at 4 days p.i. as medium sized lymphocytes lying in the venous sinuses of the spleen, lower numbers of fluorescing cells being seen in the paracortical areas of lymph nodes and in the thymus. Scanty fluorescence, without isolation of virus, was evident in the spleen at 6 days p.i. but by day 8 p.i. virus could be isolated irregularly from spleen and lymph nodes and at 12 days p.i. was found in all lymphoid tissues in those rabbits with lymphadenitis and pyrexia. The primary replication in the spleen at 4 days is compared with other herpes induced lymphoproliferative disorders.     

Nasal and nasopharyngeal lymphoma in cats: 50 cases (1989-2005)

Lymphoma is the most common nasal cavity tumor in cats, yet few reports specifically address the anatomic, immunohistologic, and cytologic features of this neoplasm. Fifty cats were diagnosed with lymphoma at necropsy, via biopsy or by cytology alone. Ten cats displayed multiorgan involvement, and in 2 of these the involvement was limited to the cerebellum and frontal cortex, respectively. Of the tumors, 41 of 50 (82%) were classified as nasal lymphoma, 5 of 50 (10%) were classified as nasopharyngeal lymphoma, and 4 of 50 (8%) involved both nasal and nasopharyngeal tissue. Histologically, all were considered diffuse lymphoid neoplasms and no cats displayed features of follicular lymphoma. Of the 44 cases available for slide review by the pathologist, 40 of 44 (91%) were classified as immunoblastic lymphoma, 2 of 44 (5%) as diffuse large cell, and 1 as diffuse mixed; 1 was unclassified. Of the 45 cats for which immunohistochemical stains were available, 32 were uniformly positive for CD79a, 7 were uniformly CD3 positive, and 6 had a mixed population of CD79a and CD3 cells. Epithelioptropism was exhibited in 4 of 5 (80%) cats in which there was sufficient epithelium present for evaluation. Of those 4, 3 were B-cell and 1 was a granulated T-cell lymphoma. In the 21 cats which nasal cytology was performed, 15 were cytologically diagnosed with lymphoma; the diagnoses in the remaining five cats were inflammatory (n = 4), normal lymphoid tissue (n = 1), or nondiagnostic (n = 1). The most common biochemical abnormalities were panhyperproteinemia in 26/46 (57%) of cats and hypocholesterolemia in 11/46 (24%) of cats.     

Development of a waste brewery yeast larval diet for rearing Bactrocera zonata for use in SIT

In Mauritius, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is being developed to manage the Peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Novel and economical larval diets are needed to produce millions of artificially reared sterile flies needed to ensure the success of this programme. We assessed the efficacy of conventional (solid) and gel diets with formulations containing modified waste brewery yeast (WBY), an alternative low cost protein source. The WBY is obtained freely from the manufacturing plant located at the Entomology Division of the Ministry of Agro Industry & Food Security, Réduit, Mauritius. Its chemical composition is highly comparable to those of the imported commercial yeast. Formulations of both diet types varied in the ratio of WBY (%) to commercial yeast (CY) (%) (Control: 0:100, A: 25:75, B: 30:70; C: 40:60; D: 50:50). The quality parameters of flies reared on the modified gel larval diets i.e. volume of pupae, pupal weight, pupal recovery, percentage adult emergence and percentage fliers were comparatively better on the gel diet formulations B, C and D, while no significant difference in percentage egg hatch was observed between the conventional diet and the gel diet. The optimum egg seeding rate (larval density) for selected gel diets B, C and D was determined. Formulation C using 0.15 ml of eggs/100 g of diet resulted in the highest pupal recovery, pupal weight, emergence and flight ability. A five-year cost benefit analysis revealed a net cost saving of 38% (US$ 53 418.20) by using the gel diet with WBY instead of the solid diet. The cost for the production for one million flies is US$ 310.67. Our results demonstrate that the selected gel diet formulation in which commercial yeast is partially replaced by waste brewery yeast is a viable alternative to the conventional solid diet for rearing of B. zonata. There are also the added benefits in terms of reduced cost with respect to storage and disposal, due to the elimination of bulking agents.