Effects of heating and freezing on the viability of sarcocysts of Sarcocystis levinei from cardiac tissues of buffaloes

Dogs fed buffalo heart muscle containing sarcocysts of Sarcosystis levinei and heated at 65-75 degrees C did not shed sporocysts, whereas other dogs fed infected heart muscle heated between 40 and 60 degrees C shed sporocysts. Dogs fed infected heart muscle stored at -4 degrees C for 48 h did not shed sporocysts, but those fed similar infected tissues stored at -2 degrees C for 24 h shed sporocysts. The results indicate that sarcocysts of S. levinei are rendered noninfective by heating to 65 degrees C or by freezing at -4 degrees C.     

Blood concentrations of 2,3-butanedione monoxime and some blood biochemical changes inbubalus bubalis after intramuscular administration of this cholinesterase reactivator

The blood levels of cholinesterase reactivator 2,3-butanedione monoxime were determined in buffalo calves following single intramuscular doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg body weight. Blood cholinesterases and other enzymatic activities were monitored at various times. The drug was rapidly absorbed with half-life of 0.09–0.12 h. The peak 2,3-butanedione monoxime blood concentrations of 24.7±0.3 and 38.9±1.7 ug/ml occurred at 10 min after 20 and 50 mg/kg doses, respectively. The elimination half-life varied between 3.05±0.12 and 3.80±0.19 h. Lack of adverse effect of 2,3-butanedione monoxime on blood cholinesterases and other enzymes indicated that intramuscular doses as high as 50 mg/kg may be safely employed in buffaloes.     

Comparison of dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dot-ELISA) with other serological tests for the detection of Brucella antibodies in bovine sera

A dot Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (dot-ELISA), using whole cell Brucella abortus antigen dotted on the nitrocellulose membrane bound to a plastic strip (dipstick) was employed for the detection of Brucella antibodies in bovine sera. The results were compared with that of serum agglutination (SAT), Rose Bengal plate agglutination (RBPT) and Complement Fixation test (CFT). All the four tests gave negative reaction in 127 sera obtained from a brucellosis free herd. Testing of 549 sera from a chronically infected herd revealed 57 positive and 447 negative animals in all the four assays. Of the remaining 45 sera, 34 were positive in dot-ELISA. Six of these cases were independently detected by dot-ELISA while 28 showed positive reactions in combination with other tests. When serum samples from 158 aborted cases were subjected to dot-ELISA, 79 were found positive. Of these dot-ELISA positive cases, 71 gave positive reaction in SAT, 72 in RBPT and 78 in CFT. B. abortus biotype 3 was isolated from 34 of the 98 aborted fetuses examined.     

The role of lipoteichoic acids on the adherence of Streptococcus equi to epithelial cells

The effect of the presence of lipoteichoic acids (LTA) on a strain of Streptococcus equi was investigated. The LTA were extracted in a crude form from the S. equi strain and were found to sensitize sheep red blood cells so that they agglutinated with antibodies specific to purified LTA of group A streptococci. The crude LTA preparation was also able to inhibit the specific haemagglutination reaction involving group A streptococcal LTA and LTA antibodies. Neither the purified LTA from group A streptococci nor the anti-LTA serum interfered with the adherence of S. equi to equine epithelial cells.     

Pharmacokinetics and dosage regimen of cefotaxime in cross-bred calves following single intramuscular administration

The pharmacokinetics, penetration into erythrocytes and plasma protein binding of cefotaxime were investigated in cross-bred calves. Following a single intramuscular dose of cefotaxime (10 mg/kg), the absorption half-life and elimination half-life were 0.13±0.03 h and 2.97±0.72 h, respectively. The apparent volume of distribution and total body clearance were 3.28±0.72 L/kg and 0.78±0.08 L/kg per h, respectively. The extent of penetration into erythrocytes was 24–40% of the total blood concentration. Cefotaxime was bound to plasma proteins of calves to the extent of 25.5–33.6%. A satisfactory intramuscular dosage regimen for cefotaxime in calves would be 11 mg/kg followed by 10 mg/kg at 7 h intervals.Abbreviations ATCC American type cell culture - MIC minimum inhibitory concentration - PCV packed cell volume     

Cell Membrane Stability in Relation to Drought Tolerance in Wheat Genotypes

Genotyptc differences in wheat were observed in cell membrane with respect to injury caused by osmotic shock created with 40 per cent polyethylene glycol-6000. In general, genotypes with high cell membrane injury also registered much reduction in leaf water potential and osmotic potential. Cell membrane injury measured at 25 days after germination was found to be related with genotypic performance under drought conditions in field. Cell membrane stability measurements of normal plants, even at a very early stage of growth, is reported as criteria for selecting drought tolerant wheat genotypes.     

Prevalent Serotypes of Pasteurella multocida Isolated from Different Animal and Avian Species in India

Identification and estimation of the prevalence of Pasteurella multocida organisms in different animal and avian species in India during November 2000 to July 2003 was carried out. Out of 418 samples collected from different outbreaks suspected to be caused by P. multocida, a total of 206 bacterial cultures were identified as P. multocida on the basis of cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. All the 206 cultures were isolated from different domestic animal species (cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig and rabbit), avian species (chicken, duck, quail, turkey, goose) and wild animals such as leopard and deer. Serotyping of P. multocida cultures revealed the presence of various serotypes (A:1, A:3, A:1,3, A:4, B:2, D:1 and -:1) among the livestock population. P. multocida polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay applied on different forms of bacterial cultures (bacterial culture lysate, direct bacterial colony and mixed bacterial culture lysate) yielded an amplified product of approximately 460 bp specific for P. multocida. The results of PCR assay correlated well with conventional methods of identification. The present investigation revealed the presence of varied serotypes among livestock and PCR assay was found to be useful for rapid, sensitive and specific diagnosis of pasteurellosis in animals and avian species.