Pathology and molecular diagnosis of classical swine fever in Mizoram

Research (Published online: 24-01-2015)

16. Pathology and molecular diagnosis of classical swine fever in Mizoram - David Malswamkima, T. K. Rajkhowa, Rajesh Chandra and T. K. Dutta

Veterinary World, 8(1): 76-81

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.76-81

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Abstract

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Aim: Clinical histopathological and molecular diagnosis of classical swine fever disease in pigs of Mizoram.

Materials and Methods: Totally, 31 clinically suspected pigs from 6 districts of Mizoram were examined, and clinical symptoms were recorded. Detailed post mortem examination of all the 31 dead animals was conducted, and gross changes were recorded. Tissue samples were collected for histopathological examination and molecular diagnosis. The collected tissues (tonsil, lymph nodes, spleen) were also processed for RNA extraction. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the specific gene fragments of classical swine fever virus (CSFV).

Results: Clinical examination of all the 31 suspected pigs revealed typical clinical signs of CSF. All the animals also showed typical gross and microscopic lesions of CSF. RT-PCR on tissue samples amplified the 421bp, 449bp and 735bp region of 5´NCR, non-structural protein 5B and Erns gene regions of CSFV, respectively. Nested PCR for internal region of E2 gene also amplified the expected product of 271bp using PCR product of whole E2 region as template DNA.

Conclusion: CSF is highly endemic disease in Mizoram. The viral strains circulating in this region are highly virulent. The disease can be diagnosed specifically using RT-PCR.

Keywords: classical swine fever, Mizoram, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

Seroprevalence studies on animal chlamydiosis amongst ruminants in five states of India

Research (Published online: 24-01-2015)

15. Seroprevalence studies on animal chlamydiosis amongst ruminants in five states of India - R. Chahota, S. Gupta, B. Bhardwaj, P. Malik, S. Verma and M. Sharma

Veterinary World, 8(1): 72-75

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.72-75

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Abstract

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Background and Aim: Animal chlamydiosis, caused by different chlamydial species, is characterized by clinical or subclinical disease manifestations in cattle, buffalo, ovine, caprine and wild animal species. Animal chlamydiosis often remains underdiagnosed or undiagnosed, and its status in many parts of India is still unknown. Hence, the present study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of animal chlamydiosis amongst ruminant livestock species of five states of India.

Materials and Methods: Totally, 2127 randomly selected serum samples collected from ruminant livestock species viz. cattle (n=430), buffaloes (n=429), sheep (906) and goats (n=362), were tested by agar gel precipitation test for chlamydiosis between 2002 and 2011. Precipitating antigen was prepared from locally isolated strain of Chlamydia psittaci after treatment with sodium deoxycholate.

Results: The chlamydial seroprevalence detected amongst ruminants in five states of India was: Himachal Pradesh: Cattle-10.90%, sheep-10.60% and goats- 22.46%; Punjab: Cattle-1.45%; Andhra Pradesh: Cattle-2.80%, buffaloes-0.93%, sheep-8.90% and goats-9.46%; Maharashtra: goats-8.33%; Jammu and Kashmir: sheep-12.50%. The mean seroprevalence values of each animal species are: Cattle-4.65%, buffaloes-0.93%, sheep-9.82% and goats-19.33%.

Conclusion: The results indicate the endemic nature of animal chlamydiosis across five states in India. Hence, it requires further extensive studies in other parts of India also using chlamydial species-specific diagnostics to ascertain overall countrywide prevalence of the disease. The zoonotic nature of the chlamydiae of ruminant origin further adds significance to such prevalence studies.

Keywords: agar gel precipitation test, chlamydiosis, ruminants, seroprevalence.

Associations of farm management practices with annual milk sales on smallholder dairy farms in Kenya

Research (Published online: 25-01-2015)

18. Associations of farm management practices with annual milk sales on smallholder dairy farms in Kenya - Shauna Richards, John VanLeeuwen, Getrude Shepelo, George Karuoya Gitau, Collins Kamunde, Fabienne Uehlinger and Jeff Wichtel

Veterinary World, 8(1): 88-96

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.88-96

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Abstract

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Aim: Cows on smallholder dairy farms (SDF) in developing countries such as Kenya typically produce volumes of milk that are well below their genetic potential. An epidemiological study was conducted to determine reasons for this low milk production, including limited use of best management practices, such as suboptimal nutritional management.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study of 111 SDF was performed in Nyeri County, Kenya in June of 2013 determining the effect of cow factors, farmer demographics and farm management practices on the volume of milk sold per cow per year (kg milk sold/cow). In particular, the effect of feeding high protein fodder trees and other nutritional management practices were examined.

Results: Approximately 38% of farmers fed fodder trees, but such feeding was not associated with volume of milk sold per cow, likely due to the low number of fodder trees per farm. Volume of milk sold per cow was positively associated with feeding dairy meal during the month prior to calving, feeding purchased hay during the past year, deworming cows every 4 or more months (as opposed to more regularly), and having dairy farming as the main source of family income. Volume of milk sold per cow was negatively associated with a household size of >5 people and feeding Napier grass at >2 meters in height during the dry season. An interaction between gender of the principal farmer and feed shortages was noted; volume of milk sold per cow was lower when female farmers experienced feed shortages whereas milk sold per cow was unaffected when male farmers experienced feed shortages.

Conclusions: These demographic and management risk factors should be considered by smallholder dairy farmers and their advisors when developing strategies to improve income from milk sales and animal-source food availability for the farming families.

Keywords: dairy cattle nutrition, management factors, livelihood, smallholder farm

Evaluation of pesticide residues in human blood samples from Punjab (India)

Research (Published online: 21-01-2015)

14. Evaluation of pesticide residues in human blood samples from Punjab (India) - Jasbir Singh Bedi, J. P. S. Gill, P. Kaur, A. Sharma and R. S. Aulakh

Veterinary World, 8(1): 66-71

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.66-71

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Abstract

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Aim: The present study was undertaken to estimate the current status of residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphates (OPs) and synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) pesticides in human blood.
Materials and Methods: Human blood samples were analyzed by gas chromatography and confirmed by gas chromatographymass spectrometry in selective ion monitoring mode.
Results: The gas chromatographic analysis of human blood samples collected from Punjab revealed the presence of p,p’-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE), p,p’ dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane (DDD), o,p’ DDE and β-endosulfan at mean levels of 15.26, 2.71, 5.62 and 4.02 ng/ml respectively. p,p’ DDE residue was observed in 18.0% blood samples, and it contributes 55% of the total pesticide burden in human blood. The difference of total dichlorordiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) between different age groups of humans was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The difference of DDT and endosulfan between dietary habits, gender and spraying of pesticides was found statistically non-significant, however endosulfan residues were observed only in pesticide sprayer’s population.
Conclusion: Occurrence of p,p’ DDE, p,p’ DDD, o,p’ DDE in human blood indicated restricted use of DDT. However, presence of endosulfan residues in occupationally exposed population is a matter of public health concern.
Keywords: dichlorordiphenyl trichloroethan, endosulfan, residues, human blood, Punjab.

Isolation of Canine parvovirus with a view to identify the prevalent serotype on the basis of partial sequence analysis

Research (Published online: 13-01-2015)

11. Isolation of Canine parvovirus with a view to identify the prevalent serotype on the basis of partial sequence analysis - Gurpreet Kaur, Mudit Chandra, P. N. Dwivedi and N. S. Sharma

Veterinary World, 8(1): 52-56

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.52-56

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Abstract

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Aim: The aim of this study was to isolate Canine parvovirus (CPV) from suspected dogs on madin darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line and its confirmation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR (NPCR). Further, VP2 gene of the CPV isolates was amplified and sequenced to determine prevailing antigenic type.

Materials and Methods: A total of 60 rectal swabs were collected from dogs showing signs of gastroenteritis, processed and subjected to isolation in MDCK cell line. The samples showing cytopathic effects (CPE) were confirmed by PCR and NPCR. These samples were subjected to PCR for amplification of VP2 gene of CPV, sequenced and analyzed to study the prevailing antigenic types of CPV.

Results: Out of the 60 samples subjected to isolation in MDCK cell line five samples showed CPE in the form of rounding of cells, clumping of cells and finally detachment of the cells. When these samples and the two commercially available vaccines were subjected to PCR for amplification of VP2 gene, a 1710 bp product was amplified. The sequence analysis revealed that the vaccines belonged to the CPV-2 type and the samples were of CPV-2b type.

Conclusion: It can be concluded from the present study that out of a total of 60 samples 5 samples exhibited CPE as observed in MDCK cell line. Sequence analysis of the VP2 gene among the samples and vaccine strains revealed that samples belonged to CPV-2b type and vaccines belonging to CPV-2.

Keywords: Canine parvovirus, madin darby canine kidney cell line, polymerase chain reaction, nested polymerase chain reaction, VP2 gene.

Heat shock proteins: a therapeutic target worth to consider

Review (Published online: 13-01-2015)

10. Heat shock proteins: a therapeutic target worth to consider - Amita Dubey, K. S. Prajapati, Madhu Swamy and V. Pachauri

Veterinary World, 8(1): 46-51

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.46-51

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Abstract

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Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are the molecular chaperones, that are not only expressed during the normal growth process of cell cycle consecutively, but also get induced in cells during various stress conditions produced by cellular insult, environmental changes, temperature, infections, tumors etc. According to their molecular weight and functions, HSPs are divided into five major families. HSP90, HSP70, HSP60 and HSP100 are the most studied members of the family. Experimental studies have proved that overexpression and/or inhibition of HSPs play an important role in maintaining the tolerance and cell viability under above-described stress conditions. HSP90 is found to be a promising candidate for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer. Similarly, HSP70, HSP60 and small HSPs experimentally and clinically have potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease, ischemia, cell death, autoimmunity, graft rejection, etc. In a way, exploring, the cytoprotective and immunoregulatory role of HSPs can open a new avenue for the drug discovery and treatment of critical diseases.

Keywords: heat shock protein, heat shock protein 70, heat shock protein 90, stress protein, small heat shock proteins.

Plasma mineral profiles and hormonal activities of normal cycling and repeat breeding crossbred cows: A comparative study

Research (Published online: 13-01-2015)

9. Plasma mineral profiles and hormonal activities of normal cycling and repeat breeding crossbred cows: A comparative study - Abhijit Barui, Subhasis Batabyal, Sarbaswarup Ghosh, Debjani Saha and Saibal Chattopadhyay

Veterinary World, 8(1): 42-45

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.42-45

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Abstract

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Aim: The present study was carried out to compare the associated role of micro minerals and hormones in repeat breeding animals with the normal crossbred cows.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 10 normal cycling and 10 repeat breeding crossbred cows of Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Narendrapur to study the plasma mineral profile and hormonal activities.

Results: Zn was found to be highly significant (p<0.01) between the two groups. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone showed significant (p<0.05) difference in repeat breeding animal from the normal cyclic animal, whereas no significant differences were observed in Ca, P, Cu, Se, Co, luteinizing hormone and estradiol level.

Conclusion: It may conclude that repeat breeding condition of crossbred cows in farm condition is mainly due to the low level of progesterone, FSH and zinc.

Keywords: crossbred cow, hormone, mineral profile, normal cyclic, repeat breeding.