Clinico-Epidemiological Survey on the Prevalence of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites Affecting Buffalo & Cow Calves in District D.I.Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

This study was carried out in the Parasitology section of Veterinary Research & Disease Investigation Center, D. I. Khan from December, 2014 to November, 2015. During the aforesaid study, 1920 fecal samples (960 samples each from Cow calves and Buffalo Calves) were collected and processed. The overall prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasitic infestation was 57.86% in cow and buffalo calves, respectively whereas the incidence rate was recorded as 67 and 48% for buffalo calves and cow calves, respectively and was significant statistically (P<0.05). The prevalence of Nematodes, Cestodes and mixed infestation in buffalo calves was 66.04, 5.65, 28.36% whereas in cow calves it was 59.5, 6.34 & 34.10, respectively with level of significance was higher(P>0.05). The major Nematodes & Cestodes species identified during the study were Strongyloides, Taxocara, Haemonchous, Ostertagia, Bonostomum, Oesophagostomum , Trichostrongylus, Nematodiarus, Coperia and Monezia, respectively. In age group (1-6 months) prevalence was significantly higher (P<0.05) in buffalo calves (76.25%) than in cow calves (58.50%) while in age group (7-12 months) the prevalence in buffalo calves was higher (58%) than cow calves (39%) and statistically significant (P<0.05) differences was observed. In grazing and stall fed feeding system, prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites was recorded as 75 and 58% in buffalo calves and in cow calves recorded as 64.5 and 35.41%. This difference in grazing and stall feeding system in both buffalo and cow calves were statistically significant (P<0.05). In male buffalo and cow calves prevalence of parasitic infestation was significantly higher (P<0.05) whereas in female buffalo & cow calves no significant differences (P>0.05) were recorded. The parasitic infestation rate was recorded higher in summer season as compare to winter and significant relation (P<0.05) was observed with respect to season.Major clinical signs manifested by the affected animals included pot belly, rough body coat, alopecia, retarded growth, diarrhea, sunken eyes, wall licking and pica. The significance level was kept at 05%.

Evaluation of Antibacterial Potential of Artemisinin Extracts of Artemisia Annua In Vivo and In Vitro

To ensure universal health care, the World Health Organization recognized the significance of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) and recommended the use of natural herbs and plants bearing therapeutic potential and fewer adverse effects. Therefore, Artemisia annua herb was evaluated for its antibacterial potential and therapeutic efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus and Escherichia coli both in vitro and in vivo. Artemisinin was extracted from Artemisia annua by chemical treatment. Subsequently, the culture sensitivity tests were performed on MHA by disk diffusion method to determine the antibacterial potential of the Artemisinin extracts against the test bacteria (in vitro phase). The results of this in vitro trial revealed that the test bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus were significantly sensitive to Artemisinin extracts and showed a diameter of 27.7 and 22.3 mm of the bacteriostatic zone, respectively, while the Escherichia coli was moderately sensitive to the Artemisinin extracts with the bacteriostatic zone of 12.9mm. During the 2nd phase of the study (in vivo trial), 20 rabbits were maintained which were infected with S. aureus and were successfully treated with varying concentrations of the Artemisinin extracts @ 1 mg/ml, 2 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml in DMSO and were recovered. Similarly, rabbits infected with Streptococcus were also successfully treated and recovered. Thereafter, rabbits infected with E. coli were treated with Artemisinin, and out of 15 rabbits in three test groups, 03 rabbits died while the others were recovered. Hence, as per findings of this study, Artemisinin extracts were recommended against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus infections

Epidemiological Survey of Bovine Babesia and Theileria Parasites in Buffaloes in District Dera Ismail, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Piroplasmosis (babesiosis and theileriosis) are the leading blood parasites responsible for significant economic losses to the dairy enterprises. These parasites are transmitted by Ixodid ticks from a diseased animal to a healthy animal. This study was executed to determine the prevalence of Theileria and Babesia in water buffaloes in District Dera Ismail Khan for their risk assessment. During this trial, 350 random blood samples were obtained from buffalos within the region of District Dera Ismail Khan and examined for Babesia and Theileria parasites using Giemsa staining technique under an oil immersion lens. Forty-eight blood samples were found positive and the prevalence of Babesiosis was 7.43 %, followed by the prevalence of Theileriosis (6.28 %). Babesiosis had a significantly higher (p \u3c 0.05) prevalence among both males and females (6.9 % and 7.7 %, respectively) followed by Theileria (5.38 % and 6.8 %, respectively). The significantly highest (p \u3c 0.05) prevalence of Theileria was seen in calves younger than 2 years (16.7 %). Babesiosis was most prevalent (p \u3c 0.05) in calves aged 2 to 5 (11.7 %). The Kundhi buffalo breed had the highest (p \u3c 0.05) prevalence of babesiosis, followed by the Nili Ravi breed, while, the Nili Ravi breed had the highest frequency (p \u3c 0.05)of Theileria. Piroplasmosis prevalence significantly (p \u3c 0.05) peaked in the summer season. Piroplasmosisis the major risk factor in endangering the general health of the buffalo’s population, therefore, stringent control measures are recommended for the management of the tick population