Molecular insights into the mechanisms of susceptibility of Labeo rohita against oomycete Aphanomyces invadans

Aphanomyces invadans, the causative agent of epizootic ulcerative syndrome, is one of the most destructive pathogens of freshwater fishes. To date, the disease has been reported from over 160 fish species in 20 countries and notably, this is the first non-salmonid disease that has resulted in major impacts globally. In particular, Indian major carps (IMCs) are highly susceptible to this disease. To increase our knowledge particularly with regards to host immune response against A. invadans infection in a susceptible host, the gene expression profile in head kidney of A. invadans-infected and control rohu, Labeo rohita was investigated using RNA sequencing. Time course analysis of RNA-Seq data revealed 5608 differentially expressed genes, involved among others in Antigen processing and presentation, Leukocyte transendothelial migration, IL-17 signaling, Chemokine signaling, C-type lectin receptor signaling and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. In the affected pathways, a number of immune genes were found to be downregulated, suggesting an immune evasion strategy of A. invadans in establishing the infection. The information generated in this study offers first systematic mechanistic understanding of the host-pathogen interaction that might underpin the development of new management strategies for this economically devastating fish-pathogenic oomycete A. invadans

Bioremediation of PCP by Trichoderma and Cunninghamella Strains Isolated from Sawdust

Four fungal isolates, SD12, SD14, SD19 and SD20 isolated from the aged sawdust grew on agar plates supplemented with PCP up to a concentration of 100 mg L-1. At high PCP concentration, isolate SD12 showed the highest radial growth rate of 10 mm day-1, followed by SD14 and SD19 both with 4.5 mm day-1 and SD20 with 4.2 mm day-1. Ultrastructural study on the effect of PCP on the PCP tolerant fungi using scanning electron microscope showed that high concentration of PCP caused the collapse of both fungal hyphae and spores. Among the four PCP tolerant fungi examined, isolate SD12 showed the least structural damage at high PCP concentration of 100 mg L-1. This fungal isolate was further characterized and identified as Cunninghamella sp. UMAS SD12. Preliminary PCP biodegradation trial performed in liquid minimal medium supplemented with 20 mg L-1 of PCP using Cunninghamella sp. UMAS SD12 showed that the degradation up to 51.7% of PCP in 15 days under static growth condition

Evaluation of the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of a new live-attenuated lumpy skin disease vaccine in India

ABSTRACTLumpy skin disease (LSD) was reported for the first time in India in 2019 and since then, it has become endemic. Since a homologous (LSD-virus based) vaccine was not available in the country, goatpox virus (GPV)-based heterologous vaccine was authorized for mass immunization to induce protection against LSD in cattle. This study describes the evaluation of safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of a new live-attenuated LSD vaccine developed by using an Indian field strain, isolated in 2019 from cattle. The virus was attenuated by continuous passage (P = 50) in Vero cells. The vaccine (50th LSDV passage in Vero cells, named as Lumpi-ProVacInd) did not induce any local or systemic reaction upon its experimental inoculation in calves (n = 10). At day 30 post-vaccination (pv), the vaccinated animals were shown to develop antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses and exhibited complete protection upon virulent LSDV challenge. A minimum Neethling response (0.018% animals; 5 out of 26,940 animals) of the vaccine was observed in the field trials conducted in 26,940 animals. There was no significant reduction in the milk yield in lactating animals (n = 10108), besides there was no abortion or any other reproductive disorder in the pregnant animals (n = 2889). Sero-conversion was observed in 85.18% animals in the field by day 30 pv