Studies on Thyroid Hormones and some Biochemical Constituents of Follicular Fluid in Buffalo

Present study investigated the levels of some biochemical constituents and thyroid hormones in follicular fluid and serum and compared their concentrations in different size follicles of buffaloes. Buffalo ovaries with unknown reproductive status were collected from abattoir. The follicles visible on its surface were classified based on their diameter as small (<5 mm), medium (5-10 mm) and large (>10 mm) follicles. Twenty four samples from follicles along with blood samples of buffaloes belonging to respective category were collected. The follicular fluid and the serum samples were analyzed for total proteins, albumin, cholesterol, glucose and hormones tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine. The results of the present study revealed that, there was no specific trend observed in the levels of total proteins and albumin according to the size of the follicles but there was significant difference (P<0.01) in the levels of total proteins in follicular fluid and serum. The levels of total cholesterol showed increasing trend as the size of the follicle increases but the variations are not statistically significant. The serum total cholesterol concentration was significantly higher (P< 0.01) than that of follicular fluid. There was increasing trend of glucose concentration in the follicular fluid and also in the serum of respective buffalo with increase in the size of the follicle but the difference was non-significant. The serum glucose concentrations were significantly higher than the levels in the follicular fluid. There was no variation in the serum levels of triiodothyronine between buffalo bearing small and medium sized follicle while, highest serum level was observed in buffalo bearing large sized follicle. The significant (P<0.01) increase in the levels of T3 in large sized follicle may attribute to the increase in the activity of monodeioniase enzyme. The follicular fluid thyroxine level showed increasing trend with the size of the follicle but the variation was not significant. There was no significant variation in the levels of T4 in serum and follicular fluid in all the groups.

Haematological and Biochemical Characterization of Bubaline Trypanosomosis in Mumbai Region of India

The present study was based on observations on 17 cases of Trypanosoma evansi infection in buffaloes diagnosed by blood smear examination. The degree of parasitaemia revealed heavy (64.70%), moderate (23.52%) and mild (11.76%) infections in buffaloes.Haematological analysis revealed subnormal erythrocytic count and haemoglobin in 70.58% buffaloes. Leukocytosis was evident in 70.58% buffaloes with neutrophilia relatively associated with lymphocytopenia.Blood glucose level of 15 hypoglycaemic buffaloes ranged between 27 to 49.05 gm/dl with an average of 39.35 gm/dl. The comparative analysis of the degree of hypoglycaemia with parasitaemia revealed positive correlation between two parameters. Biochemical analysis of sera and blood samples showed increase level of BUN and serum creatinine in 17.64% buffaloes

Epidemiological, clinical, haemato-biochemical and therapeutic evaluation of canine trypanosomosis in Mumbai

Evaluation of 20 confirmed clinical cases of canine trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma evansi in Mumbai from June 2012 to May 2013 was done to compile the basic information on parasitological, epidemiological, clinical, clinico-pathological and chemotherapeutic aspects. The disease was predominantly found in the localities having substantial equine and bovine population thus underlining the potential source for canine cases. Molecular analysis of few representative samples also confirmed the ability of the organisms to crossover from one species to other species of host. The disease was characterized by clinical signs such as depression, anorexia, anaemia, fever, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and oedema of legs and paraclinical findings such as low levels of TEC, Hb and PCV indicating anaemic trend, elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase, AST, ALT and hyperglobulinaemia associated with reversing of albumin: globulin ratio. Hypoglycaemic trend noted in the study was found positively correlated with intensity of parasitaemia. Blood glucose levels were inversely related to degree of parasitaemia. The chemotherapeutic options, diminazeneaceturate and antrycideprosalt although cleared parasitaemia but failed to provide complete recovery, as 50% of cases eventually died in spite of specific chemotherapy suggesting some secondary involvement in the disease entity

Molecular characterization of Echinococcus granulosus of Indian animal isolates on the basis of nuclear and mitochondrial genotype

Sixty-six isolates of larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, a known pathogenic parasite of man and animals were collected from cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats. Single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) for analysis of variation after denaturation of amplicon of intron of actin II (ACTII) revealed six SSCP phenotypes. Intron portion was analyzed considering introns-early and introns-late theories. Isolates belonging to different conformers were further screened for mitochondrial ATPase subunit 6 (ATP6) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit II (nadII) genotypes. Assignment of each isolate to its specific strain was achieved after comparing with standard genotypes of E. granulosus. Variants deduced by nuclear targets did not match with mitochondrial haplotypes. A possible explanation for this observation can be attributed toward interspecific hybridization since cross-fertilization occurs less frequently in hermaphrodite organisms. A phylogenetic tree drawn on the basis of predicted aminoacid sequence of ATP6 and nadII revealed two distinct clusters i.e. E. granulosus sensu stricto and E. ortleppi/ cattle strain (EG5). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of genetic characterization of two distinct ATP6 and nadII genotypes of zoonotic importance living in sympatry

Molecular and morphological characterisation of Echinococcus from food producing animals in India

In view of the medical, veterinary and economic importance of hydatid disease in India, our study aimed to determine the prevalence and genotypes of Echinococcus present in domestic livestock in India. Out of 21,861 animals examined, cattle were found with the highest prevalence of hydatid cysts (5.10%) followed by buffaloes (3.81%), pigs (0.87%) and sheep (0.075%). Phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome oxidase-1 gene revealed that the buffalo strain or G3 genotype was the predominant genotype (29/46) in all species of livestock followed by the cattle strain or G5 genotype (9/46), the G1 genotype or the common sheep strain (6/46) and the G2 genotype or Tasmanian Sheep strain (2/46). The ability of the G3 (buffalo) and G5 (cattle) genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus to infect and produce fertile hydatid cysts in pigs was also demonstrated for the first time. Both morphological and molecular results support earlier studies suggesting that Echinococcus of buffalo origin is phenotypically and genetically similar to the sheep (G1) and Tasmanian Sheep (G2) strains of Echinococcus, which adds further evidence to support its recognition as one species, viz., E. granulosus sensu stricto. Our molecular, morphological and biological characteristics also support earlier studies suggesting that Echinococcus of cattle origin, designated the G5 genotype, should be recognised as a separate species, viz. Echinococcus ortleppi. Finally, the study reveals that the prevalence of hydatidosis in urban centres in India has been showing a consistently declining trend over the past few decades, possibly owing to economic development and improved government legislation of abattoirs

Molecular characterization of Echinococcus granulosus of Indian animal isolates on the basis of nuclear and mitochondrial genotype

clusters i.e. E. granulosus sensu stricto and E. ortleppi/ cattle strain (EG5). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of genetic characterization of two distinct ATP6 and nadII genotypes of zoonotic importance living in sympatr

Global distribution of alveolar and cystic echinococcosis

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) and cystic echinococcosis (CE) are severe helminthic zoonoses. Echinococcus multilocularis (causative agent of AE) is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere where it is typically maintained in a wild animal cycle including canids as definitive hosts and rodents as intermediate hosts. The species Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus ortleppi, Echinococcus canadensis and Echinococcus intermedius are the causative agents of CE with a worldwide distribution and a highly variable human disease burden in the different endemic areas depending upon human behavioural risk factors, the diversity and ecology of animal host assemblages and the genetic diversity within Echinococcus species which differ in their zoonotic potential and pathogenicity. Both AE and CE are regarded as neglected zoonoses, with a higher overall burden of disease for CE due to its global distribution and high regional prevalence, but a higher pathogenicity and case fatality rate for AE, especially in Asia. Over the past two decades, numerous studies have addressed the epidemiology and distribution of these Echinococcus species worldwide, resulting in better-defined boundaries of the endemic areas. This chapter presents the global distribution of Echinococcus species and human AE and CE in maps and summarizes the global data on host assemblages, transmission, prevalence in animal definitive hosts, incidence in people and molecular epidemiology