Sheep Associated-Malignant Catarrhal Fever: Past, present, and future

Members of Artiodactyla can contract the infectious disease Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF), which has a wide range of symptoms. Ten known viruses contribute to the disease, the two most significant ones being Ovine gamma herpes virus 2 (OvHV-2) and Alcelaphine gamma herpes virus 1 (AIHV-1). In the African subcontinent, AIHV-1 is seen in most MCF cases. In the Indian scenario, Ovine gamma herpes virus-2 is the main culprit. MCF is reported in certain pockets of India. Its threat to wildlife is not yet completely understood. In AIHV-1, wildebeests serve as the primary MCF reservoir, whereas with OvHV-2, the primary MCF reservoir is sheep. In India, OvHV-2 causes MCF in deer species, bison, and water buffaloe. The life cycle and properties of this virus are not yet wholly deciphered. To understand the impact of the disease and the threat it may pose in the future, we need to have diagnostic techniques in place. Currently, PCR is the most commonly used diagnostic technique. Work should be done on field-oriented tests like ELISA and LFA, which are helpful in areas without sophisticated lab facilities. Treatment protocols must be in place, as culling bovines is not an accepted policy in India. Probable plans for overcoming all these problems are discussed in this article

QUASISPECIES FEATURE IN SARS-CoV-2

Since the identification of the SARS-CoV-2, genus Beta- Coronavirus, in January 2020, the virus quickly spread in less than 3 months to all continents with a susceptible human population of about a 7.9billion, and still in active circulation. In the process, it has accumulated mutations leading to genetic diversity. Regular emergence of variants of concern/significance in different ecology shows genetic heterogeneity in the base population of SARS-CoV-2 that is continuously expanding with the passage of the virus in the vast susceptible human population. Natural selection of mutant occurs frequently in a positive sense (+) single-stranded (ss) RNA virus upon replication in the host.  The Pressure of sub-optimal levels of virus-neutralizing antibodies and also innate immunity influence the process of genetic/ antigenic selection. The fittest of the mutants, that could be more than one, propagate and emerge as variants. The existence of different lineages, clades, and strains, as well as genetic heterogeneity of plaque purified virus population, justifies SARS-CoV-2 as ‘Quasispecies’ that refers to swarms of mutant sequences generated during replication of the viral genome, and all mutant sequences may not lead to virion. Viruses having a quasispecies nature may end up with progressive antigenic changes leading to antigenic plurality that is driven by ecology, and this phenomenon challenges vaccination-based control programs

Prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing bacteria from animal origin: A systematic review and meta-analysis report from India.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to the emergence and spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria are becoming a serious global public health concern. This article aims to assess the overall prevalence of ESBLs among animals in India, with year-wise, zone-wise and species-wise stratification. Systematic search from PubMed, Google Scholar and J-Gate Plus was carried out and 24 eligible articles from 2013-2019 in India were retrieved. The R Open source Scripting software was used to perform statistical analysis. The overall prevalence of ESBLs among animals in India was 9%. The pooled prevalence of ESBLs in animals were 26, 11, 6 and 8% for north, east, south and central zones, respectively. The reported prevalence of ESBLs in animals were 12, 5, 8, 8, 12, 13 and 33% were reported for the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 respectively. The species-wise stratified results showed a predominance of ESBL producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains (11%) when compared to Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas spp. which were 7% and 5%, respectively. The prevalence data generated could be utilized in infection control and in antibiotic use management decisions for developing appropriate intervention strategies

An Understanding of the Global Status of Major Bacterial Pathogens of Milk Concerning Bovine Mastitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Scientometrics)

In this study, the major mastitis pathogen prevalence in the cattle and buffalo of the world was estimated by a meta-analysis. Staphylococcus (S) species, Streptococcus (St) species, and Escherichia coli (Ec) prevalence studies reported during 1979–2019 were collected using online databases, and offline resources. A meta-analysis of these data was done with the meta package in R-Software. The Staphylococcus aureus was the major mastitis pathogen, mostly causing subclinical mastitis, Ec causing clinical mastitis and St causing subclinical and clinical mastitis. The pooled prevalence estimates of S, St, and Ec were 28%, 12%, and 11% in the world from 156, 129, and 92 studies, respectively. The S, St, and Ec prevalences were high in Latin America (51%), Oceania (25%), and Oceania (28%), respectively. Higher S, St, and Ec prevalences were observed by molecular methods, signifying high sensitivity and usefulness for future studies. Among bacterial species, S. aureus (25%) followed by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (20%), Escherichia coli (11%), St. agalactiae (9%), St. uberis (9%) were the important pathogens present in the milk of the world. We hypothesize that there is a urgent need to reduce mastitis pathogen prevalence by ensuring scientific farm management practices, proper feeding, therapeutic interventions to augment profits in dairying, and improving animal and human health

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Not AvailableSince the identification of the SARS CoV 2 genus Beta Coronavirus in January 2020 the virus quickly spread in less than 3 months to all continents with a susceptible human population of about a 7.9 billion, and still in active circulation. In the process, it has accumulated mutations leading to genetic diversity. Regular emergence of variants of concern/significance in different ecology shows genetic heterogeneity in the base population of SARS CoV 2 that is continuously expanding with the passage of the virus in the vast susceptible human population. Natural selection of mutant occurs frequently in a positive sense single stranded (ss) RNA virus upon replication in the host. The Pressure of sub optimal levels of virus neutralizing antibodies and also innate immunity influence the process of genetic or antigenic selection. The fittest of the mutants, that could be more than one, propagate and emerge as variants. The existence of different lineages, clades, and strains as well as genetic heterogeneity of plaque purified virus population justifies SARS CoV 2 as Quasispecies that refers to swarms of mutant sequences generated during replication of the viral genome and all mutant sequences may not lead to virion. Viruses having a quasispecies nature may end up with progressive antigenic changes leading to antigenic plurality that is driven by ecology and this phenomenon challenges vaccination based control programsNot Availabl

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Not AvailableBackground and aim: Torque teno viruses (TTVs) are circular, single-stranded DNA viruses, which infect a wide range of animals including livestock and companion animals. Swine TTVs (torque teno sus viruses [TTSuVs]) are thought to act as a primary or coinfecting pathogen in pathological conditions such as porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome and post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. So far, the presence of the virus has not been reported in India. Considering that TTSuVs have the potential to cross the species barrier into humans and that pork consumption is common in North-Eastern states of India, the current study aims to investigate the presence of TTSuV in the Indian pig population. Materials and methods: A total of 416 samples were collected during 2014-2018, from both apparently healthy pigs and also from pigs suspected of having died from classical swine fever and/or porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. These samples were screened for TTSuV infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing techniques. Results: The presence of the virus was confirmed in 110 samples from 12 different states of India. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences obtained from the PCR products indicated the presence of viruses of both Iotatorquevirus and Kappatorquevirus genera in India. Conclusion: The study is the first report on the presence of TTSuVs in India and highlights the circulation of both genera of the virus in the country.Not Availabl

Detection of torque teno sus virus infection in Indian pigs

Background and Aim: Torque teno viruses (TTVs) are circular, single-stranded DNA viruses, which infect a wide range of animals including livestock and companion animals. Swine TTVs (torque teno sus viruses [TTSuVs]) are thought to act as a primary or coinfecting pathogen in pathological conditions such as porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome and post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. So far, the presence of the virus has not been reported in India. Considering that TTSuVs have the potential to cross the species barrier into humans and that pork consumption is common in North-Eastern states of India, the current study aims to investigate the presence of TTSuV in the Indian pig population. Materials and Methods: A total of 416 samples were collected during 2014-2018, from both apparently healthy pigs and also from pigs suspected of having died from classical swine fever and/or porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. These samples were screened for TTSuV infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing techniques. Results: The presence of the virus was confirmed in 110 samples from 12 different states of India. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences obtained from the PCR products indicated the presence of viruses of both Iotatorquevirus and Kappatorquevirus genera in India. Conclusion: The study is the first report on the presence of TTSuVs in India and highlights the circulation of both genera of the virus in the country

Meta-analysis of the prevalence of livestock diseases in North Eastern Region of India

Aim: The study aimed to determine the overall prevalence of livestock diseases in North Eastern Region (NER) of India, through a systematic review and meta-analysis of published data. Materials and Methods: The articles used for the study were retrieved from PubMed, J-Gate Plus, Indian Journals, and Google scholar, R open-source scripting software 3.4.3. Metafor, Meta. The Chi-square test was conducted to assess for the heterogeneity, forest plot (confidence interval [CI] plot) is a method utilized to present the results of meta-analysis, displaying effect estimate and their CIs for each study were used for searching and retrieval of livestock diseases prevalence data in India using a search strategy combining keywords and related database-specific subject terms from 2008 to 2017 in English only. Results: The prevalence of various livestock diseases are foot-and-mouth disease (21%), bluetongue (28%), brucellosis in bovine (17%), brucellosis in caprine (2%), brucellosis in porcine (18%), brucellosis in sheep and goat (3%), babesiosis (6%), theileriosis (26%), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (1%), porcine cysticercosis (6%), classical swine fever (31%), Porcine circovirus (43%), and Peste des petits ruminants (15%). This information helps policymakers to take appropriate measures to reduce the disease burden. Conclusion: This study indicates that the overall prevalence of various livestock diseases in NER of India