Cryptosporidiosis in a buffalo calf at Meerut, Uttar Pradesh and its successful therapeutic management

Cryptosporidium spp. are recognized as one of the most important enteric pathogens causing enteritis and severe diarrhoea in calves up to 1 month of age. Although the infection may be responsible for some mortality, its impact is mainly associated with the impairment of gastrointestinal functions and lower performance of animals. A female buffalo calf of 25 days old was presented to OPD section, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, SVPUA&T, Meerut, with the symptoms of severe voluminous watery cholera like diarrhea with mucous and blood tinge since 4-5 days. On physical examination, calf was dehydrated, weak, and emaciated with normal temperature. Parasitological examination of the faeces by the direct smear and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique revealed presence of high number of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. The affected female buffalo calf was treated with azithromycin and provided supportive care. Diarrohoeal symptoms were stopped from 3rd day and animal returned to normal condition by 7th day post treatment.

Cryptic Eimeria genotypes are common across the southern but not northern hemisphere

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The seven Eimeria spp. recognised to infect chickens are present globally.

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Cryptic Eimeria operational taxonomic units (OTUs) are common in the southern but not northern hemisphere.

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Parasite population structure appears to vary between Eimeria spp.

The phylum Apicomplexa includes parasites of medical, zoonotic and veterinary significance. Understanding the global distribution and genetic diversity of these protozoa is of fundamental importance for efficient, robust and long-lasting methods of control. Eimeria spp. cause intestinal coccidiosis in all major livestock animals and are the most important parasites of domestic chickens in terms of both economic impact and animal welfare. Despite having significant negative impacts on the efficiency of food production, many fundamental questions relating to the global distribution and genetic variation of Eimeria spp. remain largely unanswered. Here, we provide the broadest map yet of Eimeria occurrence for domestic chickens, confirming that all the known species (Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria mitis, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria praecox, Eimeria tenella) are present in all six continents where chickens are found (including 21 countries). Analysis of 248 internal transcribed spacer sequences derived from 17 countries provided evidence of possible allopatric diversity for species such as E. tenella (F_ST values ⩽0.34) but not E. acervulina and E. mitis, and highlighted a trend towards widespread genetic variance. We found that three genetic variants described previously only in Australia and southern Africa (operational taxonomic units x, y and z) have a wide distribution across the southern, but not the northern hemisphere. While the drivers for such a polarised distribution of these operational taxonomic unit genotypes remains unclear, the occurrence of genetically variant Eimeria may pose a risk to food security and animal welfare in Europe and North America should these parasites spread to the northern hemisphere.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in bovines in and around Junagadh (Gujarat)

Coprological examination of 416 bovine faecal samples revealed the presence of parasitic stages of Toxocara vitulorum, strongyles, Strongyloides spp., Fasciola spp., amphistomes, coccidia (Eimeria spp. and Cryptosporidium spp.) and Buxtonella sulcata. About 42 % (n = 302) faecal samples from cattle and 36 % (n = 114) samples from buffaloes were positive for gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections. Both cattle (14.57 %) and buffalo (15.79 %) had the highest incidence of Buxtonella sulcata, respectively. The overall incidence of GI parasitic infections in young animals (below 1 year) was higher followed by older (more than 5 years) and adult animals (1-5 years) and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Non descriptive breeds of bovines showed more parasitic infections than pure breeds, the difference being statistically non-significant (p > 0.05). Season wise GI parasitic infections were recorded to be non-significantly (p > 0.05) higher in monsoon (48.38 %) followed by summer (39 %) and winter (34.61 %) in cattle. There was no significant variation of GI infections in buffaloes in relation to season though highest prevalence was documented in monsoon (44.89 %) followed by winter (35.71 %) and summer (24.32 %). Similarly, sex wise females recorded higher infection rates than males in bovines and the difference being statistically non-significant (p > 0.05).

Nasal Oestrosis in a Jamunapari goat

Oestrus ovis is a well-known parasite of the nasal cavities and adjoining sinuses in sheep and goats. A 3-year-old female Jamunapari goat was presented with a history of anorexia, weight loss, in-coordinated movements, nasal discharge since 10 days and two nasal bots expelled during sneezing 3 days back. Upon clinical examination the animal was dull, dysphonic, unsteady gait and having blocked nostrils with thick mucoid discharge along with an increased respiratory rate. Parasitiological examination revealed it as an O. ovis (nasal bots). The occurrence of nasal bots in a goat and its successful therapeutic management and public health significance have been reported and discussed in the present communication.

Coenurus gaigeri cyst in the thigh of a goat and its successful management

A 11 month old female goat was presented to Polyclinic, IVRI with the history of swelling in the left hind leg on the inner aspect of thigh and inguinal region. Physical and radiological examination revealed a large fluctuating fluid filled bladder with distinct dimension. The cyst was successfully removed along with its membrane and parasitological examination revealed it as a Coenurus gaigeri, the intermediate stage of T. multiceps gaigeri. The animal recovered completely by 10th postoperative day without any complications. This is being described in detail as under.

Characterization of excretory-secretory antigens of adult Toxocara canis by western blotting

Toxocara canis is one of the most common helminth worm of dogs which continues to stimulate both public health concern alongside the higher scientific interest. It may cause visceral and ocular damage in humans especially in children. The identification of specific antigens of T. canis is important so as to develop better diagnostic techniques. Excretory-secretory (ES) antigens were prepared by culturing the adult T. canis worms in RPMI 1640 medium without serum supplementation followed by ammonium sulphate precipitation. These antigens were separated using sodium dodecyl sulphate-electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Recovered proteins ranged from 30 to 384 kDa. The specific reactivity of the T. canis excretory-secretory (TC-ES) proteins was checked by western blotting. The immuno-reactivity of the naturally infected dog sera with the TC-ES antigens showed five bands at 43, 57,105, 139 and 175 kDa. The immuno-reactivity of the hyper immune serum raised in rabbits against TC-ES antigens was observed with ten polypeptides of 21, 25, 30, 37, 45, 50, 57, 69, 77 and 105 kDa. Common antigens band were observed at 57 and 105 KDa. These antigens merit further evaluation as candidate for use in diagnosis of toxocariasis in humans and adult dogs.

Prevalence of canine toxocariasis in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India

Toxocara canis is one of the most common parasitic helminth worm of dogs and also a causative agent of zoonotic disease in humans. This pilot study was conducted to determine the presence of T. canis infection in dog population in and around Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. A total of 558 faecal samples both from stray and owned dogs were screened and overall 24.3 % dogs were found positive for T. canis. A comparison between owned and stray dogs suggests that the higher prevalence was observed in the latter group. The age of the dogs had a considerable influence on prevalence, with a much higher proportion of younger dogs being infected. Among the stray dogs, the infection rate is much higher (62.79 %) in pups, as compared to 7.8 % in adult. Similarly, of the owned dogs screened 41.74 % pups were infected while the infection rate in adults was only 3.38 %. The higher rate of prevalence of this parasite in dogs could be the source of soil contamination for transmission of Toxocariasis which is of public health importance in this region.