Bovine calves as ideal bio-indicators for fluoridated drinking water and endemic osteo-dental fluorosis

Relative susceptibility to fluoride (F) toxicosis in the form of osteo-dental fluorosis was observed in an observational survey of 2,747 mature and 887 immature domestic animals of diverse species living in areas with naturally fluoridated (>1.5 ppm F) drinking water. These animals included buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), cattle (Bos taurus), camels (Camelus dromedarius), donkeys (Equus asinus), horses (Equus caballus), goats (Capra hircus), and sheep (Ovis aries). Of these mature and immature animals, 899 (32.7 %) and 322 (36.3 %) showed evidence of dental fluorosis with varying grades, respectively. Their incisor teeth were stained with light to deep brownish color. On clinical examination, 31.2 % mature and 10.7 % immature animals revealed periosteal exostoses, intermittent lameness, and stiffness of tendons in the legs as signs of skeletal fluorosis. The maximum susceptibility to fluoride toxicosis was found in bovines (buffaloes and cattle) followed by equines (donkeys and horses), flocks (goats and sheep), and camelids (camels). The bovine calves were found to be more sensitive and highly susceptible to F toxicosis and revealed the maximum prevalence (92.2 %) of dental fluorosis. This indicates that bovine calves are less tolerant and give early sign of F poisoning (dental fluorosis) and therefore, they can be considered as bio-indicators for fluoridated water as well as for endemicity of osteo-dental fluorosis. Causes for variation in susceptibility to F toxicosis (fluorosis) in various species of domestic animal are also discussed.

Gastrointestinal parasitic infection in diverse species of domestic ruminants inhabiting tribal rural areas of southern Rajasthan, India

A total of 415 adult domesticated ruminants, 130 cattle (Bos taurus), 108 buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), 94 goats (Capra hircus) and 83 sheep (Ovis aries) inhabiting tribal rural areas of southern Rajasthan, India were investigated for evidence of gastrointestinal protozoan and helminthic infections. In southern Rajasthan humid ecosystem is predominant and has number of perennial freshwater bodies. Fresh faecal samples of these animals were examined microscopically by direct wet smear with saline and 1 % Lugol's iodine and formalin ether concentration. Of these 296 (71.32 %) were found to be infected with different species of gastrointestinal parasites. The highest (93.84 %) prevalence of these parasitic infections was found in cattle followed by goats (82.97 %), sheep (55.42 %) and buffaloes (46.29 %). Except cattle no other ruminants revealed protozoan infection. A total 8 species of gastrointestinal parasites were encountered. Among these parasites Fasciola hepatica was the commonest (15.18 %) followed by Haemonchus contortus (11.32 %), Ancylostoma duodenale (10.36 %), Trichuris trichiura (9.15 %), Amphistome species (7.95 %), Moniezia expansa (6.98 %), Strongyloides stercoralis (4.57 %) and Balantidium coli (3.37 %). The prevalence rate of these parasitic infections also varied seasonally. The highest prevalence rate was found in rainy season (84.21 %) followed by winter (73.9 %) and summer (52.8 %). The possible causes for variation in prevalence of parasitic infections are also discussed.

Intestinal parasitic infection in Bhil tribe of Rajasthan, India

A total of 224 Bhil tribal individuals (115 males and 109 females) of different age groups inhabiting tribal rural areas of Udaipur district of Rajasthan, India were investigated for the prevalence of intestinal parasitic (protozoan and helminths) infections. Fresh stool samples of these tribal subjects were examined microscopically by direct wet smear with saline and 1 % Lugol's iodine and formaline ether concentration. Of these 116 (51.78 %) were found to be infected with diverse species of intestinal parasites. Male individuals showed relatively higher (56.52 %) prevalence of infection as compared to their counterparts (46.78 %). Out of 116 infected tribal subjects, 53 (23.66 %), 33 (14.73 %) and 30 (13.39 %) were infected with protozoan, helminths and mixed (protozoan + helminths) parasitic infections, respectively. Maximum number of parasitic infections occurred in the age group of 6-10 years (69.23 %) in both sexes. Among the intestinal parasites, Entamoeba histolytica was the commonest (14.73 %) followed by Entamoeba coli (8.92 %), Taenia solium (5.35 %), Ascaris lumbricoides (4.46 %), Hymenolepis nana (2.23 %), Ancylostoma duodenale (0.89 %), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.89 %), Trichuris trichiura (0.44 %) and Hymenolepis diminuta (0.44 %). Data pertaining to distribution of parasite species in different age groups, and variation in prevalence of their infection in relation to age and sex were also analysed statistically and found to be significant. Possible causes for variation in prevalence of protozoan and helminthic infection are discussed.

Osteo-dental fluorosis in relation to chemical constituents of drinking waters

Study was conducted in 17 fluoride endemic villages to find out association between the prevalence and severity of osteo-dental fluorosis with different chemical constituents of drinking waters. These villages were arranged in 7 sets, each containing 2 to 3 villages with identical mean fluoride (F) concentrations in the range 1.0 to 5.8 mg/L but having different mean values of total hardness, alkalinity and nitrate (NO3) content in drinking water sources. A close association or relationship was found between the prevalence of fluorosis and the total hardness and alkalinity of potable waters. A low prevalence of fluorosis was found at low alkalinity and at high total hardness. But no specific association was observed between the prevalence figures of fluorosis with pH and NO3 levels which is also discussed in the present communication.

Osteo-dental fluorosis in relation to age and sex in tribal districts of Rajasthan, India

An association between the incidence of osteo-dental fluorosis with age and sex was studied in 18621 residents of 73 villages of two tribal districts, Dungarpur and Udaipur of Rajasthan (India). The mean fluoride (F) concentration in drinking water sources of these villages varied from 1.0 to 6.1 mg/L. Out of 11205 individuals of Dungarpur and 7416 of Udaipur districts, 8090 (72.1%) and 2914 (39.2%) exhibited evidence of dental fluorosis respectively. The maximum incidence of dental fluorosis was encountered in the age group of 13-20 years and minimum in the age group of 5 to 12 years in both the districts. Regarding the incidence of skeletal fluorosis, 21 years of age revealed 27.6% in Dungarpur and 12.0% in Udaipur. Whereas 44 years showed maximum incidence of skeletal fluorosis, its minimum incidence was found in the age group of 21-28 years. Severity of fluorosis could be associated with the advancing of age and F concentration. Moreover, males showed relatively a higher incidence of dental and skeletal fluorosis compared to their counterparts. Chi square test revealed the association between the incidence of fluorosis with that of age and sex was non-significant except for dental fluorosis in Dungarpur district (p < 0.05). Those villages having almost same F level, showed a variable incidence of fluorosis because of frequency of F intake and duration of F exposure besides other determinants.

Sickle cell haemoglobin, thalassaemia and G-6-PD enzyme deficiency genes in Garasiya tribe inhabited malaria endemic areas of Sirohi District, Rajasthan (India)

Venous blood samples of 368 apparently healthy and unrelated adult individuals (both male and female) belonging to a primitive tribe, Garasiya inhabitating malaria hyperendemic areas of Sirohi district, Rajasthan (India) were investigated by standard and recommended techniques for evidence of erythrocyte genetic disorders; sickle cell haemoglobin, beta-thalassaemia syndromes and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) enzyme deficiency (Gd). Sickle cell genes encountered in 23 (6.25%) Garasiya tribals. Of these, 22 (5.97%) showed heterozygous sickle cell gene(Hb-AS or trait) and one (0.27%) homozygous form (Hb-SS or sickle cell disease). beta-thalassaemia syndromes were observed in 30 (8.15%) subjects; 28 (7.60%) beta-thalassaemia traits (beta-thal.) and 2 (0.54%) HbS-thalassaemia (HbS-thal.). Gd was found in 56 (15.21%) subjects. Except these mutant genes no other erythrocyte abnormal genes were encountered in Garasiya tribe. A high incidence or prevalence of these red cell mutant genes in relation to malaria is discussed in the present communication.

Fluorosis in subjects belonging to different ethnic groups of Rajasthan, India

A total of 11205 and 7416 subjects (both sexes) belonging to different ethnic groups viz., Scheduled tribes (S.T.), Scheduled castes (S.C.) and General Castes (G.C.) of Dungarpur and Udaipur districts of Southern Rajasthan (India), respectively were examined for evidence of dental and skeletal fluorosis and observed the relative prevalence and severness of fluoride (F) toxicity in these ethnic groups. An overall and the highest prevalence of dental and skeletal fluorosis (69.0% and 27.7% respectively) were observed in the subjects of S.T. followed by 57.2% and 20.8% in S.C. and 38.6% and 9.3% in G.C. ethnic group. The severity of fluorosis in these groups have also been observed. The severity of dental fluorosis was found 28.1% in S.T., 24.6% in S.C. and 22.0% in G.C. whereas, the severity of skeletal fluorosis varied from 54.2% in S.T., 46.2% in S.C. to 32.6%, in G.C. These data were also analysed statistically and found to be highly positive correlation (r = + 1.00; p<0.001). The variation in the prevalence of fluorosis in these ethnic groups is related with the variation in the fluoride exposure through nutritional components of diet and feeding habits. X-rays of different regions of the tribal subjects (S.T.) also showed the maximum calcification in the ligaments and interosseous membranes as well as increased mass and density of bones. These radiological changes were less sever in the individuals of G.C. Besides, the F concentration, the water quality (alkalinity, total hardness, pH, NO3 etc.) is also influence and accelerate the prevalence and severness of fluorosis which has also been focussed in the present communication.

Endemic fluorosis in Rajasthan

Chronic fluoride (F) toxicity in the form of osteo-dental fluorosis was observed in both sexes of children and adults from ten villages viz., Bhavanpura, Dovada, Genhuwara, Gokulpura, Hathai, Kahela, Mandav, Nalwara, Pratappura and Samota located in the vicinity of alive F mines of Dungarpur district (Rajasthan) where F concentration in drinking waters varied from 1.2 to 8.9 ppm. At 1.7 and 6.1 mean F concentrations, 70.6% and 100.0% of children (< 18 years) and 68.0% and 100.0% adults, respectively, were found to be affected with dental fluorosis of varying grades. No much sex difference was seen in prevalence of dental fluorosis. Both prevalence and severity of dental mottling were found to be increased with increasing of F concentration and were found maximum in the 17-22 years age group. At these same F concentrations, 7.4% and 37.7% adults (> 21 years) were showing evidence of skeletal fluorosis, respectively. Although, skeletal fluorosis was also found in children with low prevalence (5.2%) but at high F concentration (4.8 ppm). The prevalence of skeletal fluorosis was relatively higher in males and increased with higher F level and age. Deformities such as crippling, kyphosis, invalidism and genu-varum were observed frequently in higher age group subjects (> 48 years) at a F concentration of 3.3 ppm. None of fluorotic individuals revealed evidence of genu-valgum syndrome and goitre (thyroidism). Radiological findings of other deformities in fluorotic subjects were also found. The distribution of F and endemic fluorosis in different districts of Rajasthan state have also been reviewed.

Alpha-thalassaemia (Hb-Bart's) in Rajasthan (India)

A total of 1,647 cord blood samples (618 of scheduled tribes, 487 of scheduled castes and 542 of general castes) of newborns from the Banswara, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Dungarpur, Sirohi and Udaipur districts of the Aravali hilly region of Rajasthan were investigated electrophoretically for evidence of Hb-Bart's (alpha-thalassaemia). Hb-Bart's was encountered in 31 (1.88%) neonates constituting 1.8 to 12.6% of their total haemoglobin. Of these, 24 (1.46%) were of alpha-thalassaemia 1 and 7 (0.42%) of alpha-thalassaemia 2. The incidence of alpha-thalassaemia genes varied from 3.07% in the scheduled tribes, 1.43% in the scheduled castes to 0.77% in the general castes populations giving an overall incidence of 1.88%. Except Hb-Bart's allele, no other mutant haemoglobins were observed.

Some observations on endemic fluorosis in domestic animals in Southern Rajasthan (India)

Chronic fluoride toxicity in the form of osteo-dental fluorosis was observed in cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats from 21 villages of Banswara, Dungarpur and Udaipur districts of Southern Rajasthan where the mean fluoride concentration in drinking water varied from 1.5 to 4.0 ppm. The prevalence of dental fluorosis in calves (< 1 year age) was greater than that in adult cattle and buffaloes. At a fluoride concentration in the water of 4.0 ppm, 100% of calves, 65.6% of buffaloes and 61.0% of cattle were found to be affected with dental fluorosis to varying degrees. In the older group of buffaloes, their teeth were brownish black instead of creamy yellow as found in calves and cattle. Out of 780 goats and 564 sheep, none revealed evidence of osteo-dental fluorosis. The overall prevalence of skeletal fluorosis was 8.5%, with the highest prevalence of 29.0% in cattle and 37.5% in buffaloes at a fluoride concentration of 3.2 ppm. None of the calves were affected with skeletal fluorosis. Intermittent lameness was observed in the older group of animals (> 7 years age) at 2.8 ppm fluoride or more in the water. None of the fluorotic animals exhibited any apparent evidence of hypothyroidism, stunted growth or low milk production. There was no correlation between gender and the prevalence of fluorosis, but the prevalence and severity of skeletal fluorosis increased with increasing fluoride concentration and age. Possible factors causing variation in fluorosis in the cattle and buffaloes in villages with identical fluoride concentrations are discussed.

Incidence of abnormal haemoglobins and G-6-PD deficiency in school children of Udaipur (Rajasthan), India

Blood samples from 1198 school children (both sexes) of eight endomagous castes of Udaipur (Rajasthan) were investigated for the evidence of abnormal haemoglobins and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency. Abnormal haemoglobins were encountered in 10 children (0.83%); seven Hb-S and three Hb-D. G-6PD deficiency was found in 55 children (4.59%).