India has a wide range of agro-climatic zones which is highly conducive for a diverse range of vectors and canines are continuously exposed to the risk of a wide spectrum of tick-borne protozoan diseases. Canine hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon canis, is a tick-borne disease in domestic and wild dogs that is transmitted by ingestion of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks. The present study reports a case of three-year-old Labrador retriever bitch, presented at the TVCC, Bihar veterinary college with clinical signs of loss of appetite, lethargy, ocular and nasal discharges. On clinical examination, marked swelling in the cervical region was noted. The diagnosis was done based on blood smear examination, hemoglobin analysis, liver function test (LFT), kidney function test and different leucocytic count. Blood smear revealed the presence of H. canis within neutrophils. Renal parameters were normal (BUN − 16 mg/dL and creatinine- 1.45 mg/dL) along with increase in total bilirubin and alkaline phosphate levels. Hematological analysis revealed severe anemia (Hb = 5.5 g/dL) and elevated neutrophil and leucocyte count. After the corroboration of the etiological agent, the animal was treated with imidocarb dipropionate (@6.6 mg/kg body weight), doxycycline (@10 mg/kg body weight), hepatoprotective agents, hematinic (cyanocobalamin preparation 1000mcg) and supportive therapy (fluid therapy using Ringer’s Lactate and Dextrose Normal Saline). Despite intervention, the animal’s condition deteriorated and it succumbed to the infection within one week. This case highlights the clinicopathological alterations and potential fatal outcome associated with advanced H. canis infection and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and effective tick control in endemic regions.
Malaria and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) pose significant public-health challenges for children under five in endemic regions. Co-infection worsens anaemia, malnutrition, and stunted growth. This study assessed the prevalence of malaria–STH co-infection and the associated risk factors among children under five years of age in the highly endemic Delta South Senatorial District of Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to December 2022 and 2023, involving 269 children under five years old. Blood and stool samples were collected from participants following written informed consent from their parents or legal guardians. Malaria diagnosis was performed using Giemsa-stained microscopy, while stool samples were analysed for STH infections using the Kato-Katz technique. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected through structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression, were used to assess the study data. The prevalence of malaria, STH, and malaria-STH co-infection was 20.82
The Pangasiidae family are economically important freshwater catfishes that significantly contribute to global food security through their high aquaculture productivity and nutritional value. Monogenean parasites were obtained from the gills of host fish Pangasius pangasius that were sampled from Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. Using standard protocols, these parasites were identified based on morphological and molecular characterization. 28 S rRNA gene sequence of the recovered monogenean parasite was submitted to GenBank. Slight variations were observed in morphological as well as genomic data of the reported parasite as compared to previously reported ones but from other host species and of the same family. These findings highlight the currently recognized host range and evolutionary relationships of T. campylopterocirrus and emphasize the necessity of integrating molecular techniques with traditional morphological methods to ensure correct identification of novel parasitic species. This is the first record of T. campylopterocirrus from a new host Pangasius pangasius in India.
Cryptosporidium parvum is a prevalent opportunistic intestinal pathogen in immunocompromised hosts, where nitazoxanide (NTZ) shows limited efficacy, necessitating safe alternative therapies. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of Echinacea purpurea, Nigella sativa, and their combination versus NTZ in 60 dexamethasone-immunosuppressed Swiss albino mice orally infected with 3×103 C. parvum oocysts. Groups included non-infected controls (GI), infected untreated controls (GII), and infected mice treated orally for 6 days starting 7 days post-infection: NTZ 200 mg/kg/day (GIII), EP 100 mg/kg/day (GIV), NS 1.25 g/kg/day (GV), and EP+NS combination (GVI). Outcomes measured oocyst shedding (Kinyoun's stain at 14/21 days post-infection), serum IFN-γ/IL-4 (ELISA), oxidative markers (SOD/MDA), intestinal histopathology, and Cox-2 immunohistochemistry. At 21 days post-infection, combination therapy achieved the highest oocyst reduction (85.9
Toxoplasma gondii infection may pose additional health risks to individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), particularly in settings characterized by inadequate sanitation, unsafe food-handling practices, and frequent animal exposure. However, evidence regarding T. gondii infection among patients with T2DM in Somalia remains limited. This study determined the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and assessed associated factors among patients with T2DM attending Somali Sudanese Specialized Hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 among 200 consecutively recruited adults with T2DM attending Somali Sudanese Specialized Hospital. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were detected using MAGLUMI chemiluminescence immunoassays. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with seropositivity. Overall, 63 participants were seropositive, giving a seroprevalence of 31.5
