Zoonotic diseases constitute an important part of the global health programme of the World Health Organization. Rabies is a major viral anthropozoonosis, which infects humans, domestic and wild animals. The disease is reported from many countries of the world including Ethiopia and India. It is estimated that rabies is responsible for nearly 55,000 deaths mostly in children every year, and about 10 million people annually receive post-exposure treatments after being exposed to rabies suspected animals. Dog is the principal transmitter of rabies to humans as well as other animals, with 99 per cent of human rabies cases attributed to dog bite. The help of laboratory is imperative to confirm an unequivocal diagnosis of rabies. In recent years, new advances in the laboratory diagnosis of rabies have been reported. All the new techniques require validation before being routinely employed by public health laboratory for the diagnosis of rabies. Facility for rapid diagnosis, availability of vaccine, elimination of stray dogs, and compulsory vaccination of pet dogs, active surveillance and public awareness will certainly reduce the incidence of this dreaded disease. Further research on etiopathogenesis, aberrant course of disease and development of cheap, safe and potent inactivated cell culture vaccine is recommended
Anthrax is an often fatal, bacterial infection affecting various animal species which also has serious impact on human health. Major virulence factors produced by different strains of Bacillus anthracis include polyglutamic acid capsule and three-component toxin. Nevertheless, involvement of other pathological features cannot be overruled. Therefore, the present study was planned to determine, production of extracellular DNAse by B. anthracis for the first time and was compared with other principal bacterial species that have already been reported to produce the extracellular DNAse. Two distinct DNAse activity assays namely plate and tube assays were used to demonstrate DNAse activity. The B. anthracis strains used in the study showed DNAse production in both the assays, however further intensive research is required to understand its role in the pathogenesis of anthrax and its possible mechanism of action.
influenza caused by H5N1 is one of the most important Zoonotic disease and is becoming great threat to poultry industry as well as to humans. Contaminated poultry meat may play role as reservoirs and sources of transmission for avian influenza virus. However, very little is known regarding the distribution of highly pathogenic (H5N1) avian influenza virus in poultry meat in tropical countries. The aim of this work was to study distribution of highly pathogenic (H5N1) avian influenza virus in meat from experimentally infected chicken and ducks. Three chicken and ducks were artificially infected with Highly Pathogenic Influenza (H5N1) virus isolates (A/duck/Tripura /103597/2008 and A/duck/Tripura /02CA10/2011) obtained from the Avian influenza virus repository of ICAR- National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal (NIHSAD). Different meat samples from the infected birds were collected. Presence of virus in all meat samples was confirmed by egg inoculation followed by haemagglutination test prior to use for the experiments. In the present study, chicken meat samples were found to have the highest viral load. The study also revealed that the initial viral load of both the isolates in chicken meat samples was considerably higher than that in duck meat samples. The study gives insights into the role of poultry meat in avian influenza virus transmission and helps in formulating avian influenza control strategies.
Increasing occurrence of V. parahaemolyticus O3:K6 and its serovariants globally, since 1995, gained attention in public health research. However, of late, hospitalisation of such patients and their sufferings are recorded to be lower than earlier. This trend warrants to pay more attention for intensive study on few aspects of this organism viz. about perpetuation of this organism in environment, mode of acquiring of virulence and evolving of O3:K6 serotypes and its variants, tangible decrease in degree for expression of clinical symptoms etc. in order to tackle public health problems caused by this organism.
This study reports the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus load estimation in different organs of chickens following experimental infection. The TaqMan probe based quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was optimized for quantification of HPAI virus RNA in tissues collected from experimentally infected chickens. Conserved region in the matrix gene of avian influenza virus served as target for the primers and TaqMan probe. A recombinant plasmid containing the matrix protein gene amplicon was constructed for a quantitative estimation of copy numbers of the target gene. Quantification of avian influenza virus RNA was accomplished using a standard curve generated from ten-fold serial dilutions of IVT RNA generated from recombinant plasmid containing matrix gene. High viral RNA load was detected in spleen, brain and lung indicating enormous replication of virus in these tissues. However, spleen showed significantly higher viral RNA load (P<0.03) over other organs.
The present study was undertaken with the objective to determine the role of rotavirus in causing diarrhoea in bovine calves (< 3 months of age). A total of 105 samples, from three states of India, namely Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana were screened for the presence of viral nucleic acid, using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). The study revealed that 14 (13.3%) bovine calves were positive for rotavirus, with 13 (12.4%) positive by PAGE and 12 (11.4%) positive by RT-PCR. Two and one samples were found to be exclusively positive by PAGE and RT-PCR, respectively.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the bacteriological quality and prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in raw chicken meat marketed in retail shops of Jaipur city in Rajasthan, India. A total of 50 raw chicken meat samples were collected aseptically from different retail meat shops and analyzed for the total viable count (TVC) alongwith the isolation of the above mentioned pathogens. The log10 TVC in chicken meat samples was found between the range of 5.52- 7.97 with the average (Mean±S.E.) of 7.14± 0.11 log10 cfu/g. The results of TVC revealed high bacterial contamination of chicken meat and only 40% samples were in acceptable category. E. coli was the most predominant pathogen with 68% prevalence rate, followed by S. aureus (38%) and Salmonella spp. (6%).
Two primer sets based on mitochondrial D-loop and cytochrome b gene sequences of buffalo with amplicon size of 227 and 152 bp, respectively, were opted for species identification of buffalo meat. The buffalo specific primer was subsequently tested for cross reactivity with cattle (ox), sheep, goat and pig meat. Primer targeting D-loop gene, yielded amplicon with buffalo meat as well as yielded size fragment with sheep and goat meat. However, with the primer based on cytochrome b gene, an intense band in buffalo meat and, a relatively faint band of similar size fragment in sheep was observed. In remaining three species cattle, goat and pig, no amplification was observed at usual 600C annealing temperature. In order to eliminate the cross reactivity of buffalo specific primer in sheep, amplification was attempted at the higher annealing temperatures 64.4oC and 67oC. At the annealing temperatures of 67oC, no cross reactivity of the buffalo specific primer was obtained in sheep as well as cattle (ox), goat and pig meat and only species-specific fragment was obtained in buffalo meat. Thus, buffalo species specific primer based on cytochrome b gene, under modified PCR condition was found useful.
The recombinant leptospiral lipoprotein 41(rLipL41) was used as an antigen in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serodiagnosis of caprine leptospirosis. Its results were compared with microscopic agglutination test (MAT). A total of 402 caprine sera samples were tested. The overall seroprevalance of 10.44% and 15.67% were recorded by MAT and ELISA, respectively. The relative sensitivity, specificity of ELISA in comparison to MAT, was 100% and 94.17%, respectively. A high concordance percentage (94.77%) and substantial agreement by kappa statistics between MAT and ELISA results were observed. Thus rLipL41 ELISA could be used as a serodiagnostic test for caprine leptospirosis.
A total of 70 isolates of B. cereus recovered from raw milk, pasteurized milk, milk products (peda,burfi, ladoo and milk powder), chevon, fish, poultry meat, chowmein and fried rice from local retail shopsof Mathura and Vrindavan region were tested for their antibiotic sensitivity to twelve commonly usedantibiotics. All the isolates were found susceptible to ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, ofloxacin anddoxycycline. Overall resistance to penicillin G (82%) and ampicillin (44%) were most frequent.
A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of vacuum tumbling time (15, 30 and 45 min) on sensory and microbial profile of chicken tikka. Microbial storage stability of vacuum tumbled chicken tikka were also studied. The results of study revealed that total plate count and liypolytic count decreased significantly (P<0.05) with the increase in tumbling time and in all the groups increased significantly (P<0.05) with advancement of storage period. Coliform and yeast and mold counts were observed only on 7 and 14 day of observation period. All the sensory attributes viz., appearance, color, texture, juiciness and overall acceptability increased significantly with increased tumbling time, however, flavor score showed a non significant difference with all treatments and control.
The production of a family of haemolysins-thermostable direct haemolysin (Vp-TDH) and Vp-TDHrelated haemolysin (Vp-TRH) has been reported in clinical isolates of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The work was aimed to study the occurrence of V. parahaemolyticus, in fishes sold in the domestic markets of Gujarat and incidence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. A total of 155 fish samples comprising fin fishes and prawns were collected from various fish markets in and around Anand (Gujarat), India. Eighteen samples were found to be positive for V. parahaemolyticus. Pathogenicity of the isolates was confirmed by Kanagawa phenomenon. Antibiogram revealed 88% isolates to be sensitive to chloramphenicol, followed by 72.22% to ciprofloxacin and 66.66% to cephalothin. Multiple antibiotic resistance index was found to be 0.4, indicating higher resistance acquired by the isolates. The present study demonstrated the need to adopt marine fish safety measures for the products meant for human consumption.
The study was intended to test the stability of rotavirus in human stools at high temperatures corresponding to ambient temperatures in tropical countries like India. Results indicated that Rotavirus RNA could be detected by RNA-PAGE and RT PCR up to 15 days at temperatures of 37 C and 42C which was the total period of this study, thus implying that the rotaviral RNA possesses a high degree of robustness which may allow it to remain infectious during high ambient temperatures that they may encounter during the subsequent faeco-oral spread and also enables it to be diagnosed through molecular techniques even if the samples are not maintained at optimum transport conditions.
The present study was conducted to assess the hygienic quality of drinking water sources associated with two filtration plants in Jammu. A total of 75 water samples from Tawi river inputs (n=25) to Sitlee filtration plant (upstream) and Dhaunthly filtration plant (downstream), post-filtration water (n=25) and household supplies (n=25) from respective plants were analysed for various indicator organisms viz., coliforms, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci and Clostridium perfringens using MPN method. For inputs, the coliform MPN ranged 918-1800; faecal coliforms 70-542; faecal streptococci 130-1609 and Cl. perfringens was 345-918. In post-filtration water the values were 0-25, 0-21, 0-31 and 0-31, respectively, while for household supplies the values were 0-33, 0-17, 0-80 and 0-49, respectively for coliforms, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci and Cl. Perfringens. The MPN of both filtration plants were comparable at all three points of sample collection except the higher counts for downstream plant at household level for faecal streptococci (43.5±4.28) and at input level for faecal coliforms (223.16±38.22) compared to upstream plant (23.15±8.40 and 164±22.63, respectively) (P<0.05). Overall, the positivity percentage of Tawi river inputs for coliform, faecal coliform, faecal Streptococci and Clostridium perfringens was 100%; for post filtration it was 36%, 20%, 32% and 28%; for household supplies it was 52%, 28%, 48% and 44%, respectively. Based on WHO standards for faecal coliforms (E.coli) in drinking water 100%, 36% and 52% samples from inputs, post filtration and household sources, respectively, were non potable.
The focus of this study is to evaluate the bacteriological quality of meat and meat products from palam valley over a period of 5 years. Out of 171 samples comprising of raw (143), ready to eat meat/ meat products (22) and wooden scrapings from the meat cutting surface (6), a total of 128 (89.51%), 17 (77.27%) and 6 (100%) samples were found to be contaminated, respectively. In raw meat, prevalence of Streptococcus spp. was found to be higher (17.19%) in comparison to Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria spp. However, 22 other bacterial species were also isolated from raw meat. In 9.09% of the ready to eat meat/meat products, Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus were detected prominently along with 7 other bacterial species. In wooden scrapings, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Aerococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp. were isolated. The results indicate that meat and meat products may constitute a public health hazard, and as a consequence, handling practices should require more attention and improvement.
A study was undertaken to asses the prevalence, serotypes, and virulence genes (stx1 and stx2 through PCR) of E. coli. A total of 405 samples comprising 155 faecal samples, 100 milk samples and 150 milk product samples were screened for E. coli. Out of 405 samples processed, 147 E. coli isolates were obtained. The highest occurrence was observed in faecal sample (60%) followed by milk (22%) and milk products (21.33%). Serotyping results showed that out of 147 E. coli isolates, 18 isolates were rough, 19 isolates were untypable and 110 isolates belonged to 24 different ‘O’ serogroups. Serogroups O55 and O60 were obtained from all the three sources. A total of 110 E. coli isolates (faeces-70, milk-20, milk products-20) were screened by PCR to detect virulence genes stx1 and stx2. Out of 110 isolates tested, 1 isolate (O55) from faeces of diarrhoeic cow was positive for stx1 gene whereas, 1 isolate (O60) from faeces of non- diarrhoeic cow revealed the presence of stx2 gene, while 1 isolate (O172) from faeces of diarrhoeic calf was found to be positive for both stx1 and stx2 gene. None of the samples from milk and milk products were found to be positive for the above mentioned virulence genes. Thus on the basis of PCR the prevalence of VTEC in faecal sample was found to be 4.28% (3 out of 70). However, no VTEC was detected from milk and milk products. Thus the overall occurrence of VTEC in the present study was found to be 2.72% (3 out of 110 isolates).
The aim of present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of brucellosis among animals in Himachal Pradesh. A total of 210 serum samples that were obtained from animals (110 from cattle and 100 from sheep and goat) from various regions of the state were screened through a battery of serological tests, which included RBPT, STAT, 2-MET, DotELISA and Indirect-ELISA. With an overall seroprevalence of 13.08% among animals, the prevalence of brucellosis was detected in 11.08% and 16% samples from cattle and sheep and goat, respectively. Concluding on the efficacy of serological tests employed, I-ELISA and d-ELISA proved better than others in the diagnosis of the brucellosis and a battery of the serological tests should be used to get the accurate picture.
