1.
Serofpidemiology, Zoonotic Potential And Chemotherapy Of Neosporosis In Dogs And Cattle
by Muhammad Mudasser Nazir | Prof. Dr. Azhar Maqbool | Dr. Muhammad Lateef | Prof. Dr.
Material type: ; Format:
print
; Literary form:
drama
Publisher: 2010Dissertation note: The aim of current study was to demonstrate the most important features of Neospora caninum infection in Pakistan. In the present study, I examined the prevalence of N. caninum in 7 districts of the country and to accessed the efficacy of various drugs against the parasite in cell culture.
For the achievement of this purpose, the core objectives were,
To have an overview on the overall seroprevalence of neosporosis throughout the country by means of cELISA in aborting, at risk and clinically healthy cows.
To check the correlation of Iscom ELISA and cELISA, and determination of prevalence of N. caninum by means of Iscom ELISA on milk samples.
To identify the transmission of disease towards human.
To determine the efficacy of various drugs against N. caninum.
In phase 1, overall seroprevalence of N. caninum in dairy cattle (detected by means of cELISA, VMRD, Inc., Pullman, WA, USA) was found to be 43.4% with a significant difference (P < 0.05) of seropositivity among all 18 herds (n = 5 aborting herds, n = 13 non-aborting/clinically healthy herds) selected from 7 districts of Pakistan. The seropositivity of cattle to N. caninum antibodies was significantly higher in aborting animals (52.7%) as compared to non-aborting cows ( 41.5%), indicating a significant difference between aborting and non-aborting cattle. In case of pregnant and non-pregnant animals, similar findings were recorded in our study. A significantly higher rate of seroprevalence was observed in pregnant dams (59.8%) than non-pregnant cattle (35.2%). Overall, higher serological prevalence was evaluated during the summer season (61.1%) in all areas followed by autumn (46.9%), spring (34.9%) and least seropositivity was observed in winter season (26.6%).
The difference in seropositivity was significantly different among all age groups, greater in animals older than 2 years of age. Furthermore, the prevalence was statistically significant (P < 0.05) among cattle of different breeds. Seroprevalence in cases of crossbred animals were higher followed by exotic and indigenous breeds.
Phase 2, describes the seroprevalence of N. caninum in clinically healthy dairy cows. A selection of 760 animals from 13 dairy herds located in Punjab and Sindh Province, Pakistan to demonstrate the presence or absence of the Neospora caninum infection in commercial dairy cattle. The serostatus of the cows towards N. caninum was detected by cELISA (VMRD, Pullman, WA). Out of 760 animals, (43.2%) were seropositive to N. caninum. A significant difference of positivity was recorded among all 13 dairy herds. Age wise prevalence though not statistically significant among all age groups, was greater in animals over 2 years of age and least in heifers. Variation was also observed in samples from cattle of different breeds. A significantly higher prevalence was observed in crossbred animals than in purebred and nondescript cattle. Seasonal prevalence was higher during summer season than rest of the seasons. The seroprevalence of N. caninum in pregnant cows was significantly greater than in non-pregnant animals.
Second experiment of this phase describes the seroprevalence of 240 animals from 5 herds with a high rate of abortion, the percentage of seropositivity observed in these herds was 43.8%, slightly higher than the clinically healthy and non-aborting cattle. No significant difference was observed among all sample locations in this experiment. However, significant difference of positivity was recorded among different breeds of cattle. Age wise prevalence, though not statistically significant (P > 0.05), was greater in animals older than 2 years of age.
The assessment of milk samples from lactating cows were also determined for Neospora caninum antibodies by means of Iscom ELISA (SANOVIR® Sanova Biotech AB, Uppasala, Sweden) and showed a good level of agreement (r² = 0.9959) between the two tests (cELISA and Iscom ELISA). Although, the cELISA (VMRD, Inc., Pullman, USA) expressed a higher seropositivity and sensitivity than Iscom ELISA (Sanova Biotech AB, Uppasala, Sweden). Therefore, both of the ELISA tests (cELISA and Iscom ELISA) for the detection of N. caninum antibodies in dairy cattle can perform better in lactating animals. The Iscom ELISA has some advantages over cELISA as it's easy to collect milk samples than serum samples, moreover Iscom ELISA is cheaper and easy to use but has low sensitivity than cELISA and cannot be used in dry animals. The percentage of positivity detected through Iscom ELISA on individual milk samples were 61.4% and 76.6% by cELISA.
In phase 3, an epidemiological study was conducted to determine seroprevalence of N. caninum in dogs of different breeds and age groups. The serum samples of dogs were analyzed by cELISA (VMRD, Pullman, USA) showed a seropositivity of 23.5%. There was no significant difference of seropositivity among various sample locations, highest prevalence was observed in Muzaffar Garh (31.9%), followed by Gujranwala (27.9%), Lahore (25.1%), Hafizabad (20.2%) and least prevalence was recorded in district Okara (14.6%). A significant difference in prevalence of N. caninum antibodies between male (26.1%) and female (18.8%) dogs were recorded. The difference in seroprevalence was not significant among all age groups. The samples with no age record showed a highest prevalence (29.5%) and least seropositivity was observed in adult dogs of 3-6 years of age (18.7%). During Summer season, highest positivity to N. caninum was (31.0%) recorded while the lowest prevalence (16.0%) was observed in Winter season.
Phase 4, describes the seroprevalence and transmission of N. caninum in humans. A selection of 52 serum samples from humans was analyzed for the presence of N. caninum antibodies. The serostatus of the humans towards N. caninum antibodies (IgG) was determined by using commercially available antigen coated IFAT slides (VMRD, Inc., Pullman, Washington USA) and human conjugate. Overall very low prevalence (1.9%) of N. caninum antibodies was reported in this study. Only one case was found to be positive, these findings indicate that no strong evidence of N. caninum infection in humans.
In phase 5, in vitro drug trials was conducted to access the best efficacy of three commercially available drugs. We found that among three anticoccidial drugs i.e Clindamycin, Diclazuril and Sulfadiazine, Diclazuril has best inhibitory effect against N. caninum tachyzoites in cell culture followed by Clindamycin and sulfadiazine.
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2.
Anticoccidial Activity Of Aloe Vera (Qawar Gandal) In Broiler
by Hafiz Atif Munir (2005-VA-102) | Dr. Muhammad Lateef | Dr. Haroon Akber | Dr. Jawad Nazir.
Material type: ; Literary form:
not fiction
Publisher: 2014Dissertation note: There are various species of Eimeria that cause coccidiosis. This disease is considered to be one of the most significant and prevalent diseases across the world. This disease reduces the production and causes high morbidity and death rates, on the other hand for controlling this eimeriosis, one has to adopt preventive therapy in the form of anticoccidial drugs in combination with occurrence of natural immunity in birds. Coccidia cause infection in intestine and multiply in gut and belong to protozoan parasites. These protozoan coccidian cause chicken Eimeriosis which is considered one of the most significant diseases, that cause severe economic losses across the world. For poultry control houses, coccidiosis is considered one of the most common (Hamidinejat et al., 2010).
As oocysts of coccidia are very unique so they spread from one poultry farm to another poultry farm and for dissemination of this protozoan, parasitic disease management plays a pivotal role. Now it’s very hard to keep chickens safe from these parasitic protozoa particularly in the control poultry houses where high production is required. In poultry house litter, oocycts multiply readily. But there are some factors which affect the number of these protozoa like bacteria or some environmental factors like liberation of Ammonia gases and under these factors, Eimeria start to diminish after three weeks (Williams, 1995).
Caecal and intestinal forms are the two important forms of avian coccidiosis. Diarrhoea and excessive caecal haemorrhages are the main symptoms of caecal coccidiosis and its causative agent is Eimeria tenella (Gardinar 1955). In prevention, surveillance and control of coccidiosis specific diagnosis plays a pivotal role. Eimeria oocysts from the faeces of infected chickens have been detected or enumerated by conventional methods and pathological lesions resulted by Eimeria infection and oocyst structure can also be determined by employing traditional methods (Long and Joyner 1984). But because of the involvement of multiple species of Eimeria in coccidial infection these approaches cannot be realistic as there can be overlapping among various sizes of oocysts (Long and Joyner 1984).
There are six species of Eimeria which cause great economic loss in chickens and also these species are highly host specific. High mortality rate and morbidity rate due to bloody enteritis and production losses are reasons of great economic. Despite management now a days anticoccidial drugs have been used in chicken feed to minimize the effect of this disease. E. tenella, E. necatrix, E acervulina, E. maxima, E. brunetti , E. mitis and E. praecox are the seven species of Eimeria which are considered as main causative agents of coccidiosis in chicken (Arabkhazaeli et al. 2011).
However, control of coccidiosis can be achieved by producing species-specific natural immunity along with anticoccidial drugs (Shirley et al. 2004), but it’s also evident from the fact that drug resistance has been increasing due to excessive use of anticoccidial drugs (Williams 1998). Pathological lesions, host and protozoan characteristics are very important for diagnosis of coccidiosis. But one cannot identify the Eimeria species accurately as analysis of these characteristics requires high expertise.
Good management plays key role in controlling coccidiosis which includes proper ventilation, dry litter, drinkers and feeders in good clean condition and appropriate density of stock (Jordan 1995, Gross 1985). Size and morphology of parasite at various stages of life cycle plays an important role in identification of Eimeria and site of enteric pathological lesions. In complex infection it’s very hard to identify the species showing same features (Long and Reid 1982).
The increasing resistance of avian coccidiosis to anti-coccidial drugs currently used by poultry industry together with the requirement for drug and the production systems which should be antibiotic free, it’s now very necessary to go for the new and advanced methods to prevent from this disease. Therefore, scientists started to work on medicinal use of herbal products to control this eimeriosis. In past for treatment of various human and poultry ailments the natural herbal products have been effectively used several times. Because of the anticoccidial nature and antibacterial effect, Aloe vera could be served as a valuable alternative for coccidiostats as a medicinal plant. Previously aloe gel has been used for multipurpose like as an antibiotic, for healing of wounds, for anti-inflammatory effects, for anti Eimerial response and as an anti-ulcer agent. It was also reported that in broilers it increases immunity by enhancing the number of microvilli (Jinag et al., 2005). In Asia Aloe gel is considered one of the most common and easily available country medicines to get effective deliberate results. Therefore, the current study planned to cope coccidial diseases in broilers by serving Aloe vera as an effective weapon.
The present study therefore planned to discover the anti-coccidial effects of Aloe vera in broilers by using its powdered form, aqueous and methanol extracts.
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3.
Anthelmintic Activity Of Withania Coagulans Against Gastrointestinal Nematode Of Sheep In District Killa Saifullah, Baluchistan
by Yousaf Gul (2009-VA-145) | Dr. Muhammad Lateef | Dr. Saadullah Jan | Dr. Muhammad Imran Rashid | Dr. Wasim Shehzad.
Material type: ; Literary form:
not fiction
Publisher: 2016Dissertation note: Evaluation of anthelmintic activity of Withania coagulans was studied against GIT nematodes of sheep in district Killa Saifullah Baluchistan. Sheep of the district were screen out for the presence of GIT nematodes. Animal positive for GIT nematodes and having 150+ Egg per Gram (EPG) of feces was included in the drug trial. Animals were treated with extract(s) of locally available herbal plant (withania coagulans) and levamisole. Two types of plant formulations that is crude powder and crude methanole extract were prepared each with various dosages. The effect of both medicinal plant and levamisole was observed on different groups of animals and the results were analyzed with appropriate statistical tool. Eighty animals were randomly divided in to eight groups (10 animals in each group) i.e. A, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, C3 and D. Animals in group A served as control untreated group. Animals in groups B1, B2 and B3 were treated with crude powder of Withania coagulans at the dose rate of 1, 2 and 3 g/kg body weight respectively. And Animals in groups C1, C2 and C3 were treated with crude methanol extract of Withania coagulans at 33.3, 66.6 and 100mg/kg equivalent dose rate of 1, 2 and 3 g/kg body weight respectively. Animals in group D were given Levamisole at the standard dose rate of 7.5 mg/ kg body weight. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0; comparative analysis was done by applying ANOVA. P value <0.05 was taken as significant. The analyzed data and the results revealed that Levamisole is still a better anthelmintic against ovine nematodes in district Killa Saifullah Balochistan. Efficacy of levamisole tested for 15 days in-vivo sheep was up to 92%. This efficacy was much higher than the various forms and dosages of medicinal plant. The efficacy of Levamisole was significantly higher (P<0.05) than all forms and dosages of medicinal plant. Group C3 treated with crude methanol extract of Withania coagulans at the dose rate of 10mg/kg equivalent to 3mg/kg showed highest efficacy of the plant that is up to 48%. The efficacy showed by the form of the medicinal plant used in group C3 against ovine GIT nematodes was significantly higher (P<0.05) than all other forms of the plant. Animals in group B1, B2, B3, C1 and C2 showed anthelmintic efficacy of 19.47%, 23.58%, 31.66%, 31.76% and 33.33% from day 0 to day 15th post-treatment. Gastrointenstinal nematodes of sheep have produced anthelmintic resistance against Levamisole at the dose rate of 7.5mg/kg. In previous studies Levamisole had showed efficacy of 99.99%, 99% and 98%. It is therefore recommended that further investigation on huge scale should be passed out concerning a great number of animals, quantities higher than those used in the present study, documentation of active principles, and calibration of dose and toxicity studies for drug development from the herbal plant.
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