1.
Epidemiological Investigation And Risk Factor Analysis Of Brucellosis In Large Ruminants And Their Attendants At Govt. Livestock Farms In Punjab
by Muhammad Raashid (2007-VA-496) | Prof. Dr. Mansur-ud-Din Ahmad | Dr. Muhammad Hassan Mushtaq | Dr. Sehrish Firyal.
Material type: ; Literary form:
not fiction
Publisher: 2015Dissertation note: Pakistan has been renowned as an agricultural country. It is rich in livestock sector having fairly large populations of domestic animals. Among these, populations of cattle and buffalo are 38.3 and 33.7 million respectively. The importance of cattle and buffalo cannot be denied at any level as these are the principal farming animals and milk and beef are widely consumed locally in the country. The estimated annual milk production of cattle and buffalo include 17.372 and 30.462 million tonnes respectively and a combined 1.829 million tonnes beef for human consumption during 2012-2013 (Pakistan Economic Survey 2012-2013).
Brucellosis, a worldwide bacterial zoonosis, is one of the most serious diseases causing huge loss to national economy and human beings among developing countries (Wu et al. 2013). The disease is endemic in Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, Mediterranean region and parts of Latin America (Gwida et al. 2010). Brucellae are Gram-negative bacteria, facultative anaerobic and intracellular pathogens. These show a wide range of host specificity. These coccobacilli measure from 0.6 to 1.5 µm long and 0.5 to 0.7 µm wide. Eight species have been identified in the genus Brucella such asBrucella abortus(B. abortus affecting cattle and buffalo), B. melitensis (sheep and goats), B. ovis (sheep), B. suis (swine), B. canis (dog), B. neotomae (desert rats), B. ceti (cetaceans) and B. pinnipedialis (pinnipeds) (Blasco 2010). This wide range of species covers almost all domestic animals however cats have found resistant. Generally it is considered as a reproductive problem in both male and female animals (Ficht 2003).
Brucellosis has been listed as the second most serious zoonotic disease in the world after rabies by OIE (OIE 2009). B. abortus, the primary cause of Brucellosis in large ruminants, (cattle and buffalo), remains not only a significant threat as a source of human illness but also risks economy of the country (Makita et al. 2011). Present estimates of economic loss in meat and milk production resulting from Brucellosis are $800 million annually in the United States(OIE 2009). The incidence of the disease can be correlated to several factors including demographic and geographic factors(Soomro et al. 2014). Seroprevalence of the disease has been reported in different regions of Pakistan and ranges 3.25 to 4.4%(Naeem et al. 1990).
Brucellosis in cattle and buffaloes can be recognized clinically by an abortion usually occurring form 6 months and onwards i.e. last trimester of pregnancy (Soomro et al. 2014). Brucellosis is principally a disease of sexually mature animals as it affects mainly the reproductive system and fertility of the animals. It significantly reduces the survival rate of newborns and also the milk yield (Sikder et al. 2012). Greyish white mucoid or mucopurulent discharges from the vagina, prior to parturition of cow, may show the clinical patterns of disease along withnormal patterns of parturition like swelling of the vulva, relaxation of pelvic ligament, enlargement of udder and discharge from the vulva (Shafee et al. 2012).
Human infections as a result of Brucellosis range more than 500,000 annually round the world (Abo-Shehada and Abu-Halaweh 2011). Brucellosis can cause a wide range of symptoms similar to the flu and may also include fever (39-40°C), night sweats, headache, back pain and physical weakness. Severe form of infection may result in involvement of the central nervous system or the lining of the heart (Soomro et al. 2014). It is one of the principal public health problems for an agricultural country like Pakistan, where majority of the population is engaged in livestock farming (Shafee et al. 2012).
Brucellosis in humans is a severely debilitating condition that usually requires prolonged treatment involving a combination of strong antibiotics. The treatment results in permanent and disabling sequel, and also in significant medical expenses along with loss of income due to loss of working hours. Brucellosis can be transmitted to humans by ways of inhalation, direct contact with infected animals or contaminated products of conception and ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products and undercooked meat or meat products (Gwida et al. 2010; John et al. 2010). Brucellosis can also be transmitted from infected animals to human beings who are in close contact with animal secretions like infected vaginal secretions, blood, urine, feces, aborted fetus, or those who consume unpasteurized milk or other raw milk products. Shepherds, milkmen, butchers, knackers, veterinary assistants, and abattoir workers are at high risk (Agasthya et al. 2007)
Availability: Items available for loan: UVAS Library [Call number: 2245-T] (1).
2.
Isolation And Molecular Detection Of Salmonella Species In Milk And Milk Products
by Muhammad Umar Ijaz (2007-VA-040) | Prof. Dr. Mansur-ud-Din-Ahmad | Dr. Muhammad Hassan Mushtaq | Dr. Ali Ahmad Sheikh.
Material type: ; Literary form:
not fiction
Publisher: 2015Dissertation note: Salmonellosis is one of the emerging zoonotic diseases. Human infections result from contaminated raw or undercooked food. Various sources of contamination in milk are dirty udder, unhygienic handling and utensils, dirty hands of milkmen and poor quality water supply at the farm. To ensure food safety there is a dire need for the availability of valid, rapid and accredited diagnostic system. Conventional culture methods for detecting Salmonella spp. in foods needs 4–5 days. The development in molecular techniques made it possible to cut short the procedure.
The present study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the burden of Salmonella spp. in milk and milk products. In total 150 samples were collected, out of which there were 75 milk samples. These samples were collected from farm dairy herds (pooled milk) located in Harbanspura Dairy colony, Lahore. Salmonella was detected in 8 samples (11%) by conventional method.
In addition to milk samples, 75 samples of milk products were also collected from retail shops. These include 50 samples of Yogurt and 25 samples of Yogurt milk. Milk products had 6 positive samples (8%). No sample of Yogurt was detected positive for Salmonella. The reason for this is that Yogurt had only Salmonella if it is present in starter culture. Furthermore yogurt is made after frequent heating. Salmonella is killed by such continuous and vigorous heating. Yogurt milk is prepared from Yogurt along with raw milk in a separate utensil. There are chances of contamination there so it had 6 positive samples. Total 14 (9%) samples were detected in 150 samples by conventional method. It was found that Salmonella was present in raw milk samples and milk products at places where either cleanliness was not proper, milk handling practices
Summary
53
were not up to the mark, udder was not washed before milking or overall management practices were poor.
Positive samples obtained by conventional method were further analyzed by PCR for Salmonella genus confirmation. Out of total 8 positive milk samples by conventional method, 5(62%) were confirmed as Salmonella genus. Similarly from 6 positive samples of milk products by conventional method, only 2(33%) were confirmed as of Salmonella genus. Further PCR was conducted for Salmonella typhimurium detection. Milk samples were containing 3(60%) positive samples while no positive sample was detected in milk products.
On the basis of the results of present study, it is recommended that milk should always be boiled before use. Further Hygienic measures should be adopted during milking. Proper handling of milk and milk products is also important to limit the cross contamination. It is also advised that standards such as pasteurization and HACCP should be introduced to facilitate production of good quality milk. Electronic and print media should also create awareness among people about food safety. Availability: Items available for loan: UVAS Library [Call number: 2408-T] (1).
3.
An Epidemiological Investigation For The Selection Of Suitable Vaccine Virus Candidate Of Newcastle Disease
by Waqas Shabeer (2013-VA-920) | Dr. MUhammad Hassan Mushtaq | Dr. Muhammad Ali Abdullah Shah | Prof. Dr. Mansur ud Din Ahmed | Dr. Ali Ahmed Shaikh.
Material type: Publisher: 2015Dissertation note: The current study was designed to investigate the risk factors associated with Newcastle disease and characterization and confirmation of Newcastle disease on microbiological and molecular basis. Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most important viral diseases. It is an acute infectious viral disease of domestic poultry and other species of birds regardless of variation in sex and age. Etiological agents of ND are virulent strains of avian paramyxovirus-1 genus Avulavirus, family Paramyxoviridae and order mononegavirales. The data collection was done on predesigned questionnaire. Newcastle disease virus isolation was done by using the embryonated eggs. Amnion allantoic fluid was harvested and checked for hemaglutinating activity by spot hemaglutinition test and results were recorded. For confirmation of NDV hemaglutinition assay and hemaglutinition inhibition test were used. Further confirmation was done by RT PCR using predesigned primers. Results showed that vaccine used at the most of farms were live attenuated. Most of the farms have no written biosecurity plan. A total of 264 samples were examined 17 samples were the best suspected positive for ND, 10 samples were confirmed on the basis of postmortem lesion, HI and PCR.
Conclusion:-
The study concludes the farm type, dead bird disposal, biosecurity, farm history and vehicles for feed transportation are the risk factors for the outbreak of Newcastle disease. Whereas water quality, farm mangers, litter disposal, vaccine schedule and vaccine type given at farm show no significant association with the spread of disease. The study characterized field isolates on microbiological and molecular basis, submitted to the principle investigator for use in development of multiepitop vaccine. Availability: Items available for loan: UVAS Library [Call number: 2462-T] (1).
4.
A Case Control Study On Gestational Diabetes Mellitus In District Lahore
by Shazia Muneer (2014-VA-510) | Prof. Dr. Masur-ud-Din Ahmad | Dr. Muhammad Hassan Mushtaq | Dr. Sana Ullah Iqbal.
Material type: ; Literary form:
not fiction
Publisher: 2016Dissertation note: The present study was designed to identify the association ofvarious risk factors with GDM.The study was consist of cases and controls andconducted for a period of 3 month i.e. February to April 2016. A total sample of 284 comprises of 142 cases and 142 controls were selected fromgynaecological outpatient department, tertiary care hospitalsof district Lahore. The cases matched on the basis of parity with control. The data about demographic and risk factors associated with gestational diabetes were collected through predesigned questionnaires.
The study was completed in a period of three months. The data was analyzed by using SPSS 16.0.The results of this study will be useful for the prevention and control of this disease from fatal outcome.
The results of the study showed the relationship of GDM among cases than controls. It was observed that most of the woman’s were illiterate and housewives. The economic status was found statistically significant in present study. But overall participants werefrom lower middle class families. Present study showed that the woman’s with the age of 29-35, that is high age group and significant association found in the mother age.
Previous history of diabetes mellitus and family history of diabetes mellitus also role plays in raising the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus. Gestational diabetes mellitus prevalence was higher in those women who had family history of diabetes. The higher number seen among cases who had diabetes in previous pregnancy, which was significantly higher at(p value= 0.000). It was investigated that diabetes mellitus was more common in high BMI>25kg/m2 so it has strong relationship with high BMI.
Conclusion
This study was designed to identify the risk factors associated with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Because the prevalence of Gestational diabetes is increasing with increase the number of women in childbearing age. The timely diagnosis of GDM and identify its risk factors are need of the time to control fetal and maternal complications.
Availability: Items available for loan: UVAS Library [Call number: 2535-T] (1).
5.
Survey To Assess Knowledge About Poultry Disease, Vaccination And Zoonoses In Backyard Poultry Keepers Around Lahore
by Rabia Saleem (2009-VA-460) | Dr. Muhammad Hassan Mushtaq | Dr. Mamoona Chaudhary | Dr. Arfan Ahmad.
Material type: ; Literary form:
not fiction
Publisher: 2016Dissertation note: The term backyard chicken production designates poultry birds which are reared on small scale by a household. In this type of poultry rearing, usually a few birds are kept primarily for family use. The surplus birds and eggs are sold in the village or nearby market and the cash were utilized for fulfilling other needs of the household. This was a common practice in the rural area of all over the Pakistan.
Backyard poultry keepers are not well aware of management practices and poultry diseases. For that purpose nine rural areas were selected from Lahore by convenient sampling method. The households in each of the village were also conveniently select. 200 respondents were interview through a model questionnaire to assess knowledge about poultry diseases, zoonotic diseases and vaccination of poultry in backyard poultry keepers.
After compilation of the research data only 25.00% respondents know about poultry disease and only 48.74% use vaccination and medication for their birds if they got sick otherwise they never vaccinate or medicate.73.73% people do vaccination against New castle disease out of those who use vaccination/treatment but according to data they have no proper knowledge even New castle disease. 55.56% farmer observed diseases and sign and symptoms in their flock from which mites and ticks are 55.56%, respiratory sound and nasal discharge 44.45%, coughing, sneezing and greenish diarrhea 33.34%, swollen joints and ocular discharge 22.23%.Respiratory diseases are prevalent in that area.
70.00% people of the study have information about zoonotic diseases while only 26.00 people know about poultry zoonotic diseases. They are not properly educated about poultry zoonotic diseases
This study will help to collect the information about the knowledge of zoonotic disease, poultry disease and vaccination through survey from backyard poultry farmers. Results of the study are helpful to point out the main issue of poultry diseases and mortality. It is a need of hour to properly manage the back yard poultry on an early basis while a timed procedure should be developed to educate the rural farmers. Currently no proper regulatory body is working for the Poultry sector, PPA (Pakistan Poultry Association) working privately without any authoritative power. These points can be easily improved to help the poultry farmers in the sense of developing skillful backyard poultry producers to boost up poultry sector.
Availability: Items available for loan: UVAS Library [Call number: 2577-T] (1).
