000			07069nam a2200193Ia 4500
005			20170807121636.0
008			150525s2011 xx 000 0 und d
041			_aeng
082			_a1366,T
100			_aAmir Nasir _97918
110			_cProf.Dr.Muhammad Ashraf _94840
245			_aSero Epidemiology Transmission Dynamics And Hematological Studies On Neospora Caninum In Dairy Buffaloes
260			_c2011
502			_aThe current study was carried out in two districts of the Punjab province (pakistan), viz. Lahore and Narowallocated;on the eastern part of the province bordering Indian Punjab ::. and the first study assessing the epidemiology of N caninum in dairy buffalo in Pakistan. Overall, the true sercprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy buffalo (assessed by using cELISA validated for buffalo by using IFAT as reference test) of the two districts was 39.4 % - with no significant difference in the prevalence of N caninum antibodies between male (29.5%) and female (41.5%) dairy buffalo. However, in the Lahore district alone, the prevalence in the female (46.1 %) buffalo was significantly higher than in their male (23.8%) counterparts. In contrast, in Narowal district, the prevalence in male (42.4%) buffalo was higher than females (32.2%) but this difference was not statistically different. The other risk factors evaluated in regards to the prevalence of N caninum in buffalo were similar overall in both the districts; these included age-specific, season-specific, pregnancy-specific, parity- specific, abortion-specific and dog contact-specific prevalence. The difference in sero- prevalence was not significant amongst all the ages but was significant between the younger " 3yrs.) and adult (> 3yrs.) age buffalo. The adult buffalo showed a higher prevalence of N caninum antibodies compared with younger buffalo. Anyhow, the age group of buffalo >3-5 yrs. showed consistently the highest prevalence of N caninum antibodies overall and in both the districts in the current study. The summer season was the one in which buffalo of the two districts and overall showed the highest prevalence, followed by high prevalence in autumn; while the lowest prevalence of N caninum antibodies was observed in buffalo sampled during the winter. The prevalence in the higher parities buffalo was significantly higher than the lower parity and pregnant heifers. The prevalence in pregnant dams was significantly higher than in non- pregnant buffalo in the herds in different areas of the two districts. Similarly, aborting buffalo in regular contact with dogs- at the dairy properties showed significantly higher prevalence of N. caninum antibodies than non-aborting buffalo without the contact of dog. The serological analysis-of dogs (using cELIS A) present at some dairy buffalo '" properties generally showed high prevalence of N. caninum; antibodies at the dairy properties where the buffalo were in regular contact with dogs compared with farm premises and their buffalo without any contact with dogs at the farm. This signifies the roleof the dogs in the - . transmission of N. caninum oocysts and infection to buffalo (intermediate host) as the isolates of dog and bovine origin has been reported to be identical (Stenlund et al., 1997). The analysis of milk samples from the dairy buffalo. also tested for serum antibodies using iscom (immune stimulating complex) ELISA and showed a good level of agreement (Kappa ratio=O.567) between the performance of two tests (iscom ELISA versus cELISA). However, the cELIS A (VMRD, Pullman, W A) showed higher sero-positivity compared to iscom ELISA (SV ANOV A, Uppsala, Sweden). Therefore, the use of either ELISA used on milk for evaluating the prevalence of N. caninum antibodies in buffalo can give good results . for lactating buffalo, but cELIS A appeared to have superior sensitivity in our study. The use of iscom ELISA offers advantages regarding ease of sampling and repeated screening of lactating herds but with little lower sensitivity than serum antibody cELISA. The co-existence of N. caninum with Br. abortus, another important abortifacient pathogen in buffalo, is quite significant as the probability of such infectious abortions is increased in the susceptible herds resulting in more economic losses compared to those caused by single pathogen. The co-existence of Br. abortus in N. caninum seropositive buffalo in the current study was 13.2%, while the overall prevalence of Br. abortus antibodies in buffalo of two districts was 12.2%. The prevalence trend of Bt: abortus was related to age, ~ though not exclusively; as prevalence continued to increase with age except in the age groups of 6-7 yrs, and> 7 yrs. old buffalo. The higher prevalence in the adult age groups indicates the association of Br. abortus with development of the reproductive system of the host (buffalo). It also suggests the increase in the exposure of the buffalo to the pathogen with increase.in age to some good extent. However, this prevalence was statistically not signific~ "0. in all the age groups of buffalo. The prevalence of co-existence was highest (18.5%) in -, buffalo >3-5 yrs. old followed by 18.2% in buffalo >7 yrs. age. Howe er, statistically, the difference in the prevalence of co-existing antibodies against N caninum and Br. abortus in buffalo was not significant. Hematological analysis of the N caninum sere-positive and sero-negative dairy buffalo for different haematological determinants, such as total leukocytic counts (TLC), differential leukocytic counts (DLC), RBCs, haemoglobin, haematocrit, platelets and blood plasma glucose level showed no difference in sero-positive and sero-negative two groups particularly, regarding the effect of sero-positivity in buffalo. Albeit, some interactions such as season x N caninum seropositivity showed significantly lower monocyte counts and high blood glucose level in N caninum sere-positive buffalo compared with sero-negative buffalo. Overall, in both groups no significant changes were observed in the seropositive buffalo compare to sero-negative ones. Some interaction have independently affected certain haematological parameters although, the animals were not seropositive. This suggests the effect of some environmental factors and physiology states of the buffalo on its haematological dynamics. These effects included the effect of lactation on the lymphocyte count in the lactating and non-lactating buffalo, where lymphocyte counts were higher in non-lactating compared with lactating buffalo most possibly due to the recruitment of lymphocytes in the udder for excretion in milk. Similarly, blood haemoglobin was lower in the hot months and packed cell volume was higher in the cooler months of the year in the buffalo.
650			_aDepartment of Clinical Medicine & Surgery _94563
650			_aPhd. thesis _934751
700			_aProf. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar Khan _95200
942			_cTH
999			_c3079 _d3079