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Newcastle disease was suspected in 37 commercial poultry farms, including 12 layer and 25 broiler farms in four districts of Gujarat, India. Vaccination had been done in 32 (20 broilers and 12 layers) farms. Tissue samples from each farm were pooled as one sample. In egg embryo inoculation, HA-HI and PCR, respectively, 32/37, 29/37, and 24/37 samples were found positive. Pathotyping by mean death time calculation and primer combination PCR revealed velogenic NDV, which was later confirmed with the presence of the 112-RRQKR*F-117 sequence at the F protein cleavage site. Phylogenetic analysis of full F gene sequences (N=10) confirmed the presence of sub-genotype VII.2 in 9/10 sequences, and genotype II in one sample. These 9 sequences were only 0.7 to 2.6 % divergent with two VII.2 (=VIIi) sequences (HQ697254.1 chicken/Banjarmas/Indonesia and KU862293.1 Parakeet/Karachi/Pakistan) but had 2.2 to 3.6 % diversion from two VII.2 sequences (OR185447 and MZ546197) from India. Then branching was found from sequences of VIIh, VIIk (VII.2), and VIIa (VII.1.2), and then from sub-genotypes VII.1.1 and VII.1.2. Due to less than 5 % diversion, these sequences could not be qualified as new sub-genotype in evolutionary distance analysis. At the amino acid level, our sequences had aa N-T-I-A-L-T at 24-79-125-385-445-482. Whereas at the same positions, in most of the retrieved VII.2 sequences and vaccines, the sequence was S-A-V-T-Q/I- E/A. Two sequences revealed additional six and four amino acid differences,respectively.This indicates rapid continuous genetic evolution of sub-genotype VII.2 and partially explains vaccinal immunity escape., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Namdeo R Bulbule reports a relationship with Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group Private Limited that includes: employment. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the present study, a total of 102 samples were collected from chickens of different flocks, died due to suspected colibacillosis. Bacteriological and PCR methods were applied to detect avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). Phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was determined by disk diffusion method. Extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) detection was carried out via PCR by targeting bla TEM, bla SHV, blaOXA, and  bla CTX-M groups 1, 2, and 9. Genes of eight virulence factors and class I integrons were also detected by PCR using gene specific primers. Culture, microscopic, biochemical tests and PCR recognised 69/102 (67.64%) samples as E. coli . Phenotypic AST revealed higher resistance against fluoroquinolone antibiotics, i.e ., enrofloxacin (72.46%), levofloxacin (69.56%) & ciprofloxacin (66.66%), followed by amoxyclav (63.77%) and tetracycline (59.42%). Six isolates were found as pan-drug-resistant E. coli . A total of 48 (69.56%) and 7 (10.14%) isolates were positive for the presence of bla TEM and bla CTX-M-G9 genes, respectively, whereas 2 (2.90%) isolates each were found positive for bla SHV, blaOXA,  and bla CTX-M-G1 genes. Among APEC associated virulence genes, iss (79.71%) was the most predominant, followed by tsh (50.72%), ast (30.43%), cvaf (26.08%), pap (23.18%), vat (8.69%) and stx -1 (1.44%). Thirty-two isolates harboured class I integrons, either with or without ESBL genes. Conclusively, the isolates under study showed pan and multiple-drug resistance, specifically against fluoroquinolone drugs. ESBL production was mediated principally through bla TEM and bla CTX-M-G9. Multiple virulence factors, toxins, and carriage & spread factor render these as zoonotically potential pathogens for humans., Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-023-01132-2., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this article., (© Association of Microbiologists of India 2024. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

In the present study, total of 32 ante-mortem (AM) samples (saliva = 18 and corneal smears = 14) from six animal species (cattle = 5; camel = 1; goat = 1; horse = 1; buffalo = 4; dog = 6) and 28 post-mortem (PM) samples of domestic (cattle = 6; camel = 1; goat = 1; buffalo = 5; dog = 7) and wild animals (lion = 4, mongoose = 2; bear = 1; leopard = 1) were examined for rabies diagnosis in Gujarat, India. Direct fluorescent antibody test (dFAT) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were applied on AM samples, whereas along with dFAT and RT-PCR, histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real time PCR (qPCR) were used for PM diagnosis. Nucleotide sequencing of full nucleoprotein (N) and glycoprotein (G) genes were carried out upon representative amplicons. In AM examination, 7/18 saliva and 5/14 corneal impressions samples were found positive in dFAT and 8/18 saliva samples were found positive in RT-PCR. In PM examination, 14/28 samples showed positive results in dFAT and IHC with unusual large fluorescent foci in two samples. In histopathology, 11/28 samples showed appreciable lesion and Negri bodies were visible in 6 samples, only. Out of 23 brain samples examined. 12 samples were found positive in N gene RT-PCR and qPCR, and 10 samples in G gene RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of N gene revealed that test isolates (except sample ID: lion-1; lion, Gir) form a close group with sequence ID, KM099393.1 (Mongoose, Hyderabad) and KF660246.1 (Water Buffalo, Hyderabad) which was far from some south Indian and Sri Lankan isolates but similar to Indian isolates from rest of India and neighboring countries. In G gene analysis, the test isolates form a close group with sequence ID, KP019943.1., Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-023-01126-0., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© Association of Microbiologists of India 2023. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

Herein, we report temperature- and field-induced magnetic states in CsPbBr 3 perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) attributed to Br defects. We find that temperature-dependent structural distortion is the main source of various temperature-induced magnetic states in Br-defect host CsPbBr 3 PQDs. Comprehensively examined magnetization data through Arrott plots, Langevin and Brillouin function fitting, and structural analysis reveal the presence of various oxidation states (i.e., Pb 0 , Pb + , Pb 2+ , and Pb 3+ ) yielding different magnetic states, such as diamagnetic states above 90 K, paramagnetic states below ≈90 K, and perhaps locally ordered states between 58 and 90 K. It is realized from theoretical fits that paramagnetic ions exist (i.e., superparamagnetic behavior) due to Br defects causing Pb + (and/or Pb 3+ ions) in the diamagnetic region. We anticipate that our findings will spur future research of the development of spin-optoelectronics, such as spin light-emitting diodes, and spintronics devices based on CsPbBr 3 PQDs.

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) virus (BEFV) is an arthropod borne virus that causes bovine ephemeral fever or three‑day sickness in cattle and buffaloes. This is the first report on seroprevalence of BEF in cattle and buffaloes in Gujarat, India. Total of 92 animals, 78 cattle and 14 buffaloes from three regions (districts) of Gujarat state of India, were screened for the presence of anti‑BEF antibodies. A total of 27 out of 92 animals were found positive and overall seroprevalence detected was 29.34% (95% CI 20.0‑38.6%). A total of 19 out of 78 cattle and 8 out of 14 buffalo's samples were found positive BEFV antibodies. Species‑wise seroprevalence in cattle and buffaloes was 24.35% (95% CI 14.8‑33.8%) and 57.1% (95% CI 31.2‑83.0%), respectively. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) species effect based on the seroprevalence. In cattle, location‑wise seroprevalence was observed to be 26.82% (95% CI 13.2‑40.3%) and 21.62% (95% CI 8.3‑34.8%) in Navsari and Banaskantha districts, respectively. The effect of location is not statistically significant (p < 0.05). Cytopathic effect of Vero cells was characterized by rounding, granulation of the cytoplasm within 48‑72 hrs of post infection. This was the first report demonstrating the presence of BEFV in Gujarat state.

Worldwide dissemination of extended-spectrum -lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli constitutes an emerging global health issue, with animal food products contributing as potential reservoirs. ESBL E. coli infection is associated with the high mortality and mobility rate in developing countries due to less susceptibility to antibiotics. The present study aimed to elucidate the molecular characteristics and sequence-based analysis of ESBL E. coli in the Gujarat state of India. This study included 108 E. coli strains were isolated from different poultry farms (broiler and layer) in the Banaskantha District. PCR was employed to identify genotypic ESBL-producing antimicrobial resistance genes. Overall, a high occurrence of ESBL genes was found in poultry farms due to the high usage of antimicrobials. The PCR analysis revealed that 79.62% of isolates were detected positive with one or more ESBL genes. Among them, bla TEM (63.88%) was found to be the predominant genotype, followed by bla SHV (30.55%) and bla OXA (28.70%). In the bla CTX-M group, a higher occurrence was observed in bla CTX-M-9 (23.14%), followed by bla CTX-M-2 (24.07%) and bla CTX-M-1 (22.22%). We used the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) method to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence factors, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), plasmid replicons, and plasmid-mediated AMR genes of one ESBL E. coli isolated. We examined the genetic relatedness of a human pathogenic E. coli strain by comparing its sequence with the broad geographical reference E. coli sequences. Escherichia coli ST 681 was determined using multi-locus sequence typing. We compared our findings to the reference sequence of Escherichia coli str. K- 12 substr. MG1655. We found 24,937 SNPs with 21,792 in the genic region, 3,145 in the intergenic region, and six InDels across the genome. The WGS analysis revealed 46 antimicrobial resistance genes and seven plasmid-mediated AMR genes viz. , tetA , qnrS1, dfrA14 , sul2 , aph(3")-lb , aph(6)-ld , and Aph(3')-la . The ST 681 was found to have Cib , traT , and terC virulence factors and two plasmid replicons, IncFII(pHN7A8) and IncI1-I(Alpha). This study revealed a higher occurrence of ESBL E. coli detected in poultry., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Patel, Pandey, Patel, Patel, Chauhan, Shrimali, Patel, Mohapatra and Chandel.)

Skyrmion host chiral Cu[Formula: see text]OSeO[Formula: see text] has attracted researchers due to several intriguing properties. Observation of metamagnetism in low-temperature and low-field makes the magnetic properties of Cu[Formula: see text]OSeO[Formula: see text] more complex. Here, we present an investigation on metamagnetism in Cu[Formula: see text]OSeO[Formula: see text] by analyzing its structural and magnetic properties. Study of magnetic properties reveal spin-flip of one of the Cu[Formula: see text] ions, embedded in square pyramidal CuO[Formula: see text] polyhedra, due to the development of strain in low-temperature and low-field regime. The spin-flip is found to be the main reason for field-induced first-order metamagnetic transition. Magnetic phase diagram of Cu[Formula: see text]OSeO[Formula: see text] has been constructed with the help of magnetization analyses. It is argued that the metamagnetic hysteretic field region may be low-temperature skyrmion phase with additional spiral and tilted-conical phases. A tricritical point has been observed in the phase diagram at which first-order metamagnetic hysteretic field range ceases to exist., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance among Staphylococcus spp. isolated from clinical cases of canines should be continuously monitored hence the present study was formulated to ascertain the antibiotypes and methicillin resistance in coagulase positive and coagulase negative staphylococci of canine skin and associated mucous membrane affections from a hot and dry region of India. A total of 165 clinical samples were collected and Staphylococcus aureus was identified by conventional bacteriological methods and PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility test was done against commercially available antibiotic impregnated discs as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method. Methicillin resistance was determined by plate methods and then via PCR of mecA gene. These 165 samples yielded, 88 (53.33%) isolates of genus Staphylococcus and 46 S. aureus and 51/88 (57.95%) isolates were coagulase positive staphylococci. Total 55 (62.5%) isolates showed susceptibility to Ceftriaxone/Sulbactum, 37 (42.05%) to Ciprofloxacin, 26 (29.55%) to Oxacillin, 24 (27.27%) to Penicillin, and 10 (11.36%) to Gentamicin. Total 21 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 12 methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) were found on phenotypic basis whereas the mecA gene was detected in 6/21 MRSA and 2/12 MRCoNS isolates. Staphylococcus spp. showed increased level of resistance against commonly used antibiotics. The higher prevalence of methicillin resistance found with phenotypic methods than to mecA PCR indicates toward additional mechanisms responsible for emergence of MRS, especially in CoNS., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We present experimental investigation on critical phenomena in Cu&#95;{2}OSeO&#95;{3} by analyzing the critical behavior of magnetization using a new method. This is necessary as a crossover from 3D Ising to 3D Heisenberg has been observed in Cu&#95;{2}OSeO&#95;{3}. The proposed method is applicable to explore the physics for a wide range of materials showing trivial or nontrivial critical behavior on two sides of the transition. A magnetic phase diagram has been constructed from the critical analysis. Multiple critical points due to multiple phases and transition between them have been observed in the phase diagram of Cu&#95;{2}OSeO&#95;{3}.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD), caused by infectious bursal disease virus ( IBDV ), has recently been reported in chickens vaccinated with classical or intermediate types of vaccines from various regions of India due to the emergence of novel very virulent strains of infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV). In the present study, suspected samples of IBD were collected from poultry flocks of districts of Gujarat and Nagpur (Maharashtra), identified using PCR and grouped as per traditional and new genogrouping pattern. Out of 54 bursa samples, 21 (38.89%) yielded the expected amplicon of 743 bp (701-1444 bp), and were found positive for IBDV. Among these 21 positive flocks, 11 (52.38%) were already vaccinated. Upon nucleotide sequencing of amplicon and its deduction into amino acids, it was found that all the sequences of present study were related to vvIBDV according to old classification pattern. Considering the new genogrouping pattern, nine and four sequences of this study fell within G3a and G3b lineage, respectively. These sequences revealed important differences at key amino acid positions with respect to classical (G1 genogroup), variant (G2 genogroup) type of IBDV and classical vaccines. Further divergence from prototypic vvIBDV strains was revealed as, D-N at 212 position (N = 9) and 279 position (N = 1). In sequences from Maharashtra (group 2 of G3a lineage), occurrence of V instead of P/T/A at 222 position was recorded as a novel and conspicuous substitution in the immunodominant peak A of VP2 hypervariable region. Additional changes at 270 (3 sequences) and 272 positions (4 sequences) could be attributed to reverse mutation or recombination with vaccine strains. In conclusion, both point mutation and genetic reassortment with intermediate type of vaccines were found to be responsible for generation of novel vvIBDV strains in this area which belonged to G3a and G3b genogroups., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interestAll authors declare no conflict of interest., (© Indian Virological Society 2021.)

Here, we report three magnetic transitions at 101 K (T[Formula: see text]), 246 K (T[Formula: see text]) and 295 K (T[Formula: see text]) in bilayer La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]. The second order phase transitions have been identified at these transition points with the help of change in entropy analysis and modified Arrott plots (MAPs). The critical behavior around T[Formula: see text], T[Formula: see text] and T[Formula: see text] have been studied by MAPs and Kouvel-Fisher method. Based on these analyses four magnetic phases are: (1) 2D Ising ferromagnetic (FM) below T[Formula: see text],(2) 2D Heisenberg canted antiferromagnetic (CAFM-I) and FM clusters in temperature range T[Formula: see text] < T < T[Formula: see text], (3) 2D Heisenberg CAFM-II and FM clusters with non magnetically interacting planes in temperature range T[Formula: see text] < T < T[Formula: see text] and (4) paramagnetic for T > T[Formula: see text]., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

The tri-layer La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] manganites of Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) series are naturally arranged layered structure with alternate stacking of ω-MnO[Formula: see text] (ω = 3) planes and rock-salt type block layers (La, Sr)[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] along c-axis. The dimensionality of the RP series manganites depends on the number of perovskite layers and significantly affects the magnetic and transport properties of the system. Generally, when a ferromagnetic material undergoes a magnetic phase transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic state, the magnetic moment of the system becomes zero above the transition temperature (T[Formula: see text]). However, the tri-layer La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] shows non-zero magnetic moment above T[Formula: see text] and also another transition at higher temperature T[Formula: see text] 263 K. The non-zero magnetization above T[Formula: see text] emphasizes that the phase transition in tri-layer La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] not a ferromagnetic to paramagnetic state. We show here the non-zero magnetic moment above T[Formula: see text] is due to the quasi-two-dimensional nature of the tri-layer La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] manganite. The scaling of the magnetic entropy change confirms the second-order phase transition and the critical behavior of phase transition has been studied around T[Formula: see text] to understand the low dimensional magnetism in tri-layer La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]. We have obtained the critical exponents for tri-layer La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text], which belong to the short-range two-dimensional (2D)-Ising universality class. The low dimensional magnetism in tri-layer La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] manganite is also explained with the help of renormalization group theoretical approach for short-range 2D-Ising systems. It has been shown that the layered structure of tri-layer La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] results in three different types of interactions intra-planer ([Formula: see text]), intra-tri-layer ([Formula: see text]) and inter-tri-layer ([Formula: see text]) such that [Formula: see text] and competition among these give rise to the canted antiferromagnetic spin structure above T[Formula: see text]. Based on the similar magnetic interaction in bi-layer manganite, we propose that the tri-layer La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] should be able to host the skyrmion below T[Formula: see text] due to its strong anisotropy and layered structure.

Transplacental transmission (TPT) of wild-type Indian BTV-1 had never been experimentally proved. This study was first time investigated TPT of Indian BTV-1 (isolated from aborted and stillborn goat fetal spleens). The sequential pathology, virological and immune cell kinetics (CD4 + , CD8 + T-lymphocytes and NK cells in spleen and PBMCs), and apoptosis in IFNAR1-blocked pregnant mice during early (infected on 1 GD) and mid (infected on 8 GD) gestation have been studied. There was higher rate of TPT during mid stage (71.43%) than early (57.14%) stage. In early stage reduced implantation sites, early embryonic deaths, abortions, and necro-haemorrhagic lesions had observed. Mid stage, congenital defects and neurological lesions in foetuses like haemorrhages, diffuse cerebral edema, necrotizing encephalitis and decreased bone size (Alizarin red staining) were noticed. BTV-1 antigen was first time demonstrable in cells of mesometrium, decidua of embryos, placenta, uterus, ovary, and brain of foetuses by immunohistochemistry and quantified by real-time qRT-PCR. BTV-inoculated mice were seroconverted by 7 and 5 dpi, and reached peak levels by 15 and 9 dpi in early and mid gestation, respectively. CD4 + and CD8 + cells were significantly decreased (increased ratio) on 7 dpi but subsequently increased on 15 dpi in early gestation. In mid gestation, increased CD8 + cells (decreased ratio) were observed. Apoptotic cells in PBMCs and tissues increased during peak viral load. This first time TPT of wild-type Indian BTV-1 deserves to be reported for implementation of control strategies. This model will be very suitable for further research into mechanisms of TPT, overwintering, and vaccination strategies.

In recent past, the respiratory infection has emerged as a great challenge to the poultry farmers. Various pathogens including Avian pneumovirus (APV), Avian influenza virus (AIV), Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), Avibacterium paragallinarum, Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT), Mycoplasma synoviae (MS), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) are involved in the respiratory disease complex in birds [1], [2] (Bradbury, 1984; Roussan et al., 2008). Hence, respiratory disease complex is the most serious disease affecting to poultry and causes heavy economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide [3] (Murthy et al., 2008). In recent years, metagenomics is powerful analyzing tool for detection of pathogens directly from clinical samples without any prior knowledge of the organism in a given sample [4], [5] (Schuster, 2008; Pereira et al., 2010). High throughput Next-Generation-Sequencing technology was used for sequencing the isolated genomic DNA. These data provides an insight about taxonomic and functional status of microorganisms responsible for causing respiratory infection in broiler. The data of these metagenome are available in the BioSample Submission Portal as Bioproject PRJNA339659 and SRA accession number SRR5997823, SRR5992854, SRR6037376, SRR6024702, SRR6012248 and SRR6008913.

Brucella abortus is generally known to cause brucellosis in cattle and buffalo. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Brucella abortus SKN 13, isolated from aborted cattle placenta in the area of Gujarat, India, providing precious resources for comparative genomic analyses of Brucella field strains., (Copyright © 2016 Chauhan et al.)

Aim: Tropical theileriosis is fatal hemoprotozoal disease of dairy animals caused by Theileria annulata. The aim of the present study was to detect the T. annulata and comparison of results of molecular and microscopic techniques., Materials and Methods: A total of 52 blood samples were collected from the cattle suspected for theileriosis across the Banaskantha district. All the samples were screened for theileriosis using Giemsa's staining technique and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)., Results: Total of 17 (32.69%) and 24 (46.15%) samples were found positive for theileriosis by microscopic examination and PCR test, respectively. It revealed that the study area is endemic for theileriosis, and the microscopic technique has 70.83% sensitivity and 100% specificity with respect to PCR technique., Conclusion: It may be concluded from the present study that the PCR is comparatively sensitive technique than microscopic examination and may be recommended to use in the field for screening of theileriosis in the study area, where a high prevalence of diseases have been reported due to intensive dairy farming.

Aim: The aim was to study the seroprevalence and efficacy of the different serological tests used for detection of antibody against Brucella species in small ruminants of Banaskantha district of North-Gujarat., Materials and Methods: Total 1000 serum samples comprising of 485 from sheep and 515 from goat tested for detection of antibodies against the Brucella species by three different serological tests viz., Rose bengal plate test (RBPT), Standard tube agglutination test (STAT), and Indirect Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA)., Results: The seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants was 11.30%, 11.10%, and 8.80% by RBPT, STAT, and I-ELISA, respectively. The seroprevalence of brucellosis was found to be higher in sheep than goats. The sensitivity of RBPT was found slight more than STAT, but the specificity of both tests was same. In this study, the overall agreement of RBPT and STAT with I-ELISA was found 92.50% and 92.30% in small ruminants, respectively., Conclusion: I-ELISA was a better serological test as compared to RBPT and STAT in the sense of sensitivity, specificity, and rapidity and it could be advocated for screening of brucellosis in sheep and goats.

Abortions and stillbirths were noticed in pregnant goats on a farm in the state of Gujarat, India. About 50% of the pregnant goats aborted or gave birth to dead kids. Bluetongue virus (BTV) antibody in the sera of affected goats was detected using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Viral antigen in the blood of these goats and in the aborted fetal spleens was detected using a sandwich ELISA. Two viruses (SKN-9, SKN-10) were isolated in cell culture from aborted fetal spleens and were confirmed as Orbivirus by demonstration of ten bands in RNA polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and identified as BTV-1 by sequencing of the VP2 gene. Sequence analyses revealed thatthese isolates were very closely related to a BTV-1 (strain SKN-8) isolated from Culicoides vectors captured on the same farm one month after the occurrence of abortion. Isolation of BTV-1 from fetuses is probably evidence of transplacental transmission of the wild-type strain, because attenuated or laboratory-adapted BTV-1 strains have never been used in this region. This may have important implications in the epidemiology of bluetongue, considering the presence of many BTV serotypes in India.

Therapeutic efficacy of a new 'Indigenous vaccine' prepared from native highly pathogenic 'Indian Bison Type' genotype of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) of goat origin has been evaluated with respect to control of clinical Johne's disease in naturally infected Mehsana breed of goat in North Gujarat. Fifty goats from Sheep and Goats Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, were randomly divided into 2 groups viz.,'Vaccinated'(n = 35) and 'Control'(n = 15). After vaccination, goats were monitored for physical condition, morbidity, mortality, body weights, shedding of MAP in feces, internal condition, gross lesions and humoral immune responses up to 120 days (at each interval of 30 days). At the end of 120 days trial, there was marked overall improvement in physical condition and body weights of vaccinated goats as compared to 'Control' goats. Vaccinated goats gained significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weights, hardly exhibited any lesions characteristic of JD, had significantly higher (P < 0.01) antibody titers and shedding of MAP was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced. Few of the vaccinated goats were positive for MAP DNA in faecal PCR and blood PCR before vaccination. However, all were found as negative at 120 days post vaccination (DPV). Overall vaccine exhibited effective in restriction of MAP infection and significant improvement in production parameters and reduction in mortality and morbidity due to JD. The trial in the herd will be continued.

Bluetongue virus serotype-1 (BTV-1) was isolated from Culicoides oxystoma vectors captured on livestock farms in two places of Gujarat, India. The viruses were isolated on BHK-21 cells, which produced characteristic BTV-related cytopathic effects between 24 and 48 h post-infection. Virus antigen was demonstrated in infected cells at different passage by a BTV-specific sandwich ELISA. Further, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining of viral genomic RNA revealed ten double-stranded RNA segments characteristic of BTV. Serotype of the isolates was identified by virus neutralization and PCR coupled with sequencing. The isolates were designated as SKN-7 and SKN-8 and their genome segment-2 (VP2) were sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses revealed very close relationship between them although they are not identical. SKN-8 showed closer relationship with a recently isolated BTV-1 from goat. Bluetongue virus was earlier isolated from Culicoides in adjacent state more than 20 years ago, although the serotype of the virus was not determined., (© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

The authors report on an outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) among sheep and goats in the Province of Gujarat, India. Clinical signs observed during outbreaks were typical of PPR. Predominant signs were severe diarrhoea, dyspnoea, mucopurulent discharge from the eyes and nose, erosive rhinitis, necrotic ulcers in the mouth, on the dental pad, tongue, upper and lower lips, fever and depression. Common post-mortem findings included congestion, red hepatisation, raised patches of emphysema in the lungs, haemorrhages and froth exudates in the trachea, severe enteritis and streaks of haemorrhages in the intestine, enlargement and petechial haemorrhages in the spleen and oedema and inflammatory lesions in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Spectacular histopathological changes were observed in the lungs, intestine, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and kidneys. Clinical, gross and histopathological lesions and haematological changes were suggestive of PPR, which was further confirmed by detection of PPR viral antigen in clinical samples, as well as post-mortem tissues using the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (s-ELISA).

Four outbreaks of buffalopox in domestic buffaloes, with considerable mortality with high case fatality rates in young buffalo calves and high morbidity with significant productivity loss in terms of reduction in milk yield in adult animals along with severe zoonotic infection in milk attendants were recorded at various places in India, during 2006-2008. In buffaloes, the pox lesions were confined to udder and teats of the majority of the affected animals, and in few animals the lesions were appeared on the hindquarters, indicating generalized infection. The overall disease morbidity, mortality and case fatality rate were 6.8%, 0.7% and 11.4% respectively. Milkers developed pox-like lesions on the hands, forearms and forehead accompanied by fever, axillary lymphadenopathy and general malaise. The causative agent of the outbreaks, buffalopox virus (BPXV), was confirmed upon virus isolation in cell culture, electron microscopy, A-type inclusion (ATI) and ankyrin repeat protein (C18L) gene-specific polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Further, sequence analysis of the BPXV isolates from human and buffalo showed more identity of ATI and C18L genes sequences with that of other orthopoxviruses at nucleotide and amino acid levels and confirmed a close relationship of BPXV with Vaccinia virus (VACV) or VACV-like viruses. Considering the zoonotic impact and productivity losses of buffalopox infection, the control measures are imperative in curtailing economic and public health impact of the disease., (© 2009 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

The performance of the standard agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test and the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for the detection of serum antibody against bluetongue virus (BTV) in clinically healthy and diseased camels in Gujarat state were compared. Out of 176 sera tested, 22 (12.5%) and 34 (19.3%) were positive for group-specific bluetongue antibodies by AGID and cELISA, respectively. Maximum seropositivities of 18.0% by AGID and 25.8% by cELISA were recorded in the Kutchhi breed, and of 6.9% and 12.6%, respectively, in the Marwari breed. The seroprevalence detected by AGID and cELISA in clinically healthy and diseased camels did not differ significantly with regard to bluetongue disease in these breeds.