A study was carried out to know the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in desi fowl in and nearby villages of Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh for a period of 1 year. Screening of 492 samples comprising faecal samples and gastrointestinal tracts from freshly slaughtered desi birds at local poultry shops and samples from post mortem examinations at NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram revealed 63.21 % of gastrointestinal parasites. Faecal samples were examined by floatation technique using salt solution and samples positive for coccidian oocysts were sporulated in 2.5 % potassium dichromate solution for species identification. Adult worms were identified after routine processing and mounting. The species identified includes Davainea proglottina, Raillietina cesticillus and Raillietina echinobothrida in cestodes (32.47 %), Ascaridia galli, Capillaria annulata, Heterakis gallinarum in nematodes (39.87 %), Eimeria tenella, Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria necatrix in Eimeria spp. (39.87 %). Ascaridia galli and R. cesticillus and A. galli and Eimeria spp. were common in mixed infection (12.86 %). Ascaridia galli was the more prevalent species. No trematode parasite was identified during the study period. Significant (p = 0.001) relationship between the seasonality and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was observed (v2 = 17.46, df = 2). Data revealed high prevalence in rainy season (43.41 %) followed by summer (38.91 %) and winter (17.68 %) seasons for all parasites except for A. galli and C. annulata infections which were higher in summer season. Results indicated high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in desi fowl in study area emphasizing the need of improved management practices of backyard poultry.

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BackgroundThe pathogenesis of caseonecrotic lesions developing in lungs and joints of calves infected with Mycoplasma bovis is not clear and attempts to prevent M. bovis-induced disease by vaccines have been largely unsuccessful. In this investigation, joint samples from 4 calves, i.e. 2 vaccinated and 2 non-vaccinated, of a vaccination experiment with intraarticular challenge were examined. The aim was to characterize the histopathological findings, the phenotypes of inflammatory cells, the expression of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC class II) molecules, and the expression of markers for nitritative stress, i.e. inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine (NT), in synovial membrane samples from these calves. Furthermore, the samples were examined for M. bovis antigens including variable surface protein (Vsp) antigens and M. bovis organisms by cultivation techniques.ResultsThe inoculated joints of all 4 calves had caseonecrotic and inflammatory lesions. Necrotic foci were demarcated by phagocytic cells, i.e. macrophages and neutrophilic granulocytes, and by T and B lymphocytes. The presence of M. bovis antigens in necrotic tissue lesions was associated with expression of iNOS and NT by macrophages. Only single macrophages demarcating the necrotic foci were positive for MHC class II. Microbiological results revealed that M. bovis had spread to approximately 27% of the non-inoculated joints. Differences in extent or severity between the lesions in samples from vaccinated and non-vaccinated animals were not seen.ConclusionsThe results suggest that nitritative injury, as in pneumonic lung tissue of M. bovis-infected calves, is involved in the development of caseonecrotic joint lesions. Only single macrophages were positive for MHC class II indicating down-regulation of antigen-presenting mechanisms possibly caused by local production of iNOS and NO by infiltrating macrophages.

Hydatidosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus is considered an economically important disease due to the condemnation of affected visceral organs of domestic animals. The lungs and liver are the most commonly affected organs and is less frequently observed in spleen particularly in buffaloes compared to cattle. Out of 980 slaughtered buffaloes screened for hydatidosis a case of spleenic hydatidosis was noticed. A single cyst projecting from the surface of the spleen was observed. On incision clear watery fluid along with granular structures (protoscolices) escaped out. The inner surface of cyst contained thin, white, translucent membrane studded with cluster of brood capsules. Microscopic examination revealed germinal layer with protoscolices along with eosinophilic laminated layer. There was fibrous connective tissue proliferation around the laminated layer and a mild depletion of the lymphoid cells in the surrounding white follicles.

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Amphistomiasis, caused by species of Paramphistomatidae is an economically important disease in ruminants. is a very common amphistome in bile ducts and gall bladder of cattle and buffaloes worldwide where as in goats, it is exclusively found in Asian countries. Screening of livers from 100 sheep and 154 goats during slaughter at local slaughter houses from October, 2014 to April, 2015 in Andhra Pradesh (India) revealed presence of amphistomes in main bile ducts and gall bladder in three goats (1.9%) and were not observed in livers of sheep. Grossly, the affected livers were congested and the bile ducts were firm, thickened and occluded with amphistomes along with light yellowish foul smelling fluid. There were no apparent changes in gall bladder. Amphistomes were identified as by the standard staining technique using borax caramine. Microscopically, sections of liver revealed areas of haemarrhage, necrosis and infiltration of mononuclear cells in the parenchyma and surrounding the bile ducts. The wall of bile ducts revealed connective tissue proliferation with a characteristic mucosal plug of bile duct drawn into the acetabulum. There was hyperplasia of bile duct epithelium along with marked proliferation of mucosal glands and mononuclear cell infiltration. This paper appears to be the first report of in goats from Andhra Pradesh, India.

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