No abstract available.

Aflatoxins are potent hepatotoxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced by toxigenic fungi. The present study investigated the protective effect of methanolic leaf extracts of Monanthotaxis caffra (MLEMC) against aflatoxin B1-induced toxicity in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 animals each. Five groups were administered orally for seven days with three different concentrations of MLEMC (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg), curcumin (10 mg/kg) or vehicle (25% propylene glycol). The following day, these groups were administered 1 mg/kg b.w. of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The experiment was terminated three days after administration of AFB1. Group 6 represented untreated healthy control. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine and liver histopathology were evaluated. Methanolic leaf extracts of M. caffra decreased the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine in the sera of rats as compared with the AFB1 intoxicated group. Co-administration of MLEMC improved the histological characteristics of the hepatocytes in contrast to the AFB1 treated group, which had mild to severe hepatocellular injuries including bile duct proliferation, bile duct hyperplasia, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate and fibrosis. Extracts of M. caffra were beneficial in mitigating the hepatotoxic effects of AFB1 in rats by reducing the levels of liver enzymes and preventing hepatic injury.

Fasciolosis is caused by digenean trematodes of the genus Fasciola. The principal definitive hosts are cattle, sheep and goats. Humans are infected as accidental hosts. Fasciolosis is one of the major neglected tropical diseases and is considered an emerging zoonotic infection. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of human and domestic animal fasciolosis in selected counties in Kenya. Stool samples for Fasciola diagnosis were collected from humans and domestic animals and transported to the laboratory at Egerton University and processed using sedimentation technique and examined for the presence of eggs. A total of 272 human samples collected were all negative for Fasciola eggs. A total of 582 domestic animals (cattle (46.0%), sheep (29.9%) and goats (24.1%)) samples collected had overall prevalence of 30.9% for Fasciola infection. There was no significant differences (p0.05) between prevalence of fasciolosis and origin of the animals, sex and season. There was a significant difference (p0.05) between the prevalence of fasciolosis and domestic animals, age and body condition. The prevalence of fasciolosis was high in two irrigation schemes which favor the breeding of intermediate host snail and grazing of animals along the irrigation canals where metacercaria of Fasciola parasites could be present on the vegetation. Though human fasciolosis was not detected in this study, the presence of animal fasciolosis can pose public health risk because of its zoonotic nature. It is therefore, important to introduce measures which would assist reduce exposure of animals to Fasciola infection.

This study aimed to characterize the different Staphylococci recovered from mastitic cows and buffaloes. A total of 126 mastitis milk samples were aseptically collected from clinically mastitic animals including 87 cows and 39 buffaloes. Bacteriological examination and biochemical identification using VITEK-2-compact-SYSTEM revealed that a total of 94 Staphylococcus isolates (74.6%) were recovered; 56 isolates (59.6%) and 38 isolates (40%) from cows and buffaloes, respectively. S. aureus was the most predominant isolate (n=26; 15 from cows and 11 from buffaloes) with a percentage of 27.7%. Moreover, 68 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolates (72.3%) were identified of which; 21 S. epidermidis (22.3%); all isolates were from cattle, followed by 18 S. lentus (19.1%); 8 and 10 from cows and buffaloes, respectively, 17 S. simulans (18%); 6 and 11 isolates, respectively, and finally 12 S. hominis (12.9%); 5 and 7 isolates, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that all isolates were sensitive to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. On the contrary, all isolates were resistant to penicillin and streptomycin. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was detected in 21 (22.3%) Staphylococci isolates. Biofilm formation capacity was phenotypically assessed on YESCA CR agar medium and showed that all Staphylococci isolates were curli-producing. Application of PCR technique revealed that sed, seb genes were the most prevalent genes in all isolates, followed by fnbA gene which was detected in 80% of the isolates, and then mecA, blaZ, and icaA with percentages of 60%, 40%, and 40%, respectively.

A Study on the comaprative efficancy of two types of serial collapasible fish traps differning   rear end funnel opening was carried out. With respect to Type-1 trap having rectangular rear end funnel opening and Type-2 trap with elliptical rear end were fabricated. The experiment was carried out in fishing ground one nautical mile off  the coast of mandatam (Lat 09 degree 16.633 'N  long .. 0.79 degree 08.992 ') Feb 2015 to june 2015. significant differnce wasobserved with respect to catch rate of different species caught irrespective of the design of traps (Plt;0.05). The difference in shape of rear funnel opening was found to be responsible for the significant difference in the catch rear funnel opening was about 3 times higher catch rate of Type-1 trap with rectangular rear funnel opening was about three times higher (17.1 Nos/ soaking day) than that of Type-2 trap with elliptical shaped rear funnel opening (5.9 Nos./ soaking day). The impact of seasonal variation on the catch rate was found to be insignificant (Pgt; 0.05). Though Psammoperca waigensis was found to be the dominant specices in both  types of traps in terms of number, Epinephalus coioides ranked first in term  of weight and price per kilogram in both Type-1 and Type-2 traps. Irrespective of the types of traps tested, the higher catch rate, including all the species caught, and was observed during the month of February which directly increased the overall catch rate during February month. With respect to the behavior of different species caught in relation to the types of traps tested, Sarcocendrum rubrum was recorded only in Type-1 trap which had rectangular shaped rear funnel opening and Muraena sp was recorded only in Type-2 trap with elliptical shaped rear end of the funnel opening which served like a burrow and hence facilitated the entry of eel. Type -1 trap gave three times higher gross returns than Type-2 trap.

A 3 time calved cross bred Jersey cow with its 20 days old calf was presented to the outpatient medical unit of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal with the history of anorexia, mild respiratory distress and eruptions on the skin for a period of 10 days. General clinical examination revealed high temperature, anaemia, icteric conjunctival mucous membrane, enlarged prescapular amp; cutaneous lymph nodes, eruptions on the skin and presence of ticks on the body. Fine needle aspiration cytology of pre scapular lymph node and pheripheral blood smear examintaion confirmed theileriosis. Incidentally its 20 days old calf too had similar symptoms. Both the dam and the calf were treated with suitable therapeutic regimen including blood transfusion.

Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) or viral nervous necrosis (VNN) is an infectious neuropathological disease affecting more than 120 fish species. Although VER affects mainly marine fish , the disease has also been detected in certain species reared in low  saline and freshwater environments. In the present study, a case of betanodavirus associated massive mortality was investigated in juvenile seabass Latescalcarifer, maintained in cage culture facilities in brackishwater pond in Odisha(India).The affected fish showed clinical signs typical of betanodavirus infection around 70 days post hatch (dph), resulting sudden mass mortality in all the cages affecting almost 100% of the population. Histopathology revealed massive necrosis of tubules in kidney and mild vacuolation of the nervous system, suggesting an infection by betanodavirus.The presence of virus was detected and confirmed by nested RT-PCR assay and sequence analysis of PCR product. Sequencing of the PCR product indicated sequence homology with red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus(RGNNV) type.However , the reservoir of the virus leading to the outbreak remains unidentified but suspects the infected fry as source. This is the first report of mortality associated with natural infection of betanodavirus infection in inland cage farming facilities in India.

Trazodone is a commonly used medication in the United States for the treatment of anxiety in dogs.This article is intended to bring awareness among small animal veterinary practitioners of India about trazodone and its potential uses in the treatment of post-operative hyperactivity, noise phobia, separation anxiety and aggressive behavior.

Oestrus detection plays an important role in the reproductive management of a dairy farm. To improve the post-breeding oestrus observation practice among the farmers, a reproductive management tool called ‘Oestrus Monitoring Chart’ (OMC) was designed and developed. The effectiveness of this technology on oestrus detection, timed artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis was studied in a small scale crossbred cattle dairy farm. Breeding parameters viz., number of inseminations carried out per animal, duration between two successive inseminations for each animal, duration between artificial insemination and pregnancy check-up and conception rate was studied for a period of one year before (G1) and one year after installation of OMC (G2). Perusal of the data revealed that the duration between successive artificial insemination (AI) and the duration between AI and pregnancy diagnosis was significantly (P lt; 0.01) decreased in G2 group when compared with G1 group. The conception rate was also significantly improved after the installation of the OMC and introduction of OMC as a reproductive management tool improved the oestrus detection attitude among the farm personnel.

A study undertaken to analyse the design and operational aspects of Needlefish gillnets of four different fishing villages of Ramanathapuram district of Tamilnadu, revealed the existence of notable difference with respect to catch rate despite having many common design features. Relatively shallow and broader continental shelf boarded with coral reef was found to serve as an ideal habitat for Needlefishes along the coastal villages of this district. Six species viz.,Ablenneshians, Tylosurus crocodiles, T. choram, T. agus,Strongylura strongylura and S. leiura were found to constitute the fishery of Needlefish in gill nets with the dominant species being either A. hians orT. crocodiles.A. hians was dominant in the gillnet catches Gulf of Mannar while T. crocodiles showed its dominance in the gillnet catches from the fishing villages of Palk bay. Trawling was found to be a common disturbing activity forNeedlefish gillnetting in all the four fishing villages studied. Among four villages, Mundal was found to be notable for Needlefish gillnetting as relatively longer gill nets involving more number of fishing crafts were found to be operated from this village. The catch composition of gillnets revealed that the mean Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) of Needlefishes ranged from 23 to 25 nos/boat/day while the CPUE of commercially important fishes such as seer fish, barracudas, mackerels, flying fish, queen fish and sail fishes altogether ranged from 15 to 19 nos/boat/day. The study suggests evolving a selective pelagic longline gear for capturing Needlefishes considering the rich resource of Needlefish along the coast of Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu.