Examination of 816 soil samples from different parts of Puducherry city viz. public places, residential areas, some school play grounds revealed overall 2.21% contamination of soil with the ova of Toxocara. Besides Toxocara, ova of non-hookworm strongyles(0.74%), Ancylostoma (1.23%), Trichuris (0.74%), Taenia (0.12%) and Moniezia (0.86%) were also recorded. A few ascarid eggs, mites and their eggs, and larvae of free-living nematodes were also commonly encountered in the soil.

Comparision of the carcass traits and sensory properties of meat between different genetic groups of guinea fowl and broiler chickens at 16 weeks ofa gerevealed that the dressing and eviscerated weight percentage of broiler chickens were significantly lower from that all the guinea fowl groups, except from that of Pearl, where the differences were not significant. Percent giblet weight was lower (P of weeks 16 at meat raw properties sensory their in chickens broiler than grades higher scored fowls guinea general, In weights. wing and leg cent per for except ofcarcass cuts birds groups between observed were differences No cross. ofLXP that from only significant but (67.77%), lowest also was yield Similarly, fowls.

The study found out the chemical and microbial quality of various milk samples collected from different sources of milk procured from rural areas of Tirupati. Thefat, SNF and protein percentages of milk samples collected from Dairy Experimental Station were higher than the other milk samples collected from commercial dairies of Sangam, Balaji and Heritage and local vendors. The milk samples collected from local vendors showed lower fat, SNF and protein percentages. No significant difference was observed in the milk samples collected from commercial dairies of Sangam, Balaji and Heritage with regard to fat, SNF and protein percentages. None of the milk samples collected from Dairy Experimental Station were found to be adulterated with water, whereas higher percentage of water was observed in the milk samples of local vendors. The Standard Plate Count of milk from local vendors is higher followed by Dairy Experimental Station. Presence of E.coli organisms in the milk samples collected from local vendors and Dairy Experimental Station indicated the extraneous contamination and unhygienic conditions of milking barn.

Abortion, still birth, premature birth and mortality of cross bred dairy cattle (Jersey × Tharparkar/Red Sindhi) were noticed in the organized dairy farm of National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, Nadia, situated in hot and humid climatic area nearer to the river Ganges of West Bengal, India. The history of the farm revealed newly introduction of pure bred dairy cattle and outbreak of FMD during mid March to mid April, affected about 34% cross bred cows. During investigation, intermittent rise of temperature (104°F -108°F), anorexia, rapid respiration, progressive deterioration of health of animals and loss of milk production were also noticed. On the basis of past history, twenty suspected animals were taken for disease investigation. Repeated visit of the farm and repeated examinations of blood smears were done to observe any haemoprotozoan infections. Twenty to thirty percent of those suspected animals were found positive for Brucella antibodies by STAT, plate agglutination test and MRT. After a massive screening of blood smears, during the visit of third time, ultimately one animal (Identification number JT614) was found positive for the presence of Trypanosoma evansi infections in Giemsa stained blood smears. The infected and all suspected animals were successfully treated with single injection of a mixture of quinapyramine sulphate and chloride @ 7.4 mg/kg body weight subcutaneously. As a prophylactic measure, a mixture of quinapyramine sulphate and chloride @ 7.4 mg/kg body weight subcutaneously were also administered to all suspected animals prevented further occurrence of the disease in this dairy farm. It can be concluded that the iAfection with T. evansi in this farm has happened in a condition of intercurrent diseases with environmental stresses.

A total of 128 faecal samples of dogs suspected for canine parvovirus infection were examined by Haemagglutination (HA) and Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. The prevalence of canine parvovirus infection was 45.30% (58/128) and the age wise maximum (70.20%) prevalence was found in dogs upto 6 month. The breed wise maximum (56.90%) prevalence was in Non-descript dogs and sex wise prevalence revealed no significant difference in male (45.9%) and female (43.3%).

Effect of strain (Khaki Campbell, Indigenous) and age (224 and 280 days) of ducks on the physical egg quality and presence of off-flavour in eggs was studied. The average of egg weight, yolk index and percent yolk weight for the two ages under study were significantly (P0.05) higher in Indigenous duck eggs whereas the same average value for albumen index, Haugh Unit score and percent albumen were higher in Khaki Campbell eggs. However, shape index, yolk colour score, shell thickness and percent shell weight of eggs were comparable for the two strains. Age of ducks had an insignificant influence on shape index, albumen height, shell thickness and yolk index as evident from the least difference between average values of two strains under study. But, the average values of the two strains under study were significantly affected by age for A.I., H.U. score, % albumen weight, % shell weight and % yolk weight. Presence of off-flavour was more pronounced in Khaki Campbell eggs than that of indigenous eggs.

Thirty five human sputum collected from TB hospital Bareilly were investigated for Mycobacteria based on direct microscopy, culture and by multiplex peR targeting 12.7 kb fragment and IS 611O. DNA was isolated directly forms putums amples. Outof35 samples,25 were smear positive and 18 yielded culture and 16 were positive by the multiplex PeR. 10 samples were negative on smear mircoscopy, culture and PCR.

The donkey population has remained unchanged in the last two decades despite a decrease in the overall population of equids, emphasizing the usefulness of the donkey as a draught and pack animal. Piroplasmosis in donkeys, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, has been recognized as a serious problem of major economic importance as the affected animals manifest decreased working capacity, loss of appetite, etc. In tropical countries, T. equi infections are more wide-spread and pathogenic than those caused by B. caballi. Donkeys usually remain asymptomatic carriers with positive antibody titres throughout life. Transmission of infection occurs from animal to animal through ticks such as Hyalomma spp. Rhipicephalus spp. and Dermacentor spp. The clinical form of the disease is diagnosed by peripheral blood smear examination, but in carrier donkeys it is very difficult to demonstrate the parasite in stained blood smears as the parasitaemia is extremely low. For diagnosis of such low grade infection or carrier animals, serological tests and DNA-based molecular diagnostic techniques, which are discussed in the present review, have become mandatory. Currently, there is no suitable pharmacotherapy available to clear the T. equi infection from affected donkeys, though some new drugs and drug combinations used against this disease condition have been discussed. In the present situation, there is an urgent need for international cooperation and coordination for development of sensitive molecular diagnostic tools and effective pharmacotherapies for curtailment of the disease condition. Hence, it is imperative to develop and exchange reagents and technology developed through human resource sharing in the interest of sustainability of donkey husbandry.

We examined morphological growth variations in skull features between the Kuril harbor seal and the spotted seal in Hokkaido, Japan. Skulls from 80 Kuril harbor seals and 41 spotted seals were collected, and we measured 29 metric and 6 non-metric cranial characteristics. Three growth classes were defined according to the postnatal developmental stage: pups (0 year), subadults (1-4 years old) and adults (more than 5 years old). We detected sexual dimorphism in Kuril harbor seal pups, subadults, and adults. Although interspecies differences were detected in each growth class, Kuril harbor seals were larger and more massive than spotted seals; this feature was already detectable in pups. We did not detect certain cranial characteristics with which to identify the two species, but it was possible to identify any unknown specimens to their species, sex, and growth class using the cranial data generated in this study. Using 6 non-metric cranial characteristics, we identified significant interspecies differences with regard to the shape of the temporozygomatic suture and the extent of the nasal-incisive suture; the shape of the temporozygomatic suture and the shape of the nares were indicators of growth class in Kuril harbor seals. Although non-metric cranial characteristics have a lower discriminating power than metric characteristics, they are easy to use in the field even by inexperienced researchers.

The aim of this study was to improve the clinical evaluation in sea turtles by analyzing the hemogram and serum biochemistry in female loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), free-ranging (n=22) nesting in the north coast of Bahia and in the animals captivity (n=5) in the visitor center of the Projeto Tamar-ICMBio, in Praia do Forte, Bahia, Brazil. The values obtained were compared between the two groups and it was observed that there was statistically significant difference (p<0,05) for the relative and absolute eosinophil count, relative monocyte count, total serum protein, globulin, glucose, cholesterol and aspartate aminotransferase. The results variation is probably related to the differences in environmental, nutritional and reproductive conditions. | Com o objetivo de se obter dados que auxiliem na rotina clínica de tartarugas marinhas, realizou-se o hemograma e a determinação de alguns parâmetros bioquímicos séricos de fêmeas de tartarugas cabeçudas (Caretta caretta) de vida livre (n = 22), animais que desovam no Litoral Norte da Bahia, e em cativeiro (n = 5), animais mantidos no Centro de Visitantes do Projeto Tamar-ICMBio, na Praia do Forte, Brasil. Os valores obtidos para os dois grupos foram comparados, onde se observou diferença estatística significativa (p<0,05) para as contagens relativas e absolutas de eosinófilos e contagem relativa de monócitos dentre as variáveis do hemograma e, para a proteína total, globulina, glicose, colesterol e aspartato aminotransferase. Possivelmente, diferenças nas condições ambientais, nutricionais e reprodutivas, as quais estes animais foram submetidos, influenciaram nos resultados.