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.

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.

Firfty serum and fifty semen samples collected from cattle and buffalo bulls were subjected to ELISA and gB gene based PCR, respectively to detect antibodies in serum and viral DNA in the semen against BHV 1. Out of 50 bulls, 15 (30%) serum samples were detected positive by ELISA while 21 (42%) semen samples were positive by gB gene based PCR. While correlating the results of ELISA and PCR, some seronegative bulls revealed presence of viral genome in semen whereas few seropositive bulls could not reveal viral genome in semen, thus, suggesting application of combined serological assay and PCR assay to detect the presence of BHV-1 infection in bulls.

The seroprevalence of Mycoplasma equigenitalium among indigenous equines was determined by an indirect ELISA. One thousand thirty nine sera samples from apparently healthy indigenous equines from seventeen States of the country were subjected to indirect ELISA. The overall seroprevalence in the country was found to be 5.96% with a range of 0% to 19.0% in different States of India (Haryana, 9.6%; Rajasthan, 7.2%; Uttaranchal, 2.0%, Karnataka, 2.3%; Punjab, 10.4%; Uttar Pradesh, 3.4%; Gujarat, 0%; Andhra Pradesh, 0%; Maharashtra, 2.9%; West Bengal, 0%; Tamil Nadu, 0%; Meghalaya, 19.0%; Jammu and Kashmir, 7.8%; Delhi, 0%; Himachal Pradesh, 5.5%; Bihar, 3.3%; Madhya Pradesh, 4.0%).

One hundred thirty one samples (nasal, faecal, soil, tissue from dead foal) were tested for presence of Rhodococcus equi. These samples included 58 nasal swabs including 45 from foals with respiratory problem and 13 from in contact apparently healthy foals. Faecal samples were 54 including 41 from foals with respiratory problem and 13 from in contact apparently healthy foals. Faecal and nasal samples were from same foals, soil samples from infected premises were 15, besides tissues from foals (4) which died due to respiratory problems. Fourteen isolates of Rhodococcus equi were obtained from foals with respiratory problems, which were subjected to in vitro antibiotic sensitivity testing to 17 antimicrobial agents which were amoxycillin, gentamycin, ampicillin, trimethoprim, chloramphenicol, sulphadiazine, cloxacin, oxytetracycline, amikacin, streptomycin, cotrimoxazole, cephalexin, kanamycin erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, neomycin and rifampicin. All the isolates were found sensitive to chloramphenicol, erythromycin, oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin, neomycin and rifampicin.

The canines affected with skin affections were subjected to blood biochemical profile assay. The affections included dermatitis, sarcoptic mange, demodectic mange, eczema, flea allergy dermatitis, skin allergy and bacterial dermatitis. The blood profile of serum iron, triglyceride, cholesterol, uric acid, urea, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase were compared with the blood of healthy dogs. The serum iron, urea and creatinine were comparable in both the groups. It was concluded that stress of dermatosis reflected in enzyme (higher in GGT) and lipid profile (higher in triglyceride, cholesterol) of patients, while renal parameters (urea and creatinine) remain unaffected on account of skin ailments.

The present study reports the concentration of Copper, Zinc, Iron and Manganese in the blood plasma of male kutchi camels during their breeding season. The respective concentrations of the plasma trace minerals were 112.94 ±O.44, 105.65±2.08, 117.65±1.72 and 160.29±0.75 µ/dl.