The expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines viz. interleukins (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-12, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α in response to subclinical mastitis in indigenous cattle breed Kankrej (n = 6), Gir (Bos indicus) (n = 12) and crossbred (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) (n = 7) were investigated using quantitative real time PCR. Significant correlation (p less than 0.05) was observed between total bacterial load and somatic cell count (SCC) in all three breeds of cattle. All the cytokines were observed to be up-regulated compared to cows with healthy quarters, however, level of their expression varied among three breeds of cattle. In Kankrej most cytokines were found to be transcribed to higher levels than in other two breeds; the milk had higher load of bacteria but not so high SCC, implying that Kankrej has a higher inherent resistance against mastitis. The results of present study indicated that mammary glands of crossbred cattle are more sensitive to bacterial infection than indigenous breed of cattle as they elicit immune response at lower bacterial load and result into higher SCC. Research on identification of factors responsible for differentially expressed cytokines profiles and use of cytokines as immunomodulatory tools can pave way for formulating control strategies against bovine mastitis.

The circulation and infection of avian influenza virus (AIV) in zoos and backyard flocks has not been systematically investigated. In the present study, we surveyed the birds including those in live bird markets (LBMs) and evaluated co-circulation of AIVs among them. Overall, 26 H9N2 AIVs and one H6N2 AIV were isolated from backyard flocks and LBMs, but no AIVs were isolated from zoo birds. Genetic analysis of the HA and NA genes indicated that most of the H9N2 AIVs showed higher similarities to AIVs circulating in domestic poultry than to those in wild birds, while the H6N2 AIV isolate from an LBM did to AIVs circulating in migratory wild birds. In serological tests, 15% (391/2619) of the collected sera tested positive for AIVs by competitive-ELISA. Among them, 34% (131/391) of the sera tested positive for AIV H9 antigen by HI test, but only one zoo sample was H9 positive. Although AIVs were not isolated from zoo birds, the serological results indicated that infection of AIVs might occur in zoos. It was also confirmed that H9N2 AIVs continue to circulate and evolve between backyard flocks and LBMs. Therefore, continuous surveillance and monitoring of these flocks should be conducted to control further epidemics.

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious disease among swine that has an important economic impact on worldwide. One clinical symptom of CSF is leukopenia, in particular lymphopenia, which is a characteristic event that occurs early in the course of CSF. Though lymphopenia associated with apoptosis, the pathogenic mechanism underlying the lymphopenia has not been well studied. To understand these mechanisms, we investigated the response of porcine B cell lines to infection with SW03, virulent strain isolated from swine tissue in Korea. This study demonstrated that SW03-infected L35 cell were induced apoptosis through the detection of activated caspase-3. In addition, SW03 infection leaded to alterations in pro-apoptotic, Bax, and anti-apoptotic, Bcl-xL proteins of Bcl-2 family. Our results would suggest that SW03-infected L35 cells induced apoptosis via intrinsic mitochondrial pathway.

The world widely distributed infection by Rhodococcus equi usually leads to pneumonia and associated respiratory signs. This study is aimed at detecting the occurrence of this pathogen in selected horse farms. A total of 12 R. equi isolates from few samples (13.89%) were successfully obtained from soil and faeces collected from two selected farms. However, based on the vapA gene classification, only one virulent R. equi isolate was identified.

A total of thirty snakehead fishes Channa micropeltes (Cuvier, 1831)
were collected at Tasik Kenyir, Malaysia. Muscle, liver, intestine and kidney tissues were removed from each fish and the intestine was opened to reveal cestodes. The cestodes were identified on the basis
of their morphological characteristics. After staining, drawing by using Camera Lucida, measurement by using advanced microscope and using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the results showed that
the cestode was Senga parva (Fernando and Fertado, 1964). It differed from other species of genus Senga, parasitising fish genus Channa, by the size of the strobila, scolex, apical disc, hooks, number of hooks, testes and some other characteristics.

A number of studies have measured collagen fibers and collagen
deposition in wound healing process with advances imaging techniques. However, these are performed by complicated methods and need specific tools. In search of the easier ways in routine histopathological laboratory, collagen measurement and staining pattern of wound healing process were observed in wounded skin of Sprague Dawley’s rat by using two different stains which are standard haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and modified Masson’s
trichrome staining (MT). The comparison between these staining in wounded tissues was made to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of both staining in wound healing study for 21 days postwounding. Tissues which stained with MT staining was then evaluated its collagen re-organization and density by using polarized light microscope with the aid of image analyzer software. Results showed that tissues stained with standard H&E could not be used to measure and differentiate the collagen deposition which is contradictory to MT staining. Wounded tissue stained with MT staining has showed a clear view of collagen fibers deposition
and re-organisation compared to H&E staining. This finding could validate the using of modified MT staining which leads to accurate histopathological analysis and observation in wound healing study.

Rodents particularly those belonging to the Muridae family in Malaysia have been well studied because of their medical and economic importance. Much of the work on rodents has been focusing on the identification of endo and ecto parasites. Parasites in rats (Murids) particularly helminthes belonging to the Nematoda family have been described by many workers for more than a century. This
paper is an attempt to compile 50 papers on rodent nematodes that has been published in various scientific journals over the last
100 years in Malaysia. It is hoped that this literature overview on rodent nematodes will come useful as a reference material for the budding parasitologist and biology scientist.

The experimental trial of six weeks was undertaken on 90 broiler chicks divided into three groups. Control (To) group was fed standard broiler diet and T1 and T2 groups were provided same broiler diet supplemented with 300 and 500 mg of Spirulina per kg feed, respectively. Mean live body weight of six weeks of the experiment and live weight at the end of experiment were found to be significantly (P0.05) higher in Spirulina supplemented T1 and T2 groups of broilers than that of control (To) group. Comparatively better mean weekly weight gain and feed efficiency were also observed in Spirulina supplemented groups (T1 and T2)with decreased feed consumption as compared to control (To) group of broilers.

Mite Liponyssoides sanguineus and louse Polyplax spinulosa are reported ITomrat (Rattus norvegicus) for the first time from Puducherry.