Taenia solium Prevalence in Nepal: A Retrospective Review

Taenia solium is a zoonotic cestode parasite which causes cysticercosis in human and porcine cysticercosis in pigs. The infective stage of T. solium develops in pig while that of T. saginata develop in cattle and buffalo. The adult stages of T. solium are obligatory intestinal parasites for man. In humans the cysticercus larvae commonly encyst in the brain, causing neurocysticercosis. The disease was first described in pig by Aristophanes and Aristotle in 3rd century B.C. In Nepal, Taenia cysts were observed for first time in pork meat slaughtered in Kangeswari, Kathmandu more than 30 years ago. T. solium is the cause of 30% of epilepsy cases in many endemic areas where people and roaming pigs live in close proximity. More than 50 million of the world’s populations are infected worldwide and 50000 die from Neurocysticercosis yearly. In Nepal, the prevalence ranges from 0.002-0.1% in general population. Accurate diagnosis required detailed post mortem examination involving slicing of affected tissue to determine the viability of cysts. Cysticerci occur most commonly in striated muscles tissues and brain of pigs. The application of vaccination with TSOL18 recombinant vaccine along with oral medication of oxfendazole can reduces the transmission by pigs whereas use of niclosamide is found effective in humans. Hence the use of medication eventually reduces the incidence of neurocysticercosis in human and procine cysticercosis in pigs.

Evaluation of Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens (Cobb 500) Feed on Different Level of Organic Acids Inclusion in Diet at Parwanipur

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of different level of organic acids on productive traits, carcass yields and body parts (Thigh, Back, Neck, wings and Breast) of broiler chicken. This experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Parwanipur, Bara for 41 days to test the effect of organic acids inclusion in broiler feed and its effect on growth performance and carcass study. Altogether 225 day old Cobb-500 broiler birds were procured from Shivam Hatchery, Birgung and divided into 5 treatments with 3 replications (15 birds in each replication) by using completely randomized design. Concentrate feed was purchased from Posak Feed industry, Birgung. Control group (T1) was feed without organic acid inclusion and whereas T2, T3, T4 and T5 groups were fed concentrate mixture mixed with different combination of organic acids @ 400ml/ per 100 kg feed, respectively. Experimental birds were provided adlib amount of grower feed (B1) for 21 days and that after finisher feed (B3) for 20 days and had easily access to drinking water. Feed intake was recorded daily and body weight gain was measured in 7 days interval. Experiment revealed that highest weight gain was observed in T2 (2.6 kg) followed by T3 (2.5) where combination of organic acids were formic acid 65% + propionic acid 35% and formic acid 65% and citric acid 35%, respectively, however, it was not significant among diet groups. From every treatment group each birds were selected for carcass and body parts study. The study showed significant difference (P<0.5) in carcass quantity and body parts of the birds between the treatment groups. The dressing percentage of T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 were 68.96%, 67.87%, 70.38%, 69.88% and 69.67% respectively. Experiment suggested that further study should be carried out to precise the appropriate level of organic acids inclusion and higher cost benefit ratio.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Bovine Viral Diarrhea in Improved Cattle of Chitwan, Nawalpur and Rupandehi Districts of Nepal

This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) in improved dairy cattle of Chitwan, Nawalpur and Rupandehi Districts of Nepal. Altogether 92 blood samples were aseptically collected from jugular vein of cattle and transferred to clot activator tube and transported to National Cattle Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan. This cross sectional study was carried out from Mangsir to Magh of 2075 B.S using purposive sampling Serum separation was done by centrifugation @3500 for 5 minutes. The serum was stored at -20°C till ELISA test was done. Serological analysis was done according to the protocol of ID.vet BVD Ab ELISA kit. Data were analyzed using Ms excel and SPSS version 20.0.The seroprevalence of BVD Virus was found to be 7.76%. Provided that no history of vaccination against BVD in cattle was done in the study area, seropositive was due to natural infection. Geographic location as well as sampling method might have contributed to this result. The result indicated lower prevalence along with no statistical significance to breed and age risk factors undertaken during the research. However significant association was observed between abortion history and seropositivity. Hence, there is a need of further research to identify the disease burden and its impact in the agricultural gross domestic products (AGDP).

Editorial Vol.36

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Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) Based Hormonal Protocols Effect upon Estrus Response and Pregnancy Outcome in Anestrous Cows

Controlled internal drug release (CIDR) based hormonal protocols CoSynch + CIDR, OvSynch + CIDR and CIDR + PGF2α were applied to 25 crossbred anestrous Holstein and Jersey cows to improve the fertility at the farm of National Cattle Research Programme, Rampur, Chitwan. All three protocols were found equally effective (P>0.05) with 100% estrus expression rate, out of which, 80% (8/10), 85.7% (6/7) and 75% (6/8) had estrus expression with well cervix open at fixed time artificial insemination in CoSynch + CIDR, OvSynch + CIDR and CIDR + PGF2α protocols respectively and rest had estrus expression with partial cervix open. Statistically non-significant (P>0.05) pregnancy outcome that is 14.3 % (1/7) in CIDR+PGF2α group and 12.5 % (1/8) in OvSynch group while none in CoSynch + CIDR group were pregnant following fixed time artificial insemination. Poor pregnancy outcome of the anestrous cows in all protocols might not only have hormonal problem but also could have various other reasons which was beyond the objective of this research findings. Hence, study concludes anestrous cows respond well to the CIDR based hormonal protocols to revive the estrus.

Toxoplasmosis in Cats and Its Zoonotic Potential in and Around Bangladesh Agricultural University Campus

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease, occurs in almost all warm blooded animals including human beings and is caused by a global protozoan intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It is estimated that one third of the world human population have been infected by this parasite. This protozoan causes a significant public health problem in humans and imposes considerable economic losses and damages to livestock. The final host is cat, Feliscatus, accounts for all of these significant burdens. Hence the present study was designed to determine the prevalence rate of T. gondii infection in cats and also to analyze the associated factors that were potential for human beings and livestock as well in the period from September 2014 to August 2016. Altogether 254 faecal samples from cat and 390 water samples were collected from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) campus, farm and residential areas of BAU and were examined for presence of T. gondii oocysts at Department of Parasitology, BAU Mymensingh. The overall prevalence of T. gondii was 4.03% (26/644). Presence of T. gondii oocysts in faecal and water samples were 5.5% (14/254) and 3.08% (12/390), respectively. Adult cats had higher (6.7%) prevalence than young cats (3.8%). Summer season was found high prevalence (6.7%) of oocysts in cat faeces. Similarly drain water found higher positivity (6.67%) of oocysts. Therefore, this study concluded that the cats are contaminating the environment by shedding oocysts and then other animals can get the infection from grazing of contaminated grasses and drinking water. So eating undercooked goat, sheep and cattle meat; eating contaminated vegetables and drinking contaminated water are major sources for getting toxoplasmosis to human beings. Hence this disease has great zoonotic importance around BAU campus and therefore it is essential to create public awareness.

Demonstration of Circulating Antibodies of Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis in Cattle of Rupandehi District, Nepal

Paratuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspp. paratuberculosis, is a chronic intestinal infection of global importance in mainly domestic and wild ruminants. The main objective of the study was to find out the seroprevalence of Paratuberculosis in cattle of Rupandehi district. The research was conducted from October 2016 to December 2016. A total of 184 blood samples were collected from Jugular vein of cattle and tested by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The Paratuberculosis Indirect Screening Test Kit was developed by ID. Vet, France. Cattle with history of chronic diarrhoea and emaciation were taken as study population along with other cattle in close association with them. Overall seroprevalence in Rupandehi district was found to be 4.89%. No significant relation of paratuberculosis was found with age, breed, parity, body condition score and location. Higher prevalence was found in cattle of older age and low body condition score. The result of this study reports the presence of bovine paratuberculosis in cattle of Rupandehi district.

Immunohistochemistry of Lymphocytes Subsets in Subclinical Experimental Paratuberculosis in Goats

The present experiment was carried out to find out the lymphocytes subsets reactions in experimentally induced subclinical paratuberculosis in goats. Twelve goats of 8-12 weeks age were infected with 4.23 x 109 Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis on 8 occasions. Seven goats were kept as in-contact controls and 4 as uninfected controls. Immunohitochemistry for detection of cellular reaction of CD2+, CD4+, CD8+, CD25+, MHC I and MHCII in the lymphocytes present in the intestine and lymph node revealed more reactive cells in the infected goats as compared with the in-contact and infected control goats.

Study on Status of Fish Diseases in Nepal

Fisheries play an important role in increasing the Nepalese economy as well as sustaining livelihood of some ethnic groups of our country. With the increased demand of fish, pisciculture have also increased to a great extend. Due to the rise in fish culture, there has been also rise in fish diseases. The study aims to investigate different parasitic, bacterial, fungal diseases in fish and to suggest treatment to control the diseases in four different fish farm of Nepal. A cross- sectional qualitative method was used to collect data from four selected fish farm (Kakani, Trishuli, Begnas, Mirmi) of Nepal. Infected fishes were transferred to the lab in oxygen filled plastic bags and further tested for bacterial, fungal and parasitic infection. The result of the study indicates that Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome was the most common bacterial-fungal disease that had a significant impact on common carp fish especially in Trishuli, Begnas and Mirmi. Coccidiosis caused by Eimeria spp was found to be a growing problem in rainbow trout farming (Kakani, Nuwakot) infecting intestine, liver, gut and skin causing yellow diarrhea and skin lesions. Trichodina was observed number one problematic parasitic in carp culture not only in government farm like Begnas and Mirmi, but also in commercial farms in most of the fishery areas of the country. Fin rot were more commonly reported during winter months affecting common carp, Silver carp, Bighead carp, Fingerling Fish causing fin erosion in them. Ascites in brood fishes (Trishuli) was noticed which may be due to bacterial infection and due to nutritional deficiency. Besides this, white spot in the gills (a protozoan parasitic disease) was perceived and to control it Neodox with Formalin (150ppm) was used and was found to be very effective. This study also identified some fish health management related problems in fish farms of Nepal such as lack of assistance, poor technical knowledge, and lack of suitable diagnostic laboratory and their proper use.

Prevalence of Dirofilaria and Hemato-biochemical Effect in Street Dogs of Kathmandu Valley and Siddharthanagar Municipality, Bhairahawa, Nepal

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of dirofilariosis in street dogs of Kathmandu valley and Siddharthanagar, Rupandehi from January 2019 to March 2019. .Blood sample from 155 dogs of Kathmandu Valley and 150 from Siddharthanagar municipality were collected and examined by Wet Smear, Modified Knott Technique and Buffy Coat methods. PCV value and biochemical parameters were analyzed. Data were analyzed to determine the Prevalence of Dirofilaria and correlation of infections with age, sex and biochemical parameters. The prevalence in Kathmandu valley was 0% (0/156) while the prevalence in Siddharthanagar was 19.33%., while the prevalence in direct smear, buffy coat and modified Knott technique were found to be 16%, 16% and 19.33% respectively. The prevalence were significantly (p<0.05) higher in old age and higher in 3-5 years of age i.e. 51.70%..Prevalence was higher in female (21.70%) than male (17.3%).AST and ALT were significantly (p<0.05) increased in infected dogs. Total protein, ALP, BUN, Creatinine level were elevated in the infected dogs.