Cattle Sheds Research Articles

Metabolomic Changes in Naturally MAP-Infected Holstein-Friesian Heifers Indicate Immunologically Related Biochemical Reprogramming.

Johne’s disease, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), causes weight loss, diarrhoea, and reduced milk yields in clinically infected cattle. Asymptomatic, subclinically infected cattle shed MAP bacteria but are frequently not detected by diagnostic tests. Herein, we compare the metabolite profiles of sera from subclinically infected Holstein–Friesian heifers and antibody binding to selected MAP antigens. The study used biobanked serum samples from 10 naturally MAP-infected and 10 control heifers, sampled monthly from ~1 to 19 months of age. Sera were assessed using flow infusion electrospray–high-resolution mass spectrometry (FIE–HRMS) on a Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole–Orbitrap mass spectrometer for high-throughput, sensitive, non-targeted metabolite fingerprinting. Partial least-squares discriminant analyses (PLS-DA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of the data discriminated between naturally MAP-infected and control heifers. In total, 33 metabolites that differentially accumulated in naturally MAP-infected heifers compared to controls were identified. Five were significantly elevated within MAP-infected heifers throughout the study, i.e., leukotriene B4, bicyclo prostaglandin E2 (bicyclo PGE2), itaconic acid, 2-hydroxyglutaric acid and N6-acetyl-L-lysine. These findings highlight the potential of metabolomics in the identification of novel MAP diagnostic markers and particular biochemical pathways, which may provide insights into the bovine immune response to MAP.

Entomological survey in two communes with residual malaria transmission in Gia Lai Province in the central highlands of Vietnam

BackgroundIn 2018, the National Malaria Control Programme in Vietnam switched from prioritizing malaria control to elimination. However, with the ongoing elimination programme, there are still areas where residual malaria transmission persists, including the central highlands. This entomological survey was conducted to evaluate Anopheles diversity and host-seeking activity of Anopheles vectors in two communes with very low malaria transmission in Gia Lai Province.MethodsAnopheles species were collected in Ia DReh commune and Ia KDam commune, Gia Lai Province in the central highlands of Vietnam. Collections were conducted using human-baited double net trap, light trap and manual aspiration collections around cattle sheds, in the dry and rainy season. Mosquito specimens were identified morphologically, and members of species complexes were distinguished molecularly. Mosquito night-feeding patterns were investigated during the dry and rainy seasons.ResultsOverall, 18,835 specimens including 19 taxa were collected in Ia KDam and Ia DReh communes. These included the primary malaria vectors, Anopheles dirus and Anopheles minimus, and other secondary vector species. Anopheles dirus was observed to be an anthropophilic species, whereas An. minimus and a number of secondary vectors were observed to be zoophilic. Anopheles vagus was the dominant species, followed by Anopheles sinensis and Anopheles peditaeniatus. The majority of specimens were collected in the rainy season due to the relatively large number of An. vagus, while An. peditaeniatus, An. dirus, Anopheles kochi, Anopheles monstrosus and Anopheles tessellatus were collected in greater numbers during the dry season. The peak of host-seeking activity for An. dirus, An. sinensis, and An. vagus was between 18.00 and 19.00 h.ConclusionThis study provided information on the diversity, seasonal prevalence and behaviour of Anopheles at the study sites. Identifying the diverse mosquito fauna in the central highlands of Vietnam allows species-specific control measures to be implemented by the National Programme to reduce malaria in areas of very low malaria transmission. The peak Anopheles host-seeking activity observed in this study was between 18.00 and 23.00 h, which highlights the need to better characterize Anopheles behaviour in this region of Vietnam to inform on vector control strategies.

Insecticides Susceptibility Status of Malaria Vectors in a High Malaria Endemic Tribal District Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) of India

Background and Objective: The current study was undertaken to determine insecticide susceptibility of malaria vectors in various villages of high malaria endemic PHCs of Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. Methods: Adult malaria vectors were collected from the human dwellings/ cattle sheds of 156 villages of 18 malaria endemic PHCs. Susceptibility tests were carried out for different insecticides against An. culicifacies and An. fluviatilis mosquitoes as per the World Health Organization (WHO) procedure. Cone bioassays were also done to assess the quality and efficacy of indoor residual spray. Results:An. fluviatilis could be collected from 23 villages only and all the populations were fully susceptible to synthetic pyrethroid (deltamethrin) while being tolerant to organophosphorous (malathion). Susceptibility of An. culicifacies from 156 villages indicated that only 3 populations of An. culicifacies were resistant to deltamethrin while 57 populations were fully susceptible and other 96 populations were tolerant to deltamethrin. Resistance was recorded in 25 populations of An. culicifacies against malathion and 30 populations were tolerant to malathion insecticide. Remaining populations of An. fluviatilis and An. culicifacies were highly resistant to organochlorine. Results of cone bioassay revealed the mortality ranged from 32.5-51.1% on cemented and 27.5-43.3% on the mud wall sprayed with lambda cyhalothrin. Conclusion: The current study indicates that resistance has developed to synthetic pyrethroids in the major malaria vector An. culicifacies. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the evaluation of new insecticide molecules for better control of malaria vectors.

Isotope partitioning between cow milk and farm water: A tool for verification of milk provenance

RationaleThe oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions of the water component of the milk from nine Italian dairy farms were studied together with the farm water for one year. The aim was to verify the importance of farm water and seasonal temperature variation on milk isotope values and propose mathematical relations as new tools to identify the milk origin.MethodsMilk was centrifuged to separate the solids and then distilled under vacuum to separate water. δ(18O/16O) and δ(2H/1H) analyses of the water molecules were carried out using a water equilibrator online with a mass spectrometer. For oxygen and hydrogen isotope determination, water was equilibrated with pure CO2 for 7.5 h and with pure H2 for 5 h, respectively. The isotope ratio value is indicated with δ (expressed on the VSMOW/SLAP scale) as defined by IUPAC.ResultsThe average annual isotope value of milk at the different cattle sheds is mostly related to the farm water suggesting that the drinking water is the most important factor influencing the isotopic values of the milk water. The milk/water fractionation factor correlates with the milking time and, thus, the seasonal temperature is best described by a 4th order polynomial regression line. A two‐level check model was used to verify the milking provenance.ConclusionsThis study shows that it is essential to analyze both milk and farm water to indicate provenance. A two‐step verification tool, based on the difference between the measured and calculated δ(18O/16O)M values, and the difference between the calculated and estimated milk‐water fractionation factors, allowed the source determination of milk. Both conditions must be met if the milk is considered to be from the Parmigiano‐Reggiano production region. Although this approach was developed for this region, it can easily be tested and adapted to other dairy production areas.

Estimation of milk yield gap and factors associated in local cattle of Meghalaya: Application of ANCOVA model

The per capita availability of milk in India was 375 g/day in contrast to Meghalaya where the per capita availability was 83 g/per day as of 2017. There exists a huge yield gap in the milk yield in Meghalaya. The study was conducted in the West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills districts of Meghalaya to estimate the milk yield gap and factors associated with it. A sample of 73 respondents was selected and primary data were collected. Standard method for yield gap analysis and ANCOVA model to assess the factors affecting of milk yield gap were employed. Total yield gap (TYG) turned out to be of 244.83% in Meghalaya whereas, 279.75% and 203.03% in West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills districts of Meghalaya, respectively. The total yield gap (TYG) of milk in Meghalaya for local cattle was observed to be much higher as compared to national average. Study revealed that the experience in dairy farming, presence of scientific cattle shed, routine vaccination of cattle, education of household head and human labour allocated for dairy (hours) were significant factors for milk yield gap of local cow in Meghalaya. Hence, these significant factors need due care by individuals of the state who are involved in dairy business. State line department and other institutions like ICAR RC, Barapani and Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Barapani need to intervene through various awareness programmes on scientific dairy management in the state of Meghalaya.

Are Dawn Collections of Anopheles stephensi a Better Method To Estimate the Resting Vector Density? A Study from Chennai, India.

The study was an attempt to capture Anopheles stephensi from cattle sheds during dawn to understand the realistic density of the resting mosquitoes. A 2-year longitudinal study was carried out in cattle sheds in close proximity to the human dwellings to collect the resting vector mosquitoes. The man-hour density of An. stephensi ranged from 24.7 to 206.5. The vector incrimination results indicated 0.15% of An. stephensi infected with Pv210 in 2015 and 0.09% in 2016. The current study indicated that cattle sheds are still the preferred resting place of An. stephensi and that dawn is the perfect time to collect and estimate its densities. Hence, adult vector control may also be given due importance in addition to the routine larval source management measures to curb malaria transmission in an urban setting.

Annual greenhouse gas emissions from sheepfolds and cattle sheds

AbstractLivestock sheds are local and regional hotspots of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, but only very few studies analyse the intensities of GHG emissions from this source. The objective of this study was to quantify annual CH4, CO2 and N2O emissions from inside and outside of sheepfolds and summer cattle sheds in a typical agro‐pastoral ecotone using static chamber technique. Both sheepfolds and cattle shed functioned as huge net sources of CH4 and N2O at annual scale. Animal presence increased CH4, CO2 and N2O effluxes for up to 1100 times compared to the animal sheds without animals. N2O emissions boosted for 160%–280% during and after rainfall and spring‐thaw events. The CH4 and CO2 fluxes increased exponentially with faeces temperature for the outside sheepfold and summer cattle shed. The annual GHG emissions from both sheepfolds and summer cattle shed were 56 t CO2 equivalents ha−1, of which N2O contributed to 94%. Sheepfold dominated the total GHG emissions from animal sheds and accounted for 83% of the annual GHG flux. Annual emission on a per animal basis was 15, 0.2 and 28 kg CO2 eq year−1 sheep−1 and 26, 10 and 140 kg CO2 eq year−1 cattle−1 for N2O, CH4 and CO2, respectively. The annual N2O emissions from animal sheds were 70–250 times larger than nearby grassland soils, which were also net sink for atmospheric CH4. Concluding, animal sheds are very intensive local hotspots of GHG emissions, which should be considered at the local and regional scales.

Bovine endometrial cells do not mount an inflammatory response to Leptospira.

Leptospirosis causes abortion, premature birth, and stillbirth in cattle, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Infected cattle shed Leptospira intermittently and present a range of clinical symptoms, making diagnosis difficult. The primary route of Leptospira transmission in any animal is the colonization of the renal tubule and excretion by urine; however, Leptospira can also colonize the female reproductive tract of cows and can be transmitted by semen. Vaccination against Leptospira in the US is routine in cattle, but immunity is not guaranteed. The cell wall of Leptospira contains toll-like receptor agonists including peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide. The capacity of Leptospira to initiate an innate inflammatory response from uterine endometrial cells is unknown but may be a cause of reproductive failure. Using cell culture, we tested the capacity of bovine endometrial epithelial cells or human monocytes to elicit an inflammatory response to Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo strain TC273. Cells were exposed to either heat-killed Leptospira, Leptospira outer membrane, Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, Pam3CSK4 or medium alone for 2 to 24 h. Exposure of bovine endometrial epithelial cells or human monocytes to heat-killed Leptospira or Leptospira outer membrane did not induce the expression of IL1A, IL1B, IL6, or CXCL8, while exposure to E. coli lipopolysaccharide or Pam3CSK4 increased the expression of IL1A, IL1B, IL6, and CXCL8 compared to control cells. This data suggest that Leptospira does not trigger a classical inflammatory response in endometrial cells. Understanding the interaction between Leptospira and the female reproductive tract is important in determining the mechanisms of Leptospirosis associated with reproductive failure.Lay summaryCows infected with the Leptospira have abortion and stillbirth. It is not known how Leptospira causes pregnancy failure in the cow. We tested if Leptospira causes inflammation in cells of the uterus which triggers pregnancy failure. We collected cells from the uterus of healthy cows at the abattoir and placed them into culture with Leptospira and measured the expression of genes associated with inflammation. To our surprise, cells of the uterus did not respond to Leptospira; however, the same cells did respond to other disease-causing bacteria found in the uterus. This suggests that cells of the uterus can recognize bacteria and produce an inflammatory reaction but not in response to Leptospira. This finding suggests the immune system of the uterus cannot detect Leptospira which may go on to cause reproductive failure in cows. Understanding how Leptospira interact with cells of the uterus will help reduce pregnancy failure of cows with leptospirosis.

A cross sectional study on household dependence on well water, source of contamination and well protection measures adopted by an urban and rural population in Kollam, Kerala

Background: Wells are a common ground water source readily explored to meet community water requirement. Open wells of Kerala have the problem of bacterial contamination, which causes diarrhea diseases especially in children. Close proximity of well to septic tank, waste pit and cattle shed can be considered as a leading cause of contamination of water. The present study had gone into the details of dependence of dug well, possible source of contamination and protective measures taken for drinking water safely by various households in both urban and rural population.Methods: Cross sectional study design applied in order to address the objectives of the study. Using systematic random sampling techniques 80 households were selected from urban and rural areas. Pretested interview schedule were used as the data collection tool.Results: 100% of households are depending on dug well for all their use like drinking, cooking, cleaning etc. 95% households treat water and among them 93.4% boil water before drinking. 40% of houses followed well protection measures. Significant association was found between urban and rural set-up in the distance of well from septic tank (p value is 0.004<0.01). There is statistically significant association in frequency of chlorination in urban and rural population (p value is 0.015<0.05). Occurrence of diarrhea was found to be nil in past two weeks from the time of data collection among under-fives.Conclusions: Disease like diarrhea can be prevented in under-fives by following well protection measures and boiling water before drinking in both urban and rural areas.

Identification, Shiga toxin subtypes and prevalence of minor serogroups of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in feedlot cattle feces

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are foodborne pathogens that cause illnesses in humans ranging from mild to hemorrhagic enteritis with complications of hemolytic uremic syndrome and even death. Cattle are a major reservoir of STEC, which reside in the hindgut and are shed in the feces, a major source of food and water contaminations. Seven serogroups, O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145 and O157, called ‘top-7’, are responsible for the majority of human STEC infections in North America. Additionally, 151 serogroups of E. coli are known to carry Shiga toxin genes (stx). Not much is known about fecal shedding and prevalence and virulence potential of STEC other than the top-7. Our primary objectives were to identify serogroups of STEC strains, other than the top-7, isolated from cattle feces and subtype stx genes to assess their virulence potential. Additional objective was to develop and validate a novel multiplex PCR assay to detect and determine prevalence of six serogroups, O2, O74, O109, O131, O168, and O171, in cattle feces. A total of 351 strains, positive for stx gene and negative for the top-7 serogroups, isolated from feedlot cattle feces were used in the study. Of the 351 strains, 291 belonged to 16 serogroups and 60 could not be serogrouped. Among the 351 strains, 63 (17.9%) carried stx1 gene and 300 (82.1%) carried stx2, including 12 strains positive for both. The majority of the stx1 and stx2 were of stx1a (47/63; 74.6%) and stx2a subtypes (234/300; 78%), respectively, which are often associated with human infections. A novel multiplex PCR assay developed and validated to detect six serogroups, O2, O74, O109, O131, O168, and O171, which accounted for 86.9% of the STEC strains identified, was utilized to determine their prevalence in fecal samples (n = 576) collected from a commercial feedlot. Four serogroups, O2, O109, O168, and O171 were identified as the dominant serogroups prevalent in cattle feces. In conclusion, cattle shed in the feces a number of STEC serogroups, other than the top-7, and the majority of the strains isolated possessed stx2, particularly of the subtype 2a, suggesting their potential risk to cause human infections.

Training needs assessment of farm women in dairying practices

A study was conducted in Nalanda district of Bihar, to assess the training needs of farm women engaged in dairying. It was observed that out of the five major dairy farm operation studied, the dairy farm women needed foremost training in health care and disease control. Under the minor operations most preferred knowledge needed were proper design of cattle shed, selection of breeds, compounding balanced feed preferably using locally available ingredients, vaccination, and banking and insurance. The dairy farm women expressed their willingness to have their training in the summer season, preferably in the month of March at their resident village. Majority of respondent (67%) were expecting the duration of training as one week and 65% farm women opined to have training with an interval of one year.

Arduino Based Temperature And Humidity Monitoring Control System for Day Old Chicken (DOC) Cage

In general, conventional cattle sheds using manual systems and human labor are very reliable, in the conventional process of heating cattle sheds, we still encounter many using oil stoves and lamps as a DOC heating process. However, the use of oil stoves and lamps is dangerous and unstable. In addition to the DOC heater using the lamp, there is also a DOC heater using an element heater.
 The advantage of using a heating element, the temperature can be adjusted according to your needs. The use of heating elements in chicken coops is still rarely used. Therefore, a research was conducted on the manufacture of a temperature and humidity monitoring control system based on Arduino Mega in the Day Old Chicken (doc) cage.
 DHT 11 sensor accuracy level calibrated with room temperature measuring instrument Taffware HTC-2 is known DHT 11 sensor has an accuracy in reading temperature that is 96% with a dispute of 3.8%. And the accuracy in reading humidity is 89.8% with a difference of 11%.

Production and immobilization of β-galactosidase isolated from Enterobacter aerogenes KCTC2190 by entrapment method using agar-agar organic matrix.

In the present study, Enterobacter aerogenes KCTC2190 was isolated from soil around a cattle shed area, which was capable of producing intracellular β-galactosidase. Partially purified β-galactosidase was immobilized by entrapment method in agar-agar gel matrix. Agar-agar entrapped beads were prepared by dropping the enzyme-agar solution to ice-cooled toluene-chloroform ((3:1 (v/v)). 45.88±0.11% activity of partially purified β-galactosidase was retained after immobilization (bead shape). Maximum immobilization yield was observed in the presence of 2.5% agar-agar concentration. After immobilization, optimum temperature required for the enzyme-substrate reaction was shifted from 50 to 60 °C and the optimum reaction time was shifted from 15 to 25 min. The optimum pH for both free and immobilized β-galactosidase was pH 7. Free enzyme showed lower activation energy in comparison with the immobilized one. For free as well as immobilized β-galactosidase thermal deactivation, rate constant (kd) increased with increasing temperature while the values of decimal reduction time (D-values) and half-lives (t1/2) decreased. Immobilization process increased the t1/2 and D-values of β-galactosidase while it decreased the kd. Thermostability of immobilized β-galactosidase was higher as they showed higherenthalpy (ΔΗ0) and Gibb's free energy (ΔG0)value than those of the free β-galactosidase. The negative entropy (ΔS0) of free and immobilized β-galactosidase established that both were in a more ordered state within the temperature range (50 to 70 °C) studied. Immobilized β-galactosidase was able to retain 51.65±1.61% of its initial activity after 7 batches of enzyme-substrate reaction. Immobilized β-galactosidase showed 78.09±3.69% of its initial activity even after 40 days of storage at 4 °C.

Yield gap in milk production is considerable in Indian Himalayan state of Meghalaya.

Yield gaps in milk production are here defined as the differentials between the actual yield obtained by the dairy farmer and the potential farm yield (production achieved by the top 10% of farmers: Gap 2) as well as the differential between this potential farm yield and the yield registered in the research stations (Gap 1). Assessment of yield gaps provides valuable information on potential production enhancement and drivers behind yield gaps. Milk production can be increased by narrowing the predominant large yield gaps in resource-poor smallholder farming system. Hence, this study assessed the milk yield gap and factors affecting the yield gap in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, a state located in the north-eastern Himalayan region of India. This research paper provides a scope for exploring the possibilities for improving dairy production in the state as well as contributing to literature through incorporating crucial determinants responsible for milk yield gap. A sample of 81 respondents was drawn purposely from two blocks of the district. The results indicated that the average number of cattle per household was 9.38 in standard animal units. The total yield gap was estimated at 6.20 l (91.06%) per day, composed of 0.80 l (11.76%) per day of yield gap I and 5.40 l (79.30%) per day of yield gap II. This demonstrates that the top performing farms were achieving a production level not dissimilar to that obtained on the research stations, but many were doing far less well. The size of cattle shed, dairy farming experience, concentrate price and human labour were the important determinants of the yield gap. Hence, encouraging the right stocking density of cattle, training on the preparations of home-made concentrates, access to cheap and quality concentrates, incorporating training and experience sharing on proper dairy management practices and use of technology could benefit the dairy farmers of the region.

Socio-economic determinants of malaria in tribal dominated Mandla district enrolled in Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project in Madhya Pradesh

BackgroundMalaria is known as a disease of poverty because of its dominance in poverty-stricken areas. Madhya Pradesh state in central India is one of the most vulnerable states for malaria morbidity and mortality. Socio-economic, environmental and demographic factors present challenges in malaria control and elimination. As part of the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Project in the tribal district of Mandla in Madhya Pradesh, this study was undertaken to assess the role of different social-economic factors contributing to malaria incidence.MethodsThe study was conducted in the 1233 villages of district Mandla, where 87% population resides in rural areas. The data was collected using the android based mobile application—SOCH for a period of 2 years (September 2017 to August 2019). A wealth index was computed along with analysis of the socio-economic characteristics of houses with malaria cases. Variables with significant variation in malaria cases were used in logistic regression.ResultsMore than 70% of houses in Mandla are Kuccha (made of thatched roof or mud), 20% do not have any toilet facilities, and only 11% had an annual income of more than 50,000 INR, which converts to about $700 per year. Households with younger heads, male heads, more number of family members were more likely to have malaria cases. Kuccha construction, improper water supply, low household income houses were also more likely to have a malaria case and the odds doubled in houses with no toilet facilities.ConclusionBased on the results of the study, it has been found that there is an association between the odds of having malaria cases and different household variables such as age, gender, number of members, number of rooms, caste, type of house, toilet facilities, water supply, cattle sheds, agricultural land, income, and vector control interventions. Therefore, a better understanding of the association of various risk factors that influence the incidence of malaria is required to design and/or deploy effective policies and strategies for malaria elimination. The results of this study suggest that appropriate economic and environmental interventions even in low-income and poverty-stricken tribal areas could have huge impact on the success of the national malaria elimination goals.

Repeated Oral Vaccination of Cattle with Shiga Toxin-Negative Escherichia coli O157:H7 Reduces Carriage of Wild-Type E. coli O157:H7 after Challenge.

Subcutaneous vaccination of cattle for enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 reduces the magnitude and duration of fecal shedding, but the often-required, repeated cattle restraint can increase costs, deterring adoption by producers. In contrast, live oral vaccines may be repeatedly administered in feed, without animal restraint. We investigated whether oral immunization with live stx-negative LEE+E. coli O157:H7 reduced rectoanal junction (RAJ) colonization by wild-type (WT) E. coli O157:H7 strains after challenge. Two groups of cattle were orally dosed twice weekly for 6 weeks with 3 × 109 CFU of a pool of three stx-negative LEE+E. coli O157:H7 strains (vaccine group) or three stx-negative LEE- non-O157:H7 E. coli strains (control group). Three weeks following the final oral dose, animals in both groups were orally challenged with a cocktail of four stx+ LEE+E. coli O157:H7 WT strains. Subsequently, WT strains at the RAJ were enumerated weekly for 4 weeks. Serum antibodies against type III secretion protein (TTSP), the translocated intimin receptor (Tir), and EspA were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at day 0 (preimmunization), day 61 (postimmunization, prechallenge), and day 89 (postchallenge). Vaccine group cattle had lower numbers of WT strains at the RAJ than control group cattle on postchallenge days 3 and 7 (P ≤ 0.05). Also, vaccine group cattle shed WT strains for a shorter duration than control group cattle. All cattle seroconverted to TTSP, Tir, and EspA, either following immunization (vaccine group) or following challenge (control group). Increased antibody titers against Tir and TTSP postimmunization were associated with decreased numbers of WT E. coli O157:H7 organisms at the RAJ.IMPORTANCE The bacterium E. coli O157:H7 causes foodborne disease in humans that can lead to bloody diarrhea, kidney failure, vascular damage, and death. Healthy cattle are the main source of this human pathogen. Reducing E. coli O157:H7 in cattle will reduce human disease. Using a randomized comparison, a bovine vaccine to reduce carriage of the human pathogen was tested. A detoxified E. coli O157:H7 strain, missing genes that cause disease, was fed to cattle as an oral vaccine to reduce carriage of pathogenic E. coli O157:H7. After vaccination, the cattle were challenged with disease-causing E. coli O157:H7. The vaccinated cattle had decreased E. coli O157:H7 during the first 7 days postchallenge and shed the bacteria for a shorter duration than the nonvaccinated control cattle. The results support optimization of the approach to cattle vaccination that would reduce human disease.

Epidemiological determinants of leptospirosis in rural and urban districts of Maharashtra, India.

Background:Leptospirosis is emerging as one of the growing public health problems in many parts of India. It can occur in both rural and urban areas with varied risk factors. This study was taken up in three districts of Maharashtra namely—Mumbai, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg to understand the determinants of leptospirosis in both the urban and rural areas and look for differences if any.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was carried out during the year 2017. A pretested validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Field observations were made. Eighty-seven cases from Sindhudurg and 14 from Ratnagiri and 307 cases from Mumbai were included in the study.Results:A total of 408 cases were included in the study. A total of 63 (62.4%) were males and 38 (37.6%) were females. Most cases belonged to the 20–35 year age group (37%). In rural areas, 32.7% of them visited government facilities first, whereas, in the urban areas, it was 73.9% (P = 0.006). Headache, myalgia, and prostration were more common in cases from rural areas (P = <0.05). Skin rash was found to be associated with urban cases of leptospirosis. The presence of rodents, cattle sheds, pets, and working in paddy fields were common environmental risks in rural areas, and using water for recreational activities were common in urban areas (P < 0.001).Conclusions:Context-specific risk factors were found significantly associated with the cases. No important difference was found in the epidemiology of leptospirosis in the urban and rural areas except the source of infection.

African Swine Fever (ASF): Threat of Excintion to Nias Local Pig Farm

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a disease that infects pigs. Common symptoms caused by ASF attacks on pigs are bleeding in the feces and ears as well as sudden weakness of livestock, unable to stand, and death of livestock. ASF virus is not zoonotic so it does not affect human health. This virus has entered Indonesian territory, including the Nias Island, where most of the people cultivate local pigs. The ASF outbreak on local pigs in Nias resulted in the death of many pigs. This paper discusses the spread and death of local pigs due to ASF attacks in Nias. Data compiled from the field and the Animal Husbandry Office in 2020 in the Nias islands, it is known that the pigs that died due to the ASF outbreak reached 120,592 a pigs. Meanwhile, the fact found are that the handling of infected pigs cannot be done optimally, because until now, effective treatment and vaccination for the treatment and prevention of ASF infection has not been found. Therefore, in order to prevent the spread of the plague from becoming more widespread, the current methods that can be applied are the application of biosecurity in the cattle sheds, isolation of infected livestock and the role of the government in regulating the entry and exit route for pigs in the Nias region.

Identification and seasonal distribution of mosquito species in Telangana state, India

An entomological study was conducted to determine species composition, relative abundance, and seasonal population fluctuation of mosquitoes. Thirty localities were randomly selected and sampled once in summer, monsoon and winter seasons for a period of three years. Adult mosquitoes were collected from in and around human dwellings and animal sheds using aspirator and flash light between 6 PM and 7:30 PM hrs and 06:00 AM and 7:00 AM hrs. Larvae were collected from ditches, rock pool and other domestic habitats, reared to formation of adults in the lab. A total of 18425 mosquitoes were collected. Five genera (Culex, Anopheles, Aedes, Mansonia and Armigeres) were found to be circulating. Further, with respect to habitat, more number of mosquitoes were observed around cattle sheds and houses. Culex quinquefasciatus occupies top place, followed by Aedes albopictus and Culex gelidus, Culex tritaeniorhynchus with respect to density, whereas Mansonia uniformis occupies last place. Culex quinquifasciatus is top again followed by Culex gelidus and Aedes albopictus, Mansonia uniformis is last again with respect to distribution. The vector species studied were Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus for chikungunya and dengue, Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles culicifacies for malaria, Culex tritaeniorhynchus for Japanese encephalitis and Culex quiquefasciatus for lymphatic filaria.

Potential role of Anopheles subpictus as a malaria vector in Ghaziabad District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Anopheles subpictus, have been incriminated as a vector in some states of India hence, understanding its possible role in malaria transmission is essential. The present study was focussed on the alteration of mosquito profile in terms of species composition with particular emphasis on malaria vectors and known non-vector An.subpictus due to change in breeding sites that supports different species in Ghaziabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India. The immature larva were collected from the identified habitats and the adult mosquitoes were collected from human dwellings, cattle sheds and mixed dwellings of urban, rural and peri-urban during seasonal surveillance from April 2014 to February 2016 in Ghaziabad District. Pyrethrum spray collection was conducted in human dwellings during the same period. Sporozoite detection was done through ELISA and confirmation of positives by PCR. An.subpictus was first time found with Plasmodium infection of 0.73% (5/680) and 0.74% (4/539) by ELISA and PCR respectively, in rural areas (villages of Bhojpur and Muradnagar PHC). An.subpictus together with An.culicifacies and An.stephensi responsible for total sporozoite rate of 1.63% (11/680) by ELISA and 1.03% (7/680) confirmed by PCR. An.subpictus (49.32%) was the most prevalent species of Anopheles with highest abundance in human dwellings (55.76%). Their distribution in Ghaziabad district depends on type of breeding sites and season (by Chi square test) with maximum collection during monsoon season (80. 56%). This study reported role of An.subpictus as a vector of malaria in Ghaziabad district for the first time.