Small Ruminants In India Research Articles

Distribution of maedi-visna virus in different organs of the spontaneously affected small ruminants in India.

Maedi-visna (MV) is a small ruminant lentiviral (SRLV) disease affecting sheep and goats, and causes pathological alterations in various organs including lungs, pulmonary lymph nodes, mammary glands, joints, and CNS. Aims: Present study was focused to detect the MV virus (MVV) nucleic acid and MVV p28 antigen in different organs of the spontaneously MVV affected sheep and goats. Total of 657 samples were collected from sheep and goats (169 blood, 136 lungs, 96 pulmonary lymph nodes, 74 brain, 54 mammary gland, 78 joints, and 50 spleen) and screened for MVV nucleic acid using nested PCR assay. Serum samples were screened for SRLV antibodies by cELISA. Immunolocalization of MVV was demonstrated by using the polyclonal antibody against p28 antigen by immunohistochemistry in lungs, lymph nodes, mammary glands, and joint tissues. Out of 657 samples, 10.7% (70) were found positive for MVV. Among different organs, lungs showed highest positivity (25.7%) followed by mammary glands (14.8%), blood (9.5%), joint tissues (7.7%), brain (5.4%), and pulmonary lymph node (1.0%). SRLV antibodies were detected in 29.2% of the serum samples of both sheep and goats by cELISA. MVV p28 antigen immunostaining was observed in lungs, lymph nodes, mammary glands, and joint tissues. However, the presence of MVV p28 antigen could not be demonstrated in the brain tissues. The highest positivity of MVV in lung tissues indicated higher predilection of the virus in the pulmonary tissue.

Bottlenecks analysis using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) throughout the value chain of small ruminants in India

Bottlenecks are the obstacles that impede the accomplishment of an intended purpose and consequently, endure a dampening effect on the chain's effectiveness and profitability. This study was aimed to explore the bottlenecks confronted by small ruminant farmers in the value chain in India. A total of 385 small ruminant farmers from 11 districts of Punjab were selected purposively, proportionate to the population of small ruminants using the snow ball sampling technique. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to identify and rank the criteria and factors of the constraints. The study revealed that among overall constraints, “processing and transportation constraints” (Priority weight: 0.278) were the major bottlenecks encountered by the respondents. Pertaining to input supply constraints, “lack of access to credit, subsidy, and insurance support” was perceived as the utmost substantial challenge by the respondents (Global priority score: 0.097). High cost of concentrate feed (Global priority score: 0.071) and non-uniform methods of selling animals (Global priority score: 0.069), were topmost waivers in context of production constraints and marketing constraints, respectively. Among processing and transportation constraints, inadequate slaughtering facilities at village level (Global priority score: 0.105) was ranked first by the respondents. Low dressing percentage of local breeds of sheep and goats (Global priority score: 0.033) was perceived as the strongest constraint among miscellaneous constraints. The study concluded that the efficiency and profitability of small ruminant’s value chain is impaired by several kinds of bottlenecks. Collaboration among various stakeholders, including government, research institutions, private sector entities, and farmer organizations, is necessary to overcome these bottlenecks and unlock the potential of the small ruminant’s value chain in India.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for brucellosis in small ruminant flocks in Karnataka in the Southern Province of India.

Background and Aim:Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of high economic and public health importance in large and small ruminant populations worldwide. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in small ruminants in organized farms in the southern region of India.Materials and Methods:Farms exclusively rearing sheep and goats were selected based on the number of animals (small, medium, or large) and the location of the farm (urban, periurban, or rural). A total of 1499 serum samples; 1001 from sheeps and 498 from goats were sourced from six sheep and four goat farms and tested using Rose Bengal Plate and indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay tests.Results:The apparent prevalence of brucellosis was higher in sheep (8.29%, 95% CI 6.7-10.1) than goats (5.82%, 95% CI 4.0-8.2). The true adjusted population level seroprevalence was also higher in sheep, at 7.7% (95% CI 6.0-9.6) than in goats, at 5.1% (95% CI 3.2-7.6). According to bivariate categorical analysis, six highly significant (p<0.001) animal- and farm-level risk factors for sheep were age, breed, number of lambings, history of abortion, rural farms, and presence of dogs on the farm. In goats, five significant risk factors were found: History of abortion, separate sheds, dogs on the farm, weekly veterinary consultation, and lack of brucellosis awareness. In a logistic regression model, abortion (OR adjusted 10.8, 95% CI 1.2-96.12), rural farms (OR adjusted 8.5, 95% CI 3.6-20.0), and absence of separate sheds on the farms (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.5) were found to be significant risk factors for ovine brucellosis.Conclusion:The use of complementary measures to tackle the multiple animal- and farm-level risk factors may help to reduce the disease burden in the absence of a vaccination policy for small ruminants in India.

The economic impact of peste des petits ruminants in India.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an economically important livestock disease which affects a vast section of the small ruminant population in India. However, data on the incidence of PPR are limited and scant literature is available on the economic losses caused by the disease. In the present study, a structured sampling design was adopted, which covered the major agro-climatic regions of the country, to ascertain the morbidity and mortality rates of PPR. Available estimates of the economic losses in India due to various livestock diseases are based on single values of various epidemiological and economic parameters. Stochastic modelling was used to estimate the economic impact of PPR. Overall annual morbidity and mortality rates of PPR for small ruminants in India have been estimated from the sample as being 8%and 3.45%, respectively. The authors have analysed variations in these rates across species, age group, sex, season and region. The expected annual economic loss due to PPR in India ranges from as little as US $2 million to $18 million and may go up to US $1.5 billion; the most likely range of expected economic losses is between US $653 million and $669 million. This study thus reveals significant losses due to the incidence of PPR in small ruminants in India.

Investigation of malignant form of sheep pox outbreak in fattening lambs in Mandya, Karnataka

Sheep pox is an endemic and economically important viral disease of small ruminants in India. The present study describes detailed investigation of sheep pox disease outbreak in fattening lambs. The disease outbreak occurred in month of January in a village of Mandya District of Karnataka state in the organized farm. Despite the presence of goats in the same flock, the disease affected sheep only. The clinical signs and post-mortem findings were suggestive of malignant form of sheep pox, which is more frequently recorded in lambs. The duration of disease was 30 days with morbidity and mortality rates of 50.91% and 19.09%, respectively. The capripox virus was identified in the clinical and morbid samples by partial P32 gene based PCR. The sheep pox virus was confirmed by virus isolation and sequencing of full length P32 gene. The sheep poxvirus isolate sequence from the present outbreak, genetically resembled with sheep poxvirus isolates from India and other countries. In conclusion, based on clinical, isolation, PCR and sequence analysis the outbreak was attributed to sheep poxvirus, which highlights the need of at least two separate vaccines for control of sheep and goat pox disease.

Evaluation of variability in antibody response induced by vaccination against Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in Malpura and Avikalin sheep

Amongst several trans-boundary diseases of small ruminants in India, Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a devastating disease due to its spread and economic importance. The main strategy for prevention of this disease is the vaccination with attenuated whole virus vaccine. Present study was carried out to identify the sources of variation and also to unravel the genetic variance in the PPR virus (PPR) vaccine elicited immune response in 231 Avikalin and 398 Malpura sheep lambs maintained at organized institute flocks in the semi-arid region of India. Average age at vaccination was 108.5 days. Sera were tested by competitive ELISA (C-ELISA), an attenuated PPR (Sungri) was used as the coating antigen. Results revealed significant variability for response to vaccination. Per cent inhibition (PI) values at 0day of vaccination (0DPrV) was 33.9% and 29.8% in Avikalin and Malpura lambs, respectively. At 28days post vaccination (28DPV) PI was 62.7% in Avikalin and 58.7% in Malpura lambs. On 28DPV, the protective titre (PI>50%) was shown by 82.4% Avikalin lambs and 76.2% Malpura lambs. Among environmental determinants, breed, cohort, season and age at vaccination proved to be significant sources of variation (P<0.05). Factors determining the better odds of protection need to be exploited properly to assure protection. The estimate of heritability (h2±SE) at 28DPV was 0.02±0.12 in Malpura sheep, however it was 0.54±0.28 in Avikalin sheep.

Assessment of the antibody response to Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) disease vaccination in a flock of Sirohi goat kids

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a devastating disease of small ruminants in India due to its spread and economic importance. Vaccination with attenuated whole virus vaccine is the only strategy adopted for prevention of this disease. Present study was carried out to identify the sources of variation and also to unravel the genetic variance in the PPR virus (PPRV) vaccine elicited immune response in 374 Sirohi goat kids maintained at an organized institute flock in the semi-arid region of India. Average age at vaccination was 142.43 days. Sera were tested by competitive ELISA (C-ELISA), an attenuated PPRV (Sungri) was used as the coating antigen. Results revealed significant variability for response to vaccination. Per cent inhibition (PI) values at 0day of vaccination (0DPrV) was 22.50% and at 28 days post vaccination (28DPV) it was 71.8%. On 28DPV, 94.92% of the total animals showed protective titre. Among environmental determinants, cohort and age at vaccination proved to be significant sources of variation (P<0.05). Higher 0DPrV titre was found to affect 28DPV titre negatively. Factors determining the better odds of protection needs to be exploited properly to assure protection. The estimate of heritability (h2±SE) at 0DPrV was 0.00±0.12, however it revealed significant contribution from maternal permanent environment (c2=0.38±0.12). At 28DPV, h2 was 0.34±0.16 and c2 was 0.25±0.15.

Status and Prospects of Reproductive Biotechnologies of Small Ruminants in India: An Overview

Farm animals form an important place in the food cycle. To meet the increased demand for quality livestock products for the growing population, it is imperative to increase the productivity of livestock by utilizing advanced technologies. Advancement in reproductive biotechnologies has opened new vistas in livestock production, including small ruminants (goat and sheep). Assisted-reproductive technologies (ART) offer immense possibilities for allowing reproduction to be in a planned manner, which is not feasible under traditional conditions of rearing. However, major research challenges remain in the refinement of some technologies for enhancing productivity and profitability. This paper presents an overview, the status of the state-of-the-art reproductive biotechnologies and their prospects in small ruminant production.

Cross antigenicity of immunodominant polypeptides of somatic antigen of Oesophagostomum columbianum with other helminths by western blotting.

Aim:Oesophagostomum columbianum in small ruminants in India is found as mixed infection commonly in sheep and goat. Haemonchus contortus, an abomasal nematode is found as concurrent infection with it. Eggs of Haemonchus and O. columbianum cannot be easily distinguished. Diagnosis of O. columbianum may only be possible if a non-cross antigenic polypeptide was available for immunodiagnosis.Materials and Methods:Somatic antigen (SoAg) of O. columbianum was fractionated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunodominant polypeptides were identified by western blotting with homologous hyperimmune serum (HIS) and experimental sera of sheep or goat infected with other helminths.Results:SoAg of O. columbianum was immunoaffinity purified. Sharp polypeptide bands of 130, 72 and 68 KDa were observed along with several faint bands of lower molecular weight. Western blot of purified SoAg of O. columbianum with homologous HIS showed reaction with all the protein bands of 17, 28, 30, 32, 35, 38, 50, 68, 100, 130, 150, and 170 kDa. For identification of non-cross antigenic polypeptide, immunoaffinity purified SoAg of O. columbianum was reacted to heterologous HIS against H. contortus, Paramphistomum epiclitum, and Fasciola gigantica in western blotting utilizing completely dry method (i-blot). Among high molecular weight polypeptides 100 and 150 kDa were non-cross antigenic and among low molecular weight except 50 kDa polypeptide, 17, 30, 32, 35, and 38 kDa of O. columbianum were not cross antigenic with other helminths.Conclusions:Hence, polypeptides of 17, 30, 32, 35 and 38 kDa as well as 100 and 150 kDa polypeptides of O. columbianum may be exploited for immunodiagnosis of the infection in sheep and goat with extensive studies on cross antigenicity.

Peste des petits ruminants vaccine and vaccination in India: sharing experience with disease endemic countries.

Peste des petits ruminants, a viral disease of small ruminants, the control of which is important for poverty alleviation and to ensure livelihood security in Asia, Middle East and Africa. In recognition of these issues, we developed and applied vaccine and diagnostics to demonstrate effective control of PPR during preceding 6years in a sub-population of small ruminants in India. Two south Indian states, namely Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, strongly indicated possibility of PPR control with more than 90% reduction in number of reported outbreaks of PPR, mostly through mass vaccination. Similarly, the situation at the national level also demonstrated a decline of more than 75% in the number of reported outbreaks. Sharing these experiences may motivate other countries for similar initiatives leading to progressive control of PPR, which is in line with the initiatives of the organizations like FAO/OIE and the recent platforms on global PPR research alliance.

Detection and characterization of atypical capripoxviruses among small ruminants in India.

Recent developments in molecular biology shed light on cross-species transmission of SPPV and GTPV. The present study was planned to characterize the capripoxviruses which were circulating in the field condition among sheep and goats using RPO30 gene-based viral lineage (SPPV/GTPV) differentiating PCR and sequencing of RPO30 and GPCR genes from clinical samples. Out of 58 scabs (35 sheep and 23 goats) screened, 27 sheep and 18 goat scabs were found positive for capripox virus infections. With the exception of one sheep and one goat scabs, all the positive samples yielded amplicon size according to host origin, i.e. SPPV in sheep and GTPV in goats. In the above two exceptional cases, goat scab and sheep scab yielded amplicon size as that of SPPV and GTPV, respectively. Further, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of complete ORFs of RPO30 and GPCR genes from six sheep and three goat scabs revealed that with the exception of above two samples, all had host-specific signatures and clustered according to their host origin. In case of cross-species infecting samples, sheep scab possessed GTPV-like signatures and goat scab possessed SPPV-like signatures. Our study identifies the circulation of cross-infecting SPPV and GTPV in the field and warrants the development of single-strain vaccine which can protect the animals from both sheeppox and goatpox diseases.

Pathological and molecular characterization ofCapripox virusoutbreak in sheep and goats in Karnataka

Sheep and goat pox is viral enzootic disease of small ruminants in India. The present study describes detailed investigation of pox disease outbreak in Karnataka. The outbreak occurred in unvaccinated flocks of sheep and goats with a history of entry of new animals. The clinical signs of typical pox lesions were recorded in less hair/hairless portions of body in both sheep and goats. The post-mortem examination revealed typical gunshot wounds in the lungs of affected animals. The capripox virus was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and partial P32 gene sequencing. The phylogenetic analysis showed the present outbreak isolates having a close relationship with other Indian isolates and capripox virus isolates from China. The isolates (Pox/NIVEDI-1 and Pox/NIVEDI-2) in the present study matched 100% to each even though from different flocks suggesting the same virus isolate might have caused the outbreak in both sheep and goats. In conclusion, based on clinical, laboratory and phylogenetic analysis the outbreak was attributed to capripox virus. Continued regular monitoring and vaccination are need of the hour for prevention and control of sheep and goat pox in India.

Bluetongue: Indian perspective

Bluetongue (BT) is an insect borne (Culicoides) viral disease of small ruminants in India. While seroprevalence for BT is observed mostly in domestic and wild ruminant animals, the clinical form of disease and severe mortality is observed in sheep. Since the first report of BT in 1960s the country became endemic for the disease and most of the BT virus (BTV) serotypes (22 out of 27 worldwide) have been reported. The genome sequence analyses of these viruses revealed that both the eastern and western topotypes as well as their reassortant strains are present in India. It further revealed that some of these viruses are very close to live vaccines used in other countries. The severe economic concern justifies the need to develop sensitive and reliable diagnostic tests for BT. The virus isolation followed by identification by electron microscopy is gold standard test, but it is time consuming and not easily available in all the laboratories. Therefore, nucleic acid-based rapid diagnostic tests such as PCR, real-time PCR etc. are used nowadays. The BT control program in India includes vector control as well as effective vaccination. The vector population is controlled by vector traps, synthetic pesticides and some of the herbal compounds. For effective vaccination, the serotypes prevalent in aparticular geographical area must be known, which can be achieved by continuous monitoring and sero-surveillance of disease. The multivalent inactivated vaccines are more suitable for India in comparison to modified live vaccines as the latter may turn to virulent and may lead to severe outbreak of the disease.

Estimation of economic losses due to Peste de Petits Ruminants in small ruminants in India

Estimation of economic losses due to Peste de Petits Ruminants in small ruminants in India

Epidemiological Intelligence for Grazing Management in Strategic Control of Parasitic Gastroenteritis in Small Ruminants in India – A Review

Because of the environmental and consumer concerns arising out of exponential growth in human population the world over, a term Sustainable Development has become an integral international concept, which is defined as one which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Ruminant animals appear sustainable as they do not compete with man for food, play a crucial role in the conversion of low quality plant material and crop residues to high quality human food as well as return valuable plant nutrients to the soil. Parasite control in ruminant livestock is a first-order input in any sustainable animal production system. As sustainable development is a compromise between reducing environmental degradation and positive economic growth, sustainable parasite control should aim towards less intensive, lower input, lesser risk of parasite induced losses with greater opportunities for integration of all available control resources. The compound scenario of rising anthelmintic resistance, food and environmental security and apathy of the pharmaceutical industry to go for the invention of new anthelmintic compounds has triggered the need for optimising the use of available anthelmintics with integration of all other alternative means for sustainable worm control. The “Sustainable Control of Parasitic Gastroenteritis in Ruminants” is thus encompasses a multidisciplinary approach involving integration of chemotherapy, grazing management, biological control, worm vaccines, genetic resistance of hosts, mathematical model based decision support and other strategies, if any. There is no single requirement more crucial to the rational and sustainable control of helminth parasites in grazing animals than a comprehensive knowledge of the epidemiology of the parasite as it interacts with the host in a specific climatic, management and production environment. In its absence, anthelmintic treatment is either given suppressively which provokes resistance or therapeutically which risks clinical disease and production losses. Sustainable parasite-control programmes require knowledge of seasonal larval availability, origin of larvae contributing to any peaks and climatic requirements for worm egg hatching, larval development and survival. Control measures based on this knowledge include strategic anthelmintic treatments and various forms of grazing management. While these measures can reduce the frequency of anthelmintic treatment required, their effect on selection for drench resistance is more problematical, unless they can be combined with other forms of control to reduce our current dependence on anthelmintics. The present article deals with sustainable nematode parasite control in small ruminants in India through grazing management using epidemiological intelligence.

Prevalence and distribution of peste des petits ruminants virus infection in small ruminants in India

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute febrile viral disease of goats and sheep characterised by mucopurulent nasal and ocular discharges, necrotising and erosive stomatitis, enteritis and pneumonia. The disease is endemic in India and causes large economic losses each year due to the high rates of mortality and morbidity in infected sheep and goats. The present study reports observations from 58 laboratory confirmed outbreaks of PPR and provides details of the prevalence of antibodies to PPR virus (PPRV) in 4,407 serum samples of small ruminants. Most of the clinical specimens used for the study originated from the northern and central parts of India. Serum samples used for the detection of antibodies to PPRV were derived from a greater number of regions within the country, however, these samples may not be a true representation of the target population (unvaccinated sheep and goats over 3 months old). Indigenously developed monoclonal antibody-based diagnostic kits were used for the detection of PPRV antigen (sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) and antibody (competitive ELISA). Findings suggested that the disease outbreaks were more severe in goats than sheep and that the frequency of disease outbreaks was greater between the months of March and June (51.7%) as compared to other periods of the year. Based on the screening of the 4,407 sera samples, the antibody prevalence of PPRV in small ruminants in India was 33% (95% confidence interval: 32.3% to 33.7%). The prevalence of antibodies to PPRV was noted to differ between species (i.e. sheep versus goats), age groups and geographical regions. A greater proportion of the sheep (36.3%) versus the goat (32.4%) population was infected with PPRV. The distribution and prevalence of antibodies to PPRV among various age groups of animals indicated that goats were exposed at an earlier age than the sheep, suggesting that goats may be more susceptible to infection with PPRV. A greater number of positive cases were observed in the southern and southwestern part of the country (30%-60%) as compared to northern India (10%-30%). These findings may be correlated with variations in the sheep and goat husbandry practices within different geographic regions, the topography of different states and the socio-economic status of individual Indian farmers.