Loading...
Thesis
Browse
9 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access Epidemiological and Managemental studies on Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of Ruminants in low lying and marshy areas of Kashmir Valley(SKUAST Kashmir, 2017) Shah, Mohd Maroof; Shahardar, R. A.The present study deals with the prevalence and managemental aspects on gastrointestinal helminth parasites of locally reared ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats) in low lying and marshy areas of Kashmir valley. This study was carried out over a period of one year from September 2014 to August 2015. The study was based on examination of 1453 faecal samples collected from locally reared ruminants of either sex and both the age groups viz ; adult large ruminants (age> 1 year) and young ruminants (age0.05). Highest EPG was found in summer (173.61) followed by spring (148.88), autumn (113.00) and winter (95.83). The variation between seasons was statistically significant (P0.05). Average EPG was found insignificantly higher in males (175) as compared to females (174.30). Highest EPG was found in summer (233.33) followed by spring (175.00), winter (156.25) and autumn (83.34). The variation between seasons was statistically significant (P<0.05). Relatively lower prevalence of parasitic infections in marshy and low-lying areas reported here compared to areas that include but are not exclusively limited to marshy and low-lying areas is possibly due to increased focus on control programmes launched by development departments in these areas. A massive awareness campaign has been successful in sensitizing owners of animals regarding dangers of parasitism. Fasciolosis seems to have been better controlled probably due to use of drugs like Triclabendazole that specifically target it. The incidence of amphistomes is higher than fasciolosis due to non use of very specific drugs against them. The level of consciousness among farmers regarding danger of parasitism and need of preventive measures seems to have definitely increased as witnessed by 48% farmers reporting use of recommended dosing calendar. However, an area of concern is over consciousness by 24% farmers who go for dosing more frequently than recommended three or four dosing per annum.ThesisItem Open Access Epidemiological and Therapeutic Studies on Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of cattle in District Pulwama of Kashmir Valley(SKUAST Kashmir, 2015) Irshad Maqbool; Shahardar, R. A.Prevalence study on gastrointestinal helminth parasites in locally reared cattle was carried out in District Pulwama of Kashmir valley for a period of one year from September 2014 to August 2015. A total of 1163 faecal samples were examined of which 802 (68.96%) were found positive for one or other gastrointestinal helminth parasite. Overall prevalence of trematodes, cestodes and nematodes was found to be 13.24, 7.99 and 63.03 per cent, respectively. Paramphistomes (11.26%) were the most prevalent trematodes followed by Fasciola spp. (2.06%) and Dicrocoelium spp. (0.34%). Among cestodes the only genus reported was Moniezia spp. with prevalence of 7.99 per cent. Among nematodes, the prevalence of strongyle worms was found highest (62.85%) followed by Strongyloides spp. (2.32%), Trichuris spp. (1.63%) and Toxocara vitulorum (0.26%). Seasonal variation revealed highest prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites during summer (76.71%) followed by spring (76.16%), autumn (70.47%) and winter (50.00%). Prevalence of GI parasites was found to be significantly (P0.05). On coprological examination, Oesophagostomum spp. was found to be most predominant strongyle worm (46%) followed by Trichostrongylus spp. (30%), Haemonchus spp. (13%) and Chabertia spp. (11%). On the basis of FECRT studies, ivermectin, closantel and fenbendazole were found to be 100 per cent effective against strongyle worms on 7th and 14th day post treatment. Oxyclozanide was found to be 100 per cent effective against trematode (paramphistomes) infection on 7th, 14th and 28th day post treatment.ThesisItem Open Access Molecular Characterization of Fasciola species of Ruminants in Central Zone of Kashmir Valley(SKUAST Kashmir, 2016) Syed Shakeebah Kubra; Shahardar, R. A.Fasciolosis caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica is an important trematode disease widely distributed all over the world causing considerable economic losses to the livestock industry. Differentiation of Fasciola species is important because of their different epidemiological patterns and for devising chemo and immunoprophylactic measures. The current study was aimed to find out the morphometric and molecular divergences in morphologically identified Fasciola species isolated from cattle and sheep in central zone of Kashmir Valley. The samples of adult Fasciola species collected from post-mortem cases of locally reared cattle and sheep after morphological differentiation were morphometrically compared based on body length, body width, length of cone, width of cone, maximum diameter of the oral sucker, minimum diameter of the oral sucker, maximum diameter of the ventral sucker, minimum diameter of the ventral sucker and distance between the ventral sucker and the posterior end of the body, body area, oral sucker area, ventral sucker area, body length over body width and oral sucker area over ventral sucker area. The data was subjected to independent two sample t-test using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 20.0). Although the study revealed significant differences between Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica based on body length, body width, cone length, ventral sucker diameter, distance from ventral sucker to the posterior end of the body, ventral sucker area, ratio of oral sucker area to ventral sucker area and ratio of body length to body width (p≤0.05), there were insignificant differences in the rest of the indices i.e, cone width, maximum oral sucker diameter, minimum oral sucker diameter, body area and oral sucker area (p≥0.05). In order to validate the morphologically and morphometrically identified flukes, molecular characterization using a repetitive sequence of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) as marker was done. The study focused on ITS-1 (600 base pairs) and ITS-2 (550 base pairs) regions of nuclear rDNA. The ITS rDNA regions were amplified from individual flukes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the amplicons were sequenced. Comparison of the present sequences with the published sequences in NCBI revealed that out of 30 adult fluke isolates, 15 isolates which had been collected from cattle and morphologically identified as Fasciola gigantica, all were Fasciola gigantica but out of 15 isolates collected from sheep and identified as Fasciola hepatica, only 11 were Fasciola hepatica and 4 were Fasciola gigantica. The degree of intra species identity was 100% in both the species. However, on inter species comparison of the sequences, the variations were observed at positions 82, 209, 299, 393, 471 & 491 in ITS-1 and 982, 1006, 1045, 1051, 1099 and 1109 in ITS-2, with position 1099 being a distinguishing deletion, displaying sequence divergence of 1%. The phylogenetic studies revealed a close relationship of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica isolates with those from China and Niger respectively, forming a single cluster with no divergence. However the sequences obtained from GenBank from Egypt and Iran in case of Fasciola gigantica and Spain in case of Fasciola hepatica formed a separate cluster with 0.1% divergence. The intra species nucleotide diversity (π) was found to be non-significant with values of 0.000308 and 0.000121 for Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, but the inter species diversity revealed a much higher value of 0.004400. The present study made it very clear that molecular characterization employing internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1 and ITS-2) of nuclear rDNa are reliable approach for genetic differentiation of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, although morphological and micrometric studies were also found accurate but only upto 86.66% extent.ThesisItem Open Access Epidemiological and Therapeutic Studies on Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of Cattle in North Kashmir(SKUAST Kashmir, 2014) Aiman Ashraf; Shahardar, R. A.A survey on the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in locally reared cattle was conducted in north Kashmir (Baramulla, Kupwara & Bandipora districts) for a period of one year from July 2013 to June 2014. A total of 1126 faecal samples were examined of which 674 (59.86%) were found positive for one or more gastrointestinal helminth parasite. Overall prevalence of trematodes, cestodes and nematodes was found to be 11.63, 4.44 and 53.02 per cent, respectively. Paramphistomes (7.10%) were the most prevalent trematodes followed by Fasciola spp. (4.53%) and Dicrocoelium spp. (0.27%). Among cestodes the only genus reported was Moniezia spp. with percentage prevalence of 4.44 per cent. Among nematodes, the prevalence of strongyle worms was found highest (49.91%) followed by Trichuris spp. (3.64%) and Strongyloides spp. (2.04%). Seasonal variation revealed significantly (P0.05) higher in females (60.56%) as compared to males (58.24%) but the prevalence of paramphistomes was found significantly (P0.05) higher in males as compared to females. Total of 195 samples were examined by quantitative examination to determine the parasitic load. EPG ranged from 0-400 and an average EPG was found to be 177.44±6.29. Highest EPG was recorded in spring (231.11±14.15) followed by summer (211.11±11.56), autumn (148.00±11.15) and winter (132.73±8.32). The variation was statistically significant (P<0.05) between summer and autumn, summer and winter, autumn and spring, winter and spring. Significantly (P<0.05) higher EPG was recorded in young cattle (195.71±9.85) in comparison to adults (167.20±89.60). Significantly (P<0.05) higher EPG was found in females (189.84±7.91) as compared to males (153.73±9.82). On coprocultural examination, Haemonchus spp. (65%) was found to be most predominant strongyle worm followed by Bunostomum spp. (20%) and Trichostrongylus spp. (15%). On therapeutic studies, ivermectin and fenbendazole were found to be 100 per cent effective against nematode infection (strongyle worms) on 8th and 14th day post treatment. Oxyclozanide was found to be 100 per cent effective against trematode (Fasciola spp. and Paramphistomes) infection on 8th, 14th and 28th day post treatment.ThesisItem Open Access Anthelmintic Resistance Pattern of Gastrointestinal Nematode Parasites of Sheep in Kashmir(SKUAST Kashmir, 2011) Itoo, Shafqat Ahmad; Shahardar, R.A.The present study on anthelmintic resistance was carried out on three organized sheep farms of Kashmir valley to determine the anthelmintic resistance status in sheep naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. The anthelmintics tested were fenbendazole, tetramisole and ivermectin administered at the dose rate of 7.5, 15 and 0.2 mg per kg body weight respectively. On 14th day of post treatment faecal egg count reduction (FECR) percentage in sheep treated with fenbendazole, tetramisole and ivermectin were recorded as 92, 89 and 93%, respectively on Sheep Research Station Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar; 90, 93 and 92%, respectively on Government Sheep Breeding Farm Poshnar, Handwara and 88, 92 and 90%, respectively on Government Sheep Breeding Farm Zawoora, Shopian. In egg hatch assay (EHA), the LD50 value for fenbendazole and tetramisole were recorded as 0.631 and 1.572 µg/ml, respectively on Sheep Research Station (SRS) Shuhama; 0.450 and 1.339 µg/ml on Government Sheep Breeding Farm Poshnar, Handwara and 1.203 and 1.227 µg/ml, respectively on Government Sheep Breeding Farm Zawoora, Shopian. In larval development assay (LDA), the minimum inhibitory concentration for ivermectin was recorded as 1.024 µg/ml. Results based on FECR percent indicated the slight resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes to fenbendazole and ivermectin and moderate resistance to tetramisole on Sheep Research Station (SRS) Shuhama, Srinagar. Slight resistance to tetramisole and ivermectin and moderate resistance to fenbendazole was recorded on Government Sheep Breeding Farm Poshnar, Handwara. However moderate resistance to fenbendazole and ivermectin and slight resistance to tetramisole was observed on Government Sheep Breeding Farm Zawoora, Shopian. In egg hatch assay, the values of LD50 were found to be exceeding 0.1 µg/ml for fenbendazole and 1.0 µg/ml for tetramisole indicating the development of resistance on all the three organized farms screened. In LDA, the values of MIC were recorded as 1.024 µg/ml for ivermectin on all the three organized farms tested which indicated the presence of resistant gastrointestinal nematodes against ivermectin also.ThesisItem Open Access Prevalence and therapeutic studies on gastrointestinal helminth parasites of equines in central zone of Kashmir Valley(SKUAST Kashmir, 2010) Maria Abbas; Shahardar, R.A.A total of five hundred and fifty faecal samples of locally reared equines were examined in central zone of Kashmir valley (Budgam, Srinagar and Ganderbal districts) from September 2009 to July 2010, out of which 523 (95.09%) were found positive for ova of one or other helminth parasite. The overall prevalence rate of gastrointestinal helminths was found to be 100% in both mules and donkeys followed by ponies (95.23%) and horses (80%) with non- significant statistical variation (P>0.05). The study revealed that nematodes were most prevalent helminths (95.09%) followed by cestodes (1.45%). None of the faecal sample was found to be positive for any of the trematode egg. Cyathostomes (94.72%) were found to be most prevalent, followed by Strongylus spp.(81.09%), Triodontophorus spp. (60.90%), Dictyocaulus arnfieldi (13.09%), Oxyuris equi (8.18%), Strongyloides westeri (6.90%) and Parascaris equorum (4.36%). Among cestodes, only anoplocephalid type of eggs were found with a prevalence of 1.45 per cent respectively. The seasonal occurrence of overall gastrointestinal helminth infection in equines revealed highest infection rate of 100% in spring followed by 99% in summer, 94.66 per cent in autumn and 88% in winter season with statistically non-significant (p>0.05) variation. The overall prevalence of mixed infection was found to be 91.45%. Non-significantly (P>0.05) higher prevalence rate was found in young equines (96.8%) as compared to adult equines (94.58%) and in female equines (98.93%) as compared to male equines (92.83%). The overall mean EPG in equines was found to be 1546.45 ± 345.47. Highest mean EPG was recorded in spring (2152±88.95) followed by autumn (1734 ± 49.99) and summer (1687.33±45.18) but the lowest EPG of 736.33±41.39 was recorded in winter season. The intensity of infection (EPG) was highest in horses (1687.49± 170.41) followed by ponies (1600± 190.24) mules (1516.66±395.81) and donkeys (1465±136.91) with non-significant statistical variation (P>0.05). The intensity of infection was found to be higher in young ones (1702.5± 174.76) and in females (1663±114.19) in comparison to adults (1465±136.91) and males equines (1440.66±124.90) with non-significant statistical variation (P>0.05). Different genera of strongyle worms identified on coproculture were Cyathostomum spp. (66.66%) followed by Triodontophorus spp. (10.80%), Gyalocephalus spp. (9.33%), Strongylus vulgaris (6.66%), Strongylus edentatus (5.00%), Trichostrongylus axei (5.00%), Poteriostomum spp. (3.33%) and Oesophagodontus spp. (3.33%). The efficacy of fenbendazole, albendazole and doramectin was found to be 100.00% against all strongyle worms viz., Cyathostomes, Triodontophorus spp. and Strongylus spp. on day 14th post-treatment.ThesisItem Open Access Prevalence and therapeutic studies on gastrointestinal helminth parasites of cattle in central zone of Kashmir Valley(SKUAST Kashmir, 2010) Bushra Mushtaq; Shahardar, R.A.A survey on the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in locally reared cattle was conducted in central zone of Kashmir valley for a period of nearly one year from September 2009 to July 2010. A total of 960 faecal samples were examined of which 749 (78.02%) were found positive for one or other gastrointestinal helminth parasite. Overall prevalence of platyhelminths was found to be 29.37 per cent with trematodes and cestodes found in 27.39 and 4.16 per cent animals respectively. Fasciola spp. (16.45%) was the most prevalent trematode followed by paramphistomes (13.12%) and Dicrocoelium spp. (2.08%). Amongst cestodes the only genus reported was Moniezia spp. with percentage prevalence of 4.10 per cent. Overall prevalence of nemathelminth parasites was 76.66 per cent. Amongst nemathelminth parasites, the prevalence of strongyle worms was found highest (73.85%) followed by Trichuris spp. (5.41%), Strongyloides spp. (3.58%) and Toxocara vitulorum (1.04%). Seasonal variation revealed non-significantly (P>0.05) highest prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites during winter (86.50%) followed by spring (81.33%), summer (72.69%) and autumn (71.50%). Young cattle had non-significantly (P>0.05) higher gastrointestinal helminth parasites (84.92%) than adults (75.29%) but trematodes were found non-significantly (P>0.05) higher in adults. Overall gastrointestinal helminth parasites were found significantly (P0.05) higher in female cattle as compared to males but in case of nematodes this difference was statistically significant (P0.05) higher EPG was recorded in females (257.01±21.28) compared to males (197.22±28.70) but the variation was significantly (P<0.05) higher in younger animals (295.83±24.98) compared to adults (217.64±22.82). On coprocultural examination, Haemonchus spp. (33.78%) was found to be most predominant strongyle worm followed by Ostertagia spp. (21.62%), Trichostrongylus spp. (14.86%), Chabertia spp. (10.81%), Bunostomum spp. (8.10%), Oesophagostomum spp. (6.75%) and Cooperia spp. (4.05%) On therapeutic studies, closantel was found to be 100 and 94.44 per cent effective against Fasciola spp. and strongyle worms respectively on 14th day post treatment but it was not effective against Trichuris spp. Fenbendazole was found to be 100 per cent effective against Fasciola spp., amphistomes, Moniezia spp., Trichuris spp. and strongyle worms on 14th day post treatment. Ivermectin was found to be 100 per cent effective against Trichuris spp. and strongyle worms on 14th day post treatment but was not effective against Fasciola spp. and paramphistomes.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Prevalence and Pathology of Platyhelminthes of Sheep in Ganderbal district of Kashmir Valley(SKUAST Kashmir, 2009) Mir, Shahnawaz Maqbool; Shahardar, R.A.Six hundred faecal samples and fifty five slaughtered/dead sheep were examined to determine the prevalence and pathology of platyhelminthes of sheep in Ganderbal district of Kashmir valley. Overall prevalence of platyhelminths was 32.36 per cent with trematodes and cestodes in 20.91 and 15.26 per cent animals respectively. Moniezia spp. was the most prevalent platyhelminth (12.82%) followed by Dicrocoelium spp. (11.45%), paramphistomes (6.56%), Fasciola spp. (5.34%), Stilesia spp. (3.20%) and Avitellina spp. (0.45%). Amongst metacestodes, hydatid cysts (9.09%) and Cysticercus tenuicollis (5.45%) were found. Seasonal variation revealed non significantly higher infection during winter (39.26%) followed by spring (34.54%), summer (29.69%) and autumn (25.92%). Adult sheep had higher (P>0.05) infection rate (34.15%) than lambs and hoggets (29.48%) while as infection rate was non significantly higher in female sheep (33.99%) compared to males (29.71%). Paramphistomes showed the highest mean worm count of 393.75±114 followed by Dicrocoelium dendriticum (253.47±32.90), Stilesia globipunctata (38.09±11), Fasciola gigantica (13.85±5.04), Avitellina centripunctata (7.66±5.24) and Moniezia expansa (5.15±1.02). Hydatid cysts and C. tenuicollis showed mean counts of 1.80±0.49 and 1.33±0.33 respectively. Grossly, livers infected with F. gigantica were enlarged with subscapular haemorrhages and necrotic spots on surface while in D. dendriticum infection, livers were enlarged with dilated biliary ducts. Scaring of the organ was observed at its periphery. Small intestine infested with immature paramphistomes showed oedema and thickening of mucosal surface with petechial haemorrhages. S. globipunctata infected small intestine showed thickening and oedema of mucosa, studded with nodules. No significant gross alteration was observed in M. expansa and A. centripunctata infected small intestines. Histopathological investigations revealed extensive haemorrhages, necrosis of hepatocytes, fibrosis and cellular infiltration in Fasciola infected livers. Cholangiohepatitis, biliary fibrosis and hyperplasia of bile duct was observed in D. dendriticum infection. Paramphistome infected rumen showed cellular infiltration into the core of papillae while as atrophy of villi and mononuclear cell infiltration was seen in the infected small intestines. In S. globipunctata infection, small intestine revealed epithelial degeneration, glandular hyperplasia and mononuclear cell infiltration. M. expansa parasitized small intestines revealed shortening and flattening of villi, degenerative changes and infiltration of mononuclear cells.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Prevalence and Pathology of Nemathelminthes of Sheep in Ganderbal District of Kashmir Valley(SKUAST Kashmir, 2009) Wani, Zahoor Ahmad; Shahardar, R.A.Epidemiological survey on the prevalence and pathology caused by nemathelminth parasites in locally reared sheep was conducted in district Ganderbal of Kashmir valley from September 1st, 2008 to August 31st, 2009. A total of 600 faecal samples and 55 necropsy cases were examined of which 497 (75.87%) were found positive for one or other nemathelminth parasite. Among the nemathelminth parasites, the prevalence of Haemonchus spp. was found highest (42.29%) followed by Ostertagia spp (26.41%), Trichostrongylus spp. (23.05%), Chabertia spp. (20.76%), Bunostomum spp. (14.04%), Nematodirus spp. (12.21%), Oesophagostomum spp. (11.90%), Trichuris spp. (9.00%), Gaigeria spp. (3.20%), Marshallagia spp. (2.74%), Dictyocaulus spp. (1.37%) and Mecistocirrus spp. (1.06%). Nemathelminth parasites had non-significantly (p>0.05) higher prevalence rate in summer (84.84%) followed by spring (80.00%), winter (71.16%) and autumn (67.28%) based on combined results of faecal and necropsy examination. Age wise prevalence was recorded non- significantly (p>0.05) higher in adults (85.64%) as compared to young sheep (60.15%). Sex-wise prevalence was also observed non-significantly (p>0.05) higher in females (77.26%) as compared to males (74.46%). Out of 655 samples, mixed infection was observed in 437 (66.71%) samples. A total of 13 nemathelminth parasites were identified. The parasites identified on necropsy examination along with their mean worm count were Haemonchus contortus (99.035), Ostertagia spp. (O. circumcincta, O. trifurcata) (35.00), Trichostrongylus spp. (T. colubriformis, T. axei) (22.50), Chabertia ovina (27.54), Oesophagostomum columbianum (68.57), Trichuris ovis (83.35), Dictyocaulus filaria (31.22), Bunostomum trigonocephalum (7.50), Nematodirus spp (150.00), Gaigeria pachyscelis (4.00) and Mecistocirrus digitatus. Higher mean worm count was observed in adults as compared to younger sheep. The pathology caused by nemathelminth parasites was varied. Haemonchus contortus affected abomasum had thickened walls with traumatic erosions. Histological examination revealed abomasitis characterized by infiltration of eosinophils, lymphocytes and macrophages. Small intestine infected with Bunostomum trigonocephalum were congested and histological examination revealed abrasion of villi. Colon infected with Chabertia ovina was oedematous with thickening of mucosa and histological examination revealed denudation of mucosa, submucosal oedema with infiltration of lymphocytes. Colon infected with Oesophagostomum columbianum revealed presence of nodules. Histological examination revealed nodular areas of caseous necrosis with calcification deep in the mucosa. There was infiltration of lymphocytes, macrophages and epitheloid cells around the areas of necrosis. Trichuris ovis infected caecum revealed no gross changes but histological examination revealed mucosal erosions with sparse infiltration of mononuclear cells. Dictyocaulus filaria infected lungs were consolidated and much froth was evident in the bronchioles. Histological examination revealed hemorrhages and parasites were seen in the sections.
