Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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Open Access
Modified intra-dermal test for the diagnosis of paratuberculosis in goats
(Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1994) Vinod Kumar, K; KAU; Saseedraranath, M R
Efficacy of single intra – dermal Johnin test was compared against two modified intra – dermal Johnin tests for diagnosis of paratuberculosis in goats. One hundred and fifty adult goats were divided at random into three groups and each group was subjected to one of the intra - dermal tests. Group 1 being the single johnin intra – dermal (SID) Johnin test whereas in group 11 (modified intra – dermal test – MID – 1) and group 111 (modified intra – dermal test – MID – 11). The second injections were given after third and fifth days of first injection. Six animals giving positive results and two animals giving negative results were slaughtered from each group and confirmation of infection was ascertained by histopathology. Fecal samples and rectal pinch from all the animals were subjected to zeihl – Neelsen’s acid – fast staining for detection for M. paratuberculosis. Serum magnesium levels of all test positive animals and an equal number of test – negative animals from each group were compared. After 24 h MID – 1 was found to be superior to both SID and MID – 11 tests. The MID – 1 test had higher specificity (66.6 per cent against 58.33 per cent in SID and 40 per cent in MID – 11) and predictive value of positive results (83.3 against 55.5 in SID and 50 per cent in MID – 11). The MID – 1 and MID – 11 tests had 100 per cent sensitivity and predictive value of negative results as against 50 per cent and 33.3 per cent of SID. Examination of fecal sample and rectal pinch was found to be of little value in the diagnosis of early paratuberculosis in goats. Serum magnesium levels between test positive and test negative animals was found to be not significantly different in all three groups. The results of the present study indicate that MID – 1 test could be used as an efficient diagnostic test for detection of paratuberculosis among goats.
Open Access
Screening of dogs for leptospira using sandwich dot elisa
(Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Rahul, S Nair; KAU; Saseendranath, M R
An investigation was carried out in 210 dogs of Thrissur district to assess the prevalence of leptospirosis using diagnostic techniques like darkfield microscopy, Sandwich dot ELISA for Leptospira antigen detection, Sandwich plate ELISA for Leptospira antigen detection and Polymerase chain reaction. Sera and mine samples were collected from dogs brought to University Veterinary Hospitals, Kokkalai and Mannuthy that included 109 diseased animals and 101 healthy dogs. Out of the 210 sera samples tested 26 (12.38 per cent) samples, six (5.94 per cent) out of the 101 samples from healthy dogs and 20 (18.35 per cent) out of the 109 serum samples from diseased dogs were found positive. Out of the 210 urine samples tested 22 samples (10.48 per cent), eight (7.34 per cent) from diseased dogs and 14 (13.86 per cent) from healthy dogs were found positive for pathogenic leptospires. Prevalence of leptospirosis was found higher in male dogs and in dogs aged from six months to three years. The present finding of healthy carriers for leptospirosis among dogs shows the need of checking dogs more carefully for inapparent leptospirosis because of the human health hazard. Evaluation of the comparative efficacy of the four diagnostic tests revealed darkfield microscopy inferior in detecting leptospires in dogs and the newly developed, easy to perform and cost effective sandwich dot and plate ELISA for Leptospira antigen detection that was showing hundred percent agreements with polymerase chain reaction can be adopted as an effective diagnostic tool for canine leptospirosis even at field level where sophisticated infrastructure is lacking.
Open Access
Epidemiology of certain bacterial and viral diseases causing neonatal mortality in pups
(Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Indu, S Namputhiri; KAU; Tresamol, P V
The present study was conducted to assess the role of bacterial and certain viral etiology, to conduct antibiogram and to estimate the nonspecific factors associated with neonatal mortality in pups.The bacterial isolates from milk of bitches were identified as Staphylococcus aureus (29 per cent) Staphylococcus intermedius (six per cent), Klebsiella pneumoniae (47 per cent), Proteus vulgaris (12 per cent) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (six per cent). Antibiogram of the isolates showed that majority of the isolates from milk were sensitive to ciprofloxacin (71 per cent), followed by amoxycillin (65per cent), gentamicin (41per cent), enrofloxacin (59 per cent), norfloxacin (18 per cent) chloramphenicol (12 per cent) and amoxy-clav (6 per cent).Blood samples taken from two bitches yielded bacterial growth, which were identified as Staphylococcus aureus (50 per cent) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (50 per cent). The bacterial isolates from blood were lOOper cent sensitive to ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol, 50 per cent to gentamicin, 50 per cent to amoxycillin and resistant to enrofloxacin and norfloxacin. The bacteria isolated from the vaginal samples were identified as Hafnia alvei (Enterobacter alvei)(six per cent), Klebsiella pneumoniae (35 per cent), Staphylococcus aureus (12 per cent), Escherichia coli (12 per cent), Proteus vulgaris (23 per cent), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (six per cent) and Staphylococcus intermedius (six per cent). The vaginal isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin (88 per cent), gentamicin (53 per cent), amoxycillin (59 per cent), enrofloxacin (71 per cent), chloramphenicol (59 per cent) and norfloxacin (35 per cent). None of the milk, blood or vaginal swabs taken from the control group yielded any bacterial growth. Isolates were obtained from heart blood and from liver and lung of pups. These included Proteus vulgaris(20 per QQnt)yPseudomonas aeruginosa(40 per cent) and Klebsiella pneumoniae(A0 per cent). Fourty per cent of the bacterial isolates from pups were sensitive to gentamicin and chloramphenicol, 80 per cent to ciprofloxacin, 60 per cent to amoxycillin and 20 per cent to norfloxacin and enrofloxacin. The role of parvovirus as a causative agent for neonatal mortality was studied by subjecting the liver, lung,intestine spleen and kidney tissue of dead pups to AGID and HA for detection of parvoviral antigen and one sample was positive by HA. This was confirmed by haemagglutination inhibition test. None of the serum from the bitches gave positive result for antibodies against parvoviral antigen in agar gel immunodiffusion test. The titre of antibodies of bitches were assessed by HI. HI titre of the vaccinated bitches ranged from eight to 64.0nly one bitch was having the protective titre. All the unvaccinated bitches were not having any titre of antibodies against parvo by HI test.
Open Access
Epidomological and clinico -therapeutic studies on canine demodicosis
(Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Thushara, M R; KAU; Tresamol, P V
Prevalence of demodicosis was studied among the dogs presented with dermatological problems at the University Veterinary Hospitals, Mannuthy and Kokkalai during the period from May 2002 to April 2003. Among the 927 dermatological problems in canines, demodicosis was diagnosed in 51 (5.50 per cent) and scabies (Sarcoptes scabei var canis) in three (0.03 per cent) cases. Significant difference (P<0.05) in the proportion of positive cases was noted among different age groups of dogs with the highest rate of infection in 6 to 12 months age group followed by three to six months. Highest rate of infection was observed in Boxers followed by Golden retrievers and Rotteweilers and lowest in Dachshunds, the difference being statistically significant (P<0.05). No influence of sex was observed on the prevalence of demodicosis. Papules and pustules were the most frequent primary lesions and erythema and alopecia, the predominant secondary lesions distributed mostly on the face, neck and extremities with occasional lesions on the trunk of the affected dogs. Constant pruritus with diffuse pattern of alopecia was observed in most of the generalised demodicosis while the pruritus was absent or occasional and rarely constant in localised demodic;sis. Out of six incontact animals affected, four were from the same litter indicating the transmission of the disease from the mother to neonate at the time of suckling. Dogs kept outdoors were less frequently affected. A significant reduction in the haemoglobin, PCV and albumin globulin ratio and an elevation in absolute eosinophil count and globulin content (P<0.05) was observed in the affected dogs. All the treatments were effective in bringing these values towards their normal level in the control group. lvermectin at 200 mcg per kg, subcutaneously, fortnightly was found to cure only localised cases while it was seem to be ineffective in generalised demodicosis. Weekly per cent improvement and demodicosis index analysed statistically showed no significant difference between the other three treatment groups (1) amitraz, (2) amitraz + ivermectin and (3) amitraz + ivermectin + levamisole. Although not statistically significant (P<0.05) faster healing, greater per cent improvement and significant improvement in the haematological and biochemical parameters was observed in the group treated with the combination of ivermectin, levamisole and amitraz. Clinical improvement was observed within three to five treatments and cent per cent of the dogs cleared the mites by 10 treatments.
Open Access
Comparative seroconversion of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines in goats
(Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Madhanmohan, M; KAU; Tresamol, P V
The comparative seroconversions of two different foot-and-mouth disease vaccines in goats were studied. Group I animals were vaccinated with inactivated quadrivalent aluminium hydroxide gel saponin adjuvanted FMD vaccine. Group 11 animals were vaccinated with inactivated quadrivalent FMD oil-adjuvant vaccine as per the manufacture's schedule. Vaccinations were done in unvaccinated goats above four month of age. The antibody titre against foot and mouth disease virus types 0, A, C and Asia-I were assessed by liquid phase blocking ELISA. Group I animals showed the protective titre of type ° antibody titres throughout the period except sixth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth month. Group 11 animals showed the protective level throughout the study period except seventh, eighth and ninth month. Both the groups showed the protective titre of type A, C and Asia-I antibody titres throughout the study period up to 12 months. All the vaccination including primary and booster vaccinations produce increase in antibody titre. Both the groups did not show any significant variation in antibody titres against FMDV type 0, A, C and Asia-I except the time of booster vaccination. Kids born from both the ~roups showed the protective level of type ° maternal antibody only upto one week of age where as protective level for type A and C maternal antibodies upto four weeks of age. Group I kids maintained the protective level of type Asia-I upto two weeks of age where as Group 11 maintained upto three weeks of age. From this observation it is concluded that 1. Both the group of vaccine provides sufficient protective titre for FMDV type 0, A, C and Asia-l . 2. Aluminium hydroxide gel vaccine performance is equally good as that of oil adjuvanted vaccine. 3. Oil-adjuvanted vaccine reduces labour cost for injection, number of visit and stress to the animals to a very ?reat extent. Therefore oil-adjuvanted vaccine may be preferred when compared to gel vaccine. 4. The maternal antibody protect the kids which were born to vaccinated does one to four weeks of age, regardless of the adjuvant used in the vaccine.
Open Access
Clinico-therapeutic studies on bacterial infections of respiratory tract in bovines
(Department of Veterinary Epidemiolog and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Siji, P C; KAU; Vijayakumar, K
The present study was undertaken to know the bacterial etiology, antibiogram and to evaluate efficacy of two antibiotics namely enrofloxacin (Gyroflox) at 5 mglkg body weight intramuscular once daily for 3 to 5 days and florfenicol (Nuflor®) at 20 mg/kg body weight, deep intramuscular two doses at 48 h interval in the treatment of bovine respiratory tract infection. The animals in the experimental groups were categorized according to a clinical illness index score system. Clinical data and haematological parameters of diseased animals showed significant difference with regard to temperature, respiratory rate, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, packed cell volume, haemoglobin and total erythrocyte count. No significant difference was noted in the values of erythrocyte indices and leukogram. Bacteria isolated from the respiratory tract of diseased bovines were Staphylococcus aureus (6), Staphylococcus epidermidis (5), Streptococcus pyogenes (8), Escherichia coli (7), Klebsiella pneumoniae (5), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4), Mannheimia haemolytica (3) and Proteus vulgaris (1). Out of the 39 bacterial isolates 19 (48.71 per cent) were Gram positive and 20 (51.29 per cent) were Gram negative. Single bacteria could be isolated only from 2 cases (11.11 per cent). Mixed bacteria were isolated from 16 cases (88.88 per cent). Antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates showed maximum sensitivity to enrofloxacin (94.87 per cent) followed by ciprofloxacin (87.18 per cent), chloramphenicol (76.92 per cent), gentamicin (64.10 per cent), oxytetracycline (53.85 per cent), amoxycillin (51.28 per cent), streptomycin (35.90 per cent) and trimethoprim (28.21 per cent). Recovery of the animals in both groups was assessed on the basis of statistically significant reduction in pyrexia, respiratory rate and overall improvement of clinical signs and illness index score. Recovered animals recorded a significant difference in the ESR and pev from diseased animals in both the groups. No significant difference was noted in the temperature, respiratory rate, haematological parameters between the two post-treatment groups. Efficacy of both enrofloxacin and florfenicol was comparable in counteracting bacterial bovine respiratory tract infection.
Open Access
Seroconversion of three different Foot-and-Mouth disease vaccines in Cattle
(Department of Veterinary Epidemology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Bipin, K C; KAU; Tresamol, P V
Seroconversion of three different commercial inactivated quadrivalent Foot-and-Mouth disease vaccines were studied. One aluminium hydroxide gel vaccine and two oil-adjuvanted vaccines were used for the study in three groups of cattle. Monthly assessment of antibody titres against 0, A, C and Asia-I antigens were made by liquid phase blocking-ELlS A (LPB-ELISA). Unvaccinated calves of four months and above age were grouped into three and vaccinations were made as per manufacturer's regime. Group I and group Il animals did not showed significant difference in type ° antibody titres throughout the study period except following booster vaccination of group I in seventh month. Both groups maintained protective titres except in the fourth and fifth months of study. Group III showed a lower level of antibody titres throughout the study period. Protective typeA antibody titres were maintained by group I and group H animals during the entire study period except in the fifth month. No significant difference between these two groups observed except following the second booster vaccination in group H. Group III showed comparatively lower antibody titres against type A FMD antigen. All the three groups showed protective mean type C antibody titres throughout the study period. But group III showed an antibody titre below protective level during fourth month. Group I and group II did not show significant variation in antibody titres except following respective booster vaccinations. Group I and group II maintained a protective level of type Asia-l antibody titres except during fifth month. Group III showed significantly low Asia-l antibody titres throughout the study period. The booster vaccinations produced anamnestic response in group I and group Il in almost all cases. Group III animals showed lower antibody titres against all the four virus types when compared to group I and group Il and response to booster vaccinations were poor in group Ill. Comparison between the three vaccines in terms of cost required for immunising a single animal for the first one year revealed that oil-adjuvanted vaccine Il required the lowest cost while oil-adjuvanted vaccine III required the highest cost for the first one year.
Open Access
Clinico-therapeutic studies on ehrlichiosis in dogs
(Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Smitha, J P; KAU
The present study was undertaken to get a detailed understanding on clinico-therapeutic, haematological and biochemical aspects of ehrlichiosis in dogs. A total of 64 animals showing symptoms suggestive of the disease were taken as the study group. Diagnosis was based on examination of blood/buffy coat smear and by IF A test as well. Examination of blood/buffy coat smear revealed Ehrlichia canis morulae in the cytoplasm of leukocytes in 16 animals. IF A test, detected antibodies in 42 animals. 0 age, sex or breed predilection for the disease was noticed. Most frequent clinical signs observed were fever, anorexia/selective appetite, lymphadenomegaly, depression and congested mucous membrane. Haematological abnormalities mainly encountered included normocytic normochromic anaemra, thrombocytopenia and monocytosis. Serum biochemical abnormalities observed were elevated levels of serum ALT, AP, total protein, globulin, creatinine and low levels for albumin and lower values for A/G ratio. A therapeutic trial with doxycycline and prednisolone gave encouraging clinical response and good uneventful recovery. The results of the present study confirm that ehrlichiosis is a disease that is prevalent in our area and treatment with doxycycline can be considered as the therapy of choice for ehrlichiosis in dogs.
Open Access
Seroprevalence of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis in Crossbred cattle of Kerala
(Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Rajesh, J B; KAU; Tresamol, P V
Seroprevalence of IBR in 719 crossbred cattle of Kerala was studied using Avidin-Biotin ELISA. Sera samples were collected from cattle belonging to different places of Kerala covering all the districts. Samples were collected randomly from cattle of different age, managemental practice, breed, sex, parity, different health status and also from different farms. Samples were subjected to Avidin-Biotin ELISA for detecting antibodies against BHV -1 infection. Out of 719 sera samples tested 14.88 per cent gave positive result for BHV -1 antibodies. Animals reared under rural farming system showed high seropositivity ,. (18.75%) to B HV -1 infection than animals under organised farms. Seroprevalence of BHV -1 antibodies was more in animals with some history of disease (22.6%) than apparently healthy animals. This result is highly significant (PPrevalence of BHV -1 antibodies is found to be more in crossbred cattle when compared to non-descript cattle. Seroprevalence of IBR in various age group revealed that percentage of positiveness to BHV -1 was more in animals above three years of age. Serological evidence of !BR is very less in younger animals. Also animals after one parity and above had a high percentage of seroprevalence than heifers and calves. Animals from different farms were tested for antibodies against BHV-l infection. Private farms had a high seroprevalence of IDR infection than University farms and Government farms. There is significant difference •. between private farms and other farms. Seroprevalence of IBR among cattle with different clinical manifestations were tested. High percentage of seroprevalence noted in respiratory form of infection (33.33%). Seroprevalence ofIBR in crossbred cattle of Kerala detected as 14.88%.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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