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
Immunodiagnosis of bovine gastrothylacosis using coproantigens
(Department of parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Kandasamy, A; KAU; Devada, K
A study was conducted on the prevalence of paramphistomatidosis in Thrissur from June 1999 to May 2000, feasibility of coproantigen detection by ELlSA and comparison of sensitivity of ELlSA using coproantigens and ELlSA using serum antibodies in diagnosis of gastrothylacosis, caused by Gastrothy/ax crumenifer, in cattle. It was noted from the registers maintained at the University Veterinary Hospitals at Kokkalai and Mannuthy and that at the Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, that out of a total number of 1534 faecal samples from bovines examined, 253 (16.5 per cent) animals were found to be positive for amphistome eggs with the maximum prevalence (23 per cent) in June and July. Generally the infection was prevalent throughout the year. An indirect ELlSA using rabbit hyperimmune serum against somatic antigens of G. crumenifer was performed to detect coproantigens in faecal samples collected from 100 known G. crumenifer infected cattle. Seventy four samples were found to contain detectable levels of coproantigen indicating a sensitivity of 74 per cent. Serum samples collected from the same infected cattle were tested for antibodies to G. crumenifer by an indirect ELlSA using somatic antigens. Fifty one samples were found positive for antibodies indicating a sensitivity of 51 per cent. It was seen that when 43 cattle were positive for both coproantigens and serum antibodies, 18 cattle were negative for both of them. Although 31 cattle which were negative for serum antibodies were found positive for coproantigens, eight cattle negative for coproantigens were found positive for serum antibodies. The results showed that coproantigen detection, which revealed a higher sensitivity than the detection of serum antibodies by ELlSA, is feasible for the diagnosis of gastrothylacosis in bovines.
Open Access
Effect of certain biopesticides and irradiation on the developmental stages of myiasis producing flies
(Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1998) Subramanian, H; KAU; Rajamohanan, K
A study was undertaken on the prevalence of cutaneous myiasis in domestic animals and its control using bio-pesticides and gamma irradiation. The prevalence of cutaneous myiasis in domestic animals was found to be 205 (2.08 per cent) among .the 9861 animals screened. The peak of infestation was noted in the month of January. In host-wise and parasite-wise the highest incidence was noted in cattle (63.41 per cent) and the majority of infestation was produced by Chrysomya bezziana larvae (90.73 per cent). Methoprene at 1 to 50 ppm concentration caused only moderate mortality on larvae but significantly increased the mortality rate on eggs, prolonged the larval phase, increased the formation of larval pupal intermediaries and adult deformities and reduced the adult emergence. Diflubenzuron at 0.5 to 5 ppm caused 55 to 100 per cent larvicidal effect due to lowered chitin content of 18.42 to 52.11 per cent in larval cuticle. Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis produced only moderate larval mortality at 160 to 800 ppm in myiasis producing flies. Azadirachtin at 10.5 to 15 ppm produced 100 per cent mortality in eggs and larvae. Significant antifeedant, ovipositional deterrent and repellant effects were also produced by Azadirachtin. Among the extracts of Acarus calamus, studied, petroleum ether extract at 2.5 per cent concentration gave 82.5 to 100 per cent mortality of the larvae. Moderate antifeedant, ovipositional deterrent and repellant effects were also noticed. The petroleum ether extract produced 100 per cent sterility at 0.1 to 1 per cent concentration by preventing the development of ovarian follicles. Three day old pupae of myiasis producing flies exposed to r-rays gave excellent sterility effect at 2000 to 4000 rads radiation exposure without any other deleterious effect in the flies. Diflubenzuron at 5 ppm concentration showed the highest larvicidal effect (88.5 per cent) in natural cases of cutaneous myiasis.
Open Access
Evaluation of different techniques for the diagnosis of bovine babesiosis
(Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Renjitha, T S; KAU; Deveda, K
Different techniques to diagnose bovine babesiosis were evaluated by screening 71 cattle presented at the various Veterinary Hospitals of Thrissur and Ernakulam districts and those maintained at the University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy and the Cattle Breeding Farm, Thumburmuzhi with symptoms suggestive of the disease. The techniques employed were examination ofGiemsa stained blood smears, examination of ticks collected from suspected animals and serological tests like the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IF AT) and Slide- Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Slide-ELISA). Among the 71 cattle, 11 were suffering from an acute illness whereas 60 showed only subclinical symptoms. Examination of Giemsa stained blood smear could detect Babesia bigemina organisms in 9 (12.68 per cent) of the total samples, which were mainly from the acutely infected cattle, except for one, that was obtained from a subclinically infected calf. The principal vector of babesiosis was identified as Boophilus annulatus in the present study. Parasitic masses indicative of the organisms were identified from the various tick tissues dissected and stained with methyl green pyronine. Considering the ticks as positive on detection of developmental stages of the parasite in any of the tissues, ticks from 27 (54 per cent) out of total 50 animals were interpreted as positive. The IFAT detected B. bigemina antibodies in 37 (52.11 per cent) and Slide-ELISA in 39 (54.93 per cent) sera out of 71 samples that were screened. These two serological techniques were found to be equally efficient, with Slide- ELISA proving more suitable for use as a field diagnostic test. Most of the animals that were detected positive for the organisms by all the tests, were above one year of age. As the number of male and female animals was too uneven, a sex related comparison could not be appropriately done. Similarly, a comparison on the performance of the different tests between the breeds was also not feasible owing to the wide variation between the numbers of breeds studied. On evaluation of the different diagnostic techniques, serology and examination. of ticks were found equally effective in detecting both the clinical and subclinical forms of the disease over and above the conventional method i.e., the blood smear examination. However, examination of Giemsa stained blood smears continues to be the method of choice to detect acute infections.
Open Access
Immunodiagnosis of canine dirofilariosis using microfilarial antigen
(Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Priya, M N; KAU; Subramanian, H
A detailed study was conducted on the prevalence on canine dirofilariosis in Thrissur from June 2002 to May 2003, feasibility of microfilarial antibody detection by ELISA and comparison of sensitivity of Indirect ELISA and dot- ELISA in the detection of dirofilariosis. Microfilariae encountered were identified as those of Dirofilaria repens. Out of the total number of2435 blood samples from dogs screened by wet film examination 172 (7.06 per cent) dogs were found positive for microfilariae. It has been found that canine dirofilariosis was prevalent throughout the year with more incidence during summer. An Indirect ELISA and dot-ELISA were also conducted in three groups of animals using microfilarial antigen prepared from known microfilaria positive serum samples. Out of the total number of 50 samples of known microfilaria positive dogs 49 (98 per cent) and 47 (94 per cent) were found positive by Indirect ELISA and dot-ELISA respectively. The corresponding figures in 36 dogs with other helminths were 15 (41.67 per cent) and 19 (52.77 per cent) and that of32 totally helminth free dogs were 10 (31.25 per cent) and 12 (37.5 per cent) respectively. The results indicate that both Indirect ELISA and dot-ELISA are feasible for the detection of the microfilarial antibodies though they are less specific.
Open Access
Immunoprophylaxis against common dog tick using gut antigen
(Department of Veterinary Parasitology,College of Veterinary and Animal Science,Mannuthy, 2005) Ajithkumar, K G; KAU; Subramanian, H
The occurrence of tick infestation in dogs in the Corporation of Thrissur, Kerala, India, was studied in 1200 dogs during a period of one year from July 2004 to June 2005. Four hard tick species viz Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. haemaphysaloides, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, H. bispinosa var. intermedia were identified. Significant difference in species wise prevalence was found on 124 tick positive dogs. The most prevalent species of tick infesting dogs was found to be R. sanguineus (8.58 per cent) followed by H. bispinosa (1.33 per cent), R. haemaphysaloides (0.33 per cent) and H. bispinosa var. intermedia (0.08 per cent). Three species of ticks namely R. haemaphysaloides, H. bispinosa, and H. bispinosa var. intermedia have been recorded in dogs for the first time from Kerala. The influence of month, season, age, gender and breed on the prevalence rate were observed. Prevalence rates were calculated by month, season, age, gender and breed. No significant difference (P>0.05) of tick infestation during different months was observed due to temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall. No clear pattern of seasonality was observed for R. sanguineus, which was present throughout the year. The different variables considered in the present study such as age and gender were not significantly associated with the presence of tick infestation in dogs. There was a highly significant (P<0.01) association between breed and the intensity of infestation with maximum intensity of infestation in German shepherd dogs. Sites of attachment of ticks were ear, neck, interdigital space, dorsum of the body, eyelids, perianal region, withers, thorax and hind limbs. Highly significant variation (P<0.01) was observed between attachment sites with maximum on ear (84.68 per cent) followed by neck and interdigital space. Tick-bite naive guinea pigs inoculated with gut extracts and Freund’s adjuvant revealed induced immunity against R. sanguineus expressed by altered feeding and fertility parameters consisting of the prolonged engorgement period, reduced engorged female weight and feeding efficiency index, prolonged pre oviposition period, reduced oviposition period, egg mass weight, egg rate conversion efficiency and larval mass. Except the incubation period all the reproductive and feeding parameters differed significantly compared to the control. Inradermal test done on immunised guinea pigs to assess cell mediated immunity revealed both immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reaction. Humoral immune response assessed by agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and passive haemagglutination (PHA) revealed that the former was less sensitive compared to the latter. Passive haemagglutination test detected anti tick antibodies as early as 14th day post immunisation. Peak titre 1:128 reached on the 35th day post immunisation.
Open Access
Immune response of cattle to Boophilus annulatus (Acari : Ixodoidea)
(Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Sreekrishnan, R; KAU; Rajamohanan, K
A study was undertaken to assess the nature and degree of development of acquired resistance in calves against the cattle tick Boophilus annulatus. Observations were made mainly on the development of natural resistance against repeat infestations and the effect of artificial immunization using the tick antigen. Tissue reactions induced by the ticks at the site of bite were also studied. The results indicated the development of resistance in the host, which was gradual and varying in degrees. Immunodiffusion test failed to reveal the presence of tick antibodies in the sera of calves after repeated infestations, indicating that easily demonstrable quantities of antibodies are not developed even after repeated infestations. The cellular reactions at the site of tick – bite revealed the development of a resistant reaction at the site of bite. Studies made on artificial immunization using the whole – tick extract gave varying results. However, the immunodiffusion test using sera of immunized calves revealed that there is a steady maintenance of antibody level throughout the infestation period. Thus, the results obtained in the present study indicate that antibodies are developed against the tick Boophilus annulatus in calves on natural infestations and using the tick antigen, and that there is a clear possibility of immunizing calves against B. annulatus artificially.
Open Access
Helminth parasites of mammals in Thrissur Zoo
(Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1999) Varadharajan, A; KAU; Pythal, C
An investigation on the prevalence of helminthic infections among the wild mammals in captivity in the Thrissur Zoo and also the variations thereof on account of season, age and sex were carried out by regular faecal examination using the concentration method of centrifugation-cum-sedimentation technique, over a period of one year from May-'98 to April-'99. Non-specific symptoms like general ,weakness, debility, occasional diarrhoea, dehydration and respiratory distress with cough were observed in a variety of mammals. The overall prevalence of the helminthic infection among the mammals was 68.05 per cent. Carnivores had the highest prevalence of infection (75.34%) when compared to herbivores (67.47%) and omnivores (65.35%). Strongyle, Strongyloides spirurid, ascarid, amphistome, Fasciola, Trichuris and Parascaris infections in a variety of herbivores; strongyle, Strongyloides, spirurid, Ancylostpma, Capillaria, Toxocara, Trichuris, Metagonimus, Artyfechinostomum and Hymenolepis infections in a variety of omnivores and Ancylostoma, Toxocara, Toxascaris, Strongyloides, Capillaria, spirurid, Diphyllobothrium, Hymenolepis and Paragonimus infections in a variety of carnivores were observed. A few specimens of Haemonchus contortus were recovered from the abomasum of a 6 year old female balckbuck during post-mortem examination. The overall prevalence of infection among the mammals was higher in the rainy seasons (South-West and North-East monsoons) than in the dry season. The prevalence of, infection was higher in the adults of herbivores and omnivores than in the young ones of both the groups. The prevalence was also higher in the males of herbivores and carnivores than in the females and was more or less equal in both sexes of omnivores. Treatments with Fenbendazole and Pyrantel Pamoate were effective against gastro-intestinal nematodes in camels and in Asiatic lions respectively. Control measures for the helminthic infections in the zoo < mammals have also been suggested.
Open Access
Intertransmissibility of the common nematode parasites of pigeon (Columbolivio domestico) and domestic fowl (Gollus gollus domesticus)
(Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1996) Senthilvel, K; KAU; Madhavan Pillai, K
An investigation was made on the prevalence of nematode infections in pigeons for a period of one year by faecal and postmortem examinations and the percentage prevalence was 35.24 and 46.74 respectively. The species of nematodes collected from pigeons were Ascaridia columbae, Capillaria obsignata, Ornithostrongylus quadriradiatus, Acuaria spiralis and Strongyloides avium. Capillaria obsignata had the highest prevalence. The development of egg and the time taken to reach the infective stage in egg cultures of Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinae, Syngamus trachea, Ascaridia columbae, Capillaria obsignata and Ornithostrongylus quadriradiatus maintained at different room temperature were studied and recorded. The cross transmission trials with fowl nematodes; A. galli, H. gallinae and S. trachea and pigeon nematodes; A. columbae, C. obsignata and 0. quadriradiatus were conducted in pigeons and chicks respectively. Syngamus trachea and C. obsignata were found to be transmissible between pigeons and chicks. The detailed life cycles of A. columbae, S. trachea and 0. quadriradiatus in pigeons were worked out in detail. The prepatent period for these species was 46, 28 and 7 days respectively. The infective larvae of 0. quadriradiatus were seen to be phototropic and hydrotactic. They remained viable for 47 to 52 and 60 to 67 days in dry and wet seasons respectively. The clinical signs, gross and histopathological lesions produced by the nematodes in pigeons were recorded. Moderate infections of O. quadriradiatus produced anaemic changes in pigeons.
Open Access
Pathogenesis and treatment of immature Ascaridia galli infection in experimentally infected chicken
(Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1992) Padmaja, P B; KAU; Sathianesan, V
In a study conducted on the pathogenesis and treatment of Ascaridia galli in experimentally infected chicken at different developmental stages of the worm, it had been found that droopiness, whitish diarrhoea, marked reduction in body weight gain, haemorrhage and congestion at different parts of the intestinal mucosa and frothy or blood tinged intestinal contents were the main clinico pathological changes. Histopathological observations in the small intestine were signs of enteritis, jcatarrhalj changes, villar proliferation, desquamation of sub epithelium and villar tips and mild congestion and haemorrhage. A tissue phase was observed in the life-cycle of the nematode at 20th day post infection indicated by the presence of cut sections of the larvae-in the mucosal and submucosal regions. Haematologically, a decrease in the total erythrocyte count, an initial leucopenia followed by leucocytosis, reduction in packed cell volume and percentage of haemoglobin, an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, percentage of heterophils, eosinophils, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin values and a reduction in the percentage of lymphocytes, monocytes and "mean corpuscular .haemoglobin concentration and an initial basopenia followed by basophilia were observed in infected chicks. For treatment, out of the four anthelmintics tried, namely piperazine hydrate, albendazole, morantel citrate and ivermectin against the infection, albendazole at 50 mg/kg body weight was found to be the most effective, closely followed by morantel citrate at 50 mg/kg body weight and then piperazine hydrate at 500 rag/kg ' body weight. I I Ivermectin at 1 mg/kg body weight subcutaneously was found to be the least effective. The present study with morantel citrate appeared to be the first of its kind as far as it's use against ascairidiasis in poultry was concerned

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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