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The present study was undertaken over a three year period (2012–2014) in an organized dairy farm located in North India to ascertain Brucella abortus as the putative cause of abortion. The dairy farm maintained cattle of Frieswal, Crossbred and Sahiwal breeds and followed calf-hood vaccination with Brucella abortus Strain 19 live vaccine in all the heifers. Even with the recommended vaccination schedule and good managemental practices in place, 88 cases of abortions clinically suspected of bovine brucellosis (40 from Frieswal breed, 17 from Crossbred cattle and 31 from Sahiwal breed) were reported from this farm. From these abortion cases, bacteriological isolation was possible in only four dams while 16 dams were found to be serologically positive in Serum Tube Agglutination Test (STAT). Molecular screening by PCR assay (specific for the bcsp31 gene of B. abortus) revealed that 24 dams were positive, out of which 20 were from Frieswal breed and rest four were from Crossbred herd. Prominently, all Sahiwal dams were found to be negative in bacteriological isolation and also in PCR assay. These results thus indicate towards the possibility of breed predisposition to abortions due to B. abortus infection. Statistical analysis by Fischer exact test (p < 0.01) too substantiated that breed susceptibility exists among these PCR positive cases. This study is novel as breed variation in abortions due to B. abortus in cattle is being documented for the first time. Seven representative PCR amplicons generated during the study were also sequenced and submitted to NCBI GenBank. Moreover, this study also accentuates the importance of PCR screening especially in vaccinated herd and raises concerns on over-dependence of serological assays when intensive vaccination is practised without any concomitant DIVA strategy. Thus, besides assisting in planning pragmatic control strategies against bovine brucellosis these findings are also imperative from ‘One Health’ context, also.

Deltamethrin, a type II synthetic pyrethroid, has lead to a widespread concern over the potential adverse effects on human health. Adult Wistar albino rats, weighing 150–200 g, were divided into two groups of ten animals each. The group II rats were injected with deltamethrin (1 mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally, for five days/week for a month. The group I were controls. Animals were sacrificed within 24 h of the last injection by perfusion under anesthesia. Paraffin sections (8 μm) were cut, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Histomorphometry was done. There was a decrease in the body weight but increase in the weight of the testis of rat. The mean vertical, antero-posterior and transverse diameter of the testis is reduced. The basement membrane enclosing the seminiferous tubules appeared thickened at sites. The number of seminiferous tubules per unit area is statistically significantly reduced. There was a generalized significant decrease in the diameter and the epithelium thickness (height) of the seminiferous tubules, associated collapse and distortion at sites of the tubules predominantly in the central region. The data obtained in the present work suggest that gonadal (testis) changes could seriously affect the reproductive potential of the rat.

Recently, toxicity has been reported in experiments on mice, rat, rabbit and guinea pig via dermal, oral and inhalational routes. These were in form of, excessive salivation, impaired limb function, ataxia, loss of righting reflex, lethality, paraesthesias, choreoathetosis, tremors, rarely paralysis and convulsions. [3][4][5][6] Deltamethrin administered during period of major organogenesis reduced the average weight of the live fetuses.7 A few occupational hazards in human beings during manufacturing and handling are transient cutaneous and mucous membrane irritation, itching, dizziness, abnormal facial sensations and allergic reactions. 8The indiscriminate and injudicious use of pesticides poses threat to human health. As pesticide residue concentration enter food chain and exceeds the maximum limit, ill effects are produced. 9 Humans are increasingly exposed to pesticides at all stages of life due to changed lifestyle but there is dearth of studies on the behavior changes caused by deltamethrin exposure. Hence the objective of this study was to determine deleterious effects on behavior in albino rat, including motor/coordination abilities and overall activity due to deltamethrin exposure. Materials and methods AnimalsThe rats were procured from the animal house of University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) and Guru Teg Bhadur (G.T.B) Hospital, Delhi. Male and female albino rats, weighing 250-270 gm, and about 90 days old were used. The animals were housed in propylene cages (32 X 40 X 18 cm) under controlled temperature (22-24°C), in a 12-hour light; 12-hour dark schedule, with free access to food and water. The experiments were carried out according to the national regulations and rules for animal welfare and guidelines of Institutional Animal Ethical Committee (IAEC), UCMS and G.T.B. Hospital, Delhi. The rats were acclimatized for one week before starting the treatment. AbstractBackground: Pesticides are one of the most alarming toxic substances that are deliberately added to our environment. Deltamethrin, a Type-II synthetic pyrethroid used to control a variety of insects in agriculture and domestic environments. Its extensive commercial use has lead to inescapable concern over the potential adverse effects on the human health. The present study investigated the deleterious effects on behavior in albino rats, including motor coordination abilities and overall activity. Methods:Deltamethrin was administered intraperitoneal in adult wistar albino rats (250-270 gm), in the dose of 0.5 mg/kg/ body weight for a month. All rats were observed for behavioral and toxicological symptoms. Body weight and rectal temperature were measured. The open field behavior, social interaction test, landing foot splay, and forelimb and hindlimb grip test for neuromuscular function were done. Result:Experimental rats showed sign of mild to moderate variety of behavior and toxicological symptoms characterized by decreased food intake and salivation, motor incoordination, looping, weaving etc. Deltamethrin treated rats showed st...

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