Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic debilitating disease of huge economic importance due to loss in production, morbidity and mortality, and has a potential zoonotic threat. TB is endemic in India and has a worldwide prevalence, therefore, needing early diagnostic technique for the eradication of TB globally. Currently, compared to the eradication programme of TB in Medical sector, Veterinary sector is lagging behind though TB is one of the major zoonotic diseases prevalent in dairy animals and wildlife in India. With the "End TB" strategy by WHO in human, parallel measures for early diagnosis and culling has to be followed in case of animals for an overall successful eradication programme. The objective of this study is diagnosis of TB in cattle and buffaloes by using the cell-mediated immune response tests, i.e. Comparative Intradermal Tuberculin Test (CITT) and Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) assay, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting esxB gene (CFP-10 protein) and to compare their diagnostic capabilities. This study was carried out in 202 dairy cattle and buffaloes from an organized dairy farm, where almost all of the animals appeared clinically healthy. We found that, the combined use of both CITT and IFN-γ assay lead to more accurate diagnosis of TB, although IFN-γ assay was more specific than CITT. However, esxB PCR showed almost similar sensitivity to IFN-γ assay and may be used as a fast alternative method for the diagnosis of bovine TB from blood samples.

Introduction and aims The demographic and clinical profile and dynamics of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients are not well understood. The study aimed to analyze the demographic, clinical, and RT-PCR profiles of COVID-19 patients. Methodology The study was a retrospective, observational study conducted at a COVID-19 care facility, and the study period was from April 2020 to March 2021. Patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were enrolled in the study. Patients with incomplete details or with only single PCR tests were excluded. Demographic and clinical details and the results of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RT-PCR collected at different time points were retrieved from the records. The statistical software Minitab version 17.1.0 package (Minitab, LLC, State College, PA, USA) and Rstudio version 1.3.959 (Rstudio, Boston, MA, USA) were used for the statistical analysis. Results The mean duration from symptom onset to the last positive RT-PCR was 14.2 ± 4.2 days. The proportions of positive RT-PCR tests were 100%, 40.6%, 7.5%, and 0% at the end of the first, second, third, and fourth weeks of illness. The median duration of days to first negative RT-PCR in the asymptomatic patients was 8 ± 4 days, and 88.2% of asymptomatic patients were RT-PCR-negative within 14 days. A total of 16 symptomatic patients had prolonged positive test results even after three weeks of symptom onset. Older patients were associated with prolonged RT-PCR positivity. Conclusion This study revealed that the average period of RT-PCR positivity from the onset of symptoms is >2 weeks in symptomatic COVID-19 patients. Prolonged observation in the elderly population and repeat RT-PCR before discharge or discontinuation of quarantine is required.

The Greater Adjutant is an IUCN Red List ‘Endangered’ scavenging stork.  This study reports the findings of post-mortem, histopathology, and a series of microbiological tests conducted on the Greater Adjutant that died in Deeporbeel Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam.  A post-mortem examination revealed extensive nodule forming parasitic (Balfouria monogama) infestations in the stomach and intestine.  Generalised congestion and haemorrhages in multiple organs were also revealed by the histopathological findings.  Bacteriological culture detected the presence of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus sp., and Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens was confirmed by cpa gene PCR).  Virus detection tests like HA and HI test for NDV and rapid antigen detection test for Avian Influenza virus were found to be negative; however, PCR of tissue samples from two Greater Adjutants for Flavivirus was found to be positive.  Greater Adjutants may carry the above bacteria as commensals in their GI tract and may possibly act as a reservoir of Flavivirus.  The actual cause of deaths, however, were confirmed by the forensic report to be due to organophosphorus toxicity.