In present communication, we report an outbreak of Trypanosoma evansi in equine herd n = 30 (horse and mules) which, were reared in fly proof stables as well as in open paddock maintained under semi-intensive system of management, and its effective control using trypanocidal drug. The infection was monitored by antibody ELISA up to 180 days post-treatment (PT). A total of 8 out of 14 equines (57.14 %) which were maintained only in open paddocks were found positive with T. evansi infection parasitologically. The infected animals were treated with quinapyramine methyl sulphate and chloride combination administered at the prescribed dose rate on 3rd day of screening. The parasite could not be detected from any treated animals from day-3 PT up to 6 month. Further, we also could not observe relapse of infection, neither in treated group nor in equine herd maintained at the farm. Sero-conversion was observed in all eight animals by 10th day of screening, indicating that immune response was due to recent infection as the animals became chronologically positive. The antibody titre reached at the peak by 10-14th day in all infected animals, and started declining by 17th day of screening, further reached to near cut off level by 180 days. Since, antibodies persisted up to 6 month PT and antibody detection assays are not able to differentiate between current and past infections in treated cases. The detection of circulating antigen assay and parasitological techniques in combination may be performed for effective diagnosis and management of T. evansi infection.

A sizeable Indian equine population is considered to be pre-immune carrier of Theileria equi infection. In this study we confirmed the presence of T. equi specific DNA in Hyalomma anatolicum ticks which were infested on sero-positive horses. Fifty two Indigenous horses were randomly selected from endemic areas and their blood and tick samples were collected. Tick salivary glands and blood samples were processed for separation of DNA and serum, respectively. Serum samples were analyzed by EMA-2ELISA and nine horses were found positive for T. equi specific antibodies. Species-specific primers were designed from EMA-2 gene of T. equi, so as to amplify 398 bp fragment in PCR. The gene fragment was amplified in PCR on the DNA samples (from blood) from these nine sero-positive horses. Corresponding six tick's DNA samples collected from these nine seropositive animals were observed positive in PCR. Further, qPCR assay demonstrated presence of T. equi DNA in infected tick's salivary glands, which was also confirmed by microscopic examination of infected acinar. This study concluded that Hyalomma anatolicum ticks infested on T. equi seropositive horses have sporozoite developmental stage in their salivary glands, which is an evidence for transmitting potential of these tick among Indian horse population.

In lieu of rising crude oil prices, exhaustion of petroleum feed stocks and environmental challenges, only renewable fuels have the potential to match the energy requirements of the future. Among the various renewable fuels, butanol has recently gained a lot of attention because of its advantages over other biofuels. Its microbial production by clostridia through ABE fermentation is being explored for improved yield and cost effectiveness. Using lignocellulosic wastes successfully for butanol production through ABE fermentation is a major breakthrough to deal with the future energy crisis. Genetic engineering of microbes to increase the carbon and redox balance, cell recycling, media optimization, mathematical modelling and tolerance improvement strategies are being attempted to overcome the hurdles of high production cost, by products formation leading to low yield and product toxicity. Along with genetic engineering major research is cantered on heterologous host engineering for improved butanol production and tolerance. This review highlights the recent advances in improving yield and tolerance to butanol in both Clostridial and heterologous hosts from genetic engineering and fermentation methodology aspects.  Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 7(2): 130-152