Jayashre Bhagawati's scientific contributions

This paper underscores detailed morphological characteristics of Ophidascaris sp. and Polydelphis sp. recovered after post-mortem from two dead pythons. Ophidascaris sp. and Polydelphis sp. were recovered from the intestine of two dead pythons and subsequently processed for light microscopy (LM) as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study. Based on light microscopical study the collected specimens were confirmed as Ophidascaris sp. and Polydelphis sp. In addition, SEM study showed some morphological structures which are not clear under LM. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of Ophidascaris sp. and Polydelphis sp. from python in this part of India.

Cattle hypodermosis (warble fly infestation, WFI) is an economically important disease in livestock throughout the world. Larvae of Hypoderma spp. cause subcutaneous myiasis of domesticated and wild ruminants. The important species in cattle are Hypoderma bovis and Hypoderma lineatum whereas, Hypoderma diana, Hypoderma actaeon and Hypoderma tarandi, affect roe deer, red deer, and reindeer, respectively. Hypoderma crossi infects sheep and goat. Adults of the cattle grub are commonly known as heel flies, warble flies, bomb flies or gad flies. The larval stages of Hypoderma bovis and Hypoderma lineatum are commonly called 'ox warbles'. The biology of hypodermosis is complex in nature. The parasitic larval stage of Hypoderma spp. spend about one year in domesticated as well as in the wild animals, while the adult free-living stage lasts only for few days. The disease causes heavy economic losses to animal production like milk and leather industry. It can also affect the general health status as well as the immune system of the body of the diseased animals. The early diagnosis of hypodermosis is of great importance for planning treatment and eradication program. The control measures of the disease have been efficiently practiced and consequently this disease is controlled at national level in many European countries. Keeping in view the importance of the disease, the present review intends to underscore and provide up to date information about the overall aspect of hypodermosis in animals with the existing literature available with special emphasis on hypodermosis on cattle.

Article Type: Full Length Research Article This study revealed the parasitic fauna of different species of lizards from different parts of Mizoram, India. Four different species of lizards, namely House lizard (Hemidactylus flaviviridis, Gekkonidae), Monitor lizard (Varanus indicus, Varanidae), Gecko (Gekko gecko, Gekkonidae) and Chameleon (Chamaeleo zeylanicus, Chameleonidae) were surveyed from different parts of Mizoram, India in an attempt to investigate the prevalence of parasites. Faecal samples were examined by conventional sedimentation and floatation techniques. Lizards that were run over by car or sacrificed underwent post-mortem examination. Blood samples were also examined for the presence of any haemoprotozoan infection. Light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied for detailed morphological study. The ecto-parasites were identified on the basis of morphology. A total of 69 lizards were examined and found to be infected with three species of nematode (Pharyngodon sp., Rhabdias sp. and Stongyle), one species of trematode (Postorchigenes sp.), three species of tissue protozoa (Eimeria spp., Isospora spp. and Cyclospora spp.) and two species of hamoprotozoa (Trypanosoma sp. and Lankesterella sp.). Only one species of tick belonging to the genus Amblyomma was found on the body surface of monitor lizard. The study clearly indicates that lizards can harbour different parasites which can affect the health status of these reptiles.

Protozoan infections in animals are responsible for significant losses of production and many protozoan parasites are of zoonotic importance. Among various parasitic infections, several protozoan parasites cause severe morbidity and mortality in animals and thus affect the economy of livestock in tropical and subtropical regions including India. The most common way to combat protozoan diseases is based on using anti-protozoal drugs. However, increasing evidence of anti-protozoan resistance and drug residues in food producing animals has emerged as the major concern for protozoan control programmes in various parts of the world. The most efficient and cost effective way to control protozoan infections is to vaccinate animals to control such infections. Although initial cost of vaccination is high, the long lasting immunity resulting from vaccination of animals offer a cheaper and effective alternative to control such infections. Based on this objective, this review underscores up to date information to the reader to overview on the trends, advances and future prospects of vaccine development against important protozoan disease of livestock and poultry viz, coccidiosis, babesiosis, theileriosis, anaplasmosis to name but a few.

Article Type: Full Length Research Article This study revealed the parasitic fauna of different species of lizards from different parts of Mizoram, India. Four different species of lizards, namely House lizard (Hemidactylus flaviviridis, Gekkonidae), Monitor lizard (Varanus indicus, Varanidae), Gecko (Gekko gecko, Gekkonidae) and Chameleon (Chamaeleo zeylanicus, Chameleonidae) were surveyed from different parts of Mizoram, India in an attempt to investigate the prevalence of parasites. Faecal samples were examined by conventional sedimentation and floatation techniques. Lizards that were run over by car or sacrificed underwent post-mortem examination. Blood samples were also examined for the presence of any haemoprotozoan infection. Light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied for detailed morphological study. The ecto-parasites were identified on the basis of morphology. A total of 69 lizards were examined and found to be infected with three species of nematode (Pharyngodon sp., Rhabdias sp. and Stongyle), one species of trematode (Postorchigenes sp.), three species of tissue protozoa (Eimeria spp., Isospora spp. and Cyclospora spp.) and two species of hamoprotozoa (Trypanosoma sp. and Lankesterella sp.). Only one species of tick belonging to the genus Amblyomma was found on the body surface of monitor lizard. The study clearly indicates that lizards can harbour different parasites which can affect the health status of these reptiles.