West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences

Background Female infertility is a global health issue however, its link with genital infections is often overlooked due to asymptomatic nature of infections. Delayed diagnosis and treatment due to absence of reliable point‐of‐care (POC) tools result in long‐term pathological consequences and infertility. This pilot‐scale study aims to identify the most noteworthy prognostic symptoms of genital infections that exhibit a significant correlation with reproductive tract disorders and infertility. Methods We designed a detailed questionnaire and conducted a case‐control, observational study with 100 female patients, categorized into infertile (n1 = 62) and healthy groups (n2 = 38) followed by statistical analysis. Results This study highlights an early onset of infertility (18‐25 years). Approximately 27% of the infertile female patients are symptomatic for genital infections, and ~42% exhibit menstrual irregularities. Polycystic ovarian syndrome/disease (PCOS/PCOD, ~30%) appears to be the most predominant disorder, followed by endometrial disorders (~10%) and tubal damage (~8%) in infertile patients. A multivariate correlation analysis revealed a highly significant (p ≤ 0.05) and strong association (0.15 < Φ ≤ 1.0) between menstrual disorders, endometrial disorders, uterine/tubal blockage, and hormonal disruption with infection‐associated symptoms, e.g. vaginitis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disorder (PID), dyspareunia or infections like tuberculosis (TB) & urinary tract infection (UTI). Conclusions Our study shows a significant contribution of genital infections to female infertility. Nevertheless, a substantial 73% of infertile patients are ineligible for confirmatory diagnosis due to the absence of classical infection symptoms. This underscores the pressing requirement for comprehensive screening strategies for timely management of reproductive health and fertility. Patient or Public Contribution This study was performed in line with the principles of the STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines (Supporting Information 1) [1]. The study was performed following an ethical approval of the Institutional Human Ethics Committee. All individuals who participated in the study were fully informed about various aspects, including the study's objectives, methodologies, sources of funding, potential conflicts of interest, institutional affiliations of the researcher, anticipated benefits, potential risks, and the discomfort they might experience. Their participation was contingent on obtaining their informed consent (See Supporting Information 2 for patient consent form). Furthermore, to safeguard patient confidentiality, we took measures to de‐identify patient information. This included the removal of exact ages, which were replaced with age ranges, and the omission of exact dates or photographs during presentation of the data.

Early interactions between tubercle bacilli and lung cells are critical in tuberculosis (TB) pathogenesis. Conventional two-dimensional cell cultures fail to replicate the multicellular complexity of lungs. We introduce a three-dimensional pulmosphere model for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in bovine systems, demonstrating through comprehensive transcriptome and proteome analyses that these multicellular spheroids closely mimic lung cell diversity, interactions, and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. Cell viability, hypoxia, and reactive oxygen species assessments over three weeks confirm the model’s suitability. To establish infection, we employed M. bovis BCG—an attenuated vaccine strain, and M. tuberculosis H37Rv—a laboratory adapted human clinical strain that is attenuated for cattle infection compared to M. bovis. Both infection upregulated key host pathways; however, M. tuberculosis induced distinct responses, including enhanced ECM receptors expression, neutrophil chemotaxis, interferon signaling, and RIG-1 signaling. A six genes/protein signature- IRF1, CCL5, CXCL8, CXCL10, SERPINE1, and CFB -emerges as an early host response marker to M. tuberculosis infection. Infection with virulent M. bovis and M. orygis revealed a shared upregulated gene signature across Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex species, but with pathogen-specific variations. This study presents a robust ex vivo bovine pulmosphere TB model with implications in biomarkers discovery, high-throughput drug screening, and TB control strategies.

The aquaculture industry urgently requires effective bacterial disease management strategies, necessitating better regulation of antibiotic application. This study investigated the effects of oral oxolinic acid (OA) administration on Oreochromis niloticus at the recommended dose of 12 mg (1 ×) and overdose of 36 mg (3 ×)/kg biomass/day for 7 consecutive days in terms of growth, oxidative stress, residue accretion and histopathology relative to the control. The 1 × and 3 × groups experienced dose-dependent mortalities (3.33-8.33 %). The OA residues peaked in the liver and kidney tissues with dosing and declined upon discontinuation. The residues persisted in the kidney even on day 35 post-dosing. Elevated malondialdehyde and total nitric oxide levels signified oxidative stress and correlated with the tissue level changes in various organs. Histologically, glycogen-type vacuolation and cellular hypertrophy were observed in the liver. The kidney had hydropic swelling, renal epithelium degradation, nephrocalcinosis, vacuolation, and necrosis. Splenic alterations were confined to ne-crosis and a slight increase in sinusoidal space. Intestinal tissues exhibited a depletion of absorptive vacuoles, epithelial layer degradation, mucinous degeneration, and necrosis. Gills displayed epithelial hyperplasia, thickening of secondary lamellae, and erosion. Nevertheless, the cohort administered the recommended dose exhibited recovery with OA discontinuation. However, none of the assessed parameters normalized in the overdosed group even after 35 days of dose suspension. The results indicated that O. niloticus can safely adapt to and tolerate the toxic effects of OA. As the recommended dose of OA elicited reversible bioresponses effectively in tilapia, it can be utilized in aquaculture with due caution following regulations.

In this section, the prokaryotic and eukaryotic types of cells are discussed in brief because we should know about the different components of cells. A parasitologist, aspiring to molecular knowledge of veterinary parasitology, should have a proteomic and genomic background. In the present day, every parasitologist should have a background in biochemistry because today’s parasitology deals with immunoparasitology and molecular parasitology simultaneously. Therefore, some basic knowledge of biochemistry is obviously required to understand the molecular trend of research in veterinary parasitology. There are two types of cells. These are as follows:

The different parasitological techniques include:

Host-parasite interaction is an important part of parasitology. This interaction determines many things related to survival of both host and parasite, grade of pathology caused by parasites, and immunity to the invading parasite. This is a continuous process which leads to host-parasite coevolution. When a parasite invades a host, there has been compromise to many aspects of their life and the parasites also adapt themselves in many ways to survive in the hosts. The compatibility of the hosts depends on many physical and biochemical components of the parasite. These are size, virulence, developmental stages, biochemical composition, and many other things. A brief overview has been provided in this chapter about host-parasite interaction.

Remote sensing is a recently developed technology by which information about the earth’s surface, atmosphere, etc. can be gathered from a distance through satellite or sensor-based aircraft. The sensors collect the data and the data is deduced into a comprehensive form.

Neutrophils are very important cells of the myeloid system. These are major effector cells and perform immunological roles by phagocytosis, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), respiratory burst, etc. They contain two types of granules: primary granules containing the major enzyme myeloperoxidase and lysozymes. Elastase, acid hydrolases, etc. are some other enzymes found in the primary granules of the neutrophils. The secondary granules possess collagenase and lysozyme. The foreign organism cannot get attached to the surface of the neutrophil because a zeta potential occurs due to the negative charge of both the surfaces of the neutrophil and the foreign organisms. The neutrophils become able to bind with the organisms when it is neutralized by a positively charged antibody molecule or complement that is adsorbed on the surface of the neutrophils. This is called as opsonization.

The word “bionomic” has been originated from two Greek words, i.e., “bio” meaning “life” and “nomos” meaning “law.” In general, it is the comprehensive study of an organism along with its relationship with the environment. To study bionomics of parasites, we must concentrate their physiology encompassing their nutrition, metabolism, circulation, excretion, reproduction, etc. In this chapter, all have been briefly described so that a reader can have an overview about some physiological and biochemical aspect.

Taxonomy is a branch of science that is concerned with the classification of any living or extinct organisms. Taxonomy is the methodology and principle of systematic botany and zoology that creates a hierarchical stand from superior to inferior. There has been a clear difference between taxonomy and systematics. Taxonomy is the theory and practice for classifying organisms, whereas systematics is the science that deals with diversity of organisms.

These are leaf-like protozoan organisms found in the blood tissues of different vertebrates. They are worldwide in distribution. They are characterized by the presence of a flagellum, an undulating membrane, a kinetoplast, and a blepharoplast. The developmental stages are trypomastigote, epimastigote, promastigote and amastigote. Some species of this family have pathogenic significance causing massive loss in the livestock industry. The gold standard for the diagnosis of this parasitic infection is the examination of blood smears. Control of the parasite mostly relies on chemotherapy.

Cestodes are hermaphrodite, endoparasitic worms. Many tapeworms have veterinary importance. They occur in a wide variety of animals. Some tapeworms have zoonotic importance which occur both in man and animals. In this chapter, different aspects of tapeworms of veterinary importance have been described comprising history, distribution, host, predilection site morphology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and control.

The name “trematode” has been originated from the word “trematos” meaning “pierced with holes.” Digenetic trematodes are very important parasites in the field of veterinary science. These trematodes occur in different organs of a wide variety of domestic and wild animals. Some digenetic trematodes pose a great threat to the livestock industry. In this chapter, the description of trematodes of veterinary importance has been given encompassing different aspects of trematodes, i.e., classification, distribution, discovery, hosts, site, morphology, biology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and control.

Nematodes are free-living or parasitic animals having a cylindrical body. They are not segmented as cestodes. They are not hermaphrodite. They occur in different organic systems of a wide variety of animals. Both direct and indirect life cycle are found. In this chapter, description of discovery, distribution, hosts, site, morphology, biology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and control have been provided.

There are different ways to control helminthic parasites. These are as follows:

Arthropods are the largest group of animals (80% of all animal spp.) occurring in the water, soil, air, etc. The main characteristics of arthropods are hard chitinous exoskeletons, segmented body, and jointed legs. The word Arthropoda has been derived from two Greek words: arthros meaning “joint” and podos meaning “foot.” The outer covering of arthropods is called exoskeleton formed by chitin. The exoskeleton is composed of different chitinous plates which are called sclerites. The dorsal sclerite is called tergum; ventral sclerite, sternum; and lateral sclerite, pleuron. The old cuticle is cast off periodically and a new cuticle is formed. This biological phenomena of arthropod is called ecdysis. The body of arthropod is metamerically segmented.

Biosecurity is a holistic and strategic concept that encompasses the frameworks, policies, and regulations aimed at analyzing and managing risks related to food safety, public health, animal and plant life and health, as well as associated environmental risks. The complex link between biosecurity measures and disease control in aquaculture is discussed in this chapter in addition to indicating the diverse effects of diseases on the economy and stressing the tenacious need for effective biosecurity guidelines. Employing chemotherapeutants under investigation, legislative policies, and expansive biosecurity strategies, the chapter provides useful methods for reducing the impacts of diseases on aquaculture. The principles and strategies of biosecurity are examined while reviewing the current situation of Indian aquaculture concerning biosecurity issues. The importance of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH, Founded as OIE) aquatic standards is emphasized as an illustration of how essential biosecurity is for international health standards. In addition, farm biosecurity management practices, such as water sources, fish stock, and feeding recommended both for freshwater and shrimp farming, are discussed at length. Depending on innovative ideas such as “shrimp toilet” to manage diseases, the chapter further explored both farm-based and off-farm aspects of biosecurity, including protocols used during fish transportation. The chapter delves into improving biosecurity in aquaculture and discusses possible future roles of next-generation farm systems in aquaculture disease management. Overall, it will function as a scientific reference for scientists and other stakeholders on the importance of biosecurity in aquaculture operations for sustaining and adapting aquaculture systems.

Vaccination plays a critical role in public health by reducing the incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases. the efficacy of a vaccine has numerous determinants, which include age, sex, genetics, environment, geographic location, nutritional status, maternal antibodies, and prior exposure to pathogens. However, little is known about the role of gut microbiome in vaccine efficacy and how it can be targeted through dietary interventions to improve immunological responses. Unveiling this link is imperative, particularly in the post-pandemic world, considering impaired COVID-19 vaccine response observed in dysbiotic individuals. therefore, this article aims to comprehensively review how diet and probiotics can modulate gut microbiome composition, which is linked to vaccine efficacy. Dietary fiber and polyphenolic compounds derived from plant-based foods improve gut microbial diversity and vaccine efficacy by promoting the growth of short-chain fatty acids-producing microbes. On the other hand, animal-based foods have mixed effects – whey protein and fish oil promote gut eubiosis and vaccine efficacy. in contrast, lard and red meat have adverse effects. Studies further indicate that probiotic supplements exert varied effects, mostly strain and dosage-specific. interlinking diet, microbiome, probiotics, and vaccines will reveal opportunities for newer research on diet-induced microbiome-manipulated precision vaccination strategies against infectious diseases.

Investigating innate immunity and its signaling transduction is essential to understand inflammation and host defence mechanisms. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), an evolutionarily ancient group of pattern recognition receptors, are crucial for detecting microbial components and initiating immune responses. This review summarizes the mechanisms and outcomes of TLR-mediated signaling, focusing on motifs shared with other immunological pathways, which enhances our understanding of the innate immune system. TLRs recognize molecular patterns in microbial invaders, activate innate immunity and promote antigen-specific adaptive immunity, and each of them triggers unique downstream signaling patterns. Recent advances have highlighted the importance of supramolecular organizing centers (SMOCs) in TLR signaling, ensuring precise cellular responses and pathogen detection. Furthermore, this review illuminates how TLR pathways coordinate metabolism and gene regulation, contributing to adaptive immunity and providing novel insights for next-generation therapeutic strategies. Ongoing studies hold promise for novel treatments against infectious diseases, autoimmune conditions, and cancers.