T. Sujatha’s research while affiliated with Central Agricultural Research Institute and other places

We could feel that, implementation of organic livestock farming requires an interdisciplinary approach. This statement we strongly justify since successful organic livestock farming requires a triad of intervention in terms of breeding, feeding and housing strategies. Frankly speaking for proper breeding strategies livestock/poultry breeder should tie up with an animal biotechnologist to explore genetic markers associated with biotic and abiotic stress resistance. For betterment of feeding technology an animal nutritionist should coordinate with an agronomist to identify inputs for organic livestock and poultry development. Housing management is also crucial in organic livestock production system which has been highlighted in this compilation. We have also stated probable encountered problems of organic livestock farming along with its solution through molecular and immunological mining, nutritional manipulation, by use of neutraceuticals, grazing management and use of natural enemies of pathogens. Graphical abstract (created in Biorender.com)

The study was conducted to detect the occurrence and phenotypic resistance pattern of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in livestock using docking based analysis to reveal the classes of antibiotics against which ESBL-producers are active. Rectal swabs from healthy cattle (n=100), goats (n=88), pigs (n=66) were collected from backyard farms in Andaman and Nicober island (India). In total, 304 isolates comprising E. coli (131), Salmonella (75), and Klebsiella penumoniae (98) were recovered. The phenotypic resistance pattern showed that the highest resistance was found against erythromycin, followed by ampicillin/cloxacillin, ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and oxytetracycline. Screening of the isolates demonstrated maximum presence of blaTEM-Type, followed by blaCTX-M-Type, and blaSHV-Type. Sequence homology revealed presence of CTX-M-15, SHV-228, SHV-40, and TEM-82. The possible interactions of CTX-M-15 with cephalosporins and SHV with carbapenems have been identified by docking analysis. The study revealed the occurrence of ESBL-producers with circulating emerging ESBL variant like SHV-40 along with the common variants with clinical relevance (CTX-M-15, TEM-82), highlighting the potential role of livestock as reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance genes. Identifying these ESBLs in livestock is crucial for understanding their contribution to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistant bacteria into human food chain.

The present study was carried out to assess the effect of rearing systems, breeds, number of pregnancies, and frequency of multiple births on physiological oxidative stress markers (OSMs) in indigenous goat breeds of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Does (n=98) with more than one kidding record maintained in the organized goat breeding farm and at the farmer’s field were selected for the study. Pregnancy records were grouped as more than or less than three pregnancies. Breeds were grouped such as Andaman local goat (ALG) and other indigenous goat breeds. Birth frequency was grouped as single and multiple births. Oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide anions, and nitric oxide were analysed in blood serum with respect to the different experimental variables. The free radical superoxide and endogenous nitrite values concerning the breed, multiple birth frequency, number of kidding, and rearing systems were non-significant. Lipid peroxidation through TBARS and nitrate values for the breed, multiple birth frequency, and rearing system were non-significant. However, the pregnancy-wise TBARS and nitrate concentration were significant. Estimates of TBARS were significantly high in the animals with lesser pregnancies (1-3 kidding) while nitrate concentration was significant in higher pregnancies (> 3 kidding). This study revealed that these experimental variables had considerable effects on OSMs in goat breeds under the hot humid tropical island ecosystem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The performance and productivity in poultry flocks are affected by climate change, especially in tropical islands. This study has been designed to understand the impact of two major seasons viz. summer (February-June) and rainy (July-September) on biochemical and immunological traits in three backyard poultry breeds viz. Desi (non-descript indigenous), Nicobari Fowl, and Vanaraja of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, for the first time. Ninety adult poultry birds were randomly selected from three different rural villages of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands including Desi (D, n = 30), Nicobari Fowl (NF, n = 30) and Vanaraja (V, n = 30). Ten birds each of D, NF and V from each village (sex ratio− 1:1) were chosen for the study. Serum samples collected (n=/bird/season/breed) from the three breeds were analysed. The study revealed that season had significant effect on biochemical parameters, i.e. serum albumin (p < 0.0001), globulin (p < 0.01), ALP (p < 0.05), total bilirubin (p < 0.05) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (p < 0.05). Moreover, season had significant effect on immune parameters i.e. IL−2 (p < 0.0001), IL−4 (p < 0.0001), IL−6 (p < 0.0001&p < 0.05), HSP−70 (p < 0.0001&p < 0.01), TLR−4 (p < 0.01&p < 0.05) and INF-γ (p < 0.0001). It was observed that breed had significant effect on total bilirubin (D-V & NF-V, p < 0.0001), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (NF-V, p < 0.01 &D-V, p < 0.05). And also had significant effect on. IL−2 (D-NF, p < 0.001 &NF-V, p < 0.01), IL−4 (D-NF& D-V, p < 0.0001;NF-V, p < 0.05; D-V&NF-V, p < 0.01), IL−6 (D-NF & D-V, p < 0.0001), HSP−70 (D-NF & D-V, p < 0.0001; D-NF p < 0.01; NF-V, p < 0.05), and INF-γ (D-NF & D-V, p < 0.0001&D-NF, p < 0.05). This study could establish the seasonal influence on biochemical and immunological traits of rural backyard poultry breeds in tropical climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

This communication reports an outbreak of immature paramphistomiosis in Andaman local goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) along with report of mortality and gross as well as histopathological changes. During the month of September, 2021 there was report of 38.57% mortality in goats which was investigated in depth. Outbreak occurred at South Andaman district where goats were reared under semi intensive managerial system and allowed to graze in the morning in surrounding marshy land. The affected animals showed the symptoms of immature amphistomiasis; it was further confirmed on necropsy and identification of causative organism as Paramphistomum cervi based on its typical morphological features. Histopathological examination showed damaged structure of rumen with typical degenerative changes and initiation of necrotic changes of cells with infiltration of inflammatory cells. We report the outbreak of immature amphistomiasis for the first time from Andaman and Nicobar archipelago along with the causative agent.

Objectives The present study was conducted to detect the occurrence of β-lactamase and biofilm-producing Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Klebsiella in broilers and native fowl reared in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. The study also included molecular docking experiments to confirm the nature of the catalytic domains found in the β-lactamase variants obtained and to reveal the clonal relationship of the isolates with human clinical strains from the database. Materials and methods A total of 199 cloacal swabs were collected from five poultry breeds/varieties (broiler, Vanraja, Desi, Nicobari, and layer) in three districts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. E. coli, Salmonella enterica, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated by standard techniques and confirmed by PCR. Phenotypical β-lactamase producers were identified by a double-disc test. The genes (blaCTX, blaSHV, blaTEM, and blaAmpC) were screened, and selected sequences of β-lactamase variants were submitted to DDBJ. Homology modeling, model validation, and active site identification of different β-lactamase variants were done by the SWISS-MODEL. Molecular docking was performed to identify the catalytic domains of the β-lactamase variants. The selected β-lactamase sequences were compared with the Indian ESBL sequences from human clinical strains in NCBI-GenBank. Results In total, 425 Enterobacteriaceae strains were isolated from the collected samples. Klebsiella pneumoniae (42.58%) was found to be the most prevalent, followed by Salmonella enterica (30.82%) and E. coli (26.58%). The phenotypical antibiogram of all 425 isolates showed the highest resistance against oxytetracycline (61–76%) and the lowest against gentamicin (15–20%). Phenotypical production of β-lactamase enzymes was observed in 141 (33.38%) isolates. The isolation rate of β-lactamase producing E. coli, Salmonella enterica, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the birds reared in the South Andaman district (25.6, 17.5, and 18.7%, respectively) than in Nicobar (11.5, 7.6, 7.1%, respectively). Genotyping of the β-lactamase-producing isolates revealed the maximum possession of blaTEM, followed by blaSHV and blaCTX − M. The nucleotide sequences were found to be similar with blaCTX − M−15, blaSHV − 11, blaSHV − 27, blaSHV − 228, blaTEM − 1, and blaAmpC in BLAST search. Distribution of studied biofilm-associated genes in Enterobacteriaceae strains from different varieties of the birds revealed that the layer birds had the maximum possession, followed by Vanraja, Desi, broilers, and Nicobari fowls. The phylogenetic analysis of selected sequences revealed a partial clonal relationship with human clinical strains of the Indian subcontinent. Molecular docking depicted the Gibbs free energy release for 10 different macromolecules (proteins) and ligand (antibiotic) complexes, ranging from −8.1 (SHV-27 + cefotaxime) to −7 (TEM-1 + cefotaxime) kcal/mol. Conclusion and relevance The study revealed β-lactamase variants circulating in the fowl population of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India), even in remote places with low anthropogenic activity. Most of the strains possessed blaTEM − 1, followed by blaCTX − M−15. Possession of blaSHV − 11, blaSHV − 27, and blaSHV − 228 in poultry Enterobacteriaceae strains was not reported earlier from any part of the world. The phylogenetic analysis revealed a partial clonal relationship of β-lactamase sequences with the human clinical strains isolated from the Indian subcontinent.

Andaman cattle is a precious indigenous livestock species endemic to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Till date, origin and genetic makeup of the breed which is warranted for breed conservation is not known. Moreover, the spread of zebu cattle from Indus valley to different parts of Island Southeast Asia (ISEA) is not properly understood. Here, we report the genetic diversity, population structure of Andaman cattle and their evolution in the context of epicentre of zebu domestication and ISEA. High genetic diversity in complete mitochondrial D-loop sequences indicated the ability of the breed to withstand impending climate change. Total 81 haplotypes were detected and all of them except three belonged to Bos indicus. The presence of taurine haplotypes in Andaman cattle indicate introgression by European-derived cattle. A poor phylogenetic signal of Andaman cattle with genetic affinities with cattle of Indian subcontinent and ISEA was observed. The poor phylogenetic structure may be due to multidirectional gene flow from Indian subcontinent and ISEA, with which Andaman shares a close cultural and trade relationship from Neolithic age. We hypothesize that Andaman cattle is the outcome of Neolithic diffusion from centre of zebu domestication along with multidirectional commercial exchange between Indian subcontinent and ISEA.

The tick, Rhipicephalus microplus is considered as the most notorious ectoparasite of veterinary importance in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. The present study deals with the molecular characterization of R. microplus in different regions of Andaman and Nicobar Islands using sequence information of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COX1) and their phylogenetic relationship with other Indian R. microplus genotypes. DNA polymorphism study identified a total of eight haplotypes with haplotype diversity of 0.909 ± 0.065 and nucleotide diversity of 0.01911 ± 0.00493. Currently, R. microplus complex consists of five taxa; R. microplus clade A sensu Burger et al. (2014), R. microplus clade B sensu Burger et al. (2014), R. microplus clade C sensu Low et al. (2015), R. australis and R. annulatus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of two clades (clade A and clade C) of R. microplus in Andaman and Nicobar isolates; Nicobar isolates belonged to clade A whereas Andaman isolates belonged to clade C of R. microplus complex. All the other Indian sequences retrieved from GenBank belonged to clade C of R. microplus complex. Andaman isolates under clade C of R. microplus were phylogenetically distinct from Indian isolates, which indicates independent speciation under isolated island milieu. In Indian isolates, no host-specific or geographical location-specific sub-clustering was observed which indicates the species jumping potential of the R. microplus tick. Therefore, this study indicated the presence of two different genetic makeup of R. microplus complex in two areas of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago separated by a natural geographical barrier. This indicates presence of two different founding populations of ticks, one in the south and north-middle Andaman and the other in Nicobar Island.