Monday, October 29, 2012

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PARASITIC INFECTIONS IN PIG POPULATION FROM DIFFERENT CLIMATIC ECOZONES OF NEPAL AND ITS IMPACT ON PRODUCTIVITY AND HUMAN HEALTH


COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PARASITIC INFECTIONS IN PIG POPULATION FROM DIFFERENT CLIMATIC ECOZONES OF NEPAL AND ITS IMPACT ON PRODUCTIVITY AND HUMAN HEALTH


(Selected for USAID Grant)

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Mr. Upendra Thapa Shrestha, M.Sc. Microbiology (Environment and Public Health Microbiology)
·         Faculty, Kantipur College of Medical Science (KCMS), affiliated to Tribhuvan University, Sitapaila, Kathmandu.
·         Research Assistant (Deputy Director), Research Laboratory for Biotechnology and Biochemistry; RLABB, (Contact address: Email:upendrats@gmail.com; Mobile: 9841431476)


CO-INVESTIGATORS

1.      Mr. Nabaraj Adhikari, M.Sc. Microbiology (Medical)
·         Coordinator, Kantipur College of Medical Science (KCMS) affiliated to Tribhuvan University, Sitapaila, Kathmandu
2.      Mr. Jivan Shakya, M.Sc. Microbiology (Medical)
·         Research Assistant, Centre for Molecular Dynamics-Nepal (CMDN)


ABSTRACT

Pig production in Nepal is one of the rapidly growing livestock enterprises both in tropical and sub-tropical regions, contributing the second major source of meat. The research will therefore focus on the prevalence of parasites in pig at two different climatic ecozones and also study its impacts on productivity and human health. Regarding research design, subtropical (Kathmandu valley) and tropical (Nawalparasi and Biratnagar) regions will be selected as two different sampling sites and parasites that affect both pig and farmers will be studied. One hundred and fifty stool samples and 150 blood samples of pigs will be collected from each sampling site. Simultaneously, 50 stool samples from each region will be collected from pig farmers of same study group. All climatic conditions including temperature, humidity, wind velocity etc will be recorded throughout the research period with the help of meteorologist. All stool samples will be preserved in formalin and transported to KCMS for further study. The pig stool samples will be observed for intestinal parasites (Giardia duodenalis, Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Balatidium coli and Strongyloides spp.). The blood samples will be processed to harvest the serum and will be transported to KCMS to detect antibodies against Taenia solium and Toxoplasma gondii by serodiagnosis method. The parasitic infections will be studied among the pig farmers of same study group. The prevalence of parasites will be determined in both pig population and farmers. The data will be statistically analyzed using chi square test. Finally, the study will describe the interrelationship between climate change, its effects on livestock production and human health. 

Monday, October 8, 2012

STUDY OF SURVIVABILITY AND EFFICIENCY OF BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS IN WASTE WATER FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF MOSQUITO BREEDING


BIO-15
STUDY OF SURVIVABILITY AND EFFICIENCY OF BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS   IN WASTE WATER FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF MOSQUITO BREEDING

(Abstract Published in The Sixth National Conference on Science and Technology-
Sept.25-27, 2012 Kathmandu)

U. Thapa Shrestha, S. Ghimire, J. Bhandari, K. B. Tiwari and V. P. Agrawal
P.O.Box.-11537, Sundhara
Kathmandu, 44600
email: upendrats@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Bacillus thuringiensis strains were isolated from soil samples collected from Sagarmatha National Part of the Everest region and subsequently identified by standard microbiological techniques including colonial characteristics, morphological characteristics, crystal protein staining and biochemical characteristics. Some of potent strains already preserved in lab were also revived and recharacterized for their crystal protein production property. The stationary phase culture broth was tested for insect bioassay using mosquito larva collected from stagnant waste water in Kathmandu. All these isolates were able to efficiently kill the mosquito larva even at their natural breeding place, the waste water. These were further used for survivability test in the waste water.  The growth of B. thuringiensis in waste water was found to be soared for seventh days and plunged gradually in subsequent days till 30 days. The survivability of B. thuringiensis isolates was recorded till 30 days and found to be alive in the waste water. The number of B. thuringiensis was found to be higher in control in compare with the test, unautoclaved waste water. 

Bacteria in Photos

Bacteria in Photos