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Present study investigated the prevalence and hemato-biochemical changes observed in the mange infested Surti buffaloes and buffalo calves. For prevalence study a total of 401 animals were screened for the infection for a period of one year. Systematic and detailed appraisal of haemato-biochemical profiles as well as skin scrapping specimens were carried out in seventy five cases. Hematological analyses of blood samples were done to evaluate changes in Hb, PCV, TEC, TLC and DLC counts. Biochemical analyses of serum samples were done to determine the concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, A:G ratio and serum zinc levels by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Infestation was found to be high in winter season. Infestation caused anaemia, increased TLC with eosinophilia. There was decrease in total protein as well as zinc concentration in serum in infested buffaloes.


Introduction
There was significant decrease in haemoglobin and increased in total leukocyte count during the Mange is a specific contagious skin disease, caprine sarcoptic mange infestations in Black Bengal characterised by pruritic dermatitis and alopecia goats (Sengupta et al., 2008).Bala and Rath, 2006 caused by a variety of ectoparasitic mites burrowing in reported increased total leukocyte count in mange or living on the skin.Seasonal incidence and effect of affected calves.temperature on mange mites have been studied by Mixed chronic psoroptic and sarcoptic mange several workers in India and abroad.Basu et al. (1952) infestation in buffaloes caused poor growth rate, found mange infestation as seasonal restricted to a few lymphopenia and decrease in albumin globulin ratio months in year such as October to March and (A:G Ratio) (Randhawa et al., 1997).Buffaloes with infestation of mange in livestock was high during cold clinical sarcoptic mange had significantly lower total weather.There was a report of incidence of sarcoptic protein and higher free fatty acids (FFA) and betamange in buffaloes at Hissar in which out of 235 hydroxybutyrate (b-HOB) in serum compared to buffaloes of various ages examined 67 were infested apparently healthy controls (Dimri et al., 2007).There with Sarcoptic scabii and infestation was reported was also report of decreased serum zinc level in mange highest in December (70 %) (Tikaram and Ruprah, infested calves (Bal and Rath, 2006).

1986). Parasitic infection and infestation, causes
The present study was undertaken to understand variations and changes in the blood picture as well as the prevalence of mange in the Surti buffalo and serum composition.Mange infested calves have been buffalo calves and also to investigate the haematoreported to develop moderate to severe degree of biochemical changes caused by the infection.anaemia characterized by decrease in total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin stored at -20 C after addition of 0.1% Merthiolate as The animals were grouped age (young/adult), sex and preservative for further analysis.breed (Surati/non-descript) wise to study the prevalence Estimation of blood parameter: Packed cell of mange in the animal.For age wise grouping, volume (PCV) was performed as per the method given animals above 1 year were considered as an adult by Jain (1986) and the values were expressed in whereas below that were considered as young.
percentile.PCV and Hb were estimated by the method Grouping of animals for hemato-biochemical described by Jain (1986).Blood smear were prepared studies: For hematobiochemical studies a total of 75 from fresh blood.animals randomly selected were grouped into healthy

Estimation of serum biochemical parameter:
(group A), parasitic (group B) and non-parasitic Biochemical assay of serum samples was carried out (group C). (Group A: Healthy animals not suffering for serum total protein, albumin by using Ecoline from any disease, Group B: Animals infested with diagnostic kits supplied (Merck Specialities Pvt. Ltd., dermal parasites showing lesions, Group C: Animals Ambernath-421501) by auto serum analyzer (Selectra showing dermatological lesions but not infested with Junior, Merck Pvt.Ltd.) dermal parasites).

Calculation of serum Albumin:Globlin (A:G) ratio:
Blood sample collection and processing: The Albumin globulin ratio (A:G) was calculated by blood was collected from Surti buffalo calves and dividing concentration of albumin in g/dl and buffaloes from dairy farms located in and around concentration of globulin in g/dl.Navsari and Livestock Research Station, N.A.U.Navsari.The blood samples were collected from Estimation of Zinc: Concentration of zinc (Zn) was jugular vein into commercial Blood Vacutainers coated estimated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotowith Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid (EDTA).
meter (ECIL Model, AAS 4141) as per the method Biochemical analyses were carried out in the described earlier (Hackely et al., 1968).

Statistical analysis:
The data generated on haemato-also observed for haemoglobin and erythrocyte count.logical, biochemical and trace minerals were subjected The significant increase was observed for TLC of group B as compared to group A and group C.There to statistical analysis for test of significance by applying was marked increase and decrease values for appropriate statistical methods (Snedecor and cocheran, eosinophils and neutrophils respectively in group B as 1994).
compared to healthy animal group.The result of PCV,

Results
Hb, TEC and TLC and DLC has been presented in the Table -1.The classical clinical signs of mange including ulceration and hemorrhages at the inguinal region, Estimation of serum biochemical parameters: folded skin at neck regions, eczematous and scab Total protein value for group C followed by group B formation were observed on the body of animal along were significantly lower than healthy animals.There with presence of sarcoptic and psoroptic species (Fig. was no change in albumin values for group B and C as 1).Month wise prevalence studied for sarcoptic compared with group A, but for globulin there was mange revealed an increasing trend from October to decrease for group B and C as compared with group A. April.Mange was not observed between May to The value for albumin:globulin ratio was significantly September (Fig. 2).Winter season was found to be high for group B as compared to healthy animals.more conductive for the spread of the disease (29.67%)Serum zinc concentration was highly decreased for followed by summer (5.05%) and autumn (0%).
group B as compared to group A followed by group C. The result of total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin: Age, sex and breed wise prevalence of mange: globulin ratio and concentration of zinc according to The age wise prevalence of dermatological disorders group has been represented in the Table-1.was found to be 73.07%and 26.92% in young and adults, respectively.The sex wise prevalence of der-Discussion matological disorders was found to be 63.46% and In case of mange infestation host reactions were 36.53% in male and female respectively.For Surti associated with response to mites and their fecal breed of buffaloes the prevalence of dermatological deposits which usually occurred three weeks after the disorders was found to be 75% as compared to noninitial infestation and subsequently the reaction time descript breed which was 25%.
becoming much shorter after repeated exposures.Initial lesions could occur anywhere on the body, often Estimation of blood parameters: Haematocrit localized where the hair tends to be thin and prone to values were lower for group B and group C whereas that of group A had normal values.Same result was scratches/ injuries of epidermis such as head from there the infestation can spread quickly causing eosinophilia in mange infested animals, which could be associated with ongoing allergic reactions to mites generalized mange.Infestations generally appeared as papular eruptions with erythema, pruritis, and hair or their products (Jain, 1986;Yousaf et al., 1989).loss.With the progress of lesions affected areas become Eosinophilia has been linked to antigen antibody thickened, with crusts or exudates and consequently interactions in tissues rich in mast cells, such as skin, infected by secondary microbial invaders after as well as to protracted host parasite reaction (Duncan excoriation of the skin due to scratching and rubbing and Prasse, 1979; Ramprabhu, 2001).(Gary and Durden, 2009).
In contrast to parasitic group, total protein Based on the screening of skin scrapping samples, concentration appeared significantly lesser in nonoverall prevalence of sarcoptic mange appeared to be parasitic group.Protein deficiency indicated malnutrition, 69.33% in buffalo and buffaloes calves.Similar disturbed regressive hepatic functional status (Raval, prevalence rates ranging from 23.60% to 94 % have 1997) and glomerular filtration capacity (Barron, been reported in buffalo calves (Tikaram and Ruprah, 1982).Group C was found to be significantly hypo-1986) and 89.5% in Zymbia (Munang'andu et al., proteinemic while group B animals marginally protein 2010).There was higher prevalence of mange deficient, supporting earlier reports (Anon, 1982; infection in male calves as compared to females Kumar and Sharma, 1993;Kaneko et al., 1999;Sethi, (Nooruddin et al., 1986).Young animals were more 2001; Dimri et al., 2007).In parasitic group total prone to infestation as compared to adult animals protein concentration appeared significantly lower (Naresh et al., 2005;Hafeez et al., 2007).In present (Bala and Rath, 2006;Dimeri et al., 2007).These study it appeared that winter season was found to be findings suggested poor nutritional status.Sarcoptic more conductive for the spread of the mange (29.67%).mange in buffaloes was often associated with severe The month wise prevalence of sarcoptic mange pruritis, which led in to anorexia (Radostatis et al., revealed an increasing trend from October to April 2001).The lowered level of serum protein could also substantiating earlier reports (Patel et al., 2003).be due to loss of plasma proteins in dermatitis.Decreased Higher incidence during cold period was attributed to concentration of serum globulins was also reported low ambient temperature (aT), which favoured the earlier (Kamboj, 1991; Dadhich and Khanna, 2008).propagation of mites.Cold climate ranging between Of all the essential trace minerals, zinc is referred ï 21-27 C have been reported to favour the propagations as the most vital and skin disorders associated with of mites (Tikaram and Ruprah, 1986).dietary zinc deficiency ranged from hyperkeratosis In the present study Hb count, PCV count and (Radostatis et al., 2001) to infertility (Patel, 2003) and TEC level in the both groups B and C were lower as immunodeficiency (Prasad, 1966; Nockels and Blair, compared to healthy animals, which could be to 1996 Tizzard, 1998).Zinc (Zn) is known to play an significantly lowered erythrocyte indices, hematocrit important role in the immune system, the protective and increased erythrocyte fragility (Jain, 1986) or due shield of the skin to gene regulation within lymphoto toxemia caused by mites (Pas'Ko and Chotchaev, cytes, as well as normal development and functioning 1974).Mean Packed cell volume (PCV) and Hemoof cells mediating nonspecific immunity and stabilization globin (Hb) concentration were significantly lower in of cell membranes of macrophages (Shankar and Prasad, mange affected group due to the decreased erythroid 1998).Severe Zn deficiency, reported to adversely elements in blood (Tung et al., 1975).Significant affect immune status, characterized by susceptibility reduction of lower hematological values in buffaloes to opportunistic infections as in dermatitis, enteritis and buffalo calves affected with sarcoptic mange has and alopecia (Walsh et al., 1994;Zalewski, 1996).In also been reported by earlier workers (Parija et al., the present study serum zinc level was lowest in group 1995; Patel et al., 2003;Dimri et al., 2007).Total B then group C as compared with group A. Zinc absorption erythrocyte counts appeared significantly reduced in was reported to be antagonised by Cadmium (Cd) and mange supporting the earlier reports that sarcoptes deficiency could be a consequence of chronic Cd mites affect erythropoiesis leading to marked reduction toxicity.(Gaw et al., 2008). in total erythrocyte count (Hogg, 1979).The TLC The present investigation clearly brought out level in mange infested animal was found to be that Sarcoptes scabii was the most common etiological elevated in the present study.Similar type of increased factor of mange in buffaloes, while Psoroptic bovis total leukocyte count was reported by earlier studies appeared to be next important cause of parasitic et al. mange.As far as the non-parasitic dermatoses were (Bala and Rath, 2006;Bal , 2009).concerned hypoproteinemia and dietary zinc deficiency In case of blood smear examination there was Materials and methods concentration in mange infested goats (Parija et al., Incidence of mange: A total of 401 animals were 1995, Stromberg and Guillot, 1989, Dimri et al., 2007; screened from June 2009 to June 2010 with an average Hafeez et al., 2007). of 30 animals per month for the occurrence of mange Animal Disease Investigation Office Navsari, while the estimation of zinc was carried out in the Department infested buffalo from dairy farms located in and of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Navsari around Navasari and Livestock Research Station, Agricultural University, Navsari.NAV, Navasari.Clinical signs/ symptoms and microscopic identification of type of mange were Separation of serum and preservation: Sera followed in the study.samples were also collected from these animals and ï Age, sex and breed wise prevalence of mange:

Figure- 2 .
Figure-2.Percent incidence of mange from June 2009 to June 2010 after screening 401 animals with an average of 30 animals per month for the occurrence of mange infested buffalo.

Table - 1: Haemato-biochemical parameters of different groups during the study period.
cDifferent Parameters for three different groups: healthy (group A), parasitic (group B) and non-parasitic (group C).Data is represented in % (percent) ± standard error mean (SEM) from three different slides of each sample.Values with different superscript letters (a, b, c, ab) between columns differ significantly (P < 0.05).