Indian Veterinary Research Institute
भारतीय पशुचिकित्सा अनुसंधान संस्थान

Parasitology Division

Major Achievements

  • Elucidation of life cycle of Ascaridia galli, Moniezia benedeni, M. expansa, Gigantocotyle explanatum, Artyfechinostomum sufrartyfex, Pseudodiscus collinsi, Cotugnia srivastavai n.sp., Srivastavaia indica n.sp, Schistosoma indicum, S. incognitum, Orientobilharzia datti P. epiclitum and Toxocara (Neoascaris) vituloru
  • Establishment of epidemiology and chemotherapy of surra and the role of Stomaxys calcitrans and tabanids in transmission of Trypanosoma evansi.
  • Monumental work on life cycle and biology of Schistosoma indicum and Orientobilharzia dattai, the blood flukes of domestic animals.
  • Pioneering work on transmission, treatment and control of stephanofiralial dermatitis.
  • Development of gamma irradiated vaccine against Dictyocaulus filaria in sheep and goats.
  • Epidemiology and biology of S. nasale, Gastrodiscoides hominis, Fasciolopsis buski, Orientobilharzia turkestanicum, Stephanofilaria assamensis, S. zaheeri, Boophilus microplus, Hyalomma anatolicum, H. marginatum issaci, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Ornithodoros savignyi.
  • Identification of Musca conducens as a vector of Stephanofilaria assamensis.
  • Establishment of transtadial transmission of T. annulata by the tick vectors, Hyalomma a. anatolicum and H. dromedarii.
  • Successful trail of sterile-male release technique for biological control of Argas persicus and Stomoxys calcitrans.
  • Vaccine protocol for laboratory scale (MASP culture) technique for Babesia bigemina.
  • Development of a laboratory technique for mass collection of metacercariae using polythene sheets.
  • Hybridoma technology for development of MAbs against F. gigantica & B. bigemina.
  • Description of an improved in vitro cloning technique and genotyping of T. gondii.
  • Several key molecules of F. gigantica involved in various metabolic pathways and immune regulation have been identified.
  • Development of schizont cell culture vaccine against bovine tropical theileriosis.
  • Development of sensitive immunodiagnostics (IFAT, ELISA, Dot-ELISA, SELISA, and LAT) and molecular diagnostics (PCR, DNA probe, PCR-RFLP, RAPD-PCR) for F. gigantica, E. granulosus, Dirofilaria immitis, T. evansi, B. bigemina, E. tenella and T. gondii.
  • Development of a precocious line of Eimeria tenella.
  • A PCR-RFLP for differentiation of T. annulata and B. bigemina.
  • Identification of two candidate antigens 105.4 and 92.2 kDa of B. microplus larval stage; and two antigens 39 kDa and 37 kDa of H. a. anatolicum from nymph and larva, respectively.
  • H. a. anatolicum candidate antigens (39 kDa and 37 kDa) revealed (54 to 70.75) per cent protection against various stages upon challenge.
  • Development of CIEP, ELISA and dot- ELISA for serodetection of F. gigantica.
  • A new paramphistome, Orthocoelium was designated as O. harishi n. sp. Cercaria sewelii has been recorded for the first time from Indoplanorbis exustus.
  • Establishment of experimental paramphistomiasis with metacercariae of P. epiclitum in buffaloes.
  • Development of an ELISA for early detection and quantitation of antibodies to Echinococcus granulosus in pups
  • Description of a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) for the specific detection of bubaline E. granulosus by hybridization assay for the first time.
  • Isolation and immunochemical characterization of tick antigens of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum and Boophilus microplus.
  • Establishment of protective potential of 70.6, 54.5 and 61.9% against larvae, nymphs and adults of H. a. anatolicum.
  • Epidemiology of common paramphistomatids of cattle and buffalo and snail intermediate hosts and establishment of experimental infection of Paramphistomum epiclitum was studied for the first time in buffaloes.
  • Elucidation of DNA polymorphism among the bubaline, cameline and equine isolates of T. evansi was demonstrated by RAPD-PCR.
  • Cloning and expression of candidate tick antigens in yeast expression system.
  • The nucleotide sequence analysis of β tubulin gene of B. bigemina Izatnagar isolates revealed more than 97.1% homology with Nigerian strain of B. bigemina.
  • Molecular epidemiology of T. gondii, C. parvum, B. bigemina, T. annulata, T. evansi.
  • Recombinant SAG1 based ELISA has been standardized and is being validated for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in ruminants and AIDS infected human beings.
  • Generation and maintenance of acaricide resistant and susceptible reference tick lines.
Patents Filed
  • Production of rHAA86 antigen of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum in Pichia pastoris. 2133/DEL/2007
  • Oligonucleotide primer sequences for specific and sensitive detection of T. evansi by nested polymerase chain reaction. 75/DEL/2008
  • A process for expression of variable surface glyco-protein of T. evansi in Pichia pastoris. 2449/DEL/2010
  • A phytopharmaceutical preparation for the control of acaricide resistant tick infestations in animals. 2452/DEL/2010
  • An ecofriendly hebal acaricide to control ticks including acaricide resistant species infesting livestock and pet animals. 2163/DEL/2011
Awards & Honours
  • Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Memorial Award' in 1969
  • FAO Fellowship award
  • Fellow of National Academy of Veterinary Sciences
  • Jawahar Lal Nehru Award for outstanding Ph.D thesis work of the student – 2
  • Best Research Article Award
  • Best Teacher Award, Deemed University, IVRI – 2
  • Dr. Eswaran Memorial Medal
  • Dr. J.P. Dubey Young Scientist Award for Best Student’s Thesis
  • Dr. V.S. Alwar Memorial award
  • Best poster presentation awards
No. of trainings imparted

Six