ZOONOSIS RESEARCH LABORATORY

• some diseases are known to occur in animals only (e.g. Rinderpest in ruminants)
• some only in humans (e.g. Measles)
• diseases like Leptospirosis and Rabies, are transmitted by animals to man
• certain diseases occur both in man and animals but the same is transmitted from the soil / environment, without an animal reservoir (“Sapronoses” – e.g Blastomyces dermatitides, Cocciodides immitis, Nocardia asteroides)
• other diseases, clinically similar in animals and people, and once thought to be transmitted by animals, are now known to be the result of endogenous infection from the individual’s own normal flora. Examples are Actinomycosis (e.g., Actinomyces bovis -cattle, Actinomyces Israeli - man) and disease caused by Gram-negative anaerobic organisms such as Bacteroides melaninogenicus

Zoonoses are infections and diseases that are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and man. Animals can also get infected from humans, and the disease is termed “Anthroponoses”.

People with close contact with animals (pet lovers, livestock farmers, animal health providers, butchers, cleaning staff of local bodies) and individuals with weakened immune system (children, elderly, pregnant women, people suffering from immunosuppressive diseases and those who underwent organ transplantation) can be at increased risk of acquiring zoonoses. Humans can avoid zoonoses by basic hygienic practices, vaccination and avoiding unnecessary contact with animals. In the event of doubts / situations on Zoonoses, one has to consult their Physician immediately.

Objectives

• To establish infrastructure for diagnosis of zoonotic diseases and offer diagnostic services for human and animal samples.
• To perform surveillance studies with line departments for the control of Zoonotic diseases.
• To impart training to officers of the line Departments on recognition and control of zoonotic diseases
• To offer export certification for animal and animal samples for Zoonotic diseases.

The laboratory serves the general public & line departments with diagnostic services for leptospirosis in man and animals for about one and half decade. In response to need from physicians and as a public health responsibility of the veterinary profession, this laboratory is extending its service to other emerging zoonotic diseases like brucellosis and anthrax. In a phased manner, the laboratory plans to expand to other zoonoses also. For facilitation of research and diagnostic service of zoonotic pathogens a necessary facilities have been created.

Diagnostic services offered at Zoonoses Research Laboratory

(All tests carry a service tax of 15% up to 30/6/2017 / and GST thereafter)

Working Hours

• Samples will be received on all working days from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
• Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays & Govt. holidays
• For tests that carry turnaround time of same day, samples have to be submitted before 1.00 p.m.

Mode of Payment

By cash or DD drawn in favour of “The Director, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Chennai- 51” Cashless transaction facilities in the form of Point of sale machines are to be put in place shortly.

Education

• Biological products training offered to B.V.Sc internees, students of Diploma in Public Health, Trainees & Medical officers of the Public health Department in the diagnosis and control of zoonotic diseases
• Post graduate and doctoral research workers are provided facilities and training in laboratory techniques
• Life Science students are encouraged to take up small projects as part of their degree programme on cost-basis

Research

• Diagnosis of leptospirosis in man and animals

• Isolation of Bacillus anthracis from soil samples and diagnosis of anthrax out breaks in animals in Tamil Nadu

• Serological and molecular diagnosis of Brucellosis

External Funded Projects

• ICAR scheme on " Out Reach Programme on Zoonotic Diseases"
• BBSRC CIDLID scheme on "Developing a validation portfolio to exploit key virulence proteins in Fasciola species for parasite control"

Salient Achievements

• Maintenance of 25 laboratory strains of leptospires for use as antigen panel for Microscopic Agglutination Test
• Establishment of multi species serum bank for Leptospirosis
• Isolation of leptospires from field samples
• Detection of Leptospiral DNA in environmental samples
• Development of tri and pentavalent Leptospiral vaccine for bovines
• Isolation of zoonotic pathogens from field outbreaks
• Detection of Bacillus anthracis from environmental samples and outbreaks by isolation and molecular methods
• Facility for environmental leptospires diagnosis by chemiluminiscent probe method
• Molecular detection of Japanese Encephalitis Virus by real-time RT-PCR
• Detection of Japanese encephalitis virus antibody by ELISA and Plaque Reduction Neutralization test for seroepidemiology of JE

Extension Activities

• Creation of awareness about zoonotic disease to public via distributing pamphlets, conducting exhibition, media: - radio & television talks.
• Advice to line department personnel
• Addressing queries of public about Zoonoses
• Participation and conducting exhibition about zoonotic disease in the Chennai science festival-2016, organized by Tamil Nadu state council for Science and Technology at Queen Mary’s college for Women
• Participated in Chennai Trade fair organized by Tamil Nadu Tourism and Development Corporation in Island ground and pamphlets on zoonotic diseases distributed to public
• Talk in schools on zoonoses

Training / Workshop Conducted

• Control of Fasciolosis : Workshop cum hands on training in the diagnosis & control was imparted to academic, field faculty of TANUVAS and line department
• Training to line department officers: in the diagnosis of Leptospirosis was imparted to officials of the Public Health Department
• Field Veterinarians: Workshop cum hands on training in the diagnosis of Leptospirosis was conducted to Veterinarians, Animal Husbandry Department, Veterinarians from Reymount Veterinary Corps, Meerut
• Seminar: One day seminar on bovine zoonoses was organized for field Veterinarians
• ICAR ORPZD faculties: Capacity building workshop on diagnosis of Leptospirosis in human and animals was conducted to scientists under the Outreach Programme on Zoonotic Diseases funded by Indian Council of Agricultural Research
• Training on Laboratory diagnosis of Leptospirosis was imparted to research scholars from Manipal centre for virus research. Manipal University, Karnataka

Research Thrust Areas

• Development of cost-effective vaccines for bovine leptospirosis
• Development of cost-effective diagnostics in the form of penside kits
• Epidemiology of zoonotic diseases like leptospirosis, brucellosis and anthrax for the state of Tamilnadu and identification of specific risks factors
• Determination of economic impact of such diseases

Faculty

• Dr. K.G.Tirumuugaan, Professor and Head | tirumurugaan.k.g@tanuvas.ac.in
• Dr. K.Senthil Kumar, Assistant Professor | senthilkumar.k@tanuvas.ac.in