Veterinary Parasitology

The department of Veterinary Parasitology came into existence in 1975 with Dr. S.C. Dutt a renowned Parasitologist as the founder Head of the Department. Since inception, the department has been actively involved in imparting quality teaching, research and extension activities in the field of Veterinary Parasitology.

Liaison with state Department:

The department is actively involved in the activity pertaining to training to veterinary officers, workshops and personnel from polyclinics for training in diagnosis of parasitic diseases of domestic animals.

Goals

  • To acquaint undergraduate students with basics of Veterinary Parasitology and provide thorough knowledge of the subject.
  • To develop professionally qualified Human Resource in Parasitology by imparting comprehensive, quality and in-depth education and training in different fields of Parasitology.
  • To develop and strengthen the technologies for better diagnosis, management and control of parasitic diseases.
  • To conduct region specific research for giving better benefits to the farmers.
  • To provide advisory and consultancy services to research institutions, other government and private agencies, veterinarians and farmers.
  • To create awareness among people for control of parasitic diseases.

Thrust Area

  • The department is committed to deliver high-quality education and aims to foster a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment that promotes student learning, critical thinking and academic excellence in the field of Veterinary Parasitology. Teaching mandate includes curriculum development and periodic updation, facilitate learning through various teaching methods/technologies and incorporation of innovative approaches into instruction for undergraduate (B.V.Sc. & A.H.) students. Mentoring and supervising postgraduate (M.V.Sc. and Ph.D.) students in Veterinary Parasitology to support their professional development and facilitate the completion of high-quality research.
  • Research agenda of department includes developing and advancing a coherent research in the field of Epidemiology (distribution and risk factor assessment), Diagnostics (development and application of advance diagnostic protocols) and Control (chemotherapeutics, phyto-parasiticides, biological agents) of economically important parasitic diseases.
  • The research mandate encompasses: Securing external research funding to support faculty and student research, facilitating collaboration and interdisciplinary partnerships to address complex challenges, publication and dissemination of knowledge, research infrastructure development to support excellence in advance research, translation of research findings into tangible outcomes, innovations, and applications for societal economic upliftment, development and policy formulation.

Veterinary Parasitology



Dr. Nirbhay Kumar Singh

Address : Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University,Ludhiana-141004

Email: hodvp@gadvasu.in, nirbhayksingh@yahoo.co.in

Call: +91-161-2414029

Fax: +91-161-2400822

Brief Introduction

Dr. Nirbhay Kumar Singh joined as Professor-cum-Head, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science, GADVASU on 02.12.2021. Dr. Singh has an academic experience of more than 18 years and has guided 04 Master’s students as major advisor. He has handled 2 research projects as Principal Investigator and is associated as co- investigator in 04 projects funded by prestigious research agencies, including, Department of Biotechnology, University Grants Commission, Indian Council of Agricultural Research etc. His major research interest includes acaricide resistance status and its mechanism in cattle tick, screening of native plants for evaluation of their acaricidal properties, epidemiology, immunological and molecular diagnosis of economically important parasitic diseases. He worked as visiting scientist at USDA-ARS, Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory, Texas, USA for one year (2016-17) under UGC Raman Fellowship. Dr Singh has published 87 national and 55 international research articles, along with 48 extension articles and 78 accession numbers from GenBank, NCBI. He also authored one book and 10 laboratory manuals for UG and PG courses of Veterinary Parasitology. His research papers have approximately 1900 citations with an h-index of 24 and i10-index of 62. Dr Singh is a recipient of Raman Fellowship for Post-Doctoral Research in USA by University Grants Commission, New Delhi (2015-16), Dr N S Ruprah Memorial Award-2018 by the Indian Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology and ICAR Best teacher Award of GADVASU in Agricultural Higher Education for the year 2018-19. He was awarded Associateship of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) in year 2017 and has several best paper presentations awards by various scientific societies.

Faculty Detail

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Dr. Lachhman Das Singla

Designation : Director of Human Resource Management

Contact Address : Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab 141004

Telephone : 0161-2414029

Mobile : 9316061974

Email : ldsingla@gadvasu.in, ldsingla@gmail.com, ldsingla@rediffmail.com

Academic Credentials

  • B.V.Sc. & A.H.
  • M.V.Sc. (Veterinary Parasitology)
  • Ph.D. (Veterinary Parasitology)

Teaching appointments

  • Imparted comprehensive, quality and in-depth education and training in different fields of Veterinary Parasitology (Protozoology, Helminthology & Entomology) to the undergraduate and postgraduate students of Veterinary and Animal Sciences under trimester and semester system (under VCI) of education to develop professionally qualified Human Resource in Veterinary Parasitology. Veterinary interns were imparted training for diagnosis and control of parasitic infections regularly. Besides this taught ‘Intellectual Property and its Management in Agriculture’ course to postgraduate students of university and ‘Animal Ethics and Welfare’ course to undergraduate students. Developed/improved teaching curricula and methods to make teaching innovative and effective.

Other appointments

  • Director, Human Resource Management Centre, GADVASU, Ludhiana.
  • Member Secretary Institutional Animal Ethics Committee, GADVASU, Ludhiana

Area of research

  • Control of economically important parasitic diseases;  generation of epidemiological database and maps; conventional, immunological and molecular diagnostics.

Ongoing projects

S.No.

PI/Co-PI

Title of project

Funding agency

Period

1.

PI

Employment of immuno-molecular diagnostic tools for haemoprotozoan diseases of livestock in Punjab State

RKVY

2011-2014

2.

PI

Development of control strategies based on molecular epidemiology and drug efficacy for equine piroplasmosis in Punjab.

UGC, New Delhi

2013 -2017

3.

PI

Preliminary evaluation of atypical-human trypanosomiasis (a-HT) due to Trypanosoma evansi in India

IRD, France

2022-2023

Research honours awards

  • Awards/Honours: Punjab State Marketing Board Scholarship in B.V.Sc & A.H.; ICAR JRF in M.V.Sc.; M.S. Randhawa Medal (1999) in Ph.D.; Prof. Dr. B.V. Rao Gold Medal (2002) by Indian Veterinary Association; Shiksha Rattan Puraskar in 2008; 14 Best Poster/Oral Presentation Awards 2005-2019; Best Research Article Awards by Indian Society for Veterinary Immunology and Biotechnology (2010 and 2013); 
  • Oration awards: Dr. D.P. Banerjee Memorial Oration Award 2013 in Veterinary Protozoology; Smt. Nisha Mani Parija Oration Award 2014 in Parasitic Zoonosis and Dr. B.L. Purohit Memorial Oration Award 2018. Editorial Excellence Award as Editor (2014) and Associate Chief Editor (2016) of ‘Indian Journal of Animal Research’.   
  • Fellow Academies/Associations: Fellow of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London (2004); The National Academy of Veterinary Sciences (2016) and The Indian Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (2017). 

No of publications




Research: 175
Extension: 80
   Books: NIL   Manuals: 04

Publication

  • Ntesang, K., Singla, L.D., Kaur, P., Arora, J.S., &   Kashyap N (2022).  Molecular epidemiology, phylogenetic analysis and risk assessment of Anaplasma marginale from naturally infected bovines of Punjab (India). Acta Tropica 232, 106499.
  • Goel, V., Singla, L.D.& Choudhury, D. (2020). Cuminaldehyde induces oxidative stress-mediated physical damage and death of Haemonchus contortus. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy 130: 110411. Doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110411.
  • Goel, V., Kaur, P., Singla, L.D. & Choudhury D (2020). Biomedical evaluation of Lansium parasiticum extract protected silver nanoparticles against Haemonchus contortus, a parasitic worm. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences 7: 595646. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.595646.
  • Parashar, R., Singla, L.D., Batra, K., Kumar, R., Kashyap, N., Kaur, P. & Bal. M.S. (2018). Unraveling cryptic epizootiology of equid trypanosomosis in Punjab state of India by parasitological and sero-molecular techniques. Acta Tropica 185: 18-26.
  • Sumbria, D, Singla, L.D., Kumar, S., Sharma, A., Dhayia, R .&  Setia, R.K. (2016). Spatial distribution, risk factors and haematobiochemical alterations associated with Theileria equi infected equines of Punjab (India) diagnosed by indirect ELISA and nested PCR. Acta Tropica 155: 104-112.
  • Singla, L.D., Sumbria, D., Mandhotra, A., Bal, M.S., and Kaur, P. (2016). Critical analysis of vector-borne infections in dogs: Babesia vogeli, Babesia gibsoni, Ehrlichia canis and Hepatozoon canis in Punjab, India. Acta Parasitologica 61(4): 697-706.  
  • Sumbria, D., Singla, L.D., Sharma, A., Moudgil, A. & Bal M.S. (2014). Equine trypanosomosis in central and western Punjab: Prevalence, haemato-biochemical response and associated risk factors. Acta Tropica 138: 44-50.
  • Sharma, A, Singla, L.D., Tuli, A., Kaur, P., Batth, B.K., Javed, M. & Juyal, P.D. (2013). Molecular prevalence of Babesia bigemina and Trypanosoma evansi in dairy animals from Punjab, India by duplex PCR: A step forward to detection and management of concurrent latent infections. Biomed Research International Doi: org/10.1155/2013/893862)
  • Singla, L.D., Juyal, P.D. & Sharma, N.S. (2010). Immune responses to haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) vaccination in Trypanosoma evansi infected buffalo-calves. Tropical Animal Health and Production 42: 589-95.
  • Singla, L.D., Singla, N., Parshad, V.R., Juyal, P.D. & Sood, N.K. (2008). Rodents as reservoirs of parasites in India. Integrative Zoology 3: 21-26.

Veterinary Parasitology

Former Faculty

Sr. No. Name Designation Superannuation/ Transfer/ Promotion Photograph
1. Dr. P.D.Juyal Ex- Registrar GADVASU 31-01-2015
2. Dr. H.S. Rai Associate Professor Expired on 15-10-2012
3. Dr. Arvinder Kaur Helminthologist 31-08-2010
4. Dr. S.S. Rath Professor 30-06-2019

Veterinary Parasitology


Name Objectives Funding sources Status
Immunological Studies on the helminthic diseases of livestock (NPV-54) Serodiagnosis of the latent helminthic diseases viz., immature paramphistomiasis, fascioliasis, schistosomiasis, gastrointestinal nematodiasis and cysticercosis.

Development of vaccine for the control of immature paramphistomiasis, fascioliasis, schistosomiasis, haemonchosis, cysticercosis, toxocariasis, oesophagostomiasis and hydatidosis		 Punjab Government On going
Immunological control of cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) (NPV-55) To prepare antigen from various organs of Boophilus microplus and to administrate it into the crossbred cattle to produce immunity against the tick

To assess the immunity generated by the tick antigen

To evolve suitable vaccine against the tick		 Punjab Government On going
Integrated management and control of parasitic diseases in domestic animals for enhancing livestock productivity in different agro-climatic zones of Punjab state. (PV-17) To adopt latest diagnostic techniques available to know the exact epidemiology of economically important and highly prevalent parasitic infections in different agro-climatic zones of Punjab state.

Application of molecular diagnostic techniques for accurate diagnosis of haemoprotozoan infections as a sensitive and specific tool.

Integrated management and control strategies of trematode infections with special emphasis on snail control by phytochemical and biological techniques in Punjab state.

Control of tick population by application of acaricides with special emphasis on acaricidal resistance. 		Punjab Government On going
Employment of Immuno-molecular Diagnostic Tools for Haemoprotozoan Diseases of Livestock in Punjab State (RKVY Misc-19) Development and standardization of immuno-molecular techniques for sensitive and specific detection of haemoprotozoan infections of livestock.

Application of these techniques on a field survey in order to assess the prevalence of infections with minimum possible cost and in less time to compare the results obtained from random samples with those of conventional parasitological methods.		 Punjab Government Completed
Biochemical and molecular detection of malathion resistance in cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (C-VPS-1: Misc) Detection of Malathion resistance in R. (B.) microplus ticks collected from different agroclimatic zones of Punjab.

Development of accurate and efficient molecular and biochemical assays for the detection of resistance to malathion in the tick population.		 Department of Science & Technology On going
Development of biochemical assay as diagnostic tool for synthetic pyrethroid resistance in cattle tick Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum Detection of synthetic pyrethroid resistance in Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum tick collected from different agro-climatic zones of Punjab.

Development of accurate and efficient biochemical assay for the detection of synthetic pyrethroid resistance in Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum.		 University Grants Commission On going
Development of control strategies based on molecular epidemiology and drug efficacy for equine piroplasmosis in Punjab Development and standardization of accurate, sensitive and specific PCR based diagnostic assays for detection of B.equi and B.caballi in equines.

Evaluation of molecular epidemiology and drug sensitivity based on PCR techniques in equine piroplasmosis to develop control strategies.		 University Grants Commission On going
Epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in relation to anthelmintic resistance in sheep and goats in Punjab State To explore the prevalence of GIT parasites in sheep and goats in Punjab state.

Identification of important genera/ species of GIT parasites prevalent in the region.

Standardization and application of molecular techniques for diagnosis of important GIT parasitic infections in sheep and goat.

To explore the status of anthelmintic resistance in sheep and goat of Punjab state.
br> To suggest/formulate/recommend control strategies with specific anthelmintic/antiparasitic drugs depending upon prevalence of different parasitic species in the region. 		RKVY D On going
Bioassay based detection of ivermectin resistance status in cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus from Punjab Standardization of bioassay for the detection of ivermectin resistance in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.

Detection of ivermectin resistance status through bioassay in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus tick collected from different agro-climatic zones of Punjab.
br> Generation of resistance map for ivermectin in cattle tick R. (B.) microplus of Punjab		 RKVY D On going

Sr. No

Title of Project

Objectives

Investigators

Budget (lakh)

Sponsoring Agency

Duration of the Project

1.

Multiplex-polymerase chain reaction based detection of tick borne canine haematozoan diseases

1.   Development and standardization of multiplex PCR assay for detection of canine ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and hepatozoonosis

2.   Field validation and assessment various risk factors in suspected clinical cases for canine haematozoan diseases

PI: Dr Harkirat Singh

Co-PI(s):

Dr(s). Nirbhay K. Singh, Niraj K. Singh, S. S. Rath, Sujata Turkar, Dhiraj K. Gupta & Lokesh K. M.

29,90,000

DBT, New Delhi

2018-Till date

Veterinary Parasitology


Epidemiology:
  • Epidemiological studies/data on  ixodid ticks in bovines,   gastrointestinal parasites of large and small ruminants and swines, haematozoan parasites of bovines, equines, canines of various agro-climatic zones of Punjab.
Diagnosis:
  • Detection of Trypanosoma evansi, Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina, Theileria annulata and Cryptosporidium spp in  large animals by conventional and nested PCR assays.
  • Detectionof Ehrlichia canis, Babesia  gibsoni, Babesia vogeli, Hepatozoon canis in canines by conventional, nested PCR techniques.
  • Theileria equi, T. evansi and  H. canis by conventional, nested PCR & LAMP
  • Detection of haemoaparasites viz Theileria equi, T. annulata, A.  marginale, B. bigemina and H. canis in ixodid tick vectors.
  • Characterization of Eimeria spp. in swine by conventional and nested PCR assays.
  • Multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection of  T.evansi, T. annulata and B. bigemina in bovines, T. equi and T. evansi in the equines, Ehrlichia canis, B. gibsoni, B. vogeli, Hepatozoon canis in canines.Taqman singleplex based real time PCR for theileriosis, trypanosomosis and babesiosis  in bovines.
  • Multiplex SYBR Green based real-time PCR assay standardized and evaluated to simultaneously detect the parasitic DNAs of B. vogeli & E. canis and B. gibsoni & H. canis in dogs.
  • Molecular characterization of economically important gastrointestinal (Cryptosporidium spp, Eimeria spp., Ancylostoma spp.), haemoparasites (Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Ehrlichia spp. Hepatozoon spp., T. evansi) of livestock and pet animals.
  • Immunodiagnosis of paramphistomosis, toxocarosis, fasciolosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, cryptosporidiosis, trypanosomosis
  • Detection of resistance:
  • Acaricide resistance status in Rhipicephalus microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum based on Adult Immersion Test (AIT) against synthetic pyrethroids (cypermethrin and deltamethrin) revealed higher resistance levels against deltamethrin.
  •  Pioneer report of ivermectin resistance from India in Rhipicephalus microplus from Punjab by Larval Immersion test (LIT) showed resistance status in all field isolates.
  • Standardization and application of modified larval packet test (LPT) using nylon membranes as substrate and formulated amitraz for detection of amitraz resistance in Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus microplus showed low levels of resistance from Punjab.
  • Detection of anthelmintic resistance by FECRT against ivermectin, levamisole, morantel citrate and fenbendazole showed multiple drug resistance in small ruminants of Punjab.
  • Detection of benzimidazole resistance by molecular based allele specific PCR in adult and larvae of Haemonchus contortus in sheep and goats of  different zones of Punjab showed great level or resistance.
  • Screening of indigenous plants for evaluation of their acaricidal properties:
  • Assessment of the acaricidal activity of various extracts of aqueous of Murraya koenigii, Cymbopogon winterianus, Vitex negundo, and Withania somnifera along with roots of V. negundo,  Dalbergia sissoo showed better acaricidal activities against the synthetic pyrethroids resistant R. microplus ticks.
  • Alcoholic and various aqueous extracts of Piper longum, Piper nigrum and Zingiber officinale and their combinations against Hyalomma anatolicum revealed highest acaricidal property in the alcoholic extract of P. longum seeds than Zingiber officinale.
  • In vitro acaricidal activity evaluation of essential oils (EOs) of cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), bark of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), leaves of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and their combinations against R. microplus by LPT revealed highest acaricidal activity in cinnamon EO.
Control:
  • Phytochemical control of Eimeria tenella infection in poultry birds, anticoccidial studies in small ruminants, Immunomodulatory and pharmacokinetics of drugs in T. evansi experimentally infected animals, efficacy of flumethrin, deltamethrin and amitraz for tick control in buffaloes.

Veterinary Parasitology

  • Providing clinical services for diagnosis of parasitic infections.
  • Imparting education in various camps, refresher courses and other training programmes organized from time to time.
  • Exhibition-cum-demonstration at Kisan Melas/Pashu Palan Melas for management of parasitic diseases.
  • Distribution of pamphlets for control of economically important parasitic diseases.
  • Development of pictorial presentations/charts of various economically important parasitic diseases in Punjabi language for livestock owners.
  • Preparation of deworming schedule for the benefit of end users.

Veterinary Parasitology

Research : 500
Extension : 180
Books/Mannuals : 5/10

Veterinary Parasitology

  • The postgraduate laboratory has state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and resources to support research in the field of immuno-molecular and conventional Veterinary Parasitology.
  • Entomology laboratory with facilities for conduction of research on tick management including acaricide resistance detection and its mitigation.
  • The undergraduate laboratory-cum-Museum has an extensive collection of parasitic specimens and is equipped with modular furniture and audio-visual aids for teaching.

Veterinary Parasitology

  • Dr. L.D. Singla received Prof B. V. Rao Gold Medal for research article published in Indian Veterinary Journal.vol.75: 109; 111,1998.
  • Dr. L.D. Singla is elected as a Fellow of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH). Dr. Singla is also the recipient of M.S. Randhawa Medal for writing best essay on ‘Evolution of Life’. He is also recipient of Shiksha Rattan Puraskar’ for meritorious services, outstanding performance and remarkable role in education by India International Friendship Society, New Delhi.
  • Dr. Singla International travel grants for attending international conferences at Canada, France, Denmark, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, Vietnam Pakistan and Nepal. He also received Shiksha Rattan Puraskar for meritorious services, outstanding performance and remarkable role in education in November 2008
  • Dr. Singla received Seven Best Poster/Oral Presentation/Best Research Article Awards at national conferences held in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010. He also received ICAR grant for three months foreign training in the field of ‘Molecular Diagnosis’ by NAIP, ICAR, New Delhi in 2010.
  • Dr. Singla was awarded Indian Society for Veterinary Immunology and Biotechnology Scientist award 2010 and 2013. He also received Dr. D. P. Banerjee Memorial Oration Award in recognition of valuable contributions and achievements in the field of Veterinary Protozoology 2013. Dr. Singla received Editorial Excellence Award as the Editor of "Indian Journal of Animal Research" 2014
  • Dr. M.S. bal was awarded international travel grant from Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi for attending 24th International conference of World Association of Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) 2013 held at Perth, Australia.
  • Dr. M.S. Bal received third best poster presentation award (co-author) at XX national Congress of Veterinary Parasitology held (February 18-20, 2010)
  • Dr. M.S. bal received best Poster award (Co author)by Indian Vety Public Health Association in Feb 2005.
  • Dr. N.K. Singh received best paper presentation award at National Congress on Canine Practice and 7th Annual Convention of the Society for Advancement of Canine Practice. Bangalore, 2010.
  • Dr. N.K. Singh received best poster presentation Award in the XIth Annual Conference of Indian Association of Veterinary Public Health Specialists, held at GADVASU on Dec 13-14, 2012.
  • Dr. Harkirat Singh received best (1st) oral paper presentation award at the 30th ISVM National Symposium held at College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, CAU, Selesih, Aizwal from February 1–3, 2012.
  • Dr. Harkirat Singh received best poster award at the 22nd National conference of Veterinary parasitology held at Department of Veterinary Parasitology, DUVASU, Mathura from March 15–17, 2012.
  • Dr. Harkirat Singh received 3rd poster award at the 32nd Annual Convention if ISVM & International Symposium held at SKAUST-Jammu, R.S. Pura, J&K from February 14–16, 2014.
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