The Northeastern region of India is highly malarious particularly with Plasmodium (P.) falciparum along with some amount of P. vivax infection. Information about the distribution of P. malariae in this region is scanty and only a few reports are available. Tripura, one of the north-eastern states has recently experienced a malaria outbreak in 2014. During this outbreak, the presence of P. malariae infection has been suspected and a study has been made to identify the same by molecular tools. A total of thirty one blood samples from suspected malaria patients were obtained from Takarjala community health centre and Khowai hospital of Tripura during this outbreak. Blood samples were examined with Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) for the presence of P. falciparum infection. All blood samples were also found positive for P. falciparum infection in microscopic examination. However, two samples out of these were found to have co-infection suspected to be of P. malariae. Presence of P. malariae co-infection was confirmed through adopted Nested PCR protocol and further validated by DNA sequencing. Phylogenetic study based on 18S rRNA sequence revealed that these two P. malariae isolates have close proximity with isolates from Japan and Uganda. This first molecular evidence of P. malarie co-infection from Tripura confirms the sporadic distribution of this parasite in N.E. region. Existence of P. malariae infection in this state may have an epidemiological implication for management of this new focus contributing slowly for the malaria case burden in those areas.

Lernaea spp. is the most harmful ectoparasite of freshwater fishes. This study was carried out to identify critical stages in the life cycle of the fish parasite Lernaea sp. The experimental infection with the in vitro reared first copepodite stage induced infection. The results give essential insights into the pathogenic nature of the parasite and help in devising a control strategy for effectively eradicating infection and minimise economic losses to fish farmers.

The merozoite surface protein-2 (msp2) of Plasmodium falciparum is a polymorphic glycoprotein expressed on the surface membrane of the merozoite, and plays major role in the erythrocyte invasion. Certain msp2 allele has been associated with malaria severity. The present study aims to explore the association between the msp2 allele with the clinical manifestations and demographic factors in Papua, Indonesia. Malaria asymptomatic cases were obtained from the community health centers in Koya and Skow villages, whereas symptomatic cases were obtained from Jayapura and Abepura General Hospitals. A total of 152 blood samples, 51 asymptomatic and 101 symptomatic subjects, were analyzed by microscopic examination and PCR amplification. The results indicated that the IC1/3D7 allele was the dominant allele in both groups, with the frequency distribution in asymptomatic malaria was 52.9% for IC1/3D7 allele, 19.6% for FC27 allele, and 27.5% for mix of IC1/3D7 and FC27 alleles. In symptomatic malaria cases, the frequency distribution was 50.5% for IC1/3D7allele, 22.8% for FC27 allele, and 26.7% for mix of IC1/3D7 and FC27 alleles. Similarly in the symptomatic subjects, IC1/3D7 allele was shown to be more frequently detected than FC27 allele in both level of parasite density. Statistical analysis using Pearson Chi-square showed that there is no significant correlation between the P. falciparum msp2 allele and clinical manifestation, parasite density, age and gender. FC27 allele seemed to be increased in frequency in severe malaria and females subjects.

Pervasive drug resistance in malarial and helminth parasites is the mainstay in veterinary and clinical medicines. These parasites remain the leading cause of death and morbidity, with associated societal and economic incapacity. Artesunate has become a prescription drug in the treatment of severe malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum and schistosomiasis. It has been profusely demonstrated to be highly effective against human virus, trematodes, and various cancer cells. However, nothing is known about its anthelmintic activity on parasitic cestodes. Thus, avian cestodes Raillietina tetragona were collected from fowls and treated with incremental doses of artesunate, ranging from 0.7, 1.5, 3, 6 to 12 mg/ml. The cestodes were highly susceptible to the various doses of the drug, and the anthelmintic activity was dose- and time-dependent. Microscopic examination on the tegument of the treated cestodes showed extensive alteration, indicated by surface erosion and obliteration of the attachment organs, including suckers and rostellum. The result advocates that artesunate is a good candidate in the management of cestode infections.

Gastroenteritis caused by helminth parasites is a major hindrance for optimum productivity in small ruminants. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) and intensity of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection in Black Bengal goat of Sundarban Delta of South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. A total of sixty goats in the age group of three months to one year were selected and coprologically screened by Standard technique for a period of one year (from Nov. 2012-Oct. 2013). The overall prevalence of GIP infection was 73.34%. Highest overall prevalence (81.67%) as well as intensity of GIN infection (606.5) was observed in monsoon and lowest prevalence (68.33%) and intensity (361.5) was recorded in summer. Haemonchus contortus was recorded as the predominant gastrointestinal parasite species with an overall prevalence of 63.25%. The results of the present study might be exploited for developing strategic control measures against naturally occurring GIP in black Bengal goat of Sundarban Delta.