MADRAS VETERINARY COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
The Department of Veterinary Parasitology was started in 1929. During the year 1947, this department was recognised as a postgraduate department for the award of M.Sc., degree. During 1955-58, three batches of ICAR sponsored postgraduate course leading to ‘Diploma in Veterinary Parasitology‘ was conducted and 15 candidates from various states underwent the diploma course. In 1958, this department was upgraded as postgraduate department for the award of M.V.Sc., degree and in 1960 it was recognized for Ph.D., programme. The Helminthology museum in this department contains a very large collection of worms from domestic animals and birds identified and classified systematically, which forms a very useful source of reference for research workers.
- To impart education in the subject of Veterinary Parasitology to the Under Graduate and Post Graduate students.
- To further the advancement of learning and prosecution of research in Veterinary Parasitology.
- To undertake the extension of the subject to the people in co-operation with the Government Departments and agencies concerned.
- Besides teaching Under Graduate students, Post Graduate courses are also offered for both M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. students in the subject of Veterinary Parasitology.
- The Department also conducts special classes on parasitic zoonoses for medical students and postgraduate public health trainees.
- Calendar of treatment for common parasitic diseases has been formulated and advice on treatment and control of specific parasitic infections are also given as and when required.
- This Department has produced 25 PhD’s, 55 MVSc’s. and 5 MSc’s.
More than 60 research programmes had been carried out so far in this Department, a few of which are quoted below:
- AICRP on Investigation in to the factors governing the epizootiology of Nasal schistosomiasis in bovines and its control under different field conditions.
- An ICAR scheme on Studies on the incidence, bionomics, role in the causation of disease with special reference to transmission of piroplasmosis and control of ticks of domestic livestock.
- AICRP on Intracellular Blood Protista with reference to immunoprophylaxis and control.
- Studies on Immunization against Tropical Bovine Theileriosis in cattle in Tamil Nadu.
- Studies on coccidia of fowls in Tamil Nadu.
- Studies on Epizootiology, transmission, pathogenesis and in-vitro cultivation of Ehrlichia canis.
As many as 350 scientific papers had been published by this Department besides 10 manuals.
- Studies on Metacestodes of Sheep and Goats and Bovine Theileriosis – Acarology.
- ICAR Scheme on All India Network Programme on G.I. Parasitism.
- NATP Scheme on Development of Anti tick Vaccine.
- The causative agent of nasal granuloma was first found as Schistosoma nasale.
- Rhinosporidiosis, a mycotic disease of human beings was recorded affecting cattle, for the first time.
- Pioneering work on the feather mites of poultry was done with a number of species hitherto unrecorded in India.
- The tick fauna of Tamil Nadu was surveyed and incidence map was made available.
- An isolate of Theileria annulata schizont infected lymphoid cells was successfully passaged upto 250 passages and initial trial indicated that the culture cells were able to protect against subsequent challenge.
- Serodiagnosis of Theileriosis by ELISA was standardized.
- Epidemiology of helminthic diseases in dairy animals in and around Chennai carried out in collaboration with NDDB, Anand revealed incidence of number of G.I. nematodes.
- Sero diagnosis of hydatidosis in animals and human beings were carried out by ELISA.
Dr. S.Abdul Basith, Professor and Head
Dr .Bhaskaran Ravi Latha,Professor
Dr. M.Raman, Professor
Dr.C.Soundarajan, Associate Professor
Dr. A.Sangaran, Associate Professor
Dr. N.Jayathilagan, Associate Professor
Dr.S.Arunkumar, Assistant Professor
Dr. N.T. Binosundar, Assitant Professor