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Stephanofilariasis among Buffaloes is Assam
[Vol. XVIII, Part IV
causative parasite. During the rainy season when the lesions become active, the sores are swarmed
with flies—Stomoxys calcitrans and Musca (sp). But nothing definite regarding transmission could
be ascertained. It may, however, be mentioned that the probable vector or intermediate host of
Stephanofilaria (sp). causing skin affectious of cattle in this country and elsewhere, is yet undeter-
mined.
Treatment and control
During the period of investigation of this disease, experimental treatment of hump-sore in cattle
was started in October, 1940, using tartar emetic, due to its recognized parasiticidal properties.
Local application of tartar emetic ointment, 1 in 25, gave indications of improvement in the skin
lesions and its wider application in all types of cases of hump-sore gave promising results. Since
the casual agents of hump-sore and ear-sore appeared identical, excepting for the difference of host
and seat of predilection, the same method of treatment was adopted for the lesions in the ear. The
results were very encouraging and in fact, it was found that the response was more satisfactory in
ear-sore than in hump-sore.
Application of tartar emetic ointment is adopted as a routine treatment now-a-days in Assam,
for ear-sore in buffaloes. After dry cleaning and removal of superficial debris, tartar emetic oint-
ment 1 in 25 (one dram of tartar emetic powder thoroughly mixed with three ounces of vaseline), is
rubbed well over the affected part. Daily dressing is continued for three days followed by a rest
period for three days. The treatment is repeated for three days more with an alternative equal
period of rest. In two to three courses of treatment satisfactory clinical recovery is observed. The
alternate rest period was found necessary due to the irritant property of the drug. No other medicine
was tried as tartar emetic appeared safe, effective, cheap and simple to use.
With proper application of this treatment, improvement in the condition of the sore is noticed
in the course of one to two weeks. It is necessary to avoid damage by external agencies, like pecking
by crows and excessive fly infestation. The habit of remaining in water or marshy pond should be
avoided to keep the sore dry and clean.
DISCUSSION
It is well-known that nematodes of Stephanofilaria (sp). have been associated with skin affections
of cattle, most probably as etiological factors, in ' Cascado ' of cattle in Dutch East Indies [1933], in
sore-like skin lesions of North American cattle (1934), and in hump-sore of cattle in India (1935).
The occurrence of Stephanofilaria (sp.) causing ear-sore in the buffalo, is interesting.
A question may be asked whether the parasite is a direct etiological agent causing ear lesions.
Although transmission experiments, here as well as elsewhere, have not been successful so far in all
the skin affectious caused by parasites of the Stephanofilaria species, other evidences substantially
establish the disease to be of nematode origin. The constant presence of the parasite in the lesions,
the distribution of the worms in the affected parts and type of cellular reaction set up in the skin
lesion, clearly suggest the cause of the disease.
Ear-sore in buffaloes is reported to occur in Bihar for some years past and at times in an epidemic
form. While investigating the condition, Kapur [1940] has stated that in one case three microfilaria-
like objects were seen in the pus obtained from an infected ear. The report on the material sent to
the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar, for examination, states that a considerable
number of microfilaria were seen in section burrowing through and below the epithelial papillae of
the skin. Presumably no adult parasite was obtained from the lesions. It seems evident from the
report that the condition as reported in Bihar, is similar to some extent, to the disease described in
this paper.
Clinical observation indicate that some parallelism exists between ear-sore of buffaloes and
hump-sore of cattle in certain respects. The nature of skin lesions in quescent and active stages,
the seasonal incidence, the tendency to become chronic, the presence of apparently identical parasites,
their absence in general circulation and finally, the response to tartar emetic treatment, point to
similar pathological process though in different species of animal and places of predilection.