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Recent Submissions
istribution and Conservation Threats of Softshell Turtles (Nilssonia spp.) in Morang District, Nepal
(2025) Rai, Bandana; Laxman Khanal
Softshell turtles (Nilssonia spp.) are freshwater turtles that act as natural scavengers and
indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. Five species of softshell turtles are recorded across
Southeast Asian countries, with three species, Nilssonia nigricans, N. hurum and N.
gangetica being native to Nepal. This research aimed to assess the distribution and
anthropogenic threats faced by Nilssonia spp. in Morang District of eastern lowland Nepal
and propose potential conservation solutions. This study analyzed environmental and
anthropogenic variables affecting distribution of the three turtle species in the eastern
lowlands of Morang, Nepal, considering factors such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), habitat
types (ponds, rivers, wetlands), water depth, connectivity, and the Human Disturbance Index
(HDI). The variables are based on their documented relevance to aquatic ecosystems and
turtle ecology. The results revealed that temperature (CI = –0.83 to 2.06, estimate = 0.4222, p
> 0.05), pH (CI = –5.40 to 0.43, estimate = –1.8473, p > 0.05), river habitats (CI = –1.82 to
30.74, estimate = 6.7434, p > 0.05), wetlands (CI = –3.12 to 24.75, estimate = 4.7402, p >
0.05), and connectivity (CI = –23.74 to 1.5, estimate = –6.8630, p > 0.05) did not show
significant effects on turtle occurrence. However, the HDI (CI = –13.13 to –2.80, estimate =
–5.7479, p < 0.05)) had a significant negative influence on their distribution. The width of
carapace from live turtle specimens was significantly smaller than that of the old carapaces
indicating over harvesting of the species. Electrocution, habitat fragmentation and excessive
exploitation of resources are the major threats to the softshell turtles in the study area. A
questionnaire survey with pre-structured questions was done among the local inhabitants of
the study area. Fishing, habitat modification and poisoning were identified as the major
conservation threats to softshell turtles in the study area. This study identified human
disturbance as a major conservation threat to the softshell turtles in Morang District and
suggests for formulating species specific management and conservation strategies.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Preschool and School-Aged Children of Kapan, Katmandu, Nepal
(2025) Giri, Manoj Raj; Kishor Pandey
Protozoan and helminth intestinal parasitic infections are widespread worldwide and have
been identified as the leading cause of parasitic diseases globally, continuing to be a major
public health concern in impoverished developing nations. The purpose of the study was to
determine the prevalence and risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections in the preschool
and school-aged children of Kapan, Kathmandu District of Nepal. Altogether, 148 stool
samples were collected. 88 samples of preschool children with ages (3 to <6 years) were
collected from Life Skills School and remaining 60 samples of school-aged children with
ages (6 to ≤10 years) were collected from 45 different households of Kapan studying in
different private schools. The samples were then preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate
for a cross-sectional, purposeful investigation. A standard questionnaire was employed in
the study to evaluate the risk factors. Microscopical examinations were performed on the
fecal samples, and normal saline wet mount, iodine mount, and concentration methods,
such as flotation and sedimentation, were followed. The overall prevalence of intestinal
parasitic infections was 24 (16.21%) out of 148 stool samples. The IPs in 3 to <6 years age
group was 19.31% and in 6 to ≤10 years age group was 11.66%. Sex-wise prevalence
showed overall 15.66% in males and 16.92% in females. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic
infection in males and females of preschool children was 18.36% and 20.51% respectively,
and the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in males and females of school aged
children was 11.76% and 11.53% respectively. However, there was no statistical association
between age, sex and parasitic infection (p>0.05). The nail-biting habit (p=0.008),untrimmed
nail (p=0.018), untreated water (p=0.013) and not-use of anti-helminth before (p=0.039) were
found to be associated with the intestinal parasitic infection (p<0.05). Maintaining personal hygiene,
implementing a biannual mass deworming program and spread-ing awareness about intestinal parasites
and infection management measures, using community centers, local media, and educational institutions
as information-dissemination venues are crucial for stopping and managing the spread of parasitic
infection.
Prevalence of babesia infection in cattle from jiri and Bardaghat, Nepal
(2025) Pandey, Madhav; Kishor Pandey
Babesia infection is a significant tick-borne disease affecting cattle worldwide, leading to
substantial economic losses in the livestock industry. This study aimed to determine the
prevalence of Babesia infection in two different regions of Nepal: Jiri and Bardaghat
Municipalities of Dolakha and Nawalparasi-west district respectively using both microscopy
and PCR techniques. A total of 190 cattle were examined, with 90 from Jiri and 100 from
Bardaghat. Sample from Jiri were from a single farm with open grazing system, while those
from Bardaghat were from multiple farms and confined. Blood samples were collected in
EDTA tubes . Thin blood smears were prepared for microscopic examination. Parasite's DNA
was extracted from blood sample. PCR test was performed to identify Babesia present in
cattle. Microscopy detected Babesia in 11.1% cattle from Jiri and 7% from Bardaghat, while
PCR demonstrated higher detection rates, identifying infection in 56% and 50% of tested
samples from Jiri and Bardaghat, respectively. The findings highlight the sensitivity of PCR
compared to microscopy for diagnosing Babesia infection. Upon DNA sequencing, 6
piroplasm species were recorded among which Babesia bovis and Theileria orintalis were
most prevalent. The localized transmission of ticks within Jiri farm influenced by farm
management practices and open grazing contributed for higher prevalence. The
hematological analysis revealed significant (P≤0.05) reduction in Hb concentration, RBCs
and increase in WBC count in infected cattle. This molecular level research provides new
data on the wide distribution of Babesia infection across diverse geographical zones, which
could be important for implementing effective disease control strategies in both the Terai and
Himalayan regions.