An review on Khari
disease
buffalo in Remote
Mountains of Far West
Nepal
Dr.Kedar Karki
Senior Veterinary Officer
Central Veterinary Laboratory
Kathmandu Nepal
Background
► In the remote mountain districts of far west
Nepal, an unidentified chronic debilitating
disease has been recorded primarily in adult
buffalo population since last 20-25 years.
Background
► The disease locally known as “Khari disease” is
characterized by weak, thin and porous hooves
with chalky dust powder formation associated
with general weakness, anorexia, dry and scaly
skin with white patches, fatigue of brachial and
major skeletal muscle.
Background
► The symptoms are mostly evident in the
lactating buffaloes particularly during dry
winter months.
► The other symptoms are pruritus,
emaciation, low production and dermal
lesion above the hoof.
► The disease is recorded more in stall fed
animal, which becomes lame and unable to
walk.
Background
► Although, accurate prevalence figures are
unavailable, about 4-5% of the adult buffalo
population is regarded to be affected with
annual mortality of about 2% in clinically
affected animals.
► Some therapeutic attempts with ivermectin
injection and mineral supplementation have
shown only temporary relief.
Review
► Nirmal et al., (2000) recorded number of
cases treated by veterinary hospitals and
service centres of the two districts during
different seasons (Table 1), which shows
that the number of cases increased during
the autumn and winter months (October-
May), and decreased during wet rainy
season (June-September), yet with high
case fatality rate in rainy season.
Khari disease infected buffaloes
between June 1996 and December
1998.
Period Number of Animals Case fatality
cases died %
June- 342 7 2.04
September
October- 3067 9 0.29
January
February 1756 12 0.68
-May
► Mostly these animals were found feeding
rice straw along with hey made from
Astragallus ,Thakaila ,and Oak leaves. Of
which Astragallus ,Thakaila plants are being
considered as passive Selenium
accumulator. Due to which there seem to
occurring of chronic selenosis in these
animals
Review
► Laboratory examination of skin samples
showed the presence of Psoroptes and
Sarcoptes mites and hoof powder cultured
on selective media showed no bacterial
growth but some fungus of Candida and
Blastomyces,Aspergillus species (Shrestha et
al., 2005).
Review
► Nailinvasion by Candida is not common
because the yeast needs an altered immune
response as a predisposing factor to be able
to penetrate the nails. In chronic
mucocutaneous candidiasis, the yeast
infects the nail plate and eventually the
proximal and lateral nail folds.
Review
► White superficial onychomycosis is confined
to the toenails and manifests as small,
white, speckled or powdery patches on the
surface of the nail plate. The nail becomes
roughened and crumbles easily. Molds
produce a deep variety of white superficial
onychomycosis characterized by a larger
and deeper nail plate invasion.
Review
► Onychomycosis is caused by 3 main classes
of fungi: dermatophytes, yeasts, and
nondermatophyte molds. Dermatophytes
are by far the most common cause of
onychomycosis. Two major pathogens are
responsible for approximately 90% of all
onychomycosis cases. Trichophyton rubrum
accounts for 70% and Trichophyton
mentagrophytes accounts for 20% of all
cases.
Review
► Onychomycosis caused by nondermatophyte
molds (Fusarium species, Scopulariopsis
brevicaulis, Aspergillus species) is becoming
more common worldwide, accounting for up
to 15% of cases in some countries.
Review
► Dermatophytosis of the scalp, glabrous skin,
and nails is caused by a closely related
group of fungi known as dermatophytes
which have the ability to utilize keratin as a
nutrient source, i.e. they have a unique
enzymatic capacity [keratinase].
Review
► The disease process in dermatophytosis is
unique for two reasons: Firstly, no living
tissue is invaded the keratinised stratum
corneum is simply colonised. However, the
presence of the fungus and its metabolic
products usually induces an allergic and
inflammatory eczematous response in the
host Antonella Tosti,2007.
Review
► The haematological and biochemical
parameters of clinically ill and healthy
buffaloes from the same locality did not
show any characteristic differences between
clinically ill and normal animals except high
eosinophil percent and low phosphorus level
in sick animals (Singh et al., 1996).
REFERENCES –
► Nirmal, B.K., Thaguna, P.S. and Chaudhary, D.P.
(2000). A retrospective study on Khari disease in
Darchula and Baitadi districts of Nepal. Nepalese
Veterinary Journal, 26, 107-109.
► Shrestha, R. M., Gautam, R. and Sharma, K.
(2005). Khari disease
investigation-a report. Annual Technical Report,
061/62. Central Veterinary laboratory
Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, pp. 124-130.
REFERENCES –
► Singh, U.M., Shrestha, S. P. and Pant, G.R.
(1996). Study of Khari disease in buffaloes
of Baitadi and Dharcula districts of Nepal.
Proceedings of first National livestock
fishery research workshop, pp 179-184.
REFERENCES –
1. Onychomycosis:Antonella Tosti, MD,
Professor, Department of Dermatology,
University of Bologna, Italy; Department of
Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, Miller
Medical School, University of Miami,
Florida
www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/110
582.
► 25-12-2010
