Dr. (Mrs.) A.A. Sherikar - Professional Achievements

Dr. A.A. Sherikar's Professional Achievements / Milestones...

1. 1981: Isolated, identified and characterized the Indian strain (AAS/85) of Canine Parvovirus similar to the Japanese Cp. 49 virus strain. This was the first isolation of its kind in India.
2. 1987-88: Reported atypical (carrier form) rabies in dogs in Maharashtra State for the first time. The results were confirmed by Pasteur Institute, Paris, France - Third report in the world.
3. 1988-89: Successfully evaluated the use of RREID / ELISA kits supplied by Pasteur Institute, Paris, France for the field diagnosis of Rabies for the first time in the state of Maharashtra.
4. 1989-90: The "Platelia" kits provided by Pasteur Institute, Paris, France for detection of antibody titers for Rabies in human beings were successfully evaluated under Indian conditions.
5. 1991-92: The prevalence of Canine Bordetella bronchiseptica and Canine Parainfluenza virus were reported for the first time in India, with the help of kits supplied by the Institute Rhon-Merieux, Lyon, France.
6. 1990-92: Gyps bengalensis vulture species was reported as partial transmitter of diseases of Zoonotic and Epidemic importance - one of a kind research project in the world with 30 captive vultures maintained for more than 2 years.
7. Listed from 1992 to 2004-2005 in the List of Food Virologists prepared and published by World Health Organization (WHO) as a part of WHO Food Virology Programme under Part-1 Virologists currently engaged in studies related to virus transmission through foods/meats.
8. 1993-2003: Authorized by the Government of India, New Delhi to issue "Health Certificates" for exports of animal products and by-products of non-edible origin. Attended several meetings in New Delhi as expert on the topic to discuss exports and regulation to EU countries.
9. 1996-97: Avian adenoviral adiposity connection to human adiposity - first proven connection of poultry viral obesity with human obesity in the world.
10. 1995-99: Principal investigator - Disease mapping of the 5 districts of Konkan region with respect to the three most dreaded poultry diseases namely the New Castle Disease, Infectious Bursal disease (Gumboro) and Inclusion Body Hepatitis or Hydropericardium syndrome. The seasonal disease forecasting and vaccination schedules with combined vaccines were fixed and recommended to the Animal Husbandry Department, State Government for Konkan region during ICAR project entitled "Serosurveillance of important viral disease of poultry in Konkan region and efficacy of combined vaccination".
11. 2000-2002: The new millenia search on the presence of the dreaded prions of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) as well as Scrapie of small ruminants. Intensive survey work was undertaken to research the prion particles. Establishment of recognized "BSE-Scrapie" laboratory for the first time in India and Asia during the ICAR project entitled "Surveillance of viral encephelitides in large and small ruminants in and around Mumbai city" - Principal Investigator. The project culminated in transfer of technology to the Government agencies for the establishment of 4 Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratories (RDDLs) who would carry out further work.
12. 2001-2003: Development of a poultry viral vaccine using gamma radiation to be carried out on in-ovo basis. Co-investigator for this first project of it's kind in India - conceptualized as vaccination in eggs to get immunized chicks. Sponsored by the BRNS, Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Mumbai. This project ended in very successful field trials at a private hatchery and a government hatchery.
13. 2004-2007: Principal Investigator for an on-going project on application of deuterated water (D₂0) as a thermostabilizing agent in vaccines of bacterial and viral origin, so that these can remain at ambient temperature for more than 48 to 72 hours. This project uses heavy water for stabilization of viral and bacterial particles so that these do not lose their immunogenecity at room tempereture for long durations of time. This project would be a boon for the rural populace where no electricity is available for refrigeration.