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Glanders is highly contagious and zoonotic bacterial disease of equines caused by Burkholderia mallei. Since many decades, glanders is endemic in eastern parts (Punjab) of Pakistan and has no information of disease in the north-western region (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – KPK). Therefore, present study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors in two draft equine populated districts (Charsada and Peshawar) of KPK. A total of 393 equine samples originating from different localities of study area were investigated for anti-B. mallei antibodies (glanders) using indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ID Vet, Grabels France). The overall seroprevalence was found to be 3.1% (95% CI: 1.6-5.3) which remained insignificantly (χ2 0.421, P=0.516) between the two districts. In Charsada, prevalence estimates varied significantly (χ2 11.986, P=0.017) among 5 localities and found insignificant (χ2 1.287, P=0.732) in different sampling areas of Peshawar district. Donkeys were more seropositive (4.1%; 4/195) than horses (2.1%; 8/194) which did not differ statistically (χ2 1.397, P=0.237) and all mules were tested negative. Prevalence slight increased with age of animals (>10 years) and with poor body conditions. Donkeys were more test positive (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 0.61-6.94) than horses and similarly animals managed on communal feeding (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 0.23-14.5) and water troughs (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 0.21-13.04) had more chances of contracting glanders. Multivariable model indicated donkeys (OR: 4.58, 95% CI: 1.0, 20.9) and equines above 10 years of age (OR: 3.10, 95% CI: 0.7-13.3) were more likely to test positive for glanders. In conclusion, present study provides prevalence estimates of equine glanders in KPK regions, which appears to be an area of endemicity. Future large-scale investigations are seriously warranted in other equine populated districts before implementing an effective control plan for glanders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the seroprevalence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and the association of antibody occurrence with location, sex, and age among the human population in Pakistan. Our results indicate substantial activity of SFTSV and SFTSV-related viruses in this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We detected Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus infections in 4 provinces of Pakistan during 2017-2018. Overall, seroprevalence was 2.7% in humans and 36.2% in domestic livestock. Antibody prevalence in humans was highest in rural areas, where increased contact with animals is likely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brucellosis is a globally distributed and economically devastating zoonotic disease of multiple species, including camels. Human and livestock brucellosis is prevalent in Oman, especially in southern Dhofar governorates of Oman, where camels share habitat and have close contact with other susceptible species. We conducted a randomized crosssectional sero-epidemiological study to investigate the seroprevalence of brucellosis in camels of Oman. The sera from 2,250 camels from 552 geographically marked farms were screened through Rose Bengal plate agglutination test and later confirmed by the competitive ELISA (COMPLIZA, VLA, UK). In total, nine [0.4%, confidence interval (CI) 0.4, 0.8] camels from eight (1.5%, CI 0.6, 2.8) herds were tested positive for brucellosis. The highest prevalence was recorded in Dhofar (3.7%, CI 1.4, 7.9) and the lowest in Sharqiyah (1.3%, CI 0.0, 7.2) governorate (p = 0.052). All seropositive camels were of local breed and females. Seroprevalence was higher (0.5%, CI 0.2, 1.0) in adults (>4 yr of age) as compared with young (≤4 yr of age) camels (0.2%, CI 0.0, 0.8). The results of binary logistic regression indicated that camel herds located in south (Dhofar) [odds ratio (OR) 6.39, CI 1.01, 40.67], practice of open replacement system (OR 14.49, CI 1.83, 114.51) and with history of abortions (OR 8.01, CI 1.34, 47.77) were more likely to test positive for brucellosis. We conclude that brucellosis is endemic at a low level in camels of Oman and a control strategy based upon test-and-slaughter/inclusion of camels in the current vaccination program after carefully planned vaccine evaluation studies could be considered to control it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Theileria equi is a tick borne protozoan parasite which causes piroplasmosis among equines worldwide. The present study was aimed to determine seroprevalence of T. equi in donkeys, horses, and mules from two equine populated districts (Peshawar and Charsadda) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Methods: A total of 393 equine (195 horses, 194 donkeys and 4 mules) serum samples were collected from five and four randomly selected localities in Charsadda (n = 193) and Peshawar (n = 200), respectively. The presence of antibodies to T. equi was determined using a commercially available competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: An overall seroprevalence of 38.2% (n=150) was observed among all the tested animals suggesting a higher seropositivity among equids belonging to Charsada (50.3%) as compared to Peshawar (27.5%). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that being a donkey (OR 2.94), having tick infestation (OR 4.32), history of voiding red (i.e., blood containing) urine (OR 3.97) and anemia (OR 2.1) were the factors significantly associated with the seroprevalence of T. equi. For animals with higher anti-T. equi antibody titers, a strong association of seroprevalence for T. equi was recorded with species, age, sex, tick infestation, anemia and history of hematuria. Conclusion: The present study indicates a high level of exposure of working equids to T. equi in KPK region, Pakistan. Future studies should focus on tick vector identification and other factors responsible for spread of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camels still play an important role in providing food security in several developing countries, especially in the arid zones. As brucellosis has zoonotic importance, thereby diseased camels can infect humans chiefly via milk. In spite of its vital importance, limited studies are available of brucellosis in camels in Pakistan. Keeping in view the fact, this study was designed and executed. For this purpose, serum samples (n=761) from various herds of camel with history of abortion from different locations of Punjab province, Pakistan were collected. Initial screening was done using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT). To avoid improper judgment of the diagnosis of brucellosis caused by serological tests, positive samples were subjected to competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Detection of Brucella genome was carried out through conventional PCR in RBPT and cELISA positive test samples. Overall, 3.41% (n=26, 95% CI 2.24-4.97) of the camels were seropositive with RBPT. Prevalence of brucellosis significantly varied in the animals with different geographical source, sex, age, lactation number and health status. In molecular analysis, out of 18 samples confirmed through cELISA, only two samples were positive for Brucella genome through PCR. The sequences were aligned with reported sequences in NCBI GenBank and revealed 100% sequence homology with the bcsp-31 gene of Brucella reported from other parts of the world. The study highlights the epidemiologic, economic and public health impact of camel brucellosis as a basis for designing further diagnostic improvements and effective control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coxiellosis caused by Coxiella burnetii is a cosmopolitan zoonosis, which causes significant losses through abortions and stillbirths in small ruminants. A cross-sectional seroprevalence study was conducted in two major sheep and goat farming districts of Punjab (Layyah and Muzaffargarh), Pakistan. In total, 542 small ruminants (271 sheep and goats each) of both sexes (60 males and 482 females) of different age groups from 104 flocks (52 flocks of either species) were randomly selected for the collection of sera and related epidemiological information. The sampling plan was devised at the expected prevalence of 50%, confidence interval (CI) of 95%, and error margin of 5%. A commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA; ID Vet) was used to test the samples for the presence of both phase I and II antibodies. A high herd level prevalence (73.1%, 95% CI 63.5-81.3) was recorded in the studied districts. Individual level seroprevalence was recorded as 30.8% (95% CI 26.9-34.9). Higher value was recorded in females (32%) when compared with males (21.7%). Higher prevalence (34.8%, 95% CI 21.4-50.2) was observed in animals of 1 year (nulliparous) than to primiparous (24.8%, 95% CI 17.4-33.5) and multiparous (32.3%, 95% CI 27.6-37.3) animals. Univariable analysis indicated that caprine species (odds ratio [OR] 1.96, p = 0.22), females (OR = 1.70, p = 0.104), infestation with ticks (OR = 234.39, p < 0.001), abortion history (OR 1.96, p = 0.14), retention of fetal membranes (OR 1.50, p = 0.35), keeping a single breed in a herd (OR 1.50, p = 0.56), and mixed feeding management (OR 1.37, p = 0.33) were the variables found associated with high prevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii. The study indicates that seroprevalence of coxiellosis was high in the studied small ruminant population and further studies are required to discern its epidemiology more precisely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) caused by intraerythrocytic parasites (Theileria equi and Babesia caballi) is an emerging equine disease of world-wide distribution. In Pakistan, the prevalence and incidence of EP are unknown. In order to obtain the first insights into the prevalence of the disease, a total of 430 equids, including 33 mules, 65 horses and 332 donkeys, aging from ≤5 to ≥10 years of either sex, from five metropolises of Punjab, Pakistan, were serologically tested for the presence of antibodies directed against B. caballi and T. equi, using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Out of 430 equid serum samples tested, 226 (52.6%, 95% CI 47.7–57.4) were found cELISA positive for EP (T. equi and/or B. caballi infections). The overall seroprevalence of EP was 41.2% (95% CI 36.5–46.0) for T. equi and 21.6% (95% CI 17.8–25.8) for B. caballi. A small proportion of equids (10.2%, 95% CI 7.5–13.5) was seropositive for both T. equi and B. caballi. Seroprevalence of T. equi was significantly higher (P <0.01) in equines from the metropolis of Lahore (66.7%, 95% CI 54.3–77.6) and in horses (56.9%, 95% CI 44.0–69.2). Multivariable logistic regression model analysis indicated that factors associated with prevalence of EP were being an equine species kept in metropolis Lahore (OR=4.24, 95% CI 2.28–7.90), horse (OR=2.82, 95% CI 1.53–5.20) and male equids (OR=1.81, 95% CI 1.15–2.86). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a World Health Organization (WHO)-listed neglected tropical farm economy jeopardizing and public health concern disease. This study was aimed at furnishing sero-epidemiological baseline data of CE in sheep in Pakistan, where data are non-existent. For this purpose, two sheep-rich provinces of Pakistan were selected, and 728 sheep sera were collected using probability proportional to size (PPS) statistical technique. Epidemiological information was recorded on a questionnaire for the estimation of potential risk factors. The serum samples were analyzed for IgG antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus using an in-house-developed EgAgB-based ELISA kit. The overall seroprevalence recorded was 21.98% (160/728) in the tested sheep, suggesting higher seropositivity in sheep from Punjab (23.73%) as compared to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) (19.04%). The overall apparent prevalence observed by this ELISA method was almost similar to the calculated true prevalence (21.77%). Prevalence was significantly different (p < 0.05) among sheep from different districts. Higher prevalence was found in females (22.54%, OR 1.41), age group > 5 years (29.66%, OR 1.64), crossbreeds (42.85%, OR 2.70), and sheep with pasture access (25.96%, OR 3.06). Being in age group > 5 years and having pasture access were the factors significantly associated with seropositivity (p < 0.05). This study provides serological evidence of E. granulosus infection in sheep and can be used as a model for ante-mortem screening of the sheep globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brucellosis is an important zoonosis worldwide. Equines are susceptible to the infection when in close contact with infected animals. The objective of our study was to update the existing knowledge and detect and differentiate the causative agent of brucellosis in breeding equines in Punjab, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the occurrence and etiology of the infection in the equine population in three districts. A total of 448 equine sera were collected from three prefectures viz. Sahiwal, Khanewal, and Okara of the Punjab Province of Pakistan. Ninety-six (21.4%) samples were found positive by RBPT, 3.56% (16/448) by iELISA, and 4.24% (19/448) by CFT. Real-time PCR demonstrated the presence of Brucella abortus-DNA in sero-positive samples. Age and location were found as risk factors. The study concludes equine brucellosis seroprevalence in the country where Brucella abortus as the main etiology. Fistulous withers and poll evil cases should be treated with care as they could be hazardous and a source of zoonotic transmission. Routine screening at an early age, vaccination in ruminants, and consumption of pasteurized dairy milk in humans is recommended for prevention of the infection. Specific tests need to be standardized and validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is an economically important and potentially fatal disease of small ruminants caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp). We designed this cross-sectional study to investigate the seroepidemiology of CCPP in the small ruminants of Oman. For this purpose, we sampled a total of 4015 small ruminants (2119 goats and 1896 sheep) from 510 flocks belonging to different governorates of Oman. A commercial competitive enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (cELISA) was used to test the samples. Prevalence (%) along with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated, and a univariable analysis was conducted to screen different risk factors. Furthermore, a binary logistic regression model was built at the animal and flocklevel (Table 3). In total, 147 (28.8%, CI 24.9, 33.0) flocks tested positive for the CCPP and the seroprevalence ranged from 10.0 to 53.8% in various governorates (p = 0.001). The prevalence was significantly (P<0.001) high in goats (28%, CI 23.8, 32.5) as compared to sheep (13.1%, CI 24.9, 33.0). At flock level; the open herds (OR 2.08, 1.33, 3.27), having a location in the coastal regions (OR 1.70, 1.14, 2.53) and flock size of more than 100 animals (OR 2.45, 1.54, 3.91) were the significant risk factors for CCPP in Oman. At the animal level; goats (OR 2.87, CI 2.17, 3.81), and small ruminants above the age of one year (OR 2.23, CI 1.38-3.59) were found more likely to acquire CCPP. We suggest that a control program based on the changes in the management system to minimize the risk factors and a possible mass vaccination should be devised to check CCPP in Oman. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine piroplasmosis is an endemic tick-borne disease of horses and other equids that is caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. The study was aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of equine piroplasmosis during different seasons at district Sargodha located in central Punjab, Pakistan. For the detection of seropositive animals among sampled horses, the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) was performed against samples collected periodically during the four seasons of the year. On average basis, overall 36% of sampled horses were found seropositive with T. equi infection. Following the evaluation of seropositivity, subsequent estimation of oxidative stress biomarkers indicated that during winter season, total oxidant status (TOS) was found significantly (P≤0.05) increased while total antioxidant capacity (TAC), arylesterase and paraoxonase activity were found significantly decreased (P≤0.05) in seropositive horses as compared to healthy horses. Moreover, hematological parameters including red blood cells count, white blood cells count, MID and MID% were found significantly (P≤0.05) decreased while platelets, number of lymphocytes, number of granulocytes, and the percentage of lymphocytes were found significantly (P≤0.05) increased in seropositive horses as compared to seronegative horses in different seasons. In conclusion, we found that equine piroplasmosis markedly affect the oxidative stress biomarkers in seropositive horses primarily during the winter season as compared to all other seasons highlighting the seasonal impact of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Seroprevalence of Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis infections in animals and humans is not established in Pakistan. There are only a few reports on the prevalence of pathogenic Yersinia spp. and infections in small ruminants, however, the role of sheep and goats in the transmission of pathogenic Yersinia remains unclear. Methodology: A primary survey investigated the presence of anti-Yersinia antibodies among a small population of ruminants detected by recombinant antigen targets in nine government farms dispersed throughout the Punjab province of Pakistan. Results: Antibodies specific for Y. enterocolitica were detected in 7/9 sheep flocks and in 4/4 goat flocks. Antibodies specific for Y. pseudotuberculosis were detected in 4/9 sheep flocks. Two sheep flocks revealed the presence of both Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis specific antibodies. Conclusion: Due to the high number of the population involved in raising small ruminants the risk to veterinary and public health must be rapidly determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) causes immunocompromising diseases in both domestic and wild cat species (Felis catus) around the world. Many characteristics of cats can affect the uptake of this virus including health status, age, gender, environment, lifestyle etc. The diagnosis of FIV can be confirmed by detecting antibodies in serum/plasma samples of infected cats. Despite its importance, the status of FIV infection is still poorly known in Pakistan. Therefore, the present study was devised to investigate the seroprevalence of FIV in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Blood samples of cats (n=90) were collected from outdoor facility of Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad and sera samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies against FIV by ELISA Kit (Agrolabo S.p.A, Italy). The ELISA based results obtained by measuring the optical density of the substrate utilization showed the overall prevalence of FIV in cats as 28.9% in Faisalabad with a prevalence of 33.9% in male cats and 20.6% in female cats. The overall seropositivity for FIV was higher in adult cats (30.9%) than in young cats (22.7%). Risk factor association by Odd's ratio revealed that the disease is positively associated with adult age and male gender in cats. In conclusion, the factors of age (adult) and gender (male) were found to be the positively correlated (P=0.0164, OR=2.37, CI=0.74-7.55, RR=1.28, CI=0.94-1.73) with the presence of anti-FIV antibodies in the studied cats indicating the status of FIV infection in cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pertaining to reported high prevalence of brucellosis in Pakistan, district Layyah on account of having thick sheep population was selected for this study. A total of 384 sheep blood samples were collected randomly from different selected private herds in the district, and tested through Modified Rose Bengal (mRB) test and Indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (iELISA) for the serological analysis against the Brucella antibodies. Positive samples from these two tests were further subjected to Competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (cELISA). The individual based seroprevalence of brucellosis in sheep was found to be 7.0% by mRB. Herd based prevalence was 42.5%. The highest (P<0.05) seroprevalence (16.8%) was observed in Tehsil Layyah as compared to Tehsils Karor (2.3%) and Choubara (4.5%). Non-significant differences were recorded between breeds, age and sex groups and also for the animals with or without history of abortion. In case of indirect and competitive ELISA, no sheep serum sample was found to be positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]