No abstract

This study describes the first large-scale serosurvey on West Nile virus (WNV) conducted in the equine population in Pakistan. Sera were collected from 449 equids from two provinces of Pakistan during 2012-2013. Equine serum samples were screened using a commercial ELISA kit detecting antibodies against WNV and related flaviviruses. ELISA-positive samples were further investigated using virus-specific microneutralization tests (MNTs) to identify infections with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), WNV and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). Anti-WNV antibodies were detected in 292 samples by ELISA (seroprevalence 65.0%) and WNV infections were confirmed in 249 animals by MNT. However, there was no animal found infected by JEV or TBEV. The detection of WNV-seropositive equines in Pakistan strongly suggests a widespread circulation of WNV in Pakistan.

The Asiatic or Himalayan black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus) is an endangered species. In South Asian countries, captive tamed Himalayan bears are commonly used by roving bear-charmers to entertain the people in rural and urban areas. In captivity, this species confronts several psychophysical traumas and communicable diseases, which are prevalent in other domestic species. The present report describes four cases of Trypanosoma evansi infection in live Himalayan charming bears, which originated from the Faisalabad and Jhang districts of Pakistan. The condition was characterized by pyrexia, accelerated pulse, tachypnea, depression, anemic mucous membranes, and ataxia (n = 3). Microscopic examination of peripheral blood films revealed moderate (n = 2) or high (n = 2) numbers of T. evansi. All four bears were treated twice at 3-day intervals with suramin sodium by using almost twice the dosage recommended for common domestic animals (10 mg/kg). The treated bears were found aparasitemic on repeat blood testing on days 5, 7, and 10 post-treatment. No adverse effects were noted and all four cases recovered in 3-7 days after completion of the second round of treatment. One bear died 8 days after the second treatment (day 11). This is the first report of T. evansi in bears.

The objective of the current research project was to document the prevalent helminths of dairy animals of Nestle milk collection areas of Punjab (Pakistan). For this purpose, seven high milk-producing areas of Punjab province including Farooqa, Kot Adu, Dunya Pur, Layyah, Mor Mandi, Shorkot and Jalapur were selected. The animals were randomly selected and screened for parasitic eggs through standard coprological examination procedures. The helminth species found prevalent in the study areas included; Ascaris vitulorum, Fasciola hepatica, Haemonchus contortus, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Ostertagia circumcinta, Oesophagostomum radiatum, and Trichostrongylus spp. The possible determinants associated with the prevalence of these parasites were also studied in this project. The results of this study provided a basic epidemiological data for planning a wide scaled helminth control program in the above-mentioned high producing areas of Pakistan

Parasitism is the major problem affecting livestock in many parts of the world. Amongst these parasitic problems, the warble fly infestation (hypodermosis) is a notorious and common malady of cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat in Pakistan. The disease is endemic in cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats in semi-hilly and mountainous areas of Pakistan. Keeping in view the importance of buffaloes an epidemiological survey was conducted to find the prevalence of hypodermosis in district Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan, during the year 2005- 2006. Buffaloes are mainly kept for milk purpose in the study area. Out of 2000 buffaloes examined clinically, for grub infestation in the study area 125 (6.25%) and 37 (5.20%) found to be positive for the warble fly infestation in slaughter house as well as in the field. A prevalence variation among the male and female animals was also observed during the study. The factors of climatic conditions that favor the fly activity and contribute in the onset of disease

The study was conducted to evaluate predominance and the related risk factors of sheep fasciolosis in Faisalabad district, Punjab, Pakistan. In addition, comparison of the coprological examinationand excretory/secretory antigens (ES Ag)-based ELISA was also performed to determine the variation in the prevalence of fasciolosis. Ofthe1200 faecal and blood samples,128 (10.67%) and 241 (20.08%) samples were found positive for Fasciola infection and anti-Fasciola antibodies respectively.The prevalence of fasciolosis was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in female and adultanimals. Most of the animals showed moderate (55.47%) infection which was significantly higher than mild (28.91%) and severe (15.63%) infections. The highest prevalence of fasciolosis was determined in December (26.00% through faecal examination; 42.00% through ELISA) with a mean EPG of 842.3 while lowest in May (02.00% through faecal examination; 07.00% through ELISA) with a mean EPG of 650. The frequency distribution of fasciolosis was significantly (P < 0.05) highest in the winter (faecal examination 20.67%; ELISA 34.67%) followed in order by the monsoon (faecal examination 09.00%; ELISA 18.67%), spring (faecal examination 08.33%; ELISA 17.33%) and summer (faecal examination 04.67%; ELISA 09.67%). The highest mean EPG of fasciolosis was determined in the spring (894) followed in order by the winter (851.67), summer (654.67) and monsoon (616.33). Although the faecal examination is the gold standard and the “best method” in the diagnosis of sheep fasciolosis; however, the serological tests should not be excluded especially the home-made ES Ag-based ELISA which might be preferred and more affordable risk assessment tool in the field epidemiology.