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Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a cosmopolitan fatal recurring retroviral disease of equine family. Keeping in view the importance of the disease, this study was planned and executed to investigate the presence of EIA in 5 draught equine populated metropolises (Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan and Bahawalpur) of Punjab, Pakistan. A cross-sectional epidemiological survey was conducted and 430 blood and serum samples were randomly collected from 332 donkeys, 65 horses, and 33 mules along with epidemiological information. Samples were then transported to the laboratory for analysis. Blood samples were tested to determine erythrocyte indices for establishing the type of anemia. Serum samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies against EIA virus through a commercial ELISA. Although, erythrocyte indices indicated towards presence of anemia in equines, no serum sample was found positive on ELISA. This is a first ever study in Pakistan where presence of EIA was investigated over a wide geographic region and indicated towards the possible disease free status of the selected equine population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional study has been carried out in order to determine the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi infection in susceptible hosts in the Punjab region (Pakistan). A total of 170 equines and 150 dromedary camels were examined. Five (3.3%) and 6 (4%) camels were positive at parasitological and serological examination, respectively. None of the equines tested positive at any method. These results seem to indicate that T. evansi infection has a relatively low prevalence in the Punjab region. However, efforts must be done in order to establish control measures in affected herds and avoid dissemination of the disease. [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]

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in order to determine the epizootiology of ectoparasitic fauna infesting domestic cattle population of district Toba Tek Singh (T.T. Singh), Punjab, Pakistan. A questionnaire-based surveillance of 3864 cattle respondents, randomly selected through two-stage cluster sampling was conducted over a period of one year from March, 2011 to February, 2012. A total of 822 (21.27%) subjects were found infested with ectoparasites including ticks (39.1%), mites (4.34%), lice (23.23%), fleas (0.89%) and flies (5.32%). Taxonomic studies revealed following species: Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus microplus of ticks; Ctenocepahlides (Ct). felis and Ct. canis of fleas; Haematopinus eurysternus, Damalinia bovis and Linognathus vituli of lice; Psoroptes bovis and Sarcoptes scabei of mites; and Stomoxys calcitrans of flies. Friesian cattle (Bos taurus) was significantly more proned to infestation as compared to Jersey (Bos taurus), cross-bred (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) and Sahiwal (Bos indicus). Among various determinants, age and sex of host; feeding and animal keeping systems were not found statistically associated with the prevalence of ectoparasites (P>0.05). However, cemented floor was having a positive statistical association with the ectoparasites (P<0.05). The prevalence of fleas, lice and mites was found higher in winter, while prevalence of ticks and fly reached to their peaks in summer and spring seasons, respectively. The data corresponds to a significant chapter of domestic cattle population and can help to restrict the spread of invasion, which causes skin and hide quality squalor and disease spread in the area. © 2014 Friends Science Publishers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed an inventory of the diseases of equines prevalent in three districts (Faisalabad, Sargodha and Lahore) of Punjab, Pakistan affecting the equine health and production. Survey was done with the help of Brooke Hospitals for Animals, Pakistan, located at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Participatory epidemiological approach was used to collect information on a pre-designed quesntionnaire from urban and peri-urban areas of the study districts. A total of 450 equines including: 147 horses, 230 donkeys and 73 mules were subjected to clinical examination, blood examination and necropsy for the documentation of diseases/conditions of equines. A total of 53 diseases/conditions were documented in different species of equines in the study area. Internal parasites (32.2%) constituted the major category of ailments followed by wounds (26.9%), bacterial infections (20.4%), lameness (12.9%), miscellaneous (12.7%), gastrointestinal disorders (7.6%), bronchitis/cough (7.3%), allergic dermatitis (7.1%), external parasites (6.2%), colic (5.3%), eye problems (3.1%), hematuria (1.8%) and quidding (1.1%). Horses were most diversely affected (n=47/53) followed by donkeys (n=44/53) and mules (n=24/53). This information may serve as a guidline for planning an equine disease control programme in the targeted districts of the province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

total of 800 goats of various breeds, age, and sex were randomly selected from Muzaffargarh (M. garh) and Layyah districts of lower Punjab, Pakistan. The selected goats were visited twice a month to collect information about determinants influencing goat tick infestation prevalence. For acaricidal efficacy, 360 tick-infested adult goats were subjected to an acaricidal treatment and post-treatment quantitative assessment of tick burden. Quantification of adult tick detachment 24 h post-treatment and the duration of treatment efficacy were calculated. Overall prevalence of goat tick infestation in both study districts was 60.1% (481/800). The prevalence was higher in district M. garh than in district Layyah. Tehsil-wise prevalence in district Layyah was highest in tehsil Layyah followed in order by Chaubara and Karor. In district M. garh, highest prevalence was found in tehsil M. garh followed by Kot Addu, Alipur, and Jatoi. Hyalomma a. anatolicum (75.9%; 365/481) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (24.1%; 116/481) were the predominant species in both the districts. The highest month-wise prevalence was 56.9% and 62.7% in Layyah and M. garh districts, respectively, during July 2008, and the minimum (0%) prevalence was reported in November and December, respectively. Regarding host determinants, female goats were more heavily infested (72.8%) than males (47.5%), and younger animals were (63.5%) more burdened than older ones (56.7%). Teddy goats were the most susceptible breeds followed in order by Beetal, cross-bred, Nachi, and Dera Din Pannah. The preferred sites of attachment were inside and outside of the ear. Both the ivermectin (IVM)- and cypermethrin (CYM)-treated groups resulted in significantly lower ( P < 0.05) tick counts relative to controls on all post-treatment counting days. The lowest tick burden in the IVM-treated group was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) as compared to the CYM-treated group, the latter being close to zero. Hence, the in vivo efficacy trials of injectable IVM vs CYM pour-on revealed better results for the latter. These observations provided the first insights into what determinants impact goat tick infestation, and laid a foundation for planning of future control programs in the lower Punjab, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bovine tick infestation is still a serious nuisance to livestock and the dairy industry of Pakistan. The current paper reports the prevalence and associated risk factors for bovine tick infestation in the districts Layyah and Muzaffargarh of lower Punjab, Pakistan. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to identify and to quantify variation in the prevalence of bovine tick infestation with respect to host (age, species, sex, and breed) and environmental (geographical area and climate) determinants. Multiple stage cluster random sampling was used and 3500 cattle and buffaloes from the two districts were selected. Prevalence of bovine tick infestation was significantly higher (OR=1.95; p <0.05) in cattle (1076/1475; 72.9%) than in buffaloes (957/2025; 47.3%). Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum was the major tick species (33.5%; 1173/3500), followed by Rhipicephalus sanguineus (13%; 456/3500). The highest monthly prevalence in both the districts was found in July. Ticks were not found in Layyah from November to March and in Muzaffargarh from December to March. The average number of ticks was proportional to the prevalence of infestation. Also, tick infestation in a 7cm×7cm dewlap of the animal was proportional to that of the rest of body. Prevalence of tick infestation was associated (p <0.05) with district, host species and breed. In cattle, prevalence of tick infestation was associated (p <0.05) with age and sex of host. The results of this study provide better understanding of disease epidemiology in the study districts, which will help for planning of control strategies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We collected epidemiologic and molecular data from Burkholderia mallei isolates from equines in Punjab, Pakistan from 1999 through 2007. We show that recent outbreaks are genetically distinct from available whole genome sequences and that these genotypes are persistent and ubiquitous in Punjab, probably because of human-mediated movement of equines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]