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Background: Among the blood-borne parasitic infections of dogs, trypanosomosis and babesiosis are highly prevalent in the Indian subcontinent and highly pathogenic. Methods: A six-month-old dog was presented with complaint of lethargy, anorexia and loss of body weight over the previous 15 days on October 11, 2021. A full clinical and targeted haematologic and parasitological examination was undertaken. Results: Wet smears were positive for the motile trypanosomes while stained thin blood smears showed large number of extracellular trypanosomes and intra-erythrocytic ring-like inclusion bodies of Babesia spp. A high burden of Toxocara canis was identified on coprological examination. Conclusion: This report describes the clinical manifestation of concurrent infection of haemoparasites and gastrointestinal nematodes in Pakistani dogs, and highlights the importance of prompt veterinary intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine leptospirosis is an emerging zoonotic disease that compromises farm economy. Keeping in view limited studies on bovine leptospirosis, this project was designed to estimate its sero-prevalence in flood-hit zone of Pakistan, along with its associated risk factors. A total of 385 serum samples were randomly collected from tehsils Rajanpur, Jampur and Rojhan of district Rajanpur with necessary information captured in data form for risk factors analysis. Chi-square test, univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to check association of hypothesized risk factors with disease. The study showed 23.12% of the bovine samples positive for Leptospira antibodies with non-significant difference (P>0.05) between cattle (25.52%) and buffaloes (20.72%). The non-significant difference (P>0.05) of bovine leptospirosis among tehsils of study area presented 26.56, 21.88 and 20.93% in tehsils Jampur, Rajanpur and Rohan, respectively. Chi-square test analysis depicted body temperature and socio-economic status of worker positively associated (P<0.05) with the disease. The univariable analysis based on Mantel Haentzel test and Wald statistics found early age, confined system, fodder type, jaundice status, and socio-economic status of the animal's owner as significant candidates (Odds ratio OR>1) while, multivariable logistic regression showed bovine specie, gender of animal, fodder type, jaundice status, and socio-economic status of the animal's owner as key risk factors for leptospirosis dynamics (Odds Ratio>1). The study concluded that, the flood hit area is having considerable prevalence of bovine leptospirosis and is positively associated with presence or absence of certain animal, management and environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi is the property of University of Kafkas, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi is the property of University of Kafkas, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Babesiosis is endemic in Pakistan and is one of the most economically important bovine diseases that cause huge economic losses and high mortality in young animals. An epidemiological study was conducted to unveil the prevalence and associated risk factors of Babesia bovis (B. bovis) in distinct climatic regions. A total of 900 (cattle=479, buffaloes=421) blood samples were collected from three distinct temporal zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, Pakistan. The samples were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifying spherical body protein-4 (BbSBP-4) gene. Chi-square test, univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the data. The overall, prevalence in three distinct temporal zones of KPK province was found to be 10.11%. A higher prevalence of B. bovis was recorded in cattle 11.90%, compared with buffaloes 8.08% (OR:1.537, CI:0.984-2.403). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of locally isolated B. bovis showed sequence homology with the reported Syrian strain using NCBI BLAST tool. Species of the animal, sex of animals, tick infestation status, previous tick history, and tick control status, management type and geo-location were the significant (OR>1) risk factors associated with the occurrence. This study is the first molecular evidence of B. bovis and its associated risk factors in climatically distinct regions of KPK province, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) causes enterotoxemia in animals. The bacterium is a normal inhabitant in the gut of animals but become pathogenic and proliferate rapidly whenever finds suitable conditions. It produces large amount of exotoxins, which prove lethal locally as well as systemically. This study focused molecular characterization of different C. perfringens toxins genes i.e. cpa(α), cpb(β), etx(ε), and iap(ι) along with C. perfringens type 'D' antimicrobial resistance profile. A total of (n=192) fecal samples from diarrheic sheep were processed and 92.19% (177/192) of the samples were found positive for C. perfringens. Elevated bacterial count (>107 CFU/g) was found in 37.85% (67/177) of the positive samples, while, 62.15% (110/177) of the positive samples were in the normal range of bacterial count (104-107 CFU/g). Molecular typing of C. perfringens spp was carried out by targeting specific toxin genes using PCR. C. perfringens type 'A' was highly prevalent 60.45% (107/177) among positive isolates, followed by type 'D', 'C' and 'B' which were 20.90% (37/177), 13.56% (24/177) and 05.08% (09/177) respectively. None of the samples revealed C. perfringens type 'E'. The in-vitro antimicrobial resistance profile of C. perfringens type 'D' was evaluated. Penicillin, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone were found highly sensitive (100%) while, bacitracin, ampicillin and erythromycin were found resistant against C. perfringens type 'D'. This study concludes that different toxino-types of C. perfringens are present with varying prevalence among sheep in Sargodha division of Pakistan. The bacterium was found resistant to bacitracin, ampicillin and erythromycin while, sensitive to penicillin, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection with equine influenza viruses in unvaccinated population could cause large-scale morbidity leading to huge economic losses compromising equine welfare in developing countries. Here we conducted a matched case-control study to identify the potential risk factors responsible for the EI epidemic in Pakistan in the year 2015-16. Total of 197 laboratory-confirmed matched pairs of cases and controls were included in the study. A predesigned questionnaire-based epidemiological data was collected for this purpose from all the matched pairs respondents. Conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted analyzing the data. Multivariable regression analysis identified local equine density and frequency of manure removal as potential risk factors for the incidence of EI. Due to lack of vaccination, the spread of EI was favored supported by many infected equine population free movements. The first case of this epidemic was imported from Afghanistan which was considered as a source case for the epidemic. Management and biosecurity practices compliance was very low due to lack of awareness amongst the respondents. These findings agree with the previous findings in various developing countries. Strategic control of infected equines free movement and vaccination of the equine population are suggested in future to control such epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An outbreak of equine influenza was detected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the years 2015-16. The isolated viruses were typed for the first time in Pakistan as H3N8 and grouped with the Clade 1 viruses of Florida sub-lineages on the basis of Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA) gene sequence analysis. Here we described the genetic analysis of two internal genes (Nucleoprotein and Matrix) of the Pakistani isolates. The primer pairs were designed to amplify the NP and M internal genes of the 19 equine H3N8 influenza A viruses identified and isolated in this outbreak. Phylogenetic analysis of the derived sequences was performed and compared with the contemporary available sequences online. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the two internal genes of the Pakistani strains showed high similarity (99.7-100%) with the avian influenza A viruses (Avian/Pakistan/H7N3/ 2004) isolated in Pakistan. Two major substitutions i.e. F63L and K243R were recorded in Matrix gene of the isolates from the closely related Chicken/Pakistan/04 H7N3 virus. Notably NP gene did not acquire any amino acid substitution on comparison with Chicken/Pakistan/04. All isolates shared 99.5-99.9% homology with the reference sequences on alignment for M1 and NP amino acid sequences, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering of the Pakistani isolates with the avian viruses isolated in Pakistan in previous outbreaks in commercial and backyard poultry. Epidemiological investigation of the outbreak suggested that reassortment of equine H3N8 viruses with avian Influenza A H7N3 most probably, might be due to the mix farming system here. In conclusion, Phylogenetic analysis of the internal genes reported here will be helpful in early detection and control of EI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal helminths (GI helminths) are of utmost importance in camels affecting their working potential and productivity. This study was aimed to monitor the status of GI helminths in camels of Cholistan region. This accompanied evaluation of effects exerted by helminthosis on various hematological parameters and comparative therapeutic trails of albendazole and Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves against GI helminths in camels. A total of 384 camels were randomly selected in this study. The presence of helminths ova was observed using direct smear method, sedimentation and flotation techniques. An overall prevalence of GI helminths was recorded 66.67% in the study area. Trematodes were found the most prevalent parasite's type followed by nematodes and cestodes. Animals in age range of >10 years were significantly (P<0.05) affected more with nematodes than younger animals (5-10years age). A non-significant (P>0.05) difference in the prevalence between Berella and Marrecha breeds of camel was observed except for the trematodes where Marrecha breed was affected more (34.67%) than the Berella breed (25.16%), (P<0.05). Hemonchus spp. were the most prevalent compared to other nematodes (P<0.05), a non-significant difference was seen in the prevalence among Fasciola gigantica (F. gigantica) and Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica), (P>0.05). The only cestode found in this study was Monieza expansa (M. expansa). The hematological study found a significant decrease in values of packed cell volume (PCV %), total erythrocyte count (TEC), hemoglobin (Hb) and increased in values of total leukocyte count (TLC), (P<0.05). The therapeutic trial conducted revealed albendazole as a superior drug over Neem leaves in control of GI helminths in camels; however, Neem leaves proved to be a successful candidate as an alternative to albendazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted to estimate coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) being a nuisance pathogen among mastitis etiology from subclinical cases of camel mastitis and to investigate the association of assumed risk factors. A total of 235 subclinical positive milk samples were collected from camels kept at different localities of Cholistan desert, Punjab Pakistan by using Surf Field Mastitis Test (SFMT). Data regarding some possible risk factors associated with subclinical mastitis were also collected and analysed by chi-square techniques at 95% confidence interval. The study revealed 50.54% (235/465) prevalence of subclinical mastitis in camels. Staphylococci were cultured in 74.04% (174/235) of milk samples from subclinical camel mastitis. Results showed 88.5% (154/174) prevalence of coagulase positive S. aureus using slide and tube agglutination techniques, while 54.02% (94/174) prevalence of coagulase positive S. aureus was confirmed by PCR technique. The quarter based prevalence of subclinical mastitis was examined in 30.93% (520/1681) quarters, whereas 9.6% (179/1860) quarters were blocked in camels. Chi-square and Odd's ratio analysis showed significant (P<0.05) association of mastitis with age, parity and udder pathology while non significant association with unhygienic condition of udder, lack of teat dipping practice, lactation status and feeding management. It was concluded that coagulase positive S. aureus was the major cause of mastitis in camel and there was positive association of some risk factors with occurring of mastitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) is the major zoonotic threat for small ruminants and humans responsible for huge economic losses and high mortality in Pakistan. Lambs and kids of Lahore district were examined to determine the prevalence, hematology and chemotherapy of S. enterica. A total of 200 diarrheic samples (n=100 lambs; n=100 kids) were collected and examined; 59 (29.50%) were found positive for S. enterica. Lambs had lightly greater prevalence (31%) than kids (29%). The frequency analysis (OR=1.16 [reciprocal =0.87]) showed non-significant difference in both the lambs and kids. The significant decrease (Pℜ0.001) in hemoglobin, pack cell volume and total erythrocyte count was observed in infected lambs and kids. Results of in-vitro antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that S. enteric isolated from both lambs and kids were susceptible to levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, gentamicin, azithromycin, tobramycin, amoxicillin, ampicillin and nalidixic acid. Where as the results of in vivo antibiotic trials showed that isolates from both lambs and the kids with diarrhea were susceptible to levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin.