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Pathogenic isolates of Clostridium perfringens were identified in lambs and kids population from non-vaccinated dams of selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. Samples were obtained from non-vaccinated lambs and kids with the signs of enterotoxaemia. The isolates were initially identified by colony characteristics, Gram staining, biochemical tests and CFU/g. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from 43.45% of lambs and 50.59% of the kids. Obtained isolates were further analyzed for toxinotyping with conventional PCR. Sequence analysis of 73 strains from diseased lambs showed 13.10% type A, 9.52% type B and highest 20.83% proportion of Clostridium perfringens type D. Out of 108 strains from kids, 54.62% were type A, 9.25% were type B and 36.11% were type D. Clostridium perfringens type C and E were neither detected in lambs nor in kids. The association of various factors (i.e. area, housing, seasons, colostrum feeding, hygienic condition, body condition and animal sex) with each type of Clostridium perfringens infection were analyzed by Chi-square test of association (χ2). The results indicated that Colostrums feeding, hygienic condition and body condition scores of animals are significantly (P<0.05) associated with Clostridium perfringens type A, B and D in both lambs and kids. Besides that, Season with Clostridium perfringens type A in kids, Area and Season with Clostridium perfringens type D in lambs are also significantly (P<0.05) associated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock is a primary source of income for small dairy farmers in developing countries. Dairy animals fed with a fodder containing a balanced nitrogen contents produce high quality milk. Excess use of nitrogen fertilizers in the soil cause excess accumulation of nitrates in fodder, which is the main source of nitrate poisoning in dairy animals. In the present study nitrate contents in fodder crops, viz., Sorghum bicolor (Jowar), Pennisetum glaucum (Bajra), Zea mays (Makai), Avena sativa (Jai), Brassica rapa (Shaljam) and Brassica Campestris (Sarson) were estimated twice a day i.e. early morning and afternoon. The fodder samples were collected from different villages of Okara, Pattoki and Ravi areas of the Province Punjab. Nitrate contents of different parts of the fodder plants were estimated qualitatively through the Diphenylamine Filed Test (DFT) and quantitatively by spectrophotometry. The nitrate levels were highest in Jowar, followed by Jai, Shaljam, Makai, Bajra and Sarson. The concentrations were lower in the afternoon in the leaves and in mature crops as compared to stem parts, immature plants, and in samples collected from plants during morning hours. The nitrate concentration was lower in samples collected from Ravi area, as compared to samples collected from villages of Pattoki and Okara. Blood samples were collected from animals feeding on above fodders; Spectrophotometry analysis of blood samples from these animals showed abnormally high levels of nitrite. In conclusion, nitrate contents were higher (>5000 ppm) in stem parts of common livestock fodder harvested in early morning and therefore, high level of nitrite found in blood of animals fed with the fodder containing high nitrate contents. This high level of nitrates in fodder crops constitutes a threat to the health and productivity of dairy animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]