Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp) causes a severe, usually fatal disease in goats known as Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP). CCPP is listed by OIE as a notifiable animal diseases, causing economic losses in terms of high morbidity and mortality. Thus far, very limited information is available on the molecular characterization of the unique Mccp strains prevalent in Pakistan. The study was aimed to isolate Mccp local strain for the development of diagnostics and vaccines. Samples were collected during November 2017-December 2018 at Northern areas of Pakistan from 10 goat flocks each in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Swat, Buner, and Hazara. 900 samples were collected; nasal swabs (n = 400), tracheal swabs (n = 150) from naturally infected goats showing clinical signs of CCPP, and lungs tissue (n = 200), pleural fluid (n = 150) from goats at necropsy. The clinical signs recorded were mucopurulent nasal discharges, cough, abdominal respiration and hyperthermia. The post-mortem revealed, pulmonary consolidation, fibrinous pleuropneumonia, and accumulation pleural fluid. The fried egg like growth was observed on agar in 16 (4%), 11 (7.3%), 38 (19%), and 24 (16%) nasal swab, tracheal swabs, lungs and pleural fluid samples, respectively. PCR targeting 16S rRNA gene revealed isolates, belongs to Mycoplasma mycoides cluster, in 72 (8%) samples. Forty one (4.5%) isolates were Mccp by specie specific PCR generating an amplicon of 316 bp. We successfully isolated local strain of Mccp for the first time in Pakistan. This Mccp strain could be further utilized for the development of diagnostics and control measures against Mccp infection in goats.

The present cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the distribution and risk factors of FMD in Pakistan’s northern border regions. About 385 serum samples were compiled from small ruminants (239) and large ruminants (146) and tested using 3ABC-Mab-bELISA. An overall apparent seroprevalence of 67.0% was documented. The highest seroprevalence of 81.1% was reported in the Swat, followed by 76.6% in Mohmand, 72.7% in Gilgit, 65.6% in Shangla, 63.4% in Bajaur, 46.6% in Chitral and lowest 46.5% in Khyber region. Statistically significant variations in seroprevalence of 51.5%, 71.8%, 58.3%, and 74.4% were recorded in sheep, goats, cattle, and buffaloes, respectively. From the different risk factors investigated, age, sex, species of animal, seasons, flock/herd size, farming methods, outbreak location, and nomadic animal movement were found to be significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the seroprevalence of FMD. It was concluded that proper epidemiological study, risk-based FMD surveillance in small ruminants, vaccination strategy, control measures for transboundary animal movement, collaborations, and awareness programs need to be practiced in the study regions to investigate the newly circulating virus strains in large and small ruminants and associated factors for the wide seroprevalence to plan proper control policies to bound the consequence of FMD in the region.

Peste des petits ruminants has been officially designated as a Category “A” disease by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH/founded as OIE) in their list of notifiable animal diseases. This viral disease is characterized by its severe contagiousness and mostly strikes goats and sheep, leading to significant global economic losses estimated at 1.4–2.10 billion US dollars. An eradication program has been launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health to eliminate this disease by 2030. In order to enhance information of the disease's consequence on tissue integrity, this systematic review tries to assess the histopathological variations related to PPR in infected small ruminants among different organ systems. To get papers published before October 2023, a detailed literature search was held out utilizing databases like Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science in accord with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) principles. Exclusion criteria included research articles that lacked relevant data and were not peer-reviewed, while inclusion criteria included studies that detailed histopathological changes in goats and sheep with PPR. Data extraction was standardised by applying a consistent and uniform procedure throughout several investigations, guaranteeing that the information acquired is comparable and credible. Information were the authors and publication year, research methodology and histopathological results linked to PPR, factors influencing these outcomes (including treatment type, immunisation technique, and time post-infection), and the authors' conclusions and recommendations. Numerous organ systems, including the respiratory, digestive, lymphatic, excretory, circulatory, neurological, and glandular systems, showed notable histological alterations, with conspicuous lesions such as necrosis, congestion, infiltrations and lymphoid depletion along with that histopathology of PPR varies depending on a number of criteria, encompassing the type of therapy, the immunisation technique (experimental vaccine), and the duration of the disease (induced). We found that research on the initial infection site is misguided; histopathological examinations reveal tonsillar tissue and lymph nodes as primary sites for virus replication, not epithelial cells of respiratory mucosa. Immune cells absorb virus, carry it to lymphoid tissues, and release it into the bloodstream. Since some types of pneumonia that affect small ruminants are usually asymptomatic and only identified during histopathology, the main objective of this systematic analysis was to evaluate the histopathological alterations linked to Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in order to emphasize the significance of histopathological diagnostic techniques in veterinary medicine. Additionally, it draws attention to the necessity for more investigation into the subtle histological findings in the heart as well as the effects of immunisation routes on disease pathology. This study ultimately advances our knowledge of the intricate pathophysiology of PPR and aids in the continued attempts to eradicate it by 2030.

The Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research (OJVR), is the official publication of the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute. It publishes scientific papers reporting original research on diseases and disease vectors of livestock and wildlife with a focus on Africa, but with results of more than local interest.