Glanders is an infectious and contagious bacterial disease of equines. A little is known about its seroprevalence and risk factors in working equines in countries where the disease is endemic. Also, there are no reports on prevalence of the disease in areas where there is a prior evidence of Burkholderia (B.) mallei detection in soil. A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected districts (n=09) of Punjab province of Pakistan during 2014-2015. A total of 1008 serum samples were screened for detection of antibodies to B. mallei with complement fixation test followed by western blot. The overall seroprevalence was found to be 3.17% (95% CI: 2.25-4.44). The seropositivity was significantly higher from the sampling sites where B. mallei was detected in soil [OR: 10.66 (95% CI: 4.42-31.66), p=0.00]. Other risk factors significantly associated with animal seropositivity were: age group [OR: 1.78 (95% CI: 4.58-15.56), p=0.00], location in urban area [OR: 2.99 (95% CI: 1.46-6.51), p=0.00],body condition [OR: 3.47 (95% CI: 1.64-7.99), p=0.00], presence of farcy lesion[OR: 7.71 (95% CI: 3.47-19.50), p=0.00], proximity to water bodies [OR: 7.71 (95% CI: 3.47-19.50), p=0.00]; domestic animal population [OR: 3.20 (95% CI: 1.24-10.87), p=0.03] and number of households in sampling area [OR: 4.18 (95%CI: 1.82-11.30), p=0.00]. The study provides an estimate of prevalence of glanders and a potential link between animal seropositivity and presence of B. mallei in soil. The risk factors identified in this study can be used in surveillance and disease awareness. The high prevalence of disease in draught horses and contact of infected animals with their care-takers in developing countries signify need to initiate progressive control of the disease using one health approach.

The poultry sector in Pakistan is contributing mainly in bridging gap between demand and supply for protein. Mycoplasma gallisepticum is an emerging bacterium causing serious problems in poultry industry of Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the M. gallisepticum load in poultry populated regions of Pakistan. Total 600 serum and 600 swab samples were collected, 200 from each broiler, layers and breeders poultry in Rawalpindi and Abbottabad districts. Serum samples were analyzed through ELISA for seroprevalence. Swabs were cultured on Frey’s medium followed by PCR and partial mgc2 gene sequencing. Results of seroprevalence of M. gallisepticum showed that layers (75%, n=150) are more positive as compared to breeders (70%, n=140) and broilers (50%, n=100). Typical colonies of the M. gallisepticum were observed in breeder (26.5%), followed by layer (21%) and broilers (9%). A total of 37.1% (n=42) samples were identified positive through PCR out of total 113 cultured based positive samples. A total of six M. gallisepticum isolates of current study showed 98-99 percent similarity with previously reported isolates on the basis of mgc2 gene partial sequencing. The M. gallisepticum was found highly prevalent in different poultry breads. Results of this study would add into basic data and provide a direction for livestock sector to strengthen a control strategy for mycoplasmosis in poultry farms.

Background Dogs serve a variety of tasks in Pakistani society. Beside pet dogs, significant populations of dogs exist as stray dogs. These dogs host various diseases e.g. brucellosis, leptospirosis, rabies as well as different vector-borne infections. The purpose of this study was to investigate important vector-borne pathogens in rural dogs. Material and methods In total, 156 stray dog sera collected from Faisalabad (n=76) and Bahawalpur (n=80) were screened for the presence of antibodies against Ehrlichia (E.) canis, Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp. and Leishmania spp. by IFAT and for Dirofilaria (D.) immitis antigen by ELISA. Results Sera of 61 (39.1%) dogs were positive for at least one pathogen, whereas 29 (18.5%) were positive for two or more pathogens. Overall, 28.2% were seropositive for antibodies against E. canis, 19.2% for Anaplasma spp., 12.2% for Babesia spp., and 0.64% for Leishmania spp. whereas 4.5% were positive for D. immitis antigen. Conclusions The dogs showed a noticeable seropositivity for E. canis, Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., and D. immitis. However, there might be cross-reactions between E. canis and Anaplasma spp. Various vector species, including Rhipicephalus, Ixodes, Phlebotomus and mosquitoes, are endemic to the sampling areas. The human population should be aware of the potential role of these dogs and the vectors in transmission of various pathogens. Correct use of vector repellents can prevent pathogen transmission. Publication Date: 08 March 2022 (online) © 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany