Molecular occurrence of canine babesiosis in rural dog population in Pakistan

@#Canine babesiosis is an important tick-borne protozoal disease of dogs that poses major health problem worldwide. Farm dogs in rural areas are the companion animals, that not only watch the livestock herds but also guard the house of the owners. Each farmer keeps his companion dog to get all the services. In our study, a total of 450 blood samples of farm dogs from three different ecological zones (Southern, Central and Northern regions of the province; Punjab) of Pakistan, were collected to examine through microscopy and PCR. Examination of thin blood smears revealed an overall prevalence of 12.8% (58/450) of canine babesisal parasites. However, PCR analysis revealed 46.8% (211/450) and 7.3% (33/450) samples positive for B. gibsoni and B. vogeli, respectively. The amplicons of 671 bp and 590 bp were amplified for the detection of B. gibsoni and B. vogeli, respectively through PCR. The results of multivariate analysis showed that the occurrence of canine babesiosis is higher in the Central Punjab and younger age of the dogs, while breed and sex of the host were not significantly associated with the occurrence of the disease. Mixed infection of B. gibsoni and B. vogeli was observed only in 3 dogs each in district Kasur and Rawalpindi. Our study is the first report to observe the occurrence of canine babesiosis in rural dogs in Pakistan through PCR.

Prevalence and antibiotic trials against Salmonella enterica isolated from diarrheic lambs and kids

Salmonella enterica [S. enteric] 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 [P5R0.001] 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