High prevalence of West Nile virus in equines from the two provinces of Pakistan.

This study describes the first large-scale serosurvey on West Nile virus (WNV) conducted in the equine population in Pakistan. Sera were collected from 449 equids from two provinces of Pakistan during 2012-2013. Equine serum samples were screened using a commercial ELISA kit detecting antibodies against WNV and related flaviviruses. ELISA-positive samples were further investigated using virus-specific microneutralization tests (MNTs) to identify infections with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), WNV and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). Anti-WNV antibodies were detected in 292 samples by ELISA (seroprevalence 65.0%) and WNV infections were confirmed in 249 animals by MNT. However, there was no animal found infected by JEV or TBEV. The detection of WNV-seropositive equines in Pakistan strongly suggests a widespread circulation of WNV in Pakistan.

Diffused idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in a fighting Bulldog: a case report.

This case report illustrates the presence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in a fighting Bulldog. The dog was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Agriculture Faisalabad Pakistan, with the presenting complaint of slowly progressing staggering gait, inability to stand on hind limbs and muscle stiffness in lumbo-sacral region. Hematological, sero-biochemical and clinical examination were insignificant except presence of extensive new bone formation in the radiograph on the ventral of last 4 consecutive body lumbar vertebras (L4-L8) in lumbar region, running parallel to nuchal ligament. Diagnosis of DISH was made on the basis of clinical signs and radiographical examination which were suggestive of DISH. This report documents the first case of DISH in fighting Bulldog in Pakistan.

Sero-epidemiology of equine toxoplasmosis using a latex agglutination test in the three metropolises of Punjab, Pakistan.

Toxoplasmosis is a serious threat for livestock in addition to being of zoonotic significance. In this study, serodiagnosis of equine toxoplasmosis was conducted in a randomly selected population from the 3 metropolises of Punjab, Pakistan. To this end, 272 draught equines were screened using a commercial latex agglutination assay kit. Association of probable risk factors of equine toxoplasmosis was also documented. A total of 91 (33.5%) equines were found sero-positive for Toxoplama (T.) gondii having antibody titers ranging between 1:32 to 1:612. The highest rates of seropositive cases were observed in donkeys (58.7%) followed by mules (28.6%) and horses (23.5%). Age, sex and species of draught equines were found not to be statistically (p>0.05) associated with the distribution of T. gondii antibodies. The results of the study provided a baseline data for the exposure of equine population in this area. In addition, it is recommended that the contiguous population of domestic ruminants and possible reservoirs such as feral cats should be screened in order to explore the potential risk for the human population in Pakistan.