Seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. among Sheep and Goats in Charsadda District, Pakistan

Publication date: Available online 15 May 2019Source: Small Ruminant ResearchAuthor(s): Adil Khan, Nasreen, Robert D. Mitchell, Sadaf Niaz, Sultan Ayaz, Irfan Khattak, Huma Naeem, Adalberto A. Pérez de León, Muhammad Arfan ZamanAbstractAnaplasmosis is a widespread tick-borne rickettsial disease responsible for fever, weakness, dyspnea, and progressive anemia in small ruminants, including sheep, goats, deer, and antelope. Anaplasma spp., the causative agent of anaplasmosis, are mainly transmitted via infected ticks to susceptible hosts during blood feeding. These pathogens are particularly devastating to sheep and goat herds in Pakistan, resulting in significant economic losses. However, limited information are available on the epidemiology of Anaplasma spp. among small ruminants in some parts of Pakistan. A commercially available competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) was used to investigate the seroprevalence of Anaplasma antibodies in small ruminants from the three tehsils of the Charsadda District in Pakistan. A total of 600 blood samples (300 sheep and 300 goat) were collected from small farms as well as a standard survey from farmers at each location describing specific aspects related to their livestock management practices. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between Anaplasma sero-positivity and associated risk factors. The overall seroprevalence of Anaplasma antibodies was higher in goats (25%) than in sheep...
Source: Small Ruminant Research - Category: Zoology Source Type: research