| Cystic echinococcosis(CE),caused by Echinococcus granulosus,is a World Health Organization(WHO)listed neglected tropical farm economy jeopardizing and public health concern disease.This study was aimed at furnishing sero-epidemiological baseline data of CE in sheep,dogs and abattoir workers in Pakistan where it is non-existent.The serum samples were analyzed for IgG antibodies against E.granulosus using an in-house developed EgAgB based ELISA kit.The overall seroprevalence recorded was 21.98%(160/728)in the tested sheep.Prevalence was significantly different(p<0.05)among sheep from different districts.Being in age group>5 years and having pasture access were the factors significantly associated with the seropositivity(p<0.05).This study provides serological evidence of E.granulosus infection in sheep and can be used as a model for ante-mortem screening of the sheep globally.Using coproantigen ELISA,an overall prevalence of E.granulosus antigen in dogs’ feces was found to be 6.79%.Statistically significant association(p<0.05)was found between copro-positivity and different variables investigated except for sex,dog breed and history for anthelmintic treatment(p>0.05).Significant statistical differences(Binary logistic regression)were observed for age,companionship,feed type,BCS(Body Condition Score)and previous intestinal illness.Since dogs are responsible for contaminating the environment,the E.granulosus prevalence in this study indicates a potential risk for human and livestock populations in the study areas and suggests a proactive approach in CE management.Blood samples were collected from all the registered butchers(n=364)working in 5 prefecture of Punjab province in Pakistan.The sera were tested through commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)kit having high specificity(100%)and sensitivity(97%)for detecting antiE.granulosus IgG.Overall sero-prevalence was found to be 9.61%(35/364).Factors like>30 years of age,involved in slaughtering small ruminants,>10 years’ experience,formal education level up to middle standard,having association with dogs,improper/unhygienic dumping of dogs feces,and unawareness of consequences of eating with hands contaminated with dogs feces were found to be significant factors associated with prevalence of anti-E.granulosus IgG.Findings of this study reveal that CE is prevalent among butchers in the study areas.This research analysis is not only a warning for native slaughterhouse personnel to be aware of the disease,but also has global significance especially in the developing countries.This study also aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of Echinococcus species in Pakistan using the complete mitochondrial cox1 and nad1 genes.Based on BLAST searches of the generated cox1 and nad1 gene sequences from a total of 60 hydatid cysts collected from cattle(n=40)and buffaloes(n=20),52 isolates were identified as E.granulosus sensu stricto(G1,G3)and 8 as E.ortleppi(G5).The detection and identification of the G5 genotype represents the first in Pakistan.The diversity indices indicated a high haplotype and a low nucleotide diversity.The negative values of Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs test demonstrated deviation from neutrality suggesting a recent population expansion.To the best of our knowledge,this report described the genetic variation of E.granulosus population for the first time in Pakistan using the complete mitochondrial cox1 and nad1 genes and confirmed E.ortleppi as one of the causative agents of CE among livestock in Pakistan.While this report will contribute to baseline information for CE control,more studies considering species diversity and distribution in different hosts across uninvestigated regions of Pakistan are highly needed. |
