| This study describes the first large-scale sero-survey 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. Four prefectures from Punjab province and two from KPP province were selected on the density of the draught equids, migratory birds, presence of wetlands and veterinary clinics 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 test (MNT) 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 650%) and WNV infections were confirmed in 249 animals by MNT. However, there was no animal found infected by JEV or TBEV. Significantly (P< 0.001) higher prevalence was observed in equines from Punjab (79.4%) compared to those from KPK (49.3%). In Punjab province higher seroprevalence of antibodies was observed in equines of Lahore (84.6%), followed by Sargodha (83.3%), Gujranwala (81.2%) and Faisalabad (71.9%). In KPK province significantly higher (P < 0.001) prevalence was observed in equine from Peshawar (62.8%) compared to Charsadda (35.1%). Prevalence of WNV antibodies was not found significantly different (P= 0.216) between two sampled species:i.e., donkeys (51.2%) and horses (58.9%). Age was found to be significantly (P<0.05) associated with the seropositivity of WNV in equines. Seroprevalence recorded in young (< 5 years), adult (< 10 years) and old (> 10 years) equines was 72%,59.3% and 50% respectively. Out of WNV positive animals 153 (56.4%) were females and 96 were males (53.9%). Prevalence of WNV was not found significantly different between male and female equids.The detection of WNV-seropositive equines in Pakistan strongly suggests a widespread circulation of WNV in Pakistan. |
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