Report on Tick Borne Diseases and Parasitic Infections in Livestock in District Nankana Sahib

D i s e a s e D i a g n o s t i c L a b o r a t o r y , N a n k a n a S a h i b Page 2
Cross Sectional Survey
Report of Tick Borne Disease
District Nankana Sahib
05-Nov-15
Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Nankana Sahib
Dr. Amir Saeed

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) affect the productivity of livestock species in tropical and
subtropical regions of the world, leading to a significant adverse impact on the livelihoods of
resource-poor farming communities. In Pakistan, four main TBDs, namely anaplasmosis,
babesiosis, theileriosis, and trypanosomiasis (surra)
affect livestock species and the former three are of
major economic importance in bovines in Pakistan.
Given that the livestock sector has become an integral
part of Pakistan’s economy and a large number of dairy
cattle are being imported into the country, in order to
meet an increasing demand of milk and milk products, it
is timely to review current status of bovine TBDs in
Pakistan and to identify gaps in the knowledge of TBDs
and their control. Although there has been a recent
increase in the number of studies of TBDs in this country but information on their prevalence,
distribution, tick vectors, and control is limited.
This study provides a brief background on TBDs and reviews the current status of TBDs in
District Nankana Sahib to identify gaps in knowledge and understanding of these diseases,
propose areas for future research and draw attention to the need for improved tools for the
diagnosis and control of TBDs in District Nankana Sahib. Faecal, blood, milk and serum
samples were randomly collected from each union council throughout the District to estimate
the magnitude and impact of parasitism, sub-clinical mastitis and brucellosis on livestock
populations of District Nankana Sahib.
The disease load (point prevalence) with respect to hemo-parasites was 47.83%, 37.13%,
21.32%, 24.17%, 61.99% and 20.8% in buffalo, cattle, goat, sheep, equine and camel,
respectively. Point Prevalence of nematodes is the highest i.e., 82.29%. Coccidian parasites are
second most prevailing endo-parasites with a prevalence rate of 4.45%. Prevalence of cestodes
and trematodes is quite low i.e., 1.98% and 1.19%, respectively. Overall prevalence of
brucellosis is 3.26%. Prevalence of brucellosis is 4.56% in buffalo, 3.42% in cattle, 2.83% in
goats and 4.98% in sheep. In equine and camel, the prevalence of brucellosis is zero percent.
Key words: Tick-borne diseases, economic significance of TBDs, control, endoparasites & Brucellosis.
DR. FAIZA ASLAM DR. AMIR SAEED
Assistant Disease Investigation Officer Assistant Disease Investigation Officer
Faisalabad Nankana Sahib

2. INTRODUCTION
Ticks transmit a greater variety of pathogenic microorganisms, protozoa,
rickettsiae, spirochaetes and viruse, and are among the most important vectors of
diseases affecting livestock, humans and companion animals. Moreover, ticks can
cause severe toxic conditions such as paralysis, toxicosis, irritation and allergy.
The importance of tick-borne diseases for humans and companion animals is
measured by morbidity and mortality. The diseases transmitted by ticks to livestock
are an additionalmajor constraint to animalproduction.
In general, tick-borne protozoan diseases (e.g. theilerioses and babesioses)
and rickettsial diseases (e.g. anaplasmosis and heartwater or cowdriosis) are pre-
eminent health and management problems of cattle and small ruminants, as well as
buffalo, affecting the livelihood of farming communities in developing countries
like Pakistan. Recently, tick-borne diseases were again ranked high in terms of
their impact on the livelihood of resource poor farming communities in developing
countries.
Government of Punjab step forwarded and has taken some important steps in
Livestock Sector to improve the National Economy. As the livestock sector has
become the major contributor in Pakistan’s economy, so it is timely to review
current status of tick borne diseases in different species of Livestock, brucellosis
among male animals and endo-parasites in equine and camels in order to collect
latest data about above mentioned respective diseases and to make strategies for
their control. Considering the importance about role of ticks and tick-borne
diseases in Livestock, the worthy Secretary L&DD Punjab launched the second
cross sectional survey of the livestock population of the Punjab. This survey was
carried out at village level in all union councils of District Nankana Sahib from
mid June to mid September, 2015. Demonstration of Surf Field Mastitis Test was
also performed during this survey at each village of District Nankana Sahib.
3. ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF TICKS & TICK-BORNE
DISEASES

Livestock and livestock products play an important role in the socio-economic
development of Pakistan. There is a growing demand for meat, milk and eggs to
improve the nutritional status of the population. Hides and skins are important
components of the agricultural sector in generating foreign export earnings. Draft
animals provide power for cultivation of many peasant agricultural holdings.
Moreover, livestock helps as a source of security and supplementary cash income
for rural agricultural households. Improved dairy animals are increasing in
numbers and some better milk yielding cattle are importing from foreign countries
which are the basis of the attempts to strengthen dairying in both the commercial
and smallholder sectors. All these cattle are at risk from the effects of ticks and
tick-borne diseases (TBD). When other losses such as deaths, reduced growth rate
and reduced milk production are added, economic losses due to ticks and tick-
borne diseases are highlysignificant.
Ticks and TBDs cause substantial economic losses in different livestock species by
reducing productivity and fertility, and sometimes causing deaths.
Tick infestation reduces the productivity of livestock species in a number of ways,
including:
(i) The direct effect of attachment and feeding.
(ii) The injection of toxins.
(iii) Economical losses in term of treatment and vaccination.
(iv) Hide damage due to their bites.
(v) A reduction in weight gain due to the sucking of blood by female, adult ticks.
(vi) Reduced milk production, and quality.
(vii) Morbidity and mortality associated with the diseases that they transmit.
4. METHODOLOGY OF SURVEY

a. Objective
The objective of Survey is based on prevalence of Tick Borne Diseases, brucellosis
and endoparasites in different animalspecies.
b. Target Species
For detection of haemoparasites, Endoparasites and Brucellosis, following animal
species were targeted.
i) Haemoparasites
The targeted species for haemoparasites were Buffalo, Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Equine
and Camelidae.
ii) Endoparasites
Equineand camels were sampled for coprological examination.
iii) Brucellosis
Breeding cattle and buffalo bulls, bucks, rams, stallion, jack/donkey and camel
were targeted to collect serum samples for measuring the prevalence of
Brucellosis.
c. SampleSize
One percent of population of each Targeted Species of District Nankana Sahib was
sampled to measure the prevalence of haemo-parasites, endoparasites and
brucellosis.
Total 9689 different samples (blood smear, serum, faecal and milk samples) were
collected from different livestock species of 1665 livestock farmers from 379
villages of 57 union councils of District Nankana Sahib.
For aforementioned attributes point prevalence was estimated using following
model: 𝑃 = 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝑃𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑅𝑖𝑠𝑘 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
In order to achieve the desired goal, the samples were collected from total villages
of each union council of District NankanaSahib.

Tehsil wise detail of samples collected, preserved and examined from different
species are as under:
Sr.
No.
Sample Area
Specie
Total
Cattle Buffalo Sheep Goat Equine Camel
1
Blood
Samples
Tehsil Nankana Sahib 1419 2738 509 1181 588 0 6435
Tehsil Shahkot 84 144 31 26 24 6 315
Tehsil Sangla Hill 32 72 6 12 9 18 149
District
Nankana Sahib
1535 2954 546 1219 621 24 6899
2
Serum
Samples
Tehsil Nankana Sahib 148 315 251 534 366 0 1614
Tehsil Shahkot 21 9 57 19 9 0 115
Tehsil Sangla Hill 6 5 10 9 17 3 50
District
Nankana Sahib
175 329 318 562 392 3 1779
3
Fecal
Samples
Tehsil Nankana Sahib - - - - 928 0 928
Tehsil Shahkot - - - - 44 6 50
Tehsil Sangla Hill - - - - 22 11 33
District
Nankana Sahib
- - - - 994 17 1011
5. HAEMO-PARASITES

A total of 6899 blood samples were collected from all available livestock
populations. Out of these 6899 samples, 2765 samples (40.08%) were found
positive for the presence of haemo-parasites.
While according to previous study (cross-sectional
survey-I) held in January, 2015 at District Nankana
Sahib, the overall prevalence of haemoparasites
among different Livestock species was almost 10%.
This increase in prevalence of haemoparasites in
District Nankana Sahib from January to July &
August is dueto changein climate.
Prevalence of different types of haemo-parasites recovered during the present
study is given below:
a) Babesiosis
Babesiosis is caused by infection with intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites of the
genus Babesia is one of the commonest infections of
animalsworldwide.
The point prevalence of Babesiosis in Buffalo, Cattle,
Sheep, Goat, Equine and Camel is 36.05%, 9.97%,
13.92%, 10.99%, 50.56%and 8.33%respectively.
b) Theileriosis
Theileriosis is a disease caused by intracellular protozoan parasites of the
genusTheileria.
The point prevalence of Theileriosis in Buffalo, Cattle,
Sheep and Goat is 3.65%, 21.49%, 1.28% and 4.92%
respectively.
c) Anaplasmosis
Babesia
Theileria

Anaplasmosis is a disease of domestic and wild ruminants, caused by obligate
intraerythrocytic rickettsiae of the genus Anaplasma.
The point prevalence of Anaplasmosis in Buffalo, Cattle,
Sheep and Goat is 8.12%, 5.67%, 8.97% and 5.41%
respectively.
d) Trypanosomiasis
Trypanosomiasis is caused by infection with inter-erythrocytic protozoan parasites
of the genusTrypanosoma.
The point prevalence of Trypanosomiasis in equine and
camel is 11.43%and 12.5%respectively.
ComparativeAnalysisonPrevalenceofTBDs
According to Cross Sectional Survey-II in District
Nankana Sahib, it is comparatively analyzed that the
prevalence of heamo-parasitic infestation is higher in Buffalos (47.83%) than in
Cattles (37.13%).
The prevalence of heamo-parasites in goat and sheep is (21.32%) and (24.17%),
respectively.
In Buffalos, the relative prevalence of Babesia is at the highest than Anaplasma
and Theileria which is 36.05%, 8.12%and 3.65%respectively.
While in Cattles, the relative prevalence of Theileria is at the highest than Babesia
and Anaplasma which is 21.49%, 9.97%and 5.67%respectively.
Statistical Representations of Survey Results
Anaplasma
Trypanosoma

Following Graphs represent the Survey Results of haemo-parasitic Infestation in
District NankanaSahib.
Geogrphical Distribution of Haemo-parasites
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
Prevalence of Haemoparasites in Livestock
Negative Anaplasma Theileria Babesia Trypanosoma
0
500
1000
1500
2000
Specie-wise Relative Prevalence of
Haemoparasites
Negative Anaplasma Theileria Babesia Trypanosoma

Prevalenceof
Haemoparasites
Babesia
Theileria
Anaplasma
Trypanosoma
High Prevalent
Moderate
Low Prevalent

6. ENDO-PARASITES
In order to measure the prevalence of different species of endo-parasites, fecal
sampling wascarried out in equines and camels.
Upon coprological examination, only 10.09% found negative and 89.91% were
positive for the endo-parasites. The detail of endoparasitic prevalence is as under;
1. Nematodes
In Equine and Camels, the Prevalence of nematodes is the highest value i.e.,
82.29%.
2. Coccidiosis
Coccidian parasite (Eimeria) is the second most prevailing endo-parasite with a
prevalence rate of 4.45%.
3& 4. Trematodes & Cestodes
Prevalence of cestodes and trematodes is quite low i.e., 1.98% and 1.19%,
respectively.
Following are the statistic values of Endoparasitesin Equinesand Camels.
10%
82%
1%
2% 5%
Prevalence of Endo-
parasites in Equine &
Camelids
Negative
Nematodes
Trematodes
Cestodes
Coccidia
0
200
400
600
800
1000
Specie-wise
Prevalence of Endo-
parasites
Equines Camelids

7. BRUCELLOSIS
Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by a
type of bacteria called Brucella. The bacteria can
spread from animals to humans. There are
several different strains of Brucella bacteria.
Some types are seen in cows and buffalos. Others
occur in dogs, pigs, sheep, goats, and camels.
A sum of 1779 serum samples collected and tested
by applying Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) to
measure the prevalence rate in different animal species. Male animals were
targeted for screening. Overall prevalence measured is 3.26%. Prevalence of
brucellosis is 4.56% in buffalo, 3.43% in cattle, 4.98% in goats and 2.83% in
sheep. In equine and camel, the prevalence of brucellosis is zero percent.
Prevalence of Brucellosis in male breeding animals of district Nankana Sahib is
given in the chart below:
As RBPT is not reliable because of false positive serological reactions with other
O chain- bacteria. Confirmation through ELISA and Brucellin Skin Test should be
carried out.
3%
97%
Point Prevalence of Brucellosis in
Breeding Males
Positive
Negative

8. DEMONSTRATION OF SURF FIELD MASTITIS TEST
All over the world, mastitis or swelling of the udder is considered to be the most
importantproduction limiting factor of the dairy industry. Mastitis results from the
growth of the germs in udder.
Mastitis Occurs inTwofollowingForms;
i) The clinical form in which there is visible swelling in the udderand
noticeable changesin milk such as flakes, clots, etc.
ii) The second form of the mastitis is sub clinical. This is also called hidden
mastitis because in this type, swelling in the udder is so mild that there are no
visible changesin the milk or udder.
According to SOPsof Cross-Sectional Survey in District Nankana Sahib, practical
demonstration of Surf field mastitis test was given at each village. Female farmers
were targeted to train regarding conduction of test because females are mostly
involved in milking practice. The objective of this demo was to create awareness
about
a) The significance of the early detection of subclinicalmastitis.
b) Achieve better milk production by timely treatment after detection of mastitis.
Steps inSurfField Mastitis Test
i) Prepare a 3% solution of the household detergent Surf. To this end, dissolve
5 – 6 teaspoonfuls of the surf powderin ½ litre of ordinary water.
ii) Mix the milk from individualteat and the Surf solution in approximately
equalproportions.
iii) Rotate the mixture for about1 minute.
iv) Examinethe mixture for thickening or any other change.
Note: The quantityof thickness and flakes in the mixture determines the level of
Mastitis in the animals.
9. SUGGESTIONS

On the basis of this Cross Sectional Survey and its results, it is revealed that the
following suggestions may be adapted to overcome the disease problem in the area;
1) Some training programs of veterinary, para-veterinary staff along with farmers must
be organized for awareness to improve Livestock Management.
2) Quarantine and Bio-security are the main tools to overcome Tick Borne Diseases.
3) Unless chemical controls, the environment friendly control mechanism like vaccine
and biological methods may be developed.
4) To eliminate the carrier state of haemo-parasites in ruminants, new vaccines and
drugs should be designed.
5) Like Sahiwal Cow, local livestock breeds have resistance against the ticks and TBDs
so the farmers may be motivated to rear the better milk yielding local breeds.
6) Strategy may be developed for the treatment of Brucella positive animals after
confirmation through ELISA.
7) All Veterinary Hospitals may be provided Brucella antigen for detection of
Brucellosis and a Microscope with some necessary material for the early detection of
Parasitic Infestation to facilitate the farmers at grass root level.
8) District Disease Diagnostic Laboratories should be well equipped with Modern
Laboratory Techniques like ELISA and PCR.
10. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanksto Allah Almighty for His countless blessings in every aspect of my life.
I pay my sincere thanks to Dr. Muhammad Nawaz Malik, Project Director
Laboratories, Punjab, for his fruitful guidelines and continuous moral support for
successful completion of the study.
Thanks are also due to Dr. Sanawar who has kindly gone to considerable lengths
in editing and improving the manuscript.
11. REFRENCES
1) Pakistan Economic Survey 2013–14. Ministry of Finance, Islamabad: Government of Pakistan; 2014:23–41.

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