Aamer Bin Zahur

Sero-epidemiology of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in Pakistan

A sero survey was conducted during 2005-2006 to estimate the sero prevalence of PPR in the small ruminant population of Pakistan. A total of 2798 samples were collected including goats (1979) and sheep (819) from villages in 27 randomly selected districts. These were tested by cELISA for PPRV and true prevalence estimates were calculated by Rogan and Gladen estimator. Overall, 1273 (45.5%) were found positive; 980 (49.5%) of 1979 samples from goats and 293 (35.8%) of 819 serum samples from sheep were positive. The true sero-prevalence of PPR was estimated to be 48.5% (95% CI, 46.6-50.3), and 52.9% (95% CI, 50.7-55.1) and 37.7 (95% CI, 34.4-41.0) for goats and sheep, respectively. PPR virus is widely distributed all across Pakistan and has become an endemic infection of small ruminants. Since it is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in small ruminants, it poses a serious threat to food security and the rural economy in Pakistan.

Detection of Peste des Petits Ruminants Viral RNA in Fecal Samples of Goats after an Outbreak in Punjab Province of Pakistan: A Longitudinal Study.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild small ruminants and thus has serious socioeconomic implications. In Pakistan, during the year 2012-2013, estimated losses due to PPR were worth Rs. 31.51 billions. Close contact between infected and susceptible animals is an important route of transmission of PPR. Therefore, carrier animals play an important role in unnoticed transmission of PPR. The objective of the study was to investigate the detection of PPR virus in goats recovered from PPR. A suspected PPR outbreak was investigated and confirmed as PPR after analysing appropriate samples collected from infected animals using rRT-PCR. A longitudinal study was conducted over the period of 16 weeks to ascertain the detection of PPR virus (PPRV) in faecal samples of recovered goats. Ninety-six (96) faecal samples from each sampling were collected at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after the outbreak. Faecal samples were analysed using rRT-PCR. Of 96 from each sampling a total of 46, 37, 29, and 25 samples were positive for PPR viral genome at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks, respectively, after recovery. Attempts were made for the isolation of PPR virus on Vero cells, but results were negative. These results indicated the detection of PPR viral RNA up to 16 weeks after infection. Therefore, these results may help in the future epidemiology of PPR virus shedding and possible role as source of silent infection for healthy animals especially when there is no history of any outbreak in nearby flock or area.

Differential Diagnosis of Orf from Peste Des Petits Ruminants; An Example from Field

| In a herd of 25 goats, a disease outbreak was reported in surrounding area of Islamabad. On the basis of clinical signs of oral lesions and very minute ocular and nasal discharge in 6 animals but diarrhea and difficult breathing was only in single animal, disease was suspected as Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) by local veterinary practitioner. Animals were vaccinated for PPRV and swab samples were collected for further investigation. Samples were found negative for PPRV when tested through Penside and s-ELISA. Further physical examination revealed scabby lesions on face, papules at head and ear with normal respiration and heart rate. Hematological examination indicated lymphocytosis. On the basis of clinical signs, lymphocytosis and negative laboratory results for PPRV disease, outbreak was diagnosed as Orf. Animals were treated with parenteral inj. Tribressin®, inj. Vetafenac® and inj. Cyanocobe® along with topical applications at lesions. Animals recovered completely after 3 weeks of treatment intervention. It is suggestive to give more stress on differentially diagnosis of PPRV while working towards its progressive control leading to possible eradication.