In-House Developed ELISA Indicates High Prevalence of Anti-Echinococcus granulosus IgG in Sheep Population-An Update from Pakistan.

Mughees Aizaz Alvi,Wan-Zhong Jia,Muhammad Saqib,Bao-Quan Fu,Hong-Bin Yan,Anum Aizaz Alvi,Muzafar Ghafoor,John Asekhaen Ohiolei,Muhammad Haleem Tayyab,Noman Yousaf Faridi,Li Li,Muhammad Hammad Hussain,Warda Qamar

doi:10.3390/pathogens9110905

Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) 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 in Pakistan, where data are non-existent. For this purpose, two sheep-rich provinces of Pakistan were selected, and 728 sheep sera were collected using probability proportional to size (PPS) statistical technique. Epidemiological information was recorded on a questionnaire for the estimation of potential risk factors. The serum samples were analyzed for IgG antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus using an in-house-developed EgAgB-based ELISA kit. The overall seroprevalence recorded was 21.98% (160/728) in the tested sheep, suggesting higher seropositivity in sheep from Punjab (23.73%) as compared to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) (19.04%). The overall apparent prevalence observed by this ELISA method was almost similar to the calculated true prevalence (21.77%). Prevalence was significantly different (p < 0.05) among sheep from different districts. Higher prevalence was found in females (22.54%, OR 1.41), age group > 5 years (29.66%, OR 1.64), crossbreeds (42.85%, OR 2.70), and sheep with pasture access (25.96%, OR 3.06). Being in age group > 5 years and having pasture access were the factors significantly associated with 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.

Highlights

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the metacestodes of Echinococcus belonging to the family Taeniidae
108 (23.73%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 19.9–27.9) and 52 (19.04%; 95% CI = 14.6–24.2) sheep were found positive for anti-Echinococcus granulosus IgG from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Province, respectively
The seroprevalence of E. granulosus (23.73%; 95% CI = 19.9–27.9) in sheep was higher in Punjab province, the difference recorded between the provinces was not significant (p > 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the metacestodes of Echinococcus belonging to the family Taeniidae. Pathogens 2020, 9, 905 consisting of, from inside to outside, the hydatid fluid, the germinal layer producing the protoscoleces, parasitic laminated layer, and the adventitial layer, fabricated as a result of the host’s immune response [1]. They infect a wide spectrum of animal species including livestock and wildlife [2,3,4,5]. The definitive hosts of this cestode are the canids that carry the adult tapeworm parasite in their small intestines Both wild and domesticated ruminants, including sheep, serve as intermediate hosts [7]. Fertilized eggs are released from the intestine of dogs in feces and ingestion of contaminated water or vegetation by a suitable intermediate host leads to the release of oncospheres from embryonated eggs that penetrate the intestinal wall, spreading to various tissues of the body through the circulatory system [8,9,10]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion