High seroprevalence of pathogenic Yersinia spp. in sheep and goats across nine government farms in the Pakistani Punjab

Abstract

Introduction: Seroprevalence of Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis infections in animals and humans is not established in Pakistan. There are only a few reports on the prevalence of pathogenic Yersinia spp. and infections in small ruminants, however, the role of sheep and goats in the transmission of pathogenic Yersinia remains unclear.

Methodology: A primary survey investigated the presence of anti-Yersinia antibodies among a small population of ruminants detected by recombinant antigen targets in nine government farms dispersed throughout the Punjab province of Pakistan.

Results: Antibodies specific for Y. enterocolitica were detected in 7/9 sheep flocks and in 4/4 goat flocks. Antibodies specific for Y. pseudotuberculosis were detected in 4/9 sheep flocks. Two sheep flocks revealed the presence of both Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis specific antibodies.

Conclusion: Due to the high number of the population involved in raising small ruminants the risk to veterinary and public health must be rapidly determined.

Keywords: Pakistan; Punjab; Yersinia; serology; small ruminants.