Sero-Survey
of Equine Infectious Anemia in Five Draught Equine Populated
Metropolises of Punjab,
Pakistan
M. Hammad Hussain*, Ghulam Muhammad, Ijaz Javed1
and Muhammad Siddique2§
Department of Clinical Medicine & Surgery; 1Department
of Physiology and Pharmacology; 2Department of
Microbiology, University of Agriculture,
Faisalabad, Pakistan; §Deceased
* Corresponding author email address: m.hammad.hussain@gmail.com
Abstract
Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a cosmopolitan
fatal recurring retroviral disease of equine family. Keeping in view the
importance of the disease, this study was planned and executed to investigate
the presence of EIA in 5 draught equine populated metropolises (Lahore,
Gujranwala, Faisalabad,
Multan and Bahawalpur)
of Punjab, Pakistan. A cross-sectional
epidemiological survey was conducted and 430 blood and serum samples were
randomly collected from 332 donkeys, 65 horses, and 33 mules along with
epidemiological information. Samples were then transported to the laboratory for
analysis. Blood samples were tested to determine erythrocyte indices for
establishing the type of anemia. Serum samples were analyzed for the presence of
antibodies against EIA virus through a commercial ELISA. Although, erythrocyte
indices indicated towards presence of anemia in equines, no serum sample was
found positive on ELISA. This is a first ever study in Pakistan where
presence of EIA was investigated over a wide geographic region and indicated
towards the possible disease free status of the selected equine population.