Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is highly endemic in Pakistan, which induces heavy economic loss to livestock holders in term of decrease milk production, high morbidity and mortality in large and small ruminants. In present study, we observed the clinico-pathological lesions during an outbreak of FMD in vaccinated buffaloes. Overall 31.56% morbidity (119/377), 4.77% mortality (18/377) and 15.12% case fatality (18/119) was recorded during the current outbreak. The morbid animals were lethargic, depressed and exhibited marked lameness, profuse salivation, myositis of tongue, vesicular fluid and epithelial sloughing. Vesicular fluid and epithelial sloughing collected from clinically sick animals were positive for FMDV predominantly O strain and Asia I through ELISA technique. Grossly, mandibular lymph nodes were swollen and hemorrhagic in infected animals. The mucosa of abomasum was severely congested, ulcerated and showed hyperemic edges with centrally yellow necrotic areas. Severe purulent inflammation of jejunum and petechial hemorrhages over base of heart were also observed. Histologically degenerative changes in keratinocytes in stratum spinosum, marked acanthosis and intracellular accumulation of eosinophilic, a cellular, transudate forming characteristic vesicles and bullae were observed in epidermis. The mandibular lymph nodes exhibited prominent capillaries engorged with erythrocytes, necrosis and dendritic cells with engulfed necrotic cells. Hemosiderin accumulation was also observed. Fusion and stunting of intestinal villi along with infiltration of inflammatory cells were characteristic lesions in infected animals. From the findings of our study it can be suggested that clinical signs, necropsy lesions and histopathological changes are valuable and useful tools for the diagnosis of foot and mouth disease in Bubalus bubalis. Moreover, strict surveillance, use of good quality vaccines, regular monitoring and geographical distribution of various serotypes of FMDV are valuable tool for establishment of effective control procedures.

To Cite This Article: Hussain R, Mahmood F, Aslam B, Siddique AB, Rafique A, Khaliq SA, Khan I, Imran S, Mubeen M, Jahanzaib and Nasir AA, 2020. Investigation of different serotypes of FMDV in vaccinated Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Southern Areas of Punjab Province, Pakistan. Pak Vet J, 40(1): 118-122. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2019.062