1Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, 70060, Pakistan
2Directorate of Veterinary Research and Diagnosis, Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan
3Food Science & Technology, University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, 70060, Pakistan
*Corresponding author's e-mail: drasgharkamboh@yahoo.com
Online published on 9 February, 2018.
The present study investigated the level of Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis) spores contamination in the soil, as well as in small ruminant's wool/hair in Tharparkar, Pakistan. A total of 160 samples, including soil (n= 80), sheep wool (n= 40) and goat hair (n= 40) were collected from different areas of Tharparkar. Results showed that almost 33.75% samples were found positive for B. anthracis spores from soil, wool and hair; among those 66.25% were from outbreak area, having significantly higher (P < 0.001) incidence than normal areas. Moreover, the soil samples exhibited higher positive prevalence (P < 0.001) than wool, which also had significantly higher (P < 0.001) than hair samples. The samples taken from Mithi area exhibited higher (P< 0.001) prevalence of B. anthracis, followed by Chachro, Diplo and Nangar Parkar (60.00, 30.00, 25.00 and 20.00%, respectively). The differences in area-wise prevalence were also significant ((P < 0.05). The highest prevalence of B. anthracis spores was recorded in open area, followed by in earthen boundaries, and in confined houses (46.42, 30.76 and 23.00%, respectively). These results indicated that soil is a main source of B. anthracis spores, moreover, sheep wool harbor more spores than goat hair.
Anthrax, Bacillus anthracis, Goat, Sheep, Soil, Tharparkar
