Sero-Prevalence of Bacillus Anthracis in Domestic Animals

Abstract

Anthrax caused by Bacillus anthracis is a zoonotic infection. Proper techniques for rapid confirmation of bacteria are necessary for ensuring proper livestock and medical health interventions. ELISA and PCR are suitable techniques to confirm the bacterium on the basis of serological and genomic analysis, respectively. The techniques are considered more reliable over other conventional bacteria detection techniques such as signs and symptoms, post-mortem changes, cultural characteristics, precipitation test such as Ascoli test etc. It was observed that six out of 225 soil samples from 45 villages of district Attock were positive for PA and Cap B plasmid DNA of Bacillus anthracis. None of the positive samples was containing both the PA and Cap B plasmid DNA of the bacteria. Similarly, only one out of 190 soil samples from 38 villages of district Chakwal were positive for PA plasmid DNA of the bacteria. However, soil samples from villages of districts Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal and DG Khan were found negative for both PA and Cap B plasmid DNA of the bacteria. Moreover, there is positive association of the pathogen with alkaline soil having high moisture, organic contents and inorganic components such as copper, magnesium, and iron. Soil positive for pathogenic Bacillus anthracis is source of infection and an effective way to induce natural immunity in domestic animals. It was observed that each of the 23 sera collected from the domestic animals kept on soil of district Attock positive for the bacteria were negative for anti-PA-plasmid Bacillus anthracis antibodies. Similarly, none of the 52 sera collected from the domestic animals kept on soil of district Attock negative for the bacteria were also negative for anti-PA-plasmid Bacillus anthracis antibodies. It mean there is no association between soil positive of bacillus anthracis spore (PA plasmid of the bacteria) and anti-PA bacillus anthracis antibodies in domestic animals. However, some of the sera samples of the domestic animals kept on the soil of areas of district Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, DG Khan and Sargodha which were negative for pathogenic bacteria, were positive for anti-PA-plasmid Bacillus anthracis antibodies. It could be due to migration of animals from vaccinated area to the above mentioned areas. The results indicate that animals may be primed and/or boosted with effective vaccine or natural exposure for inducing effective active immunity against the pathogen