Prevalence of paratuberculosis in water buffaloes on public livestock farms of Punjab, Pakistan

The present study had the goal to assess the prevalence of paratuberculosis in 4 public livestock farms of the Punjab (Pakistan). It included 627 total animals of more than 2-year-old tested by Avian, Purified Protein Derivative (PPD). The results of the PPD test were confirmed by indirect ELISA and by Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) test. An overall prevalence of 1.3% was recorded. The values were between 0.0% and 3.03%. The results of odds ratio suggested that there are 2.18 time's higher chances of infection when body weight of buffaloes is less than 500 kg; 1.65 times in dry animals; 2.58 times when small ruminants are present; and 1.19 times when cattle are absent. The total positive buffaloes observed by Avian PPD were 12, although only 10 were then confirmed by ELISA, and 8 by ZN faecal microscopy.The relative sensitivity and specificity of Avian PPD by considering ELISA as standard test, were 80.0% and 89.47%, respectively. Similarly, the relative sensitivity and specificity of the ZN faecal test were 70.0% and 97.37%, respectively. The relative sensitivity and specificity of Avian PPD by considering ZN faecal test as standard, were 100% and 90%, respectively. Among haematological parameters, platelets significantly decreased and MCH increased in paratuberculosis positive animals.