1.Seroepizootiological investigation on Goat Warble Fly Infestation (Przhevalskiana silenus) in Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan
Liaquat, S. ; Qayyum, M. ; Ahmed, H. ; Arfeen, R.Z.U. ; Celik, F. ; Simsek, S.
Tropical Biomedicine 2021;38(No.2):1-8
Goat Warble Fly Infestation (GWFI) is also known as subcutaneous myiasis caused by
Przhevalskiana silenus (Diptera: Oestridae). It is widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical
areas of the world. In goats, WFI is usually detected through conventional procedure which
underestimated the infestation. The current study was designed to determine the
serodiagonsis of GWFI (through IDEXX Hypodermosis serum antibody test) and also aimed
to investigate its seroepizootiological profile in Pothwar region, Pakistan from 2013-14. The
results showed that average seropositivity (ELISA kit) of GWFI was 18.5% whereas, it was 11%
by using conventional procedure (Palpation method) depicting a significant difference
(p<0.05). Higher seropositivity (30.8%) was observed in Jhelum district as compared to e
Attock district (6%). The L1 larvae were found in September, while nodules start appearing in
October to December and last until the end of February. The month wise peaks of optical
density (OD) was higher in December which gradually decrease along with the end of winter
season. The prevalence of GWFI revealed no significant difference among three host breeds
(Jattal, Beetal and Tedy). According to the results, high infestation rate (28%) was observed
in young animals of age group < 1 year as compared to old animals (> 2 years). Topographically,
hilly areas (33%) provide favourable climatic conditions for the propagating of larval stages.
Sex difference showed no significant difference. The seroprevalence varied significantly
with respect to age, month, districts and topographical location. The current study proved
that serologic diagnosis (commercial ELISA kit) as more sensitive and accurate for timely
diagnosis of GWFI than traditional method. The information on the epizootiology of P.
silenus in goats of Pothwar region would help in devising effective control strategies.