One Health Assessment of Bacillus anthracis Incidence and Detection in Anthrax-Endemic Areas of Pakistan

Journal Article · Sat Sep 30 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Microorganisms

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102462· OSTI ID:2368755

Sardar, Nageen ^[1]; Aziz, Muhammad Waqar ^[2]; Mukhtar, Nadia ^[3]; Yaqub, Tahir ^[3]; Anjum, Aftab Ahmad ^[3]; Javed, Maryam ^[3]; Ashraf, Muhammad Adnan ^[3]; Tanvir, Rabia ^[3]; Wolfe, Alan J. ^[4]; Schabacker, Daniel S. ^[5]; Forrester, Sara ^[5]; Khemmani, Mark ^[4]; Aqel, Amin A. ^[6]; Warraich, Muhammad Akib ^[7]; Shabbir, Muhammad Zubair ^[1]

---

1. University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore (Pakistan); University of Jhang, Jhang (Pakistan)
2. University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore (Pakistan); The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur (Pakistan)
3. University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore (Pakistan)
4. Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL (United States)
5. Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
6. Mutah University, Al-Karak (Jordan)
7. Rennes School of Business, Rennes (France)

Anthrax, a severe zoonotic disease, is infrequently reported in anthrax-endemic regions of Pakistan. Despite clinical reports indicating its presence, particularly cutaneous anthrax, there is insufficient laboratory evidence regarding disease occurrence and environmental persistence. The present study aimed to confirm Bacillus anthracis presence, accountable for animal mortality and human infection, while exploring environmental transmission factors. Between March 2019 and July 2021, a total of 19 outbreaks were documented. Of these, 11 affected sheep/goats in Zhob district and 8 affected cattle/sheep in Bajour Agency. Clinical signs suggestive of Bacillus anthracis outbreak were observed in 11 animals. Blood and swab samples were collected for confirmation. The study followed a One Health approach, analyzing animal, environmental (soil/plant), and human samples. Of the 19 outbreaks, 11 were confirmed positive for anthrax based on growth characteristics, colony morphology, and PCR. Soil and plant root samples from the outbreak areas were collected and analyzed microscopically and molecularly. Cutaneous anthrax was observed in six humans, and swab samples were taken from the lesions. Human serum samples (n = 156) were tested for IgG antibodies against PA toxin and quantitative analysis of anthrax toxin receptor 1 (ANTXR1). Bacillus anthracis was detected in 65 out of 570 (11.40%) soil samples and 19 out of 190 (10%) plant root samples from the outbreak areas. Four out of six human samples from cutaneous anthrax lesions tested positive for Bacillus anthracis. Human anthrax seroprevalence was found to be 11% and 9% in two districts, with the highest rates among butchers and meat consumers. The highest ANTXR1 levels were observed in butchers, followed by meat consumers, farm employees, meat vendors, veterinarians, and farm owners. These findings highlight the persistence of anthrax in the region and emphasize the potential public health risks.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; US Department of Defense (DOD); Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 2368755
• Journal Information: Microorganisms, Journal Name: Microorganisms Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 11; ISSN 2076-2607
• Publisher: MDPI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
Bacillus anthracis
emerging zoonotic disease
endemic
environmental factors
human seroprevalance