Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Cystic Echinococcosis in Cattle and Buffaloes: Insights From an In‐House ELISA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus and associated with productivity and economic losses in the livestock population across the world. Objectives This cross‐sectional study spanned over a period of 1 year (2024) to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of CE in large ruminants (cattle and buffaloes) hosted in different districts of Punjab, Pakistan, using an in‐house developed ELISA. Methods Overall, 430 serum samples from 197 buffaloes and 233 cattle were collected for detection of anti‐E. granulosus antibodies using an in‐house ELISA. Results The highest seropositivity rate (68.24%) was in cattle, whereas buffaloes had 19.28%. The geographical variation revealed that the lowest seropositivity rate (9.52%) was in Haroonabad, whereas Bahawalpur had the highest seropositivity rate (96.29%). Sex‐wise, females showed a seroprevalence of 46.13%, whereas males had a seroprevalence of 37.50%. Age‐wise trends showed that seropositivity increased up to 10–12 years of age, while decreasing in older animals. Breed‐wise, the highest seropositivity rate of 96.29% was observed in the Cholistani cattle, and the lowest rate of 25.25% was shown by Nili‐Ravi buffaloes. The LASSO model revealed a high prediction accuracy of 76.98% and an area under the curve (0.73), suggesting geographical and host‐related impacts on the epidemiology of CE. However, our findings indicate widespread seropositivity, the study does not evaluate production losses or economic impact, and our conclusion refers to epidemiological patterns. Conclusions There is a prompt need for targeted strategies under the One Health concept for region‐specific surveillance, improving animal husbandry practices and controlling definitive hosts, particularly in high‐risk areas of Pakistan.