A Sero-Epedimiological Study of FMD Virus in D. I. Khan through Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay in Various Cattle, Buffalo, & Goat Breeds
Abstract
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious transboundary viral disease of cloven-hoofed livestock that imposes substantial economic losses through reduced productivity and trade disruption. Serological detection of antibodies against FMD virus (FMDV) non-structural proteins (NSPs), particularly 3ABC, provides evidence of infection or exposure and supports assessment of viral circulation. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of FMDV NSP 3ABC antibodies among sheep, goats, cattle, and buffaloes in District Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and to evaluate associations with animal-level factors. A cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was conducted on 384 serum samples, comprising 96 animals from each species. Animals were categorized into three age groups (6 months–1 year, 1–2 years, and >2 years), while cattle were further classified as local or exotic breeds. Serum samples were screened for FMDV NSP 3ABC-specific antibodies using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seroprevalence was calculated from ELISA-positive animals, and associations with species, age, sex, and cattle breed were assessed using Pearson’s chi-square test, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Overall, 233/384 (60.68%) animals were seropositive. Seroprevalence was highest in goats (71.88%), followed by cattle (68.75%), sheep (62.50%), and buffaloes (39.58%), with a significant species-level difference (χ² = 25.70, df = 3, P < 0.001). Seropositivity increased significantly with age, reaching 86.54% in sheep, 88.10% in goats, 92.68% in cattle, and 75.00% in buffaloes among animals >2 years (P < 0.001). Females showed higher seroprevalence than males in sheep (86.21% vs. 26.32%), goats (80.00% vs. 54.84%), cattle (82.89% vs. 15.00%), and buffaloes (47.14% vs. 19.23%). Cattle breed was not significantly associated with seropositivity (P = 0.660). The findings indicate substantial FMDV infection or exposure and heterogeneous epidemiological patterns across livestock populations. Sustained serosurveillance, risk-based vaccination, strengthened biosecurity, and movement management are recommended. Longitudinal and molecular surveillance should characterize viral circulation and transmission dynamics.