Journal of Infection and Molecular Biology 2 (2): 30 – 31 http://dx.doi.org/10.14737/jimb.2307–5465/2.2.30.31 Ashraf et al (2014). Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica Infection in Buffaloes 30 Short Communication Shahzad Ashraf 1* , Zafar Iqbal 2 , Muazzam Ali 3 , Haroon Rashid Chaudhry 1 , Nuzhat Sial 3 , Umair Ahsan 1 , Ahmed Ali 4 , Muhammad Zeshan Asif 3 1 University College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur–63100, Pakistan; 2 Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 3 Department of Life Sciences, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur–63100, Pakistan; 4 School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia *Corresponding author: drshahzadbalouch@yahoo.com ARTICLE HISTORY ABSTRACT Received: Revised: Accepted: 2014–04–02 2014–04–23 2014–04–23 A cross–sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in buffaloes of Bahawalpur District, Pakistan from May, 2010 to April. 2011. Epidemiological data on fasciolosis was collected from buffaloes at livestock farms of Bahawalpur, Ahmadpur East, Hasilpur, Khairpur Tamewali and Yazman Tehsils. Data was analyzed on the basis of seasonal prevalence and it was observed that a higher prevalence of fasciolosis occurred during autumn followed by spring and winter, while it was the lowest during summer. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the prevalence of fasciolosis between the five study sites. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of initiating a control program for fasciolosis based on regular treatment in the areas of Bahawalpur having a relatively high prevalence of fasciolosis. All copyrights reserved to Nexus® academic publishers Key Words: Fasciolosis, Buffaloes, Bahawalpur, Seasonal prevalence ARTICLE CITATION: Ashraf S, Iqbal Z, Ali M, Chaudhry HR, Sial N, Ahsan U, Ali A, Asif MZ (2014). Seasonal prevalence of Fasciola hepatica infection in buffaloes of Bahawalpur district of Punjab, Pakistan. J. Inf. Mol. Biol. 2 (2): 30 – 31. Parasitism is considered as one of the most important problems of livestock sector responsible for lowering productivity and accounts for infecting more than 300 million cattle and buffaloes around the globe (Vercruysse and Claerebout, 2001; Khan et al., 2011). Fasciolosis, commonly known as liver fluke infection, is the most important infection caused by helminthes. It is the most important parasitic disease of livestock sector and humans. This disease is most familiar due to its wider range of definitive hosts. Acute and chronic infections are caused by Fasciola hepatica in the livestock (Shahzad et al., 2012). Two species of Fasciola genus are associated with the disease i.e. F. hepatica and F. gigantica. It requires an aquatic snail for asexual development, which increases its prevalence up to 80% in the animals which are in closed interaction with ponds. Both the species can give rise to acute and chronic infection in livestock, with expected blood loss of about 0.2–0.5 mL /worm/animal/day (Khan et al., 2009; Khan et al., 2011). In Pakistan, surveillance record showed estimated prevalence of fasciolosis in Punjab 14.71%, 17.68% in Bahawalpur, 23.97% in Multan, 10.48% in Lahore and 55% in Peshawar (Khan et al., 2009). This problem appears to constitute a serious constraint to the development of buffalo industry in the area. Unfortunately, no up to date information is available on the prevalence and economic importance of fasciolosis in buffaloes in the Bahawalpur district of Punjab province. The primary objective of this study was to examine the current status of this disease in Bahawalpur district of Punjab province. A carpological survey of buffaloes of the district Bahawalpur was carried out to check the overall prevalence of fasciolosis. The study area was divided into distinct five study sites which are the five Tehsils of district Bahawalpur. To record the prevalence of fasciolosis, dairy farms of 5 tehsils named Bahawalpur, Hasilpur, Ahmadpur, Yazman and Khairpur Tamewali were surveyed on monthly basis, from May, 2010 to April. 2011. Fecal samples were collected and the presence of parasites was observed through microscopy. Data regarding the number of total observed animals and infected animals was recorded along with meteorological record. For this reason, the whole year was divided into four seasons with the following breakups viz winter (Nov–Feb), spring (March–April), summer (May– Aug) and autumn (Sep–Oct). Fresh fecal samples were collected randomly from all the five study sites on monthly basis and transferred to the laboratory of University College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, where coprological examination (Simple Sedimentation method) was done according to Gonzalez–Lanza et al., (1989). During this study, a total of 3000 fecal samples were collected from the district Bahawalpur, 600 samples were collected from each of the five study sites which are the five tehsils Bahawalpur, Ahmadpur East, Hasilpur, Khairpur Tamewali and Yazman of district Bahawalpur and were examined for the infection of Fasciolosis. Seasonal Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica Infection in Buffaloes of Bahawalpur District of Punjab, Pakistan