Prevalence and Risk Factor Analysis of Bovine Tuberculosis in Bovine Population in Karachi, Pakistan

| Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a major infectious disease among cattle, other farm animals, and human population. It results from infection ofMycobacterium bovis.A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1000clinically suspected bovine animals (435 cows and 565 buffaloes) of smallholder dairy farms in five towns i.e., Bin Qasim, Gaddap, New Karachi, Korangi and Super highway of Karachi, Pakistan. The prevalence of bTB was determined through comparative intradermal tuberculin (CIDT) test using mammalian tuberculin.Asurvey was also conducted to collect information regarding bTB associated risk factors both at herd and animal level. Results showed an overall prevalence of 14.4% bTB in small holder dairy farms of Karachi. The prevalence percentage was significantly (p<0.05) lower in New Karachi (5%) as compared to Gaddap (12.5%) followed by Korangi (15.5%), Super Highway (19%) and Bin Qasim (20%). Pearson’s chi-square revealed that herd level prevalence of bTB was significantly associated withherdsize (χ2= 2.66, p= 0.000) and management system of the farm (χ2= 5.16, p= 0.023). However, animal level prevalence was found associated with the age (χ2=81.14, p=0.000), body condition(χ2=18.74, p= 0.001), sex (χ2=1.101,p = 0.005), breed(χ2=3.83, p=0.003), reproductive status (χ2=26.63, p= 0.009) and origin of animal(χ2=8.27, p= 0.008).Based on CIDT results it could be concluded that bTB is present in significant proportions in bovine population in peri-urban areas of Karachi. The study underlines the importance of launching control strategy before the disease reaches its climax and pose great economic and public health hazard.