SERO-PREVALENCE OF THE NEGLECTED ZOONOSES OF PORCINE ERYSIPELAS IN THE NORTH EASTERN HILL STATE OF MEGHALAYA, INDIA

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a zoonotic bacterial pathogen of porcine origin. It can cause systemic bacterial infection leading to erysipelas on skin, arthritis, endocarditis in both pigs and human beings. The state of Meghalaya had recorded few zoonotic diseases viz., Brucellosis, Scrub typhus, Japanese encephalitis, Bird flu, Salmonellosis, Listeriosis, Colibacillosis, Swine erysipelas etc. The state had earlier reported laboratory confirmed outbreak of E. rhusiopathiae in the year 2012, which was followed by a pilot scale sero-prevalence study in pigs in two representative districts of Meghalaya. However, during 2018-19 a systematic sero-survey was carried out for this important zoonotic disease in swine population of Meghalaya. In the present study, a total of 515 random serum samples were collected across Meghalaya which were screened for porcine E. rhusiopathiae with reputed commercial indirect ELISA kits and the screening result showed a sero-prevalence of 0.97%. The presence of this zoonotic pathogen warrants attention from not only the veterinary department in term of disease reporting, prevention and control but also from the medical fraternity to report human cases from the state.