Background and Aim: Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan that infects humans and animals. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and the associated alterations in hematology and serum biochemistry of one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Mianwali district, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: A total of 350 blood samples were obtained from male and female camels of different ages (≤3 years old, 4-6 years old, and ≥7 years old). To validate T. gondii antibodies, the collected samples were subjected to indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using purified recombinant micronemal protein 3 as an antibody catching antigen. Results: The prevalence of T. gondii was 50.2% higher in male camels than in female camels (16.5%) (p<0.001). Furthermore, the prevalence of T. gondii in camels was directly proportional to age (p<0.001). It was 63.33% (57/90) in camels of ≥7 years of age, 32.54% in 4-6 years old age group, and 23.08% in ≤3 years old age group. The hematological analysis of infected camels revealed a significant increase in the values of glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism, lymphocyte percentage, monocyte percentage (MONO%), corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and procalcitonin. Furthermore, substantially higher levels of liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and the macro-mineral potassium were found in the serum of T. gondii-infected camels. Conclusion: The seropositivity of T. gondii is directly associated with the age and sex of camels, which may be considered as potential risk factors. Furthermore, T. gondii infection directly impacts the hemato-biochemistry of infected camels.

The study was designed to determine the prevalence and epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 variants during the fifth wave of COVID-19 in selected districts of Punjab, Pakistan. The nasal swab samples (n=708)1 of suspected patients from various districts across Punjab were collected between December 2021 to April 2022. The genome extraction was done using an auto-extractor (Uni-medica) in the BSL-3 facility. Reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed for viral detection and quantification. For the identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants, various mutations of spike protein were targeted using Multiplex PCR. The study’s results revealed the Omicron variant of concern (VOC) as the prevalent lineage of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in the selected regions of Punjab at the time of sampling. The VOC accounted for 90.01% of COVID-19 cases, followed by Delta (6.81%) and wild variant (3.80%). Prevalence of Omicron (VOC) was recorded higher in men (47.96%) as compared to women (42.05%). In addition, the highest percentage of VOC was observed in adults (47.39%) as compared to older people (32.07%) and young people (10.55%). This study highlighted the circulation of the Omicron variant during 5 wave of COVID-19 in Punjab Province, Pakistan.