Search Results (67)

Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are a primary source of milk in Pakistan, where bovine mastitis is a significant health issue among cattle, leading to substantial economic losses. Staphylococcus aureus is a predominant pathogen associated with mastitis; however, a detailed molecular characterization of the strains in the country remains limited. We previously characterized mastitis strains from the Hazara division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. In this study, we investigated mastitis cases in the Peshawar division, including samples from both animals and human farm workers for comparison. Higher rates of mastitis (67.27% of animals) and sub-clinical mastitis (91.03% of positive animals) were identified in Peshawar than for those (34.55% and 75.31%, respectively) previously observed in Hazara. Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) belonging to clonal complex 9 (ST2454) were predominant. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) belonging to ST22 and ST8 were also detected in the Nowshera district. While no S. aureus colonization was observed among animal handlers, evidence of hand contamination suggests a potential route for pathogen spread. Low levels of antibiotic resistance were noted amongst isolates, but higher rates were seen in MRSA. This study presents only the second comprehensive molecular investigation of S. aureus isolated from buffalo mastitis in Pakistan and indicates a concerning rise in mastitis within the province. Full article

This study explores the role of religion as a state-promoted tool for political assimilation in Pakistan’s border provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. The study is based on five phases of fieldwork (2016–2024) combined with a thematic literature review. The research explores how religious strategies were deployed to forge a unified national identity in these regions. The findings reveal significant disparities in the effectiveness of these strategies. In KP, historical factors, cultural alignment, and geopolitical influences—particularly the Afghan conflict—largely facilitated the integration of Pashtun identity into Pakistan’s broader Islamic-national framework. Tools such as madrassa networks, education reforms, religious slogans, and state-backed Islamist parties effectively promoted religious nationalism. In contrast, religious assimilation efforts in Balochistan largely failed due to entrenched ethnic nationalism, economic exclusion, and political marginalization. Attempts to expand madrassas, delegitimize nationalist leaders as “anti-Islamic,” and support religious movements have been met with resistance, deepening distrust between the Baloch population and the state. The study found that religion alone cannot sustain national cohesion, particularly in regions with longstanding grievances and systemic inequalities. This research emphasizes the limitations of top-down, coercive assimilationist policies and underscores the necessity for more inclusive approaches, such as addressing economic disparities, recognizing regional identities, and promoting political participation as essential components for building a sustainable and unified nation. The study provides critical insights for policymakers, advocating for a shift from religious assimilation to strategies that prioritize justice, equity, and cultural accommodation, particularly in KPK and Balochistan. Full article

Mining activities in Pakistan’s mineral-rich provinces threaten freshwater security through groundwater depletion, contamination, and flood-induced pollution. This study develops an Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (IDRR) framework integrating governance, social, environmental, and technical (GSET) dimensions to holistically assess mining-induced water hazards across Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. Using GIS-based spatial risk mapping with multi-layer hydrological modeling, we combine computational analysis and participatory validation to identify vulnerability hotspots and prioritize high-risk mines. Community workshops involving women water collectors, indigenous leaders, and local experts enhanced map accuracy by translating indigenous knowledge into spatially referenced mitigation plans and integrating gender-sensitive metrics to address gendered water access disparities. Key findings reveal severe groundwater depletion, acid mine drainage, and gendered burdens near Saindak and Cherat mines. Multi-sectoral engagements secured corporate commitments for water stewardship and policy advances in inclusive governance. The framework employs four priority-ranked risk categories (Governance-Economic 15%, Social-Community 30%, Environmental 40%, Technical-Geological 15%) derived via local stakeholder collaboration, enabling context-specific interventions. Despite data limitations, the GIS-driven methodology provides a scalable model for regions facing socio-environmental vulnerabilities. The results demonstrate how community participation directly shaped village-level water management alongside GSET analysis to craft equitable risk reduction strategies. Spatially explicit risk maps guided infrastructure upgrades and zoning regulations, advancing SDG 6 and 13 progress in Pakistan. This work underscores the value of inclusive, weighted frameworks for sustainable mining–water nexus management in Pakistan and analogous contexts. Full article

Emerging tick-borne infections pose growing public health threats, causing global disease burdens and economic losses. In this study, tick-borne pathogens were detected in ticks collected from ruminants in 19 sites of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, between 2023 and 2024. A total of 989 ticks, belonging to five species, i.e., Hyalomma marginatum, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, and Haemaphysalis bispinosa, were tested by specific PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. In total, fourteen pathogens including two Anaplasma species, three Ehrlichia species, three Rickettsia species, one Babesia species, and five Theileria species were identified, with an overall infection rate of 20.2% (95% CI: 17.7–22.7%). Phylogenetic analyses revealed two undefined Ehrlichia species: Candidatus Ehrlichia hyalommae was exclusively detected in Hy. marginatum ticks, while Candidatus Ehrlichia rhipicephalis was only found in R. microplus. Additionally, an undefined Rickettsia, provisionally named Candidatus Rickettsia pakistanensis, was identified, which is phylogenetically close to R. sibirica in North Asia and R. africae in Africa, suggesting its potential pathogenicity to humans. Although coinfections of two pathogens were observed, the coinfection rates were quite low. The findings revealed a significant diversity of tick-borne pathogens in Pakistani ticks, which may pose risks to livestock and humans. Full article

It is well understood that climate change is a major cause of the environmental shifts that are significantly impacting human lives. The floods caused by climate change are not only occurring more frequently each year, but they also bring up the problem of access to clean water for drinking and other daily usage for the affected communities. The Swat district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan is one of the impacted regions and the growing concern for clean water access is yet to be resolved. This study aims to propose a sustainable solution to water access during the emergencies, particularly in flood and drought situations. While the roof water harvesting system (RWHS) is well established and functional in many developed regions, its potential remains underexplored in Pakistan. This research study analyzed the climate change projection data for the Saidu Sharif region of Swat. The regional climate data are gathered from the Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSPs) for the period from 2015 to 2045. Five general circulation models (GCMs) were selected based on their performance in South Asian climate simulations. Analysis of the regional forecasted climate data indicates that almost all of the five climate models have predicted the periods of excessive rainfall to occur in the months of July, August, and September, while prolonged dry seasons may last between 271 and 325 days annually. Hydrological modeling was used to estimate RWHS performance, which incorporated the key parameters such as catchment area, runoff coefficient, and rainfall intensity. The findings suggest that the proposed RWHS could meet basic drinking water needs during the floods and even during the drought periods near around 100% satisfaction of water demand under certain conditions. For example, for an average drought period of 273 days, a household of seven people with a per capita daily water demand of 17 L requires a storage capacity of 33 m³. On the other hand, for a maximum drought duration of 325 days, the required storage volume increases to 39 m³. Demand satisfaction calculations are also used to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model. This research contributes to addressing the growing water scarcity challenge posed by climate change in the Swat region and offers a sustainable and practical solution. Full article

Soybean vein necrosis orthotospovirus (SVNV: Tospoviridae: Orthotospovirus) is a well-recognized thrips-vectored and seed-borne virus common in the United States (U.S.), Canada, and Egypt. Pakistan started the commercial cultivation of soybeans in the 1970s, when some soybean cultivars were imported from the U.S. to meet the country’s domestic requirement of oil, poultry, animal feed, and forage. A survey of farmers and scientists was conducted in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan to understand perceptions of SVNV in the indigenous Pakistani community. Concurrently, soybean fields were sampled for SVNV presence at the National Agricultural Research Institute in Islamabad, Pakistan. Based upon survey and SVNV detection results through ELISA and qRT-PCR, a policy was developed. Overall, we found that SVNV was present in Islamabad, Pakistan in USDA-approved soybean cultivars. Although scientists knew about general thrips biology and insecticides, knowledge about identification of vectors (Thrips species) was not significantly different between the scientists and the farmers. Scientists at the Islamabad location were more aware of crop production technology and pests. This study reports that Pakistan needs to strengthen its research institutes, scientists’ and farmers’ capacity building, and extension programs to understand the disease complex in soybean crops. Full article

This study maps the rural household vulnerability to flood-induced health risks in flood-affected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, focusing on the devastating 2022 flood. Using data from 600 households in the severely impacted districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (including Charsadda and Nowshera), this research examines the influence of demographic, socioeconomic, and infrastructural factors on household vulnerability. This study assesses household vulnerability to flooding and health issues using logistic regression. The current study findings revealed that female-headed households, those with younger heads, and families with lower educational levels are particularly vulnerable. Income disparities significantly shape coping capacity, with wealthier households more likely to adopt effective risk-mitigation strategies. Proximity to functioning healthcare facilities emerged as a crucial factor in reducing vulnerability, as these households faced fewer health hazards. Conversely, households in areas where health and water infrastructure were damaged experienced higher risks of disease outbreaks, including cholera and malaria, due to water contamination and inadequate sanitation. This study highlights the urgent need for resilient infrastructure, strengthened public health systems, improved health education, and enhanced water and sanitation services to mitigate flood-induced health risks. Policymakers are urged to sustainable development practices by adopting gender-sensitive disaster management strategies, prioritizing educational initiatives, and fostering community support networks to enhance resilience to future flood events in KPK. Full article

Background: Typhoid fever caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. typhi) continues to pose a significant risk to public health in developing countries, including Pakistan. This study investigated the epidemiological factors linked to suspected and confirmed S. typhi infections in Peshawar’s hospital population. Methodology: A total of 5735 blood samples of patients with suspected enteric fever were collected from September 2022 to November 2023. S. typhi infection was confirmed using microbiological culture of blood samples, biochemical-based tests, and DNA-sequencing methods. Drug sensitivity testing on cultures was conducted as per the CLSI guidelines. Chi-square tests were used to analyze the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of 5735 samples stratified by S. typhi infection status, and risk factors were assessed by applying logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs). Results: The number of confirmed typhoid fever cases in this hospital-based study population was 691 (/5735, 12.0%), more prevalent in males (447/3235 13.8%) and children (0–11 years) (429/2747, 15.6%). Compared to children, the risk of S. typhi infection was lower in adolescence (adjusted OR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.42–0.66), adulthood (19–59 years; aOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.25–0.38), and older adulthood (aOR = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.04–0.18) (p < 0.001). Compared to males, the risk of S. typhi infection was lower in females (aOR = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.56–0.80; p = 0.002). Living in a rural residence (compared to urban) was associated with a higher risk of infection (aOR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.16–1.63; p = 0.001), while access to a groundwater source (compared to municipal water supply) led to a lower risk (aOR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.43–0.73; p = 0.002). Vaccination demonstrated a robust protective effect (aOR = 0.069; 95% CI = 0.04–0.11, p = 0.002). For those with typhoid infections, clinical biomarker analysis revealed the presence of leucopenia (65/691, 9.4%), thrombocytopenia (130/691, 18.8%), and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (402/691, 58.2%) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (690/691, 99.9%) levels. Worryingly, among the positive S. typhi isolates, there was a high prevalence of drug resistance (653/691), including multidrug-resistant (MDR 82/691, 11.9%) and extensively drug-resistant types (XDR, 571/691, 82.6%). Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of age, sex, locality, water source, and vaccination status in shaping the epidemiological landscape of S. typhi in the Peshawar district. It implies that expanding vaccination coverage to the broader population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, particularly in the district of Peshawar, would be beneficial. Full article

Exponential population increases are threatening food security, particularly in mountainous areas. One potential solution is dual-use intercropped agroforestry systems such as olive (Olea europaea)–maize (Zea mays), which may mitigate risk by providing multiple market sources (oil and grain) for smallholder producers. Several studies have conducted integrated agroforestry land suitability analyses; however, few studies have used machine learning (ML) algorithms to evaluate multiple variables (i.e., soil physicochemical properties and climatic and topographic data) for the selection of suitable rainfed sites in mountainous terrain systems. The goal of this study is therefore to identify suitable land classes for an integrated olive–maize agroforestry system based on the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) land suitability assessment framework for 1757 km² in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. Information on soil physical and chemical properties was obtained from 701 soil samples, along with climatic and topographic data. After determination of land suitability classes for an integrated olive–maize-crop agroforestry system, the region was then mapped through ML algorithms using random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM), as well as using traditional techniques of weighted overlay (WOL). Land suitability classes predicted by ML techniques varied greatly. For example, the S1 area (highly suitable) classified through RF was 9%↑ than that of SVM, and 8%↓ than that through WOL. The area of S2 (moderately suitable) classified through RF was 18%↑ than that of SWM and was 17%↓ than the area classified through WOL; similarly, the S3 (marginally suitable) class area via RF was 27%↓ than that of SVM, and 45%↓ than the area classified through WOL. Conversely, the area of N2 (permanently not suitable class) classified through RF and SVM was 6%↑ than the area classified through WOL. Model performance was assessed through overall accuracy and Kappa Index and indicated that RF performed better than SVM and WOL. Crop suitability limitations of the study area included high elevation, slope, pH, and large gravel content. Results can be used for sustainable intensification in mountainous rainfed regions by expanding intercrop agroforestry systems in developing nations to close yield gaps. Full article

The inevitable impacts of climate change have reverberated across ecosystems and caused substantial global biodiversity loss. Climate-induced habitat loss has contributed to range shifts at both species and community levels. Given the importance of identifying suitable habitats for at-risk species, it is imperative to assess potential current and future distributions, and to understand influential environmental factors. Like many species, the Demoiselle crane is not immune to climatic pressures. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces in Pakistan are known wintering grounds for this species. Given that Pakistan is among the top five countries facing devastating effects of climate change, this study sought to conduct species distribution modeling under climate change using data collected during 4 years of field surveys. We developed a Maximum Entropy distribution model to predict the current and projected future distribution of the species across the study area. Future habitat projections for 2050 and 2070 were carried out using two representative concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) under three global circulation models, including HADGEM2-AO, BCC-CSM1-1, and CCSM4. The most influential factors shaping Demoiselle Crane habitat suitability included the temperature seasonality, annual mean temperature, terrain ruggedness index, and human population density, all of which contributed significantly to the suitability (81.3%). The model identified 35% of the study area as moderately suitable (134,068 km²) and highly suitable (27,911 km²) habitat for the species under current climatic conditions. Under changing climate scenarios, our model predicted a major loss of the species’ current suitable habitat, with shrinkage and shift towards western–central areas along the Pakistan–Afghanistan boarder. The RCP 8.5, which is the extreme climate change scenario, portrays particularly severe consequences, with habitat losses reaching 65% in 2050 and 85% in 2070. This comprehensive study provides useful insights into the Demoiselle Crane habitat’s current and future dynamics in Pakistan. Full article

Introduction: Raw milk may contain pathogenic microorganisms harmful to humans, e.g., multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli non-O157:H7, which can cause severe colitis, hemolytic uremia, and meningitis in children. No studies are available on the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC O157:H7) in sick or healthy dairy animals in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. Aim: This study aimed to isolate, characterize, and detect antibiotic resistance in STEC non-O157:H7 from unpasteurized milk of dairy bovines in this province. Materials and Methods: We collected raw milk samples (n = 800) from dairy farms, street vendors, and milk shops from different parts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. E. coli was isolated from these samples followed by latex agglutination tests for serotyping. The detection of STEC was conducted phenotypically and confirmed by the detection of virulence genes genotypically. An antibiogram of STEC isolates was performed against 12 antibiotics using the disc diffusion method. Results: A total of 321 (40.12%) samples were found to be positive for E. coli in this study. These samples were processed for the presence of four virulence genes (Stx1, Stx2, ehxA, eae). Forty samples (5.0%) were STEC-positive. Of these, 38%, 25%, 19%, and 18% were positive for Stx1, Stx2, ehxA, and eae, respectively. Genotypically, we found that 1.37% of STEC isolates produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and contained the bla_{CTX M} gene. Resistance to various antibiotics ranged from 18% to 77%. Conclusion: This study highlights the risk of virulent and multidrug-resistant STEC non-O157:H7 in raw milk and the need for proper quality surveillance and assurance plans to mitigate the potential public health threat. Full article

Botanical surveys in all parts of Pakistan are mainly focused on ethnomedicinal uses of plants, and very little attention has been paid to documenting edible wild fruit species (EWFs). Multiple methodologies and tools were used for data collection. In a recent survey 74 EWF species belonging to 29 families were documented, including their medicinal uses for the treatment of various diseases. The most cited (23%) preparation method was raw, fresh parts. The UV and RFC of EWF species ranged from 0.08 to 0.4 and from 0.02 to 0.18, respectively. In terms of specific disease treatments and their consensus, the ICF ranged from 0 to 0.38. Sexual, gastrointestinal, and respiratory disorders had the highest use reports, and 11 species of plants had the highest FL of 100%. On the basis of uses reported by the inhabitants of seven districts of Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, the CSI ranged from the lowest 1.3 to the highest 41. It is concluded that the traditional uses of EWF species depend mainly on socio-economic factors rather than climatic conditions or the number of species. However, there is a gradual loss of traditional knowledge among the younger generations. The present survey is the first baseline study about the socio-economic dimension of local communities regarding the use of EWF species for food as well as medicine. Full article

(1) Background: The evidence indicates that comorbidities are associated with an increase in the risk of death from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is unclear whether such an association is different for various combinations of chronic disease comorbidities. (2) Methods: From 16 March 2020 to 30 November 2021, 104,753 patients with confirmed COVID-19 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, were studied to determine the association between comorbidities and the duration from symptom onset to death in patients with COVID-19 by stratifying their comorbidity status. (3) Results: The patients with comorbidities had an 84% (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.17) decrease in the duration from symptom onset to death, as opposed to patients without a comorbidity. Among the patients with only one comorbidity, chronic lung disease (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.09) had a greater impact on the duration from symptom onset to death than hypertension (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.18) or diabetes (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.18). The patients with both hypertension and diabetes had the shortest duration (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.20) among the patients with two comorbidities. (4) Conclusions: Comorbidity yielded significant adverse impacts on the duration from symptom onset to death in COVID-19 patients in Pakistan. The impact varied with different combinations of chronic disease comorbidities in terms of the number and type of comorbidities. Full article

Several nucleotide analogues have been approved for use in treating hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Long-term exposure to therapy leads to the emergence of mutations within the HBV DNA polymerase gene, resulting in drug resistance, a major factor contributing to therapy failure. Chronic HBV patients from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, who had completed 6 months of therapy participated in this study. Samples were collected from 60 patients. In this study, the entire reverse transcriptase domain of the HBV polymerase gene was amplified using nested polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Drug-resistant mutations were detected in nine (22.5%) patients. All of these patients had lamivudine-resistant mutations (rtM204V + L180M), while seven individuals (17.5%) had both lamivudine- plus entecavir-resistant mutations (L180M + M204V + S202G). N236T, a mutation that gives rise to tenofovir and adefovir resistance, was observed in two (5%) patients. T184A, a partial drug-resistant mutation to entecavir, was found in five (12.5%) patients. Furthermore, other genotypic variants (100%) and vaccine escape mutations (5%) were additionally observed. Moreover, pN459Y (35%), pN131D (20%), pL231S (20%), pP130Q (17.5%), pS189Q (12.5%), pP161S (5%), pH160P (2.5%), pT322S (2.5%), and pA223S (2.5%) mutations in the polymerase gene, as well as sA166V (17.5%), sQ181K (12.5%), sV184R (7.5%), sA17E (5%), sP153S/K (5%), sW156C (5%), sC76Y (2.5%), and S132F (2.5%) mutations in the small surface gene, were identified for the first time in this study. Phylogenetic analysis showed that genotype D was predominant amongst the HBV carriers. Subtype D1 was found in most patients, while two patients were subtype D9. These novel findings may contribute to the body of knowledge and have clinical significance for treating and curing HBV infections in Pakistan. Full article

Agricultural production and advancement is significantly affected by climate change (CC), especially in drought-prone regions where farmers depend primarily on rainfall for their livelihoods. One of the main threats to the agricultural sector for decades has been global warming, and the sector is particularly susceptible to climatic circumstances. CC has become a crucial concern impeding sustainable development due to rapid changes in urbanization, industry, and agricultural systems. Food security, which is a worldwide concern, is another essential component connected to a country’s economy and people’s livelihoods. In view of these adverse consequences, the main objective of this study was to examine the impact of CC and food security on sustainable agricultural development in Pakistan. The study area was selected from twenty-four districts in two provinces of Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan). Collectively, the current research offers possible solutions to the dilemmas described above, which could have a significant impact on improving efficiency and technological progress. To address these issues, we introduced a slack-based approach to quantify inefficiencies in overall agricultural production. In addition, this study further scrutinized the decomposition of specific variables. The results show that Pakistan has an agricultural inefficiency of 0.62 under CC and food security constraints, of which 0.29 is primarily attributable to food security limitations. In the end, this study will help policymakers to make appropriate decisions to minimize the impact of CC on sustainable agriculture growth and improve human living standards and food security. Full article