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RESEARCH ARTICLE BIOSCIENCE
RESEARCH, 2026 23(2): 36-43
OPEN ACCESS
Shifting Serotype Dynamics of
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Cattle: Evidence from Central Punjab,
Pakistan
Abeera Mubarak* ,
Rehan Rafique
,
Abdullah
,
M Shahzad Qadir
,
Rashad Muneer
and
Sajjad Hussain
Research and Development
Division, Foot and Mouth Disease Research Center, Lahore, Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org//10.65970/br.2026.141
ABSTRACT
Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) remains
endemic in Pakistan, causing substantial economic losses in livestock
production. Continuous molecular surveillance is essential to monitor
circulating serotypes and lineages. The present study aimed to investigate
the epidemiological distribution and molecular characteristics of
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) circulating in cattle in Central Punjab,
Pakistan, during 2023–2024.A total of 58 clinical samples were collected
from suspected FMD outbreaks in cattle. Samples were screened using ELISA
and confirmed by Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Positive isolates were
subjected to sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, and accession numbers
were obtained through the National Center for Biotechnology Information
database. Epidemiological variables including age, sex, and seasonal
distribution were analyzed. Among the tested samples, 37 were positive for
FMDV. Serotype A was predominant (28 cases), followed by serotype O (09
cases), while Asia-1 was not detected. Phylogenetic analysis conducted using
the VP1 region sequence showed that serotype A isolates belonged to the
tur-06 and O serotype belonged to Pan-Asia II. Disease was more prevalent in
female than male cattle having age group between 1-4 years. The outbreak
epidemiology of FMD varied significantly between months of study, age
groups, and gender. The report suggested further investigation to check
Asia-1 serotypes spread in the area with effective control measures. The
predominance of serotype A and detection of multiple lineages highlight
ongoing viral evolution and transboundary transmission risks in Central
Punjab. Continuous molecular surveillance and periodic vaccine strain
evaluation are recommended to improve FMD control strategies in the region.
Keywords:
Serotype O, Serotype A, BHK-21 Cell line, Virus Adaptation, Central
Punjab, Season, age
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