17 H. Rashid K. Muhammad M. Rabbani M. S. Khan1. M. Z. Shabbir A. Ahmad M. A. Ali B. Jayarao2 Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JAPS 20202020/06/25 30 5 1336-1340 1018-7081 https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2020.5.0152 <p>Anthrax is a deadly and highly contagious, zoonotic disease caused by&nbsp;<em>Bacillus anthracis</em>. It is an acute, febrile disease of warm-blooded animals and humans. This study was conducted to investigate antibodies against anthrax (Protective-antigen) in four species of domestic animals (cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat) in nine districts of Punjab, Pakistan. The serum samples of the animals (n=680) were processed using indirect ELISA to determine antibodies against&nbsp;<em>Bacillus anthracis</em>&nbsp;protective-antigen (PA). The results showed that 23/120 (19.2%) cattle, 37/101 (36.6%) buffaloes, 124/285 (43.5%) goats and 74/174 (42.5%) sheep have protective level of anti-PA antibodies. Overall, seroprevalence of anti-PA antibodies was 37.9 % in 680 animals. Maximum seroprevalence was recorded in Lahore (82.4%) followed by Gujranwala (80.4%), Sahiwal (72.7%), Chakwal (63.6%), Sargodha (54.3%), Faisalabad (15.2%), Sheikhupura (14.1%), DG Khan (5.5%) and Attock (0%), respectively. It was concluded that eight out of nine districts of Punjab had animals positive for antibodies against PA of&nbsp;<em>B. anthracis</em>&nbsp;and all of the four species of domestic animals were seropositive. Continuous monitoring of animals for&nbsp;<em>B. anthracis</em> is highly recommended for keeping the threat under control.</p> Bacillus anthracis, domestic animals, indirect ELISA, Punjab Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=VS-19-0094